Equivalency

[Edward Elric]

There wasn't any pain... just numbness and cold. He was certain his other arm would be next and only the laughter kept him from slipping into the darkness unconscious. No, not because the chuckles were loud or grating, oh hell no, it was because he was pissed off. That this man was able to laugh while torturing him, to laugh over the whimpers of his younger brother. Tanned neck strained to catch sight of the smaller boy but the straps held him too tightly in place and his muscles were already feeble from blood loss. The younger had stopped croaking out sobs sometime ago. He couldn't bare the sudden silence that met his ears.

"... Al.." Edward coughed, hacked up sputters of blood and oddly the straps began loosening. He couldn't even tell how much time had passed since he'd last moved. There were flashing lights, muffled shouts. Still the utter blackness prevailed. Inner throat hurt too much. When the light flicked on... he almost missed the hope of ignorance. There it was; his sibling's broken body dimly visible under the flickering light of the basement. The limbs were severed, surprisingly seeping minimal amounts of blood, portions of his stomach hacked into and countless black-blue bruising littered across what remained of his flesh. In spite of the slow flow, scarlet stains covered the cold ground beneath the table and along the wall.

Ed could feel his throat grow thick with bile and struggled against the hands. Grabbing and yanking, lifting. He didn't bother to notice how many there were, only strained against them to reach the dying form of his only family. Yes, dying, because he couldn't be dead. A mask was pressed over his mouth as he was yet again forcefully strapped down to a more cushioned bed.

"Al...!!! Alphonse..!" His throat scraped against itself, voice hoarse and desperate. The name was all he could think of to say. Over the hushed words and sound of an ambulance, he managed to make out the last pained pleas his baby bro cried out. Why was he the only one getting in the ambulance? Against his dwindling will, the red and blue lights began to dull and fade out until he wasn't even certain he had survived either. Then came snippets of memories. That woman. He'd opened the door. Al told him not to. Because father wasn't home. But he's never home. Why would he be? So he'd opened the door.

Sweat pooled and dripped down his forehead, eyes snapping open to stare unevenly at the blank ceiling. He tried to sit up and fell back down, coughing heavily. And tried again. Instinctively he grabbed for where the absense of a leg should be with the arm that had been chopped off. What.. what the hell..? Where was he? Edward was so damn tired of all these questions paired with no answers. Pretty soon he got them. The lost arm and leg were back, only less human. Top of the art prosthetics. Winry, the nurse, had taught him to use them before he was told of Al's death. That wasn't a good week-- especially for the nurses and security. He'd ended up breaking a few bones, both his and their's. Then, two months into treatment, he was informed of the need for his witness statement. It was the first time he was allowed out of the hospital. And he was going to see some top detective. Like he cared. He'd have this guy find that killer and kill the bastard himself. Gloved hands tightened in his lap before the old driver interrupted his thoughts to inform Edward of their arrival.

"Holy shit.." Blink. Golden hues peered up to the huge building, having only expected some cheap little office. Then he glanced over to the elder man who merely opened the door for him and shut it after he'd stepped outside. The security measures turned out to be hell since he had the metal arm so it took over an hour to even reach the elevator. The blond sighed and watched Watari, as he'd called himself, press for the top floor. Wow. "So this 'L' guy. I don't get why he couldn't just get off his lazy ass and see me himself. It's not like he got his leg chopped off." Sarcasm-- usually people were bothered by the bitterness in his tone but the man's eyes simply crinkled with the effort of a smile.

"Ah, yes, it would probably be much easier for him to visit but I can assure you, the master isn't lazy. I apologize for your troubles but I have heard Professor Pinako's prosthetics are incredibly expensive. If it weren't for Master L, I'm not certain you'd be standing on your own, Elric-san." Ed felt his cheeks heat up. It wasn't like he'd asked for them but he did shut up anyways and simply waited for the doors to the elevator to open.

