❮❮ 01; video. ❯❯

[godly]

[The video feed flickers to life, revealing the face of a young man decidedly still in his late teens. He's calm enough, almost professional, and his words will be spoken with the deliberation of someone who's put some thought into what they're going to say.]

I'm going to bypass what I assume are the usual comments concerning the... inconvenience of being brought here. I'm sure I'm not the only one who was either in the middle of something important or simply has more pressing matters at "home", so there's little point in being redundant.

[All-in-all, he appears to be taking this alright. There's only the slightest twitch, a furrowing of the brow -- but to anyone who claims to know Light well, this is merely an indication that's he a lot more irritated than he's letting on. (Consider it a blessing that no one really knows Light all that well.) He continues.]

My name is Light Yagami; I was a first year college student in Japan before my arrival. I understand that there are shared residencies here... in that case, if you happen to be one of my housemates, I'd appreciate you letting me know. I'd like to familiarize myself with your names, faces, backgrounds, personalities and et cetera, just so I can get a sense of [what he's getting himself into] who I'm living with and what daily life is going to be like. Just out of curiosity.

Secondly -- and this is directed to anyone seeing this -- I'd like some advice as to how to adapt here. This is a - [a pause because the notion sounds ridiculous but here he is] reality that isn't my own, so as far as I know, down could be up and up could be down. Explanations of do's and don't's are welcome, as is just general information if that's all you have to contribute. And yes, I know I've already been given a summary of what's supposedly happening; it's just that I wouldn't mind getting second opinions, or just meeting the people here.

[He looks as if he's about to end it there, and then, as if remembering something:]

Oh, and is the calendar on this thing right? February 26th? It's almost my birthday again.

Anyway, thanks for your time.

Comments

[glassinine]

An example of my flaws. An example of why I should have been ashamed of my conduct. An example, truly, of your cutting insight. You're clearly an upper- or middle-class intellectual with high aspirations; I highly doubt you smoke, curse, or use the television extensively. You were arguing because you wanted to argue, and you wanted to argue because you wanted to win.

Green wood can be made to make a stinging switch, Mr. Yagami, but it's the steady oak from which spears are made. You say you wish to go into law enforcement. Tell me: in that line of work, would you sooner be a switch, or would you sooner be a spear?

[godly]

No one argues because they want to lose. I did have a legitimate point I was trying to make, though you've been pretty quick to dismiss it.

[He has pride enough not to confirm any of what Edgeworth had just said about him -- mostly because it was all true. He's always been too smart, the top of his class; but though Light has always been diligent, none of it was achieved through any true challenge on his part. He's too used to people eventually seeing the reasoning behind his opinions, because he's Light Yagami, the Perfect Role Model. And when they don't? It frustrates him to no end.]

I'd prefer it if you got to the point of what you're trying to say, rather than dousing me in metaphors. The answer, after all, should be obvious. [The spear.]

[glassinine]

The point is this: let yourself grow and culture. Even now, you answer me with impatience and impertinence, when I am not fighting you, but attempting to offer a bit of hard-won wisdom. You're still itching for a fight. You're still trying to prove yourself.

[Edgeworth thinks, with a mixture of pity, horror, and sad affection, that Light is so very much like he was at the precise same age. A bit more level-headed, perhaps, and a bit less polished, but those are just superficial differences. It's a blessing, then, that Light has no real power - that he's still just a student. It will save him from doing the damage Edgeworth did.]

[godly]

[It's a dark and awful truth that Light's recent past isn't so innocently simple. But as far as he's concerned, in this point and time, he is just a student. A student who was working with a certain detective and the police force to catch a mass murderer, but a student nonetheless. He hasn't had time to outgrow his pride -- he may never, truly, but that's a failing he's blind to.

He doesn't bother to hide his frown, but his words are a bit more deliberate than they were before.]

Noted. And taken with a grain of salt.

But regardless of any of that, I still expect the our household to convene and discuss these rules before implementing any of them.

[glassinine]

You may have the honor of leading that meeting.

[godly]

[--oh.] ...Fine. But I'd suggest that we at least give everyone a few days to settle, assuming they're just as new. I haven't even had the pleasure of meeting all of my roommates yet. You're the first.

