damned_institute | Day 34: Lunch

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Day 34: Lunch

Yuffie bounced all the way through collecting her lunch, all the way to a good seat- one with a nice view of the whole cafeteria, which was something she'd been missing out on during the past day or so that she'd been stuck in the Institute- and hell, she even bounced into her seat.

A good mood? No, really?

Despite the occasional blip, talking to Sagara had been awesome. He was a fun guy; he wasn't a prude, didn't have a stick shoved so far up his ass it was poking out his eyeballs, and he'd actually had a conversation with her. One that hadn't revolved around doom, gloom or how much life sucked. If she could find other people like that and keep in touch with Sagara, maybe there was a little hope for this place.

After a quick gulp of pink lemonade, Yuffie settled to munching through her food and keeping an eye on the door.

[Waiting for Dean, I think? :x]

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Artemis noticing L's stare bothered Near, but only for his own slip. He shouldn't allow the connection between himself and the detective to be made so easily. Certainly not if the Light Artemis had mentioned was Kira, and regardless, not to random strangers. But there was little he could do about it, so Near continued to try and ignore it, focusing on the conversation at hand.

He'd gotten much more information than he counted on, from Artemis and from Mello. Even before the boy had answered, Mello's reply was a clear indication that not only did this seem to be the case, but that it was an issue with Artemis, one the elder enjoyed holding over his head. And with good reason, given Artemis's reaction.

"Saying such things won't dissuade him.". Near had turned his eyes when Artemis tried to meet his gaze, letting him see only whites. "Clearly it is a weakness for you. He will continue to take advantage of it so long as it gives him power over you." Including by attempting to feed Near information. He had indeed heard Mello's words, but he was one who enjoyed beong manipulated just as much as his rival did. So the words were ignored, along with Matt's wave. There was no need to acknowledge what they all already knew.

Aretmis's speech was rather impassioned, making Near curious. "If you truly feel so strongly, then the matter shouldn't bother you." He used both hands now, leaning carrots against one another to form a peak for his tower. "What does it change if you are in fact fictional to this Reid Garwin? You are, as you said, still yourself. Perhaps if you believed it, Mello would be forced to drop the issue simply because it failed to work. It's likely the only way he will stop, in fact. And even that isn't certain."

Of all people, Near should know.

"It would be much more practical to change yourself instead."

Artemis gave another short laugh, "Believe me, I know that nothing short of an army would dissuade him. However, this will not discourage me from expressing my displeasure at him. That way," The boy leaned in and dropped his voice. It was mostly for theatrics, because he knew Mello could probably read his lips. "When he finds himself on the other end of the entire Arts and Crafts division and a few of my other personal business contacts, he will realize that I was being charitable."

He shook his head lightly. "Most likely, I am suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Everything, since the first day I have been here, has been amplifying my feelings of confusion and distress. The thought that perhaps I am only as smart as I am because someone has written me to be that way...

"No," He shook his head more firmly this time. "That isn't possible. If anything, I should be demanding royalties for this book. It is turning my personal struggles and pain into entertainment. I am highly offended to the point of distraction."

He didn't know if that was actually true or not, but it did disgust him that people in the institute would run around telling people they came from books, movies, or other forms of entertainment. Purely because someone's struggles were personal--entertainment when looked at from a third-person, outsider perspective. But when faced with the subject of said struggle, it was insensitive to claim that their personal pain was entertaining. In that sense, yes, it disgusted him, and he dearly hoped that it would stop soon.

"Trying to change Mello would be fruitless, I know. I must come to terms with this on my own. It did just happen only three days ago. I must be allowed time to process this adequately."

"You're underestimating Mello's stubbornness." Near knew better than to think even an entire army would put Mello off from his goals. His sheer stubbornness and determination had no match, a trait that had doled out equal amounts of harm and help throughout his life. Likely including his own death, Near supposed. Or so Mello might consider it. Near, however, felt differently.

But that was an issue for another time.

"You're also wrong to assume that it isn't possible." Near spoke the words dryly, considering the grand issue of Artemis's life, and in fact his own, with seemingly the same weight he considered his carrot stick tower. The first part complete, Near's left hand went to work on the second, his right again curling a clump of his hair. "You could be fictional in some world. Just as much as Mello or I could. But as you said before, fictional or not, it changes nothing about your life. Even if someone said I was fictional, I wouldn't become a different person. So really, I don't see why you're having such a hard time dealing with it."

