Near | Nate River (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
solvethepuzzle) wrote2016-06-08 12:45 am
solvethepuzzle) wrote2016-06-08 12:45 am
Hadriel IC Contact
Text | Voice | Video
(Good luck ever getting video from him. But if you want to . . .)
Text | Voice | Video
(Good luck ever getting video from him. But if you want to . . .)
[ After the near miss of her most recent run in with Mello is it any wonder at all that she's calling him. Or well she thinks she is anyway her finger slipped in the address book and hit the name nearby which ironically happens to be the pajama clad boy she saw in Mello's dreams. ]
Okay Mello time for a little repayment for me not talking about your subconscious with the majority of the population. Keep the stuff that thing said to yourself. It was private.
Okay Mello time for a little repayment for me not talking about your subconscious with the majority of the population. Keep the stuff that thing said to yourself. It was private.
[Well. This is clearly a misdirected message. And certainly intriguing. 'That thing'? She's among those with her own personal monster, perhaps?]
That's an interesting conversation starter, Miss Ebihara.
That's an interesting conversation starter, Miss Ebihara.
[ Crap, there's an odd coughing sound as Ai goes from annoyed to nervous in record time. Her silence stretching for a minute before saying anything at all again. ]
Wrong number.
[ Obviously. ]
Just forget I said any of that.
Wrong number.
[ Obviously. ]
Just forget I said any of that.
[It's very, very hard for him to forget things, Ai.]
I'm sure it must be a very unpleasant topic if you wish it to be kept quiet. I assume the two of you ran into some trouble outside?
I'm sure it must be a very unpleasant topic if you wish it to be kept quiet. I assume the two of you ran into some trouble outside?
[ Try harder, it isn't something he needs to worry about it. ]
It's private and it's bad enough he got to hear it. You'd be right.
It's private and it's bad enough he got to hear it. You'd be right.
[He doesn't feel like trying. And why expend the effort to do something he doesn't care about?]
I see. A personal monster? I've heard that some of us have those wandering about. [He has one; he and Mello had encountered it together. But he sees no need to share that.]
I'm willing to pass along your request when I see him next. Though he might not consider it fair game since you spoke to me of his dreams. He was rather upset about that.
I see. A personal monster? I've heard that some of us have those wandering about. [He has one; he and Mello had encountered it together. But he sees no need to share that.]
I'm willing to pass along your request when I see him next. Though he might not consider it fair game since you spoke to me of his dreams. He was rather upset about that.
[ Oh for heavens sake. It really isn't all that important to anyone that isn't her. ]
Something like that. [ She doesn't want to talk about it Near. ]
That would be appreciated. That's for he and I to discuss isn't it? But thank you for the warning.
Something like that. [ She doesn't want to talk about it Near. ]
That would be appreciated. That's for he and I to discuss isn't it? But thank you for the warning.
It's unfortunate I'm so unsuited to going out in a mess like this. It all sounds very interesting. [Yes, this is totally better than outright asking. He's not forgetting, Ai. He just doesn't have a whole lot of investment in learning about you personally. Otherwise, he'd just keep at it.]
So I can assume you both made it out unharmed if you've taken the time to make a phone call demanding his silence. [He's mostly just bored now. Also this is A+ phrasing, what are you talking about.]
So I can assume you both made it out unharmed if you've taken the time to make a phone call demanding his silence. [He's mostly just bored now. Also this is A+ phrasing, what are you talking about.]
I promise it really isn't all that interesting in the slightest. [He might not be asking but beyond her own general discomfort she isn't providing details. Contrary to popular belief she really doesn't have a big mouth when it comes to things that matter.]
That would be a good assumption yes. It isn't demanding it's asking a fair trade. [ Near you're being kind of a jerk.]
That would be a good assumption yes. It isn't demanding it's asking a fair trade. [ Near you're being kind of a jerk.]
