his_choice (his_choice) wrote in elsewhere_rpg, @ 2017-11-13 20:35:00 |
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George had shot down Riza’s idea of a proper interrogation. Mustang didn’t want anything really done with his attacker. And they still needed information so they could be able to protect themselves against those monsters should more come around. So, it had been decided that Georgia, the one without an emotional dog in this fight, would be the one to speak with Levi. Of course, Riza had pointed out that Levi reacted very well to North, and since North was Georgia’s self-appointed protector anyway, it would be Georgia and North sitting in the room across from Levi, who sat on one side of the table, while the woman took up the seat on the opposite side and North stood just behind her, towering over both of them. The tall Spartan’s presence was certainly reassuring to George. Funny enough, it was also reassuring to Levi. They hadn’t bound his hands, nor his feet. They hadn’t tried to tie him to the chair. North had been sure he could handle the five-foot-three child with the dead eyes. The boxes that had hung from his sides (they had blades in them, but the blades had no handles) had been removed and set aside on a far table. North had checked him for weapons and had removed two guns which looked like they were from the 1800’s, as well as a knife. Levi had simply allowed it and had stood quietly while it was done. Only once he was devoid of weapons and sitting had George been brought in. Levi had only stared as she’d come over to the table and sat down. He didn’t look any older than twenty, though his eyes were half-lidded, as if they refused to open any further, and those blues were lifeless, dead things. His skin was pale, though it had an olive tone to it, as if he hadn’t seen much of the sun, and his hair was black as black could be. It was clear he was of Asian descent, with the way his eyes slanted just so, but the blue said he was mixed with something. He was still just staring. *** Honestly, George really didn’t like talking to people in person. She was used to it, at home, but in home there were safety protocols in place. Here she logically knew that Kellis-Amberlee wasn’t a problem. That didn’t stop her from feeling like she was in danger every time she was with someone who couldn’t produce a clean blood test. Levi included. So while George sat at the table, she didn’t make any move to initiate contact with Levi. No hand shake. In fact, she sat as far away from him as she could without seeming hostile. It was simply habit: Every inch between her and another (non-Shaun) person might be the inch that saved her (or their) life. She didn’t care about Levi. She cared about whether his human rights were violated, but whatever anti-social issues he had weren’t her problem. George didn’t have a social work degree for a reason, thanks. George nodded at Levi. “From what I understand, you’re not a fan of people either.” George chose to go with a blunt approach, “So doing this quickly would be appreciated.” Of course she’d spoken to everyone who’d spoken to the man first. “Your actions have brought to our attention that we lack a coordinated method of dealing with inter-personal conflict.” George said, “If you would be willing to share your versions of the events regarding Marco and Roy Mustang, it would be useful in assisting us in handling community matters with fairness.” That was all she cared about, “Or you could waive social responsibilities and protections and act as a free agent.” To George, he had the right to do so. It would be stupid to waive his civil rights, but he could do it. *** He just stared. After a few heartbeats, he finally spoke. “You talk a lot.” A calm observation. His arms uncrossed from over his chest, but his legs remained that way. “I assaulted the man with Marco. I beat him decently well. I’m sure I broke his knee.” His version of the event regarding Roy and Marco. He had no interest in going into detail, he was sure this woman had enough details. He didn’t imagine that boy, Marco, the one he’d played chess with, had spared any details at all. So now she had her details. “Anything else?” Came his following question, his voice still emotionless and monotone. Empty child that he was. *** “I’m a journalist, so my primary background is in communications and weaponry.” George responded, not ascribing any particular emotion to the man’s comment. If he’d wanted there to be an emotional impact, he would have shown emotion. He wasn’t the first person he was met who was emotionally broken: Clinical PTSD rates were above 70% where and when she was from. “You did.” She confirmed he broke Roy’s knee, “Was there any particular cultural background to your assault? Is that an acceptable way to handle matters in your world?” Again, she wasn’t judging. She’d shot 6 year old zombies holding Barbies at point-blank range. “If you don’t want to talk, I don’t care.” Still blunt, “Just