Mm —

[A thoughtful hum. Kira speaks both truth and lies in the same breath: Mello can tell. Maybe that's why he's always had an especially political edge to him, maybe that's why he was able to sway so many to his side.]

[He picks at his food; he's not hungry, but he does take a bite for show. And the rest? He'll work on it. Taking back leftovers is a sign of weakness, whether or not it's an overt thing to anyone else. And it's so difficult to not fix his eyes solely on his enemy. Yagami truly has no clue, does he?]

I'll figure it out.

[Dismissive. Mello has always gotten along just fine on his own. Even before the monster before him wiped his mentor from the earth. Dirt beneath L's shoes; didn't Mello put that into text, once? When his glance turns upward again, there's something there, though this young version of Kira would have no clue as to what that 'thing' is, would he?]

[Who knows. As far as Mello is concerned: L has been compromised.]

[A fact more dangerous than anyone can possibly comprehend.]

I haven't been to study at The Coven yet. [Though the fire in his veins shows that he needs to, and soon.] Formal training was always something I depended on when I was younger.

[Much younger than you are, now.]

I've found that experience is more effective than anything you can find in a book.

[A bite. A moment of chewing before he swallows, never taking his eyes off of Light.]

Has all of your training been formal?

[Do tell.]