L [Lawliet]

23. [Voice]

2009-07-31T15:01:34Z

[There's a long pause, then a thoughtful, monotone hum.]

Very apocalyptic.

22. [Text]

2009-07-20T21:58:06Z

The Shadow Temple, as it happens, is a very unpleasant form of accomodation.

I am quite glad to be rid of it.

21. [Voice]

2009-07-09T03:18:26Z

[The clatter as the recording flickers to life betrays it as accidental (most likely, at least). Something - someone - can be heard skidding over ground, messy ground, strewn with debris. Glass can be heard, crunching underfoot and tinkling, musical. There’s a pregnant pause, one of those short ones that seems so much longer.

And then the sound of a few sprinted steps. Air whistles – a strike, and there’s a definite collision, someone grunting from the force of it. Again, and again, it goes on, barehanded and quick, nothing to paint the picture but the pace of the footsteps, the negative space left gaping in between them. There’s another vocalisation, low, pained – and then it spikes into alarm as L is brought down. He can be heard hitting the ground – there’s one of those sickening scuffing sounds as he skids, tries to pull himself up and into another attack, and fails.

There’s a dull, wet thud, and then silence.

Silence, but for a silk-soft scraping sound. Glass, perhaps. Glass being sifted through (until just the right piece is found) and then, tearing fabric, unusually loud, before it falls quiet again.

Long, festering quiet – and it is long this time, not just some illusion of it. In fact, it seems like the feed might just cut out…

The sound that comes can scarcely be described. It’s sharp and low at once, barely even audible. It’s a wet sound, a sick sound. A cut maybe.

And L’s voice, his usually monotone voice, is twisted up into a yell, wordless and agonized.

(What follows it, very soft, may just be a snigger.)

The cry trails off into a slurred, tremulous groan, dizzy with pain.

And then, that quiet.

One more sound – somehow, it’s vaguely reminiscent of the ripping fabric.

But it doesn’t matter anyway. It hardly lasts long.

It’s drowned out by the sound of L screaming.]

20. [Voice]

2009-06-19T16:05:04Z

I believe I shall wait a while before returning home. Matt, you may not wish to extend that invite to me for now, however kind of you it was.

Mello. I see you have joined us. A sizeable basket of chocolate was left in my care, but I'm afraid it no longer exists as you know it.

I hope whoever it was that found themselves stuck in the clocktower managed to free themselves. That could be quite a safety hazard.

[There's a pause, and then a surprising sort of yelp as something explodes.]

...I believe I preferred the rolling.

I will address this to anyone who owns a cat: please keep an eye on them.

I was very curious, you see.

19. [Voice]

2009-06-04T15:55:22Z

[The feed comes on with a clatter. Evidently, it's been dropped on rock. But that's barely audible over the loud, rolling crunch...

Which stops sharply. The noise this time is definitely a voice. Oop. Weird voice, though.]

Oh it has fallen again.

[Faintly recognisable. Ohrr.]

Oh, and it has switched itself on again.

I must develop a way to better secure the communicator when rolling.

It is, however, entertaining.

[Sigh.]

18. [Voice]

2009-05-18T19:15:23Z

I believe I may almost have missed this place, despite being far more used to the busier cities. It has it's own quaint - if somewhat gloomy - charm. And I also find myself far better stocked.

Mr. Urameshi - or may I call you Yuusuke now? - are you at all acquainted with the works of Shakespeare?

17. [Voice]

2009-05-10T19:45:17Z

...It may be time to stock up.

16. [Voice]

2009-05-02T08:36:00Z

[A small hum, thoughtful.]

It seems I have spent the last four days or so sleeping rough.

...I suppose I should be grateful.

15. [Voice]

2009-04-24T21:40:34Z

All in all, quite a macabre set up.

Miss Hawkeye, please add my name to the Task Force roster.

Aaron, it seems I still have some things left over from Easter. We could try our hand at fondue. Or you could, I confess I have little of that sort of experience.

14. [Voice]

2009-04-09T10:39:02Z

[L's voice, whilst not happy by any means, is upbeat, determined. Well, as much as that monotone can be.]

