[centre][h1]Ross is an asshole?[/h1][/centre]
[center]A colab between [@Zoey White] and myself[/center]

[hr]

Ross looked up from his bread and tea, watching Devyn take a seat at his table. [i][color=a36209]Perfect.[/color][/i] She was speaking far too many words, and even managed to make a little joke about hangovers, how cute. [color=a36209]”Ok lass I’ll stop you there. I don’t think I remember you, there was a fair few women there and I was, very drunk.”[/color] He said this know full well who Devyn was, but he just wanted to be an asshole.

He would have to try harder than that, however, because Devyn took it as friendly banter. Her smirk did not fade.

[color=f7976a]”You were drunk last night? I’d never have guessed.”[/color] She looked him up and down- yep, that was the same shirt...and the same pants...same everything. He spoke the truth, however. He was the only ‘guest’ that was a man. Poor Ross- he seemed to be quite outclassed. Devyn tried opening him up again for two reasons: Because she would like to get to know him as a person, and she needed to get to know him as a magician. Unfortunately, however, he artfully dodged answering her joke/question about him having a pact. She’d have to try again for more information.

[color=f7976a]”What brings you to Boston? If I’m not mistaken, I hear scottish in your voice.”[/color] She asked. Comparatively, Devyn had a plain American accent, the calm, usually understandable voice of a newscaster.

God this lady liked questions, how annoying… [color=a36209]”Same thing that brought you here, some letter from… Whatever that demon Eve showed us was. Coarse I didn’t know what I was getting myself into at the time. But hey shi-. Things could be worse.”[/color] Ross had to catch himself at the end there, he wanted to come off as at lest semi decent.

Ross again sipped his tea, he wasn’t a big tea fan, but he felt like it helped wash the beer breath out. He never really tested to see if that was true though. [color=a36209]”And you’re not mistaken about the scottish. But I’m not that sore about leaving home, I wasn’t very popular.”[/color] he chuckled lightly, taking another bite out of his final slice of toast. 

[color=f7976a]”Do you have wanderlust?”[/color] Devyn asked. [color=f7976a]”I’ve always had trouble staying in one place for too long.”[/color] She said, looking down at her cereal and absent-mindedly stirring it. 

[color=a36209]"Probably. But it’s fairly hard to get out of a country when you’re a convicted criminal.”[/color] Ross would give a little shrug. God it was like Devyn was trying to peel him open and see what was inside, what was with all these damn questions? [color=a36209]”So. Enough about me. What made you decide to stick around?”[/color]

Convicted criminal. The words rang around in her head, trying to find memories where this information would give new context too. She couldn’t find anything. Devyn also wondered what Ross was convicted for. This guy just shrugged, said “enough about me.” He could have done anything from petty theft to serial killings...but that was a bit over the top, because no one in their right mind would hire a convicted serial killer. It was the [i]un[/i]convicted serial killers you had to worry about.

Still. Devyn tried to hide her surprise, not to show some weakness in front of him, but her eyes did widen and her brow did raise. Indeed, Devyn was playing intricate mind games of reading, of information gathering, and Ross was somehow winning by just trying to eat breakfast.

Devyn cleared her throat, took a small sip of her orange juice and thought of something to say.

[color=f7976a]”Well, you know, I’ve always been interested in magic. I’m a journalist, so I look for new things; I try my best to help people by spreading the knowledge. The pen is mightier than the sword, and all that.”[/color] She used her plastic spoon to write important, imaginary essays in the air between them.

Ross had picked up on Devyn’s shock, he hid a smile as she revealed her occupation. [color=a36209][i]Oooooh she’s a fucking journalist, that explains everything. Wait shit, she’s probably taking mental notes on everything I say, I better be careful.[/i][/color] Ross had finished his tea, having moved onto a glass of… Well it was pretty obvious. [color=a36209]”Let's hope the pen is mightier than whatever Ms Eve points us at…”[/color]

Devyn smiled and nodded, taking another spoonful of cereal.

Ross looked at his drink briefly before taking a swig and setting it on the table. His demeanor shifting considerably, he didn’t look like a man having his breakfast anymore, now he was a man on a mission. [color=a36209]”I’m going to straight with you. You better watch what you say, because I doubt that some of the others would be so welcoming towards your questions. You’re a journalist, I know asking questions is in your nature. But if you dig too deep in the wrong places, you’re going to find a corpse, and if you’re not careful, It’ll be yours.”[/color] He then leaned back on his chair, casually taking another swig, seeing how Devyn would react. She didn’t strike him as a bad person, and he felt like she deserved a little warning.

The journalist became still during Ross’s little warning, looking at him with an impassive stare. Then, she pointed at him with the end of the plastic spoon, wagging it up and down and making on odd face. As if to say; ‘Ahh, there you are.’ [color=f7976a]”Well, thank you for the warning, Mr. Ross.”[/color] She cleared her throat.

[color=f7976a]”But, I’ve seen my fair share of corpses.”[/color] She paused, eyes briefly glazing over as she reflected on on her time in various divided countries during her time as a war correspondent. Her expression brightened again, looking at Ross.

[color=f7976a]”Well, thank you for sharing breakfast with me, Mr. Ross.”[/color] She slung her purse over her shoulder, stood up and threw away her empty bowl and cup. As Devyn passed by the table again, she hesitated.

[color=f7976a]”See you.”[/color] Devyn concluded simply, absent mindedly pulling her black shirt back down over her belt and quickly leaving the hotel with more respect for Ross than when she went in.

Ross would look at Devyn her impassive stare making him worried he’d pissed her off, but hey, what else was new? Then she waved around her spoon and thanked him for the warning, then clearing her throat. Ho boy was he in for it now.

He was braced for some kind of annoyed rant about being able to look after herself, or her already knowing not to be a sticky beak and ask to many questions. But instead she simply said she’d seen her fair share of corpses, but she clearly wasn’t happy to be thinking back on those moments. Ross didn’t think he’d have to worry about this girl, she seemed like a good person.

He’d give her a simple wave as she walked off, purse slung over her shoulder. He’d not say anything and just give her a courteous nod. [color=a36209][i]I’ve pissed her off… Well at least she’ll probably be a bit more careful now.[/i][/color] Ross would sigh to himself then finish the last of his apple juice.