aefenglom | Voice; UN: Deneuve

Hard for a lot of us, but we adjust. When you realize this isn't Hell, you will too.

[ Mello is angry. He came into the conversation angry. However, Light is going to allow himself to rise to that anger, not when the bait hasn't been tempting enough. He who sets the mood gets a little bit of a win. ]

But the reason we're given magic isn't as simple as that. Magic exists here, inherently. I'm sure there is something stronger; it's how we were pulled from our homes and placed here. The argument is that as bad as things can be here, its standards would be low to be considered Hell.

[ If only Light had Mello's knowledge. If only he knew how the two of them clashed in the future. He's ignorant to their real identities, both Near and Mello, and has even worked closely with the former. They're even bonded. ]

No, I'm a witch, too, but you won't find a shortage of monsters. They're about equally as common, and they're usually easy to spot.

[Highly easy to spot, yea. Does Yagami truly not know who Mello is? Light has one advantage above the others: M really does believe that he would be in Hell.]

Since you're being so helpful — [Be it through deception or no.] — perhaps you would be willing to teach me a thing or two.

[Devil.]

If you have the time, of course.

[ This is someone so dangerous that L is afraid of him. L is afraid of very little. He even risked his life to meet Kira. Whatever Mello has done, it's horrific enough to dent a man who's seen horrors beyond the imagination.

L's asked him not to draw a target on his head, but Mello is willing to meet with him already. Is it simply because he's willing to take advantage of the situation, because he somehow knows the connection between Light and L, or is there another reason? Something doesn't fit with L's story, and instead of explaining, he left.

Light looks to the messages again; his last message to L goes unanswered. He's buying time to craft a story which means he has to get the truth before the lie has a chance to grow. L's brilliant; he won't underestimate that.

Mello is a new witch. Light's gained power. There's no real danger here. ]

I don't mind. I have some free time. Before we start talking about what types of magic you're interested in, we should probably introduce ourselves. I'm Light Yagami.

[ What makes you so horrifying? Why are you using one of L's names? ]

[His name. Yagami would like to know that, wouldn't he? Even if he already does.]

Malakai Antonov.

[Might as well keep it as close to "M" as possible. That girl has possibly already outed him already, hasn't she? Close enough; far enough. He speaks the name with the familiarity of someone who knows it as their own.]

[Meeting isn't in the cards, but there are two options: either this is a devil who already knows Mello, or is truly Yagami. In which case: what is Kira going to do? Kill him for a second time?]

Nice to meet you.

[An obvious lie.]

I've just arrived here. Not familiar with the area. What would you suggest?

[Because meeting Kira face-to-face? Who would turn down that opportunity. Even if he has The Eyes, who cares? Mello's already died. Again, what can Yagami possibly do?]

[ It's a smart move. 'M'. It's obvious the girl was close to Malakai once before so seeing a more affectionate nickname doesn't raise many questions. Admittedly, hearing the name 'M' combined with L's fake name drew a parallel that Light hasn't abandoned, not yet, not with L's suspicious behavior.

Light sees Mello as a monster; Mello sees him as one in kind. Neither truly feels threatened in spite of that. The question is how Mello gained the strength to hurt L in the first place. The means are more curious than the motive considering L seems to make enemies as if it's a hobby. It would be more worrisome if L wasn't also a very powerful witch.

Was it seduction? Malakai and L had sex, that's been confirmed. Considering the detective's lacking experience, he might have been vulnerable enough for this man to seduce and then hurt, but that doesn't feel right either. Malakai isn't oozing charm, and even with inexperience, L wouldn't have been desperate or easy.

No. How could Light refuse to meet up when he has so many more questions than answers? ]

The Coven is the best place to start with magic studies, but it might be a little hard to navigate. We can meet somewhere else, and I can show you around.

Are you hungry? If you'd already eaten here, you wouldn't be able to think it's Hell. It's actually good, and a lot of the Mirrorbound — their term for us — have brought recipes from their homes.

[Hungry for Kira's blood, maybe.]

[Mello could eat, yeah. Could being the operative word. He wouldn't trust Kira to hand him a napkin, let alone host a meal. Even if it's somewhere public (which it would be. In both of their best interests.)]

So I've heard.

[Regarding the Coven, he's heard all about The Coven upon his arrival; the hosts of this place seem all too enthusiastic to get him to spend his time there. As a Witch, perhaps Yagami will know exactly why. Perhaps it's just a a school; perhaps they take as much as they give. Remains to be seen.]

