Checks and Balances

[Envy]

He'd come to the brilliant conclusion that he possibly couldn't continue alone and would need some help. This had, of course, only occurred after a few weeks of intense inner debate and lack of progress on his behalf. Not to mention being so close to his target, yet being so far away from his goal was frustrating him more than he could take. And so, enlisting help was his next choice. A twisted look of disgust crossed Envy's usually bank visage and he scowled darkly at the piece of paper in his hand. On the thick sheet, he had a list of names, nearly all of them crossed out except a few. A few minutes and furious scribblings later, and only one name remained. Well, no really a name. A letter.
L.

His scowl grew.
"What's so great about him anyways?" he grumbled to himself, plonking himself down in a plush chair at the surprisingly classy restaurant in a rundown part of Tokyo. He was there to meet somebody from L's taskforce, maybe L himself, though the thought seemed unlikely. A few days before, he'd sent in an anonymous message through the police force with some useful information and, as he'd instructed, had gotten a reply back. He knew his arguments and tiny hints had been enough to garner interest, but not give too much away. He supposed today was going to be where he was evaluated over his sincerity and usefulness.

A sigh and he stared at the sheet. It appeared L really was his best choice to go to -- five "ip-dip-doos" had proved that... freakishly enough. Not to mention the mystery man appeared to have funds beyond his own and access to information he didn't have, though he held that trump card any day. There was a slight cough to his right, and he turned his attention that way, confronted by a tired yet smiling waitress who scared him slightly with her plastic features.
"What can I get for you today, Sir?" she asked, accent giving her away as an Osakan.

A sneer began to form on his lips and he gave her an aggravated look. "For one, you can rifrain from making my ears bleed with your hideous, unintelligible cacophony, and two, you can get me some coffee for now."
His tone was so commanding and sharp, the poor woman couldn't help but totter away, confused but feeling pretty sure that she had been insulted. When she came back, it was with a pretty little glass with elegant figures sculpted into the sides. Six ice cubes floated happily in it, surrounding a lone white straw.

Without a word of thanks, Envy glared at her before shooing her away with his hand and drinking moodily from his glass. Where was L's damned people? Didn't they know anything about the word punctuality? He sighed.
"I swear, if they turn out to be idiots..."
He didn't bother completely the sentence, instead grimacing sourly and laying back in his seat. All around him, the low buzz of business men conversing about things they didn't wish others to overhear created a constant background noise that kind of irritated him. 'This better have been worth my time.'

[Edward Elric]

The blond -- Strike that, the currently dark-haired Elric tugged the glove tighter to his wrist and reminded himself that the passing groups of people weren’t paying attention. The first time, he’d hated the wig, and still it caused discomfort. Admittedly, it did allow him to journey outside so he could stand the awkward tangle of hair (real human hair, as L had found vital to mention).

It pissed him off how obsessed not only the media, but the general public were with his survival and loss of his brother. He’d seen how the reporters twist their life into some stupid drama. So one step outside without his pathetic disguise would mean getting jumped for that sob story. How tempting it was to set them right. Somehow he imagined L wouldn’t approve… thus the greater temptation. Already he was in deep anyways. Technically he was to always be under surveillance for “protection” ; they hadn’t counted on his above-average intelligence switching around the wires and tapes.

The camera probably still showed him reading that same novel. Who knew when they would realize what he’d done? It was already too late to stop him this close to the meeting spot. They hadn’t released much information on the case yet an anonymous letter referenced specific details on missing organs. Edward Elric glanced down at the paper and back to the name of the restaurant. After weeks with the detective’s excessive settings, this place didn’t seem fancy.

Apparently there were separated booths so that the pompous morons could drivel on about finances and crooked deals. The place smelled of spices and he already disliked the overly lavish establishment. A check with his watch and… yep, he was a bit late. Oh well... The role he was playing left room for fault. It’s not like he wasn’t really on the Task Force… technically. He knew more than all of them on the case, except maybe L. Edward blinked and stepped aside for the seemingly upset woman who continued to the kitchen. A brow rose and he reluctantly proceeded. Great, was this “help” coming from an upper-class jackass? Why couldn’t it ever be someone bearable?

The table was thankfully a perfect spot to speak, hidden by the various plants blocking it’s view from other booths. And the sole being seated there seemed to blend in with the plants. He blinked at the odd hair and decided to try and keep himself in check. This was the case and he’d make L’s predictable lecture pale in comparison to whatever information he could gather.

