Voice; UN: Deneuve

[onamissile]

Name: M; UN: Deneuve
Date: 3/1/21
Format: [Voice]

[There's a short blip of silence; Mello knows that even his voice can be identified if needed and traced. But he remembers the pain in his chest. The swirling of the delivery truck's mirror, and everything after that, well — ]

[A sharp clearing of his throat. It's so dry.]

I know what I've been told.

[Everything is bullshit until proven otherwise.]

And I know what I'm expected to believe.

[Definitely lies. And for one: he knows he's died. It doesn't take a previous heart attack in his situation to recognize one when it tears at your chest and throat and breath like a visceral assault. Besides, he was always due for one: wasn't he?]

I don't expect honesty from anyone. [And yet here he is: reaching out. Because what else can he do?] But a Witch?

[Or so he's been told. How appropriate. Another pause; another breath.]

Is this Hell?

[He's seen nothing that leads him to believe otherwise. The mirror with the objects and reflections from home. The things that just don't make sense. Maybe someone will honestly reveal that yes, he's earned this. Maybe not.]

Comments

[oftheletter]

I am. [No argument.] And he does not. But he does know you've caused Linden problems in the past.

[Which would make a potential bond with Near all the more questionable, something the naga should be concerned about. But as it stands - he isn't. He isn't concerned because he doesn't care. Because as short as his bond with Mello was, as much as it wrecked him afterward, he wants to have it again.

He misses it. He misses that brief flash of warmth, like a freezing man stretching his fingers out over the dying embers of a fire only to have them fizzle away just as his hands get close.

But he can't say that. Because he's Near. Because he's L. Because emotions come unnaturally to him.

So his expression is as neutral as it typically is, eyes turning downward as though he can't be bothered to deal with Mello's nonsense, because it's easier not to look at him. The fingers twirling in his hair fall free of it, and both make their way into his pockets.]

No goal. It's an offer to save you time. There are plenty of other monsters in this place to choose from.

[But anyone else will be inferior.]

[onamissile]

[So Kira knows something, which is more dangerous than him being an eighteen-year old psychopath with goals who knows nothing at all. Mello takes note of it, nods in response.]

[And Mello? Isn't concerned at all regarding the specifics of this potential Bond. He knows the basics: he will feel what Near feels and as far as he's concerned? Near has always felt nothing at all. The potential power is what lures him; having such an intelligent, ruthless mind on his side is what lures him even further.]

[M has never been one to say no to power. In any form. Even if it ruins him, in the end.]

[When he chuckles, it's unintentional. This is all so absurd.]

You expect me to believe that you're doing me a favor.

[And he knows that to be a lie. His expression shows it, even if Near won't look at him, right now. But fuck if this isn't inherently uncomfortable, even if the two of them are made from the same cloth.]

You know what I think? [Rhetorical.] I think that you're as disturbed as I am by Linden's bond with our enemy. And I think you're lost.

[Almost snarled. Because Mello will always be a vile thing.]

[Besides, Near is correct. Anyone else would be inferior. So Mello takes a deep breath, measures his response accordingly.]

But I'll accept.

[His voice holds a sneer to it. This isn't an arrangement with which Mello is particularly pleased.]

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt — [Lie.] — that such an agreement doesn't end in a situation similar to Linden and Kira's.

[Also known as: this purely business.]

[oftheletter]

If that was to be the case, then which one of us would be Kira?

[Near doesn't have to ask. He already knows. Mello is slotting him in the L position, as would only be fitting. He imagines him to be the one seeking involvement with his rival, taking unnecessary measures. And the worst part is that this isn't entirely inaccurate. Near does want that connection. But as far as he's concerned comparing him to their mentor is laughable.

Despite Mello's volatile nature, he's willing to believe that their bond will still be less problematic than the one between L and Light. They've always been two halves of the same whole. Their goals are similar in the long run.

But the blond's comment about being lost... that hits a little too close to home. Everything else he can take in stride. It's to be expected from the man. He should be able to take this in stride too, except that he can't stand how truthful it feels.

He has a stable job, two bonds (going on three), but no real purpose. That's been taken from him and he isn't sure how to get it back. Find an enemy? Find a puzzle to solve? They know who Kira is. None of them can really kill any of the others and leave any lasting effect. Should he learn more about this world? He has to care about it more first, and in order to do that... he needs a purpose. So the pattern becomes cyclical.

Is that why he wants this bond? Because he believes the connection to someone so driven will awaken a drive in himself? His eyes dart back up to the other man, but without eyelids they can't narrow as much as he'd want. That's for the best.]

We'll set up a time, then.

[He doesn't otherwise appear irritated, but any small attempt at humor he'd aimed for with the first comment is gone now.]

[onamissile]

Don't be an asshole, [Mello immediately snaps. Even in jest, the question is an insult to everything they've ever worked for. Though the question does prickle at his skin; M was always about power wasn't he?]

[And while he doesn't know the details of L and Kira's bond (please, God, let him remain ignorant), he knows that it's shady at worst, inappropriate at best. Why doesn't L just drag the two of them into a room and spit in their faces, directly?]

[N, he understands. N, he knows. But L? No. Nothing about the situation rubs Mello as something acceptable in any manner. But their are more intricate matters at hand; matters that involve his progression in this life after death, and Near is handing it to him on a silver platter.]

I know that I rejected working with you, once.

[Hell, tried to kill Near, even. But that's not important, right now.]

[A pause, a shift, and Mello has suddenly become more grim. What he's agreeing to — ]

I need balance. But you? [And his very expression says t'ch.] I'm always going to wonder about your motivations.

[As will Near, regarding him. At least, he suspects as much.]

I'd like to get this through with as soon as possible.

[There's a ceremony, he knows. He turns his back to the other, preparing to walk away. Even seeing N like this ticks a box that just doesn't belong.]

Tomorrow, then.

[Mello's never been one to accept an argument.]

Unless you have plans with Yagami.

[Oh, is that a bitter bite to his words? Probably.]

[oftheletter]

Tomorrow.

[Near agrees with a nod. He has his other employees to take care of the shop whenever he needs to take some unexpected time off. It really only takes one person to run it most days.

Mello's paranoia is to be expected. It would be more concerning if he agreed without any issue. Part of him is still amused by it, however. Both he and L sometimes give him too much credit when it comes to his motives outside of actual cases.

And often he's content to let them think what they will, so he doesn't argue. It might be easier for his rival to believe he has something devious in mind than for him to know of Near's odd attachment to him.]

If you're going to continue to be unhappy with that particular bond then I'm sure we can find a way to make it work in your favor at some point.

[Planning to have it work in his favor had been the whole reason he'd allowed it in the first place.]

[onamissile]

Yea, [As Mello is walking away. Tomorrow is now and then, something that he's propositioned while not being fully ready for. Knowing some of the things that go along with Bonds, he's not sure he wants N inside of his head.]

[But the case is over. It's all over. He's downright lost and clinging to familiarity, though he'll never admit to it. Mello doesn't glance behind him, doesn't bother to take in Near's expression. It's probably placid, after all.]

[What the hell has he just agreed to? He'll figure it out. He'll keep an eye out. What's important is: M is leaving now. He can't bear to look at his rival in that form, even if it's something he would have wished on the other when Mello was at his worst.]

We kill him. Indirectly.

[Isn't that much obvious?]

Until he gives up.

[Which might never happen. They're dealing with Kira after all. The metal of the warehouse door creeks and churns. So much has happened in so few days.]

See you tomorrow.

[Whatever that involves.]