[Oh, he's reasonably sure her mouth isn't as big as Mello keeps claiming. After all, he knows exactly how little she'd told him.] I think seeing what forms people's personal monsters take would be very interesting. But safety takes priority. [And he can learn about people in other ways. He's patient like that.]
Ah, good. That would be unpleasant otherwise. As to whether it's a fair trade, that depends on perspective at this point. [Being a jerk is kind of a thing he does. He's not even specifically trying right now.] But that's for the two of you to sort out.
Ah, good. That would be unpleasant otherwise. As to whether it's a fair trade, that depends on perspective at this point. [Being a jerk is kind of a thing he does. He's not even specifically trying right now.] But that's for the two of you to sort out.
[ And yet it's something Mello felt the need to mention at least once. Is it beat into their heads to make assumptions without proof wherever they came from? ] Interesting isn't the word I wouldn't use.
[ She makes a derisive sound like she's either annoyed or surprised that Near actually thinks she isn't aware of how much of it depends on actual discussion with his pompous friend. ] At least we agree on that much.
[ She makes a derisive sound like she's either annoyed or surprised that Near actually thinks she isn't aware of how much of it depends on actual discussion with his pompous friend. ] At least we agree on that much.
[Making assumptions is part of the work. Proof can come later. Near had even told Mello that Ai had in fact said very little, but considering how little they genuinely trust one another, that he doubts the statement isn't unreasonable.] What word would you use?
[They're really not friends, Ai.] Well, I'd hate to complicate things by adding an unnecessary voice to the discussion. [Unless he has something to gain from it, which he doesn't in this case.]
[They're really not friends, Ai.] Well, I'd hate to complicate things by adding an unnecessary voice to the discussion. [Unless he has something to gain from it, which he doesn't in this case.]
Edited 2016-07-05 04:51 (UTC)
That it sucked.
[ Please she's pretty sure that the only way to explain his and Mello's wonky relationship is that they're friends. ] At least you know when to bow out. I get the feeling Mello doesn't stop until he gets the answers he wants.
[ Thank god for small favors in that case. ]
[ Please she's pretty sure that the only way to explain his and Mello's wonky relationship is that they're friends. ] At least you know when to bow out. I get the feeling Mello doesn't stop until he gets the answers he wants.
[ Thank god for small favors in that case. ]
I'm sure it does, for the person the monster seeks the most. [He's not exactly big on the idea of getting possessed by his. So that's why he's in Fear's temple like a sane and rational person.
[Ask either one of them if they're friends, and even under an honesty compulsion, they would both say they're not.] He's very determined. [What favourable phrasing, Near.]
[Ask either one of them if they're friends, and even under an honesty compulsion, they would both say they're not.] He's very determined. [What favourable phrasing, Near.]
[ She's perfectly sane and rational, she just picked a different god's temple that's all. Goodness once that was announced she wasn't about to stay out in the streets. She's not that crazy. ]
[ That may be true, but Near seems to be the only one here that genuinely likes Mello for being Mello. ] That's a nice way of saying he doesn't know when to quit.
[ That may be true, but Near seems to be the only one here that genuinely likes Mello for being Mello. ] That's a nice way of saying he doesn't know when to quit.
Next time you talk to Mello, tell him to stop calling me.
[The call comes much later in the day after Mello's dramatic exit - it's nearly dark, in fact, only the last glimpses of twilight illuminating the city. Mello sounds tired, even hesitant. Everything is different now, and he's uncertain whether this is even a remotely good idea.]
Can you come outside?
[And he pauses for a moment, then decides to add, quietly:]
Please.
Can you come outside?
[And he pauses for a moment, then decides to add, quietly:]
Please.
[He's not surprised that the call turns out to be from Mello; there aren't many that would call him. What surprises him more that it's come so soon. He isn't sure what exactly he would have expected from the tone, so there's at least nothing unexpected from that.