[l]

L had been observing the behavior of a recent serial killer for a few weeks now. It was most likely a man that generally kidnapped younger individuals, mostly consisting of children and adolescents. It still wasn't entirely clear how the perpetrator would come into contact with his victims, and L was still severely lacking in any major leads. By some stroke of luck however, it had soon come to his attention that one of said victims had actually lived through the ordeal, as the police had gotten some tip off from an apparently anonymous source. It was a boy and his brother. Unfortunately, the younger of the two did not make it. The eldest had gotten away alive, though paid the price with two limbs. He had been given several months to heal, and now L was inclined to speak with him. The boy had been given limb replacements and had undergone several extra weeks of training, as to become accoustumed to them. L wasn't particularly familiar with the advanced machines, though he learned it was something called "automail".

The detective was sitting in his swivel chair, legs pulled snug against his chest and both of his hands rested on the tops of his knees. His wide, onyx orbs were glued to the monitor in front of him, attempting to detect any sort of information he may have overlooked. The mere thought was scoff-worthy, but he wanted to be absolutely certain that there weren't any minuscule details he had missed. The desk that the computer sat on was littered with many assortments of sweets scattered about everywhere. It wouldn't be called untidy or messy, just cluttered. Without taking his eyes off of the police report, L reached over swiftly and plucked a strawberry off the top of a slice of strawberry shortcake. Popping it into his mouth, L chewed slowly and swallowed it.

He had determined that the killer was a man, judging by the sheer brutality of the murders. He would cut through their arms and legs, allowing the victim to bleed to death via the loss of their limbs. Woman often were much more cleanly, and ordinarily would do something that involved less gore. Of course, L was not ruling out the possibility of a female accomplice, as most children, especially teenagers, will not willingly go with a strange man. That is of course, provided that the perpetrator did not knock them out in some fashion and take their unconscious bodies to a secluded area. Then again, there could have been a woman, however, that led them somewhere, and allowed the male to begin his torture methods, all the while working to ensure that they weren't disturbed...

L was suddenly taken from his thoughts at the long off sound of an elevator opening. His keen ears detected the faint sound of footsteps down the long hallway that led to this room. It appeared Watari had finally arrived, and with the boy. L's eyes peered down at the police file laying haphazardly on his desk. "Edward Elric", it read. No sooner had he read the name than the doors opened quietly. Not even bothering to turn around, L murmured softly but clearly. "Thank you for bringing him, Watari. You may leave now."

[Edward Elric]

The doors opened to reveal a simple room; computers, windows, table and a chair. With a man in it, he noticed. The sudden voice was monotone, hardly intriguing and just as much as he expected from some big shot. All that mattered was his skill, anyways. Because he needed to find that asshole. This time he could even use his own hands too... well his own upgraded hand. The automail limb tightened as he imagined that moment. Edward knew all about how futile revenge was but it was the only thought filling his mind both during the night and day, in consciousness and rare periods of sleep, more frequent than breathing. The eldest of them bowed and Edward rolled his eyes since L hadn't even turned to regard them. Some manners. Not that he was a prime example of polite society. Bright orbs sent a petulant glowers toward Watari for being so submissive.

Those wise sapphire eyes met his own for a moment and he exhaled, trying to remember the words from before. L had paid for his treatment, had made sure he wasn't anymore of a freakish amputee. Even so, it was difficult to maintain civility with anyone ever since the incident. The only person he didn't mouth off to was Winry... she tended to hit him with no regard for his health if he even muttered under his breath. Scary woman. His boots grazed the carpet as he trudged over almost reluctantly when the man still didn't turn to greet him. Already he was losing that grasp on kindness.

Upon approaching the chair just beside L, he sat without asking, practically plopping down into the comfortable seat and noticed the schmorgusboard of sweets spread across the computer table. What the hell? Was this some sort of bribery? How young did they think he was? Though he did like the look of that pie. Almost stubbornly, he waited to be greeted even as he reached for a slice of pie. L was the one who needed his account of what happened-- more than he needed the detective's potentially half-baked skills.