[glassinine]

Hmph. Well. Within a few days, the point may well become moot.

[godly]

If everyone suddenly adapts to your set of rules unquestioningly within a short span of a few days, then I'll simply accept your rules as settling well with them, and won't press the issue further. Though I'd also be very surprised if that were the case.

[He couldn't help that last sentence. BUT HE MOVES ON before Edgeworth can quip back, because he honestly did want to have a brief, legitimate talk with his roomies before it derailed into an argument.]

If that's settled, I still have a few questions for you.

[glassinine]

[He takes in a breath to protest that wasn't what he meant - but then lets it out. If he's kicked out of housing for not swearing loyalty to the military, then Yagami will figure that out soon enough. He doesn't exactly need to give forewarning.]

Fine. Ask them.

[godly]

[Funny you don't-exactly-mention that, because Light's first question is:]

Have you decided if you're going to support those who have brought us here?

[glassinine]

[A slight pause. Then:]

I do not intend at this time to give them my loyalty, no.

[godly]

[He pauses, frowning. He's been trying to weigh his options, too. Rationally. But his skepticism is high.]

From what I understand, that puts you at a disadvantage, doesn't it?

[glassinine]

It does.

[godly]

And so your reasoning behind such a decision is...?

[glassinine]

It is that I see no moral correctness in swearing an oath to them. I have seen no evidence of their goodwill - and, indeed, have seen evidence of the lack of it in their willingness to coerce cooperation. I can easily foresee a situation in which my promise to obey them is at odds with my deeper oath - to help the common good, at all costs, no matter the personal sacrifice. And I am not one to simply abandon a promise of service when it is convenient for me.

You, I suppose, will take said oath.

[godly]

[He listens, and then he looks unimpressed by the assumption.] Alright. Humor me. Why do you think that?

[glassinine]

Two reasons. First, you are young and of a particular socioeconomic background and therefore not equipped to manage in lean times; second, you are ambitious and will not want the obstacle of having to struggle against poverty and a severe loss of status.

I did not say that as an insult. To kowtow to them is far and away the more rational choice. Indeed, I would call it the smarter one.

[godly]

[He hesitates, at first, before speaking.] To be honest, I'm still a little undecided.

I'm leaning towards claiming loyalty; partially for the reasons you mentioned, I'll admit, but that's not all. If it's true, and the government and military really do intend to use... "imports" for the greater good, then I would like to make a difference in any small way that I can. Morally, I'd feel obligated. Or at least until someone discovers a way to return home.

...But on the other hand, it's hard to trust any organization that somehow pulls you from time and space and expects you to accept their reasoning. Part of this still feels like a mass kidnapping.

[glassinine]

Some have expressed a willingness to toe the line until such a time as they're asked to do something they do not agree with, at which time they will break their oaths. That option is open to you, I suppose.

[godly]

Why isn't that an option for yourself? If they go against what they've promised, either morally or materially, any obligation is null and void. You could think of it less of an oath and more of a contract.

[glassinine]

I obey both the spirit and the letter of the law, Mr. Yagami. Likewise, I obey both the spirit and the letter of my promises. I don't wriggle out from oaths I've sworn or contracts I've signed.

[godly]

So your decision is mostly based on both your sense of morality and personal dignity. Is that what you're telling me?

[Normally, Light could relate to that. But this particular situation was extreme, unusual, completely difficult to judge what action to take next. He believes that, in rare instances like these, sometimes you just have to play the game -- just so you can glimpse at the playing field.

Perhaps he's more of a tactician than he'd like to think.]

[glassinine]

...More the former than the latter. While I cannot pretend that dignity is something I do not think about, its importance does not even compare to that of my moral code.

[godly]

[He scoffs, a little humorlessly.] I shouldn't be surprised to hear that, I guess. Won't you lose your assigned job if you don't "register"? Do you really think it'll be easy to find your footing in a new society without any aid -- however questionable that aid might sound like?

[glassinine]

No.

[He answers that very calmly.]

It will be beyond difficult; I shall be surprised, indeed, if I end up gaining my footing at all. I do not remotely relish the thought of being homeless and starving, but that precise outcome is quite distinctly possible.