tell me to fuck off.” *** What was this woman talking about? Again, he just stared at her for a few moments before glancing to the towering North, and back to the blonde woman again. “In certain places, it would be considered acceptable. In others, it wouldn’t.” He really wasn’t much help. “But it makes no matter to me whether it’s acceptable or not. A man laying hands on a child is unacceptable in any situation.” His shoulders rolled back a little, the green of his cape shifting as he resettled in that chair. “It is unfortunate that I misjudged the situation and I hope Roy Mustang,” she’d said that was his name, after all, “Is going to recover without consequence.” Of course, never once did he really attempt to justify his actions. He hadn’t liked it. So he’d done something about it. That? That was how his world worked. Levi, for the most part, did as he liked. He was high enough on the food-chain that he could. He was a God among men. Humanity’s Strongest. Idolized. And his military ranking put him leaps and bounds above everyone else. Only three men ranked above him. Erwin (though he’d passed, and now it was Hanji), General Pyxis, and the King. When Levi spoke, people listened. And they knew better than to do things like that in his territory. Though, his territory was less the underground these days.. Outside the wall? Now that was his. *** The stares were unnerving and annoying. George decided to be charitable and ask if it was a language barrier rather than deciding that the man had some kind of personality or mental disorder that warranted having his decisions and punishments re-evaluated on the grounds of being unable to understand them, “Is there another language you’re used to using?” She asked, “I have translation software.” “He won’t die. I handle epidemics, not physical injuries, so beyond that I can’t really say.” She said with a shrug. “I personally agree with you that it would be unacceptable, but everybody going around and doing whatever they want is going to result in problems.” George said bluntly, “So the real question is are you going to think before you act or is this a habit of yours?” *** Had she really just asked him if he understood her? Turning his face away, the black-haired man clicked his tongue and let out a hiss of displeasure. “Tch.” Those pale eyes locked onto the wall for a few heartbeats before they came back to her, the question about languages dismissed entirely as being rude. “Of course he won’t. If I had wanted him dead, he’d be dead.” But he didn’t, he’d only wanted the pimp to learn the rules of polite society. Ironic, that. “I have no plans to attack anyone else, if that’s what you’re getting at.” His tone was just as bland as ever, those dead eyes locked squarely onto hers, his face a blank slate. No emotion whatsoever. He leaned forward just slightly, though. “What do you plan to do with me?” For a young man who just looked like he was waiting to die, he certainly had a lively streak when faced with it. He wouldn’t go down without a fight. *** The answer to the language question and the man’s literal interpretation of her words made George lean towards some form of emotional disorder, or maybe he was somebody with autism who was high-functioning. Either way, he clearly didn’t understand, which was what she’d come there to ascertain and was the report she would bring back to the rest of the group. She raised a brown eyebrow. “We don’t know.” She told him honestly, “This is the first incident. We’re being aware of the precedent we’ll set before we make any kind of decision.” “Do you have any questions for me?” George asked. *** Questions for her? He had several. More than several. Hundreds. More than he could even come up with right then, which was saying something, because all he had in his head right then were questions. Levi leaned back against his chair and crossed his arms over his chest again. He didn’t like the way she was looking at him, but his expression remained blank. There was nothing to read off of him, except perhaps the way he’d crossed his arms again and leaned back. “I don’t kill people.” He said, at length. “I kill monsters.” It was something he’d prided himself on for a long time... until he’d learned the monsters he was killing? They were really people. Of course, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t hurt someone so badly they’d wish they were dead.. “I’ll accept whatever decision you come to.” Those blue eyes closed. The woman was dismissed. *** So did Georgia. Which was something she could have said, but didn’t. Because it was clear this guy had zero intention of engaging with her. Which was fine. Again, she wasn’t anybody’s priest or shrink. She nodded and stood up, again declining to give Levi the opportunity for a hand shake. She didn’t know what his microbiome was like. “Thank you for your time.” George informed him in a professional voice. Then she nodded at North, to indicate she was also finished with this conversation. |