We know that L died, likely before he thought he would.
[No one thinks that they're going to die young unless they've committed to doing it at their own hand. Seven years ago now, Lazarus was at that point, and he's been at the opposite extreme a couple times since, faced with the likely possibility of his death and wanting desperately to live. Was his Other somewhere in between those extremes?]
Is it possible that Near wasn't ready at this point, that he was too young? Or that there was someone who had seniority and was more qualified? Even though from everything we've remembered, it seems like he was the front runner, doesn't it?
Action
[No one thinks that they're going to die young unless they've committed to doing it at their own hand. Seven years ago now, Lazarus was at that point, and he's been at the opposite extreme a couple times since, faced with the likely possibility of his death and wanting desperately to live. Was his Other somewhere in between those extremes?]
Is it possible that Near wasn't ready at this point, that he was too young? Or that there was someone who had seniority and was more qualified? Even though from everything we've remembered, it seems like he was the front runner, doesn't it?