♠ The Opening [PART TWO] (interactive)

[medius_absurdum]

[The bed is warm. Somewhere nearby, you can hear the crackling of a fire. You almost don't want to wake, and it's only as you start to drift back to sleep that you realize something: You shouldn't be here. You sit up quickly, but before you can think on it there's a loud pounding at the door

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[is_not_number1]

[Mello is thoroughly confused about this whole situation. He isn't sure whether he's been caught by the people who were after him back in his own world or not and this is some sort of odd prison sentence, or if it is something else entirely. It doesn't seem like his own world, but he feels as though it would make sense for it to be. At least they said they'd answer fucking questions.]

What the hell is going on here? [He speaks in a demanding tone, glaring scathingly at Daniel.] What is this? Is this some kinda prison, or what? Who are you?

[omnia_pura]

[He never claimed he would say what anyone wanted to hear, or that the answers would be helpful...

Daniel raises both eyebrows with a skeptical, condescending air.]

A meeting. And prison? [His lips form a very amused smile that grows until laughter bubbles up from his throat.] This isn't a prison. You wouldn't want to see what our prisons look like, so I suggest you behave. [Though he sounded amused, the last word was punctuated with a low, dangerous tone; the smile remained.]

Police Sergeant Daniel Rutherford.

[is_not_number1]

[Mello narrows his eyes, gritting his teeth. Daniel's response-- the condescending air he gives off, his laughter-- irritates him. Asshole. He already doesn't think he likes this guy.]

Seems like a bloody prison to me. [He smirks, as if only to return the other's rather unpleasant smile; it is by no means a 'friendly' expression that he is giving.] Where are we? And would you happen to be so kind as to tell me why I'm here, if this isn't a prison of some sort?

[omnia_pura]

Reality is usually a matter of perception, isn't it? [He may be joking, or he may be mocking you, Mello.]

The city of Avon, and you're here because you were brought here. We can't do a damn thing about it. ... Are you going to stand there slack-jawed all day?

[is_not_number1]

[Mello can't tell whether the guy is making a joke or mocking him, but he is going to assume the latter.

His tone of voice grows increasingly aggravated as he speaks] So basically, you're tellin' me that I just live here now, with no reason behind it, and I'm supposed to just go with that. You haven't got anything else to say? No explanation?

[omnia_pura]

An explanation should come in due time. Then again, it might not.

Hm...For all I know, you may remain in the dark for the duration of your stay. [He seems to find this thought amusing.]

[is_not_number1]

Fine. [He gives a sharp sigh.] Do you happen to know anything? You just as clueless as I am, or are you just being as evasive about this as possible here?

[He can't tell whether Daniel is serious or not, or whether he actually know anything about what is going on or not, and it's bugging him. He's got the impression that he knows something and simply isn't saying anything useful just to be a dick.]

[omnia_pura]

I know that with that attitude, you're not going to gather much information.

[Mello would be correct. Daniel knows a lot more than he lets on. He just likes being a bastard about it.]

[is_not_number1]

Alright, then. [He's fed up with this. If the jerk is saying that he's going to refuse to say anything else unless asked nicely, then why the fuck not go along?]

My apologies, Sergeant. [He smiles, although it still isn't very genuine. His words sound just a bit forced. He's still frustrated.] Is there anything else you can please tell me that might prove to be useful?

[omnomnomsweets]

[--That voice. That voice, isn't that-- what. ...Okay, we're taking this in stride. In fact, maybe a bit of familiarity is exactly what he needs.]

So rude, Mello! Ask like that and you'll never get any answers.

[is_not_number1]

[Mello's first reaction is to be pissed off with Break for coming and telling him that completely out of the blue. He could swear the guy's just trying to be an asshole. He had no part in this conversation.

...But he was acting like he knew him, and had addressed him as Mello. He does his best to hide his shock for a moment, before composing himself a bit. He makes no comment about the name. He's neither going to confirm nor deny it.] ...And who are you?

[How do you know me??]

[omnomnomsweets]

[...Maybe he was mistaken? But it does sound like him. And there was such a pause there that Break is almost certain he got the name right. But Mello would remember him. Clearly, the situation needs further evaluation.]

Xerxes Break. There's no need to sound so surprised.

[is_not_number1]

[Xerxes Break? What the hell kind of name is that? More to the point, Mello's certain that he's never even heard of anyone by that name before. And the guy doesn't look like he's from his world, either... So how does he know who he is? Most people from his own world don't even know that.]

Pleasure to meet you, then, Xerxes. And... why's that, huh? What's it that I sound so surprised about? [He's going to try and be at least somewhat polite to Break. He needs to find out how he knows him, and he can't risk making it too obvious or drawing attention with all these people around. He's got a feeling that none of them are from his world, but he can't be sure of that, either. And if they are, and they do happen to know of him, then it's probably a good idea that he not let anyone know who he is.]

[omnomnomsweets]

[Pleasure to meet him. This one didn't know him, then. Perhaps it was as it had been with Ciel, or a Mello from an alternate world, like Watanuki had described. He's a little disappointed but he'll live. He spreads his arms helplessly.]

I would have to be in your head to know why you're surprised, and that isn't a very pleasant prospect.

[is_not_number1]

Makes sense, I s'pose. I wouldn't wanna be in my head, either. [Mello doesn't believe Break doesn't know why he's surprised. But then again, he figures it's probably a good thing Break isn't pressing on about it.

He smirks.] Morris Ross.

[I am not Mello.]

[omnomnomsweets]

[...What. All right, on one hand, it's possible that it really is someone else. On the other hand, he sounded surprised when Break called him Mello, and he didn't correct him. For now he'll just assume it's Mello and he's messing with him, but oh, what he wouldn't give for some working eyesight right now. In any case, have a good dose of smug right back.]

Oh? Very well, Mr. Ross. Do you spend much time out of your head, then?