“Sorry-- Traffic held me up,” he informed, lying easily through his teeth. A hand lowered the letter he’d received down and sat down without so much as introducing himself. “I'm Detective Snickerdoodle Claus-“ He suppressed the exhale at the unfit name L had selected. “- from the Task Force.. Now, you’re the one who sent this, right?” A finger tapped the letter.

[Envy]

It seemed like an age before someone finally spoke beside him. He scoffed loudly and took another obnoxious sip of his drink and tilting his head sideways to observe this newcomer. As soon as he did, he regretted his sip as he promptly choked on the cool liquid at the tiny stature of the male beside him. Were the governments hiring midgets to do their dirty work nowadays? After all, what if this had been a completely elaborate trap and he shot the man? Then what?

He had to shake himself from his mildly disturbing thoughts of decapitated midgets and angry elves waving swords. Perhaps that waitress had done something to his water as vengeance for his rude behavior early. He sighed; he should treat random strangers nicer.

Snapping himself back to the present, he hid his grin by lifting his napkin and dabbing at his lips and cheeks to rid himself from any unsightly blemish of H2O.
"Aa, then I suppose it was something that couldn't be helped," he answered, accepting the excuse with minimum skepticism. This was Tokyo after all. He nodded as the other introduced himself and opened his mouth to do the same when he... paused... and tilted his head to the side. 'What?'
"Pardon?"

For a few seconds, all Envy could do was stare wide eyed at the man across from him. And then, the amusement kicked in. And try as he might, he couldn't stop himself from dying silently into his napkin, hoping the other would just think he was having slight trouble with the folded piece of paper. Finally, he sucked in a deep breath and nodded again.
"My name is something I shall not divulge as of yet, but you can call me Envy."
It was a smart ploy of his. Most never really expected his name to actually be Envy, and therefore accepted it as his nickname.

He straightened up in his chair and tilted his head to the side, still chuckling every once in a wall. "Yes, I did send this, Detective... er... Snickerdoodle Claus. I decided that a little help would possibly be needed to completely wrap up this case."
He was surprised at how much self-control he'd shown so far, as usually, he'd have been ragging on the poor guy's height and obviously fake name.
"You see, I've been... spying under the cover as a worker for an institution, and I discovered a few things. However, I didn't go further, as I didn't want to get truly involved. Still, I reckon I'll need resources and combined knowledge. Which is why I contacted L. The response seems to be a little under-sized, though."
He truly couldn't help that little jibe.

[Edward Elric]

Edward's eyebrow already twitched at the mere scoff from whom obviously deemed himself too important to be kept waiting. Apparently he wasn't, huh? When the... male(?) choked all of a sudden, that eyebrow simply rose in question, pale lips tugging down only slightly. Either this was a horrible disguise or.. Actually there wasn't any "or". Damn L and his sorry excuse for a wig. Anyone who looked twice could see through it clearly.

The younger appreciated the acceptance of his fib. Once again his demeanor shifted upon introductions and Edward didn't need to wonder why, mentally cursing L with every obscenity under his belt. That bastard would be sneezing like hell if superstitions were true. Golden hues slipped to glance of to the side as he plopped down, trying not to look ruffled. It was supposed to be normal for him. Mental snort.

"Envy..? Right.." Well at least he wasn't the only one with a stupid alias.

He shifted at the repetition of his "name". They had to both know how ridiculous it was anyways so the slight huff wasn't really a give-away. "Detective Claus is fine.."

Now actually gaining information, his attemtion slipped back to the oddly amethyst orbs and remained solemn. Nodding where appropriate, he opened his mouth to question his findings--- then froze. Excluding the vein struggling to free itself and strangle the sin-named shrubbery. Instead of intellectual sounds, he had to hush the crack of some sort of wrath-induced noise. Then slammed his hand down palm first, glaring as though the poorly veiled insult was the most underhanded jab.

"I'm not short!!!" He scowled and took a moment to send a warning look to any stuck-up suits(probably all) suddenly paying attention even through the plant-barriers. Perhaps this place wasn't private enough. He muttered under the sound of whispers and took a breath. Seemingly collecting himself, the current-brunette exhaled and stared at the letter, then Envy. This wasn't a time to let himself get carried away. It was a good lead that not even L had reached first. He couldn't blow it. Calm. Calm. He again took a slow breath.

"Envy, L has received thousands of letters with conspiracy theories of those who've been lucky. He doesn't have time to waste-" On you, he mentally muttered. "- on pointless meetings. I need to make certain this is worth our time." The atmosphere remained awkward as he non-too-gently flowed back to business-mode. His elbow propper itself up as he leaned a cheek against the fist lazily. "Now which institute is this and what proof do you have of any connection so far?"