[private] once you think you're in you're out.

[subversion]

The room Light leads Matt to is a bar, which has been abandoned every time he's checked it. It's pure curiosity: something a little familiar. Heading to the counter - which is immaculate, as if someone scrubbed it down before walking out - he peeks behind there and steals a bottle of orange juice before looking back to her.

"It was some kind of genocide? Chasing utopia?"

[[OOC: private to stripesandheels.]]

Comments

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

At least you're the right gender? I feel like such an odd one out. Apparently there are ninety thousand male Matts and they're all sleeping with other men.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

[At that, he laughs, quick and surprised.]

Yes, Mel - did I see you speaking to her? - she said she was the only female version of her, too.

[A quick sip of the orange juice, which he's barely touched.]

I suppose it could have been preferable to certain things. There was someone the first day who seemed to think I was a god.

[And Light had liked it, but let's not get too into that detail.]

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

...little do they know...

Okay, bad joke, cutting myself off. Um. Have you found any good rooms yet? I've only been in the secret one.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

Um. Sort of. Did you ever wish you could fly?

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

Yeah, of course.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

There was one room I found, which - this sounds stupid - made me grow wings. Anyone else who went in, too. Working wings.

[A hint of a sad smile, at the memory. He'd loved it.]

Of course, then it started filling up with various varieties of psychopath, but other than that it wasn't too bad.

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

I bet we could sneak back. If you keep quiet, the others don't find you- that's what I've noticed. Rooms like that, they get crowds, but being alone somewhere with a flashlight...

Want to?

[subversion.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I could find it again. It was meant to be the kitchen, you know?

[Thoughtful, before his eyes meet hers, with almost military precision.]

Fourth floor. Second corridor down from the kitchen. That was where I came out.

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

How old are you? Be a kid with me for thirty seconds. I promise it won't kill you.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

I don't know. I hear I was born old. Maybe I'll age backwards, hm?

[Part of him is enjoying this, and part of him wants to run and run and run so far he never finds his way back again. But he would like to see what kind of wings she ends up with.]

I'll go there if you will.

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

Lead the way.

[Climbing to her feet, with a grin.]

[subversion.livejournal.com]

[And he does, too, getting up from the counter and heading for the door.]

So what was it, you never had a chance to be a child before?

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

Did and didn't. I'm nineteen- I should be at college parties or something, giggling nervously over a bag of weed, and wondering what to get my boyfriend for his birthday. Not dealing with the maffia, hacking the government websites, having dangerous liaisons.

What were you up to, back in the real world? [She hurries to catch up.]

[subversion.livejournal.com]

Only nineteen? I should be careful nobody sees me talking to you. I'll end up in jail - if there's such a thing here... Don't hit me.

[She's not going to let it go, and he refuses to get shouted down again by the babble in his head. Stretching his arms out slightly as he walks, he prepares to lie like there's no tomorrow.]

As for what I do, I'm almost scared to tell you, considering everything.

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

You're just making me more an more curious. What are you, a stripper or something?

[Bouncing along in step behind him.]

[subversion.livejournal.com]

I'm researching a PhD in criminology. The effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent. Um.

[His lips are a little pursed, that's all.]

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know a lot about that.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

[a sideways glance] Somehow that doesn't surprise me in the least.

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

I had a funny childhood. [Grinning.]

Good thing we didn't drink anything. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to drink and fly.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

It's easier than it looks. You could probably manage as long as you could still walk, and stayed away from the ceiling.

[Turning onto the fourth floor.]

You don't mean funny in the passed-from-pillar-to-post kind of way, I take it?

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

Can't tell you, another Matt would probably claw my eyes out if I did.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

Pull those goggles back down. You'll be fine.

[Butter wouldn't melt.]

I won't pry into your personal business, though. Not if you don't want to tell me.

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

You're mean.

[She loves it.]

Maybe we should play questions.

[subversion.livejournal.com]

I'm lovely.

[He can tell, and he's sworn to himself he'll behave here. Unfortunately, there was never the Light born that kept a promise - and her suggestion doesn't entirely appeal.]

What kind of questions did you have in mind? Provinces in China? South American capitals?

[stripesandheels.livejournal.com]

Well, if that's what you want to ask.