Mello's glare was an unmistakable sign that, as usual, the elder had made Near's statement more about himself than it actually was. Of course, it would work to his benefit, as Mello would view Near's involvement as some sort of competition. And though he would create a reason for his rival's actions and wish to refuse it based on the assumption that Near was leading him somehow, Mello would act with greater precision regardless. The situation was not one either could ignore or back away from; the consequences were far too severe for that.
And speaking of the devil in their veiled talk--the subject of the conversation appeared, distinctive even with the visual impediments inherit to their surroundings. Near noted where L went, as always doing so on the edges of his vision, his eyes seemingly focused on a safe emptiness at a far off angle. No one joined the famous detective, at least not for the present, yet the proximity made L's purpose clear enough.
Near had no doubt that given what had transpired over the past day, L had a higher interest in his heirs' movements. He would be listening to them, attempting to determine from their choice of words what their next actions would be, if not with Kira, then with him. Additionally, L should have realized even without a direct look that both heirs would be aware of just what he was doing. And that meant L, by his presence and his placement, had in a sense issued a silent challenge to his successors.
What message would he convey, then? Unlike the broken man who shrugged off his responsibilities, Near also had the additional concern of what Kira or X-Kira would overhear and discern. What he said next could not deviate from the conversation he was having with Mello, lest it stand out to those who might have been listening from the start. Yet at the same time, it had to be carefully worded to communicate only what he wanted L to hear.
Near might have enjoyed this puzzle more if the circumstances that created it had been different.
"I agree." And that was the message L would hear from Near. Mello had definitely decided to act, and given his personality, had likely communicated as much to L. Even if he wouldn't be able to follow through with it, Mello might even have gone so far as to threaten L's life, should the detective do something so foolish as to endanger the results of the Kira case. Near, of course, wouldn't do something of that nature. The taking of life was something he ultimately disagreed with, to such an extent that it nearly had given the ultimate victory to Kira. But that didn't mean he would let L wreck that acheivement. Near shouldered the burden of completing the task, seeing the road to its end now that he alone was left. "It's frustrating when people don't think about the consequences of their actions. And regardless of how unfortunate it is, those people will have to be dealt with, if there's going to be any real chance of saving everyone else."
If L was no longer suited to be L, then Near too would do what was necessary; he would take hold of the title of L.
no subject
And speaking of the devil in their veiled talk--the subject of the conversation appeared, distinctive even with the visual impediments inherit to their surroundings. Near noted where L went, as always doing so on the edges of his vision, his eyes seemingly focused on a safe emptiness at a far off angle. No one joined the famous detective, at least not for the present, yet the proximity made L's purpose clear enough.
Near had no doubt that given what had transpired over the past day, L had a higher interest in his heirs' movements. He would be listening to them, attempting to determine from their choice of words what their next actions would be, if not with Kira, then with him. Additionally, L should have realized even without a direct look that both heirs would be aware of just what he was doing. And that meant L, by his presence and his placement, had in a sense issued a silent challenge to his successors.
What message would he convey, then? Unlike the broken man who shrugged off his responsibilities, Near also had the additional concern of what Kira or X-Kira would overhear and discern. What he said next could not deviate from the conversation he was having with Mello, lest it stand out to those who might have been listening from the start. Yet at the same time, it had to be carefully worded to communicate only what he wanted L to hear.
Near might have enjoyed this puzzle more if the circumstances that created it had been different.
"I agree." And that was the message L would hear from Near. Mello had definitely decided to act, and given his personality, had likely communicated as much to L. Even if he wouldn't be able to follow through with it, Mello might even have gone so far as to threaten L's life, should the detective do something so foolish as to endanger the results of the Kira case. Near, of course, wouldn't do something of that nature. The taking of life was something he ultimately disagreed with, to such an extent that it nearly had given the ultimate victory to Kira. But that didn't mean he would let L wreck that acheivement. Near shouldered the burden of completing the task, seeing the road to its end now that he alone was left. "It's frustrating when people don't think about the consequences of their actions. And regardless of how unfortunate it is, those people will have to be dealt with, if there's going to be any real chance of saving everyone else."
If L was no longer suited to be L, then Near too would do what was necessary; he would take hold of the title of L.