badfic_manor | Page Six: [In Person/Text]

[Light shrugs. He didn't expect Mikami to actually go through with anything of that sort. Besides, he already knew all the information he would ever need about Mello already.]

It depends on how you would approach the matter really, but it's inconsequential. It's best to stay away from evil lest you yourself become contaminated.

I don't think that would happen to me.

[Read: He'd rather die than having himself influenced by somebody unrighteous.

Mikami's eyes are focussed on Light now. If he was right...
Was this what he'd imagined God to look like? He wasn't sure. Was this what he had been waiting for since... since... What he had always been waiting for? Could this really be...?
Light Yagami was here... right in front of him. Looking so human and yet...
God. God, God, God. God.
How can one word create such a mess inside a persons mind? How could one thought make the whole world turn upside down?

Light looked far more godly than Mello did. And Mikami was nervous. Euphoric and afraid.

Could this really be? Really be ... Kira? Be God?]

We would all like to think we are impervious to evil influences, but it is hubris to think that it's isn't likely to happen.

[Light half smirks, issuing a silent challenge. He'd given Mikami more than enough hints, it was time to see if this man was able to put it all together, to prove his worth to God. He could see the nervousness slowly seeping into his body language. Perhaps he had already figured it out. In any event, Light is through helping him. Now it was up to Mikami alone.]

Maybe.

[It was simple answer, he simply finds himself unable to make his mind focus on the topic of their conversation. He is going through all hints again and again,. It was so obvious. Almost too obvious. But this time... this time it feels right. It feels right to accept Yagami Light as his lord. Teru bites his lip shortly.
Could he just... ask? What would he do if he was wrong? What would he do if he was right?]

Could it be that...
[He silently prays that Kira would forgive him for not being completly straight-forward. That he would understand his worries. Although that somehow feels selfish already.]
... you are involved with Kira far more than you told me?

[Upon hearing this, Light raises an eyebrow, perfectly portraying an air of mild confusion. On the inside however, Light is beaming. I knew you could do it, Mikami. Just a little further...]

In what way do you mean, Mikami-san?

[Say it. Say that I am God, Mikami.]

[So it was all or nothing now. The point of no return.
He could either back down and pretend that he never had that idea ... or just be direct.
Mikami carefully looks at Light again. The young man seemed like a perfect person. Teru was overthinking this. After all a big part of him is already sure. Then again it is a part he usually did not pay too much attention to. His heart.
He was running in circles here. It needs to stop. And he takes a deep breath.]

Are you... my G-god?

[Say yes, say yes, oh please, say yes. And please don't lie.]

[For a moment, Light says nothing, leaving a thick silence to blanket the room. He continues looking through the window, attempting to look impassive, and failing spectacularly. A rare occurrence for Light. He bites his lip, holding back the desire to laugh uninhibitedly, but no matter what he tried, the corners of his lips would turn upwards, in a half smirk, half euphoric grin. Yes. YES! I knew you could do it. I am God, Mikami. Your God. The God of the New World.]

Heh. And if I am?

Edited 2011-01-14 20:14 (UTC)

[Thank you, for making this so hard for Mikami. Even though that face he makes is answer enough.
Teru resists the urge to fall down on his knees in front of Light, in front of God. But it was too early. Not yet. Not yet.

His voice is shaking as he replies.]

I-if you were to answer 'yes', it's still ask for a proof of some kind.
... Please, forgive my suspiciousness.
[Those last words are evidence enough that Mikami is already fully caught in Light's web.]

[Light casts a sweeping glance at Mikami, deeply pleased by his display of reverence. Light is even willing to overlook the insolence of being asked for proof as it was a natural course of action.]

Considering the fact that you believe me to be God, it seems rather reckless and demanding to ask for proof, don't you think? But I acquiesce.

[He pauses here, all traces of levity gone.The moment of truth had arrived at last, and despite Light's excitement, there is slight trepidation. His own heart is fluttering like the delicate wings of a new butterfly exposed to sunlight. This is Light's moment, one that is vaguely confessional as well as a fresh beginning. His voice is confident, and unwavering.]

It is as you believe, Mikami-san. I am Kira.

