(no subject)

[kingwithnocrown]

Who: Orihara Izaya & All Of Vatheon
Where: The park
When: Sometime towards the evening but not at night
Style: Prose or action. I really don't care.
Status: Open

He looked like he hadn't slept in days. And really? He probably hadn't. He walked slowly, his shoulders drooped with a bit of a glazed expression on his face. He knew it wasn't safe to be out and about in a state like this but his day was coming to an end and he planned on sleeping tonight. Swinging from his hand was a small plastic bag and in his other hand was a bottle of what looked to be tea.

As he shuffled through the park along the path, he eventually stopped by a tree that was just a few feet away from the path. He walked on over and all but collapsed at the tree's base, leaning up against it and stretched his legs out in front of him. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a breath. A few minutes passed of him just sitting there before finally, he moved again and began to unpack his bag.

A box of ootoro. He began to eat his dinner with his fingers, the bottle of tea on his other side. Of which he occasionally took a sip from. The typically observant informant seemed to be...well. Not so observant tonight. He seemed to be, anyway.

Comments

[replicatedcourage]

He'd been in Zelda's house! She smiled at him! She gave him his sword and shield back! She named him! And he hadn't done anything stupid enough for Shizuo to hit him with furniture or fixtures again! For how horribly the day had begun, it was certainly ending wonderfully. He felt like a new person. Or even a person at all.

As happy as he was, though, he was equally embarrassed and still so confused. He may know what to do now - protect his friends and his princess - but from what? How? Maybe he should start just by getting the milk Zelda had wanted...

Oh Goddess he'd touched her skirt!

As usual when his mind is in turmoil, Sola finds himself in the park in the comforting shadow of the trees. Not as usual, however, is his roommate sitting seemingly dejected under a tree.

"Izaya?"

[kingwithnocrown]

Izaya didn't know why he expected to be left alone. It wasn't necessarily that he didn't feel like talking. Okay, it was in a way. It was more or less that he was just tired. So when he heard feet coming, his fingers paused around that piece of ootoro. His eyes flicked up, and for a moment, he looked dangerous. It faded the moment he saw Link and instead he smiled up at him, his expression kind.

"Hello, Link," he greeted, lowering the piece of sushi back into the box. He licked his lower lip and set the box into his lap. Link looked..odd. No, he looked happy but a little flustered even. "What's up? You look kinda funny. Did Shizu-chan throw another bench at your face?" he asked.

He'd briefly seen the two of them together before he leaped away to continue whatever it was that the man had been doing throughout the past few days.

"Have you had dinner yet?" he asked, glancing down at his food before he looked back up at Link.

[replicatedcourage]

Sola paused at Izaya's harsh look, something he hadn't yet seen cross his face, but once his landlord called him by his original's name, he thought no more of it.

"Actually I have my own name now! Call me Sola, okay?" He plunked right down next to Izaya, removing his recently reaquired arms to set them gently down next to the glass bottle he'd been clutching, and smiled genially. "Shizuo didn't throw anything! And I got to talk to Zelda." He blushed and broke eye contact. "She named me, actually. A-and we had tea, so I'm not hungry, you go ahead. Thanks."

There definitely was an attitude difference from the morose figure that had been sulking around the apartment earlier.

[demonicbookworm]

He sighed softly.

Ever since Ruca learnt about the attacks at the city – or actually about the kraken - he wondered if he shouldn't actually practice sword fighting a little or something like that. He didn't like to fight and he wished he wouldn't have to fight at all here, but the more he thought about it, the more he begun to realize he might not avoid battles in the future.

Besides there was still a problem with Chitose. If Mathias ever got here... no, he'd rather not think about that. He should be happy that no one is trying to kill him for now.

Thinking about all of this the silver-haired boy sighed again. Though, at some point Ruca remembered that it would be best if he paid some attention to where he was going and when he did, he spotted Izaya.

Ruca blinked. The man looked different than he always; he seemed like he didn't get much sleep... or maybe it was something else? Maybe something was troubling him?

Ruca frowned with worry as he approached him.

"Mr. Orihara?"

