[As the beads go scattering about, Mello lifts his boot just enough to catch a couple of them underneath his foot, stopping them from rolling down the street and watching as the man collects himself. The comment about caring only for answers makes Mello scoff a laugh. He highly doubts that is the case. He would make the argument that there are only a couple of people who have ever truly cared for answers and answers alone — and one of them is dead.]
Sure you do.
[Sarcastic and disbelieving, but not overly confrontational. After all, Mello is trying to spur some sort of a conversation; putting the man off immediately would be counter-productive.
As the man bends to pick up the beads, Mello kicks the few that are under his boot in his direction. It occurs to him that it is strange for someone who only cares about answers to try and recover beads that are exchanged for sexual favors, and he may have made such a comment out loud, except the man starts talking.
And everything about the situation changes.
The first allegation causes Mello to subconsciously run his fingers over his rosary beads. He catches himself in the middle of the motion and forces himself to straighten his arm. His expression evolves from fleeting surprise — from which he quickly recovers — into a hardened one. Narrowed eyes, and now Mello is reassessing their entire interaction from start to finish. He's incredibly irritated and defensive, but he's also intrigued.
He makes the association to Wammy's, L, and Near, and his irritation is stunted by feeling mildly impressed — but no less on edge.
He knows his initial reaction betrayed the emotional response to the man's little speech, so there is no point in trying to delve into a fabrication. But Mello will also play down the victory.]
Impressive, but most of your assessment is obvious. I've never tried to hide the fact that I've had criminal dealings. I probably would dress a little more conservatively and try a little harder if I wanted to.
[He'll avoid addressing the comment about religion — a topic that he wants untouched by anyone, especially strangers.
Mello glances from the man's face, down to his shoes, eyes still narrow — calculating. The reminder that he is helpless and captive just as everyone else is not a welcome one, though he keeps any further reaction in check.]
And you're right. I wouldn't have arranged this little meeting if I had any measure of power in this dump of a city.
[A confession — a way of saying, You bumped into me because I wanted you to — acting as a subtle indication that Mello is a little more on-point than he may seem.]
I bet I can guess a few bland facts about you, too. Want me to try? I'm actually really good at these games — probably even better than you.
[Or so Mello would like to believe. His entire schooling and childhood was based upon becoming the next L — the next greatest detective in the world. A few observations should be childs play for him.]
omg it is perfection
Sure you do.
[Sarcastic and disbelieving, but not overly confrontational. After all, Mello is trying to spur some sort of a conversation; putting the man off immediately would be counter-productive.
As the man bends to pick up the beads, Mello kicks the few that are under his boot in his direction. It occurs to him that it is strange for someone who only cares about answers to try and recover beads that are exchanged for sexual favors, and he may have made such a comment out loud, except the man starts talking.
And everything about the situation changes.
The first allegation causes Mello to subconsciously run his fingers over his rosary beads. He catches himself in the middle of the motion and forces himself to straighten his arm. His expression evolves from fleeting surprise — from which he quickly recovers — into a hardened one. Narrowed eyes, and now Mello is reassessing their entire interaction from start to finish. He's incredibly irritated and defensive, but he's also intrigued.
He makes the association to Wammy's, L, and Near, and his irritation is stunted by feeling mildly impressed — but no less on edge.
He knows his initial reaction betrayed the emotional response to the man's little speech, so there is no point in trying to delve into a fabrication. But Mello will also play down the victory.]
Impressive, but most of your assessment is obvious. I've never tried to hide the fact that I've had criminal dealings. I probably would dress a little more conservatively and try a little harder if I wanted to.
[He'll avoid addressing the comment about religion — a topic that he wants untouched by anyone, especially strangers.
Mello glances from the man's face, down to his shoes, eyes still narrow — calculating. The reminder that he is helpless and captive just as everyone else is not a welcome one, though he keeps any further reaction in check.]
And you're right. I wouldn't have arranged this little meeting if I had any measure of power in this dump of a city.
[A confession — a way of saying, You bumped into me because I wanted you to — acting as a subtle indication that Mello is a little more on-point than he may seem.]
I bet I can guess a few bland facts about you, too. Want me to try? I'm actually really good at these games — probably even better than you.
[Or so Mello would like to believe. His entire schooling and childhood was based upon becoming the next L — the next greatest detective in the world. A few observations should be childs play for him.]