third † audio (english)

[shut_up_near]

So is anyone around here actually holding Mass today?

Comments

[acreepybrat]

Mass?

Hey Mello, where do you live?

[acreepybrat]

[Hello, guy-with-indoor-sunglasses. Oz has actually never met Mello face-to-face before, but have a tilt of the head and a smile.]

No one's tried the lake yet? At least, I hear we've got one~ It's a little too far out for me.

[Aaand, pulling out the little tissue-wrapped packet from a pocket and offering it to Mello.] Here you go!

[shut_up_near]

The way I heard it, the lake's pretty unsafe. Wouldn't want to go swimming and get your legs melted off, now, would you?

[Mello doesn't move to take the package just yet.]

What's this?

[acreepybrat]

Heh, you're right! That would be no fun at all~

[He keeps his arm extended, grinning.]

Neh, Mello, don't you remember? Rules about presents, right?

[shut_up_near]

[Mello takes another step closer, a little more into the light, and turns so the scarred side of his face is a little more noticeable, if still hidden behind his sunglasses. He's illustrating a point.]

See, Oz, the thing about presents being a surprise? Not all surprises are the good kind.

[acreepybrat]

[He doesn't... flinch, exactly, but there is a moment of stillness as his gaze flick to the scar, and back to the undamaged half of Mello's face.]

That person must not have been much of a friend, if that's the sort of surprise they'd give you. [Hello understatement of the year.]

[shut_up_near]

[Oh, you don't even know, Oz. And Mello could almost laugh, considering he did that to himself - which makes Oz's observation all the more astute, in a way.]

That's the way of the world, kid. Keep your enemies close, and your friends closer.

[Crossing his arms against his chest, pausing for just a bit longer than necessary:]

I don't have anything for you.

[acreepybrat]

Well, I guess that's one way to look at it.

[Oz wasn't expecting anything, so have a half-quizzical smile and a shrug.]

So?

[shut_up_near]

So I'd feel weird, that's all.

[acreepybrat]

[A 'you clearly don't get it' stare.]

That's not the point.

[shut_up_near]

[Basically.]

You don't even know me.

[acreepybrat]

[A little huff.]

That's not the point either. It's the new year! Everyone gets presents. You too, Mello.

[shut_up_near]

[Mello's so thoroughly unaccustomed to anyone being nice to him for anything but an ulterior motive; it's difficult for him to just accept a simple gift. But the kid seems to mean well enough, and if it were a set-up, Mello figures he would have seen some sign of it by now, so ... he steps forward and extends his hand to accept the package.]

... Thanks.

[acreepybrat]

[Success! Behold THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP (tm) and being obnoxiously persistent. He hands the box over with a cheeky grin.]

You're welcome!

[shut_up_near]

[Mello accepts the box with his own half-smirk.]

If this explodes on me, I'll shoot you.

[acreepybrat]

Uwaah, Mello is so scary~! [Totally taking Mello seriously here.]