damned_institute | DAY 36: LIBRARY

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DAY 36: LIBRARY

Keman retreated to libraries almost instinctively. He liked books. Books were simpler to deal with, and they didn't change. No matter what, the ending always stayed the same. Even if it was a bad ending, that ending was still a constant. Constants were good. They didn't surprise him, didn't show up out of nowhere and throw everything off kilter.

This had.

His mother. They'd taken Alara and done horrible things to her. Made her forget, fed her lies. He wouldn't wish it on anyone, not even Myre. And that was what would happen to him, too, if he wasn't careful. He'd lose himself completely. He was already slipping, already more halfblood than dragon. How long before halfblood turned to human, and Keman became Calvin?

At any rate, he needed to tell Shana everything that had happened. Alara was her mother, too. Keman left a note for his sister on the board, letting her know where he'd be, and then pulled the largest book he could find off the shelf: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. It looked to be a massive collection of plays and poetry. Good. Opening it to a random page, he settled down and began to read.

[for Shana (and Valyn and Shadow?)]

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Beatrix thought for a moment and nodded. "I was told that there is a formula that involves very high level math involved in the process. Through the specifications of the intended result, the alchemist uses the formula to determine the proper array to use."

The Bride produced another piece of paper from her journal and set it down. "This is the array used in creating that sword," she said with a gesture to the first piece. "I asked about the formula itself, but as the highest math I ever learned was Calculus, the alchemist decided I'd only get very confused by the formula."

Beatrix was hesitant to identify Skuld, and she wasn't sure if it was just her natural protectiveness over the young girl or if it was because she didn't want Skuld's young age to color Light's take on the process. It was better at the moment to let him believe it was one of the others. She'd eventually tell him who, but it wasn't important at the moment.

"So, the measurements go into the formula which determines the array," she continued. "The array is the... mold that the materials, once they're broken down, are poured into before resolidified into the final object."

And then there was the matter about how the materials were broken down and reformed. She would get to that in a moment. That was the part she didn't fully understand, not really wanting to grant Skuld celestial status, and the part that she hoped Light would have some insight into.

While that reasoning was perfectly sound on the alchemist's part, a formula would have been an immense help. If that particular world's science had developed to the point where what Kiddo was describing was possible, though, it was entirely possible there would therefore be symbols and equations he wouldn't have been able to understand on his own, but he was sure that if he'd had the alchemist around to explain it for him... well, perhaps he could still do that later.

Examining the array, he asked, "And there aren't any additional materials needed to fuel the reaction? What powers it, in that case?" He was willing to bet that was the supernatural aspect of the reaction, or at least related to some form of energy unique to the world where this alchemy was found. The two could be viewed as essentially the same thing, though, so it probably didn't matter which it was.

The question of how things were then broken down were more or less implied in in what Light had said, too, which was a good thing because it meant he could spend the time it would have taken to ask that discreetly observing L and the rather blond man that had approached him. The fact that this was the second time he'd seen him in L's presence and Matsuda had exploded at him the other day confirmed once and for all that he was from their world, but exactly how he was involved with the Kira case was something Light still needed to uncover. That would have to wait until he could speak to Matsuda, though, as there was no chance that L would allow their conversation to reveal anything on that matter accidentally. Damn it.

Beatrix sighed and rubbed her forehead, having finally come to the part of this conversation that she wasn't certain on. A part of her wanted to believe that Skuld was a goddess, but she was a logical person and had tossed faith away years ago. No divine figure would ever help her or even want her after she'd killed so many in cold blood and she didn't want some god keeping an eye on her anyways.

"No further visible components were needed," the Bride replied. "Tha alchemist claims the source of power for these... transmutations is different than some of the other alchemists here. It is said to be of celestial nature."

Light blinked. "Celestial?" he echoed, looking very much as though he'd doubted he'd heard correctly. "Do you mean in celestial as in celestial bodies, or celestial as in...?" He trailed off, leaving the other option entirely unsaid. He didn't actually find it all that surprising, considering what he'd seen and heard about some of the other patients currently at the institute, but that didn't mean it wasn't strange.

Seeming to recover at least partially, he added, "Well, I don't see why some of the patients here shouldn't be able to tap into that kind of power, especially considering the wide variety of worlds this place seems to draw from. With so many possibilities in existence within such a confined space, I'd say it's almost inevitable."

Beatrix raised an eyebrow and nodded at the absent mention of divinity to confirm without having to actually say it. It was a little nice to see that Light had been surprised and, in a way, his words made sense.

If what the other prisoners said were true.

"I find it a little hard to accept it, though, especially since I gave up faith a long time ago," Beatrix replied, her voice quieter than before. "Especially since... well, she really doesn't look like, much less act like, what I think of when Norse faith comes up."

"And yet, right before my own eyes, I watched the sword being created and heard her speak in a language I've never hear anything remotely close to in my entire life," she added on. "And I've traveled extensively."