I can't be swayed from my suspicion with food, Light Yagami. [He uses the other's full name with a bitter taste on the roof of his mouth.] No one knows what Hell entails.

[Not really.]

But I'll see you, if that's what you want. This thing isn't useful for much aside from casual conversation, anyway. [The device. The hiding.] Give me a time and place. I'll be there.

[He'll find it, no matter where. And as for time? Well. Mello will be there well before. Call it old habit, call it paranoia.]

If I really thought you would change your mind based on dinner, I would have started with that, but you should eat regardless.

[ Even if Light didn't know Mello to be dangerous, he wouldn't have trusted him. The contempt seems to drip from every word. This man makes no secret of holding this world, and its inhabitants, in little favor. The difference is that in other cases, Light would be generous enough to assume it's just the trauma of being pulled from one world and placed in another. ]

It's late enough that I could eat, too, and it will give us time to talk before making it to the Coven. It'll be my treat since I had help when I first came, too.

[ Once they make it to the Coven, that will be the focus of their conversation. Light has little care to talk about magic right now. There are too many questions concerning Mello. ]

[Of course it's Yagami's treat. Light owes him that much, whether or not Mello advised him of his refusal to pay before or after the meal. Besides, he doesn't have any money. He'll deal with that later. For now?]

People around here are so willing to help.

[And it's true. How many offers has Mello received already, despite knowing the individual or not?]

[He considers switching to video; he decides against it. Even if he can't die again (of which he's not sure), Mello sure as hell isn't interested in experiencing the attempt by another party. Not yet, anyway.]

[With clenched fists, he gives his answer, foolish as it might be.]

Tell me where.

[And because pride is one of the things he will never abandon:]

I don't need directions. I want to know more about this magic, if I do possess the ability to hone it. I'd rather learn than accept it as a curse.

[And oh, Mello's meal is going to be expensive, whether or not he chooses to eat.]

We're willing to help because we've been in your situation. It's not an official support system, but if we didn't help each other, it'd be a lot harder on all of us.

[ If Light had his future memories, he wouldn't spend a dime on the man who managed to ruin so much of his life, even if he didn't manage to end it. However, as it is, he doesn't have a lot of disposable income in this world. While he's garnered some savings, it's because of frugal spending, not frivolous ideas. ]

Meet me at Penny's.

[ Light follows up with general directions based on landmarks. ]

It's near enough the Coven that we won't have a long walk there. I'm heading there now. If there's more than a single person sitting alone, we can come back here and find each other.

[Fair enough. For now. Mello takes in the information, becomes momentarily annoyed at the directions; didn't he say he didn't need them? His pride is vast and unnecessary, but Kira should know at least the first part of that equation. Maybe a stab, maybe an attempt to appear "helpful." Either way.]

[He finds it with a bit of difficulty. Rushes, even. The need to show up first comes before anything. Light will find him sitting alone at a table, idly flipping through a menu. Mello knows nothing of Light's age or what he does or doesn't know; assumes Kira knows his face. His hair is pulled back into a tight tail at the back of his head; stolen, large sunglasses obscure his eyes. And he intends to leave them on. He can't give away emotion. Not now.]

[Not ever.]

[Waiting, waiting, one leg thrown up, ankle resting over the knee of the opposite leg as he leans back in the uncomfortable seat.]

[ Nothing is as simple as it seems between them, even without Light being fully conscious of their future interactions. Even if he knew just how brilliant a mind Mello holds, he would have given the directions in order to play as if he doesn't. In this case, he just truly doesn't. Brilliance and anger aren't exclusive, but they're not too often in the same package to this degree.

God, his image fits his attitude. The styling choices scream "I don't give a fuck, but like hell am I going to try and blend in" just as surely as his attitude had. It would be much more surprising if this wasn't the guy he was supposed to meet. ]

Malakai? I'm Light.

[ A younger version of Light to be sure, but the look is unmistakable. Now the age of someone just starting college, he's nonetheless dressed well in the current clothing, favoring a couple of layers of black that end in a long, black jacket. Even at this age, he wears it with the confidence of someone older. ]

You managed to make it here much faster than I assumed. Were you close by?

[A younger version, indeed. It's almost off-putting. This is Mello's downfall in the flesh? Light has to be — what — two or three years younger than Mello is now, at least?]

