Their First Encounter

Alexandra Selene observed the surrounding vicinity. Her current whereabouts remained unknown. She had been taken away from her peers and escorted into a concealed dungeon. Selene suspected she was now located somewhere in the London metropolis.

The holding room before her was rather dull. The walls held a unitary monotone color. Yes, some decorum could be noted. A flower base engraved with Hindi script was located in the far corner of the room. The intricate designs of the base create a foil with the rather plain environment. The more Selene stared at the odd relic, the more she realized the device seemed out of place.

A door opened in the distance. Mutterings vibrated down the hall. Selene could here foot steps approaching from behind the door. She immediately curtailed her slouch and observed the doorknob turn. Even before the strangers entered the room, Selene could clearly make out certain facts from the complex set of vocal inflections. The door crouched open, and two men inched forward. Selene starred directly before her. There had been two speakers - one dominant and one submissive. So which one was which?

" This is she." One of the men spoke. Selene shifted her head. So he was the subordinate? Selene observed his physical appearance. Yes, he was nicely dressed. His suit was first hand. His cologne was expensive, and he spoke with a significant amount of poise. However, nothing could compare him to that of his colleague. How stupid of her! She should have made the connection sooner.

The second man held a mysterious lure. Unlike seconds prior, he said nothing. He simply took in her appearance. Selene did not look away. A wave of fear flashed through her veins. His eyes were most awl striking she had ever encountered – almost God like. Selene felt as if his sapphire vessels could easily penetrate her and look into the depths of her soul.

Human instinct took over. Almost immediately, her standard emotional responses began to shut down. Selene began to mimic her visitor's facial expressions - rather than reveal her own discontent. His emotionless appearance warranted an uncalculated rising of the left eyebrow. Selene copied the man.

The subordinate – also known as the other man – picked up a file. "Alexandra Selene Huelsing. Age 17. " The man handed his superior the file. The older man, roughly forty, perused the documents. "You failed to mention a criminal record." He murmured with some distaste. The subordinate involuntarily flinched.

" It was mentioned to your people in the background investigation." The younger man choked out. The serpent man slowly, like a predator, raised his head from the folders: "I was not informed." His said a low, yet emotionless voice. "She is one of our best." The younger man responded – as if to justify. The boss looked back to the young girl: "We will see about that." He took in her physical features again.

A chill entered the room. Selene couldn't tell if it was the lack of heat or the man who stood before her. "I will leave you to get acquainted." The younger man exclaimed. Selene raised an eyebrow. He was clearly grateful to be leaving. He then scrambled out the door. A clambering could be heard from the distance.

Selene was now left alone with this rather intimidating man. There was a long silence. Their first interaction started with him circling her like a hawk. A knot formed in her stomach. He was the predator, and she felt like his prey. Selene resisted making a cynical remark to diffuse tension. Yet she had no clue what was going on, so she thought it best to keep her mouth shut. "Alexandra Selene. Age 17. Parents' deceased. Orphan. High standardized test scores. Personality: INTJ." He spoke a loud. He then looked over her body: "Eldest child. Socially awkward, yet street smart. One previous lover. Confident, yet timid. Hmm, my dear. You seem as unsettled as the rest." Selene didn't say anything. No doubt that was supposed to freak her out, and it did.

"Yes, you have clearly done your research." She nodded her head in respect. The man raised his eyebrow. "May I inquire to whom I am speaking too? Or am I not privileged enough to know that information?" The older man gave her a smirk. " I apologize if you find our security measures … restrictive." Selene narrowed her eyes and resisted a singular chuckle: "I can think off a few stronger words than that." She murmured.

The man twirled his umbrella. "You will refer to me from now on as Mister Holmes." Selene gave him odd look. Holmes. What a sophisticated, yet annoying name. "Are you my new legal guardian?" She inquired of him. A grimace crossed his face. Over the course of a few seconds, it transformed into a rather fake smile. "Something of the sorts."

Selene gave him a suspicious look. Dimming down his communication to make himself seem less intelligent was not a good idea. She finally nodded her head and got herself to relax. A phone began to ring from the man's pocket. "Forgive me," He exclaimed. "I must take this." He attempted leave. "Wait," She spoke. "He stopped in his steps. " What is your name?"

He clearly looked annoyed now. "I have already told you." Selene shifted her head. "I was referring to your first name. You know mine. It seems only fair that I know yours." The man looked at her like she was a goldfish. He then spoke reluctantly after a moment's contemplation. "My name is Mycroft."

Selene starred blankly at him for a moment. "An enclosed, small field?" She blurted out randomly. Mycroft narrowed his eyes. "I beg your pardon?" A slight blush caressed her cheeks. "Myoe is the English root for 'mouth of the stream.' Croft mean enclosed, small field."

Mycroft stopped what he was doing and gave her curious look. " I am assuming your heritage derives from Derbyshire or South Yorkshire?" Selene inquired from the older man. He ignored his call and stepped forward. " I am assuming, based off your surname, your paternal heritage reigns from Munich, Germany?" He retorted. So he was answering a question with a question? She had apparently hit close to home.

She decided to throw him off course. This was not a challenge. She was clearly entertaining him too much. "Your name is rather lovely." Selene replied as innocently as possible. Now that was a red herring. Mycroft was distracted for less than a second.

He gave her smirk. " I sure your Helios finds your name agreeable as well." He goaded her. Selene knotted her nose. His implication to her current situation could be associated with that of the novel Oedipus Rex. Instead, Cleopatra's children, Helios and Selene, were brother and sister. Such a thought filled her with disgust. Instead of feeding into his insult, she gave him a witty reply: "Yes, when he is not busy plowing fields with umbrellas I am sure he is rather lovely." Selene teased him. Mycroft gave a sadistic glance. Apparently, he was no longer amused. "But he is not you, Mr. Holmes." She added for respect. Then she added: "You are not as witty."