In order to stay true to my promise that I will be up to speed by Christmas, I will try to update like a mad-woman today. I won't update with crap, mind you. That would be horrible. Worst case scenario, I'll get Christmas eve and Christmas up on Christmas day. In any case, things will be up to speed by that time.
Whoah. I never thought that this holiday, of all things, would end up being this long. Not that it's a bad thing... I'll have a short author's note at the bottom about the games chosen and a tally of who won what.
Over 100 reviews! :D Everyone is invited to an imaginary cookie party tonight. I'll bring the baked goods at around one in the morning in dream land, yes? Kind of like one of those chat rooms where you can invite others to join in, except...not at all. That sounds right.
Again, thanks so much for the reviews! I'll continue to update throughout the 24th, so stay tuned.
I don't own Death Note.
December 20
Games Day
Once again, the chain was firmly attached to their wrists. Light was fully accustomed to the feeling, of course, but he couldn't help but glance at the awful thing every now and then with an intense look of distaste. He put forth no effort to hide the expression, but the detective seemed to care very little or simply didn't notice. Light shifted to become more comfortable, currently seated on the couch. The TV was on in front of them with some sort of show where a group of Americans were testing various myths to check their validity. It was mildly interesting but at the moment he didn't care all too much about what powdered metals you could use to potentially make a toilet explode. Rather than playing Tetris as he typically did while waiting, L sat on the other side and read a book. Light couldn't properly make out what book it was, since the title wasn't really in Japanese or English…
L hadn't slept since his nightmare. The man's constant work on his laptop and sporadic fidgeting were enough to clue him in. Whether it was simply because he never really could find sleep each night or he didn't care for having a similar kind of dream, he wasn't sure. Not a word had been said of it after they disposed of the blackened oatmeal muffins. Every now and then the detective would glance over at him, though Light was absorbed enough in the television show not to really notice.
Several knocks were heard at the door. L carefully placed a bookmark within his book and stood to go to answer. Light reluctantly pulled himself up off of the couch and followed. Without even peering through the peephole L opened the door. Watari stood on the other side, holding an alarmingly large brown box in his arms. L thanked him quietly and took the thing and closed the door soon afterward, the thing in his own arms. Apparently the weight didn't bother him all that much. Light began to formulate a comment, but L beat him to the punch.
"This box contains today's activities."
Light continued to eye the box. "It contains some kinds of games, I'm assuming?"
"Correct. Though commonly used by children in America and other countries, I never really played these kinds of games… Moreover, they should be new to you as well thus creating a level playing field." L set the thing down and began to peel off the packing tape holding it shut. "Though keep in mind, Light-kun…in games like these I will show absolutely no mercy."
Light furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion. These were supposed to be kids' games, but apparently L was out for blood? What kinds of games were they, anyway? He tried to peer inside over the detective's shoulder.
The raven-haired man pulled out a familiar-looking rectangular box.
"I suggest we begin with chess as a warm-up of sorts. Best two out of three."
With his luck, L would probably be a brilliant chess player. Light, however, wasn't too shabby at the game himself. He never really had decent opponents growing up, having to settle for random other students in his high school before class started or at lunch. Once the word of his skill at the game had gotten the chance to spread, he soon was devoid of people to play against. It was disappointing, to say the least. Now, though, he'd probably face his greatest opponent who wanted nothing less than to completely rub his face in defeat. It was almost exciting.
L shuffled back to the coffee table and began setting the board. He placed the white pieces on his side, leaving Light with black. Of course.
Light had definitely suspected L to be skilled at chess. However, he'd greatly underestimated him even then. He was brilliant at it. The first game left Light in utter devastation. He had been left to flounder around on the board with only his king and a pawn or two while L practically had half of his pieces still. There had to be no margin for error for any chance of success. However, once game number two began, Light stepped up and actually beat the raven-haired man. For whatever reason, it felt like one of his most gratifying experiences. He beat the world-renowned detective L at a game of wits and strategy. Needless to say, it inflated his ego.