Mm?

[He glances up from the menu as though noticing Kira for the first time; Mello saw him coming as soon as he was in view. The tightness in his jaw shows as much. He's always been shit at hiding emotions, hasn't he. Either way, he closes the menu, places it down on the table. He's already decided on what to order: everything.]

Ah, so you have a face. Good to meet you.

[He doesn't stand, doesn't even give a nod of greeting. It's taking everything in him to avoid lashing out immediately.]

Yea, [He lies. Kira seems to have come alone. Unless he already has plants in place at other tables. That would be like him.] Happened to be in the area.

[Stop clipping your words, M.]

[And he's assessing Yagami's appearance behind dark glasses; Kira has a bit of a flair. Typical. Not like Mello is one to judge.]

It was — kind of you to offer assistance. [Oh, that smile. It's so fake.] I'll end up owing you, one day.

Edited 2021-03-04 20:14 (UTC)

[ Mello is being more social than Light assumed, but it's no different than a pretty call meant to lure an enemy into a trap. The signs of his true feelings are present, including the tightening of his jaw. Considering his attitude on the network, the anger that boils beneath isn't new information. Before Light had any suspicions, he could already pick up on the general temper that Mello did little to hide in his network post.

The scar's interesting. It continues to speak of Mello's self-confidence. A lot of people would hide the space; Mello doesn't bother. ]

I was new not too long ago, and I had a lot of people who were willing to help me. Maybe once you get settled in and have the chance to discover this world, you can do the same.

[ Light claims the seat across from Mello and grabs a menu of his own. It's a typical restaurant, more Western than Japanese, but he's adjusted to that. ]

It's not easy, having to start fresh.

[Mello being Mello: his reactions are difficult to hide. It was different when he had to put on the face for the mob, because that's over, and the fucker sitting across from him is directly responsible for his death.]

[No, he can't let that go. Probably never will.]

Help always comes with eventual payment.

[Again, bitter. Kira or no: this is a truth.]

As diplomatic as you seem, I have to ask: are you hoping to gain something from me once I develop my power?

[He means that too. Either Kira is watching out for how strong Mello becomes, or looking to use it to his advantage.]

I'll admit, I'm also seeking out fellow Witches for gain. I don't know what it all entails — [Perhaps the only truth he will reveal.] — but I do know that allies are beneficial down the line.

[So.]

What is it that you want, Light Yagami?

[No one just helps without a cause. He's sure of it.]

Is that how you see relationships? Transactional?

[ Light needs to know Mello. This is a person who not only terrifies a man that didn't seem afraid until he could feel the very heart stopping in his chest, but he's also the piece of a puzzle the suggests Light's been working on the wrong puzzle this entire time. ]

I'll agree allies are better than enemies.

[ Sitting back in the booth, his eyes go to the table, as if he's thinking. ]

I don't know you. Even if I was doing this for something in return, there's no way I could assure you'd follow through. But, I am looking at a bigger picture. I could ignore your post and let you find the information by yourself. Or, I could offer help and this world gains a powerful witch that much faster. That's one more person that can fight the threats that do pop up on occasion. If you decide to work on the research that might one day take us home, that's even better.

[ If Light can also monitor Mello's powers, all the better. ]

[Oh, look at Kira: trying to get into Mello's head already. Smooth. Perhaps it wouldn't be so transparent if M were anyone else. He smirks at the question, glances to the side for a server. Just a flit of his eyes, just a suggestion that he's not so interested in the question.]

Depends on the relationship. [A complete lie. All relationships are transactional, yea.] In our case, we're two witches. You have things to teach me; I have things to learn. So yea. [An arch of a pale brow beneath his shades.] In our case, it would be transactional.

[Mello wants out of here, but home? At home, he's a corpse. But Yagami at this age? It's understandable as to why he would want to return. Even if it's already been revealed to Mello that Light lost, and that's the beauty of all of this, isn't it? The thought brings an outright smile to his face; Light can attribute it to anything he wants.]

And what if I have no interest in becoming a hero? What if I would want to use my power for my own gain?

[A moment of pause. Two.]

Would you still be willing to assist me in that case?

[Mello believes he's responding very well, considering that he wants nothing more than to throttle Kira. For L. For himself. For the world.]

Edited 2021-03-06 20:20 (UTC)

A transaction usually requires payment. I'm not asking for payment.