Be careful, everyone. It seems our suspicions were confirmed.

[Locked to Wammy's Boys/Ada]

[And it falls back into that flat, dour patina.]

Finally, a move made. As much as I dislike doing nothing, that was necessary.

I wonder if he can see every word.

[And that, of course, was said in a voice that didn't seem to be wondering anything at all, the only curiosity in it idle.]

Ada, who else is working on this case?

[Locked to the Crimson King]

You have been busy recently.

12. [Voice]

2009-03-11T00:30:12Z

[Locked to Task Force]

[Smooth, upbeat, even.]

Well done on securing the killer. I am fifty-three percent sure that we shall have something to work with in any future related incidents.

[Locked to Demons]

[And now to the point.]

This book. What is its use?

[Locked to Wammy's Boys]

Perhaps the Crimson King meant for us to find him.

11. [Voice][Locked to Task Force]

2009-03-10T23:56:04Z

[L's voice has shifted from his usual monotone to a quiet bark, commanding.]

Task Force!

The killer has left a trail from Sunde. Follow it. We are on the brink of catching the murderer. However, the murderer is only the catspaw.

The red right hand, if you will.

((So. A little bit of explanation to avoid seeming godmoddy. Yes, L believes he has worked out who the killer is. Though he's more fond of getting others to do his leg work for him, he felt it would be more reliable if he went himself. And so he followed a trail he expected to find and wound up at... dun dun dun. An open sewer.))

10. [Voice][Filtered to Ada/Wammy Boys]

2009-03-06T19:52:32Z

Miss Wong. Your thoughts, please. I trust you have uncovered the desired information?

Matt. This book Elena went to retrieve. What is the purpose of it?

Do we still have nothing from Shin-Ra?

9. [Voice][Locked to Ada//Wammy bunch]

2009-02-28T18:59:13Z

Miss. Wong.

I would like to talk to you regarding the case and Mr. Winchester's murder.

Mello.

I must know what it was the Turks took from his body.

8. [Locked to Wammy's Boys]

2009-02-26T17:00:52Z

There is nothing to be done about this.

The only option is that this is the work of a higher power.

7. [Voice][Locked to Axel//Viewable by Task Force]

2009-02-05T09:26:24Z

Axel.

Alexia uses resources in Castle Nobody, correct?

6. [Text/Video][Locked to Task Force/Absolutely Unhackable]

2009-02-03T09:38:26Z

[Now made viewable to Near]

So, we have our original killer, and the copycat killer. I do not believe that these two figures are connected. Whilst the cuts on Miss. Lockheart's body could have been accidental and meant to read 06/21, such an occurance from our killer is highly unlikely. Also, the matter is definitely one close to our killer's heart, excuse the pun, and I do not believe he would disrupt the flow of his work, even if it is to lead us away from him.

Once more, I feel you ought to be warned as to the nature of the post. It is for personal reference more than anything else.

04/21
Victim: Ana
Occupation: Turk.
Method of Murder: Shot repeatedly. Body was treated as others were, with '04/21' carved into her forehead.
Item: ((Didn't see that anywhere?))
Discovery: Discovered by Albert Wesker on the 29th of January, at night.

[Video:][Footage from the crime scene, from Ana's corpse itself (inside included) to the surroundings.][/video]

Original Victim: Steve Garland
Occupation: Manager of a pet store
Method of Murder: Shot by submachine gun all over entire body except chest.
Item: Small shovel
Possible connections: Ana is one of the direwolf owners. She also attended the celebration of the Chinese New Year with apparent petshop owner Count D.

----------------------------

05/21
Victim: Avari
Occupation: The city's blacksmith. Also worth noting that Avari is something of a mother - or wife figure in the city.
Method of Murder: Beaten to death, perhaps with something from the forge itself. Heart was then removed, chest vaity stitched up, and '05/21' carved over her shoulder.
Item: Red rubber ball As with the photograph found with Alfred, perhaps this is a reprsentation of sorts.
Discovery: Discovered by Angeal,

[Video:][Footage from the crime scene, from Avari's corpse itself (inside included) to the surroundings.][/video]

Original Victim: Rick Albert
Occupation: Manager of a sports store
Method of Murder: Beaten to death with a golf club
Item: Volleyball.
Possible connections: There do not seem to be any.