[Hearing Light speak those words, be able to even see him ... It's picture perfect to Mikami.
It was this moment that he had lived for. Lived a life full of pain, but he had not left his way once. The right way. Mikami Teru had always believed that God had to have seen him, the way he went on, following all those unwritten rules of righteousness. Teru had done everything he could to please this God. He wanted to be the perfect follower, the perfect servant. He wanted to prove himself worthy of meeting that God. And from than on follow every of his commands, helping to create a better word.
His heart is racing in his chest, faster and faster. All his life he had been running, hurrying to this moment. Of course it had been a very planned phase of running, never a minute to late or too early. Still... He feels that he has reached the destination of this journey.
Follow your way. Follow your way to God.

All of his usual expressionlessness was gone, Mikami was made of pure exitement. He wishes to keep looking at Light, but he doesn't. Full of worship he lowers his head.]

I...
Still...C-can you... please, give me... some kind of evidence?

[He feels bad to have to ask for it, but still this could still be a trap. A brilliant one, but being able to set up brilliant traps doesn't make a person a God.
Mikami wouldn't let himself be used by a false God.
And every single part of him was screaming, praying for Light to have that proof. Because he wanted to keep those feelings that filled him, wanted this to be true. No. He desperatly needed it to be true. Because it was the only thing that could give him his purpose back, here at this weird place.]

[Even with Mikami's logical demand, and barely passable act of skepticism, Light knows he has already won this man's heart. His willingness to believe has him practically on all fours, prostrating himself by Light's feet, and Light can almost taste it. It was just a matter of excising the remaining portion of doubt that made Mikami the rational person he is. As pesky as that is, Light approves: This is what makes Mikami a man worthy of following Kira. Light would never acknowledge a person who was so easily blinded.

He smiles benevolently as he considers the request. Of course, the matter of "proof" itself is a tricky one. Back home, it would not have been a problem. All Light would have to do is put his pen to paper, and some fool undeserving of life, perhaps one of those idiots on Sakura Television, would die, clutching at their hearts as they died an undignified death, while Light- their silent executioner would watch, smug and proud as his righteous judgement was exacted. All would know God is indeed watching.

But here, it was quite a different story. Even with the Death Note, there was no way Light could possibly write in it- the environment was far too contained. Using it would be like signing his own death warrant, and everyone knew, Gods are immortal. So what to do? Show Mikami the Death Note? It would be more than likely that the other man would laugh; Light certainly would have. In fact he did laugh when he first found the damn thing on that fateful day, when his usual monotonous routine of staring out of the window, bored to tears was blissfully interrupted by a notebook falling out of the sky..... He clears his throat.]

Let me first explain, Mikami-san, that it will be impossible to prove to you that I am Kira in the usual way. Given this place, with its plethora of half-rate detectives and police, it would call too much attention to myself and I have no intention of being caught here, Mikami-san.

[He pauses here, smirking slightly.]

Having said that, however, I, unlike that spineless coward, do not intend on shying away from proving to you that I am indeed who I say I am. You will recall that I mentioned to you in a previous discussion, that I have met L, the orchestrator of the Kira investigation, through my father? If I must be honest, it is true, but it is not a complete story. You see, Mikami-san, I was actually suspected of being Kira, by L. It has been a very long battle between us- but the conclusion is this. I have defeated L.

[He thinks carefully to himself. If the Author hadn't brought him here, well....it was easy to guess what his future self would have done. He would have lead the investigation in circles for years, and years.... Given what Mikami had told him, he must have succeeded in that endeavor.]

Consider your time, if you would. In those five years of difference between our timelines, Kira has been judging criminals unhindered. ....The reason for this, is that I have won. Kira is L in your time, my future.

Edited 2011-01-15 19:06 (UTC)

[Mikami tries to breath steadily, forcing himself to calm down and listen. He had not come so far to just lose himself to this situation now. Even though he was pretty close to it.

He understood that Light could not kill now. It made perfect sense and he would not ever want his God to do something that might end up in him getting caught.
He continues to listen and as he hears of L's defeat he is pleased. It's not that Mikami had always disliked L. He had always thought he was weird, but he appreciated the number of cases solved by the master detectice. However, as L had openly started hunting Kira it all had changed. It was blasphemic. Somebody who was supposed to believe in justice and still couldn't see how Kira's doing was right? Mikami couldn't accept that.

