ic inbox

[lingeringhope]

[Hope's voice is clear and clipped.]

If you would like to leave a message, you may do so here. I can't promise to respond. I have many demands on my time, and this sort of thing is far down the list. Still, if you would like to, you may.

Comments

[torrefied]

Then why is this still happening? I thought - it should have stopped.

[When he. You know, killed Sharon.]

[lingeringhope]

It takes time and power to put these things into action. It'll be over very soon.

Please do not kill anyone else.

[torrefied]

I don't actually plan on it.

[Mello sighs loudly.]

I did try reasoning with her first, you know.

[lingeringhope]

That's good. I appreciate the effort you made, even if it came to nothing.

[torrefied]

You're probably the only one.

[If the reactions he's heard prior to taking action are any indication. Mello has no illusion about how this will be received by the population at large, especially since Sharon's death didn't stop the effects she'd caused.]

[lingeringhope]

Few of you appreciate what I do. Usually, I am blamed for all wrongs in this place. I would attempt to keep from doing the same to others.

Were you injured?

[torrefied]

That's incredibly stupid. I mean, I can't say I'm surprised, with this group, but you seem like the one who's taken the most active interest in our well-being.

[No doubt Hope stands to benefit from them the same as the others, but at least he's not, you know, making an effort to scare them, like Fear.]

No. I'm - [not fine, exactly] - she didn't fight me.

[lingeringhope]

I am.

[Simple and honest.]

I won't reward you for killing another human, but know that I appreciate the difficulty of what you have done.

[torrefied]

I wouldn't expect you to.

[Mello is very much aware of the concept of killing another person being a fundamentally bad thing - he's just also embraced the idea that bad things are sometimes necessary in service of the greater good. He knows he is a criminal, and he embraced that identity years ago, but he hasn't done the things he has because he enjoys them - he's done them because they were necessary. Just as he believed killing Sharon was necessary.]

But - um, thanks.

[The word of gratitude feels clumsy in his mouth, so infrequently used.]

[lingeringhope]

[He wasn't really expecting thanks, and isn't quite sure how to respond, and so falls back on basic politeness.]

You are welcome.