[OPEN]

[daddyscythe]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Outskirts of Nevada
Rating: PG
Time: All day, Feb 27
Description: Shibusen offers a field trip to acclimate the guests to the Madness wavelength.


It's a perfectly pleasant day for the most part, if one is to look at the sky and maybe the horizon. For the attendees of the fieldtrip, however, things are naturally a lot more grim, if also lot more colorful. There are understandably no civilians in the area -- or any other signs of life apart from the group.

As promised, the location is extensively arranged to cordon off various areas of the place where Madness spikes have been identified. They are all properly labeled, both with text and visuals, and discreet agents kept an eye on all corners of the large field. The mirror by which the guest will come in is set in a corner, with some food provided next to it.

People are free to come and go, though the other end leads to the clinic instead of the Death Room. The rules are simple: venture into a level you think you can handle, and if you can't, someone will help.

In the afternoon, a light rain will come to add some variety to the endless desert. Make sure to take shelter in the open tents provided to protect you from the elements!

[ooc: Just put in open tags in the comments, [Character Name | Open/Close | Area/sort of madness targeted/whatever marker you want].

Plotting and information post was here.]

Comments

[shiromadoushi]

The red thread attached with a gentle firmness as Bakura relaxed into the resonance, doing his best not to be intrusive. It wasn't as warm or comfortable as with Vash or Leo, feeling almost a bit like a new pair of dress shoes that needed to be broken in, or like the suit he had for the formal occasions at the museum. Without a thought he tried to adjust, to do what he could to make the resonance work better, feeling out the connection gently as he did so.

Support was best when it was from both sides, after all. To give as much support as he received.. it was the best he could do in these situations.

'It really does. Most of the time when I'm resonating with someone, I barely feel the Madness at all. It's a real big help...'

[want_the_world]

Resonating with Near was never easy, a tightrope-walking act for both of them most of the time, trying to open up enough to be effective, while never, ever opening up enough to be vulnerable. It was strange to resonate with someone who was actively trying to make it easier. Mello needed the challenge Near gave him; this worked, but it was like sleeping on a mattress that was too soft.

He couldn't help but hold back, though he tried to follow the advice he'd collected when he asked about how to fight off the madness wavelength, and attempt to be a steadying mental presence. Not being alone in his mind had started to help even more when Bakura's weapon form had made the physical connection, too.

All right, I might have underestimated the usefulness of your trying so hard to be easy to get on with.

[shiromadoushi]

Unlike Mello's careful guarding of himself, there there was a seeming openness from Bakura, as the things he kept hidden were buried deeply and under many layers of inconsequential things he easily would share that they were as effectively hidden as if he were tightly guarded.

Bakura laughed softly. 'It's really helpful at times, more often than it isn't, I think. Especially with situations like this.' Anything that he could do to be helpful... it made him feel like he had a purpose, like he was wanted.

It wasn't something he could explain, or that he wanted to explain. But there was a grateful warmth that escaped through their connection.

[want_the_world]

That felt odd, too, a warmth not at all like the feeling he sometimes got with Near, as if they were wrapped in a fleecy blanket (was that Near's comparison, or his? it didn't seem to matter). It was one-sided: Mello imagined he was far from the easiest person to resonate with, and he knew his mind wasn't the most fun place to be. Hell, even he didn't enjoy living in it all the time.

It didn't surprise him that Bakura was so open in this, or that he thought in terms of how to be useful to others. Mello had come to expect that from the kid.

He couldn't settle into the resonance fully; it was just off enough to be slightly uncomfortable. But the aural and tactile hallucinations were barely there anymore.

We've sufficiently proved we can cope with madness, don't you think?

[shiromadoushi]

'I think so, yeah,' Bakura nodded. 'Time to get back to sanity?'

[want_the_world]

Yes, I think so.

Mello held onto the die tighter, mostly instinctively, and made his way back out of the roped-off madness zone. This had worked better than he expected, and he couldn't help but wonder how much more effective it would've been with someone he'd resonated with before.

Not bad, kid.

[shiromadoushi]

The warm feeling that bubbled up from that was much like one would expect a puppy to have when praised. 'Thank you...'

There was a slight pause. 'It's Bakura, Bakura Ryou. I don't think we ever introduced ourselves...' A touch of embarrassment with that realization. They had spoken how many times and Bakura had neglected to offer his name?

[want_the_world]

Mello had made a point of finding out Bakura's name already. He tended to keep a close eye on anyone who got close to L.

He didn't think it was odd to go so long without a proper introduction--he generally didn't offer his own name, not unless someone either asked for or earned it. Bakura (who would probably always be 'kid' some of the time) had earned it by now.

I'm Mello.

He felt that puppyish happiness in having done well. Too bad more people weren't that eager to please.

I'm setting you down now.

[shiromadoushi]

'OK!'

There was barely a moment's pause before the die began to glow and Bakura transformed back into himself. Despite being just a touch rattled by the Madness, he felt as if he had accomplished something and felt better than he had before going in. "Thanks so much for your help, Mello," he smiled warmly.

[want_the_world]

Mello wouldn't have admitted it, but he was relieved resonating with Bakura hadn't ended in injury.

"Thank you, too." He didn't usually bother with pleasantries like that, but he did know how to use them when called for.