It was one to one. Light hoped to close in on L's queen. He'd learned that if he didn't take her out as soon as he could…the detective would plow through the board and rid Light of countless valuable pieces. Then again, it was highly probable that L would completely change his strategy. He was probably aware at this point that Light had caught on to his current playing habits.
Drawing in a breath, Light made his first move. A pawn from the front lines was moved forward. L, as he had been doing the entirety of the game, stared unblinking at the board with his thumb to his lips. Neither said a word to each other throughout, save the occasional "check" or "checkmate." Another heavy silence filled the air before L moved one of his own pieces.
Feeling confident, Light proceeded with his turn again…and after L's third turn, he already had him in checkmate. Light stared at the board in disbelief. No one had beaten him so quickly.
"Well, it seems as though I've won," L stated, not all that terribly excited. "I used that maneuver against Magnus Carlsen a few years ago…"
Light wanted to bang his own head against the board. Of course L had to be a world-class chess player. Why had he expected anything less? Carlsen was ranked second, so that meant that the detective was either at the top or somewhere very close.
It still didn't make the defeat any less crushing…
Light ventured, "What about Viswanathan Anand?"
L took a moment to respond. "I haven't played against him yet. Perhaps after the Kira case…."
The younger man heard his last statement loud and clear. Without saying it outright, he was still proclaiming that he planned on catching Kira. But the addition of "perhaps"….
"Now, let us start Battle Ship."
"Light-kun, your naval strategies are rather brilliant…" L languidly put a red peg on one of his destroyer ships. It had been ten minutes, and he'd lost half of his fleet. This was just depressing.
Light just stared at him blankly. He didn't say a word.
"Is there something the matter?" he asked, rather innocently.
"Ryuuzaki…"
"Yes…?"
"Please indulge me as to why you set up your ships in a smiley face pattern."
"Ah, you've discovered my painstakingly crafted ship arrangement."
"It's a smiley face."
"Exactly. Genius, isn't it?"
"Can I just win so we can move on?"
Light was confident in his English skills. In his classes, he could always read and write it with a high level of proficiency. It never took much effort, really. However, he was now in a game of English Scrabble with L. He arranged his letter tiles, waiting for the detective to make the first move. He had quite a few options, such as OATS or even QATS, the latter being something that could rake in some major points.
The detective made no move to arrange and rearrange his tiles. He merely gazed unblinkingly at them for several long moments. Light was convinced he had succeeded in arranging his own tiles in every single way possible when L finally picked up some letters to put down. Light watched in anticipation, hoping for vowels or consonants he could play off of. Undoubtedly L would have devised some brilliant, obscure word to throw him off. The tiles were placed down one by one vertically.
P…
O…
O…
P…?
That…was it? Poop? All that deliberation and focus only to come up with…poop? Someone with an almost infinite well of knowledge on a multitude of languages came up with poop?
L simply grabbed four tiles to replace the ones he had put down.
"Your turn, Light-kun."
Shaking off his feeling of…surprise? Bewilderment? Hell, he couldn't even tell anymore. Nonetheless, Light gathered his senses and put down horizontally using one of L's O's to spell OATS, as he'd originally intended. Not quite as much as "poop," but surely he'd catch up in terms of points…
Until "poop" soon became "nincompoop."
"And that is what Light-kun is for underestimating poop."
"…did you seriously just say that?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
Sigh.
"Never mind."
Another child's game was on the agenda, apparently. The box for the game, In a Pickle, was set off to the side along with more cards for use.
It was now Light's first move. One of the four cards in the middle happened to be "book." It was fairly simple and open-ended. Many things could be placed in a book, or a book could fit into a variety of things. He swiftly took out a card from his hand and placed it "within" the book card.
"'Tone' can be in a book. Your turn, Ryuuzaki."
L's thin fingers delicately pulled out a card from his own hand and placed it over the one Light had put down, thus putting it in tone.
Sexuality.
"…how the hell did you manage to get that card?"
Shrug.
Sighing, Light decided to ignore that stack for the time being to focus on one of the empty ones. Alone sat "elephant." A "banana" was placed inside of the elephant. However, L was quick to put something in the banana.
