Your tears are all the company I need

[deepinthegrey]

*Nothing awful's happened so far. Matt's getting bolder with the rooms.

This room might change that.

There's an odd, rippling, ripping sort of moment when he steps through, and then he's looking at a double of himself - but it's a double of himself, of him, with the blue BDU and the lobo. One of him steps back hastily, the trace feeling of being

Comments

[curtainwizard]

[This is the fourth time Light's found himself in this room: the fourth time he's been separated out of himself, like a sieveful of flour and rice. But which is which?]

[The first Light's deteriorated markedly since the last time he came here. The room's too bright, too small: it's as if the ceiling's collapsing down onto him. He'd throw an arm up to block it, if there weren't people watching. There's no sound except a noise, small in the back of his throat: suppressed panic, and fear. His fingers are tight on the sketchbook, as if he wants to crush it.]

[The second one comes up behind him, calm as always, a little scruffy, a little surprised to be here: places one hand on his shoulder. He's got his own book, trailing in one hand.]

It's only the room again. We'll be fine.

[deepinthegrey]

He crazy? *Matt asks, eyeing the first Light with something disgust. Insanity doesn't phase him, not really - it's uselessness, whimpering, vacant stares when there's work to be done.

It doesn't matter if he is. We're not- *the other shifts, gripping the lobo tighter, keeping close to his double.* We're someplace else. People can do what they want.

[curtainwizard]

He's been through a lot, recently. You mustn't hold it against him.

[The hand on the other Light's shoulder tightens, as if it's now more of a warning, a restraint. Light's own smile is polite enough, but reserved: don't make us hurt you.]

No, I wouldn't recommend that. Vengeance is such a terrible thing, after all.

[Unconvincing: Light can lie without conscience or confusion, but he can't fake honest sincerity. He literally doesn't have it in him.]

[deepinthegrey]

Are you trying to threaten us?

*Matt looks from one to another, unsure. He shakes his head.* Nobody said anything about - look. We're all in the same boat, here.

[onlydisappear]

[Matt thinks he hears the bells and bloops of an arcade, and steps in.

This room's a new one for him. Both his halves are dressed in his usual clothes, but one ducks his head, laughs nervously, and rubs at the back of his neck.

The other stops and goes tense all over, fists clenching, a tremor running through his shoulders. Then he snaps. He rounds on his other half, grabs two handfuls of striped shirt, and slams him against the wall.]

You. It's your fault we're dead, you goddamn pussy.

What? We're-? What the hell, man?

[deepinthegrey]

Whoa!

*Matt darts away from his double, moving to intervene, try to break up the fight.*

Hey, hey, back off!

Oh, for fucks' sake. Let them handle it themselves. *Says the other, trailing after him.*

[onlydisappear]

[Evil!Matt flicks a dismissive glance at his alternate.]

Yeah. Stay out of this, cupcake.

[He gives the confused Matt a shake.]

Great, just fuckin' great. You forgot again. You literally can't handle the truth. Not that the truth makes you look very good. Trailing after Mello like a puppy.

I- [He blinks, and it starts to come back to him, fuzzily.] He needed us! You think we should've ditched him?

There's so much wrong with that, I don't even know where to start. You get it, don't you, not-cupcake?

[deepinthegrey]

... you went with Mello? *His mouth is dry, and he hesitates for a second, before grabbing the more aggressive Matt's shoulder and trying to yank him backwards, away from the other.*

He didn't 'go with Mello'. Different worlds. Jesus. *He doesn't move to intervene, instead pulling out a cigarette.*

[having_lost]

"Matt? Matt."

Neither Near likes this. One wrings his hands, the other grabs him by the back of the collar and yanks him close. Wouldn't do to let him get too far.

"Be quiet."

[deepinthegrey]

Near. *Moving closer, quickly.* This is - I guess this is one of the rooms I was avoiding.

Mm. Good job with that.

[having_lost]

"I don't think I like it."

"Don't be such a child."

[deepinthegrey]

Hey. *He frowns.* That's kind of unfair, man. It's not exactly the room with Wammy's.

... because life is exactly like that. *Matt rolls his eyes.*

[firm_detective]

*L feels the split from the back of his neck down, as if he is peeling off of his own spine, and then there's no him anymore -- the two of them instead, separate, disconnected.*

*One stands easy in the middle of the floor, looking around him with a curious expression; the other keeps his back close to the wall, and stares angry and narrow-eyed at Light.*

[deepinthegrey]

*Matt stands a little straighter when he spots L, anxious.* L, sir-

- he told you not to call him that -

-- I. Hello. Sir.

[firm_detective]

It is unnecessary to call me "sir." Please, "Ryuuzaki" will do.

*His expression doesn't change, but everything about him seems benign.*

*The other one snaps,*

"Sir" was all right to begin with. Stop engaging in false modesty.

[deepinthegrey]

*Uncertain, he briefly glances at his double, as if for guidance.* I'll - Ryuuzaki, sir. Of course.

Jesus, Matt. Just call that one 'sir' and that one 'Ryuuzaki'. It's not difficult.

Are you feeling better now?

[forevrfourteen]

*Nate walks into the room, and the air around him ripples. He sees doubles of everyone. It doesn't surprise him, but they look exactly alike every feature is the same.*

What-?

Is this place? Quite amusing, actually.

[deepinthegrey]

Near? *Matt stares for a moment, but his double interrupts before he can say anything else.*

Jesus, he's just a kid. *They both look a little surprised.*

[forevrfourteen]