----------------------------

05/21 - COPYCAT VICTIM
Victim: Tifa Lockheart
Occupation: Bartender at Sunde.
Method of Murder: Much the same as Avari’s, beaten to death with what I believe to be a metal pole. Perhaps the same as was used on Avari? 5/21 carved into forehead.
Item: None.
Discovery: Zelda, en route to Avari's crime scene.

[Video:][Footage from the crime scene, from Tifa's corpse itself (inside included) to the surroundings.][/video]

Original Victim: Rick Albert
Occupation: Manager of a sports store
Method of Murder: Beaten to death with a golf club
Item: Volleyball.
Possible connections: There do not seem to be any.

----------------------------

Notes: Matt, once again, was intended victim for number four. Ada Wong, however, came onto the scene: her account is detailed here, and Matt's was as follows:

We were outside the Shin-Ra building. He took Mello out first. He could've killed him. I only caught a glimpse of a form on the roof. I don't know what kind of gun he used, but it was like all the bullets struck at once. Arms and legs. He hit Mello in the neck with a dart. He could've blown my head off if he'd wanted.

He survived the attack.

Also, after Ana's death, this note was found pinned to the bulletin bored.

[What follows is filtered from Prince]

We do have an apparent lead as to Tifa's murder, that being Prince. Matt, if I may, for the purposes of the investigation, please trail Prince for the time being.

5. [Voice]

2009-01-24T01:56:33Z

[Locked to Task Force]

Miss. Wong.

A full report, please.

[Locked to Matt/Mello]

So Matt became the intended fourth. And he was not alone, I believe?

4. [Text/Video][Locked to Task Force/Absolutely Unhackable]

2009-01-14T20:40:32Z

[Now made viewable to Near]

What follows is rather grisly. I assume you are all able to stomach such things, but perhaps it is only fair to give a warning. It is for personal reference more than anything else.

01/21
Victim: Mello
Occupation: Task Force.
Method of Murder: Shot in the back of the head via handgun, most likely 9mm. Body was mutilated after death, numbers ‘1/21’ cut into shoulder. Chest cavity was stitched up with common black thread. Bones were shattered by force, clumsy in comparison to stitching. Heart had been removed.
Item: A piece of blood-marked scripture. ‘The First Sign and God said, "At the time of fullness, cleanse the world with my rage. Gather forth the White Oil, the Black Cup and the Blood of the Ten Sinners. Prepare for the Ritual of the Holy Assumption."’ The text is a Copperplate style, old-fashioned, written not typed.
Discovery: 9th Jan. Some time during the evening, not long before being discovered by Genesis.

[Video:][Footage from the crime scene, from Mello's corpse itself (inside included) to the surroundings.][/video]

Original Victim: Jimmy Stone
Occupation: Priest of Valtiel
Method of Murder: Shot in the back of the head via handgun. (Presumably the same)
Item: Shred of scripture (Presumably the same)
Possible connections: Mello is not much like a priest at all. But he is known for wearing black with crosses, the significance of which is unknown but may simply be attributed to his flamboyant taste.

----------------------------

02/21
Victim: Aaron Gawain
Occupation: Cook. A very reputable one.
Method of Murder: Victim was strangled to death with some form of rope before being mutilated. 2/21 carved into forehead. Heart also removed, in much the same manner.
Item: A book of the occult. It may be worth noting that items seem to be from Earth.
Discovery: 9th Jan. Shortly before Mello’s, yet presumably death was second. Discovered at home by living companions.

[Video:][Footage from the crime scene, from Aaron's corpse itself (inside included) to the surroundings.][/video]

Original Victim: Bobby Randolph
Occupation: High School Student
Method of Murder: Strangulation
Item: Occult book
Possible connections: Aaron is a werewolf, spending the fifteenth of every month as a wolf. Friend of his own world recently offered to do Tarot readings. Was also listed on first bulletin in the city.

