030. Accidental Video--->Intentional Video

[killswithapen]

[There's disruption in the small flat that Light shares with L - or as the city knows him, Deneuve - this morning. He's more than a little frantic, and the first the video feed sees of him is a streak of black as his NV falls off the table and clatters to the floor. Light is rifling through a pile of papers with both hands, a phone tucked between

Comments

[audio // private]

[neargenius]

[This response comes several hours after the original post. Near has watched it several times. Even now, there's a beat of silence before he begins.]

What did you do.

[Because this would be easier if it's Kira's fault.]

[audio // private]

[killswithapen]

[Light is outside. The sound of traffic illustrates this. Ryuuga is busy wrapping himself around his ankles in the meantime.]

Straight to the accusation, is it, Nate? I didn't do anything.

[audio // private]

[neargenius]

[Nate. That's still a difficult name to hear, and it sends the worst kind of chill down his spine--but Near clenches his hands. He won't respond to it. That's what Kira wants. An upper hand.]

He's gone. So you did something. You lost him.

[audio // private]

[killswithapen]

[Oh, it was utterly deliberate. It feels odd on his tongue, but there's a distinct satisfaction in knowing the power it holds. Near doesn't have to know that he no longer has the note.]

I lost him? I'm not his babysitter, you know. Honestly, if I wanted to kill anyone, it certainly wouldn't be him. You're a much more suitable candidate.

[voice]

[mentis_reae]

How long has he been missing?

[voice]

[killswithapen]

Only since last night. As I said, this might seem premature, but it's not in his nature.

[voice]

[mentis_reae]

You are aware, of course, of the strong possibility that he is dead.

[voice]

[killswithapen]

It's very clear to me, yes.

voice

[heavendivided]

[What he initially wanted to say was, Lost your boyfriend? But even if it's Light, he can't bring himself to be that mean when it comes to matters like these. Though he doesn't know if Light's sentiment is even true.]

Sounds like you lost someone important.

voice // private

[killswithapen]

[Reply in private, or out loud. A reply without an answer might look odd, but he has nothing to say to Jack that he intends to share with anyone else.]

I lost L. He's a recluse, and his nature is survival first--there's no way he'd be out after the siren.

I killed him--in my past. If he's gone back then he's dead; he won't come back here again. He's a relic; I can't say I regret killing him, but at the same time seeing him alive was something I couldn't help but be grateful for. No battle between us, just two people who understood each other very well, and there were so many questions left to ask.

[A pause.]

We didn't even play tennis. [And then another.] You're probably not at all interested, I apologise.

voice // private

[heavendivided]

[He just doesn't know what to say to that.]

...Hm. That's what happens when you don't do the stuff you want to do when people are still there. You just keep putting it off, and then it's too late.

voice // private

[killswithapen]

No comment on the rest of it?

[He'll start thinking you're jealous, Jack.]

I've never dealt with anything like this before. People don't just get lost.

[video]

[heartdissonance]

[You know this smile by now, Light.]

[video]

[killswithapen]

I assume you know something I don't, Miss Good at Finding Things?

[video]

[heartdissonance]

I'm wondering what I should say right here, which line of things I should pursue with you.

[video]

[killswithapen]

Try the most useful--I'm busy.