But if Kira had won and taken L's place... It was good. Justice would always win. Kira would always win. Mikami is too smart not to know that it was possible for Kira to be caught, especially as L got so close to him... But still he wants to think that Kira will always be a step ahead.
And apparently that was true.]

That's...That's wonderful. [It really is.]

[Light chuckles humorlessly at that. L's death being described as wonderful is surely the greatest understatement of the century. To Light, it is quite literally one of the crowning achievements of his life and to have it downplayed as 'wonderful' hinges upon insolence.]

Wonderful, indeed. [His tone is cold momentarily, before he continues in his usual manner of speaking.]

Before I continue, I must ask you how it is that you think Kira is able to exact judgement. What are your ideas?

[Breathing slowly has been successfull up to now. Though Mikami still seems somehow euphoric, he now speaks clearly. These are things he has thought about millions of times, even though ultimately it didn't matter. The 'how' was unimportant compared to what one would do with this power.]

Back when Kira had just arrived he couldn't kill L immediatly. That means that the power to kill can not affect people who Kira knows nothing about. There needs to be something Kira can identify them with. The likeliest thing would be their appearance, I guess.
In addition the powers aren't limited to one person. I'm not sure of how to get them, but it seems to be possible as once a secound person with the ability to kill by heart attacks has shown up.

[This receives a single solemn nod of acknowledgement. Not that these were particularly difficult conclusions to reach for anyone paying any attention to the Kira case, but this would work to Light's advantage nicely.]

You are correct. These are all true observations. Indeed, I was unable to eliminate L when he first appeared, and so you are not far from the truth about the requirements I need in order to lay judgement on evil. But as for the source of Kira's, or should I say, my powers? Now that is another story, and one only the individual known as Kira would be able to know, isn't that right Mikami-san?

[He smiles.]

Perhaps it would surprise you to hear that the origin of these powers is, in fact, a gift from the Gods residing in the heavens. ....Did you know, for instance, that Shinigami like to eat apples?

Edited 2011-01-16 14:35 (UTC)

[Mikami blinks, but the rest of his face continues looking serious. That sounds... ridiculous. If he wouldn't want to believe Light so much, if Light was somebody else, acting differently... he might have just left at this point.
But considering everything that had happened before, this almost made sense again, in a weird way. After all why would someone as smart as Light Yagami tell such a stupid lie? Teru couldn't think of a reason, guiding him to the conclusion that it might be true.]

Considering I haven't seen a proof for shinigami existing up to now, it's fairly obvious that I have no way to gain knownledge of such details.
So you say that a shinigami has helped you to get these powers?

[On a tangential note, it strikes Light as humorous that at every encounter, he would be explaining something seemingly stupid to Mikami, but he brushes that bit of levity aside.]

You could say that. You see, Mikami-san, I happened to come across a certain Notebook in late 2003.

[He stands up, and searches through his desk, stopping as soon as he finds the item he is looking for.]

Something like this, actually.

[He holds a black Notebook out for Mikami to examine.]

As innocuous as that may look, it is in actuality a Notebook carried around by Shinigami. "Death Note" as it is appropriately, but still rather unsophisticatedly called. As I've said before, I can't demonstrate the authenticity of this item, but imagine this scenario Mikami-san. Suppose you could kill anyone... anybody at all, with only knowledge of a person's name and face simply by writing in this Notebook?

[He smirks.]

What would you do?

[Mikami looks at the Death Note carefully. Just a black, thin book with weird symbols written on it. And this should really be... the source of Kira's power? It seemed so unlikely and yet Mikami caught himself looking at it like it was some kind of holy relique. Almost he would have reached out to touch, but then he decided against it.

At Light's question he looks up, thinking. 'Kill' is a word that seems to be marked red in his head. Kill... Murder.... You shall not kill. Of course he knew that technically all Kira was doing was to... kill. Technically. But in thruth it was punishement. Divine punishment. It was not made divine by the method of killing alone, not at all. It was divine, because the one carrying it out was righteous.

If he held this power... what would he do? What would he do with it? It was clear and then again things weren't that easy. Mikami Teru was not God. Mikami Teru didn't want to become God. Maybe something godlike, supporting Kira in a every possible way. But not the God. Teru needed a God to believe him, to make his life worth living.

