OOC: Matsuda and L log

Jun 06, 2007 17:56

Who: Matsuda and L
When: Shortly after Misa's funeral (and shortly before Matsuda disappeared into Artemis Fowl's fandom)
Where: L's apartment
Why: Because Matsuda needs to learn of Misa's death and L needs a new secretary

Matsuda sighed nervously as he joggled the things L had asked for. In one hand he had a medium sized pink box with the strawberry shortcake. The man also had a tray with two cups filled with hot tea. He smiled slightly as he got to the room, as he wasn't completely sure how he was going to knock on the door. The man sighed again while tilting his head to the side. I don't have any luck do I? I guess I could use my shoe? Matsuda mused slightly as he moved a foot out and tapped at the door with it, making sure to not spill the drinks or drop the box.

L was in the process of leafing through a manuscript when he heard the faint tapping. He assumed that Matsuda had finally arrived, undoubtedly either feeling too meek to knock with any authority or lacking the foresight to bring a more portable container for the items he had been instructed to bring. L assumed it was the latter; Matsuda had never been lacking in enthusiasm. L opened the door, glancing to either side (a force of habit, really--all of L's former concerns about having his identity discovered had been more or less dispelled after his death), before stepping aside to permit him entry.

"Matsuda," he commented, returning to his post. "You're late."

Matsuda sighed as he heard L speak and hung his head slightly. He slowly put the things down on the table while scratching the back of his head slightly. "Well, let's just say that when I was getting your tea to the way you want, someone bumped into me making me spill it everywhere so I had to get a new one. Not to mention that there was a long line. I also overdid it on the shortcake as well." He chuckled as he opened it up to reveal a full size cake with tons of strawberries. "See?"

L paused to eye the impressive cake with suspicion. "You didn't make that yourself, did you?"

"...no, I bought it at the store. It was cheap," Matsuda replied as he smiled brightly. "Like a couple of slices would be more than just the price of the full size cake."

Sufficiently reassured, L retrieved plates, knives, and forks from the kitchen and proceeded to cut himself a slice before taking his share of tea and seating himself before his coffee table.

"I'm sure you have a vague idea as to why I called you here," L said, swirling his tea.

"Pretty much?" The other replied before just grabbing his tea. He wasn't really all that hungry and didn't want to have a slice until L had two to three before he got one. He really did just bought it for him. "Mm.. but I'm pretty sure it has to deal with Light-kun?"

L poked at a strawberry. "Partially. Aside from Light-kun, you are the only member of the former investigation team who knows that I am alive. And I would prefer to keep it that way."

"Ah. Alright that won't be too hard...I guess," Matsuda replied as he looked over at L, knowing that he truly meant it. The man smiled as he sipped from his container. He wouldn't doubt L's words or meanings. He knew not to let slip important information because it would just lead to a huge mess.

"My suspicions are the same, even in light of recent developments," L clarified. "It is very likely that, judging from the manner in which I died and the time, Kira is responsible for it. We are still seeking the same criminal. The only difference is that I am even less convinced of Light-kun's innocence."

"Oh.. so less convinced meaning you'll put him until surveillance again? Or something of the like?" Matsuda chuckled nervously he remembered the time in which he was asked to follow Light during the one day. Light had also brought some of his friends along, which made him extremely nervous, but he had had a pretty good time with them. "I...I could always try something for you, Ryuzaki...you know I did it once before..."

L watched him, gaze even. Matsuda was perhaps the worst possible candidate for involvement in such a significant investigation, and certainly the last person L would have selected had he been provided with options. However, his clumsiness and naivete also made him the most inconspicuous. "I have noticed that you are on relatively good terms with Light-kun. Provided he does not learn of your working for me again, he will likely not suspect you of spying. For now, I do not believe it is safe to put him under surveillance. Not until we can fully understand the extent of Kira's power."

Matsuda blinked as he shifted a tiny bit before taking another sip out of his tea cup. He looked down at the floor as if thinking what L had just said, but really he was more focused on the things on the floor. He never really noticed that the carpet had been several different colors. This isn't the time for this... wait.. did Ryuzaki-kun just ...say something? "Hn.. this is true.. but wouldn't he know that... I might be working with you because he knows... that you... trust me?"

L's gaze bore into his innocuous tea cup. "That is indeed a possibility that I have considered. And while I sincerely doubt that you will be able to outsmart Light-kun, I see nothing against my attempting to do so. Based on the information you present to me, I will be able to determine whether or not he has learned of your spying. Unless...," L paused to look up at Matsuda again, a barely tangible smile gracing his features, "...you're afraid he might kill you."

Matsuda tilted his head to the side a bit as if taking in exactly what the other had been saying. He opened his mouth slightly before closing it making a determined expression. "Ryuzaki-kun, I'm not afraid. If he was going to kill me he would have by now." He sighed as he took a sip from his tea he felt slightly anxious as if there might be something important later. But why was his mind wondering on other things and not wanting to pay attention? It was frustrating but at the same time he couldn't let Ryuzaki know he wasn't paying attention.

L chuckled quietly, almost surprising himself by the gesture. His mannerisms had changed significantly over the course of the past few months, but he put the thoughts from his mind. "Light-kun would never kill you if he knew I were using you as a spy, for it would confirm his identity as Kira. You are relatively safe around him. Now...I have a bit of news to share with you, news of which you have obviously not yet learned, judging from the fact that you are not hysterical. But before I share it with you, I must ask if there is anything on your mind. You seem distracted, and that does not bolster my confidence in you."

