Bad Omens

[ijk_mno]

L is sitting at the kitchen table, with a plate of strawberry cheesecake in front of him. He's staring at it. He has a fork in his hand.

But he doesn't think he's going to be able to bring himself to eat, and he doesn't know why.

Comments

[curtainwizard]

[Light still hasn't managed to track down the wish room, so every time he wants a cup of tea, he has to dare the kitchen. Today it lets him in without too much trouble. Nobody too unpleasant: the younger L he's barely spoken to. Resting his sketchbook on the counter, he offers a cursory greeting.]

L.

[ijk_mno]

Light.

*He glances up. Maybe a distraction is just what he needs.*

You don't look well.

[curtainwizard]

[He's heard that one so often, of late. Taking the kettle to the sink, he looks back, as if he's seeing more than there is.]

Nor do you. Or did that cake offend you in some way?

[ijk_mno]

I don't really know.

*It's strange. He loves cheesecake. He's always hungry.*

[curtainwizard]

It's never a good thing, Ls ignoring cake.

[For them, that is.]

It usually means there's trouble of some sort. What was it, a room?

[It's not an unreasonable supposition, and Light's attitude towards you still defaults to "polite".]

[ijk_mno]

No. I've had a very good week over all.

But thank you for your concern, Light.

[curtainwizard]

I'm glad to hear that.

[Automatic - and as if you'd tell him, were the case otherwise. Putting the kettle on to boil, he appraises you: the cake is still untouched.]

[ijk_mno]

I'm sure we've met before.

[curtainwizard]

We have. The room with the wings?

[There was also something about you passing out at Hallowe'en, and a child version he's almost certain was you - but all in all, he hasn't run into you enough for it to matter. What he's heard about you and that child Mikami is more important.]

[ijk_mno]

That's right.

*The Light who had a long talk with Teru. L remembers him now.*

[curtainwizard]

[More than one, truth be told, and one had been one of the most harmless. Light arranges his crockery with artful precision.]

You know, I've never found that one again. Almost a pity.

[ijk_mno]

Nor have I. I'll have to ask Teru for directions.

*Since he goes there semi-frequently.*

[curtainwizard]

[And there we are: Light considers it less than subtle of you. Conflicting interests, pulling at the boy. Does he care any more, now he's cut himself free of Mikami?]

Yes, he mentioned that he went there. He seems to think it's harmless enough.

[ijk_mno]

And he has show impeccable judgement thus far.

[curtainwizard]

Children are reckless, though, for the most part.

[The confirmation doesn't go unnoted: you speak to Teru often enough to say that.]

Would you like some tea, since I'm making it?

[It's a polite offer. From the look of that cake, he doesn't think you'll accept.]

[ijk_mno]

No thank you, I'm quite all right.

*He doesn't think he could so much as smell it without it turning his stomach. He shouldn't be tangling with a Light in this state, but there's no easy way to beat a retreat without making things seem worse than they are.*