justonetruth | (no subject)

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[There are loud crashing noises coming from one of the rooms, followed by the sound of shattering glass and a few more ominous thumps. It goes silent again for a few moments, before the door is flung open and someone flies out of the room, skidding across the wooden floors of the hallway and colliding painfully with the opposite wall.

It's another Kaito, though clearly not one of the more normal ones. He's dressed in a dull green jumpsuit indicative of prison garb, and a light-gray, metal collar with a bar-code adorning the front is looped around his neck. His appearance isn't helped by the dark red blood stains that spatter his clothing and smear across his cheek. Nor does is it helped by the light trail of blood that now streaks across the floor where he slid, and the droplets that now line the wall where he landed.

He's breathing heavily as he lifts a hand to wipe his mouth, and he freezes mid-motion. His gaze darts frantically around the hallway, and despite his seemingly serious injuries, he's on his feet within seconds, taking a defensive stance and glancing frantically at his surroundings]

The hell--

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"That is an interesting question." The reply comes from the door, where a small child in a yukata is kicking off his sandals. He has an adult sized yukata under one arm and the furoshiki bundle that Ran was originally carrying under the other. "Death is commonly thought of as the absence of life; yet as you will have notice, we do not lack the ability to experience. So if we are to define death, we must first define life--"

"Conan," Ran interrupts him. "Kaito-san is ill and does not wish to listen to your chatter. Did you find him clothing?"

[Kaito just kind of blinks at Conan]

... I am dead. [it's a mumble mostly to himself] I'm either dead or this is the weirdest dream I've ever had...

[Conan moves to hand the yukata to Ran who motions him to give it to Kaito.]

I do not think we are dead. I think we are in the places that souls are judged, but that we may have been brought here before our time. There are stories of people who have dreamt that they came to the world beyond the earthly world to receive warning or instruction, undergoing trials or seeing many marvels before returning to their homes and finding it was as though they had never gone away. Such a hypothesis fits the facts that we know.

[He holds up the yukata for Kaito.]

[Ran, meanwhile, is putting the furoshiki aside.] Conan, do you know where the kitchen is?

[Kaito just kind of stares at Conan after that]

... weird dream. Really weird dream.

[Conan's smile falters as Kaito stares and he holds out the yukata silently.]

[Ran, too, is concerned.] The yukata is not to your liking? Conan, you must go and look again. And this time, go to the kitchen. Kaito-san would like ... orange juice.

[he shakes his head and lifts his gaze to Ran with a sheepish grin]

Er, no it's fine. Thanks. [he reaches out to take the yukata from Conan, though he still sounds distracted]

[Ran beams, relieved. A yukata is much better than a blanket.] Then just the orange juice, Conan.

[She turns her back to allow Kaito to change.]

When I said you were the second Kaito I met, I meant that. He was your age, and very similar in appearance, but his circumstances were different. He was travelling with a doctor and was fighting a race of dangerous spirits.

[Kaito isn't quite used to wearing yukatas, in prison or out of it, but he remembers how to put one on. So as Ran speaks, he gets dressed, wincing as he accidentally irritates his injuries]

That doesn't make any sense. There's only one me, just like there's only one Ran-- [or there's only supposed to be one, anyway]

[Conan has disappeared as quietly as he appeared, and Ran keeps her back turned.] I think that it is magic.

[-- magic? His response is instinctual at this point]

Magic doesn't-- [but he cuts himself off. He's seen a lot of things that almost feel like magic since being thrown into Deadman Wonderland, hasn't he?]

You think magic... duplicated us into different scenarios, and pulled us into this... mansion?

"I think the different scenarious existed before the mansion," Ran ventured. "But other than that, you are correct. May I turn around?"

[he blinks]

Uh, yeah. 'M dressed. [hesitation, and then he asks firmly] Do you know any way to get out of this mansion and back to where we came from?

[Ran turns around, stopping a little as she realises how like Shinichi Kaito looks in the yukata. She has to look away quickly.]

I am afraid not. I have not been here long myself but all I have heard indicates it is a matter of time and of luck.

[He doesn't seem to notice her discomfort, too caught up in the fact that he can't get home when he needs to get home. He curses, bringing a hand up to rub his temples]

... I need to get back. As soon as possible. Something really important is happening at the prison I'm at, and-- [he pauses and clenches his jaw] -- I need to be there for it.

I am sorry to hear that. It seems the Mansion has little concern for the feelings of its guests.

[Curious prisoner to want to return to prison!]

[a humorless laugh, and he doesn't look up]

... you talk about it like it has a mind of its own.

At this point, it would not surprise me. Besides, when you think of the stories of monster-houses ...

[Ran paused as Conan returned, a brightly coloured container in his hands, orange juice clearly written on its side. After a quick glance at Kaito to make sure that he is not taking any liberties, Conan takes it to Ran.] I found it in the cold box.

[Kaito blinks from Conan, then to Ran, and for the first time since his arrival in this strange place, he smiles. It's wry and tired, but ti's a smile]

... yeah, that's what I need. [a pause] Thanks.

You are welcome. [Ran pats Conan on the head approvingly before steering him towards Kaito with the orange juice.] Conan, if Kaito-san doesn't want his porridge, you can take it.

[Conan holds out the orange juice to Kaito hopefully.]

[A few more blinks, and Kaito takes the orange juice]

Er... he can have it.

[Conan takes the bowl without preamble, shifting to a cushion at the low table to eat it. Ran pours a second bowl for herself, glancing at Kaito.]

You're not hungry? Or is that all you require?

[Kaito's already gulping down the orange juice (from the carton, of course) by the time Ran turns to him with her question. He needs as much vitamin C as he can get-- especially after that last fight.

He lowers the carton and wipes at his mouth after one particularly long swig]

This'll be fine for now. Uh. Thanks.

It is no trouble. [Ran carries her own bowl to the low table, sitting beside Conan, and giving him a nudge.]

[It takes a moment for Conan to realise he is being prompted.] None at all. [Pause.] Where are you from?

[Kaito drums his fingers against the orange juice carton as he inhales and exhales deeply, deciding not to name the prison as his primary home]

Tokyo. What about you guys?

The village Beika, in the Western provinces. [Ran pauses thoughtfully.] Tokyo ... I have heard that name before.