aefenglom | Voice; UN: Deneuve

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Voice; UN: Deneuve

Name: M; UN: Deneuve
Date: 3/1/21
Format: [Voice]

[There's a short blip of silence; Mello knows that even his voice can be identified if needed and traced. But he remembers the pain in his chest. The swirling of the delivery truck's mirror, and everything after that, well — ]

[A sharp clearing of his throat. It's so dry.]

I know what I've been told.

[Everything is bullshit until proven otherwise.]

And I know what I'm expected to believe.

[Definitely lies. And for one: he knows he's died. It doesn't take a previous heart attack in his situation to recognize one when it tears at your chest and throat and breath like a visceral assault. Besides, he was always due for one: wasn't he?]

I don't expect honesty from anyone. [And yet here he is: reaching out. Because what else can he do?] But a Witch?

[Or so he's been told. How appropriate. Another pause; another breath.]

Is this Hell?

[He's seen nothing that leads him to believe otherwise. The mirror with the objects and reflections from home. The things that just don't make sense. Maybe someone will honestly reveal that yes, he's earned this. Maybe not.]

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[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.

[Magic isn't something most people master quickly, but Mello isn't 'most people.' He's a quick study, and Light will learn that soon enough. If he learns defensive types from Kira (of all fucking people) he can learn offensive in his off-time, and do his best to hide it.]

[Doesn't matter that he's already got fire in his veins ready to go. He will hide it.]

[Ah, the food. That was fast. Mello will eat, all the while never taking his eyes off of Light. These large glasses are good for many things. He leans back as the server places their respective orders in front of them and rattles them back to them for confirmation. He nods, water glass in hand.]

And you?

[Grin.]

Are you most people? You don't seem to react negatively to my honesty.

[Or lack thereof. Mello knows that Kira knows he's lying, but that's all all part of the game, isn't it?]

[Also. He lifts his glasses for a moment, shows the full spectrum of the scarring that fucks up half of his face.]

Would healing magic do anything about this?

[Not that he would. Well... maybe. It remains to be seen.]

Some asshole backed me into a corner, yea. I didn't expect to be caught up in the fire.

[But who does, really?]

You haven't been hostile. I don't make it a habit to have dinner with somebody who's on the attack, but I don't think you've crossed any kind of line. Honesty doesn't bother me.

[ In this conversation, Light lacks a lot of key elements. Mello may know him, but the reverse isn't true and thus, he can't know just how brilliant a mind his future enemy holds. By nature, he's cautious, and with Mello, he has cause to be, but there's a possibility this would be going differently if he could have a more honest estimation of Mello's abilities.

The scar. It's hard not to notice, especially since it sticks out on a face that was probably without many flaws before the burning. It's a question Light would probably ask in the same situation, but it's not one he has an immediate answer for. ]

It's healed skin, not an injury so it's not something I've studied. With the size and probably depth of the scar, it'd take a very good healer, if it is possible.

[ Ironically, Kira has specialized in healing. It wasn't necessarily intentional. Both of his preferred magic specifications taught healing and since he does want to keep himself alive, Light's been willing to put in a lot of extra work as well. ]

Burn injuries are a lot more severe than most, and the damage goes deeper.

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.]

Edited 2021-03-16 19:27 (UTC)

There's nothing wrong with formal education, but if you don't practice what you learn, there's going to be something missing. Reading about something in a book is a good starting point, but practical knowledge is even better.

[ As Mello speaks, Light eats. Now that he's asked the question, he pauses in his bites, giving his full if casual attention to his current dinner partner. On the surface, there's no tension, no hidden agenda. That isn't true, not on either side, but Light aims to make the conversation an easy one. If Mello is too on edge, his job will only be more difficult.

A useless, pointless dance. If only he knew. ]

So, I try for a mixture. I'm taking classes at the Coven, and I have a few teachers outside to help me, too.

[ He won't say who; knowing what he knows, Mello can eventually, or already, guess it's L. There's little reason to bring the name up, no need to better highlight the target.

It is notable that Mello is used to formal education in spite of his looks and attitude. A contradiction isn't he? If Light had to guess, once he removed any association with L, Mello seems more street smart than book smart. Knowing how deeply he managed to shake the detective, Light's assumed some intelligence. Mello's one big juxtaposition.

Is that interesting, or is he interested because of the danger and impact he's left on L? Light isn't sure. ]

It doesn't sound like you're going to have a lot of trouble with magic.

[No, Mello won't have much trouble. He knows that already, despite his lack of current knowledge. He also knows that he needs to balance himself — becoming too powerful with nothing to ground him is a dangerous game — and Bonds seem to be the answer to that.]

[He's already stopped picking at his food. Too much going on in his head. He's sitting across a table from fucking Kira, conversing as though none of his life has meant a thing. As though the other hadn't murdered L, and Mr. Wammy, and ultimately: Mello. It takes all he has to keep his cool, and Mello's always been shit at that.]

