002 - Near - [Audio] - Please bear with him and his tl;dr

[whitestlie]

[A week of waiting had been enough. Near had see how the epidemic had subsided just as quickly as it had come, and all over the course of exactly one week, just as he was told. The event itself paved way for other advantages as well. Near did not have to worry about any sort of physical threats due to everyone else falling ill, and since those who

Comments

[Audio]

[whitestlie]

Yes, I have noticed those with short tempers on the network over the past week, which is why I am concerned. Given the density of the community and how public everything is, I do not believe extravagant, planned crimes would be as much of a problem, since they could hardly go undetected. However, that does not decrease the likelihood of someone acting out from provocation or insanity. In that case, like you said, basic common sense dictates how things progress. Good choices would be the best prevention factor, but it is always good to be prepared in case something does go wrong, which is what I intend to do. This is not strictly limited to dangers caused by the residents, but also those instigated by the Author. You mentioned that there are a few here who volunteered to act for exactly this reason. I would like to know who they are so that I may take your advice and forge a decent relationship with these people.

["Relationship" is a very broad term here.]

Also, if this rabbit has a blackberry, do you have his contact information?

[He will get back to you on that uber secret important task.]

[Audio]

[im_in_ur_exit]

Well, there was the string of serial murders one week, but that's a rather long story and was dealt with quite soundly. The impermanence of death here shifts things strangely, and honestly, I would intend that any response include the victim's wishes - quite a few cases of "provocation" end up settled by the parties involved without others being drug into it. Insanity is a touch less stable; the Author cannot directly control people's actions, but she has occasionally done things like temporarily shift what point in their life they're "from", leading to changes in how they interact with others.

[ and as much as you're speaking sense for the most part, he's still inclined to be - cautious.] Apollo Justice, Shinichi Kudo, Tom Hanson, Mikami Teru, Naomi Misora, Heiji Hattori, and Ichabod Crane are the main ones involved; I suspect Mello is liable to be involved as well. There's a few others that assist as well, but better to start with the ones that are most solidly involved and introductions to the others that are incidental help can come later. [Besides, he's rather curious to hear what the take of certain others on that list is, and he's trusting them to have some judgment.] I will admit, I would feel much more comfortable with a better idea who I'm speaking to; excessive secrecy is another part of what killed the previous attempt.

Also, while you say you want to help, I have no assurance yet of your honesty - I trust the others to have some judgment and be able to take care of themselves, but I'm sure you understand that one can't simply take any claim of good intentions at face value.

I'm afraid that said information has always come through as a blocked number; he can post freely but is difficult to find if he doesn't want to be found.

[Audio]

[whitestlie]

[Well then, Near supposes he can wait for the rabbit, as much as that annoys him. He recites the list of names in his head. Interesting that Mikami is on the list. Mello's name, on the other hand, was raised with what seemed like doubt, but Near supposes that that's not too surprising.]

You may call me Near [As if that's enough to solve his problems], but do not get me wrong. Right now, I am just a newcomer interested in finding out about the workings of the manor and how to optimize my safety. Of course, as a member of this community, I would like to help when help is needed, but I have no desire to officially join this unofficial police force since, like you implied, I have not been here long enough to earn any sort of trust and am perfectly aware of it. Out of curiosity though, what would be enough to assure you of my honesty, as you so put it?

It is clear that you have well-defined opinions about this topic and have given it a lot of thought, so I do hold what you say in high regard. I have already given you my name. May I ask what is yours along with your profession?

[Actually, thanks to Kudo, Near already knows that he has been talking with the apparently well-known Saguru Hakuba this whole time. His name has come up quite often in recent conversations as well as on the welcome packet that Watson had sent him, which is partially why Near is willing to trust what he is saying to the degree he does. Of course, there was never any reason to actually reveal that.]

[Audio]

[im_in_ur_exit]

[Only making audio posts and going by a likely alias - paranoid little thing aren't you?] My name is Saguru Hakuba - and a meeting in person would certainly be a start. [After all, there's so much more he can put together in person that may or may not be things someone would telegraph if they knew about it or had a chance to avoid it...and you are being oh-so-careful about what you're saying and how you're wording it, aren't you?]

For what it's worth here, I'm a detective. [He could elaborate, but he's curious to see how that bit of information will be taken and in which directions.]

[Audio->Private]

[whitestlie]

Nice to meet you, Saguru Hakuba. I have actually heard quite a good deal about you.

[There is the sound of soft tapping in the background. Near is playing with his action figures at this point.]

Of course we can meet.

[Near deliberately cuts off the feed at this point to issue a new encrypted version. If Kira was listening, no doubt he would be itching to see Near's actual face.]

Sorry about that. Anyway, I mean it when I say I could meet you. However, for the same reasons outlined above, I would not feel comfortable leaving my room unless I am sure that I can remain safe.

You are free to come to my room if you wish, however.

[Private]

[im_in_ur_exit]

[He's going to let go the fact that if someone were listening in, it'd be slightly odd timing for the feed cutoff.]

Safety is always going to be a very relative and subjective term, but I can understand caution.

I can be there shortly, if it wouldn't be an issue.

[Private]

[whitestlie]

Room 002 then. I look forward to meeting you.