[It has to be too early for Mello to have recovered properly. For him to try and turn this around and manipulate or harm him with it. Doesn't it? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, that this is happening at all at least intrigues him. He should investigate the matter, but keep himself on alert.
[After a moment:] Alright.
[He hangs up after that, goes through all the necessary steps of preparing to go out. Which means putting on the shoes, his coat, and tucking his knife up the coat's sleeve. He does not believe he will need the weapon in regard to Mello; it's just part of leaving the house anymore.
[Quietly, he undoes the security measures, and puts them all back in place once he's out.]
[It has to be too early for Mello to have recovered properly. For him to try and turn this around and manipulate or harm him with it. Doesn't it? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, that this is happening at all at least intrigues him. He should investigate the matter, but keep himself on alert.
[After a moment:] Alright.
[He hangs up after that, goes through all the necessary steps of preparing to go out. Which means putting on the shoes, his coat, and tucking his knife up the coat's sleeve. He does not believe he will need the weapon in regard to Mello; it's just part of leaving the house anymore.
[Quietly, he undoes the security measures, and puts them all back in place once he's out.]
[Part of Mello wonders if this is maybe the biggest mistake he's ever made in his long and varied history of making mistakes. It isn't his habit to return to a place once he's so suddenly and violently left it behind. And he thought he knew Near, just as Near knows him; they've always been too close, despite the wide gulf that separates them. For all that distance, Near is still the one person who knows Mello best, and Mello thought he knew Near well too - he was sure of it.
He doesn't though. The earlier revelation proved that, and if he doesn't know Near as well as he thought, Mello also cannot predict what his actions will be. Mello doesn't know if Near will ignore his call, refuse to meet him, refuse to let him back in - hell, maybe he'll even come out of the front door swinging at him. Anything, he supposes, is possible at this point. Mello just doesn't know.
He's surprised at how relieved he feels when Near both answers his call and agrees to his request.
The wait between when Near hangs up and the front door opens feels like a stretch into infinity. Mello has parked himself on the front steps, his back against the handrail, one knee bent. His gloves are off, and he chews nervously on the nail of his index finger. The hood of his jacket is pulled up over his head - unnecessarily, perhaps, given his location, but it makes him feel better to sit underneath it, as if that piece of fabric can protect him from the disaster he feels has been raining down on him since he started putting the pieces together to make a picture that he should have seen years ago.
Mello doesn't bother looking up when Near walks through the door; he knows the unmistakable cadence of his footsteps well enough by now. He hesitates for a moment before speaking, quashing the impulse to get up and get running before the next wave of disaster can catch up with him. He wraps his arms around himself and takes in a deep breath.]
What do you want from me?
[For once, there's no hostility - it's an honest, uncomplicated question.]
He doesn't though. The earlier revelation proved that, and if he doesn't know Near as well as he thought, Mello also cannot predict what his actions will be. Mello doesn't know if Near will ignore his call, refuse to meet him, refuse to let him back in - hell, maybe he'll even come out of the front door swinging at him. Anything, he supposes, is possible at this point. Mello just doesn't know.
He's surprised at how relieved he feels when Near both answers his call and agrees to his request.
The wait between when Near hangs up and the front door opens feels like a stretch into infinity. Mello has parked himself on the front steps, his back against the handrail, one knee bent. His gloves are off, and he chews nervously on the nail of his index finger. The hood of his jacket is pulled up over his head - unnecessarily, perhaps, given his location, but it makes him feel better to sit underneath it, as if that piece of fabric can protect him from the disaster he feels has been raining down on him since he started putting the pieces together to make a picture that he should have seen years ago.
Mello doesn't bother looking up when Near walks through the door; he knows the unmistakable cadence of his footsteps well enough by now. He hesitates for a moment before speaking, quashing the impulse to get up and get running before the next wave of disaster can catch up with him. He wraps his arms around himself and takes in a deep breath.]
What do you want from me?
