Fragaria
Robin walked around the spacious room curiously, eyeing the expensive furniture the hotel had placed in the living room before turning to look out the massive window. It had been a long time since she was in a place so extravagant, but somehow the differences of the hotel to her own brownstone in LA was comforting. After the events in LA, Robin had needed a change of scenery and had thus briefly returned to the Winchester Whammy house alongside L; and now they were in Tokyo. All thanks to L's most recent case that she had begrudgingly agreed to help with as a distraction from the shambles B had left Robin's life in.
"Finding everything impressive, R?" Came a voice from behind her, and Robin visibly jumped in spite of herself. Immediately, she wheeled around to face none other than the world's first-class detective.
"Are you going to keep making me jump out of my skin on a daily basis, or is there some kind of weekly quota?" Robin asked, ignoring L's question entirely. "And how many times do I have to say it, my name is not R" she said, gravitating towards the tray of sweets L had brought in with him. The man sat down on the sofa, placing the tray on the coffee table in front of him.
"I think its about a 95% chance you're simply naturally jumpy" L commented, picking up a chocolate-covered strawberry from the tray and popping it into his mouth. Robin licked her lips, strawberries were her favorite. "In addition, I am perfectly fine going by L, you should be fine with R." L spoke as he chewed the strawberry lewdly with his mouth open. "Oh, also, sentences don't begin with 'and'." L said as he picked up the TV remote, switching the TV to the news channel immediately.
Robin sat beside him on the couch. "Is the remaining 5% chance that you're a creep that enjoys sneaking up on me?" she asked, watching his face as he focused on the news. She stole a strawberry blindly with one hand, making sure he didn't display any signs of spotting her.
"The remaining 5% chance is that you developed this jumpiness yourself. Nature vs. nurture concept" L stated before suddenly grabbing her wrist loosely, making her drop the pilfered strawberry. "When you don't refute the rest of my claims, it becomes obvious you're busy performing another task. Like stealing my treats" he finished, annoyed, not even looking up from the TV.
Robin wriggled her hand futility in his grasp before pausing and clearing her throat. "Mr. Whammy!" Robin called, her voice only a few decibels louder than normal despite her concentration.
L looked at her, raising his eyebrows curiously. "Did you just attempt to yell?" he questioned.
If Robin could show her embarrassment, her cheeks would be stained a deep red. Among Robin's Aspergers symptoms was the inability to express emotions properly, or sometimes at all, which was occasionally an advantage but mostly a curse. "I've been working on it with Mr. Frederick" she stated plainly, naming her court-assigned therapist.
L nodded before retuning his gaze to the TV. "That could be dangerous in the future, Whammy should construct some kind of alarm device for you" he commented.
"If you don't let go of my hand in the next five seconds, you're going to need an alarm device" Robin stated, giving him her best attempt at a glare; intently focusing on L with her eyes narrowed.
He looked at her again, quizzical upon seeing her expression. "…Are you feeling well?" L questioned. To him, and most people, her expression looked like she had a bad stomachache.
"I'm glaring at you" Robin said with a sigh and gave up.
L's mouth quirked up in an amused smile before he let her wrist go, putting his thumb thoughtfully to his lips instead. At the exact moment that Robin began to rub her wrist, Whammy strode into the room. "Behaving ourselves are we?" the old man questioned, looking pleased to see his two charges sitting together on the couch without arguing.
"No," Robin stated "L cant learn to share"
"You never asked if I wanted to share, you simply tried to steal" L paused, popping another strawberry in his mouth as if to tease her. "Crimes are exactly what we are supposed to be preventing in our line of work" he added in a serious tone, although ruined by his habit of chewing with his mouth open as he spoke.
Robin gave him a dead stare. "I honestly don't know how you expect people to get along with you" she stated flatly.
Whammy sighed as he clapped his hands together twice, an action that made both of the adults on the sofa sit bold upright. "You two are going to have to at least try to stop your constant bickering if you want to solve this case. You're both adults now, no need to act like children" Whammy stated.
"Yes Mr. Whammy" both Robin and L said in unison as Robin internally cursed the double clap that Whammy had wired into them. Back when they were younger and in the institution, anyone misbehaving was given the double clap; which meant immediate silence or dire consequences.
The old man straightened his tie, "Now, I'm off to set up the monitor and computer rooms, so you two play nice while I'm gone. Perhaps brush up on the case?" Whammy suggested before walking back into the hall.
Robin stared at L blankly for a minute before he slipped a folder out from under the tray of sweets on the table. "Need I remind you that Whammy and I are to be referred to as Watari and Ryuzaki for this case? I suggest you form a Japanese alias as well" L said as he opened the folder, pushing the tray of sweets aside so that he could lay out all the documents.
