[private]

[righteous_pen]

((Private to siafukira, after this.))

Fetch me if you find him.

Technically, of course, he found Teru, and is apparently less in need of help than ever. But the other Light needs to know that, so now Teru's on the second floor, looking for the room with a chalk circle. It's not hard to find. He knocks, then steps back a little, waiting.

Comments

[siafukira]

[Light's curled on the floor against the bed, with a book and a spiral notepad half-covered in scribbled writing. The room's sparse, dimly lit, still with its unoccupied hotel look - except for stacks of innocuous-looking cardboard boxes along one wall. The bed is stripped down to a bare mattress, but there's a corner of quilt poking from beneath the frame.

There's only one person who'd know to find him here, so when the door knocks, he jumps up and answers it. Despite supposedly being at home, he's still wearing all his usual apparel; he feels he could be snatched away at any time.

It's clear enough from Mikami's demeanour that there's no emergency. Light's relieved; unlike a lot of others, he's not bored here.]

Mikami-san. All's well, then?

[righteous_pen]

Yes. [Slowly, because it's not really accurate.] That is, I've seen - your counterpart, and he's in perfect health. Rather more perfect than before he was shot, in fact.

[siafukira]

And you're still certain it was him we were looking for? You asked him?

[He doesn't get it, at quite a fundamental level - or perhaps there's a concept he's skipping around.]

I'd hate to think we've missed a less obvious suspect.

[righteous_pen]

It was him, yes. He told me that much.

[siafukira]

He died and came back? That's what you're saying?

[There's a tension around his eyes. No way this one could be blamed on a room, and he doesn't like it.]

[righteous_pen]

I don't know.

[He hopes so, but from the look in Light's eyes he can tell he wouldn't share the sentiment. Probably the zombie world, yes...]

It's either that or... sometimes, whatever runs this place is willing to make bargains. That's what concerns me.

[siafukira]

The room with the table. I've seen it.

[He doesn't elaborate on exactly what he might be interested in dealing for. But whoever dragged themself up those steps wouldn't be able to get to the top floor. Who is there here, who'd deal for that other him?

My brother. My own brother...]

I didn't like the look of it. It didn't seem trustworthy at all.

[righteous_pen]

It isn't.

[One hand twitches slightly at his side, as he resists the urge to pull on his hair. It's a habit he thought he'd lost. But he can't seem to get past the irrational feeling that he'll be blamed for wht he says next.]

He asked me did I know where Sayu's room is. Which I don't, I'm afraid. At the time I assumed he meant so that he could tell her he was all right, but then he said that there was ...something that ought to be checked on. He wouldn't elaborate, not to me.

[siafukira]

... she's done something.

[The understanding's slow, honestly alarmed, but not attacking; it wouldn't occur to Light to blame the messenger. Something's wobbling, almost out of sight. You should have saved her.]

These deals, what do they usually entail? What payments do people make?

[And he's got two reasons for asking that.]

[righteous_pen]

Memories, usually, or so I've heard. But I expect it could be anything. A - a sacrifice, something personal.

[siafukira]

[One chafed hand scoops up over his eyes; it's easily the most emotion he's shown so far. And they're still standing in the hallway. Dropping his hand again and closing the door behind him, he doesn't lock it.]

I can't say how she should deal with her brother, isn't that right? And it doesn't sound as if she's in any danger - except that she can't find her room.

Do you think she's likely to be in danger?

[righteous_pen]

I don't think so.

[Though he's sure that if she were, he wouldn't be allowed to know about it.]

The only other thing he told me was not to 'distress' her if I run into her. That didn't sound as though she'd be in any serious trouble.

[siafukira]

Something she's not meant to know, and has forgotten? Given up?

[Light doesn't lean back against the doorframe, but his hands catch in the pockets of his oversized jacket. The ends of the hood disappear behind his neck.]

It's one thing to speculate. It would be easier just to find her.

[righteous_pen]

It would. [Not that that's necessarily easy. As they both know too well.

But. Something she's not meant to know? Now he hears it in those terms...]

- there's one obvious thing it could have been, of course. That he wouldn't want mentioned.

[siafukira]

[It had been instinct, more than anything else, that made him frame it that way. How many times did he wish to hide his own family from the whole world? How long has he kept his own secrets? That's what makes him suggest it, hesitant and distasteful, with a wrinkle of his nose, as if it has nothing to do with him at all.]

You don't mean the Kira thing, I take it?

[righteous_pen]

...that's it.

[And that tone, and that phrasing shouldn't be coming from someone with no lifespan visible. He's not Kira. He has the book, but he never tried to rewrite the world in it - because something more important happened? Does he know I can see?]

Though I doubt he could keep her from finding out again, here.