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

[firm_detective]

*He pauses and stares at Light, not sure who exactly he's talking to.*

How long has she been looking for me?

[firm_detective]

I -- no, I remember that Mail was gone, at least a few days before I was. Your Misa has also left the mansion?

*He sounds only a little bit curious.*

[l_liselotte]

Ritsuka had been on her way back to the kitchen where Misa had been. She stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of L but she couldn't be certain if this is Misa's L or a new arrival.

"L? Misa's L right?" She asks.

ooc: Welcome back!

[firm_detective]

*The words give him a strange feeling, and he responds with a slight frown, concealing the camera in his pocket.*

I -- yes, I suppose so, unless --

*He hesitates, then continues,*

How long have I been away?

[l_liselotte]

"Five days." She answers almost automatically her voice never changing in pitch.

"Welcome back." Ritsuka says shoving her hands into her pockets. She turns to head back to the kitchen. "Misa really missed you. You're very lucky to have someone that loves you to that extent." For a brief second there was a sad smile on the female detectives face but it left as quick as it came.

[firm_detective]

*He nods.*

It was five months, it -- she is all right, I'm told?

*He wonders at the smile, but says nothing about it.*

[misamisal]

::Misa appears in the hallway, having drudgingly climbed the stairs from the kitchen. In her hand is a napkin wrapped around a peanutbutter and apricot jelly sandwich, though she doesn't seem to be really enjoying it. She looks so tired, as if she hasn't slept very much in the last five days, and really she hasn't. She's slightly slumped in her walk, sort of staring off into space as she glumly nibbles on her sandwich::

[firm_detective]

*He doesn't expect the sensation that comes over him when he sees her -- trepidation, accompanied by a little flip in his stomach. Staring at her for a long moment, almost incredulous, he speaks in a small voice. There might be a note of hope in it.*

... Misa?

*He looks at her right hand to see if she might be wearing the ring he gave her; otherwise, this may be the wrong Misa.*

[misamisal]

::she's definetly wearing the ring. She doesn't take it off. She's even wearing the shirt she had given L, though she wears it mostly since it gives her comfort, like he's a little bit closer to her. Her pajama bottoms are thermal and have little cupcakes all over them. She hears her names called softly, just in front of her and her raises her head, peering sadly in the direction of the voice. But when she see's who it is, see's the camera in hand, her mouth falls open, eyes go a little wider and she nearly drops her sandwich::
...L?

[firm_detective]

*The hand holding the camera drops slowly to his side. His expression, rather than being happy, is wide-eyed and grave, and his voice continues to be soft.*

Yes, I --

The others have told me I have only been gone for five days?

[emo_raito]

[And Light it out meandering through the hallways, more or less minding his own business.]

Oh. Hey, Ryuuzaki.

[firm_detective]

*L's reaction is subdued, hidden -- this is not unexpected -- but what he's hiding is something violent and conflicted.*

Hello, Light.

*He pockets the camera. It's been a while since he was angry about the Kira case, but seeing Light again brings up a number of unresolved emotions. He continues, in an offhand manner,*

Your father would like to see you.

[emo_raito]

My dad?

[Surprised, his eyes widen a little]

Is he here? Where is he?

[firm_detective]

*The hint of a frown.*

No, he isn't here, he is --

*L peers at Light, suspicious, intending to tell him as little as possible.*

You did not know I had been away?

[socklessleuth]

Hullo.

What are you looking at?

[firm_detective]

*L looks down at his young double; it takes him a moment to summon the correct alias.*

It is a camera -- like a computer. It uses memory rather than film to store a photograph. I think there may be a picture of you, here, but at the moment, it's -- someone else.

[socklessleuth]

A computer-camera? May I see?

Who is it currently?

[firm_detective]

*Still holding the camera, he presses the button under his thumb, and the picture changes -- none of which Henry can see. It had been the picture of Misa that he took just before leaving, but now it's a photo of a rabbit in a forest.*

See for yourself.

*He hands the camera down.*