Near put his head in his hands, tousling his silver white hair.
"Why are they all so weird!?"
In the months since he had taken over the role of L once and for all he found himself in the unenviable position of choosing an heir. He needed a successor to carry on in the event that something happened to him. Near knew all to well that in his line of work a miscalculation could equal death. He needed someone capable to follow in his wake.
"Have you gone through all of the resident files, L?"
Near looked up, biting at his thumb with one knee pulled to his chest. Roger stood in the doorway, his impeccable smile gracing the old-time gentleman's face.
"Not really."
"Sir, it's your responsibility to designate your successor."
With a heavy sigh Near let his head sink lower.
"I know."
Rising from his seat the young man shuffled out of the room, lost in his own head while Roger watched him with mild amusement.
That one eats crayons.
That one only paints.
That one is scared to death of electrical outlets.
It was almost impossible to fathom that one house could hold so much drama. Every child who passed through the doors of Whammy House had some sort of issue.
That one….no. Not a chance.
That one only speaks in rhymes.
Leaning against a pillar of the main entrance, Near looked out through the stained glass windows of the heavy wood doors to the greenery beyond.
"How in the world did you ever do it?"
He knew that L hadn't exactly been normal himself but looking at some of these kids he just knew that there was indeed a thin line between genius and insanity. Taking a seat in a far room he pulled one leg to his chest, twirling his hair. He fished around in his pocket and a moment later produced a well carved figurine.
"They're all warped."
Catching his reflection in the mirror, Near looked over the baggy white clothes and the almost dead looking eyes. His toes curled at the edge of the cushion as he watched himself.
For a moment he stared in silence.
"Sir." Roger called from the entrance. "I've brought your paperwork."
"Go ahead and set it down right here."
With another sigh Near smiled.
"Well…I guess it's really a case of the pot calling the kettle black isn't it?"