That Wasn't What I Meant ((8))

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya strolled into the station the next morning, finally haven gotten a decent night's sleep, but a half drunk cup of coffee already in paw. He glanced around the station, his mood dropping a little when he remembered that Cooper would be waiting for him by his office. He waylaid instead toward the front desk, putting off dealing with the Pinkerton for a while yet.

[qualapec]

Vala had reported for duty ten minutes earlier than she was supposed to. She stood in a nervous, straightbacked stance that mocked a military attention and waited to meet her new superior.

She wasn't going into this with any preconceptions. Maybe he would be a perfectly nice, reasonable man. Maybe.

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya blinked a little when he noticed a new girl standing around in uniform. He blinked at her for a moment, taking another drink of coffee. "Who are you?" he asked.

[qualapec]

Vala wasn't sure, but she thought he might have blinked at her.

"Vala Tortoiseshell, reporting for duty." Vala saluted and handed him her transfer papers.

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya took another look at her and repressed a sigh. If it was too early to deal with the Pinkerton, it was probably too early to deal with this. Curse his guilt that had made him arrive at the office early to pander to that Cooper...

He glanced down at the transfer papers and frowned slightly. "You were transferred here because you stood up to dirty cops?" he asked, somewhat aghast, not realizing he had said it out loud, he was so shocked. Who in their right mind would send someone like that to Felidae? He looked back up to look her in the eye.

[qualapec]

Vala met his gaze. She'd hoped he wouldn't be so straightforward about it, but she could appreciate blunt people. "I didn't realize there were so many of them." It wasn't meant as a joke. "They sent me here because they thought that if the options were quitting or Felidae, I would choose quitting."

[victoriousscarf]

He gaped at her a moment. "Right," he said finally. "You should have chose quitting." He did not say it with malice or anger, but simple exhaustion. He had lived in Felidae too long to believe that she had much of a chance there. "But," he said, laying her file on the counter beside him. "You're here now." Where there were probably more corrupt cops than Chicago. At least, Felidae probably had a higher ratio to its name.

He picked up his abandoned coffee cup and took another long swallow. "Well then, now that you're here, anything you need?"

[qualapec]

Quit and made it her fault? Her choice? The department had wanted to look good for the mayor's female voters, and never would have fired her outright. Giving her the worst possible assignment, on the other hand, was a perfectly acceptable means. That way, she was the one who wasn't strong enough. Vala bit her tongue, but seethed.

Vala studied him for a moment, searched his expression for anything other than a desire not to deal with her. "I would greatly enjoy my dignity back, but in case that's too much to ask for, then I ask for a desk not completely covered in grime, sir."

[victoriousscarf]

He considered her over the coffee cup. "Sorry, Felidae's not big on allowing people to get their dignity back. On the other hand, you'll be in good company. Because everyone else is in the same boat." He paused. "So maybe not the best company." He glanced around the room.

"Alright then," he said, motioning her to follow as he walked through the offices. "I think we have an empty desk over here. Geralds got himself shot a month ago and we never did find a replacement."

[qualapec]

Despite it all...she smiled, when he couldn't see, of course. Most chiefs would have spewed a hairball over a response like that. At very least, he didn't care.

"He die or retire?" Vala asked absentmindedly, surveying her surroundings as she followed him. Along a far wall, she saw something that looked suspiciously like a cockroach, but said nothing. Briefly, she wondered if he'd shot himself, but decided it wouldn't be in good taste.

The desk was satisfactory- not new, but not covered in a layer of unsightliness either. "Thank you, sir. Is there anything you need me to get started on?"

[victoriousscarf]

"Died," Sonya answered, as he tried to think of any officers who had actually retired. Very few came to mind, but there were plenty of empty desks. That had been the same shoot out that had taken their dear old Commish. He still wanted to growl thinking about the man.

"If you would mind going over some witness reports?" he asked, bringing his attention back to her. "We're trying to figure out some murders that have been happening lately and the witnesses are all over the place. A new pair of eyes might be helpful."

[qualapec]

Vala glanced at the case file, cocking her head at the photos contained therein. "Sliced and diced? Sounds like someone was trying to send a message." Or in it for kicks, a la Jack the Ripper, but 'message' made more sense.

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya nodded, coffee cup in one hand. "It's more than possible," he said. "We have no witnesses that actually saw anything, and no clues pointing to who did it. No motivations known, and completely at a loss. If you see anything, or are able to dig anything up, let me know. Otherwise, we just need someone to file these. Think you'll be alright doing that?"

[qualapec]

Vala nodded politely. "Thank you, sir. I'll be on the lookout."

She was planning on doing some investigating of her own, but she didn't plan on letting him know that ahead of time. She'd always been one to apologize rather than ask permission.

[victoriousscarf]

Sonya nodded again. "Alright, I'll leave you to it," he said, turning away and meandering over to his office, hating the idea of encountering the Pinkerton but sure he would have to.