He closes his eyes only for a second, then he has made up his mind. Sooner or later it would've come to this. Sooner or later he would've understood that this notebook was a gift from the God he believed in. Because he was a good person. Because God had seen him. In the end it always came back to that.]

I would accept the task to eliminate the evil of this world.

[Actually this would've taken a while, given the unlikely event that Mikami would ever have picked it up. He liked to avoid dirt, picking up notebooks from the ground wasn't in the manual for him. And even if he had picked it up, he wouldn't have tried as it was obviously a bad joke. But if he would really find out about the powers, he wouldn't be able to give it away. Because it held the power to reach all he ever wanted. Sooner of later Mikami Teru would've become Kira. Not because he wanted to become a god, but because he wanted to serve a god.]

[This is exactly the answer Light expected. Only a man who truly comprehends Kira could see that the Death Note is more than a murderous tool. It was a means to end the evil that unravelled the very fabric of society. It was a panaceap to the necrosis of humanity. The fact that Mikami could not touch the Note now, is a sign of his reverence and for that Light half smirks, and withdraws the Note, carefully rifling through its pages as one would their favorite storybook.]

That is a good answer. Perfect, even. When I first found a notebook like this a year ago, it had written inside a few rules- but of course, the one that stood out most was the rule, "The Human whose name is written in this Note shall die."

[He pauses here, the faint traces of a nostalgic undertone peppers his speech.]

I myself had the same reaction that others would have. I scoffed; I ignored it. ...But in the end, like iron shavings to a magnet, I was inexplicably drawn to it. In fairness, though, who wouldn’t be? A statement like that, no matter how ridiculous, is memorable. I tested it on someone that the world would be unquestionably better off without. As you’ve probably guessed, he was a local criminal. Kurou Otoharada. Perhaps you'll remember the name? "The Phantom Killer of Shinjuku" I believe was his overly stylized title. In any event, the name is not important anymore. He was a monster that used innocent children as hostages to protect himself from police arrest.

But imagine my surprise, when a mere forty seconds after his name was written that those children ran free? For once, innocent people were not victims. I knew from then on… that everything could change. Finally, good people would no longer have to live in fear that they would be harmed. They would be free from the suffering brought about by the rotten excuses for humanity that are destroying the planet.

But to make this a reality, it would take work. Incredible sacrifices would have to be made in order to purify the world. But who else could do it? Who would possibly accept this burden? Had I given the Note to someone else, could I have trusted them with it? Could I trust anyone to make the righteous decision?

[Light sighs, pausing here briefly. His heart beats faster now, as excitement floods his body, though this time, he gives no external cues to betray his fervor. Light speaks softly, in a voice that exudes a powerful, charismatic confidence that seemingly fills the room creating an almost hypnotizing effect that commands the respect of those listening.]

…No, the truth is, no one would accept such a task. People are selfish, uncaring and shackled by their own mediocrity. Most would be afraid to use the Note, fearful for their lives because they’ve been enslaved by that ridiculous mantra we’ve all been indoctrinated with: “Murder is murder.” But no matter what their excuses and reasoning may be, the truth is simple. Secretly, in their hearts, everyone wants to see that evil is punished. Evil must be eradicated so that good people can live happy, content lives. That, Mikami-san, is justice. But those hypocrites would never dare to actually do anything of meaning. They're content to watch the world spiral downwards in an endless cycle of decay.

I, however, am not. The task falls to me, and me alone. The world cried out in despair, and using the Death Note I have answered its calls, achieving what others have only dreamed of. Only I can do it. Only I am capable of exacting punishment upon evil because I am justice… and I am God.

Edited 2011-01-19 22:44 (UTC)

['Perfect'. A word that has never sounded more wonderful. Mikami rarely ever applies it to anything. For somebody like him 'perfect' didn't exist in everyday-day live. Perfect...

As Mikami listens he finds his exitement growing again. More and more. This was right. It sounded so right. It was real. It sounded so real. The way Light speaks... like a good person, a righteous person. Like a God. Teru isn't able to keep his breath from going faster and faster.
Hearing Light talking is like a drug. Not like Mikami'd know a thing about how drug-use actually feels, but this must be it. Just that it's better. Far better.
He could've listened forever, but this was right. Light was saying aloud all the things that needed to be spoken, that Mikami needed to believe in.