She brushes off the feelings L's words dreg up; tries to forget that it's the exact alias that B had used. "No thank you. Unlike you, I prefer one alias" Robin stated. "I'm not prey to overcompensation"
L displayed no anger, playing himself as aloof per his usual. "Overcompensation? You're forgetting that I have plenty of brain capacity. Coupled with my good looks, theirs nothing more a person could want. I would have no reason to be guilty of such a thing"
Robin gave him another dead stare. "…Shall we focus on the case instead of your daydreams?"
L let that one roll right off his back. "Since we've gone over the information of this case many times before, unless you need me to describe it to you once more, I suggest we discuss a course of action" L said.
Robin ignored his comment "From my perspective, based on Kira's habits and information so far, he can be goaded out of hiding. We simply need to find the right thing to tease him with. He seems rather vain, so beating him at his own game is a perfect way to trap him" Robin stated.
L nodded. "That seems highly plausible. I pose this scenario: a fake detective L goes on live TV vowing to abolish Kira. Kira, being as vain as you say, will send us some sort of message in return with a 84% certainty. If we play the announcement in only once sector of Japan at a time, we will be able to narrow down where Kira is running his operation from"
"Cross reference the highest scoring students in the schools of that area, and we have a target" Robin stated, at which L looked at her curiously.
"How do you figure that?" L questioned.
"I didn't mention? The killings vaguely correlate to a typical Japanese school schedule. Backed up by Kira's qualities, Kira is most likely a highly intelligent college student. There you have it" Robin explained.
L frowned. "That's too far of a leap without proper evidence. How does Kira know police proceedings so well if he is a simple student?"
"He could be studying criminal law for all we know" Robin stated.
"I think we should work our way from a larger area and slowly eliminate those who could not possibly be Kira. We don't want anyone slipping through the cracks" L said, biting on his thumb again.
"I suppose" Robin stated, feeling very annoyed at his simple dismissal of her opinion although her tone didn't reflect it.
I'm the one around here that can read people like a book, not you L. Robin thought, I know very much what I'm talking about, I have three degrees on the subject, thank you very much. The sooner you trust that, the sooner we'd be able to work better together. You aren't accustomed to partner work at all, are you?
"After we narrow it down, I believe we should establish a task force" L said, trudging on through the conversation oblivious to her annoyance.
"Task force? You don't think we could handle this ourselves? How would we even know that we could trust this task force?" Robin questioned.
"It's a big case, I couldn't solve it from Winchester. I had to ask your help as well. With things proceeding the way they are, it would be prudent to assemble a team. We will draw members from the Japanese police, voluntarily of course. Then we will have the added advantage of police on our side, no matter what we decide to do" L stated as if it was obvious.
"That makes me feel so safe" her tone did not convey her sarcasm, "I barely trust you as far as I could throw you, let alone these Japanese police I have never met. One of them could even be Kira. We should devise some sort for test for them" Robin paused thoughtfully. "…Just what kinds of things do you think you're going to decide to do, anyway?" she asked suspiciously.
L ignored her question. "Yes, yes, a sound suggestion. Although I was already going to perform an extensive background check on whomever agrees to join us, I would be happy to devise a test myself if it would make you feel more at ease with a task force"
Robin stared at him in silence for a few moments, "as long as I get to look them over myself as well" she stated.
L nodded in what she assumed was agreement. "As soon as Whammy assembles the computer room, I will resume contact with the police and inform them of the task force issue" he said.
"Well then, as long as we have our plans sorted out for now, I'm going to go unpack and take a shower before I head out to look at Tokyo" Robin said, stretching as she stood. "Oh, actually, would you like to join me?" She asked.
He looked bewildered. "In the shower?" L questioned.
"…No" she deadpanned. "I was referring to when I go out to look at Tokyo. Its our only chance to see the sights before we start battling Kira for real and we have to hide" Robin stated matter-of-factly, choosing to ignore L's stupid question. Even if his aloofness was sometimes an act, it was also painfully obvious he was being honest most of the time.
"It's not hiding. It's called being an indoor detective." L stated sourly.
"You just made that up" Robin accused as she started to walk across the room. "Either way, you cant expect a lady like me to go out in a big city alone. I trust Mr. Whammy would only agree on that, so I'll tell on you if you don't come" she finished as she walked out into the hall.
"An outing would be far too dangerous for either of us. Whammy would agree on that." he called after her, frowning as she didn't return to the room; she'd called his bluff about Whammy. The old caretaker would be fine, possibly pleased, with the whole idea. Whammy always stressed the importance of fresh air and exposure to fresh cultures. After all, it wasn't as if anyone could be able to tell who they were simply by looking at them.
No, that's untrue, Robin is a published author. Even in Japan, it is possible that someone could recognize her. If they were the right type of person, with the right type of information, they could possibly make a connection from her to me… L paused in his thought, Is this what Robin was talking about when she kept calling me overly paranoid on the plane?
