soul_campaign | Entry #A-9: "Abundance" [Audio, January 27]

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Entry #A-9: "Abundance" [Audio, January 27]

[L's typical monotone is still clipped and precise, but unusually breathless and animated today.]

I want a job.

I have never interviewed for one, but I've typed up a resume and I am a very fast learner. There are too many hours in the day, I've found, and as soon as I possibly can, I want to start working.

Also, I want to take on a mission with my partner before mid-February, so any guidance in that department on a regular basis would be much appreciated, in addition to the regular training that Shibusen offers.

[Coded Privately to Mello and Near]

Thank you both for everything. Your kindness and hospitality have been exemplary.

I'll be moving out in the next few days, but I will visit frequently.

[/End Private]

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Where's your evidence, Light?

[It's so amazing to be able to say that to the younger man. L lets himself in, looking around for a trash receptacle to throw away his empty caramel corn bag.]

I might have been. Then again, I might live very close to your room.

[He's actually on the top floor. L loves high places. Closer to God, Light, closer to God.

After he's tossed the empty bag in the kitchen, he sets some other things down, crouching next to them. A blue canvas backpack, namely. He reveals its contents as he starts to unpack: there are two pairs of worn jeans, three white shirts, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a box of sugar cubes, and a tea cup, saucer, and a spoon not unlike the one that fell from his hand immediately prior to his own death.]

[ This is ridiculous. Light wants to pitch all the fits in the world, but no amount of temper tantrums would stop L. If anything they would fuel him on. He doesn't respond until L plops himself down on the floor and starts unpacking his bags. It's that disrespectful action alone that sets Light's temper over the edge when it had already been at the boiling point. They're not in public view, so he doesn't have to worry about maintaining appearances.

His fingers knot in those black, unruly strands and he slams L's head back against the wall behind them, leaning in close. ]

Let's get this straight. You're not moving in here with me. You came here to talk, so talk or get out.

[Finally.

L is a scrawny, wiry thing, weighing 110 pounds soaking wet. He is less sturdily built than Light, and his head hits the wall in a way that makes him see stars, and also the fact that Light is furious.

L's eyes widen in surprise for a moment. He's tense and breathless, and his laugh is the same way after the initial shock wears off.]

Heh... heheheheh... I've missed this, Light, I really have. But remember when I asked you to please tell me where your hands aren't tied...?

[His arms both transform into chains and cuffs, one wrapping around Light's chest and the other wrapping around his neck. Both constrict the other man, just enough to be uncomfortable.]

This isn't it.

[ Light lets out a brief sound of surprise when L makes his dangerous transformation and effectively binds him, causing his breath to hitch. His eyes narrow. ]

You son of a bitch.

[ No pleasantries. No politeness. It's just pure and utter hatred now. ]

What do you hope to accomplish? Victory? It's too late for that. I won. So you tell me where my hands are tied. If your allies are anything like you, they won't kill me. Your brand of justice doesn't believe that death brings about a greater cause, remember? You hold nothing on me but a childish grudge. Get over it and accept your defeat.

[ His neck and chest may be restricted by L's handcuff arms, but his legs are free. And he sends one of his knees directly toward the detective's abdomen. ]

[L seldom emotes genuinely. Usually, his demonstrations of emotions fall into the range of what an alien or a robot would do to approximate human emotions.

But the smile on his face is one-hundred percent real. It goes beyond the constraints of his wide mouth and warms his dark eyes with a wild glint; the danger he's in only seems to increase his elation.

He doubles over when Light's knee hits him in the solar plexus, coughing, the chains turning back into arms. One of L's hands was at Light's throat, the other clutched his shirt, and then both of them are massaging the space between his own thin ribs.

This far from spoils his excellent mood, though.]

What I hope to accomplish, Light, is winning this war. I haven't been able to contribute my efforts to it, up to this point, because I am incapable of resonating with most people. You should know that, you of all people should be aware that I don't get along with many individuals. But you, Light... even if I always knew that you were a liar, and a murderer, and a sociopath, and an idealistic, arrogant child, the fact is that I could work with you.

You're going to work with me, Light, there's no question about it. Because actually, my allies aren't like me. They're far more ruthless. And unlike me, they despise you, and while you know my face, they could be anyone. You have one way of protecting yourself, and it's by fighting at my side.