Yagami Light... was Kira. Was God. And Mikami was here, chosen to listen to him, to know about his idenity and ideals. At those last words, he finally falls down on his knees.
There was no real doubt anymore. Nobody could talk like that in an act.

He presses his hand to his heart, as if he was vowing something and for a last moment he looks at Light, before finally lowering his head in a gesture of worship]

I... I am honoured to meet you. Every single of your words is true and I'm grateful to be able to hear them.
I, Mikami Teru, am your loyal servant and will do everything to make justice succeeed.
... God.
[The last word is not following a specific intention. Teru just felt like saying it again. And again and again, actually, but he was not going to do that.

Perfect. A word that he rarely ever applied to anything.
But Light Yagami and this moment... Could not be described with any other word]

[The sight of the man bowed before him, starts a chain reaction of little indiscriminate bubbles of happiness spreading down the length of Light's spine, accompanied by the ghost of a pleasurable shiver that starts at his head and ends at his feet.

It was one thing to believe that you yourself are a God and another thing entirely to see another human being, especially one as respectable as Mikami, believe that same fact. Mikami worshipped God, worshipped Light...and somehow, though of course, Light always knew he deserved this adulation- who wouldn't fall at their feet for him- it had all felt distant and anonymous in his time.

It was different now. Closing his eyes for a moment, he almost felt as though he was bathed in a pure corona of golden light shining from the heavens, filling him from the inside out with warmth... ...Heh.Is this how it feels to be truly Godly? He opens his eyes, looking down at Mikami, a small yet intensely victorious smile playing on his face.]

Please stand, Mikami-san. I should hope that my trust in you is not misplaced.

[Teru would've been fine with staying on the floor in front of Light forever, but standing up wasn't bad either. He gets up immediatly after Light speaks those words. And then there is another word. 'Trust'. It feels just so good to hear it. And even if the phrase is wording some kind of doubt, the existance of some kind of trust is still a good thing to Mikami. Of course he knows, that he has been living a righteous life, but nobody had ever been there to tell him.
Teru's expression is serious again, but it is full of confidence and his eyes seem less lifeless than they usually do.]

I will do everything I can so that you don't have any reason to be disappointed.

[When Light hears this and feels the conviction behind it, he knows almost instinctively that this man would not betray him. Or more accurately, he couldn't betray Light. His devotion was far greater than LIght could have hoped for. Mikami was truly a blessing in every sense of the word. Finally, the Author had done something right.]

Despite the less than ideal circumstances, somehow, I am glad the two of us were able to meet here, Mikami-san.

[His expression softens for a moment; Light truly means that sentiment. But a few seconds later, his face returns to its usual expression. With his brows furrowed in intense thought, Light looks far older than his eighteen year old self.]

I must confess to you that I have kept several details from you...though, I'm sure you'll find it understandable considering the circumstances. I mentioned earlier that L is dead, correct? The truth is like a true pest, L has left successors behind. Mello is one of them. He too, suspects that I am Kira. And evidently, since he has contacted you, he knows who you are. From that, the conclusion is clear. One way or another our futures are intertwined.

Therefore to evade further suspicion, we must be very careful about how we contact one another. You must act as though we are not familiar. Any out of the ordinary communication we have must be on an encrypted network in the future. To the rest of the Manor, we should appear to be strangers who know little about one another. This is all of course, a precaution.

Edited 2011-01-22 14:56 (UTC)

[I'm glad that the two of us were able to meet... Mikami is, too, more than anybody could ever imagine. He doesn't remember a time at which he has felt better. It feels like he had been reborn, like he was flying... But it isn't the moment to show that or even concentrate on it. God had orders and Mikami would always be there, listening carefully.

He understands why this all is necessary and he would follow these instructions.]

I understand. I will avoid any longer contact with you.

Please, do not misunderstand. I am not advocating complete avoidance, Mikami-san. Simply acting as you were before we had this conversation will be ideal.

If there is anything that you must know, I will contact you in private. Conversely, if there is something you feel that I must know, do not hesitate to reach out to me. I will be depending on you.

[In Person]

inordertobelieve - 2011-01-26 18:53 (UTC) - Expand