[Private -> In Person]

[im_in_ur_exit]

[Saguru will be knocking on the door shortly - and waiting, calmly; of course he's armed and of course it's not visible.]

[In Person]

[whitestlie]

[Near speaks through the door.]

Just as a precaution, Saguru Hakuba, I have modified my phone such that if anything happens, a simple press of a button will send an emergency message throughout the entire network. Also, I have another device hidden here that is constantly recording audio so if anything happens, it will pick it up. Left untouched, after a certain period of time, the device will automatically send the recording to the entire network. If every goes smoothly, I will disable it and erase all data following our conversation.

[In other words, if you attempt to harm Near, the entire house will be alerted sooner or later.]

Of course we won't be discussing anything that would require secrecy. This is all just for precaution. Would that be a problem?

[In reality, Near does not have any recording system set up, at least not yet, but it doesn't hurt to lie about it for now, especially since he's pretty sure Hakuba will not pull anything out of the blue anyway.]

[In Person]

[im_in_ur_exit]

That sounds like a reasonable enough precaution for a foreign place. [So long as you assume the rest of the network would help and that it's not some scenario where they're all in on the kidnapping - but paranoia is paranoia, and he's not exactly going to go starting a fight.]

Is it alright to come in?

Re: [In Person]

[whitestlie]

[Near verifies that Hakuba is alone through one of the new peepholes that he had Dende forge for him on the sides of the wall before unlocking the door and opening it.

Have a lil 5'1 white haired freak in pajamas two sizes too big for him greeting you at the door. Oh yeah, he's also wearing this lovely little thing.]

Welcome. Please come in.

[Welcome to Near's room! It's clean but not exactly the most tidy. Several toys, action figures, robots, dinosaurs, you name it, are scattered around the floor, a miniature train set is running in the back corner of the room, and on the other side is an unfinished card tower about two feet high.]

And don't step on the toys.

[He waits in case Hakuba has anything to say. He's heard enough about the man to know that he's an important figure at he manor. If there's a way to attain power during Near's stay here, he might just be the ticket to it, although Near will continue to feign disinterest until he acquires more information. Besides, going back home and taking care of unfinished business is the main priority. For now, however, he will observe.]

[In Person]

[im_in_ur_exit]

[The mask is just further paranoia; he's noted that Near apparently doesn't leave the room, and that there's likely next to no social experience; he's obviously dealt with PEOPLE before, but there's likely a few tics possibly bordering on disorders there, if not crossing that line. Judging by the toys, he's from a version of Earth, at least...]

[He is, at least, not going to comment on the mask, although he does raise an eyebrow lightly.]

I admit, I'm curious - you do seem quite curious about the law enforcement situation for someone who claims to be purely a bystander.

[In Person]

[whitestlie]

[Curiosity breeds curiosity. Near twirls a strand of hair as he slowly turns and walks towards the center of the room. He then takes a seat kneel on the floor, never mind that there's a perfectly good chair right next to him.]

Are most newcomers not interested in their safety?

[Half sarcastic, half serious, but who can tell through the boy's spiritless drone? Based on what he's seen, Near wouldn't past most of the stupid unobservant, naive residents here to trust just about anything and anyone.]

[In Person]

[im_in_ur_exit]

[That spiritless drone is being added to the impression of a lack of social interaction, combined with - as flat as it is, the word choice is rather clear in expressing a disdain for most of the population; likely bright and well-educated, but in isolation, and whether by personal inclination and counter-reaction to other attitudes, or actual encouragement of such, used to thinking of the rest of humanity as something separate and lesser - also likely used to running rings around others mentally.]

Most newcomers are more inclined to take their safety personally and be concerned with where they are and if there's an easily-accessible way home first - it also seems that we have a large percentage that're from backgrounds that are more used to dealing with things personally as opposed to relying upon outside organizations for protection, in one fashion or another. The typical pattern has been that those whose first questions are about law enforcement as an organization, are those who were involved in such in one respect or another, officially or unofficially, and are therefore seeking to find out what structure they're dealing with here.

[In Person]

[whitestlie]

As am I. Perhaps I'm just more inclined to cover all of my bases as thoroughly as possible. I have curiosity in this area but as much as in any other concerning the workings of the manor, the Author, and this reality. You specialize in the law, Mister Hakuba, so I naturally inquire more in that field from you. Suppose if you were someone who had managed to return home before, my inquiries would have taken a completely different route then.

Besides, it would be reckless and stupid to attempt to have anything to do with an organization that you haven't personally observed in practice yet.

[In Person]

[im_in_ur_exit]

If I had introduced myself in the capacity I've been acting under here as much as anything - as a diplomat - would that have changed your inquiries? Your first questions were about regulations of crime and security systems, which did identify what sort of an environment you, yourself were from, and where your priorities were; you hardly seem the type to be completely timid in the sense of being at the mercy of others to protect you, and you're currently depending on how much you can verify of whatever anyone says - which is rather limited, judging by the questions about if there's surveillance or ways to monitor things without leaving this room - so I'd imagine the things that you'd take an interest in first, are going to be where you're accustomed to having influence or control, to attempt to establish something of a familiar pattern of stability where you'd have ability to deal with whatever comes up in a manner you're used to.

I'd imagine your normal manner of function would be keeping private and out of sight, playing brains for other organizations or groups with very little contact with the field work.