Chapter 2
Izumi Curtis woke with a start. Growling in frustration as she pulled herself away from Sig and onto her feet. Stepping gently over each waxed floorboard as she crossed the room and swung open the door.
Marching down the hallway, she saw bright light escaping beneath the door of the guest room. Izumi prowled to the door and swung it open.
She was greeted with a sight of hair pulling frustration. Each book she and Sig had collected and carefully arranged was laid strewn across the floor, along with some she didn't recognise, likely pilfered from the local library. Surrounded by the flood of books sat her estranged house guest, Ryuzaki. He sat in that peculiar way that he insisted on despite her aggravated protests.
He would delicately grip each page corner between finger and thumb and every minute he would turn the page to the next one, before intently scanning each new line of information. A cup of tea was held in his other hand and every few seconds his eyes would narrow and he'd take another long gulp of caffeine.
"What on earth are you doing still up?! It's 2 in the morning! I already told you go to sleep and- stop drinking that!"
"Mm, well thank you Miss Curtis, I think I've learnt enough by now. So-"L rose to his feet. "Thank you for your hospitality, but I really think I must be off."
"Off?! Where the hell do you think you're going? You said you don't even know the country!" Izumi vehemently protested, crossing her arms as she blocked the door way.
Ryuzaki gestured dismissively to the books scattered around the room with titles like, The history of Amestris, The Basics of Alchemy, The Geography of Amestris and other tomes ranging from Amestris related topics to books about the best way to make tea. Izumi looked around and after staring a moment longer realised each book had been flipped on its last page.
"You…read all these? But you've only been here two days!"
"Well, the tea definitely helped and I'll pay you back for the sugar later." Ryuzaki slipped past her as she stood staring at the piles of books. Izumi turned as Ryuzaki reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Pay me back for the sugar? What does that mean?" She took the time to walk to the cup of tea and peered into it, now realising that the cup was filled with leftover sugar that hadn't been absorbed into the liquid, and behind the bed was at least 30 more cups, each filled with excess sugar. Izumi growled. "That brat!" Downstairs the door slammed closed.
Dublith, not Dublin he had to remind himself, was filled with pleasant enough cafes to complement the underlying tone of rural conversion to urban industrialisation omnipresent throughout the quaint town. Each building was brick and wood, worn and new side by side.
L liked this part about Dublith, modern cities had prioritised efficiency to accommodate those who could not afford a lavish lifestyle. You could tell very little from a scrubbed, polished skyscraper. Unlike these buildings, tiny fragments of history imprinted into each brick, covered but could never be truly removed.
Amestris was unfamiliar to him. Strangely familiar, but also the feeling of being an outsider looking in on their world. What were chances that another world would be so similar to his own?
Almost. Alchemy being the obvious exception. They had Alchemy in L's world, centuries ago but it was once an excepted science before becoming disproved or outdated by Chemistry. But this alchemy was different, all the possibilities of alchemy were possible, in his opinion, borderline magical.
All the books L borrowed from Izumi on Alchemy had all mocked the possibility of alchemy having mystical or supernatural origins, instead referring to natural energy or some such theory. Izumi had a suspiciously large amount of books on alchemy.
It was definitely an interesting possibility. But for now L needed money. Desperately. All he had was his slightly worn shirt and jeans which had been washed during his two day stay at Curtis Meats. Along with some sugar packets and few coins L was sure they didn't direly need.
So, to this end he had been told to visit Central, the capital of Amestris. It made sense, capitals got all types and would be generally more accepting to outsiders than a close-knit, backwater village.
L reached the train station, tearing a sugar packet open and swallowing the white particles. He ignored the curious glances at his bare feet, and studied the ticket booth. Rummaging through his pocket and retrieving his coins yielded disappointment, the ticket cost more than he had.
L needed a solution. The next train was in half an hour…Yes. He could work with that.
It came in the form of a man sitting on the platform bench. A chess set was laid across his lap as he cycled through checking his watch, peering round the corner for the train expectantly, before huffing and checking his watch again.
L approached him silently before sliding into the seat beside him. "Hello sir." L began in a low tone, the man grunting in response. "May I ask why you have a chess board with you?"
The man perked up and was all eager to talk. "Well you see, I happen to be a famous chess tournament champion, I'm on my way to central for the next tournament, in fact."
L paused. Observing his tailored clothes and arrogant disposition. A betting man indeed. "Perhaps I could interest you in a wager?"
His eyes lit up. "Maybe, what would this wager contain?" His enthusiasm was barely hidden by a maintained calm demeanour.
"You and I will play a chess match, if I win I get your ticket to Central."
The other man seemed bemused at the thought that this scruffy man could beat a champion like himself, totally impossible. He wouldn't bother with his terms, the man was likely homeless with the way he was dressed, and it would be cruel to take what little he had left. "Very well. I agree to your terms."
28 minutes later
L stepped onto the train waving mockingly, newly acquired tickets in hand, leaving behind a shocked chess champion as the train trundled into motion, and he watched his dreams fly away between the fingers of the waving man.