[l]

L heard the approaching footfalls stop, a pause, and then one pair walk obediently away. He was now left in the room with only the electrical humming of computers and the boy behind him. Just as he was about to speak, the somewhat less humble and slightly more bold footsteps came closer and, glancing out of the corner of his eye, noticed that he had taken a seat. The detective could nearly feel the distaste directed towards him, though this was all to be expected. The boy had just witnessed the brutal murder of his younger sibling, and now had to deal with the weight--no pun intended--of artificial limbs. Not to mention being obligated to aid in the act of hunting down and capturing his attacker.

Swiveling around slowly to face the blonde boy, L's large, dark eyes stared blankly at him. His expression didn't hold much, if any, emotion, and there was a somewhat relaxed air about his body. "Hello.." L glanced once more down at the police file, despite the fact that he knew his name. If asked, L would openly admit that this was a small test. It didn't hurt to see how one would react to such a blatant display of lacking in manners, and he had an inkling the boy might react in a more negative than positive way. "Edward Elric," he continued, "I am L."

His eyes followed the blonde's reach towards the pie sitting on the desk and made no move to stop him. So he wasn't mistaken. The boy was indeed quite void of good graces. The fact that he was with L and the given circumstances had to be taken into consideration, of course, but.. Such an act of taking the food that wasn't offered, verbal or otherwise, was a clear indication that he was going to prove to be one arrogant young man.

[Edward Elric]

Teeth chomped down onto the pie and chewed loudly even as he heard the greeting which was a simple 'hello'. That earned the other Edward's full attention, leaning back in his seat and bluntly looking the so-called high class man over. He wasn't.. what he had expected. A blond brow rose gently as he noted the awkward fetal position and crumbs scattered within creases which silently explained how the sweets never were meant for him. How.. interesting. The dark hair was messy as well and his zombie-like eyes carried dark bags. Great, a raccoon was in charge of finding his brother's murderer.

Those same dull eyes flit down to what he imagined was his file and his name was spoken as though the detective was pretending he didn't know. Oh yea, like that was possible. Newspapers were having a field day, turning his story into some shitty soap opera. It was unbelievable. The point is there wasn't a single person here who didn't know his name in the nation. Afterall, his appearance had always been the conspicuous kind with the honey colored eyes and blond hair sticking out in a place like Japan. He even had some metal limbs added. Oh yea, try fitting in now.

Swallowing and taking another bite, he replied in a louder and less even tone between the munching on the crust. "Yea, clever alias, L. So you're supposed to be the best detective right?" Paid for his treatment. Helped him. Generous. The words replayed in his mind in an attempt to keep his words neutral. A breath. "How does this witness thing go? I doubt everything that happened's important." Another bite. He didn't care that it smudged food on his gloves; it wasn't a fashion statement. As it was, his long sleeves and gloves perfectly hid his automail limb, the pants and boots doing the same for his leg. He wasn't showing even a square inch of them.

[l]

"Thank you." L replied quietly, knowing full well that the comment about his alias was an insult. "No. I am not supposed to be the best detective. I am the best detective." He stated this opinion simply, as though it were a well-known fact. His eyes roamed over Edward's appearance. Large, gold eyes, long blonde hair that was tied into a braided ponytail at the base of his neck, side-bangs framing his face.. The boy covered all of his limbs with clothing, no doubt a self conscious act in order to somewhat appear as though he still possessed all of his body. L wasn't completely certain, though judging by his height while seated, the detective had almost no doubt in his mind that the adolescent was slightly short for his age.

At the boy's next words, L's gaze snapped back to stare into his eyes, onyx meeting gold. "On the contrary, Elric-kun, everything that has transpired from the moment the ordeal began to even after your brother passed away is of great importance. Everything has potential to have an alternative meaning, and that's exactly why you're here right now." There hadn't been many, if indeed there were any, circumstances in which the detective allowed a suspect or even victim to meet him in person. He kept his distance because that was the only method in which to ensure his own safety, though still remaining close with the aid of high-tech equipment.

In this situation, however, L saw fit to bring the boy closer. He couldn't very well contact him via telephone as he did with one Naomi Misora, nor could he simply observe him from a distance. That kept the teen in harm's way, and also would prove just about nothing. So, seeing little to no other solution, L had deemed it fit to retrieve him from the hospital and have him escorted directly to his temporary headquarters in which he would be residing in until deemed otherwise.