Near had never been the sensitive type. Someone's pain was almost always entertainment for someone else. It was just unfortunate in Artemis's case that it was more wide-spread. But the fact that it did bother him so was fuel for Mello's fire, and until the boy countered that, he only had himself to blame for the continued anguish.

And besides, three days was a long time to deal with something of that nature. Or so it was to Near.

More importantly was what Artemis had said before, concerning his apparent resources. Near of course noticed the drop in volume, indicating that Artemis wished to hide his connections from Mello. That suited Near's purposes well enough, as the simple statement answered questions that he'd had from his bulletin reading. That Artemis was in such high regard with one of the clubs (even accounting for the ego the boy had shown) indicated that they valued a person with his particular skills. And while he looked neither so thin nor so pale, Near doubted that Artemis was a particularly gifted physical combatant. So of the three groups, Arts and Crafts might well be the best one to pursue, in an attempt to make connections of his own.

"We've moved pretty far from our earlier topic." Near hadn't forgotten the talk of transcripts, nor his desire to have them. "Do you still need further proof that my conclusions are worth having? I can speculate on a topic of your choosing, if you'd like, but you might not like what I have to say about it."

He hadn't liked what Near said about the similarities between Artemis and Mello, after all. But then again, he also seemed particularly talented at rationalizing away what he didn't like. Also a trait of Mello.

Artemis looked at Near as though he wanted to reach across the table and remove a carrot stick just for the evil desire to see Near's reaction. But he quashed the desire, albeit with some difficulty, and looked directly at Near. Artemis had picked up on the fact that the young man didn't particularly care to look into someone's eyes while talking--a preference that drove Artemis crazy. It was, in his mind, rude and disrespectful. The least someone could do was look at him while he spoke.

He let the topic of his own personal struggles go. Artemis felt that if he continued to discuss this with Near, he would actually need therapy. Haku... where was Haku when Artemis needed him?

"Although you compare me to Mello, you certainly are as egotistical as he is. But, then again, those in glass houses should not throw stones." He flashed a small smirk. "No, N, I am not at all convinced that I have need of your conclusions. So far all you have offered me is insight into my personal life--something that any psychologist could discern with great ease--and compared me to Mello. I'm sorry to say that I remain unimpressed." He tilted his head a little. "Though your attention to detail is rather intriguing,I must say."

Oh that look. Near had seen it countless times, when Mello struggled with his inner urges. He grinned lightly, then pointed to a few spots in the tower. "Here, here. Or here." The weakest points in the structure, the sticks that if removed, would cause the most spillage. Artemis didn't seem to realize that Near simply didn't upset easily, but he likely would in time.

Or perhaps not.

"I never said I wasn't egotistical." And that was all Near offered in calms reply. At the claims of 'all Near had offered', however, he sighed softly. "And while Mello's ego is often irrational, it's not entirely unfounded. For example, thanks in part to his paranoia, but also to his wits and understanding," Near snapped a carrot stick in two. "Mello can usually tell when he is being led along."

"That is one difference between you two, it would seem."

Artemis thought too much of his own opinion, and that was keeping him from realizing that it was not the be all end all. If he had been more aware, he would have had 'Ryuuzaki' and Yagami Light analyze the transcripts already, and share their conclusions with him. Failing to recognize the skill of both men was a failing on the boy's part.

"You've noted my attention to detail, but you still think that I fell for your bluff earlier. Though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, considering that you assumed I fell for it when I pointed out your earlier error. Moreover, you're also assuming that what I've said is all I can say about you. Though I'd be interested in meeting the psychologists able to discern specifically that you are contesting the idea of being a fictional character without being told."

Near felt a twinge in his fingertips then, and took hold of one of the three sticks he'd pointed out earlier. "In reality, you should be thankful for my discretion. Mello is listening to everything we say, and has been from the start. If I wanted, I could give him more fuel to add to his fire by exposing more of your weaknesses." Though Mello likely wouldn't use the information given to him, if it came directly from Near, there were certain circumstances where it could be arranged. "But that wouldn't serve my purposes. Not at this point."