----------------------------

03/21
Victim: Alfred Ashford
Occupation: Apparently a transvestite with very bad aim. Anything else is unknown. Apparently has minor noble blood.
Method of Murder: Much the same as Aaron’s, strangled by hand rather than rope. 3/21 carved into forehead.
Discovery: 12th Jan, evening once again. Clothes were frozen in the snow. Discovered by Nabooru and Sheik on the lawn of the school, dragged there from the city, impossible to trace by the time of discovery.

[Video:][Footage from the crime scene, from Alfred's corpse itself (inside included) to the surroundings.][/video]

Victim: Sein Martin
Occupation: High School Student
Method of Murder: Strangulation
Item: Camera
Possible connections: Seemingly none.

----------------------------

Notes: All victims so far have been young blond males, but that seems a flimsy form of reasoning and would not make sense if the original desired victim was a redhead. Listed desired victim for 3/21 was Matt, and listed item to be found was a camera. Perhaps since victim was Alfred, camera was not used. Also, restrictions on items brought here possibly to blame. Setting in photograph does not immediately seem to be based in city.

3. [voice]

2008-12-10T22:21:30Z

And so our net begins to draw in.

Mello, Matt, I hope that you are both well. Matt, have you told him about the chocolate yet?

I find myself glad that magic is in place, which was unexpected.

Aaron, Monsieur St. Just, I hope you both are also alright.

Dr. Wesker, how goes your work?

2. [Voice]

2008-11-28T19:17:16Z

Well, the stuffing was very good.

Mello, you should not be so greedy with the chocolate.

May I speak to one of the Redfields?

1.

2008-11-17T21:39:54Z

[He speaks in his trademark hushed monotone, just a little awkward.]

I am honoured to meet you all. My name is Ryuzaki.

I have been given a place to stay, but I would like to know if there was a place on the Task Force I might take up. I worked as a detective before coming here. In the meantime, if anyone could direct me to the nearest patisserie, or equivalent, I would be in your debt.

dotdashdotdot @ 2008-11-13T19:08:00

2008-11-13T19:12:23Z

‘Eccentric’ is probably an apt way to describe L, but it only begins to scrape the surface. Indeed, it can be entirely impossible to believe he’s the world’s greatest detective when first meeting him. The rumpled, vaguely froglike exterior; the formidable sweet tooth; the slightly crazed approach to interaction – L definitely doesn’t adhere to the general idea of ‘genius’, but they do say the line between that and madness is a thin one. L dances (or trudges) along it, with bare feet and abysmal posture.

He’s introverted, but not exactly shy, nor self-absorbed. He simply loses himself in his many threads of thought. He keeps things highly organized, even if his scruffy appearance would suggest otherwise. His actions are awkward, gangling, and make him seem less confident than he actually is – he doesn’t sit so much as perch, and is constantly pulling or touching his lips as if nervous, or shifts his feet. He seems entirely listless, even lazy, from his generally sluggish movements to the dull monotone of his voice. His eyes seem to belie the contrast – wide and dark and with large black bags beneath them, they seem oddly unexpressive, even deadened. Really, they’re one of the most striking things about him, and have a bizarrely piercing quality, as if he’s seeing through you.

Projecting an image of apathy, L is in fact anything but. He has a strong sense of justice, and will go far to uphold it. Despite that sense of justice governing his life, he often acts in ways others may deem sparse where it comes to morality or ethics. Machiavellianism definitely isn’t an alien concept to L. When he sets himself a goal, he doesn’t stop until he reaches it, even when his motivation slips (which usually comes about when he makes any form of slip up, rare as they are). He’s tenacious, determined, and hates losing. In fact, when he finds he was wrong about something, he tends to treat it quite petulantly.

L’s confident in his abilites, and knows his strengths. It doesn’t mean that there isn’t a streak of paranoia running under it all. Usually L handles this very well, using it to his advantage, but sometimes it bubbles to the surface in little outbursts.