Testing the possible Successor (Mello)

[L]

So hear L was, walking slowly through the hallways of Wammy’s house, he had recently solved a mass murdered case in France. It was not the hardest one he had taken in his time as a detective, yet it did have points in which L had to think. The murderer had been smart, using evidence he had obtained from the police that had been used in past cases. Causing the police to run around in circles visiting old whitnesses that had nothing to do with the case, due to the finger prints on the items used. Yet it was still not hard enough for L, the crime was solved within the week. On the day L said it would be solved, now he had a few days spare. There were no real crimes that had grabbed his interest yet, however one would appear soon. They always did.

Soon he came to a stop outside the dining hall, lifting his left foot he rubbed the top of his right foot. Removing a small itch that had developed as he walked along the wooden hallway. A small smile on his face as a few of the children watched him, some in awe while some in confusion. Every child had meet L at least once, he had made sure to greet everyone within the first few days. To have his presence known to them all.

With a deep breath he carried on with his walk, passing the doorway of the dining room. Leaning backwards as he past the door to get a quick look, spying a few children eating he looked at the food they had. Cereal it seemed, not sweet enough...not at all. There were not many children within the home that had caught L’s eye yet, however there were two that stood out among the rest. That being Near and Mello, both were quite good. However they still had many gaps to clear, both had talents in respected areas. However they both lacked skills in major areas, Near for one never seemed to be the first to act. Normally missing the prime time to make a move. While Mello would normally be the first to act, but not thinking everything through to the ends needed. Normally resulting in problems down the line.

Now he carried on down the hall, a few children waving and nodding but receiving nothing more than a light smile. L was never one to talk too much, yet he did wish to interact with Mello or Near personally. He wanted to test them in a few respects.

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[Mello]

The boy in black leather pants and a dark sleeveless vest was practically beaming in the Dining Hall. It wasn't just everyday, after all, that they were allowed to eat cereal for a meal. Normally, they tended to have fully cooked meals, because 'helped them think better'...or something like that. Personally, Mello thought it was because all the cooks were just hoarding the cereal for themselves. Okay okay, he didn't actually think that, he wasn't that stupid, or stupid at all for that matter. His temper flared up a little when someone snagged the box of Count Chocula cereal that had been sitting in front of him, but a pointed glare took care of the problem and it was returned. It wasn't often that he got away with eating simply chocolate for a meal without getting scolded and gladly poured himself a bowl.

A small commotion was taking place in the Dining Hall, causing Mello to look around to see what some of the others were whispering about. It only took a couple of seconds to see what some of the others were looking at. He had only caught a quick glimpse, but he recognized L in a heartbeat. The day he had met him was one of his most cherished memories. Without thinking twice about it, he abandoned the bowl that he had almost gotten into a fight over for. Mello gave a small wave to the friends he'd been sitting with, and marched right over in L's direction. Subtlety had never been his thing.

"Hello L, it's great to see you again," he said politely, once he caught up. There weren't a whole lot of people that Mello truly admired in the world, but L was certainly one of them, without question. One day, he wanted to be deemed good enough to take over for him, to be his successor. As of yet, he didn't have it in him, but he worked very hard everyday in preparation. Mello looked L over, studying his appearance and analyzing him. He wanted to remember everything that L did, as it might be useful in the future. It wasn't just everyone who got to meet L in person, after all.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, still polite, but curious. He knew that L was a very busy person, and it wasn't just everyday that he dropped by, so there had to be a reason. Out of pure habit, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bar of chocolate. As he was about to unwrap it, he thought better of it, and held it out for L to take instead, if he wanted. From previous times that he'd observed L, it was quite easy to distinguish that he had a sweet tooth. "If there's anything I can do to help you, you know I'd be more then willing," he added, in case L was around for that reason.

[L]

L could hear the footsteps of the military style boots beating against the wooden floor of the hallway, there were only a few people that wore boots like that. Mello being one of the people, smiling to himself he listened to the boots beat down on the floor. It seemed he was trying to catch up. Yet L would not simply turn around, there was no need, instead he carried on walking at his normal pace until Mello had caught up.

"Hello L, it's great to see you again,"

The young boy stood beside him, his blond hair hanging lightly in front of him. L nodded at the words of Mello, it made things easier to have one of the people he wanted to talk to come up to him. Meant he would not have to try to find them, saved him a lot of energy. L only stared at Mello with wide eyes, his pupils jumping to every aspect of the boy that stood out. Both of them were analysing each other, both for different reasons.

"What are you doing here?"

L raised his right ringer and with that ran it down his cheek as he listened to the boy’s words. For a moment he was silent, a smile spread across his face as he gave a quick and simple answer. [red] “Looking for a Successor,”[/red] he said with a smile, wondering how the boy would react to the words. Claim how he was the right child? Show off, subtly nudge towards him being the right person to chose? With that he slowly lifts up his left foot, twisting it he begins to rub it against his right thigh. Keeping his balance with ease as he watched the boy pull out a bar of chocolate.