[kingwithnocrown]

Just as Izaya took another bite of the sushi, he heard his name from a familiar voice. He looked up and swallowed down his mouthful. Ruca. The kid was sweet and a bit cute. And he shrieked of innocence. Izaya had almost been so caught up in himself that he forgot to invest time with Ruca. He didn't like that.

"Ruca," he said with a genuine smile, lowering his fingers. "It's been a while. How are you?" he asked, shifting his legs up to his chest before he set his box aside. He never liked to eat while talking to someone he didn't know too well. It struck him as rude.

"We never went to the library together, did we?" he asked, titling his head to the side. "Shame. Although in all fairness, you won't learn much about Vatheon if you go there. But ah- you just like to read, don't you? I have some books back at my apartment if you're ever interested...Ah. What are you doing out tonight?"

[demonicbookworm]

"Yes, you're right, but I'm okay." he answered, carefully studying Izaya. "...And you, Mr. Orihara?" he frowns with worry again. "Is everything alright?"

He sat down on the ground in front of Izaya, wondering what happened to the man. It was the first time Ruca had seen him looking so tired.

"I already know. But it's okay. A frie-" he stopped himself from saying that. Chitose wasn't a friend. If anything he should probably consider her an enemy. But he couldn't do that. He liked Chitose. She was a good person, even though she believed in Mathias' twisted ideals. "...Someone from my world helps me gather some information about Vathoen." he said in the end.

"But yes, you are right." He hesitated a little, then a very soft smile appeared on his face. "...What kind of books do you have?" Yes. He would never refuse such an offer. When books are involved everything else loses all its importance.

...And it was a good excuse to avoid answering the last question. Still, Ruca had to think about looking for a place where he can practice sword-fighting later. No matter how much he wanted to avoid trouble, trouble would always find him, so it would be best if he was prepared for that.

your first action then because we can't stay away man.

[xtsundereprince]

[ Did it really matter if it wasn't safe to be out? As far as this demon was concerned, he could take anything anyone could throw at him. He had noticed the change, the lack of sleep, the fact he hadn't been crazy assaulted with the same fervor as before but then leave it to Laharl not to exactly know what to do with himself in situations like this.

Normally, he spent the afternoons (or what remained of them seeing as he normally slept til the late mornings) about the city, trying to make sense of it all so it wasn't exactly a surprise that he'd chanced upon his roomate where he was and in such a state. It was only when Izaya sat down that he approached, nonchalant as always. Had he been following him since he entered the park? Maybe. Just... out of curiosity because really, what is concern, bro?

When he approaches, he's oddly quiet, as if not really wanting to bother him. ]

Hey. Izaya.

I'm so okay with this. And duh. They're perfect

[kingwithnocrown]

[Izaya, for once, had not noticed that he had been followed. If he was. Who knows. He was a bit in his own world but that much was probably obvious. He swallowed down another mouthful just as he saw two familiar feet.

He glances up and his expression actually doesn't change.

Instead...he looks back down and pokes at the sushi.]

Yo.

[His eyes flick back up and then he smiles. Just a little. Concern? Yeah he doesn't expect that.

Except with Laharl, he's almost kind of starting to. Their relationship was pretty interesting on most days and after recent events...well...]

What's up, Laharl? Taking a stroll?

The best awkward friends ever!

[xtsundereprince]

Maybe.

[ The fact he hasn't been told to go away acts as a measure of self-invitation so the prince settles himself beside the informant, arms crossed over his knees and staring off. There's a respectable distance between them, a foot possibly. The prince didn't want to seem too familiar after all. It wasn't his way of doing things. Despite the fact that maybe... just maybe... Izaya had managed to tame that wild fire just the smallest bit.

This tree was familiar. He spent quite a bit of time here himself but mostly up in the branches than down here.

A moment of silence passes before he speaks. ]

So what's up with you?

[nonsensical]

[ well, it's nonetheless interesting to find a person nearly passed out while amidst his own endeavors, and of course he's curious about it, so—!

he'll be leaning over this man with a smile right about now. ]

My! What an interesting place to sit considering there's no lack of proper seating around. [ there are benches only a little ways off... ] How did you arrive at such an exhausted state?