So... do you shower in the mornings, or at night?

[ He feels a smug sense of satisfaction at L's pain. Any discomfort he can cause him is just a small triumph in this broader picture where L had his hands forced. Of course, any and all satisfaction fades once the other starts talking. It bothers him L is so decided on this, that he thinks they can work together just because they have in the past (and manages to insult him in the same breath. Bastard.)

But what surprises him is the confession, short and even an undertone to the rest of what L's saying. "Unlike me, they despise you." Unlike me. L should have hated him with every fiber of his being. ]

I killed you. [ He reminds him. Because if being Kira alone isn't enough, the fact that he killed him should have done it. Light sighs, dragging himself toward the tiny kitchen where he fills a kettle with water and puts it on the stove. This is one of those situations where a hard drink would be very suitable, but considering all the apartment is stocked with is tea, he has to make due with what he has. ]

First of all, partnerships require cooperation. While I'm sure we could manage, I'm not sure I want to involve myself in their war. Certainly not enough to fight on the front line. You're talking of missions, battles, contributing to their cause -- but neither of us are fighters in the traditional sense. And because we're already at a disadvantage, it will only make it more difficult considering we're not a traditional weapon/meister combination. I have no qualms if you want to run off to your untimely death, but leave me out of your suicide missions.

Second of all, you're still not moving in this apartment with me. If you want to partner, you find us a larger place. I'm not sharing cramped corridors with you.

[ But in spite of the conditions, shinigami help him, this is Light's reluctant agreement to work with L. ]

[L's smile fades, and for a moment, he does look angry, and like he does hate Light.]

Yes. You killed me, or at the very least, you took actions that led to my death. But it was a risk I was willing to take from the beginning, Light, and there hasn't been a moment since my arrival here that I have regretted my involvement with the Kira case. Because... in truth, I've come to realize that I relied on the case. It kept me interested in a world that I'd been growing increasingly detached from. I needed it, and I still do, which is why your arrival here is a genesis.

[He pulls himself up, leaning a shoulder against a nearby window frame as Light goes to make some tea.

Tea sounds good. L can get behind tea. He shuffles over to the kitchen to watch, observe, and make sure that no rat poison goes into something Light might have anticipated that L would ask for.]

I felt very much the same after I arrived. Disinterested in the war, and so forth. But if you still claim to have any greater ideals of a better world, Light, it's really in your best interest to fight the Witches. Their goals and designs are not unlike those of the very worst criminals that Kira executed in our world. Granted, killing Witches and Kishin eggs won't be quite like writing names in a notebook, but you could take some satisfaction in knowing that you were really, truly fighting an evil and destructive force and protecting the innocent. At my side, cooperating with me, I'd protect you and expect the same in return, and there would be no suicide missions.

[He sets his cup and saucer on the counter, a small nudging reminder that he, too, wants tea.]

I already have. I put in a request for an apartment in Death City Heights; Building 7, because 7 is a very beautiful number, Floor 3 because it's the highest, and unit B because I noted that you chose a unit B in this complex. You see? I do consider your preferences and tastes, when making these decisions.

[ Light gives L a very flat look when he comes sauntering in the kitchen, expectantly setting down a cup for some tea. The expression becomes even more annoyed at the explanation of the apartment. His fingertips move up, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]

This place wasn't a preference, it was a random selection.

[ The hand lowers as he considers everything else L has said to this point. His eyes settle on the pot, as though he can will it to boil faster. ]

No, the circumstances here aren't the same. And fighting by your side doesn't sweeten the deal any more. While I can get behind the cause of this war, the fact of the matter is kishin eggs are corrupted souls of criminals who harmed innocent people well before their rise in power. Preventative measures could have stopped it from reaching this point. This world is far more corrupt than our own.

[ Is it a lost cause? Possibly not. Now that he's here and if he can figure out a way to handle things without getting his hands dirty. Or he could just force L to take on the role of the meister, but between the two, Light is the more athletic. It's an unfortunate circumstance he's landed himself in. And he'll really have to think of his next move.

