Chapter seven:

Matt makes it back with the young ones and their teachers. He sees Near gesture to his home to which he and Mello head into the place that is clearly Near's room here. He sits down as they sit in a circle.

"So. What did you end up learning?" Near inquires as both his and Mello's eyes are on the red head.

"Well we can apparently change form for starters." Matt begins his explanation as the two listen to him. "I haven't tried it but I'll prove it." He closes his eyes focusing on a form deciding to try to do one of the other orphans back at home. He lets himself change and opens his eyes checking how well he had done. He had gotten it pretty well which does surprise him a little though as he doesn't notice anything wrong. "See?" He grins as Mello looks rather interested in being able to this while Near nods softly. He lets himself change back remembering how the kids were taught to do so. "So that was really cool to find out."

"You're teaching me how to do that." Mello hums in interest as if imagining all that he could do with that ability.

Matt quickly explains how they are able to do such a thing to them to which Mello looks pleased about this.

"What else did you learn about this world and about us in this world?" Near presses bringing Matt's attention away from Mello.

"Well I did learn what we eat and I gotta admit I wasn't a fan of it." Matt takes a deep breath to get himself ready to tell them as he doubts that they will like it. "We drain energy from humans until they are killed."

The air goes silent as Near just stares at Matt while Mello's eyes widen upon hearing that.

"Hahaha!" Mello laughs nervously and pats Matt on the shoulder. "That's a good joke. Now what do we really eat?" He pulls his hand back as Matt glances away. "You're serious." He realizes and a shiver passes up his spine. "That's horrible! How can those here think that is okay!?"

"Well it is what we're going to have to deal with. Apparently if we don't kill the human we could end up being tracked and put everyone in danger." Matt tells the blonde who this time glances away.

"Well this world is not like our own." Near points twirling a strand of hair around his finger. "We have to do our best to blend in and not cause trouble for this place."

Mello whips his head around to glare at Near upon hearing this. "You can't seriously be okay with this!?" He growls to the other who turns to meet his eyes calmly.

"I never said that Mello." Near points out. "Whether or not we like it doesn't matter right now. We were forced into this situation where we have to just accept things. This isn't our home world and no one here knows that we aren't the versions of us from here. Besides we don't want to cause a panic by revealing that information. I know that you are smart enough to see that. Mello is very smart. So we'll just have to put up with how things are for now. And try to get home the sooner the better."

"This is fucked up." Mello hisses then leaves the room heading out of the home of the group he is a part of while here.

Near lets out a small breath that almost sounds like a sigh to Matt then he turns his attention to said red head. "Well Matt. We will talk to Mello a little later. When he clears his head. Did you learn anything else?" He inquires as Matt meets Near's eyes.

In the meantime Mello stalks through the forest kicking a few rocks as he walks. "I can't believe this! Why did this have to happen!? I bet Near secretly is enjoying having everyone under his rule. He probably actually wants to stay because everyone does whatever he tells them to like some mindless zombies." He pauses and a smirk comes across his face as he comes up with an idea. "Well. They can go ahead and continue to play with lives there. I am going to get some really helpful information on how we can get home. The sooner we get back and don't have to kill anyone the better." He heads towards the city sneaking once he is close to it. He sneaks to behind a bush and pokes his head over the bush. He ducks back down to not get spotted. He follows Matt's instructions changing form. He takes the form of one of the teachers he remembers back in the orphanage. He opens his eyes glancing to a puddle to look at himself in the reflection. "Okay. This is cool but it kind of feels weird to be like this." He turns his attention to the human civilization before him. "Time to get that information." He stands up then heads right into said city. He walks with confidence as he makes his way through the city.

Some people turn to look to him with uncertain looks and most try to figure out who he is.

Mello keeps going ignoring any of the staring as he keeps his head high. He won't let them see any sign of weakness. He stops two officers walk into his path. "Greetings." He nods in greeting to them. "I am a traveler looking to check out the knowledge of towns. My name is Akia."

"How are we sure that you're not a changeling?" One officer demands narrowing his eyes suspiciously at Mello.

Mello blinks and forces himself to flinch back. "You mean those things that kill humans?! How could you think I am one of those! I fear meeting one on my travels enough!"

The officer leans closer staring into Mello's eyes intensely to try to see if he is serious.

Mello keeps any worry that they will indeed see right through him down. He waits for the officers decision.

"Do you have any form of ID to prove that you are who you are?" The officer demands still looking rather suspicious of Mello who lightly curses himself.

The blonde didn't even think of that and he can't believe he missed that. "I don't carry one with me. I don't want to accidentally lose it allowing those changelings a chance to potentially get close to anyone pretending to be me. Plus what if one does steal it to do so? I wouldn't forgive myself if something bad like that happened because I got careless." He just hopes that they buy it. He lets his confidence in his answer show to try to keep the other from realizing the lie.