aefenglom | video; u/n l.yagami

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death note: l lawliet

video; u/n l.yagami

Do you have more questions than answers? In this world, we all do, but we can help. Linden and I wanted to let everyone know that we've recently created Tailor and Yagami Investigations so that we can lend a hand in solving some of your everyday questions.

[The video feed flickers on to show two men standing side by side. Both men are smartly dressed, but it's Light who makes the opening speech. Behind them, in the background, stand two desks, two shelves of books, and a black marble scrying basin with silver veins.

The second man looks better-kept than those who know him may be accustomed to seeing him, though nowhere near as polished as the first. His mop of dark hair is combed and smoothed neatly back, his suit is pressed and all of the buttons are aligned and in their proper holes. Though he has an overall wan and listless bearing, there's an intense focus to his eyes that's a little bit uncomfortable, even only on camera.]

Our rates are competitive, and so is our attitude. If something precious goes missing, we can guarantee that we didn't put it in the backroom of the Particularly Good Finders' storefront prior to its reported absence.

[Implying that their competition cannot say the same.]

If you're interested, you can find us at 74 Neblen Way, Suite 4 or contact either of us directly.

(ooc |If you have a preference for Light or L, let us know. Otherwise, either or both may reply. The link for the business can be found here)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

His name is "Linden," is it? I've always referred to him as "that blood witch" in my head. Good to know.

In what district are you located?

With that kind of nickname, it makes me curious how the two of you met.

It's in the Entertainment District.

Nothing unusual. We shared a drink together on the street after I purchased my home and I never got his name.

[ And then there was that time they got handsy while undercover at a party, but seeing as Howl has no idea who this other man is or what his relationship is to Linden, he'll refrain from potentially turning himself into a homewrecker for now. ]

The Entertainment District? Are you, really? We're practically neighbors, then. I own Pendragon's, on Aemet-Hwil Street. The spell and pawn shop.

Then, he just told you about the blood magic. That's a lot better than having to see it in use.

A pawn shop? Do you take magical items, too?

Oh, you can't say something like that and expect me not to want to see it...

Yes, I do. Not just for pawn, but for purchase. If you've got anything interesting, I'd love to take a look!

Since he usually only uses it when there's trouble, you wouldn't want to see it. Since it uses his blood, it's more for emergencies than for fun.

Unfortunately, I don't, but I'm curious about your items. I'll stop by one day after work.

Please do. You and Linden are welcome any time. Please give him my regards.

Or you can. I send mine as well, of course.

Ah... well, a rather straightforward username you have, I see. Perhaps I'll stop in if I'm passing by. Cheers.

If we're neighbors, it's probably inevitable, one way or the other.

[There's less time, now that their business is up and running officially, to tutor at the orphanage. L still tries to carve out a few hours for it during the evenings and weekend, and so it's not uncommon for him to return home a bit later than Light.

He enters, draping his coat over the back of a chair and glancing toward the kitchen. Light's busy, and dinner's not exactly the reason.]

Hard at work, or study?

[Ambitious and hungry for knowledge, it's not unusual for either of them to use their evenings this way.]

Welcome back.

[ After assuring it was L coming in, Light returns to his task. There aren't many ingredients in front of him since it's a fairly simple combination today. While he's making progress in alchemy, it isn't the only subject he's studying. ]

It's practice. It's going to be a mild relaxant. Once I manage to get it a little stronger, I'll probably be able to sell a few.

[ While they're not exactly rare, most witches focuses on other studies aside from alchemy so the market isn't as saturated as it could be. ]

There's no one here to diagnose it, but rates of anxiety are high, here. Your business wouldn't be lacking.

[L, who views substances as ways to push his mind and body a little further when will has given out, is certainly keen on the prospect himself.]

That being said... there are other popular potions. Is there any reason you chose to work on this one, specifically?

[He moves from the table and into the kitchen proper, to better observe Light's process.]

That's not surprising. There's a lot of reasons to be anxious here.

[ Even Light, lucky as he's been, can clearly see why people would be apprehensive about this world. He isn't happy with the switch either, and there are many who've had it worse. ]

This potion works well for a lot of my purposes. At this level, it's not very dangerous, even if I mess up. I also think it's something that will sell well for the same reasons you pointed out.

[ As usual, Light moves with assurance and confidence. ]

I also promised somebody that I'd handle their calming potion from now on.

[There's an easy proximity between them, and not merely because of their bond. This started back when they were working on the case, and especially when they'd been handcuffed together. Sharing space, leaning over each other's coffee cups and keyboards to get a better look at something, animated words blending into amalgamated sentences and conclusions in unison.

It comes naturally, in other words, for L to stand close, nearly with his chin resting on Light's shoulder as he peers at the ingredients.]

You did promise. I'm sure he's appreciative, considering that even your current iteration is likely superior to his own efforts.

[ Familiarity breeds comfort. Light doesn't feel self-conscious to have L standing so close, nor is he nervous about being observed. Even before the handcuffs, Light found himself on the receiving end of cameras set up around his house, knowing full well that a task force was on the other end, watching his every move. ]

At the very least, it shouldn't make it worse. I don't have as much time to give toward alchemy as I do my other studies, but I'm making progress.

[ Thus why he's willing to try practical applications, if at a low level. ]

You're back late. Was it a long day at the orphanage?