[ Unfortunately for Light, Mello knows him all too well. While he's certainly no saint in his current time, the willingness to use those around him has fully blossomed by the time the two meet in his future. Even in his normal, everyday life, even on an 'innocent' level, transactional is how Light views them as well.

Light cants his head. ]

As for your own gain, that depends on what you plan to use it for. We all use it in our lives and jobs. Why wouldn't we? But, if you plan to use it to hurt somebody, to attack or steal, then no. I won't be the one to teach you how to do that.

[ He's a bad person. Light knows it as well as Mello knows the same. He's fine teaching him at a much slower pace than he's actually capable of learning. ]

So that begs the question.

[ Light sits forward, but the booth remains between them. ]

Now that you have magic, how do you plan on using it?

[That, it does. Thing is: Mello doesn't accept favors. They always lead to owing down the line, anyway. And he refuses to owe Kira, of all people. The fact that he agreed to this meeting in the first place is born of sheer, morbid curiosity. Nothing more.]

[He listen's to the devil's smooth, silver tongue in silence, observing the other's every nuance. Commits every detail to memory. The cut of his jaw, the way his eyes move when he speaks, down to the last strand of hair. The public pictures he'd seen of Light for scholarly accomplishments are extremely similar, but they were just that: pictures. The real thing?]

[M thinks he understands, now.]

[Finally, he responds.]

I don't take handouts. [The slightest of shrugs.] If you're going to teach me anything of use, it's only safe to assume you'll require assistance at some point.

[And I'll betray you.]

You've already said it: your wish is for this world to possess more powerful witches to go up against the bigger threat. [Whatever that is. Ah, the server. He places two glasses of water down — one in front of each of them — and Mello initially barely hears the question as to whether or not they're ready to order. He's too busy assessing his enemy made flesh.]

So. [That said.] You're going to need me, yea? Sounds like a transaction to me.

I don't know how I plan to use it, but I have no intention of hurting others, no. [Except for you] I've just arrived here; my goal is to gain income and a purpose. Everything else comes later.

[And it's a damn good thing he's wearing those glasses. He'll let Light order first, of course. Isn't that what any proper gentleman would do?]

Edited 2021-03-07 01:55 (UTC)

[ Liar. Light knows well that Mello is dangerous enough that he really wishes the man had no access to magic at all. It's going to make him dangerous in practice as well as in theory. Thankfully, while Mello gains skill, so will Light. ]

If that's how you want to see it, it's fine. As long you don't plan on becoming a magical criminal, then my offer stands with whatever label you want to use.

[ It will also let Light keep an eye on him. In time, he'll connect Light and L, but it's not as if he can easily follow Light home to find the detective's location.

The waitress interrupts the conversation. After ordering the fish basket for himself, he offers a suggestion to Mello: ]

The chicken is pretty good here, too.

[ It's not a fancy establish, lobster and such isn't on the menu. Still, they have a decent variety. ]

[Even during 'casual' conversation, Light's words are poison. They cut deep into Mello like a threat: even the simplest of suggestions. It's taking all he has not to leap over the table and wrap his hands around the other man's throat but.]

[One: he has a connection to establish here. Two: Kira is now not only a devil, but a Witch. More dangerous than before, notbook or no. So Mello will respond and act accordingly. In the end, it's always been a deadly game, hasn't it? He's memorized most of the menu (remembering text has always been one of his strong points) and if Kira wants to approach and fuck with him?]

[Well.]

[Mello rattles off two-thirds of the menu to the server, no specifications. His posture is relaxed, his tone casual. He's watching Light as they frantically scribble down his order. He'll eat almost none of it; he's got a figure to maintain, after all. Besides, M has never had too much of an appetite. Too much adrenaline; too much anxiety.]

[Casually, cooly: he glances at Yagami.]

I don't like chicken.

Edited 2021-03-07 08:56 (UTC)

[ Light has a decision to make. In this world, he reaps none of the financial benefits of being his father's son. While he's certainly saved up enough not to panic at the order, he didn't plan on being so wasteful as to order more than half a menu. More than before, he's thankful he chose a discount diner.

He could ask the waitress for a moment and explain that the order is financially more than he planned to offer. If this was someone else, that would be his choice. After all, it wouldn't be worth the cost. The downside is that with Mello's dangerous nature, it's less than ideal to expose weaknesses. Admittedly, Light isn't sure how this could be used against him, but he didn't get his reputation by refusing caution.

