[Smart; that's the sort of answer Lance would give himself, and actually has more than one in Hadriel already. He doesn't entirely appreciate the tactics being turned back on him, but he'll just take the time to think about it before he responds so as only to convey as much as he's willing to give away.
Mello's answer gives him that time to think, although he's listening intently at the same time. He had definitely seen Mello's response to Marian, and after being here for a few months the story Mello tells isn't nearly as outlandish as several others and Lance has no problem believing it. He's a little less clear on how he feels about it, especially not knowing any details, but it definitely explains Mello's distrust; Lance finds it particularly noteworthy that he specifically mentioned self-appointed authority, because that's exactly what had concerned Lance as well.
Definitely interesting.
But, more pressing at the moment to Lance is that this is yet another story of a little kid having to deal with some sort of terrible and unfair situation, which is far too common among the people here from what he's heard. It makes him immediately more sympathetic, even if he already felt so regarding what's apparently going on in Mello's world in general.]
I'm sorry about your situation.
[It's genuine, but he doesn't want to say further than that at risk of it sounding pitying.]
It makes sense that you would be cautious.
[Although Lance does wonder if there's more to it than just that, and decides to ask--]
Have you spoken with any of the members of the Guard individually?
[Because they all seem quite different, and Lance is curious is Mello has had any issues--or, alternatively, favorable impressions--regarding any of them in particular.
And he's probably stalled as long as he can without answering the initial question, at least without it being obvious he's avoiding it, and so he makes a decision on what to go with even though there are several cases he could choose from.
His voice is a little distant when he speaks, though, and he's mentally keeping a separation between emotions and facts.]
I think the worst might have been the Gravedigger. She was a serial killer who buried her victims alive, and demanded a ransom before she would reveal where they were so they could be rescued. If the ransom wasn't paid she let her victims die, including three children.
[In terms of selfishness, needless cruelty, number of victims, and sheer smug unrepentance the Gravedigger cases were some of the worst he's ever seen. He still can't say they're the worst, but they stand out all the same.]
[Voice -- Private]
Mello's answer gives him that time to think, although he's listening intently at the same time. He had definitely seen Mello's response to Marian, and after being here for a few months the story Mello tells isn't nearly as outlandish as several others and Lance has no problem believing it. He's a little less clear on how he feels about it, especially not knowing any details, but it definitely explains Mello's distrust; Lance finds it particularly noteworthy that he specifically mentioned self-appointed authority, because that's exactly what had concerned Lance as well.
Definitely interesting.
But, more pressing at the moment to Lance is that this is yet another story of a little kid having to deal with some sort of terrible and unfair situation, which is far too common among the people here from what he's heard. It makes him immediately more sympathetic, even if he already felt so regarding what's apparently going on in Mello's world in general.]
I'm sorry about your situation.
[It's genuine, but he doesn't want to say further than that at risk of it sounding pitying.]
It makes sense that you would be cautious.
[Although Lance does wonder if there's more to it than just that, and decides to ask--]
Have you spoken with any of the members of the Guard individually?
[Because they all seem quite different, and Lance is curious is Mello has had any issues--or, alternatively, favorable impressions--regarding any of them in particular.
And he's probably stalled as long as he can without answering the initial question, at least without it being obvious he's avoiding it, and so he makes a decision on what to go with even though there are several cases he could choose from.
His voice is a little distant when he speaks, though, and he's mentally keeping a separation between emotions and facts.]
I think the worst might have been the Gravedigger. She was a serial killer who buried her victims alive, and demanded a ransom before she would reveal where they were so they could be rescued. If the ransom wasn't paid she let her victims die, including three children.
[In terms of selfishness, needless cruelty, number of victims, and sheer smug unrepentance the Gravedigger cases were some of the worst he's ever seen. He still can't say they're the worst, but they stand out all the same.]