"Harder to accept than the monsters at night? Harder to accept than the idea that you've been transported to another world? Harder to accept than everything else that's happened to and around you since you woke up here?" Light sighed. "I can understand why it might cause you some problems, but even so..."

He trailed off, expression turning thoughtful. Maybe this wasn't the best way to approach this. If Kiddo truly had lost her faith, then... well, why not try the simple approach? "If it's really that hard to accept, you can always resort to the explanation that while Norse gods and goddesses may exist on her world and she may be one, they don't on yours. After all, if there are things like shinigami on other worlds but not on yours, why not gods?" A pause, then, "You could probably even go so far as to call them 'aliens,' if it bothers you that much. That would account for the differences in language and power, at least."

"Actually, the monsters are easy to accept, I haven't been transported to another world," Elle's visit was proof of that, the sadistic bitch, "and I do admit the things that have happened have caused me to accept much more than I never would have before."

She paused and thought for a moment. "You do have a point, though. I can accept that if other worlds really do exist, then perhaps she is from there and the parallels to Norse mythology that I learned growing up is potentially just a coincidence."

"Forgive me, but I was raised Catholic and, even though I no longer follow the religion or any faith, when it comes up, those roots tend to make their presence known." The Bride sighed. "My apologies if I seem... unyielding. That sword has upended my knowledge of how the universe works and then with that bitch, Elle, showing up trying to pretend... well, never mind about that... Regardless, I do appreciate your thoughts."

"A different version of your world, then." ... Unless she was in denial about it? That could lead to some problems. Light dismissed them as none of his concern, though, so if she insisted that she was still on the same Earth she'd been on before, he wasn't going to say anything. He had better things to do.

"And it's no problem at all. It's a lot for anyone to swallow." He'd probably have more problems with it himself if he hadn't been introduced to the idea of the Death Note and shinigami before coming here, but naturally he wasn't about to say that aloud. "I'm glad my thoughts are appreciated, at any rate. It's better than hearing that I'm boring you to death."

Hearing what sounded like "L" from Kiddo was enough to inspire more than a little confusion on Light's part, though. L... but the detective hadn't used that name at all during his time here, had he? The idea that he'd be starting now and with Kiddo of all people didn't make any sense, and since she'd used the word "bitch" in conjunction with it besides... had he misheard? "Has this 'L' been giving you a lot of trouble?" he added, sounding curious and maybe a little concerned on Kiddo's behalf. Hopefully her answer would tell him more, but if not, he could always try finding out through other means.

Beatrix smiled for the first time this entire conversation. "Far from it, Light; you do not bore me in the slightest."

At the question regarding Elle, though, an icy anger flashed in her eyes briefly. "Elle always has. Rivals do tend to be a thorn in the side and think they're better than you," the Bride replied. "She tried to kill me - twice - and then has the gall to visit me here."

She sighed. "But don't let me bother you with my personal problems. Some people just need to die." In a horrible, thoroughly satisfying way.

Ah, so it was a different L-- or was that...? Light wasn't entirely sure on the spelling, which bothered him somewhat, but then he supposed with as little information as Kiddo seemed willing to share and the fact that this... situation, whatever it was, had no real bearing on himself or his world meant that he likely wouldn't need to judge either or both of them as Kira, it wasn't all that important.

Still, he had an image to uphold, and with this in mind, he frowned and said, "It's no bother at all. You should bring it up with the staff here, though. Even if they are largely ineffectual, they should be able to help with something like that while you're still within the confines of the institute. The police would be infinitely preferable, of course, but I doubt they'd make much of a difference with the way this place is run."

Beatrix waved her hand dismissively. "She denies it and they all think it's part of my dilusions or whatever they claim I've got that put me here," she replied. "I wish she was a prisoner like us; it'd make things so much simpler."

She smiled then. "Her and I could have an indepth serious talk without pretense. I'm sure you know how things like that go. Anyways, how have you been? I haven't seen Misa around lately. Did something happen to her?"

... Would it really. Light had his doubts about that, but far be it from him to disabuse Kiddo of that notion. He was also a little disappointed that she hadn't said that much more about the woman and just why there was so much antipathy between them, but he supposed that was just as well.

"I've been all right, but I don't know what happened to Misa," he replied, expression growing worried. "It doesn't seem to be uncommon for patients to go missing for large periods of time and eventually reappear, but whether that's the case here or she's gone from the institute entirely, I can't say. It's probably too early to tell."

Any further comments Light might have made to that effect were unfortunately interrupted by the intercom, though, so with a small sigh, he glanced over the papers Kiddo had placed before him one last time before gathering them up and handing them back to her. "It was nice getting the chance to speak with you again, Arlene-san," he said, rising to his feet and giving her a small smile. "Until next time, then."

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DAY 36: LIBRARY

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