[Mint]

"Well...think about it...all the times that closet's been open...and even little kids hiding in it and stuff..." Matt sat up- looking really serious all of the sudden. "Maybe some really particular conditions had to be met. Maybe you're only here because you and Near were in the closet at the same time."

[Uke]

"The same time... years apart," Nate sighed. "Look... I get where you're going, but it is just a hunch and we won't really know unless we try, hm?"

He stood up and headed for the door once more.

[Mint]

Mello moved out right behind Nate and with Matt trailing right behind him.

[Uke]

They came up to the closet and Nate held his breath, half way hoping he'd open it up to find Chester's house waiting for him on the other side.

He didn't really have a home to go back to... so why did he want to, anyways?

But it wasn't like Wammy's would keep him... from what he knew of the plot, you had to be really smart to be there. They'd kick him out once they found out he was just an average teenage brat...

Slowly, Nate turned the handle and pulled the door open, peering into the darkness. He slipped inside and pressed his fingers up against the back wall, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

[Mint]

"...Well?" Mello asked impatiently. "Anything happening?"

[Uke]

"Nothing..." Sighing slowly, the white-haired boy slipped out, shaking his head. "Its completely normal in there... I don't know what to do now. Y'all are the smart ones."

[Mint]

"Ya'll?" Mello repeated. "Do you have to constantly be on with that American droll?"

"Enough." Matt sighed before stepping in and feeling the back of the closet. "...Near smart."

"So?" Mello asked hotly.

"Then maybe he'll reason something out like we have too." Matt offered.

[Uke]

"If he doesn't get kidnapped and molested by Chester," Nate scoffed, before he fell silent.

He really should learn how to keep his mouth shut.

[Mint]

"Who the hell is Chester?" Mello demanded.

"You mentioned him before." Matt added.

[Uke]

"Uh... this creeper dude who, like, fell in love with the concept art some chick did of Near the moment he saw it?" Nate sighed. "He preaches about liking beautiful things, but really he's a freak and only likes little boys who are pretty. I don't like him, but he buys me shit."

He stepped back and closed the closet door, grumbling to himself.

"Hopefully Mihael and Mail stop him from doing that bullshit," He muttered. "But I wouldn't count on them. They're jerks."

[Mint]

"Holy shit, you were taking advantage of some pervert?" Mello frowned.

"Near's smart, he won't get roped in by some creepo." Matt offered.

[Uke]

"Why not?" Nate asked, lifting an eyebrow at Mello. "If it puts food on the table."

[Mint]

"That's just...gross." Mello crossed his arms over his chest.

Clearly, he had no idea that according to the script he would later worm his way into the higher ranks of the mafia with his scheming and- hint, hint -his closeness to the criminal lord Rod Ross.

[Uke]

Nate was about to snap, before he paused and frowned at Matt, deciding not to pick another fight.

[Mint]

"I mean, you should be smart enough to survive without having to degrade yourself like that." Mello went on.

"Enough." Matt sighed. "Near'll be fine...I'm sure my alternative self there...what he like?"

He turned to Nate with a curious look.

"Alternative...wait..." Mello blinked. "What were the names of your friends again?"

[Uke]

"Mail Jeevas, which is a stage name," Nate informed. "He thought it sounded 'cool' and 'unique'. Its spelled like Mail-box. And Mihael Keehl, who isn't from Germany, by the way."

He took a seat on Matt's bed, crossing his legs and shifting uncomfortably in Near's big clothes.

"Mihael is a famous singer," He informed, a dreamy look on his face. "He's got a voice that could make you jizz in your pants by the mere sound of one syllable... plus he's drop dead sexy and wears tons of leather and shit... Mail is, uh..." His smile dropped. "...Kind of a jerk."