The other option is to pretend to be more prosperous than he really is. It will add the illusion of one more defense, at least. However, more than that, Light knows he's being tested. Mello is trying to see how far he can push before the generosity dries up but beyond that, he wants to know how far he can push overall. Being social isn't the same thing as being all-giving. ]

Sorry.

[ He interrupts, but it's unclear who's meant to receive the apology. ]

We didn't specify. You can add his first order to my ticket.

[ The boundary's set, but Light tries to do so in a way that doesn't say 'I know you're broke, but this is too much'. ]

[Oh, Light. Mello can almost see the gears grinding inside of that murderous head of yours.]

[Mello was curious as to how far Yagami would go to appease him, how much ass he was willing to kiss in order to establish something resembling a potential 'friendship,' since he's willing to go so far as to teach Mello magic. Light is willing to make Mello more dangerous. Either a stupid move on his part or an ignorant one, though M has no doubt that it's something Kira would want to control and keep an eye on.]

[He'll accept the mentorship, learn what he needs on the side without revealing it. And since Kira wants to be cheap: he'll modify his order.]

Ah, [He turns his attention back to the server.] eyes are bigger than my stomach, yea.

[It was worth a try.]

Just the first thing'll do. [As the frantic scribbling of a pen on paper reminds him of just what he's getting himself into, here.]

[A pause; he takes a small sip of water before returning the conversation to where it should be.]

I know there are specializations. [In magic; Mello assumes that can remain unsaid.] Do you have one?

[Do tell.]

[ There are no shortage of teachers in this world. If it isn't Light, it will likely be someone. He assumes Mello can't know if he isn't teaching at his full capacity. Watching Mello grow is worth the risk. The meal is going better than Light expected when speaking to him over the network, but he can't forget how deeply this man rattled L. There's a hidden danger here, a snake's nest buried just below the ground.

Once the waitress has their order, Mello and Light are left alone again to continue the conversation. ]

No, not anymore. I've been here long enough that I've had the chance to learn a lot of different magic to a certain degree.

[ Admitting to a specialization admits to other weaknesses. However, his reply also holds some truth. ]

A lot of people do. It's a lot like school: you can get by with a certain amount of knowledge, or you can keep going and studying. Most people do the former. I'm too curious to stop there.

There are a clear offensive and defensive field. The rest of them are supplementary but still strong. What holds your interest the most?

[ Even if Mello doesn't say offensive, Light won't believe it. ]

[Noted, though how can Mello possibly believe a single word from a liar?]

(Takes one to know one.)

[The only thing that M can surmise with confidence is that — perhaps due only to his younger age than when he offed the blonde using a woman like a coward — is that Kira is truly ignorant to the events that occurred directly before Mello ended up here, isn't he? Has to be; M had trespassed too much. While it was Light who was ultimately responsible for the unfortunate things that happened to his sister, the untimely death of his father, it was Mello who pulled the proverbial trigger.]

[Liar or no. Politician or no: there's no way anyone would remain so composed in the face of such knowledge. He's sure of it.]

Mm?

[Sorry, Mello was momentarily reliving his glory days.]

I believe balance would be important.

[Aka: offensive.]

Though I imagine that if I spread myself too thin, I wouldn't be very good at any of it. [He mock considers for a moment. Two.] Beginning with anything defensive would be the most logical choice, considering that if I were to inadvertently (murder) offend anyone with offensive magic, I would have no way to protect myself, would I? Not unless I were to unleash a relentless assault.

[Which isn't something Mello would do at all. Never.]

Wouldn't you agree?

Edited 2021-03-09 15:59 (UTC)

The more things you study, the less time you have to specialize.

[ They're in agreement there. Light took a few different classes, but he's not taken them all, and he's even allowed less important aspects of those classes to go unstudied aside from what he had to learn in class. In terms of what he's learned from L, he was able to completely ignore parts of the lesson.

He didn't really care to talk to animals when there was more pressing magic to master. ]

You're direct. We only just met, but it's clear that you don't hide your opinions. There's something to be said about honesty, but you already know that some people don't take it as well as others. Defensive magic and healing aren't bad places to start. Even if you learn shields and how to dispel magic, more experienced witches can get through them so don't neglect healing magic.

A bit of honest advice. We all start off weak. The first few months are going to be your most dangerous. Monsters are powerful too, and magic isn't something you master in a day.

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