[Edward Elric]

"Pfff...." He could almost feel that ego shoving his own out of the room. Ed had trouble maintaining his cool while faced with such arrognace since it conflicted with his pride. Perhaps it was true. The man didn't need to inflate himself like that. "No doubt. You're sure doing a bang-up job of finding my brother's killer. Only been a few months, right?" He took the last bite of the crust and swallowed, finding it increasingly impossible to ignore the obvious way he was being sized up. This L really wasn't trying to hide his analyzing was he? He huffed and tapped fingers across the arms of the chair. There was no point disguising his aggravation either then.

"Eh." Narrowed eyes blinked out of it at the logical explaination. How annoying. The other sounded like he actually knew what he was talking about. His gaze didn't falter even as the blank ones seemed to remain emotionless. "T'ch.. You know most of what happened in the basement." Edward averted his eyes to the pie as though he were thinking of getting another. Then leaned his cheek into the palm of his hand, elbow propped against the desk. "See, the bastard.." He frowned subtly. "He was dressed up like a girl. We weren't supposed to open the door for anyone but she was just a woman selling flowers. We'd seen her before so I thought it would be fine."

The random details suddenly halted as he returned his gaze to the charcoal one. "And yea, let her in, turned out to be a psycho and he pretty much tortured us. Guess I really shouldn't have opened the door, huh." He reached for another piece, mostly for something to do besides focus on the other man who was probably interpreting his words into some stupid psycho-analytical bullshit. He'd already had to speak with some stupid therapist. They pissed him off.

[l]

"I know only a small portion of what happened in the basement," L replied without missing a beat, "I am aware that he took two of your limbs along with all of your brother's, and that he may have been prepared to disembowel you, as it is what he has done to all other victims. Fortunately, the police force prevented such and rescued you. However, there is always something more than simply what's in a police report." L's eyes didn't blink once as these words spilled from his mouth, and kept them unwaveringly glued to Edward's own skeptical gaze. He knew that statement, which sounded more like a well-recited essay than anything, probably irked him, though the boy needed to understand that he was going to be faced with the prospect of his brother's death several times until this case was over.

His face remained impassive as the boy spoke, though his mind was instantly racing at some hundred miles per second. "He appeared as a woman?" L murmured quietly, mostly to himself. "And no, you shouldn't have opened the door." L added bluntly. He was not going to tell Edward is wasn't his fault and that he should have known better, because he was sure that he had been told that countless times. L was not going to sugar-coat the youth's ordeal simply in a pathetic attempt to ease his mind and make him less uncomfortable. It may have happened in the past with sympathetic law officials, but L was not one of them, and so would not act as such.

[Edward Elric]

It was like listening to some news report since everything was spoken without emotion, not that he wanted there to be. It simple aggravated him how little importance the ordeal seemed to hold for this great detective. It was his brother's life, for chris'sake. He took an aggressive chomp of the pie, practically taking out his pent up frustration on the delicious sweet. Did this mean he'd have to actually repeat everything that happened? Oh, he would leave some parts out. He seriously doubted that it all mattered. Not like L would know the difference.

"Yes. Brunette- a wig. Had a green dress and make up on. They already asked me all of this." He swallowed and put the pie down, raising an eyebrow at how interested this little tidbit seemed to be to the other. So he was a looney- killers were usually nutjobs so crossdressing wasn't much of a shocker. Still creepy. Blink. Ed was taken back by the firm confirmation of his own bitter retort. Hardly what he expected but he preferred it to the pity of the doctors. Blunt but honest.

"Yea, well, what's the big deal? I told you, he was crazy. Laughed even when he said the most morbid shit." Lips twisted some as he chewed in membrance.