[ It isn't uncommon for L to be late, not really. He's working two jobs now, after all. ]

Don't be modest. "Progress" isn't a word you use the way most others do.

[As an overachieving academic, of course, but also as Kira. It's L's smug secret, sitting in his chest like a caged bird. Even if no one can see it, it's still some kind of vindictive trophy, and as far as his dealings with Light Yagami are concerned in Aefenglom? He's found that it is actually enough for him.

He half-nods, half-shrugs.]

I just have time in the late afternoon and evening for several tutoring appointments. Some days it's based on need, and some days it's based on promise. Since they're all at a disadvantage... I'm not sure whether it's better to focus on those who are the furthest behind, or the ones who have the best shot at a successful life if they can be allowed to get ahead.

Your perspective is of interest to me. Your parents sent you to cram school, recognizing your talent early, but was it in the cards for your sister?

Edited 2021-04-07 16:08 (UTC)

[ L's right, of course. While it may be going slow by Light's standards, but that's still a fair speed for most. It would go faster still if he could focus on it entirely, but he'd like to master some of the other magics before moving onto alchemy with more concentration. ]

Cram school was my choice. Sayu didn't show the same kind of interest, but she had me help her with homework pretty often.

[ Light chuckles as he grinds the ingredients together. ]

I wouldn't call it cram school so much as a little sister using her big brother. She might take it more seriously when she gets older, but she's at the age where idols and fashion are more important.

Maybe you can use the same kind of system with your classes. Obviously, having them help each other isn't going to be as effective as having your help, but if you can teach the brightest and have them tutor the kids further behind, you're giving them as good of a chance as you can. Even you can't be everywhere all at once.

No, it's a good suggestion.

[He's quick to agree.]

Some of them can certainly help the younger students, or the slower ones in the same class. Especially if it meant their chores were lessened so they could still have the same amount of free time. Even though I'm not employed as a teacher there anymore I'm sure someone would hear out the suggestion.

[One of the reasons L had left his full-time post had been due to the odd space he occupied in the professional sphere that wasn't custom-made for his oddities and talents. In a more mundane position, among more mundane people without a handler to buffer him, L ironically falls short. The insult of being treated as one of the children by many of his adult staff members had grown too grievous.]

It might make my role a bit less essential, freeing me up for helping you test your new project's results.

[If nothing can go too wrong with this mild potion, he's game. He's created, and ingested, far worse on his own.]

I can make enough for two.

[ If L can rest assured on much, it's that Light trusts it well enough if he's willing to drink from it himself. While he's willing to push his limits in places, it wouldn't be in something he ingests himself.

He can't know the magic being worked into the potion is off. His calculations and ingredients are correct and during any other month, the potion would be perfect, if mild. As Light spoons a bit into a small bowel and holds it out to L for testing, it really isn't with any nefarious plans in mind. The fact he adds a little to his own bowl proves as much. ]

Then, a toast to having a second person willing to test your potions.

[It seems to surprise L that Light would offer a dual test, but he’s in no position to reject the extra assurance. He accepts the bowl, raising it as to a comrade.]

To not drinking alone.

[A pastime L’s friendlier with than he wishes. He raises the bowl to his lips, sipping it with his typical delicacy.]

Lavender gives it a sweet finish.

[He wonders, idly, if Light added it with him in mind, just as he always idly wonders if he’s been poisoned in some untraceable way by his clever rival.]

[ The liquid is smooth and easy to swallow. As something he plans to sell, Light took the extra time to worry about tastes and ease of drink. It's more likely to be profitable if it doesn't leave a bitter taste. ]

The lavender can be customized. Potions don't need to have bad tastes, and it just happens that the guy I made a promise to has a very sweet tooth.

[ But, nothing's happening. Light didn't go into the experience particularly stressed, but he can feel no change at all. Frowning, he looks back to the original mixing bowl which now stands almost empty.

It hasn't kicked in yet. Magic flows to their stomach and through their blood, but the effects haven't started. It leaves him confused. Something should have worked. ]

Do you feel anything?

[L furrows his brow. He doesn't doubt that he's had more experience than Light with knocking back potions for various reasons, so he does have some context.]

There are factors... dosage, body mass, potency of the ingredients. They can all affect how quickly a potion works. If you intended to make it weaker, it wouldn't be instantaneous.

[A pause, after a few more moments.]

That being said... you might have erred on the side of too diluted, especially considering my tolerance is probably higher than yours.

It wasn't so weak that it should have a delay.

[ Shouldn't be being the key factor, especially for someone who didn't often take potions. He was willing to assume maybe L's tolerance played a bigger role than he accounted for, but Light's? ]

It shouldn't have been, anyway. I'll have to go over the recipe. Maybe one of the ingredients wasn't right.

[ As someone not prone to being wrong and failing, he frowns at the bowl, as if it had betrayed him. ]

If it's all right, I'll increase the potency next time.

[L cants his head, watching Light's disappointment; it's almost a quiet rage.]

Hey...

[Softly chiding.]

This branch of magic is simultaneously precise and volatile. Famously so. Even if you did everything perfectly... a stale ingredient or a supplying apothecary's off-day could influence the result. Just increase the potency, but... keep the lavender, if you would.

un: galdorleod

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text; un: Linden Tailor

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Closed to L and Light

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