Dull was better than soul-shattering, particularly when it came to the overall effect of it on Brooklyn's projected performance for the night. As for his own state, Near saw no reason to reveal to the other just what had happened, since Near's visitor, the state of L, and Mello's worsening dilemmas would ultimately hold no bearing on his own actions. It was his natural gift to be able to separate himself from emotions that would otherwise become a burden; even Mello had acknowledged it when he left Wammy's House, and that was perhaps the greatest testament to the ability that any one person could give.
So when Brooklyn asked, Near merely echoed his own answer, which wasn't entirely true, but certainly not a lie that bothered him. After all, it wouldn't do to have Brooklyn worrying over those situations either, particularly when they didn't concern him. "Not bad either."
Formalities done, Near assumed a much more normal expression, considering what he wished to do. With the focus on the chemical closet, it was imperative to get up there quickly if he wished to do a full inventory. So with that in mind, Near moved over to the bed, and opened a bag to retrieve his flashlight, and a radio.
"Do you have plans for tonight?" Near tested the strength of the light, and found it suitable for his purposes. "If you are willing, I'd like to request your help again. I'd like to go to the janitor's closet, then to the chemical storage closet. Of course, it would be best if I had someone with me, as before. If you are willing and free, of course."
Brooklyn's eyes narrowed at Near. He felt a bit like he was being taken advantage of. Scratch that. He knew he was being taken advantage of. There were plenty of other groups out there that he was sure could use his help more than Near could. "I'm not a bodyguard," he said out loud. "You can't expect me to help you every night."
Still, it wasn't as though the slight boy would be able to protect himself very well on his own, or even carry much for that matter. "You need more things from those places?"
"I don't believe I asked you about every night." Near of course remembered Brooklyn's aversion to feeling used, and he knew that nothing would break the arrangement they had made, however temporary, than to spark those feelings in the man. "But since you were here, it was convenient to ask you about tonight. You are free to refuse, if you wish. But since I've made contact with one of the group leaders, I'd like to get an inventory of the chemical closet for him, along with items for my own use."
There was no disadvantage in revealing that to Brooklyn, particularly since the man did believe in helping others, even if it wasn't Near specifically. Since the other had brought up the topic of every night, however, Near addressed it as he headed towards the door and out the hall.
"What are your long term plans here? Obviously it will take time to free ourselves." If it were even possible; the theory that Near had didn't necessarily allow for freedom as each patient was accustomed to it. That fact, however, was one best kept silent. "I ask you because it would seem in the end that more would be accomplished--a greater good, so to speak--if we all thought in the long term. As it stands, your position is to make yourself available nightly for whoever you come across. If this remains unchanged, then if I run across you nightly, you should have no aversion to helping me. It should be obvious, shouldn't it? That I need the help of someone like you."
That was another gift Near had. To be able to vocalize his own weaknesses in such a manner was something Mello never could nor would do, even when it would be advantageous for him to do so.
That was certainly a tricky way of putting it. The gargoyle's mouth formed a thin line of disapproval. Yes, Nate could run into him nightly, but what if someone else needed him more? It was a monopolization of his time.
Frankly, he also didn't like the idea of being bossed around by this boy every night.
If Nate really did have plans to help this club, then he should probably lend a hand. And the kid definitely wasn't the monster fighting sort. "On my terms," he finally agreed. "Sure, I can help you, but I'm going to help anyone else that might need it as well."
On his terms. There was the assertion of control that Near had been expecting from the beginning, and Near let out a quiet sigh in reply to it. There was no helping it at this point, he knew. Reason would be his argument, and reason would be the one thing Brooklyn wouldn't listen to in this situation. Not as the circumstances stood, anyway. But there would come a time that his "helping" resulted in serious injury, not to Brooklyn himself, but to Near or whatever party he had decided to assist, or perhaps both. That would likely be the only instance that would allow Brooklyn to see the futility of such an attitude.
"Not everyone can be saved. You should realize that." Near shone his flashlight around as he made his way through the halls, expecting of course that Brooklyn would follow.
So when Brooklyn asked, Near merely echoed his own answer, which wasn't entirely true, but certainly not a lie that bothered him. After all, it wouldn't do to have Brooklyn worrying over those situations either, particularly when they didn't concern him. "Not bad either."
Formalities done, Near assumed a much more normal expression, considering what he wished to do. With the focus on the chemical closet, it was imperative to get up there quickly if he wished to do a full inventory. So with that in mind, Near moved over to the bed, and opened a bag to retrieve his flashlight, and a radio.
"Do you have plans for tonight?" Near tested the strength of the light, and found it suitable for his purposes. "If you are willing, I'd like to request your help again. I'd like to go to the janitor's closet, then to the chemical storage closet. Of course, it would be best if I had someone with me, as before. If you are willing and free, of course."
Reply
Still, it wasn't as though the slight boy would be able to protect himself very well on his own, or even carry much for that matter. "You need more things from those places?"
Reply
There was no disadvantage in revealing that to Brooklyn, particularly since the man did believe in helping others, even if it wasn't Near specifically. Since the other had brought up the topic of every night, however, Near addressed it as he headed towards the door and out the hall.
"What are your long term plans here? Obviously it will take time to free ourselves." If it were even possible; the theory that Near had didn't necessarily allow for freedom as each patient was accustomed to it. That fact, however, was one best kept silent. "I ask you because it would seem in the end that more would be accomplished--a greater good, so to speak--if we all thought in the long term. As it stands, your position is to make yourself available nightly for whoever you come across. If this remains unchanged, then if I run across you nightly, you should have no aversion to helping me. It should be obvious, shouldn't it? That I need the help of someone like you."
That was another gift Near had. To be able to vocalize his own weaknesses in such a manner was something Mello never could nor would do, even when it would be advantageous for him to do so.
Reply
Frankly, he also didn't like the idea of being bossed around by this boy every night.
If Nate really did have plans to help this club, then he should probably lend a hand. And the kid definitely wasn't the monster fighting sort. "On my terms," he finally agreed. "Sure, I can help you, but I'm going to help anyone else that might need it as well."
Reply
"Not everyone can be saved. You should realize that." Near shone his flashlight around as he made his way through the halls, expecting of course that Brooklyn would follow.
[ To here]
Reply
Leave a comment