"…I refuse to wear shoes" L called down the hallway in defeat, but the only reply he received was the slamming of Robin's door.
Robin changed out of the suit she'd worn on the plane to Tokyo and showered quickly. She decided on wearing a simple light blue jersey knee-length skirt and a white tank top instead of one of her many suits, since sightseeing was supposed to be a lighthearted affair.
"Alright L, I'm ready to go" Robin said as she stepped into the living area, a tan leather purse slung over one shoulder. She found him in the same place on the couch that she'd left him and sighed before striding over to the stoic detective. "Well, come on then, we have things to see" Robin said to L, hands on her hips as she waited for him to get up.
"I don't see why this is important" L grumbled, begrudgingly standing. "There is a 90% chance that my identity could be compromised by this outing"
Robin surveyed his face for a moment before she scoffed and grabbed him by the shirt sleeve, "You're a liar. Your behavior is deliberately opposite the subtle ticks most people display before they falsify information. By instinct most people would rather sit than stand in order to tell a lie; because it gives them a sense of security. Instead of trying to change the subject and hide, you leave it open for further debate. You refrain from touching your face, and make absolute sure you've locked your stare with mine. Commonly, these would all be signs of telling the truth." she paused, letting a smirk overtake her features, "but, you aren't exactly a common person"
L fought to stop his own smirk from showing as his thumb flew to his lips. "Without your-" Robin cut him off before he could go any further.
"I'm guessing you're inverting your percentages again. Even a 10% chance is being generous, by the way." she said. "Besides, it's important because you travel to all these cities, yet never bother to go out and actually see them" Robin towed L along with her as she walked to the front door of their suite.
"There are other ways too-"
"It's abysmal that you don't enjoy your surroundings more," Robin scolded, ignoring L's attempt to butt in. "Now put on your shoes, and don't say you won't because I will shove your feet into them myself" Robin stated like a nagging matron, slipping on her own black flats.
L grumbled in his head, not very pleased at all as he tied the ratty sneakers. With Robin creating the perfect opportunity, Whammy would no doubt force me out; He's always encouraging me to go out more since I've stopped working directly in the field… At least, this way I'm doing it somewhat voluntarily. L thought, Besides, there's something… fascinating in the way Robin's learned to read even my tells so remarkably well. Perhaps I can work with her to develop an unreadable expression, after the Kira case of course…
"Keep in mind, this is not me giving in to your absurd amount of paranoia" Robin stated, slamming a baseball cap on L's unruly hair.
L appraised himself in the foyer mirror, "This is hardly a disguise" he commented dryly.
Robin ignored his disapproval and opened the suite's door, dragging L by the sleeve with her out into the hall. "If you're nice I might even consider picking up sweets for you while we're out" Robin stated as she made sure her key was carefully tucked in her purse.
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel happier about this situation. Besides, I'm not a child that needs permission to buy sweets. …You're stretching out my sleeve" L stated, Robin sighed at him before taking his hand instead and dragging him to the elevator. They escaped the building and Robin expressed a smile at the bright noon sun peaking at them between tall skyscrapers.
Robin led them to the metro entrance, ignoring the swarm of people that clogged the sidewalk. "Where should we go first? A museum?" Robin asked rhetorically, eyeing the route line with interest. "Oh, we could go to Ueno park. The Tokyo national museum is there. And there are shrines, too" Robin stated, looking up at L; who seemed completely agitated by it all.
"I have no preference" L said, as if her words were a question.
"Can you at least pretend you're having fun?" Robin asked.
L stared at her blankly. "But I'm not. If I feigned interest, you would be able to ascertain I was lying anyway" L stated.
"That's not the point" Robin sighed, "You're simply hopeless. Now come on or we'll have to get the next tram" Robin said before pulling him by the hand down into the metro.
Robin seemed fascinated by all the people crowding around the platform waiting for the train. "Oh, look at her" she said to L, tilting her head to subtly indicate a goth-Lolita girl.
L gave Robin a blank stare. "…And why am I looking at her exactly?" he questioned.
"You're no fun. People watching is my favorite game" Robin stated, expressing a small pout.
"How can watching people possibly be fun?" L questioned grumpily. Now, he knew exactly how it could be, but he only held interest in watching exceptional people. Normal passerby were mundane and everyday; if you looked at these people long enough a pattern was sure to emerge, and then L would be able to predict the proceeding events. Watching something after you'd already seen it once was just boring. So, it wasn't actually the act of 'people watching' that was questionable, it was simply Robin's choice in watching people so predictable that alluded him.
Robin scanned the crowd before she locked eyes on a nervous-looking teenage girl avoiding the rest of the crowd as much as possible. "There!" Robin exclaimed quietly, subtlety indicating the girl.