More importantly was the fact that it simply wasn't interesting. Certainly not enough to warrant Near doubling the amount of time he spent dealing with this particular personality type. Artemis may have been insulted that his specific personal struggles were the topic of amusement for others, but the simple truth was that the boy wasn't really complicated.

"Regardless, as of tonight I'll be able to keep track of the posts for myself. It might have been easier with the previously recorded information, but this will not be the first time I've had to start from zero on such an enterprise." The statement wasn't entirely true, of course, nor not entirely false. While the information available at the start of the Kira case was limited at best, Near had, in that situations, his reputation as L's heir, and the resources left to him by L. Here, he had much less than that, forcing him to take a hands-on approach. Something he wasn't nearly so good at as Mello, but a fact that Artemis didn't need to know.

After his words, Near released the carrot without pulling it. It wasn't worth the effort, in the end, to rebuild the tower in a different fashion, with different strengths and weaknesses. This would suffice, regardless of the result, and the teen went back to work constructing the second building.

Artemis tilted his head slightly and listened to Near. If the young man was banking on Artemis expressing dismay at being compared to Mello again, he would be sadly disappointed. Artemis Fowl never repeated himself unless he felt it was absolutely necessary. Near was smart enough to recognize that Artemis was displeased at being compared to Mello, he didn't have to say it again.

So instead, he smiled, and marveled at how alike this 'N' was to Ryuuzaki. Artemis had felt the same way when matching wits with the older man, and the pattern of thought was almost identical. Yes, there was more than just passing coincidence to that look Ryuuzaki had given Near. Well, Artemis could work with this. He'd done it before, he could do it again.

"I don't see how that concerns me, N. If you are able to draw conclusions from scratch tonight, I wonder why you sought out my information in the first place. Most people do not meet with me unless they desire something I have and have something of equal worth to trade for it.

"I may 'not be able to realize when I am being led along', but I think, N, that you are rather stubborn and must have things your way. I am the same. However, I am afraid that in this situation I hold the upper hand. I have what you desire, and thus you are not in a position to make demands. I am willing to compromise, of course, but you continue to offer the same thing--which I have repeatedly refused to accept.

"But, that shouldn't be a problem for you, if you don't desire to compromise," Artemis said, taking another sip of water. "After all, you can start from zero on this enterprise as well. Or you could receive the transcripts from Ryuuzaki. Once he pays me for them, of course."

Near hadn't been banking on anything. The comparisions to Mello were only made because they were true, regardless of how Artemis felt about them. Near saw the similarity, and he'd never been one to hide the truth in cases where it wasn't best hidden; Artemis's feelings simply didn't warrant that. Besides, the transcripts only had so much value to Near, and he was only willing to offer so much for them. "I did say it would be easier to have them. But as you've realized, I'm new here. There's only so much I have to work with."

The matter was as simple as that. Near had to budget his resources, and not waste anything if he were to end up successful in the end.

"You have refused it, several times." Near shrugged, then impishly grinned at Artemis, though he still didn't look at him. "Ultimately, that is your loss. Though Mello will be quite pleased that we apparently won't work together."

Ah, and then a jab in return. It was only to be expected, given how Near had dug into the surface of Artemis's personality, and his earlier slip. But if he expected Near to be so simply pried into, or somehow severely effected by the words, it was Artemis's turn to be disappointed. "I have no intention of asking Ryuuzaki for the transcripts." Bargaining them away from Artemis was one thing, but asking L for that help would be far closer to failure than Near would accept. Of the three, Near was clearly at the greatest disadvantage here, and while he was willing enough to accept that truth, Near shared the determination to win, even without the willingness to go to such lengths as the others.

Besides, L had no reason to help either of his heirs; they had ultimately succeeded where he had failed in the Kira case. The possibility of L knowing this was high: the latest point L could be drawn from was his death, meaning at best he had not solved the Kira case, and at worst knew of his own failure. If he had been drawn from death, it would have been after Kira's moment of victory, one that he no doubt take the opportunity to gloat over, possibly revealing himself to L in the process. Then the final factor, that L was as determined as the rest to win at all costs; Near found it unlikely that he would be so cooperative when he looked at the picture as a whole. Certainly not without demanding a greater price than Artemis was.