"Excuse me sir, can I interest you in a cup of warm coffee for the ride?" And L couldn't help it. A small, wily grin slid across his pale face. This was it. This was the best day he was going to have for years. He was going to savour this journey for a long time.
L put this thumb to his mouth, and studied the approaching city. Blooming, green topiary and trees lined in neat rows beside the tracks, passing each at speed to fast for any details to register, but instead blending into a blur of forest green and oak brown.
A loudspeaker croaked into noise. "Attention all passengers we are now approaching Central City station, please remain seated until the train has stopped."
L studied the shift from verdant flora to cold steel buildings. The train sidled into the station with an irritatingly loud screech that L was sure would burst his bubble of calm eventually. Standing from his pose by the window seat, he sighed at his remorsefully pulled his last packet of sugar from his pocket, tilted his head back and swallowed. That would have to do for now, but he'd be damned if he wasn't going to come back for more coffee later, along with that whopping pay check he'd soon have. Eventually.
But there was the problem again. Money, he'd need a job, and a well-paying one at that. Where to start though? Manual labour was out and L was willing to do some ridiculously idiotic moves to solve his cases, but there was no way he was going to be some cashier in some two-bit shop. He was L, damn it! He could make Sherlock Holmes jealous and Conan Doyle roll in his grave in envy.
No he'd need something high up. Amestris was a military state and no doubt he'd make enough enemies on his first day in a political career to get himself assassinated. So, military or trade…and he had nothing to trade. Then, by process of elimination, military it was.
Well, rise to around sergeant and he'd have enough to buy the coffee he needed daily. And even he kept rising, he could bathe in the coffee for all wanted. Not to mention, he could have his reputation back. L always took for granted the gasp of awe as he anonymously pronounced himself. Now, L would be reborn, the greatest detective in all of Amestris.
Though, he would never have that smug protection of anonymous mystique. But then again, people feared the names they heard from the lips of legends themselves more than the doubtable claims hidden behind a screen. L was feeling arrogant, the threat of Kira was non-existent in this world.
He'd face this world with his true name. L Lawliet swore that he would solve every mystery this world had to hide. The Truth could not hide from him.
L looked up from the note the directions were crudely scrawled on. Central City recruitment centre. It was a comparatively large building in a cubic yet elegant form, the clashing white walls and green banners drew a sense of proud patriotism.
"Hey!" L turned to the clatter footsteps approaching him. Dark, short hair brushed up into spikes and a forelock, hazel eyes lit with enthusiasm. The man before him seemed dishevelled but his buttoned tweed jacket, formal trousers and rectangular spectacles gave off an air of casual formality. "Hey, you here to sign up with the military too?"
L was taken aback as the man grasped his hand and shook vigorously before he could reply. "Ah, yes, I am and you would be?"
"Oh, sorry about that, I tend to ramble sometimes and forget to introduce myself." You don't say. "The name's Maes Hughes, pleased to make your acquaintance."
L rubbed his hand tenderly as it was released from Hughes' grip. "Lawliet, call me L."
"L huh? Say, that's pretty catchy!" Hughes rubbed his shaven chin and laughed. "Hey, since we're both joining the military, what do you say about being friends, huh?" L raised an eyebrow. He didn't really make friends, the few he trusted to get close to were either equally paranoid, on the other side of the world or were Watari.
Watari. The man's presence was yet another thing he'd gotten far too used to.
"Well, I don't see why not." L shrugged uncaringly. Hughes beamed despite his lack of enthusiasm in response.
"Great! Well let's not keep the military waiting!" Hughes turned and marched towards the building.
"I'm sure the military isn't going to collapse into ruin a second longer without your leadership, Hughes." Hughes barked a laugh as he pulled the door open.
"Well, you never know, maybe in a couple years, I'll be Führer, eh L?"
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say." L waved dismissively as he followed Maes Hughes inside.
Alright. He'd admit it. L was rather amused by Hughes, as they sat in the waiting room for their interview, he had stirred up some rather entertaining conversation. Not to mention, Hughes was a well of information regarding the rumours that festered within Central.
L couldn't help but notice that Hughes was definitely more intelligent that his outwardly cheerful demeanour would imply. Maes Hughes was definitely someone that he'd have to keep an eye on, especially if they were to be co-workers.
"Next!"
Hughes startled, before adjusting his spectacles and grinning at L. "Well, that's me, L. I'll see you on the other said." He stood and brushed imaginary dust from his jacket, then strode through into the interview room with carefree confidence.
L watched him go from the corner of his eyes, before sighing as the room was now emptied, aside from him. It looked like he'd be in for quite a wait. If only he had some coffee. L sincerely regretted not taking more sugar packets.
A/N: So that's chapter 2. Tell me what you thought and leave a review on any mistakes I may have made.
Nifawiwa
Thanks for the review, currently this story is set before the beginning of the series and the Ishval Civil War, but that's more obvious in this chapter. Sorry I didn't point out when this is set, I couldn't really find a way to bring it up within the current context.
WildfireDreams
Thanks a lot for being my first reviewer. L is one of my favourite characters, so expect to possibly see him in future stories.