"Ryuuzaki, I fail to see how Jennifer Lopez could possibly fit inside of a banana."
"Your mind doesn't seem to be open to many realms of possibility, it seems."
"When was the last time that you saw a person inside of a banana?"
"And by banana, you mean – "
"Don't even finish that thought. You know exactly what I mean. Now get take Jennifer Lopez out of the banana or I will."
L almost pouted. Pouted! What was with him, anyway?
Light was about to continue to protest when he suddenly glanced down at his own hand. A smirk came across his face. Well, two could play at that game. The detective eyed him with suspicion.
A cucumber was placed on L's card.
"…"
Music to his ears.
"Is this even fair?"
L began to set up the playing board, handing Light the playing piece of Mr. Green. The younger man frowned at the piece bestowed upon him. It just so happened that the Mr. Green character was known for being a smooth talker with a less than appealing family, consisting of thieves and a psychic mother who abused her powers. He doubted L thoughtlessly gave it to him.
L placed his own piece, Professor Plum, on his starting area of the board. Of course. Plum was the one known for being one of the smartest people on the planet, though he was considerably scatterbrained. It wouldn't be until all the pieces were in place and the case file cards were set in the middle of the board that L finally answered him.
"But of course."
"I hardly think it's reasonable for anyone to go against you in a game of Clue, of all things!"
"So do you give up?"
Light frowned, suddenly remembering his competitive nature.
"Absolutely not."
"Good then."
A mere five turns later L set down his cards. Light twitched in anticipation, almost certain as to what would happen.
"I'm going to solve the case now, Light-kun."
Shit. He was right. Reluctantly, he spoke, "Really now? You've only visited one room and therefore have only seen a single card of mine. How is that even possible?"
L stared blankly at him. Of course. He was the world's greatest detective. Light grudgingly took the three cards from the center to verify L's assumption.
The raven-haired man brought his thumb to his lips. "Mr. Green…in the pool room…with the lead pipe."
Light glanced down to the cards. God damn it. He was right.
"Next game, Light-kun?"
"Light-kun, I don't like this game anymore…"
The younger man's thirst for ultimate control came in handy at times.
Light raised an eyebrow. "It's not my fault you decided not to buy the Pennsylvania Rail Road. By doing so, you allowed me to gain complete control over all the railways…then the orange properties, the magenta properties…"
"I have been conserving my money patiently for the Boardwalk and properties for it. I will in time be able to gain substantial funds from it and – "
"Not to mention most of the light-blue properties. Honestly, would it kill you to buy more than just the Mediterranean Avenue?"
"We've been playing this for over an hour. I can feel my brain cells slowly dying. If I keep landing on your tracts of land I may have to resort to having to sell my body for more Monopoly dollars. Moreover, I've noticed you slipping 100's at least three times and two 'Get Out of Jail Free' cards."
"…fair enough."
The two men stared without expression at the white box covered in red, blue, yellow, and green dots. Neither made a move to move toward it, eying the thing as if it held AIDs or perhaps anthrax.
L wordlessly put it into the pile of "already played" games. Light didn't make any sign of protest.
Twister was long forgotten.
A hand-held gaming device was shoved into Light's hands. L had his own in hand with a near-identical game inside. He flipped the system on, Light following suit. "Pokémon" appeared on the screen with odd-looking creatures in some sort of title sequence.
L stated, "Here are the rules: We have only one hour to assemble a team of six Pokémon for battle. You may not use guide books, walk-throughs, or cheat codes at any point. Legendaries, if obtained, are not allowed for the battle. Item use in the battle is prohibited. Otherwise, you may do as you wish."
"Please tell me why it is that we're playing Pokémon, of all things?"
Still holding conversation, L began creating his own file on the game. "Neither of us have had any experience with the games or anything pertaining to the franchise. Therefore, it seems to be a level playing field. The game itself does have a great deal of strategy, however…"
Rolling his eyes, Light began a new game on his own game. Even though it was incredibly stupid, he still would win. After all, how hard could the children's video game truly be?
