[ryslig] IC inbox

[whiteofcrime]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CRIMINAL-MISCHIEF. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 110.14.968.12 *** CRIMINAL-MISCHIEF has joined 110.14.968.12 <LindenTailor> I'm in need of someone who is both skilled and discreet for future investigations I cannot personally attach myself to. Do you fulfill both requirements?

Comments

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

You mean the urge to be close to you. You don't have to make contact with a person to monitor them, and sometimes, it's actually more illuminating not to.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Hahaha, he's not like you, Tailor. He likes to stick his nose into business personally.

He once handcuffed me to his side in order to prove who I was.

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

You're right. That's certainly nothing like anything I'd ever do.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

[ Liar, you detectives and your handcuff fetish. ]

He's like a desperate lover trying to keep me close. It's both endearing and a little irritating.

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

That sounds entirely irritating. What a strange relationship.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Isn't it?

Your turn: what's the strangest thing you've done to catch a criminal?

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

My "turn?" I wasn't aware reciprocity was expected.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Isn't reciprocity natural in normal conversation? I can't be the only one revealing snippets of my life~

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

That's true, but it's also true that this sort of thing is highly subjective. What might be strange to you might not be strange to me, and vice versa.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Hmm, well, you ARE a detective so I suppose you're more used to drawing out information from your conversation partners than the other way around.

Then allow me to rephrase: I am intensely curious to know the most extreme lengths you've gone to apprehend a criminal, if you're willing to share.

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

I can think of multiple instances that I would grade on different scales. This is really a lot more complicated of a question than I believe you realize.

<criminal-mishchief>

[whiteofcrime]

Pick the most interesting one then!

[ Like that makes it any easier... ]

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

Please be a bit more specific, if you really want to know. Every one of my cases was chosen because of its particular interest to me.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Hmm... Then how about the one which took the longest time for you to apprehend the culprit?

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

It would be my final case, certainly.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Final? Have you already retired?

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

I'm certainly no longer working in my world of origin, nor would I be able to even if I hadn't come to Ryslig. Death makes certain things very final.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

Ah... I'm sorry. Did you manage to finish the case at least?

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

[A bit of time passes before L answers. Though the blunt and spiny detective doesn't seem to have many sensitive or sore subjects, this might well be one of them.]

No. I was killed during the course of it. I had to entrust its completion to others.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

[ Though he won't say as much, he can sympathise with the circumstances. He's constantly worried about what will happen if he were to die back home with his quest unfinished. It becomes a point of pride after a while.

Which makes him reticent to enquire too deeply. ]

What was the crime?

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

[This is fraught. L has been so tight-lipped about most of his cases in Ryslig. It might not be harmful to talk about it now, especially since he's literally in a sexual relationship with the man who orchestrated his death, but force of habit is a difficult thing to shake.

He can at least give some information, since any kind of agreement with Kaito isn't going to warrant him shutting down completely on this front.]

Serial killers were something of a specialty of mine. A favored type of criminal, if you will. Like most people in my line of work, I met my match eventually.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

[ Fortunately for L, while Kaito is curious he is not insensitive. Though gods only know how he'd react if he knew about the original relationship between L and Light... ]

Ahh, I see... I'll make a note to never turn to serial murders. I'm happy enough with serial thefts.

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

[L himself happens to be tremendously insensitive, but that doesn't mean he can't recognize it when others are choosing kindness. A part of him even appreciates it, on those rare occasions it happens in spite of his odd and bristly nature.]

I'm not condoning theft, so don't get the wrong idea. But as someone who doesn't keep many possessions, or covet money... I find it difficult to relate to most thieves. The only time I can really relate is when a thief is motivated by a challenge.

In truth, I don't consider ambition and greed the same thing, and I respect one far more.

<criminal-mischief>

[whiteofcrime]

[ That gets a sharp grin from him. ]

Aww, is that why you were interested in me? Can't say I blame you.

Money is nice, but not when it's dishonestly earnt. Would you believe I've had to stop a business owner from trying to capitalise on my fame?

<LindenTailor>

[hearthebell]

It might be part of the reason. In short, I admire artists, and I don't feel that paints and marble are the only mediums by far.

I would believe it, yes. The world is filled with vultures.