[l]

"The big deal, Elric-kun, is that we have now narrowed down the number of perpetrators. Without that small portion of information, we could have been getting leads about two or more criminals. Now, we know there is just one." L's voice was bored, as though he was explaining this to a young child. "And yes, he may have some sort of mental illness. That is not for me to decide, however." He added his offhandedly. Often, people never did see the importance of such small details. Before he began talking to Edward, he had been wondering that exact fact.

"Now, I need you to be completely honest with me this time. What else did he do? Any other things that you remember? Anymore torture methods that the police report neglected to mention, perhaps something sexual, or something distinctive you recall him telling you and your brother?" This part was important, for, if there were to be another victim and they lived, these sort of serial killers had a tendency to repeat the same things verbally. Which would of course mean that he could tie the two events together and deduct who this man could be.

"Furthermore, I'd like you to again, not withhold anything from me. No matter how insignificant or irrelevant Elric-kun may deem a certain phrase or action, it could prove to be just the opposite." Lazily moving his gaze, L reached out slowly and grasped the plate that held his strawberry shortcake. Picking up a fork that lay next to it with his index finger and thumb, L stabbed the tongs into the cake and consumed a small portion of it. Without turning to look at the blonde, L spoke. "Is the pie to your liking?"

[Edward Elric]

The blond felt his eyebrow twitch as he listened to the response, almost considering ditching if he was going to have to deal with this the entire time. But his temper wasn't stronger than the need to actually find the nutcase. He huffed and practically glared at the pie as he reached to finish the second piece off. "I was assuming you read the police report. Thought you'd be prepared. My bad." He willed his annoyance from his voice to force out his own tone of boredom. Not nearly as effective since it was rather obvious he was only acting uninterested. And it was a pathetic act.

"Eh.." Edward blinked at the bluntness and kept his gaze glowering in the pie's direction as though it were at fault for the entire predicament. It gave no visible reaction much like L. He shut his eyes and stuffed the rest in almost lazily before snapping. "No. He didn't do anything 'sexual' to me." Then opened an eye, shrugging calmly though his shoulders were stiff. "He started with Al. I was the.. lucky one I guess." Somehow hearing his brother the entire hardly seemed better.

"It was too dark and hard to tell what he was doing but I heard. Wouldn't the autopsy have shown any of that?" The blond sighed at the thought. He'd never considered that the sicko was doing anything like that to Al. Ed wasn't an innocent, no, but he had only thought.. Well, it was possible. A deep breath and the teen was finally was able to turn his attention from the pie.

"Well, he didn't really stop laughing too often. When he did actually talk, it was about how 'smooth' the cuts were. Like he wasn't even talking to us." Eyebrows furrowed as he thought about it himself.

"Except once. After he had my arm and leg off-- I told him I'd kill him. He laughed like the.. -the loony he is and.." Knuckles whitened, unnoticeable behind the cloth of his glove. "He said I could try if I lived. I think he left around then, not too sure.. Everything got blurry, and the cops showed up some time. No clue how long after but too late like always." The younger blinked slowly at the question and looked to the side, annoyed. "I guess.. It's okay."

[l]

"Oh, I read the police report. However, wouldn't you agree that hearing the truth from someone's mouth is much more reliable than reading the same thing from a typed document?" His lips pouted thoughtfully, nodding his head slightly. L tilted his head curiously, as though this were a completely polite and non-rhetorical question. However, he spoke once more before the boy would even have the chance to reply.

"I am always prepared, Elric-kun. You should never forget that." He said it as though he were softly reprimanding the blonde. "Now, the autopsy would not have shown a single thing should the perpetrator used a protection device and he in no way penetrated your brother. And, seeing as I have your claim that he probably did not do it, it does make it less likely.." L lolled his head to the side thoughtfully. "Though it's still possible, as you cannot say for certain whether it happened or not."

He swiftly spun his chair around to face the monitor, though he wasn't looking at it. His eyes were on the police report laying on the keyboard. He raised a hand and rested his thumb on his lower lip, pressing it there thoughtfully.

"Tell me..." He murmured quietly, thumb slipping off of his lip. "Though I know you have undoubtedly been questioned like this several times already.. Do you have any idea what the man looked like?"