[For once, there's no hostility - it's an honest, uncomplicated question.]
[Ignoring the message or delaying -- but not denying -- the meeting had occurred to him. This is an entirely new situation and he's not at all sure that he's worked out how to handle it yet. He could have waited until he'd had more time to think. But here he is.
[Near's collar is about as necessary as Mello's hood at this point in time. No one -- save for their mystery visitor a few weeks ago -- knows they live here. Keeping their faces hidden while on the stoop of their own house is probably ridiculous. But taking precautions is deeply ingrained. Once one leaves the shelter of four walls, steps must be taken to preserve safety.
[He's never seen Mello curl up like that. Whether it's an act, a new habit or simply one Mello hadn't dared show him before, he can't be sure. Regardless, it's an obvious expression of vulnerability, pulling himself inward to protect himself. It isn't out of any sense of fairness or reciprocity that Near crouches on the porch while Mello gathers himself. He just feels like it, left leg tucked to his chest as has been his habit almost since he can remember.
[That the question comes out with no hostility is remarkable; it's the kind of thing that Mello would normally scoff or hiss in his direction, less a question than a demand. And it's anything but uncomplicated. They're raised to be dishonest creatures, to hold no stock in personal bonds. Make allies, not friends. Replying to this would be easier if Mello had continued to be ignorant of the fact that there is a personal factor involved for Near.
[But he isn't anymore. And that's why it's being asked in the first place. What does he want? And does he dare say so?
[In his normal tone, no defensive hint in his voice:] What is it you think I want? [No, it's not an answer. He can't be certain this isn't a trap of some kind, or if Mello won't use this later even if it isn't. Mello has ample motive for wanting to use the truth against him and Near would be an idiot not to consider the possibility. He'd deliberately let his guard down this morning. Now, it's back up.]
[Near's collar is about as necessary as Mello's hood at this point in time. No one -- save for their mystery visitor a few weeks ago -- knows they live here. Keeping their faces hidden while on the stoop of their own house is probably ridiculous. But taking precautions is deeply ingrained. Once one leaves the shelter of four walls, steps must be taken to preserve safety.
[He's never seen Mello curl up like that. Whether it's an act, a new habit or simply one Mello hadn't dared show him before, he can't be sure. Regardless, it's an obvious expression of vulnerability, pulling himself inward to protect himself. It isn't out of any sense of fairness or reciprocity that Near crouches on the porch while Mello gathers himself. He just feels like it, left leg tucked to his chest as has been his habit almost since he can remember.
[That the question comes out with no hostility is remarkable; it's the kind of thing that Mello would normally scoff or hiss in his direction, less a question than a demand. And it's anything but uncomplicated. They're raised to be dishonest creatures, to hold no stock in personal bonds. Make allies, not friends. Replying to this would be easier if Mello had continued to be ignorant of the fact that there is a personal factor involved for Near.
[But he isn't anymore. And that's why it's being asked in the first place. What does he want? And does he dare say so?
[In his normal tone, no defensive hint in his voice:] What is it you think I want? [No, it's not an answer. He can't be certain this isn't a trap of some kind, or if Mello won't use this later even if it isn't. Mello has ample motive for wanting to use the truth against him and Near would be an idiot not to consider the possibility. He'd deliberately let his guard down this morning. Now, it's back up.]
[Mello isn't, for once, thinking of how to use this situation to his advantage - at the current moment, he is only concerned with uncovering answers. Evasiveness is a way of life for them, so it's not really a surprise that Near chooses to answer with another question. Mello laughs very quietly, a weak, despairing sound, the sound of someone who has come face to face with the absurd and in his overwhelm has no other response at his disposal.]
Don't you think that if I had even the slightest clue, I wouldn't be sitting here asking you that?
[He sighs deeply, dropping his head forward into his hand. The all-too-familiar headache that seems to spring up behind his eyes when dealing with Near is back again.]
