"That's A Rough Introduction," Lewin Says With A Hum. Though To Be Fair, Most People Who Got Introduced

"That's a rough introduction," Lewin says with a hum. Though to be fair, most people who got introduced to the world of demons through temptains had a rough introduction. Sounds like there was a lot happening at True Cross before he properly moved here though. Too bad he missed it.

"Have you considered getting training? Might help with the nightmares." If she could protect herself she'd probably be less likely to fear them, right?

"I guess..." She isn't much of a fighter, and she knows that. It didn't mean she couldn't hold respect for those who were. She'd seen firsthand what that bastard had done and tried to do to her son, and even if every cell in her body cried out against it, she'd kill him herself if it meant the kids were safe.

"Not really, no...I had to learn on the fly. About a month ago, there was an...incident." She shudders at the memory. "My soul got separated from my body, and our house got all...demony. I had to learn while fighting so I wouldn't get possessed or my soul stolen. Everyone got hurt pretty bad, Mitch was possessed and nearly killed, and Satan almost burst through. I still hear those things dying in my nightmares... sometimes I wake up and just scrub my hands until they're raw because I can still feel them burning my skin."

Ah, that cheat! Ruining all the fun with a little of his abilities. The dragon made a face, thin forked tongue sticking out slightly as he wrinkles his snout. Lewin considers his options, but Sir Pheles is presenting the feathers to him neatly wrapped...

"Fiiiine," he pouts finally, ever so carefully taking the bag in his mouth without puncturing it. He turns around and waddles to the window, but he may 'accidentally' let his tail get a last feathered WHACK against Mephisto's side as he starts the climb down.

"Eins...zwei..."

"Drei."

There's a poof of pink smoke, and all the loose feathers have seemingly disappeared, packaged neatly in a pink and white polka dot garbage bag. The King of Time has it in-hand while hovering a few inches away from the dragon's face.

There's a pointed gesture towards the open window, "Out." Then the bag is gently bapped against Lightning's snout, "And take all of this with you."

His dragon eyes narrow underneath the feathers, staring at Mitch as he considers what he's being told. Memory alteration and protocol, hm? That smells fishy. He remembers hearing 'Hinobi' mentioned back when he had been forced to sit through watching anime, but he hasn't had time to look into it. Because there was another group that required a lot of attention right now. Illuminati. Known for their technological progress and vile methods.

Could Mitch have slipped under Sir Pheles radar like that? Or could the Demon King knowingly be using the kid for his own gain. Lewin was here to keep an eye on Mephisto too, after all.

The quiet tension is released suddenly. For a creature this size, he's fast, especially with how coiled up his long tail has been. He moves forward to knock Mitch down with one of his legs, resting the scaley dragon's foot on his chest and pressing down. Not enough to hurt but enough to keep him still and as a warning.

His head hovers above Mitch, staring down at him. "Who do you work for?" He still talks calmly, though there's a slight hiss under his tone he can't control in this form.

Has Mitch finally done it? Got under Lightning's skin? If so...this is a lot more frightening than he was hoping -! There's an undignified squeak as the head is lowered, taking a few steps back much more quickly compared to before - he's not interested in standing right next to something angry and most definitely strong. Come on, this isn't like the Mitch Williams, now is it? Head in the game!

"...You're too curious for your own good. Pr...Protocol..." how much can he get away with not saying? Preferably all of it, but... "It calls for the public to undergo a... 'restoration' of their 'system's memory' when they get too wise. ...Memory alteration." And Mitch has instead cast even more suspicion on himself, trying to do his job properly! He could have - perhaps should have - let Lewin investigate on his own anyway. Though what would he have to throw the blame onto? At least with the others he can try to argue and claim that most of them was because of negligence of the other Techs, or with Rin's case, can claim it's because their Tech really only accounts for humans at first. Can he claim the same with Lightning when this transformation is temporary?

Lightning shifts into the scratching but also to stare at Shy underneath the shaggy mop of black feathers. He's thankful this form kept his eyes hidden because it can seem quite intense when he ponders.

"That's good," he huffs, tail moving slightly. "It's going to be useful in the future." It sounded like she wouldn't purposefully be a dead weight or a ball and chain around Rin's ankle. They couldn't afford that. Guilt is a novel concept that can't be afforded in war. "Do you have exorcist training?" he asks then, curious of what she could actually do.

"Sorry..." She knows it's wrong to get heated like that, especially when he didn't mean harm by it. Still, she hated the constant quizzing and prodding that always went with her beliefs. Maybe she was just too idealistic, but it was part of who she was.

"I'd do anything for my kids, Mr. Lewin. It doesn't matter what I believe about my own life, I'd kill without hesitation to protect my family if I had to; I'd feel guilty about it forever, but I'd do it. I've had to mow down a few demons to protect them as well as my own soul...I never, ever want to feel the way I did when I had to take a life, but I would for them."

She returns to scratching his feathers, this time slower and more deliberate.

Lewin cackles, stepping back a bit so he can watch the chaos. There's so many feathers sticking to Mephisto, some drifting to the ground only to get attached to a shoe, some refusing to leave his gloves. Oh this is delightful!

"What'dya mean, I am enjoying this change," he laughs, almost wishing he had hind legs to scratch his feathers like a dog. Hopefully some will land on Sir Pheles fancy furniture.

"Besides, people stare when I'm outside." He had definitely caused a ruckus earlier.

Yes, he's well aware of Lewin's constant desire to press not only his buttons, but those of everyone around him. In a way, it's a trait they share. Other peoples' emotions are always so entertaining~

Speaking of-

"Lewin Light, you revolting creature, you're doing that on purpose!" It's a never-ending battle, trying to pull the feathers away from him when they want to remain stuck. Even the bouquet of successfully removed ones in his hand are swaying towards him from the static pull.

"Shouldn't you be outside enjoying the full use of this change while it lasts?"

Oh neat, direct connection to Mitch! That'll be useful in the future. "Alrighty," he says cheerily, watching Mitch leave. Lewin briefly wonders if he should get involved, but he figures it's probably some teenage drama he wouldn't understand anyways.

This is like...reverse progress. Couple of days??? Seriously???

"Great." He pulls a card from his jacket - each Tech is required to have a personalized one with their contact information - then hands it over to Lewin. "In case you turn up with anything." For now, the next best place he can think of is his dorm room. He doubts Dennis disappeared right when he got home, but, that seems where all roads lead at the moment.