Thursday afternoon: revividus

[firm_detective]

L is still resting in bed. He's recovered from the shock of the hallucination he experienced earlier that day, and has been turning the problem over and over in his mind, considering Mello's suggestions carefully.

The particular difficulty of the dilemma is not its strangeness: he finds that if he broadens what he's willing to accept, it simplifies things drastically. It's that, once again, he's sure the puzzle is missing a few crucial pieces. He can guess at what they might be, but there are several possibilities, and he can't yet be sure. He worries that his time will run down to nothing before he works them out.

There's a knock at the door.

[[This thread is private to firm_detective, lastrunnerup, coordinated_n, and misamisal, when she "returns from getting lunch."]]

Comments

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

*The knock is maybe a little urgent; Mello is shifting from one foot to the other, over and over again, because now that they're at L's door he's anxious to get the information to L and see if he gets better.*

Come on, come on... I swear, if Amane's asleep again...

Ryuuzaki, it's Mello. Can I open the door?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Yes, of course. Come in.

[coordinated-n.livejournal.com]

*Near pushes open the door. Green stained, dirty, but very much alive.*

Ryuuzaki. You're not hallucinating, I'm back to life.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He's taken aback, and doesn't immediately reply. When he does, his tone is dry.*

That is just what a hallucination would say.

... It is -- good to see you. What happened?

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

No, no, no, Ryuuzaki, Near's alive and I know how this thing works. I figured it out. Mostly. Just-- he really is alive, honest.

...And I'm sorry I'm late with your tea, but I did bring it.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He nods.*

Thank you. I see him, but I think I will be more inclined to believe it after a few sips of tea. While I drink -- tell me what you've learned... please tell me it didn't in--involve a deal with the Assistant.

[coordinated-n.livejournal.com]

It didn't.

It was an apology.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*His eyebrows lift. Near can't see how sick he looks, but can probably hear it in his voice.*

What sort of apology?

"I'm sorry" and azithromycin are not precisely the same thing.

[coordinated-n.livejournal.com]

A sincere 'I'm sorry for making life difficult while we were growing up, and not doing my best to get you not-killed.' And then I was myself again.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*Frowning.*

That's very peculiar. It lends credence to our theory -- has Mello told you about it? What there is of it.

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

The theory's next to perfect thanks to this, Ryuuzaki. It's-- that's what it is. That's why it depends on them, and you. They need to apologize. And what B wants from you... he wants you to realize that you've done wrong by him. That's what this is about.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

... Except that if that's the case, he wants reassurances I may not be able to give him. I don't -- I don't know what wrong his L might have done by him. Some seem -- very different from me, in one way or another.

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

But you're L, Ryuuzaki. You're... so much like ours, and the story's so much the same, and it... it fits.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

((ooc: HAI GUYZ! MIND IF I JOIN?! :D Seriously though, if you just want Mello and Near in this thread, just let me know and I'll delete. ^__^))

::Misa walks into the room, carrying a large tray with juice, sweets, fruit, and a small pot of the lemon chicken and rice soup L seems to be able to swallow. she has her back to them as she sets the tray on the coffee table::
L, I'm back. I brought some of that lemon chicken and rice soup, and I brought some of your favorite sweets as well as another bowl of fruit and-
::her voice cuts off as she turns around. Seeing L and Mello is fine, but she see's Near as well. Automatically, her left hand, the one that's not cold and green, raises to her forehead and cheeks, testing the temperature as an expression of disbelief and a bit of fear invades her face as she fears she may be having a hallucination::
Um...do you guys...see what I'm seeing?

[coordinated-n.livejournal.com]

I'm not a hallucination.

*Irritable.*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Misa, Near has recovered.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::a look of awe, then a large smile crosses her face as she crosses the room and actually hugs Near, which may not go over very well::
That's WONDERFUL! ::as soon as she realizes what she's done, she pulls back, a bit embaressed, hoping he's not angry:: Ah, sorry. It's good to have you back. ^__^
::she looks at Mello and L now, hopeful:: Does that mean a cure has been found, then?

[coordinated-n.livejournal.com]

*speechless*

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Maybe. We think so. But there are -- things I probably won't know until the decisive moment.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she nods, hanging on his every word. She kneels next to the bed, gazing up at him. Gently she takes his hand in both of hers::
I see. If you need anything at all, I'm here. I...I won't let you go without a fight.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He squeezes the hand under his, though there's not much strength in his grip, now. Leaning closer to her, mindful of the two other people in the room, he whispers,*

I told you -- I won't go unless I have to. But Near thinks it is likely that I'll have to be alone for e--events to come to a head.

*Because he wants the rest of what he says to be overheard, he raises his voice a little.*

It seems that the cure is an apology. I'm not sure it's something I would have discovered on time on my own... I have Mello and Near to thank for it.

*Green fluid trickles out of his nostril and down his cheek, onto the sheets.*

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

I understand. It will be hard to not be here when it happens; I want to be able to protect you. But, it's alright as long as you get better.
::she grabs a tissue and gently wipes away the green ooze, handing him another in case it happens again, then stands, turning to Mello and Near. She contemplates hugging them, but instead bows::
Thank you, both of you. ::she stands up straight, her eyes glistening slightly, but she holds the tears in, smiling softly at them:: I wish there was something I could do for the both of you. If either of you ever need anything, please come find me. I'll be happy to help with anything.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He accepts the tissue and tucks it up into his sleeve.*

I think if you could have protected me from this, it would have been over a while ago. You have done as much as you could. More effort from me is required now.

[lastrunnerup.livejournal.com]

*Mello flinches and just barely starts to reach for his gun, when Misa hugs Near, but Near... seems to be generally all right (and under any other cirumcstances, that would be some hilarious shit, Mello realizes), so Mello untenses just a tiny bit.

The bow is not all that impressive to him. He tries not to scowl.*

I'm fine on my own, thanks. And Near will be, too.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she feels a bit shot down at his words and looks off to the side, her cheeks flushing slightly, though she hopes they aren't::
...I see. I understand, but, still, if a situation arrises, the offer is always open.