Dropping his foot back down he watched as the boy lifted the bar, unwrapping it L watched as the boy offered it out. Smiling L grabbed the end with a his thumb and index finger, swiftly he broke a bit off and spoke. [red] “Thank you Mello.”[/red] He said as he bit off a small chunk, it was good, yet could door with a little more sugar.

"If there's anything I can do to help you, you know I'd be more than willing,"

Chewing on the chocolate l begun to shake his head side to side slowly, [red] “No, I am currently not working on an investigation and using this time to watch the students.”[/red] His eyes wandering around the corridor as he spoke, to many people it would be seen as disrespectful to not be looking at someone when talking to them, but to L this was natural. With that his eyes jumped to Mello’s and fixed, [red] “People like you and Near.”[/red] He said, making sure Mello could hear the name of his nemesis. From what he had heard the two were at the top of most classes, however a strong rivalry existed between them. At least for Mello, Near seemed not to show any care.

[Mello]

“Looking for a Successor,”

His interest was sparked at the words. Naturally, he had figured that's why L was hanging around Wammy's House, because wasn't that the sole reason it was invented in the first place? Nevertheless, it was nice to have such suspicions confirmed. Mello wanted L to watch him then, so he could see that he would someday be prepared to succeed him, when it was needed. It was true that Mello liked to show of, but he didn't believe in boasting about his abilities, but instead preferred to show someone instead. Anyone could claim to be the best, but what did words actually prove? In Mello's opinion, words were mostly worthless. The thing that was important was action.

"Oh? Well if you have the time, you should come sit in one of my classes," he said, reaching into one of the other pockets on his leather pants, pulling out a small and very thin note book, along with a pen. He wrote down his schedule at record speed, tore the paper out of the book, then held that out as well for L. No, he wouldn't boast, but he was glad to direct him to places where he could be viewed in action...he could see for himself.

Mello's body gave an involuntary twitch at the last thing that L said. Near. Someday, he would prove that he was better then that big-headed emotionless jerk. So far in life, they were special in different ways, and were often compared to one another as equals. They both had their downfalls, and so far, it seemed to be too difficult to state that one was truly better then the other. It made Mello physically sick to his stomach to constant be compared to his rival as an equal; he wanted to be better.

However, as much as it drove him crazy, he did recognize that being lumped together with the white haired boy all the time tended to make him work even harder. If he had to guess, that was probably why people did it, to see who would surpass the other one. Were they rooting for him, then? He wasn't being vain with that thought, but sometimes wondered, because Near never seemed to be affected by any of the comparisons. That was one of the main differences between them. Mello was fueled by emotions, while Near seemed to be based completely off logic. Both techniques had their ups and downs in different ways. That was probably why sometimes people suggested that they should attempt to work together, probably to reach a happy medium. In other circumstances, it might be a good idea. However, Mello couldn't stand being around Near for any length of time before wanting to connect his fist with his rival's face. He often wondered if even that would get a rise out of him...

He didn't trust himself to say anything. It took a lot for Mello to stay silent, to avoid a snide comment or angry outburst, but he managed to settle with a light scowl. If the subject was probed anymore, he would likely have something to say. Instead, he just gave a nod, to show that he had heard L, and understood what he meant.

[[Sorry it's so late!]]

[L]

L spoke his words to the boy, watching as Mello instantly became interested. His eyes focused on Mello, waiting to see what he would do, if he would do anything. From what L had seen on the screens and heard about Mello was always the first to act, however not always putting the greatest amount of thought into it. Which, is a bad thing, but it is even worse to not act at all.

"Oh? Well if you have the time, you should come sit in one of my classes,"

L nodded at the words lightly, that would be a good idea. He could see the class from the screens within the many rooms dotted around the house, however being in the room would make things a little more interesting. Would Mello act differently when L was there? His eyes watched as the boy begun to write down his classes in order upon the pad, the speed was ferocious but the words were still legible by far. Seeing the paper being handed to him he grasped one of the corners within his thumb and index finger. Holding it to his eye height he read through the list, making a mental note as his eyes went other the words.

L caught the sudden movement that Mello made when Near’s name was mentioned. That was one major difference between the two, when L had told Near that Mello had taken his spot as number one he barely rose a brow. Yet Mello, mentioning Near’s name seemed to send his body into a fit. It seemed Mello held a great hatred towards Near, great enough to kill him? It was not the first time this thought had passed through L’s head, after all if you want to get to the top and someone is in your way killing them would solve the problem. However would Mello try something like that? After all, there were two things that would stop Mello from acting like that, the world’s greatest detective would be on the case, then also he was not yet that extreme.

L waited for a reply, but nothing came. With that he turned his head and looked down the hallways trying to pick out anyone that had recently appeared. Eventually L spoke with a light tone, “If you haven’t got nothing to say, don’t saying nothing? Is that what you are doing Mello?” L asked as he rose his thumb to his mouth as he begun to bite lightly into his nail. For a moment he awaited a reply before he spoke once more, “B, have you met this individual yet?” L wondered aloud, L was sure he had seen the two in the same classes. However, if they had actually spoken on good terms, or spoken at all. L was not to sure.