[Edward Elric]

The explanation hardly seemed like an excuse but he still couldn't see the difference- he only added in needless details such as the flowers she had or the fact that her his stupid dress, was green. Opening his mouth to give a noncommital response, he was then cut off by the correction. Oh yea, okay. "Thanks for the enlightenment." Ed wasn't aiming to insult but he wasn't trying too hard to soften the words either.

"Yea.. I'm not certain but I don't think.." He scowled and chewed at his inner lip, ignoring the copper and leaning his mouth into his palm this time. He really didn't need to imagine this if it really hadn't. And if it had, Ed would just have to make sure his death wasn't so quick. "No point talking about it since I don't know and won't in ten minutes. Moving on."

Blink. He watched the other suddenly turn and felt the edge of his lip tug down in a comical way as he noted the childish habit. At least he wasn't sucking his thumb. Becoming more attentive when the other resumed with another question, the boy only deflated after he'd finished. Then began picking at lint on his jacket, not really removing it, just sort of fidgeting. "Nothing more than what's in the report. I'd probably recognize his face but his hair color, height, everything is hard to pinpoint. It was only a second I got a look at him without the wig and all."

[l]

"Elric-kun is immensely welcome." L answered absentmindedly, eyes still glued to the police report. They looked up at the boy at his second comment, however, and stared at him for several moments. "Yes, I suppose you are correct." Moving his eyes almost lazily, L looked once more down at the file. He raised his thumb once more, this time chewing insistently on his thumbnail. Bringing his free hand down, he picked up the plate that was resting on his knees and set it down softly on the desk. Reaching a hand towards his keyboard, L pinched the police report between an index finger and thumb on one end, and lowered his other hand from his mouth to do the same. Standing up slowly, he walked languidly out of the room, but not before sparing a glance towards the younger male, as though indicating to come with him.

His shoulders were hunched and his walk was more like a trudge than anything. Glancing up, L's eyes scanned the room only briefly before walking around a stationary coffee table in in the center of the room, and sat in his same fashion upon a couch behind it. The table, without even requesting it, was weighed down with cakes, pies, sweets, just about everything L liked. No doubt thanks to Watari. Looking up calmly, L pointed a finger, gesturing that Edward was allowed to sit by him.

Once more, L's eyes remained locked onto the police file. He was analyzing it for anything that was worth mentioning to the boy. He stopped, brows furrowing slightly. It didn't mention anything about.. "Parents.." L murmured. "Where were they?" His eyes snapped back towards the blonde, eyes wide and vacant. Though the teen before him was technically an adult and was not obligated to have his parents present, it was still strange to not have them mentioned whatsoever. Then again, he wouldn't be surprised if the blonde had refused to answer any questions regarding said topic, granted his relationship with them was strained. Again, not that unlikely.

[Edward Elric]

An eyebrow twitched. Was he trying to get under his skin? It was hard to tell. All his sarcasm earned him L's brand of toneless sarcasm. At least Watari seemed genuinely kind. Maybe it was just L's personality. It almost made him curious as to how he'd developed so many odd habits and achieved such a high status. Edward felt very much like an animal being called, only L didn't even bother speaking a word as he beckoned him. An unnecessary groan of aggravation followed(and was meant to be heard) before he actually did follow the unspoken request.

Hands in slipped in his pockets, trying not to stare at the poor posture since his own barely passed, but it was more of the lazy type than the natural ape-like kind that L seemed to have. It was painful-looking to slump that much.. Like he had some sort of spinal problem, but judging by his other unusual behavior, it could just be another quirk. The blond followed and stared at the array of sweets before moving to sit down. "Are all these supposed to be for you?"

"...?" He blinked and scowled over before scoffing. "How does that have anything to do with the killer? Like I told the cops, it doesn't matter." Leaning back as he folded his arms behind his head, the golden hues shut in dismissal of the question. Feet crossed right by the sweet treats and he finally peeked open an eye. The doctors and cops had all prodded him for information already. He'd have thought records of his mother's death were available, but what else could he expect from the police? "You got any clue where this guy is yet?"