"News? What kind of news? Why would I be in hysterics over it? Ah... well... I don't know really... I know that I completely annoy you sometimes. Because of what I say or do.. I just... maybe I'll say something wrong and should be expecting yelling?" Matsuda himself wasn't sure why he was distracted around L. He tightened his grip around the cup as he watched the other. He was curious about this news that Ryuzaki wanted to say to him now paying more slightly attention as if something finally caught the puppy's mind.

"I do not yell, Matsuda. But as you seem composed enough, I will tell you. Misa has been murdered. I believe her funeral was yesterday," L remarked (and rather nonchalantly, he felt, considering that he was broadcasting someone's death).

Matsuda's eyes widened as he nearly dropped his tea cup. He shook his head while taking a slight step back. "H-how can that be possible? I just saw her this morning..."

L shuffled through a stack of documents near his armchair before finally locating a newspaper and extending it to Matsuda, who still appeared extremely ruffled by the information. "Feel free to skim the article if you like."

Matsuda took the newspaper from the other as he put his cup down. He took a seat not really wanting to stand for this sudden news. The man looked over the date while raising an eyebrow before skimming through the actual article. It really didn't make much sense to him--the Misa he knew was still very much alive. "This.... really doesn't make much sense to me... Ryuzaki-kun.."

L sipped his tea. "Evidently, there is a disparity between our time here and whatever time you think you're from. I felt the same way after I came back...you will grow accustomed to it eventually. But I can assure you that Misa is most certainly dead, and that her death is something I find extremely...troublesome."

"It doesn't make sense.... none of it does.." Matsuda continued to look over the article as he folded it back up and slowly handing it back to him. He shook his head, still not believing this situation at all. "I can't believe this.. I can't... it's not... it can't be real, Ryuzaki-kun."

L surveyed the grieving figure before him. Misa's death had been no more than a development in the Kira case for him, but for reasons L could not fathom, Matsuda had obviously fancied the girl. And while she had frequently vexed L to no end when she swiped his strawberries while he was distracted or clung to Light-kun and talked his ear off, he was certain that Matsuda would gladly have given "Misa-Misa" his strawberries. He had been learning to be more compassionate as of late...perhaps Matsuda would benefit from such a display. He tentatively approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Matsuda, I understand that you are upset and confused, but this is not a hoax."

Matsuda gasped slightly from the contact as he stared wide eyed at the other. He slumped his shoulders. His eyes softened slightly, as he wasn't quite sure what to feel. He still felt confused about the outcome. Matsuda sniffed loudly . "It can't be real... it just can't..."

L returned to his seat and poked at a strawberry. He appeared somewhat disheartened. "Perhaps I should reconsider appointing you as Watari's replacement," he said quietly.

Matsuda looked over at L. He shifted uncomfortably as he thought over Ryuzaki's words. "But you don't have anyone else..." he replied softly, as if trying to keep his voice from breaking.

L's reply was resolute. "You're a police officer. You have to understand that in your line of work, people die, and not infrequently. You also have to understand that you must accept these events as facts, regardless of whether you understand them. If you cannot manage to do this, then I'm afraid you won't be of much use to me."

"I understand, Ryuzaki-kun..." Matsuda replied as he took in a deep breath before slowly releasing it. He looked back over at L. "I'll take it seriously from now on."

L nodded. "All right. Now that Misa has been killed, I have a strong suspicion that Kira may have been responsible for it. Misa was definitely the second Kira until her powers were transferred, and so it makes perfect sense that he would want her out of the way. It is also interesting that he chose to do it in so obvious a manner and in so much time after the charges against her have been dropped. Naturally, I suspect Light-kun. So you understand my newfound need to investigate him. Of course...it may also have been a stalker, or someone else who had grievances with her, but ruling Kira out, at the very least, is a all that I am concerned with."

"It does make a lot more sense that way, Ryuzaki-kun. But how do you want to investigate Light? I'm sure I'll be able to spy on him... but there are certain things about him that I'm not sure about." Matsuda took in a sharp breath as he grabbed his tea cup, sipping from it. He knew his voice was starting to crack up a bit more but he had to hold his composure somehow.

L was fully aware of Matsuda's need to grieve and the difficulty with which he was maintaining his calm, but he spoke nevertheless. After all, Matsuda would need to learn--someday--that his work was to supersede personal matters. L had learned that a long time ago, and knew it very well.

"You remember Watari, I trust?" he asked.

Matsuda shifted as he knew that L had lost someone very close to him. He knew that Watari had always been around him and always there for him as well. The man looked down at the ground as he gulped slightly licking his lips nervously. He knew what might be coming next but he wasn't going to like it. "Y-yes..."

L nodded. "In light of his death, I am in dire need of a replacement for him. I have never been the most organized person, and, of course, I haven't the time to purchase my own sweets or book my own flights or anything of the sort. You seem to have the sweets issue covered, and I think that you can handle the rest."

Matsuda nodded as he smiled slightly. He put a hand slightly behind his neck as he sighed a bit. "I guess I can handle the rest... I'll also make sure to be able to come by as much as I can too but still be plenty normal as if nothing really is going on."

"I would appreciate that. Just...be more punctual about it."

The police officer smiled as he nodded his head. He couldn't think of anything else to say.  "I'll try, Ryuzaki-kun.."

L set aside his now-clean plate and gathered a mess of papers into his lap. He gestured towards the room and intoned, "Begin at your leisure."
 
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