[kingwithnocrown]

[He stops mid-bite and his eyes roll up.

Now, this isn't a face he was familiar with. Not at all and Izaya wants to change that pret-ty quickly. Despite his exhausted state, he drops the sushi and grins a bit dangerously.]

Is it? Maybe I just wanted to relax under a tree. Y'know, get in touch with nature and all.

[Says a guy from a big city.]

Me? Exhausted? [He chuckles and flicks his wrist as if to dismiss that.] Do I look exhausted? Ah, well. I suppose it's been a long day. But more importantly, who are you? I don't think I've met you before. And I think I'd remember someone like you.

[nonsensical]

Oh? How quaint.

[ he backs away from leaning over the man and turns on his heel— but not to leave; in fact, he simply turns and chooses to lean against the tree himself, albeit in a standing position. ]

I do wonder what the benefits to getting in touch with nature might be. Does it cure exhaustion, perhaps?

[ all the while he speaks, his hands are moving steadily— reaching into his sleeve and retrieving a piece of candy (who knows why it's even in his sleeve—), unwrapping it, and then finally popping it into his mouth. when he speaks next, it's through his own chewing: ]

I? I am but a man asking another man about his exploits beneath a tree, quite obviously! [ good luck getting his name. ]

[nos_servabit]

[There's the rustle of leaves, and there's a familiar man walking out of the forest nearby. When he sees Izaya, he pauses, blue eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. He's dressed simply, and seems to be carrying a small book in his left hand, his fingers obscuring the title. After a pause, he speaks.]

Hello, Izaya. Relaxing?

[kingwithnocrown]

[Izaya looks up the moment he hears that rustle. And. Jacob. He bites on his finger accidentally in surprise and instantly hisses in mild pain, a drop of blood surfacing. The sushi is dropped back into the box and he sticks that finger in his mouth.

Regardless of his surprise, he smiles around his finger and looks pretty cheerful anyway.

Well damn, he didn't think that he was this tense really.]

Jacob! Hi-hi. Yeah, something like that.

[A mumble around his finger.]

What's that book?

[And finger out and he's good.]

[nos_servabit]

[He just stands there for a while, eyes momentarily glancing to Izaya's finger before staring back at his face. His expression softens slightly- he hadn't been intending to surprise him. What was putting him in such a unrelaxed state?]

You alright?

[He gazes towards the book he's holding and shrugs.]

"The Idiot" by Dostoyevsky. Though this version seems to be starring fish instead of people. But it still seems to have the same plot as the book I know back home.

[singsforsouls]

[ When he spotted Izaya, Naoya initially paused. Considering the way their last interaction had gone, he was not sure what the man thought of him, or what he might do. Should he pass by without saying anything? That seemed overly rude, but being overly friendly with a man who had put a knife to one's neck also seemed a poor idea.

In the end, he settled for a small wave as he passed by. ]

Hey.

[ Then he notices the dark circles under Izaya's eyes and the glazed expression. He stops abruptly. ]

Are you okay?

[kingwithnocrown]

[Their last interaction had certainly been a little on the hostile side. But even though that was the case, Izaya glanced up at Naoya as he passed and didn't look remotely bothered to see him.]

Hello, Nao-kun.

[He expects him to keep moving so when Naoya suddenly stops, he sort of just blinks.]

Eh? Why would you ask that?

[singsforsouls]

You look rough.

[ Naoya's gaze flicked from head-to-toe, though it was obviously a more checking his state than say, checking him out. ]

[a_violent_end]

All in all, Shizuo was feeling more positive than he felt during the past couple of weeks. Talking to Zelda had helped his mood considerably, and he was also feeling better about his self-control. He had managed hold back from reacting violently to Sola, which made him feel positive about his future attempts at controlling his rage. His primary motivation was to overcome that so-called need that Izaya had spoken about during their last meeting. It was as though that was all Shizuo needed to try - really try - for the first time since he gave into the pull of anger in his childhood.