Why tell me this? Why now? It isn't a new development.
[He doesn't phrase it as a question, because he has seen those clues - the photograph, for example. He'd considered that maybe Near had developed feelings - a feeling, at the very least - in light of his death back on their home world, but if that were true, the photograph was a piece of evidence that didn't fit the pattern. So he'd discarded the idea, concluding instead that this had been true for some time, that Near had thought more highly of him than Mello had ever guessed - probably at least as far back as Near's own departure from the House, or else he wouldn't have taken the effort to collect Mello's photograph. Maybe for as long as they've known each other.]
I don't understand what it is that you want me to do with this information.
Don't you think that if I had even the slightest clue, I wouldn't be sitting here asking you that?
[He sighs deeply, dropping his head forward into his hand. The all-too-familiar headache that seems to spring up behind his eyes when dealing with Near is back again.]
Why tell me this? Why now? It isn't a new development.
[He doesn't phrase it as a question, because he has seen those clues - the photograph, for example. He'd considered that maybe Near had developed feelings - a feeling, at the very least - in light of his death back on their home world, but if that were true, the photograph was a piece of evidence that didn't fit the pattern. So he'd discarded the idea, concluding instead that this had been true for some time, that Near had thought more highly of him than Mello had ever guessed - probably at least as far back as Near's own departure from the House, or else he wouldn't have taken the effort to collect Mello's photograph. Maybe for as long as they've known each other.]
I don't understand what it is that you want me to do with this information.
[They've both been taught how to read people, how to use them, and regard it as acceptable behaviour if it advances the goal. Anyone halfway intelligent -- and therefore, even the lesser Wammy's children -- should not have missed that they need to be wary of it happening from any of the others. It had been a competition with a clear goal. Out of the dozens of children, only one could be chosen to succeed L. Schoolmates were more often than not opponents, using their learned tactics to defeat rivals. At the lower ranks, with no real chance, the stakes had been lower, perhaps.
[But Mello and Near had been singled out by L himself, cream of the genius crop. If one could take the other down, they could win the most important game of them all. And perpetually second-place Mello? Of course he would do whatever he could. And if he gets ahold of the right information, Mello is very dangerous.
[It is, perhaps ironically, one of the reasons that Near likes him.
[Whether or not Mello still wants to win almost doesn't matter. Near is hardly ignorant of all the pain and frustration he's caused his rival over the years while seeming impervious to reciprocation. Is it so unnatural to believe that, given the chance, Mello would take advantage of a revealed weakness to finally hurt him back?]
You could have been seeking confirmation of a theory.
[He winds a finger into his hair, doesn't bother to comment on the statement that his sentiment isn't a new development. It's correct and they both know it; there is no need to restate the obvious. What he does need to think about is how to respond to all of this.
[Does he say why? Does he tell Mello that he can do whatever he wishes with the information? Which answer is going to settle them into something more stable? So often, if he expresses a wish or an opinion, Mello takes the opposing side just to be contrary. At the same time, the whole air of this conversation is different than any other they've had in their lives.
[And perhaps, Near doesn't want to have to waste time repeatedly talking Mello down from ledges.] You've developed a pattern of regarding your life too lightly as of late.
[The words could be taken clinically. They're certainly stated that way. But given all other recent clues, he thinks Mello might catch on to their real meaning.]
[But Mello and Near had been singled out by L himself, cream of the genius crop. If one could take the other down, they could win the most important game of them all. And perpetually second-place Mello? Of course he would do whatever he could. And if he gets ahold of the right information, Mello is very dangerous.
[It is, perhaps ironically, one of the reasons that Near likes him.
[Whether or not Mello still wants to win almost doesn't matter. Near is hardly ignorant of all the pain and frustration he's caused his rival over the years while seeming impervious to reciprocation. Is it so unnatural to believe that, given the chance, Mello would take advantage of a revealed weakness to finally hurt him back?]