The hour time limit flew by. Both men quickly assembled the proper Pokémon into their parties and entered the upper level of the Pokémon Center for battle. Light felt almost excited, really. There was one Pokémon he'd stumbled upon that was almost a loophole in the game. "Ditto," it seemed, could transform into any other Pokémon it faced. So why did he really have to go through the trouble of creating a balanced party when all he had to do was walk around in grass and catch Ditto left and right? It was fool-proof. Because of his plan, he didn't have to progress very far in the game at all. All he really had in his pockets were some potions, Pokéballs, and his town map. L, on the other hand, had played his own game with such focus and seriousness. Honestly, Light wouldn't be surprised if he'd reached the Elite Four in that short span of time…
Now the battle was to begin. Light's first Ditto was on the screen along with L's…Magikarp? What the hell was that? From what he could gather it was a water type, but that was about it. Because his Ditto was a higher level than the orange fish creature, Light had his Ditto perform Transform before it could attack, thus changing into a Magikarp like L's.
Had he not been staring at his game screen, he would have noticed the small smirk on L's face…
And then –
MAGIKARP used SPLASH!
Flop flop flop…
But nothing happened!
Wait, what…?
Frowning, Light went to check his Ditto's move set that he copied from the Magikarp. It had only one move. That one move was "splash."
"Ryuuzaki…"
"Why yes, Light-kun? I do believe it's your turn."
"Fuck you."
It was already dark outside. With game after game after game, Light grew all the more hungry. He could feel that beast clawing around in his stomach at odd intervals, growling louder each and every time. He was certain that the detective would take notice of its volume soon enough, and then he could eat food. Had he managed to eat anything at all that day? He'd settle for anything, really. Even some blasted strawberry cake or sugar-topped sugar; they were basically synonymous. The idea of a sandwich was making his mouth start to water…
And then L pulled out Candyland.
Motherfucker.
The detective wordlessly set up the game and handed a gingerbread boy-looking red game piece to Light. A blue one was sitting on the starting point, ready for action. L made sure the cards were aligned just right, aligning them delicately with his pale fingers.
Light didn't really care for candy. He never had, in fact. When the holidays would roll around and parents or relatives couldn't think of anything better to give him than some chocolate or candy, he simply waited until night to slip them into Sayu's room. Neither one had ever said a word about the exchange to that day. There was no harm in messing with the system, after all.
Now, though, just looking at a board covered in pictures of candy…he could barely help himself from licking the cardboard.
At some point or another L had drawn a card to move forward, but Light barely noticed as he stared longingly at the Candy Cane Forest and Gum Drop Mountain.
"Light-kun…"
Well, there went his fantasizing…
Blinking, he managed to meet L's gaze.
"Yes?"
"Please refrain from looking at the board as if you plan on raping it and play your turn, if you would. I enjoy Candyland as much as the next person, but to look at it with that level of unadulterated lus – "
"Fine, I'm moving already!"
"…it seems you ended up in the Black Licorice region."
Blank stare.
"That's a bad thing, Light-kun. Haven't you ever eaten black licorice before?"
The stare only continued.
L shook his head solemnly. "You sad, sad man…"
"Just make your move, will you? …wait, how in the hell are you already in the Chocolate Swamp?"
"I went across a rainbow bridge."
"…of course. How stupid of me."
"Indeed."
A few short minutes later, L's blue gingerbread man arrived at the castle; he had won. Light was seriously contemplating chewing on his own game piece at this point in time. However, it was quickly snatched away before it reached his lips. He hung his head in defeat.
"This is the last game for the remainder of the evening."
Light's head snapped up at once. Did he truly hear that, or were his ears deceiving him? THE last game? He almost wanted to do a happy-dance. But…there had to be a catch. He narrowed his eyes, waiting for L to continue.
