[14 // video // 10 March]

[want_the_world]

[The video shows not the sender's face, but a puppy, most of a black-clad leg, and a bare foot with the remnants of black polish on the toenails. The puppy's growling and tugging at the jagged hem of the leather pants, as if they're a threat that must be neutralized.]

Who the hell does this belong to?

[Mello tries to pull his leg away, but the puppy seems to see this as escalation of the game, and gives a little bark before seizing the leather again.]

Hey! These were expensive, you little fucker!

[The picture goes dark as the communicator lands on the floor.]

Comments

[voice] filtered

[dead_black_eyes]

[Yeah, like marshmallows. But it's clearly a point of contention. L doesn't pursue it further.]

Claimed? Someone wants it?

[As usual, L sounds surprised that anyone at all actually wants a dog.]

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

He belongs to someone. Sort of.

[Mello gets the feeling the puppy's allowed to wander as he pleases.]

[voice]

[dead_black_eyes]

The world is made up of shades of grey, but "belonging" isn't really one of those areas, Mello. Is it stray?

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

No, he just has more autonomy than most dogs. He's smart.

[This is not in any way an excuse for Mello to approve of the puppy. It's a fact.]

[voice] filtered

[dead_black_eyes]

The smartest dog in the world is still a dog.

Some say that all people can be divided into two groups: cat people and dog people. Are you a dog person, Mello?

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

I doubt it. I doubt I'm a cat person, either.

Do you have a preference?

[voice] filtered

[dead_black_eyes]

I prefer cats. I'm actually considering adopting one.

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

Really?

[voice] filtered

[dead_black_eyes]

The fern finally died, and I am officially the only living thing left in my apartment. Not including the small band of super-bacteria that are managing to survive my Lysol sweeps, and the occasional dust mite that escapes my notice.

There might also be some mold under the sink, but I'm taking care of it.

I guess that I also have some naturally occurring parasites, as all living things do.

If there is a spider on the other side of the window pane, but it's still residing within the vicinity of the sill, does that count as "in the apartment?"

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

No. It's on the outside.

[It sounds like someone has an unhealthy amount of time alone on his hands.]

No partner yet?

[voice] filtered 1/2

[dead_black_eyes]

What do you think?

[voice] filtered 2/2

[dead_black_eyes]

I apologize. It was not my intention to snap.

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

Don't, I should've known that.

You need to get out of there for a bit. Coffee?

[voice] filtered

[dead_black_eyes]

You really don't have to humor me to that extent.

Besides. It seems like you have a few "living thing" related problems of your own to clear, and, respectfully... I will not intervene where you and Near are concerned again.

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

It's not humoring--

[Damn it, he is going to have to deal with the situation brewing. Possibly setting off another is a terrible idea, but better to say something now than have to explain later why he didn't.]

I overheard you and Near the other night.

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[dead_black_eyes]

[There's a brief silence. When L speaks again, it's in the exact same unaffected monotone he's been using.]

I thought you might. It is your apartment, after all. To think that there was no chance at all of you overhearing would have been ridiculous.

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

I'll make you the same offer he's got his knickers in a twist about: I'll tell you anything you want to know. But in person.

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[dead_black_eyes]

[L thinks about making another comment about humoring, but it seems ungrateful, so he doesn't. ]

You're under no obligation, of course... but if you would feel better, more balanced, then I will not say no.

Did you hear everything, then?

[He almost didn't ask, but in the end, some things were buried so deeply and so darkly that it is strange thinking of not one, but two people, aware of them. The only mercy is that L was so blasted that night that his memory of his own words is hazy at best. Ironically, the person who might have the most accurate and complete recollection of the information exchange is someone who wasn't meant to hear any of it.]

[voice] filtered

[want_the_world]

Everything from a town in France onward.

I'll give you Ljubljana over the network. It's not like it matters anymore.

[A deposit on the debt owed, as it were.]

And I'd better go try to talk someone down now.

[voice] filtered

[dead_black_eyes]

[OK, so... everything. L has to remind himself that the urge to throw up is purely psychological.]

Of course it matters. Isn't that the whole point?

I told Near because I knew his opinion of me was unlikely to change.

[It's his cautious, indirect way of asking if Mello thinks less of him, either due to the revelation of the info or what it consisted of.]

...anyway. Yes, you had better do that.