Conversations with L tended to get a little better and less awkward when he ceased being the one aggressively asking all the questions and conceded a few answers of his own. It helped that sarcasm and sass rolled off him like water off a duck's back; whether he couldn't detect them in the tones of others or simply didn't care (both distinct possibilities), he never seemed to get offended at being the target of such jabs.

"Some memories," L replied, a slight frown putting the barest crease in his brow. "He helped children... spoke a lot of languages, and was definitely some kind of detective. But he was secretive... it's not something I want to ask about on the network, especially since... well, frankly, a lot of people wanted him dead, including someone I've already brushed shoulders with."