"A question and answer game, if you will. We each will receive half a deck of cards. On each turn we will draw a card and place it face-up in the center. The individual who drew the higher card will have the privilege of asking the other any sort of question. Whoever collects the most cards by the time one or both of the decks run out will be declared the victor, seeing as though the day ended in a tie…"
A frown settled on Light's face. "Is it absolutely necessary to answer each question, and truthfully?"
"Does Light-kun have something to hide?"
"Frankly Ryuuzaki, everyone does. You are most definitely included. I'm not exactly willing to pour out every single detail about me."
"Very well. Give as much of an answer as you can without any falsities."
With that, Light was handed his half-deck. The top card was pulled off, itching to be used for the first round. He had to stop, however, as another question surfaced.
Light looked up to L who sat in his regular position, despite the fact that they were on the ground and not in chairs. He remained that way, motionless, waiting for the younger man to make his move.
"Are there some questions which you would absolutely not answer?"
The other did little more than blink before responding. "We will come to that bridge we will cross it, Light-kun."
Ah, yes. Vague, as always. How was he surprised?
Sighing, Light placed face-up his first card. A Four of Hearts. Of course his hand would utterly suck right off the bat. He nearly held his breath, however, as L put down his own card. Surely if he asked any Kira questions he'd be able to deflect them as he always did. He'd done it time after time, hadn't he? The detective's pallid fingers flipped his card over to reveal…a Ten of Spades. Damn.
"Ah, so it seems I get this round." L gathered the two cards and set them off to his left side. "First I must say that I forgot to inform you that Aces are high. With that aside, I've already formulated my own question for you."
Those inky-black eyes return to stare at him. Light fought the urge to twitch or recoil. Somehow that didn't sound very promising…
"Would Light-kun insist on spending his Christmas with his family?"
Wait…that was it? No "ARE YOU KIRA?" type questions? Light nearly had to shake himself from his internal bewilderment. He had a question to answer. Right.
"I suppose so…. At least, a portion of Christmas. But if – "
"Draw again, Light-kun."
The younger man set down a Nine of Clubs. Finally, things were looking up…until it was beat by a fucking Queen of Hearts. He could see a trend coming on.
"Excellent. Another victory for me." L gathered up the cards once more and put them with the rest of his spoils. A thumb was brought to his lips. "Hmmm…what is your opinion on the concept of time?"
The fuck…?
So they were moving from Christmas family-time to philosophical issues? Light had a nagging feeling that perhaps he should stop feeling on edge and roll with questions the eccentric detective was apparently pulling out of his ass. The aforementioned man was still staring at him with his enormous black eyes. Light wasn't sure if he'd ever really get over the slightly-creepy weight of that gaze. Scratch that, the amazingly creepy gaze.
Light brought up a hand to brush a few of his auburn strands behind an ear. "Well, it seems like a practical thing to keep time. It creates efficiency and productivity, and yet…it doesn't necessarily exist, does it? It's only something the mind creates. The days where sleep isn't achieved is when the days blur together, thus proving the continuity of "time" and its lack of separation. Perhaps if sleep weren't necessary time would just be…arbitrary. Would the now of yesterday be identical to the present now?"
A short silence filled the air. The detective's expression was unchanging, but those eyes still bored into him.
"Draw again, Light-kun."
Flipping the next card on his deck, he found that he'd procured a Jack of Diamonds.
…and L drew a King of Diamonds.
It was official. The universe hated him. That, or L managed to give him a considerable crappy deck on purpose. Both theories seemed entirely possible.
"Does Light-kun see me as a friend?"
Somehow, Light couldn't rightly think of a response as quickly as he'd thought he would. The detective eyed him curiously, awaiting an answer.
"It won't affect your Kira percentage. Do ahead and speak instead of gaping like a codfish."
"Well…I…suppose so?"
Could they even be put in the category of friends, really? Light had never been one to socialize and go out with others, true… But did friends get into fist fights and kick-boxing sessions, cram disgusting food down each other's throats, coat eat other in flour, accuse one of being a mass-murderer, and publicly embarrass each other all while eating ice cream and listening to Beethoven? Either he was trapped in an incredibly warped friendship or something else was terribly wrong with what was going on. Did L even possess the capacity to feel any sort of amicability, or any distinct emotions for that matter?