[Yagami does enjoy hearing himself speak, doesn't he?]

And you?

[Whether or not his tone comes off as antagonistic is beyond him. Mello is the embodiment of antagonism, try as he might to seem otherwise.]

You're willing to help me hone my skills outside of the academic aspect of it?

[Bad move, if true. But Mello can only hope. He takes a sip of water, pretends to appear distracted by passers-by.]

They say there's something to learn in teaching. I don't mind helping you.

[ All roads are leading to the same place; Light would have suggested the same thing if Mello failed to do so. Without knowing the full of any story, neither from his world of their own, the full scope is lost on Light, but the fact that Mello is dangerous is evident. Why would he let such a worrisome element remain in the dark? The more light shining in Mello's direction, the better.

Besides, there is something else. Something more. Something L wants to hide. The thread dangles before him, and it can't be ignored. If Mello distances himself too much, it would just become more difficult to follow. ]

Once you've decided on your Coven classes, let me know your schedule, and we can work in a time for practice.

[Ah, makes sense. Invent a motive to cover the true one; Light would have never been a worthy adversary to L if he didn't think ahead, would he? Mello only nods in response, sipping his water.]

[The thought of going back to school is foreign to him; he left so long ago. But Mello was always good at academia, and getting back into the habit shouldn't be tough at all. Though, again. He needs balance. Of course, he wants to go for full assault magic, but in a way — ]

[Offense without defense. Isn't that how he handled things last time? His only defense consisted of a bunch of lackeys who weren't really good for anything.]

[His mind is wandering: Kira's voice is smooth, his demeanor downright kind. It's a foray into what L experienced, and Mello fucking hates it. Immediately.]

I'll take you up on your offer.

[Of course he will. But on to other things. The blonde rests an elbow on the table, leans in a bit, resting his chin on his palm. Watching. Maybe just conversing.]

You're Japanese.

[Something anyone from their world would pick up on immediately.]

But your English is perfect. Were you born in the States?

[After all, they don't 'know' each other at all, do they?]

Edited 2021-03-29 21:39 (UTC)

Is it that obvious?

[ Light chuckles before taking another sip from his cup, feeling as the hot drink slides down his throat. No matter, knowing that isn't dangerous here. Instinct tells him it's better if Mello doesn't know too much about him, at least while Light feels out the man's capabilities. Knowing his nation of origin seems harmless, though. ]

But, that's one of the amazing things about this world. No matter what kind of language I speak, you'll hear it translated to your tongue. Considering a lot of us speak languages that don't even exist in other worlds, it's really useful.

[ Light's English is perfect, but he's not confirming nor denying his ability to speak it, even if it likely won't make a difference. As he said, everything is translated. ]

But you're right about being Japanese. Do you know a lot about Japan?

Mm, makes sense.

[Kira speaks like an informative textbook, though there's a smoother, convincing edge to his tone. That much: Mello doesn't consider a ruse. He's studied the other enough to know. Top student, precise, ambitious. Rose to the top of the Task Force almost immediately after his father's death. He's running facts through his head like written code, forcing himself to remember that the diplomatic, informative thing in front of him is his enemy. A killer, at best.]

[He's lost his appetite, and so Mello is finished eating, for now. Whether or not Light notices (and oh, M suspects he will) that he's been ignoring his food is neither her nor there. Shows nothing besides distraction. Interest.]

Enough. [More than enough. Mello fucking hates Japan, after all that's happened there.] I attended a boarding school; they were very focused on other regions of the world. [Grin, and he doesn't break eye-contact.] I've been there, once. But I didn't exactly get to enjoy it.

[ While Light does notice and is on alert, he's also forcing himself not to jump at shadows. Eventually, a line has to be drawn between mundane and important. Mello is in a new world after being plucked from his own. Light's own appetite hadn't been the strongest for the first few days. ]

Was it a bad trip? That's surprising to hear. Did you get a lot of odd looks?

[ Is it meant to be an insult toward Japan? A wild blow hoping to bother him? Light enjoys his country well enough and thinks they're decently far ahead in terms of justice, but he also knows they aren't perfect. ]

With your blond hair, you would have stood out. It's not really a color we see too often unless it's from someone outside of Japan. It's rude, but if you went to visit a more rural part of Japan, you might have been one of the few people they've seen with blond hair in real life.

[Is that a challenge? Mello reads it as such — as he does everything — and the shift in his seat is more readying for a verbal attack than it is for comfort. Did he get a lot of odd looks; what a joke. Mello gets odd looks everywhere he goes, no matter where. Before and after the explosion.]

[He's all but ignoring the food, now. It's something he craved, even when he knew he was coming face to face with Kira, whether or not this was a casual lunch date. And being the shit thing he is at hiding his emotions: he's definitely cracking now. He'll have to leave soon, he knows. That, or risk a confrontation that will blow this all to hell. But first.]

I've never seen the rural areas.

[The hand around his water glass is tight enough to nearly crack it, full as it is.]

I went to Tokyo.

