ic inbox (aefenglom)

[oftheletter]

(Original inbox was here.)



[All private messages to L/Near can be left here.]

Comments

Action; late October

[hearthebell]

[L hasn't seen or spoken with Near since their temporary Bond. It had been astonishing at the time, a relief for both of them, the kind of connection that only two men who had lived their unique position could relate to... and then it had ended and the two of them had gone about their way, almost as if it had never happened.

L has thought, on occasion, that perhaps he should have offered Near a more permanent Bond. He wouldn't have said no, had the Naga asked. Perhaps they were similarly paralyzed, or similarly apathetic, or simply didn't know how to gracefully broach the topic. Regardless, time has passed, and L's soft steps enter the toy shop only because there's a reason.

Light Yagami is here, the one from the end of L's career and life years before he'd faced off properly against the detective's successor. Light Yagami was also extended the offer that perhaps should have gone to Near, in an uneasy echo of their shared past.

His fingers are intact once more, their separation from his hand indicated only by thin ring of discoloration near the base of each digit. He glances over a carved chess set, here at a quiet time, willing to wait rather than disturb or rush an owner who might actually be more standoffish than he is.]

[oftheletter]

[Near sees when L enters - and immediately knows why when he does.

He doesn't greet him right away. He lets him linger, sees if he offers a greeting of his own first. But no, he's being awkward. He's not willing to immediately come out with the information.

It shouldn't be a big deal. Yagami is their common enemy, the one who'd taken L down and forced his successors to take over the case. Is he ashamed to talk about anything related to his defeat? Does he believe Near would be worried?

No, it couldn't be either of those things. It's not like him. That means there's something else that's delaying him, as they're far beyond the stage where his mentor should be testing him. Rather than wait any longer, the naga finishes up what he was doing and slithers out from behind the counter.]

Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Tailor?

[hearthebell]

[L's eyes linger on the chess boards. He has always appreciated them, the precise lines and contained world where any fight can be easily held within a finite number of squares, and black and white are clearly delineated.

Beyond that, things can get messy, complicated, difficult in a way he doesn't welcome the way he would a challenging puzzle. Perhaps because there's no solution, no easy crack and satisfying finish. Just more questions, more fumbling and guessing sans any kind of closure.]

Eli.

[L greets Near by his fake first name, conversely. Whether it's more or less a sign of respect coming from L is up for debate, perhaps depends more on the person than the practice.]

I thought I might come to see you, since it's been some time since our temporary Bond. I wanted to make sure you were doing well.

[That is true, but...]

...it isn't the only reason. Someone else from our world has made it to this place, and I feel I should pick your brain, as far as the prospect of proceeding. We should be on the same page, and... arguably, you've as much a claim to stake on him as I do.

[Much as it's a grudging thing for the detective to admit, he had died. Light's life, and Kira's reign, had continued only until Near had put a stop to the killings with the proof that L hadn't managed to gather.]

modranicht gift!

[fulgency]

[Depending on preference, Ozymandias gifts his fellow Council members with either a coffee or tea sampler from the Purramid Café for Modranicht. Regardless of which sampler is received, it is fairly sizable and offers around 40 cups worth across all the blends included. The note that is included while not necessarily personalized is sincere in its expressed intent for more good works and successes to be celebrated by the Council.]

[oftheletter]

[This is appreciated, even if Near doesn't return a note of thanks.]

Modranicht gift

[thejoyrider]

[On the day of the holiday, a plate of homemade cookies and a sample of herbal tea mysteriously appears on his doorstep. The wrapping is decorated with a fresh lily flower (actually a Fae magic product, designed to fade away from existence in a few hours) and a ribbon. The attached handwritten note reads as follows:]

Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!

M⚜️

[oftheletter]

[These will be re-gifted to L, but he appreciates the sentiment. Maybe.]

voice;

[worldcleansing]

[ Instead of using text, Light decides a voice call. While they work together, that's going to be ending soon, and this is something best discussed when neither of them is busy. So, Near device begins to ring around 7 P.M. ]

[oftheletter]

[Near expects that is anyone is going to contact him it's going to be L, but seeing Light's name isn't exactly a surprise either. They're on "friendly" working terms, after all.

He answers shortly:] What can I do for you, Mr. Yagami?

[worldcleansing]

[ It's easier to be on 'friendly' terms when one doesn't know they're talking to the man who ends his run as Kira. ]

Hello to you, too.

[ Light's voice is mildly amused. Always to the point. ]

Are you free, Eli? I'd like to talk to you about some things regarding our future, but it should be done when we both have time.

Audio, un: Linden Tailor

[hearthebell]

I need a favor. It's one only a Naga can do for me, and it's one I'd only trust a Bonded with, so... you're perhaps uniquely equipped to help me.

[oftheletter]

Is that so?

Well you know you have my interest now, so I'm not going to be able to deny your request.

[He might not sound interested to most, with that tone. But anyone who knows him at all will be able to tell that he is.]

[hearthebell]

[L can indeed tell. It helps that they're Bonded, of course; that's what puts his knowledge of his successor rather into the kind of territory where he can be confident that it's the case. Otherwise, even he might have his doubts.]

I'd hoped as much, but are you sure you want to say so, before knowing what my request is?

[Depending on what Near himself has picked up on through the Bond, as well as through his Bond with Light and his knowledge of the pair's new business and interest in the Evergreen Circle, it's possible that he can at least begin to guess.]

[Text] un; Deneuve

[onamissile]

I made you something. Not sure if it works.

[oftheletter]

Oh? How unexpected.

[onamissile]

Do you want it or not

Audio un: Linden Tailor

[hearthebell]

[L's voice is quiet this evening.]

We need to talk. Are you available?

[oftheletter]

Of course.

[He can always make time, though it's still nice of people to ask.]

What do you need?

[hearthebell]

Just two things. I need to ask you something, and inform you of something.

[Maybe more, depending on how that goes.]

I'll be by soon?

audio, un: mshivana; backdated to mid-March

[faithlikeaseed]

Serah Dagwood? It's Myr Shivana.

I know we've hardly spoken, [dim sentiment collected from L says this is likely absolutely fine by the Naga, but Myr's ingrained politeness wouldn't let it go unremarked,] but I've some concerns about our mutual Bonded.

[oftheletter]

I often have concerns about Linden, so I'm sure they're warranted.

What's on your mind?

[faithlikeaseed]

[That they're already on the same page gets a noise of dim amusement out of Myr.]

Malakai, [he says without preamble; he knows it's not the man's real name, but in for a penny, in for a pound with holding any of L and his proteges' secrets.] You know Linden's over his initial panic but he overestimates his ability to handle the man.

How much of a threat could he be this time?

[Text] un; Deneuve (Aereuer — backdated)

[onamissile]

You know. I don't even fucking know where you live.

[And it still hurts his hands to text, but Mello doesn't trust his voice, right now.]

[Text]

[oftheletter]

All you had to do was ask.

[Near texts an address back.]

You know I can't heal. I only have first aid supplies.

[Text]

[onamissile]

Do you recall me asking you for a healer?

[The area is semi-familiar; shouldn't be too hard to find.]

Are you home right now?

[If not, Mello would request that he get home as soon as possible. No, he's not directly requesting healing. Doesn't matter if he technically needs it.]