And then Light could have sworn he saw the detective's lips twitch upward. He nearly thought his eyes were deceiving him, and yet…
The monotone voice of L broke the silence.
"Draw again."
And that was when the impossible happened. L had drawn a King of Spades…and Light had drawn an Ace of Hearts. A triumphant smirk broke across the younger man's face. He had just the question.
"Ryuuzaki, what was your previous nightmare about?"
L's body visibly stiffened
"That information is classified."
"What?"
"I will not repeat myself. Your hearing shouldn't be failing at your young age."
"I hardly think the contents of your dream qualify as classified information, Mr. I-Created-The-Rules-And-All-Questions-Must-Be-Answered. The creations of your subconscious can't be incriminating. Why is it that you can't stand sleep, anyway?"
"That's two questions."
"God damn it, Ryuuzaki!" Light swiftly pulled both of their next cards off of the top of the decks. Luck was somehow still on his side as he had a Seven of Spades while L had a Three of Clubs. "There. I won twice. Now will you answer me? I complied to your completely bizarre, off-the-wall ques – "
"Fine."
Light finally returned his gaze back to the detective. Something odd stirred in his great black depths but it seemed to vanish in an instant. Were his own eyes playing tricks on him?
"I was not lying when I told you that I have insomnia. However, it only worsened as I grew older and began solving more cases." His black eyes were still unblinking. "I have seen things in my years as a detective than have far surpassed the ghastliness of the Kira case. While Kira is truly merciless and hungry for what he believes is justice…his preferred methods are almost laughable compared to those peel off flesh and bleed their victims from every pore of their body, who…" L's lids suddenly closed, stopping his own train of thought. "My mind is always processing information and it holds it indefinitely. I cannot forget what I have learned. Each moment when I submit to sleep it makes me recall the things I have tried to force within its recesses. I wonder if Kira has the same problem, but then again…I doubt he has seen a single drop of blood."
Light couldn't rightly find his voice. Mouth slightly open, he merely waited for L to continue or perhaps stop talking completely.
"As for my previous nightmare…" His eyes remained closed, but his voice maintained an eerie monotone. "I will share only part of it."
Light could feel himself leaning in. Had he been clinging to every word that fell from the detective's lips? It hardly mattered now, though. This was the sort of information he'd been dying to hear.
Black owl-eyes found their way to his own eyes.
"You were my nightmare, Light-kun."
A heavy silence filled the room, leaving only maddening static in his ears and the sound of his heart in his chest.
"Towards the end, I found myself lying on the floor. I felt as though my heart was about to explode inside of me, there was darkness all around…and there above me you stood. You smiled at me. At once, there was no doubt anywhere within my mind that you were Kira, that you had planned to kill me all along…but somehow that fact hadn't been the thing that terrified me the very most."
Light managed to speak, his voice coming out weaker than he had intended. "It didn't…?"
"No. The strangest part was never that you were Kira in my nightmare. Rather, Light Yagami had been a sham the entire time."
He had to say something, and fast.
"Ryuuzaki, it's merely a dream. You shouldn't worry yourself over it. It couldn't ever be a vision because Kira has never met you, after all. It would have happened already otherwise, would it have not?"
L dropped his gaze to the floor. "I can only hope so…"
Light couldn't shake the feeling that the dark-haired man's nightmare held more truth than he'd like to believe.
A/N: Here are the games and their victors.
L won chess.
Light won Battleship.
L won Candyland.
L won Scrabble.
Light won In a Pickle.
Light won Monopoly.
L won Clue.
No one really won the epic Splash Attack battle. XD
So technically, you can say that L won...though the final game never had a victor, either. It could have resulted in a tie.
And yes, I am a Pokénerd. :3 In fact, I had originally planned for the entire chapter to just be about the battle. However, the nerdiness would have been overwhelming and I ended up thinking of something far better. And if you haven't seen the epic Splash Attack battle on Newgrounds, I highly suggest you do so.
Ta-da!