You could have been seeking confirmation of a theory.
[He winds a finger into his hair, doesn't bother to comment on the statement that his sentiment isn't a new development. It's correct and they both know it; there is no need to restate the obvious. What he does need to think about is how to respond to all of this.
[Does he say why? Does he tell Mello that he can do whatever he wishes with the information? Which answer is going to settle them into something more stable? So often, if he expresses a wish or an opinion, Mello takes the opposing side just to be contrary. At the same time, the whole air of this conversation is different than any other they've had in their lives.
[And perhaps, Near doesn't want to have to waste time repeatedly talking Mello down from ledges.] You've developed a pattern of regarding your life too lightly as of late.
[The words could be taken clinically. They're certainly stated that way. But given all other recent clues, he thinks Mello might catch on to their real meaning.]
[Near is right to be wary of what Mello may do with this information - he has, in the past, taken targeted action against him with the intent to harm. When Mello finally got his hands on the Death Note, he chose to have it tested by taking out most of the SPK - an effective test, and one that subtracted some of Near's resources in a way Mello hadn't been able to touch before. Maybe if Mello were still trying to win the race in reaching Kira first - if he thought he could still win - he would use what he's learned as a weapon against Near. But he isn't, and he doesn't; all Mello can think of now is how to reorder his world now that it has so thoroughly come crashing down around his ears. He chews on his fingernail for a moment as he takes in Near's answer and considers what they mean.]
How lately are we talking about, Near - Sharon? Bianca? Or before that?
[The fact that Near doesn't see eye to eye with Mello as far as methods are concerned isn't news. But the fact that he might actually care about the fact that Mello's methods are destructive is.]
How lately are we talking about, Near - Sharon? Bianca? Or before that?
[The fact that Near doesn't see eye to eye with Mello as far as methods are concerned isn't news. But the fact that he might actually care about the fact that Mello's methods are destructive is.]
[And if Near had been the petty, vengeful sort, Mello's testing of the Death Note could very easily have been a fatal misstep. Near had been on the line with the Japanese Task Force at that moment, still had Mello's photograph. While he hadn't quite settled on the fake L himself being Kira just yet, he'd at least known that whatever information he gave the task force would reach him. He could have sent them a copy of the photo, and Mello may well have wound up dead in the later raid on his hideout. Kira would have had all he needed, and an easy way for Mello's death to be explained. It could have been all neat and tidy for everyone.
[The loss of resources had been bothersome, but taking Mello out of the game would have been a bad strategic move, even subtracting the more sentimental reasoning.]
Your most recent statements appear to indicate that you don't believe it matters whether you live or die. [It's not quite an answer. Before he'd gotten ahold of Mello's final document at home, he wouldn't have thought Mello would plan to die. Risk or even resign himself to injury, yes. Not die. That was too much like quitting.]
[The loss of resources had been bothersome, but taking Mello out of the game would have been a bad strategic move, even subtracting the more sentimental reasoning.]
Your most recent statements appear to indicate that you don't believe it matters whether you live or die. [It's not quite an answer. Before he'd gotten ahold of Mello's final document at home, he wouldn't have thought Mello would plan to die. Risk or even resign himself to injury, yes. Not die. That was too much like quitting.]
That's what you think?
[Mello's hand drops to the rosary he wears around his neck, fingers folding tightly around the beads. He shakes his head.]
You're wrong.
[It very much matters whether he lives or dies. The difference is that Mello believes that what's important is that he dies - specifically, as a way of keeping Near alive and in the game. There's a difference between simply giving up and making a calculated sacrifice.]
[Mello's hand drops to the rosary he wears around his neck, fingers folding tightly around the beads. He shakes his head.]
You're wrong.
[It very much matters whether he lives or dies. The difference is that Mello believes that what's important is that he dies - specifically, as a way of keeping Near alive and in the game. There's a difference between simply giving up and making a calculated sacrifice.]
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