[Is that so odd? Isn't that where most tourists go? Not a pure giveaway until — ]

The Kanto region, actually. I'd wandered away from the rest of the class. That's where the tube dropped me when I decided to get off.

[ It's not a coincidence. Light is more sure of it than ever. Of course, it's not an impossibility, but it's unlikely with everything else adding up. Even more than that, this man wants Light to know there's more. He hints at it, gives him tastes.

Is he connected to L from their world? L works with a lot of criminals, and Mello would certainly fit in there as well. It would also be fitting that he'd go by a single letter nickname. If that's the case, the name he'd been given is as real as Linden. ]

Not a lot of schools bring people to Japan to visit. It must have been an interesting place to study.

[ If Mello is this close to spilling, Light needs to bait him, but it's hard with so many blank spots. ]

I'm surprised to find you didn't get a nice welcome, then. Japan is an interesting place. When I've spoken to other tourists, they said Japan has a unique way about it. That, even if they didn't find what they thought they would, something else had a way of finding them.

Mh.

[He sips his water to ground himself; they're playing a game of which only one of them is completely aware. He knows that from Light's age alone. Because L wouldn't dare out him, that way. Forgive if his knuckles are white; it's only a side-effect of magic running through him that Mello isn't used to: nothing more.]

It was a private school, yea. We had privileges that others couldn't afford.

[And now, he blatantly lies.]

Parents will pay for anything to keep you out of their hair.

[As he cracks his neck, not an uncommon gesture for Mello.]

Mm, no one was outwardly rude. I know from my studies that society frowns upon that, there. They stare, though.

[But none of this matters. Not really.]

What did you do there? Were you only a student?

[Oh, do tell. Please.]

As much as foreigners stand out, blond hair would have stood out even more. It's not polite, but I'm not surprised to find out you'd have their attention. You don't seem like someone who'd want to blend in, anyway.

[ Mello screams 'loud' in every sense of the word. His clothing, his hairstyle, and his attitude all stand apart from a crowd. Knowing they're from the same world, Light can blame a bit on cultural differences but only so much. Americans are known for having bigger personalities. Is Mello American? ]

Hm. I was.

[ 'Before becoming part of the Kira investigation and being forced to take time off. Such an inconveinece. ]

In a way, I still am here, but that doesn't really pay for you to live so I have to divide my time between school and work. You probably will, too.

[ As most witches seem to. ]

Are you okay? You seem tense.

[ Between the white knuckles and need to crack his neck. ]

[Though Mello can be quite the actor, he's always been shit at hiding his emotions. It's the proximity, in the end — oh, how he would have killed for this when the time was right. But now isn't the time, and it's downright frustrating. Any rash actions on his part would do nothing in his favor aside from self-gratification and while that's what he wants, a bit of logic is in order, here.]

Yea —

[He answers almost immediately. Too fast, maybe.]

New environment. Still adjusting to this whole magic thing. It kind of itches, sometimes.

[Mello takes a soft, calming breath through his nose. As much as he would like to monopolize Kira's life, he can't stay here too much longer. His patience is running thin.]

But you're observant.

[Grin. Stop fucking studying me.]

Sometimes, but I wouldn't say it was too hard to notice. You really seem on edge.

[ If Light wanted, he would have waved it off. Under other circumstances, when trying to be more polite, he would have. A small part of him is poking Mello, intentionally pointing out how well he's not hiding whatever he's wanting to hide.

And yet he is. Light's not able to get anything really useful from him. Has he even been to Tokyo? It's not as if he can simply take his word for everything. L wouldn't be afraid of an idiot. ]

Maybe you should eat more. It might help calm your nerves.

I'm not nervous.

[And he throws that back with all of the nonchalance he possesses, though he does take another forkful, shoves it into his mouth with zero delicacy. Mello knows proper manners — spent his formative years in England, after all — but he feels no need to be proper, right now.]

[No, nerves aren't his issue, right now. It's the holding back that's getting to him. Do you even know what you've done, Kira? and it sits with him like a fucking rock in his stomach. Still he chews, and stares Light down with what would be perceived by the average person for no reason at all, while he does.]

[It's only after he properly swallows that he speaks again.]

If you're to help me with this whole thing — [Being a Witch and all.] — the first thing I'd like to learn is how to quell whatever it is that's happening, right now. It's uncomfortable, as if something's trying to burst out of me.

It shouldn't be a problem this early, but magic does build if we don't use it. Bonding with a monster will help balance it out but until you do, be sure to practice. The more you're using magic, the lower your reserves. That might normally sound like a bad thing, but it's a lot like a kettle: if the steam's not released, it will explode.

[ It's a simple, truthful answer without any of the hidden jabs behind it. A witch that's losing control benefits no one, and Light will genuinely work to assure that won't happen. ]

I don't mind giving you some simple spells to practice, but this isn't the place for it. Beginning witches have a lot of time predicting and controlling their own power.

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Voice; UN: Deneuve

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