You came on your own, that's how you'll leave

[firm_detective]

An L stands in the hallway, absorbed in what he sees on the screen of the small silver digital camera he's holding. His expression is difficult to read.

After a moment, he looks up, cautious, and sees that his surroundings have changed; his look shifts to one of subtle surprise and disbelief as he recognizes them. He thinks, Am I really -- ?

[L

Comments

[nimbusnear]

It's Ryuuzaki - Near hasn't seen him for a while. So he approaches with a small smile.

"Ryuuzaki."

[firm_detective]

*L stiffens, but it passes; a slight frown appears.*

Near?

I am back in the mansion, yes?

[nimbusnear]

Near nods, a bit confused, now.

"Yes... You had left?"

[firm_detective]

*Near receives a slow nod in return.*

I have been gone for -- five months, I think -- yes.

[littlest_l]

Mister Ryuuzaki....?

[Lawli blinks a little bit, before breaking into a small smile.]
Mister Ryuuzaki!! Miss Misa's been looking for you!!

[firm_detective]

*He looks down at his small double; his expression is unreadable, or might not be understood by a child so young. If this is the same one -- he doesn't look much older, so I can't have been gone long -- *

Yes. She is here, in the mansion?

[littlest_l]

Yeah!! She was really worried about you, we went looking and everything!!

[He nods in a very definite manner.]
But she's ok now. Miss Mel was with her.

Didja go home?

[firm_detective]

*A quick nod.*

Yes, I went home for a while. I am glad to hear Mel was with her -- have you seen either of them today?

[chilichoc]

L!

*Mel's several days unshowered, still in Mail's shirt, and looking pretty frayed. She only just manages not to throw her arms around L.*

You're back, thank God.

[firm_detective]

I'm -- back? Yes.

*Mel receives a slight frown, as L hesitates before speaking again.*

You look terrible.

*It's only an observation.*

[chilichoc]

Yeah, I feel terrible. *She waves a hand, jerkily, dismissively.*

How long was it, for you?

[firm_detective]

*His expression is unreadable.*

It has been five months.

That little double of mine -- he told me that you have been with Misa? Is she -- ?

[lastrunnerup]

*Mello, when he sees L, stands where he is, down the hallway, and stares.*

--Ryuuzaki.

[firm_detective]

*He returns the stare, hesitates, and replies,*

Mello.

*He looks as if he's thinking something through; he isn't sure which Mello this is.*

How long have I -- ?

[lastrunnerup]

--I'm not sure. Amane didn't-

*Wait, ouch. He looks to the side.*

Tell me, exactly. I'm sure it hasn't been more than a week, though.

[firm_detective]

*Something about him electrifies, but the effect is subdued.*

Amane?

... It has been more than a week -- for me, at least.

[curtainwizard]

[Light turns the corner, lost in his own thoughts, bogged down in the implications of the card which is still in his pocket. You won't get out of here alive. He can't believe something just because a room presented him with it, though: he'd go insane. Self-assessment, after all, is not one of Light's strengths.

So when he turns the corner, and sees you, he feels sick and weary more than anything else - and looks it: pallor, and dark circles, and the traces of strain he can't manage away. It's as if a mill is grinding something in his stomach. An internal flip, and there's wary surprise on his face. The two of you aren't friends, after all. But seeing the shadow of astonishment on your face, he can't help but wonder how long you think you've been gone.]

Ryuuzaki, is that you?

[firm_detective]

*He notices that Light looks unusually bad, and it's obvious which one this is, but L doesn't react with as much wariness as he might: something has changed since he's been gone.*

Ryuuzaki? Yes.

*It's been a few months since he's used that name.*

[ooc -- haha no "hi there" icon for stalky.]

[curtainwizard]

[A couple of quiet steps forward, and a detached voice.]

Misa's been looking for you, you know.

[[OOC: well, at least he didn't get "die in a fire". xD]]

[firm_detective]

*His level of blandness is spectacular; while he isn't sure whether to be angry or suspicious, he shows nothing. However, his thumb strays to his mouth, and he nips at the tip before he speaks to Light.*

So I've heard -- should I be surprised?

More to the point, Light: why would you care?