Ephemeris Silenti

' The Diary of the Dead '

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Nomen Novum II: 'New Name'

L, on Mihael Keehl. Continuation of yesterday's drabble, since to keep them short I split them it into two parts. I MAY turn these details into a full-length story about young Mello. If anyone is vaguely interested. I'll run it alongside this year's project.

Thanks for all the new reviews, alerts, favourites, etc, and thanks, as always, to Annie, who takes care of my Latin issues.

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... Entry Eleven - January 27th, 2009 ...

... Nomen Novum II ...

'Mihael' kept quiet throughout the journey back to England, quite possibly spooked by the appearance of other adults. He held L's hand and sat in silence, his hand gripping the rosary tightly. In a flash of inspiration the young detective had given him chocolate, supposing he was hungry but having nothing vaguely nutritious on the helicopter. (He was L after all.) After that, the boy had not left L's side. He had even grinned cheekily up at the detective. Arriving in England was not difficult, the name 'L' already commanded enough respect for the authorities to not need to query the appearance of a ragged, messy-haired child. He was with L, so they couldn't question it. Driving to Wammy's, L shared another story with Mihael, who, this time, asked a question or two of his own. Afterwards, the blond child asked, "Where are we going?"

"To Wammy's house. You'll stay there, and be raised by the caretaker. You'll have a good education here."

"...you're going to leave me?"

What extraordinary perception. He had to admit, he was getting somewhat attached to the intelligent child he'd discovered in the middle of nowhere. He simply nodded. Mihael shrugged, looking like he understood. "Can you speak English?" L asked.

"A bit. Only in prayers."

"You're religious?"

Mihael had clearly decided that question was too stupid to dignify with an answer as he played with his rosary. L smirked to himself. "You'll have to learn."

"We're in England, aren't we?"

Again, the detective grinned, the car speeding them towards the orphanage. "You'll need to choose yourself a new name. An alias. For your safety." The boy stared at him for a long time. He seemed to be thinking hard. Eventually he looked up. "Can I think about it?" His blue eyes blinked rapidly. L nodded, giving the affirmative, and the child went back to staring out the window, watching the countryside whizz by. L also remained quiet for this journey. He marvelled at the ability of children to simply let horror pass them by. Mihael seemed largely unaffected by the trauma of being the sole survivor of a catastrophe. He seemed like a fairly mellow child. Although perhaps he was repressing his memories. If that was the case, he should warn Roger about possible violent future behaviour.

The boy took in the huge white house, blinking at the brightness. He seemed somewhat in awe of the place, and L remembered his reaction when he'd first come here, and grinned at how similar it was to this boy's. Mihael, still holding the rosary, walked with him to the front door.

"I won't be coming in with you." Brilliant blue eyes stared, and the child nodded. "This is Roger. He'll look after you. You have to pick a name now."

There was a pause, before the eyes flashed so intensely L was momentarily taken aback. "...Mello. Spelt my way. Not the English way." And it would not be the last time L would wonder how much of a coincidence the blond boy's choice of name was, and he made a mental note to let less emotion cross his features. Could the child really read him that easily?

L never forgot the blue-eyed, blond haired boy who called himself Mello. After all, a child like that was hard to disregard.

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Part 2 :)

Fairly short today, since it's just a tail-end of yesterday ^^

Catch you all tomorrow, and thanks for reading.

Philosopher's Queen

xx