The kettle whistles, cutting his thoughts short. He takes it from the stove and pours the water in both of their cups, plopping the tea bags into each. ]

The Kira case has ended, Ryuzaki. You may want to cling to it and to me to regain some of the excitement and exhilaration from home, but it will only bring you disappointment. In this world, I'm nothing more than Light Asahi. And you -- [ He pauses, lifting his tea cup and smirking at the detective over the rim of it. ] -- are just cheating death. [ Siiip. ]

You have to stop thinking in terms of the hypothetical past and start thinking in terms of the future, Light. It would have been nice if those souls could have been prevented from growing corrupt, of course. But that's done with, and preventing future death and corruption is the aim of Shibusen.

[He glances sideways at Light, pausing a beat before responding to the barb. Then he laughs abruptly, the sound unpracticed and strange.]

Oh, Light, you give me so little credit for my ability to find excitement and exhilaration in the seemingly mundane. Because while you might just be "Light Asahi" to most of the people here... to me, you are Kira, and as long as we're all just cheating death, I won't let you forget it. The only thing that could disappoint me would be your humiliating suicide or easily escapable murder.

Such is friendship.

Is that Earl Grey?

[ L is exhausting. This whole conversation is exhausting. From the arguments to the irrational logic to the jovial and almost domestic questions. It's hard to keep up with one turn to the next. Light is convinced L's doing this on purpose, and the only thing he can be grateful for is he doesn't have to pretend to care or feign interest or hold back his irritation. ]

I don't think I've ever seen you so pleasant. [ He deadpans after his adversary laughs. How many laughs is that in one evening? Probably more than L ever had in his lifetime. The first one, anyway. ]

A humiliating suicide and easily escapable murder seem to both be what you're pushing toward in insisting on this partnership, you know. I don't know what makes you so certain we'll even be able to resonate. Your percentages seem to be a little off in Death City. 94% certain I would be a meister, if you recall.

[ His eyebrows raise as he openly mocks L. And although he didn't answer it, no. The tea is some generic brand of regular, boring tea you find cheap in America. ]

[In all truth, L likely would have been immensely disappointed with Light's deductive abilities if the young man hadn't reached the conclusion that L was doing all this on purpose. The detective was notoriously deliberate; even if the things he did seemed illogical or childish, there was usually a reason for them.]

Good news has a way of bringing out a person's happier side, Light. I've been so bored here without you. Now that you're here, I anticipate some thrilling opportunities.

[He notes that the tea is generic and bland, and he takes a moment to stick a note to Light's refrigerator with a magnet. It is a shopping list, and "Earl Grey Tea" and "sugar" are written at the top in L's nearly illegible hand.]

Your death is the last thing I want. It's illogical to think that I'd push for either when I've been waiting so long for you to show up in the first place, Light. And regarding that percentage...

[Which he is still sulking about, by the way]

...I am convinced that it is an error on the part of BREW, and that it will correct itself eventually. You aren't a Weapon, any more than I'm a hat.

[He pauses, seeming puzzled and mildly amused by the abstract absurdity of the statement.]

I would be a bowler, don't you think?

[ L was bored without him here, huh? Well, Light can't say he feels any pity for him, but he does understand the boredom. He does understand that until the Death Note came into his life, things had been increasingly dull. And only when he had L locked in the biggest challenge of his career, only then did the boredom leave Light, morphing into schemes, plots, and the eventual death. And while he's satisfied temporarily, he has to entertain the thought of if things will get boring now that they've become so easy back home. ]

I'm not entertaining such a pointless conversation.

[ Light retorts after L's remark about hats and which type he'd be. (He'd see L as more of a worn-out fedora himself.)

After finishing off his tea, he drops the cup in the sink, filling it with water to soak. While Light is tempted to rub his sore neck from L's handcuffed grasp, his pride keeps him from doing so. He's not giving that bastard any more satisfaction than he already has. ]

What do you mean by it 'correcting itself?' Are you saying it's possible for BREW to change a person from a weapon to a meister or vice versa?

I mean that I think the fact that you are a Weapon is a mistake, and it's more than possible. It's happened, and I've waited long enough for you to arrive, so I can wait for you to become a Meister. In the meantime... it is possible for Weapons to work together. Not recommended, but certainly possible. If anyone can make an unorthodox partnership work, Light, I'd say it would be us.

[He sips his tea more slowly, as if to drive home the point that he's in no rush. He is going to enjoy every moment he's within strangling distance of Light.]

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Entry #A-9: "Abundance" [Audio, January 27]

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