Rebounding and Resounding ((Open RP, L, Great Hall))

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

While not exactly the easiest thing to do, L, aka Ryuuzaki, was adjusting his own manner of thinking. He felt he'd reached some degree of success when he took A shopping rather than question his potential preparedness. He was making a concerted effort and when he made a concerted effort, things happened.

Concerted efforts also required sustenance. And, while eating in his room was adequate, L knew that, as part of his programme to change, he needed to get out more often. So, rather than request cheesecake and tea be brought to his room, he ventured out to the Great Hall, perching on a bench, adding copious amounts of sugar to his tea. Glucose, after all, was vital for brain functioning.

Comments

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

"Siblings are problematic?" L asked. He had heard stories, but had attributed them to simple human behavior.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

"No, I....it's my fault she's dead."

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

L considered this statement a moment. There were many ways that it could be interpreted, but he decided the simplest would be the most effective as far as further questioning went. "What lead you to that decision?" he asked, leaving the question ambiguous enough to avoid any accusations with the goal of obtaining more information.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

"I strangled her as part of a ritual." Mio looked down at her hands again.

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

L considered, his fork hovering halfway to his mouth as his brain worked. "Was the ritual successful? What was the result to be?"

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

"It would keep...I think it was a portal to hell. It'd keep the demons in the abyss from corrupting the village." Mio fisted her hands. "It wouldn't have mattered! Everyone was dead and the village was abandoned and going to be flooded anyway! Why did those ghosts make me kill Mayu?!"

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

L considered, taking another bite of cheesecake while he did. "When you say 'make,'" he said, his bite half chewed, "do you mean like possession? Or was it a series of events that led to one conclusion? What bounty did they offer?" What could be worth the price of another human's life, not that he himself wasn't capable of playing free and easy with lives.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

Mio thought a bit. "Mayu was possessed. She had been possessed by the last failed sacrifice, Sae. Sae thought I was her sister, and wanted me to finish the ritual. As for me..." Mio looked down and whispered, "I'm not sure. I knew the ghosts would have killed me if I tried to run away."

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

L blinked. "How would something insubstantial kill you?" he asked. He had not yet been exposed to the Death Note.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

"I don't know how. But they DO." Mio shivered at remembering the cold sharp pain she felt every time a ghost touched her.

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

L considered her for a very long moment, not moving, not blinking as he did. "Given the level of distress you exhibit, I do not believe you would have acted in a manner that would bring your sister's demise if you believed you had other recourse," he said, finally.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

"Of course I wouldn't!" She was now clearly close to tears. "I love Mayu!"

[pre-l.livejournal.com]

L, being, well, L, wasn't sure what to do now. He glanced at the table and then pushed a slice of cheesecake over to the girl.

[mio-remaining.livejournal.com]

It was too late. Mio got up and left, leaving her food.