At least, that's what Shizuo wanted to think. That progress meant eventually being able to walk away from Izaya - avoid that half-crazed desire to kill-but-not-kill, that feeling that Izaya was, indeed, all he had. The only person to take the full brunt of Shizuo's violence.

No. He wouldn't think that way. He had Zelda, who wasn't afraid to touch him, and he had his one glimpse into self-control. He had met people who didn't think he was a monster. Shizuo could do this. He just needed to stay focused.

Of course, this was a process, not something that could change over night. So when Shizuo caught sight of Izaya, in the corner of his vision, just as he walked the path in front of the informant, he felt that instant, familiar irritation. But that wasn't all - he also a twinge of shame as he recalled their last conversation. It had been so raw, so exposing. Shizuo wanted just to walk right passed him and pretend he never saw Izaya sitting there, but he was no actor. He couldn't pull off a stunt like that. And so he turned, feeling the heavy weight of defeat.

He couldn't avoid Izaya. Just as the flea had said.

It didn't matter that Izaya looked tired, even a little defeated himself. It didn't matter that Shizuo truly wanted to leave before giving Izaya the chance to speak. He turned, approached, and positioned himself right above Izaya, so that he was bearing over him. Shizuo leaned forward, a threatening fist shoved against the tree under which Izaya sat.

"You," he said in a tone laced with irritation. And that's all he said - because between them, conversation had become somewhat dangerous. Shizuo wanted to focus on the hope for a chase, something without words, rather than a pause for conversation.

He wanted Izaya to move.

[kingwithnocrown]

Izaya had been just about to put another piece of that delectable sushi into his mouth when a shadow fell over him. Izaya didn't even need to look up to know who it was. He could all but feel that raw, powerful energy that practically emanated from Shizuo like some sort of aura. While Izaya might have once felt terribly amused and joyous at the chance and opportunity to harass Shizuo, tonight was simply not the night. He wanted nothing to do with this man. He felt exhausted and if he were being honest with himself? A little miserable. Shizuo had been the very last person he wanted to run into.

"Yes, Shizu-chan, it's me. Brilliant observation skills you have there. I always wondered how well you could see in the dark while wearing sunglasses," Izaya said, setting the piece of sushi back down into his box. For an annoying moment, he wondered if this was how Shizuo felt whenever he came crashing in on his moments of peace. But Shizuo deserved those ruined moments of peace. Besides, it was hardly Izaya's fault that the man was so easy to spin into a trap and rip apart.

Izaya did not move. He didn't even get out his knife. Instead, he merely stared up at Shizuo with a frustrated expression on his face. He did not want to play today.

"Go away, Shizu-chan," he said after a prolonged stare and he even waved his hand at Shizuo as though to dismiss him. "Your face was the last thing I wanted to see today. I don't feel like playing with you right now. Why don't you go entertain your protozoic brain somewhere else? Go bother Zelda. Since you've taken such an interest in the woman," he said with a disapproving cluck of his tongue. "But leave me alone."

This was a defiant tone and he wanted nothing more than just that. He slid another piece of sushi into his mouth and stared back up at Shizuo- as if daring the blond to make a move. "Oh that's right!" he said, suddenly cheerful in tone, "You can't."

That thing about conversation? Yeah well, Shizuo came onto Izaya on a bad night. He looked back down and his shoulders slouched. He really didn't want to deal with this tonight. He didn't like that he was starting to feel a bit irritated and upset at just being near Shizuo. He had just gotten finished thinking obsessively about their last interaction and he really didn't need a reason to start obsessing again. Like Shizuo was trying to work on controlling his rage, Izaya was trying to work on his...obsession. "Just go die somewhere Shizu-chan."

[a_violent_end]

It should have been simple. Shizuo did not want to deal with Izaya, and Izaya did not want to deal with him. Parting should have been relatively easy. They technically agreed. Now wasn't the time. Izaya was giving him a way out. Shizuo needed to just turn around and walk away.

But it wasn't that simple. If it were, Shizuo would never fight with Izaya. He'd avoid the bait. Resist the chase. He wouldn't be spending his time trying to hold back so that, some day, he'd be able to laugh in Izaya's face. Ignore his attempts at baiting him. Win, for once. If it were that simple, they would have never had that raw conversation.