No. Getting the transcripts from Yagami Light was out of the question. From Artemis or this Mr. Nails (who seemed willing to see anything for cigarettes) would be the preferable route. L at best remained a distant possibility, should it only become clear that there was both no other way, and that those early transcripts were somehow vital to solving the dilemma.

"What price did you ask of Ryuuzaki?" Regardless, the fact that Ryuuzaki wanted the transcripts, and did not have them yet, was still valuable information on its own. The question was a safe enough one; Artemis could only tell L what Near had asked and said. L, in turn, could speculate that Near saw him as competition, and that he desired to move about this investigation in his own way. Both of these assumptions would be correct, and at the same time likely do no vital harm to Near's investigation. Provided of course, L didn't try to hamper the progress he might make.

The persistent stare was enough of an alert to the possibility. But if that happened, Near would simply deal with it then. There was no other choice, in the end.

Artemis' grin twitched up a little. Near followed the bait of Ryuuzaki, so perhaps he wasn't the only one who could be 'led along'. Ryuuzaki had recognized that Artemis had played him and Light against one another, but Near obviously needed those transcripts from another source. Otherwise the deal would have ended right there. Near would have gotten up and waited for Artemis to give up the transcripts to Ryuuzaki.

"Ryuuzaki? We agreed that he would give me ten packets of Earl Grey tea. My nurse does not allow me this, because I am supposed to be a normal fourteen-year-old. As you can see, I am denied many of the things that I am used to because of my age. Thus I use my talents to barter for objects I cannot obtain on my own. It's a fair enough system, I think. Obviously you don't feel the same way, N."

Artemis pushed aside his tray. "But, as I stated before, I am willing to compromise. Is there something you would be willing to give me in conjunction with your regular observations? Perhaps... what N truly stands for?" The boy smiled.

Ten packets of tea. That confirmed for Near that they were in fact not in England, where such a thing would be considered standard for any teenager or child. But tea wouldn't be denied for L, whose penchant hadn't been for the drink, but the sugar that went in it. There were several possibilities then, to explain why L hadn't yet received the transcripts. He perhaps hadn't been here long enough to receive ten tea bags from the nurses, who might very well limit what the patients were allowed to receive, or...

L didn't see value in the transcripts.

"Your system is fair, for people who choose to use it. And I did say I would ask for that cd and player if you would ask for toys for me. A finger puppet kit, perhaps. Or block men." Such things would be very useful to Near. But if Artemis's condition was any indication, he likely wouldn't be able to get them on his own. Normal eighteen year olds, to his understanding, didn't play with toys as he did. That of course was perfectly acceptable in normal cases, as it meant Commander Rester wasn't trying to touch his things.

In this, however, it was not at all a pleasant coincidence in this situation.

And then Artemis asked for more, all the while not knowing what he was asking for. So Near suspected, at any rate. He considered it in silence, thinking over the consequences and the possibilities. Of course he could lie and make up a false name, but that was easily enough exposed. There was greater risk in revealing the alias he went by. Kira was present, and though there was no way to know what time he had been pulled from, Near was certain that Mikami would have been informed of the names he and Mello went by. There was of course, a high chance that none of them had access to the Death Note here, and an equally good chance that Near had been separated from his time, and a death here would not affect the progress of the Kira investigation and conclusion in his own world. But Near had no desire to put that theory to the test, as he did not wish to die just yet. Additionally, there was the possibility that he had not been removed in a way that allowed time to continue, but that on his return he would be in the same exact moment when he left. If this was the case, then the same could be said for Yagami Light and Mikami Teru. Those two realizing that he was Near, particularly with Mikami's shinigami eyes, was too dangerous a risk to take.

He wouldn't lose the Kira case simply because of this detour.

There was another name, however. One that could not be verified or denied by anyone without an ability such as the shinigami eyes. Near was the only one who knew it; not even Mello, Matt, or L knew what the N truly stood for.

"My first name will have to suffice." There was no way of preventing L-Kira or X-Kira from knowing it, since there seemed to be no way to hide his face. In that way, revealing this truth was safer that exposing his identity as Near. "Nate."