L's eyes landed on her begrudgingly. "Yes, she looks frightened of those around her. Not necessarily unusual"
"You don't look closely enough. What's really fascinating isn't what you see, it's how she reacts. How she sees" Robin said, a small smile working over her face as her words took on a passion. "It's obvious she's nervous about all the people around her. She's so silent in contrast, crumpled up into herself; she's not afraid of the people, but the noise they make. All the noise makes her nervous, not them. It's quiet within her, peaceful. There is no stress, no worries, no troubles. To her, it is strange for the others to be so chaotic when there is nothing inside her except peace" Robin finished and then sighed, seemingly coming back to the conversation after being lost in her analytical capture of the girl.
She turned to face L, "That's what makes her unusual. Don't you wish you could have as much peace as she does?" Robin questioned honestly.
The words left him abashed. "That was very eloquent" L said curtly, instead of agreeing. Yes, there are times when he wished the world didn't weigh so heavily on his own shoulders. Yes, there were even times he wished for peace; and not only for himself, but for everyone. But that was all those thoughts ever were. Wishes.
Robin opens her mouth to say something before jumping as the metro loudly screeched to a stop behind her. They had made the mistake of standing right where the doors were, and the sudden rush of people made Robin freeze up in a quiet panic.
You're safe, the voice in her head re-assured her while sounding strangely like her therapist Mr. Fredrick, They're just strangers. None of them will hurt you. It's okay. Take your time, it's okay to move slow. As long as you move.
L reached out and forcibly gripped her hand as the mass of people around them began to funnel either out or into the metro, nearly dragging Robin with them in her immobile state. L was silent as he guided the two of them through the crowd. It was only when the doors had closed and the two of them were safe onboard, that L fixed her with a taunting smile. As if to say, 'ha-ha, I had to save you'.
"Don't you say a word" Robin stated and looked away from him, pretending to stare out the window into the underground darkness, but closing her eyes tightly instead.
Why do you still think he's out there? Robin asked herself. You saw it, he was burned completely to ash. He can't be out there anymore. He can't be waiting. He can't hurt you. Not anymore. She finished, taking a deep breath and praying that L wasn't noticing her shaken state. If he thought she was 'pushing herself', there was no doubt L would have her shipped away from the case. And then what Would distract her?
The two of them were thankful when they finally reached the stop and could escape the far-too-close interaction. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Robin asked L rhetorically, putting on her best carefree smile.
"Yes it was" L deadpanned.
"Cheer up already," Robin said, expressing a frown at him before dragging him inside the gates of Ueno park.
The two of them spent the afternoon in the park, going into the museum (Robin was enamored, L hated the modern art and sulked through the Grecian sculptures) as well as a few shrines (L found it boring while Robin was once again entertained by all the people) and even the aquarium (A large flounder followed L around the tanks, however, he was not as amused by it as Robin was).
It was, apparently, especially hilarious to Robin that L was mistaken for a homeless man more than once; whereas it was only annoying and mortifying to the detective. But the real embarrassment came with Robin's nearly constant questioning of locals to take their picture in front of buildings, exhibits, and even the flounder; but he was admittedly pleased with how some of the pictures came out. At the end of it, they were both exhausted from all the walking.
L emphasized the whole ride home on the metro that he 'needed sugar now that her exploration had depleted his energy', thus Robin played a good sport and conceded in purchasing a hefty array of candy from a sweet shop they spotted on their walk back to the hotel.
"You two have been gone for an awfully long while" Whammy commented as they trudged through the door at six PM. "Did you have fun sightseeing?" The old man asked, a smile ever present on his features.
Robin slipped off her shoes quickly before striding over to Whammy with her digital camera in hand. "It was fun indeed. We took a lot of pictures, too" Robin said, showing the camera's display to Whammy. The old man's smile grew as she flipped through several of the photographs for him.
"It looks like it was a truly fun outing" Whammy commented as L slipped off his shoes by the door.
Robin expelled a smile. "I quite enjoyed myself, even in L's depressing company. However, I believe I have gotten all the Tokyo sightseeing done that my feet can handle" Robin stated.
"That's good news" L commented through a mouthful of taffy as he strode past the two and through the hallway into the living area, clutching his bag of sweets all the while.
Robin sighed at L's retreating figure. "He is incorrigible, Mr. Whammy" she said to the old man, whose only response was to pat her on the shoulder and smile warmly.
"I finished stocking the kitchen while you were out" he said. "Perhaps a bowl of strawberry ice cream is in order?" Whammy questioned, and she expressed a smile at the fact he remembered her favorite childhood treat.
"Overdue, in fact" she said, and the two of them made their way into the kitchen as a peacefulness settled over Robin. However, she knew that with a life like hers any semblance of peace was only temporary.
Is this chapter OOC? I certainly hope not, it was a pain to try and get an outing to correlate with L's personality. Thank you all for the reviews and favs! So glad you're enjoying the story so far! -Luv, Cart