"No," he replied, digging his fist into the tree despite the friction, shifting it so that tiny bits of bark chipped off. "Just because you're not in the mood, you think I'm going to walk away?" Shizuo barked out a laugh. "It's not that I can't. I don't want to." A half-truth. Now that Izaya was telling him to leave, Shizuo felt compelled to stay - but there was that simultaneous desire to leave, the two clashing.

"Don't talk about Zelda," he said with added animosity. Just hearing her name spoken in Izaya's voice was enough to add fuel to his fire.

"I'm not going anywhere," Shizuo replied, though he really had no alternative plan. He just felt rooted. Stuck. Motivated by conflicted desires. "So you might as well get running, while you can." Because that's what Shizuo wanted. A chase. Not a verbal sparring.

everyone loves izaya and tags forever, but selphie has to too!

[booyaka_boom]

Selphie had been in the park herself for most of the afternoon. Since the new year came in, she couldn't help but feel that she was getting both fat and lazy, and she couldn't possibly bare to cope with that. So she's been sparring, a lot by herself, every day so far. Well, it kept her busy.

She was pretty exhausted by the time she spotted Izaya slumped by the tree. The park was a great place to just dump yourself and think, but that didn't seem to suit Izaya somehow. At least, it didn't seem like something he just did for fun on a regular basis.

Selphie approached him slowly, her nunchuks slung around her neck like a scarf, a hand holding each of the handles as she tilted her head and watched him, "Hey, mister."

Well Izaya loves Selphie so tags forever are welcomed :|

[kingwithnocrown]

Selphie could be right about just that. No, she was right. Izaya did plenty of contemplating. Of which he did all over the city and island at individual times but this was a little different. At least he was usually out of sight and out of mind.

That didn't stop from the pleasant smile that surfaced the moment that he heard Selphie's familiar voice. Hey, he liked Selphie. She was kind of an actual friend too, wasn't she? It was a nice, refreshing thought. Maybe he was lonely. But nah...That wasn't important.

Instead, he perked up quite a bit and waved to Selphie. "Hey missus~," he replied.

"Oh, I didn't know you knew how to use weaponry," he said with interest as he pointed to her nunchuks. "The last time I saw someone use those...Well it didn't end very well for them," Izaya said with simple amusement. He patted the ground beside him, inviting Selphie to sit. No, he didn't mind her company at all.

[last_lombax]

Evening walks had become something of a habit for the Lombax. His insomnia never really let him sleep well or long during the night so getting out of his apartment was nice. He could wonder the less crowded streets and avoid more of the strange onlookers than he could during the day. This was much better for him in the long run. Though he was still confused as to what he was supposed to do there. Live a life? He had one back home....

He shook his head to dispel the thoughts. He didn't need those right now. He had confessed he was dead more times during the curse than he'd like to admit. He could find something to do here. Maybe find an evil villain to foil like good old times? And then he spotted Izaya. He walked over to the man and stopped a few feet from him.

"You okay?"

[kingwithnocrown]

Izaya wasn't entirely used to having a lack of ally ways to duck into and hunch around in while he ate a dinner. Tokyo was a lot bigger than Vatheon and it had a lot more nooks and crannies that he was familiar with. He knew a lot about Vatheon but he tried not to explore as much as he would regularly. It was actually potentially dangerous. This was really his train of thought when a voice interrupted him. He was just biting into a fresh piece of sushi when his eyes rolled up and- oh. That cute rodent thing...

"Ratchet, right?" he asked after swallowing his mouthful. "Hey, are your eyes sensitive in the dark? Can you see well?" he asked, pointing to his own eyes and then up to Ratchet's. He was a bit taken aback by the fact that the guy had bothered to approach him at all and ask him. Then again, he did seem like he had some sort of good morale. And he didn't know Izaya. Which explained just enough.

Instead of going into detail about his long week of obsessive research, he simply shrugged and gave Ratchet a slight smile. "I'm just fine. I overworked myself is all just a bit. What're you doing out? It's dinner time, you know."