Artemis nodded. "Nate..." He smiled, genuinely. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

The boy opened up his notebook and proffered ten sheets of paper, detailing all intercom broadcasts and radio transmissions during the night. "If you have any ideas concerning the announcements, I would be happy to hear them and relay my own."

His eyes slid to the side, as though to look back at Mello. But the boy didn't move.

"I'll ask about the toys. I am, after all, Sean Malloy, fourteen-year-old soccer enthusiast. It shouldn't be hard to receive a few toys. Block men, you said?" He smiled happily. Artemis liked this game. Very much.

"Yes." Artemis didn't press for a last name, nor for the reason Near wouldn't give his last name, and Near wasn't going to point out the error. In some ways, it worked to his advantage; N and Near were both names he'd gone by in his own world, but Nate was virtually unknown as his true name. And in the end, Near had lost attachment to it the day he entered Wammy's House. From that moment, he was Near, and shortly after, the number one contender to be the heir to L. So it was a good name, for the time being.

Near took the papers Artemis offered, reading over them quickly, though unlike most people, he held them high, not bending his head to look at them, and from the top of the pages. Since Artemis had said nothing about needing them back, he assumed they were his own to keep. In reality, however, Near would only need them for this initial reading, as after this point, he would have them memorized.

Hard copies were still good things, however. They made wonderful evidence. For example, they proved beyond doubt that Near and Artemis had reached an agreement. Even if Mello could deny Near giving a name having that effect, he couldn't deny what his own eyes saw. Nor could the elder hide his eventual curiosity, based not on the information, but simply that Near had it and he didn't. Unfortunately for Mello, the angle would prevent him from seeing what was written on the sheets.

Such a little thing as that much consent, and Near noted the drastic improvement in Artemis's mood. Regardless, Near simply nodded, confirming his choice of toys. "Block men will do nicely. A marker would also be good, but you shouldn't press too hard. A fourteen-year-old asking for them probably isn't much better than an eighteen-year-old."

"It won't be a problem," Artemis said, waving the concern away, and strangely not showing any surprise at Near's age. How could he, after all? Given who he was? "My nurse, while she says I am fourteen, treats me as though I am a toddler. She'll be thrilled if I ask for something 'pertaining to my own age group'." The boy rolled his eyes. Really, if he managed to pull this off without any further convincing, he would have to write a letter to Martin Landel about the competency of his staff.

"So, as you needed to use a code name when we first began speaking, am I to assume that 'Nate' is not safe to use on the bulletin board? Or may I contact you that way?" Seeing as Near hadn't given his name from the get-go, Artemis knew that getting anything past what Near was willing to give first would prove problematic. Besides, the fact that Near was eighteen and yet gave a fourteen year old his first name allowed Artemis to refer to Near as an equal. After all, 'Mr. Nate' sounded so primary school.

"I sign all of my messages with my initials, so you'll know if it's me or not. Unless someone cares to copy my handwriting."

Matt's joining of a group was somewhat predictable. Mello had done the same with the mafia in their own world, and perhaps he was trying again. Then was it a matter of getting power? To have sway over the patients, and no doubt at an opportune time, since it seemed from their postings that leadership was changing hands. It would make sense, simply because Mello was the type of person who saw no one better suited for any role of ultimate leadership than himself. It fit the elder to attempt something of this nature, and Near would no doubt have to keep an eye on the other's progress.

The question of names was a concerning one, but Near only needed a moment to answer. "Nate would be best. Of course Mello will now know that this is how we will contact each other, so we should both be wary of forgeries. He is quite likely to interfere in such a way." Except now that Near had said it, the chances dramatically decreased, and for the better. It would be the simplest means of communication, and the less interference, the better.

Moreover, it solved the problem of hiding his real name from X-Kira. Since he couldn't hide his face, he would simply have to hide for as long as possible that he was Near. At least until he could confirm that they did not have possession of the Death Note in this facility, and also that Kira and X-Kira would retain none of their memories if and when they returned to their own world. To lose in such a fashion would be disgraceful, and unacceptable, especially when Near considered all who had already died.

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Day 34: Lunch

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