ic inbox (aefenglom)

[blankpieces]

[Near's username is "dagwood" to go along with his alias. All personal messages can be left here. Action threads are also fine.]

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Please leave.

[Near says this sharply after a pause, finally removing the hand from his hair so that he can get to his feet. He's had enough of being preached to.]

I appreciate you coming over but you can go now.

[It isn't a lie to say that he appreciated it, nor will he completely ignore everything L has suggested. But he can only stand to look at the man for so long, especially when it feels as though he's being chastised.

That's the only thing anyone at the orphanage ever got onto him for - not being able to make friends. And even then it wasn't important enough to warrant more than a couple words on the matter.]

[hearthebell]

[There's some ambiguity to the wisdom of leaving now. Having struck a nerve, it's either time to double down or back off, with little room for compromise between the two options... and playing it safe might be, at least for the time while their rapport is still in its relative infancy, the wiser option.]

If that's truly what you want.

[Maybe it isn't, but if that's the case, Near will be left to reflect on the way he won, in the sense that L did what he was told, but was left alone with his abused likeness of Mello as a result, just as friendless as before. Not really a net gain, in the end. He moves toward the door, glancing back with his fingers wrapped around the handle.]

It doesn't need to be from me, by any means... but should you find yourself actually requiring help, ask for it. For your own sake, if no one else's.

[blankpieces]

[Near's eyes follow L as he goes to leave, but turn away as he reaches the door.

Asking for help in the past hadn't been difficult. He had money behind him, a name, a reputation. If he requested a certain type of individual to work under him he could get it easily. But he has no influence here. No one will fall in line under a toymaker.

Hell, he can barely find enough employees.]

Right.

[When he finds out how to have normal human relationships maybe he'll let you know.]