January 29, 2023--9:45am
--Paris, France
I sat down and attempted to settle in for the two hour ride. The issue with Dante had given me the start of a slight headache, but it would be fine. And then someone plopped down in the seat next to me...hard. They were completely out of breath, I tried to ignore them, that is, until they slammed the paper I was reading down on the table before me. Narrowing my eyes, I turned and gave them a sharp glare...only to find my own eyes glaring back at me.
"So what's the big deal leaving me behind?!" Dante nearly shouted.
I rolled my eyes, instinctively rubbing my temple again as I looked away. "Keep your volume down, or have you forgotten you are now on a 'public' train...it's common courtesy." I lectured. "I 'left you behind' as you so put it, because I felt there was no great duty for you to perform during this meeting. I am simply to receive our orders...that is all."
"I don't give a damn if that's all...I'm part of this team too last time I checked." Dante refuted...his volume still too high for my liking. But that was him. He sat back with a stubborn and rather pouty expression. "I said I'm going...so I'm going. And I don't care if you'll beat me up over it later or not, and that's that!"
"Oh really now?" I stated firmly, a sadistic look in my eyes. Then smiling I resigned myself to his decision and picked up my morning paper once more. I licked my finger and opened the page up to where I'd been, then mumbled, "If I'm going to exact punishment of any type upon you, it won't be for this little stunt. Hear me Dante, I will not forget about your little 'heist' so quickly. Look forward to THAT, will you?" I could almost hear him gulp as he placed the earphones he had brought over his ears to blast his music.
-Lyon Platform-11:30am
We stepped off the speed train, hardly having the time to stretch. My arranged car was waiting in front of the station, and we jumped in without delay. We arrived at the hotel I'd set up reservations with, and I had them change my room from a single to a double. Normally they didn't accept such short notice changes, but just a bit of my sweet-talking and there wasn't a problem in the world. They carried our luggage and escorted us to the room with nothing but the utmost respect and courtesy. I smiled at the young woman who showed us the benefits of our quarters, never averting my eyes from hers. With Dante following suit, she nearly ran out of the room a bright red hue. I would've laughed if we weren't so short on time.
Grabbing the suitcase I'd packed, I tossed it on the bed, pulled out a suit and threw it at Dante. "Wear that and clean yourself up. You should at least be 'presentable'. I doubt we can accomplish that in your current attire..." I said looking him over once I again. I wondered slightly if he even LOOKED at what he was putting on this morning...glancing at the clock on the wall I added, "And do hurry will you? We haven't the time for any nonsense."
"yeah...yeah..." I heard him mumble as he walked into the bathroom. Knowing not to try my patience, he was out in a matter of moments, completely cleaned up and ready to go. I myself had run a brush through my hair, putting it up as I often did. "You satisfied now?" Dante commented as he grabbed his sunglasses.
"I suppose I am." I recoiled, grabbing my hat and sunglasses as well. Grabbing our coats on the way out, we left the room, returning to the car awaiting us. Jumping in we arrived at Interpol headquarters in less than five minutes time. This only due to my planning, after all, I hadn't chosen that specific hotel on a whim.
As we made our way inside, I went over a couple key things with Dante. I didn't want too much said inside. It's not that I didn't wish him to speak, for I would be following my own advice in this respect. I just wanted to go in, accept the mission...and get out. What those old geezers thought, I really didn't care, my one and only goal was to track down KIRA. I would do it regardless, but my top priority was to seize the KIRA case from Interpol and have their blessing. Things went much smoother when you had the backing of the world's police, not to mention their funding and amenities.
We sat in the waiting area until apparently the opening drivel was taken care of, and they were ready to talk business.
"...The Detective team known as the Kazuma Brothers. Although, some may have heard them referred to as DA." The dull man behind the podium announced as we entered. Standing before the room of filled seats, a murmur seemed to run through them all. Many of them seemed displeased that we'd been called in. "They have both been summoned here to-"
Smiling slightly as the man began, I decided to interject and speak for myself. "To accept the KIRA case." They all fell silent at that name. "That's right, I said it. The recent events seem to demand KIRA has returned...and while there may be a chance this is merely a copy cat...we can't take that risk. We must mobilize to meet this new enemy before they gather too many followers. Isn't that what you are all thinking?"
"Auron Kazuma, I assume." An older British man announced from the front of the rows. "You're arrogance proceeds you I see. We are not yet sure if this is truly a KIRA incident or not, I'd have you abstain from any such assumptions. Or have you forgotten not to believe everything you read in the paper or see on the telly?"
I smirked. "Well of course I hadn't forgotten that. After all, you should know half of the things reported are false. But of course you do! After all, you orchestrate fabrication yourself...do you not?"
"Such Disrespect!" The man shouted standing instantly in his seat. "And just what are you insinuating Auron?!"
"What? It's the truth isn't it?" Dante spoke up. He started to laugh. "There ain't a cop in this room that's gonna deny it...come on...you aren't all exactly the most HONEST when it comes to the press. You tell the public what they need to know...and that's that. Isn't that right?" Everyone was quiet again. "There's no need to get huffy, this IS supposed to be a meeting right? And FYI man...I would refrain myself from referring to my brother in such a familiar way. You may end up regretting it."
I looked at Dante for a moment in slight surprise...but then again...that was just how he was. He would come through for you in the oddest of moments. And when he did...and defended you...you felt that you had the strongest of allies. He looked at me and I nodded, then continued.
"We are willing to take on the task of finding this new 'KIRA', which as you should all know...may very mean risking our lives. Can any of you say the same?" I stated, stopping only to await their response. "Honestly! If any here are willing to do this, I wish you only the best!"
The Dull Man was called over to who appeared to be "the Man in Charge". He whispered in his ear, and then the Dull Man returned to the podium. "There shall be a vote to determine the outcome. As you all very well know, The Kazuma Brothers are recognized throughout the world for their amazing feats of brilliance. They have been compared to the likes of L and Eraldo Coil, thus Sir Gregory does not believe you should all take them so lightly. We have summoned them...not to ORDER them on this case...but to BEG them for their cooperative assistance. For only through wit, and quick countermeasures can we hope to be victorious against this new threat. The vote shall now commence, all in favor?" He waited as nearly every person in the room said "I". "And all Opposed?" There was silence. The British man glared at me, yet he kept his silence. "Very well, by overwhelming consensus, The Kazuma Brothers shall be given this case."
I smiled and bowed very slightly. "I humbly accept."
They all looked over at Dante...who obviously hadn't been listening fully. He looked at me and quickly tried to establish his standpoint. "Oh...uh...yeah me too-" Noticing the glare I flashed he reworded, "--uh...I mean...As Do I."
We were given details and the facts known by every agency present(which were mainly rumors and mere word-of-mouth)...and were then informed we'd receive all data gathered from the previous KIRA case as reference material. As soon as I received that info...it would be time to set up a base of operations. I had my mind set though...we would be heading for Tokyo.
We left the Headquarters victoriously, having secured our desired case....all that was left was to gather the material...and plan our trip.
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Now things are gonna start moving! I think they'll be in Japan pretty soon!
Haha, what do you think of DA? It's a play on District Attorney. A slogan for them: "They don't just prosecute! They bring criminals to JUSTICE!" >: D
