(no subject)

[kingwithnocrown]

Characters: Orihara Izaya and the world of Vatheon
Location: Most likely in the Plaza, but anywhere really.
Time: Monday evening
Style: Action or prose.
Status: Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide open

[This might be considered a warning sign for mental instability but if anyone actually knew Izaya, it wouldn't be that shocking. It's still a pretty interesting sight regardless.

Izaya is pacing back and forth. Between one street lamp and to the next. He's walking in a quick, even line back and forth, back and forth. He stops at each street lamp and occasionally pulls out his starfish communicator but only to put it back away and continue pacing. If anyone had been watching for a while now, they might've known that he's been doing this for a good twenty or maybe even thirty minutes.

He's muttering to himself too. Even better. Oh but the slightly worse part is the flick blade he continuously snaps open and shut in his other hand- of which is clicking loudly over his ramblings. He doesn't look upset. Actually, he looks kinda of energetic and excited.

Go and interrupt his thinking time?]

Comments

[fonmaster]

[Nevermind the fact that Izaya's playing with a knife and looking dangerous. Ion found Guy and he's alright, so the little Fon Master is out to find his other sleeping friend, too. He nearly tackles Izaya's legs when he sees him.]

Izaya! Are you alright? I was taking care of the apartment, but then that curse happened, and it stuck me in a tower and I couldn't find my way home and I've been worried about you!

[kingwithnocrown]

[Oh Jesus- it's almost as bad as his sisters except Ion isn't trying to kick him in the head. Regardless, he still almost falls over but instead manages to balance himself and grab Ion around his shoulders with an arm.]

Hey Ion.

[A smile and it looks pretty genuine.]

Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit banged up~. My mind hasn't stopped running since I woke up- and yeah, I noticed. You did a good job. I saw there was ootoro in the fridge! Nnn thanks for that.

[Right, the curse. He shuts his knife and tucks it away for now.]

Worried about me? What for? I'm fine. I was just sleeping, y'know. Are you okay? That was a pretty bad curse.

[fonmaster]

Ah, yes, I'm fine. I was rescued from the tower, and I wasn't hurt. But you weren't awake, so I was concerned that one of the monsters roaming around was going to eat you.

[He lets Izaya go.]

You said you're injured? I know some healing artes.

[a_violent_end]

It was only the next day, and Shizuo was still absolutely exhausted.

Izaya had wished nightmares on him, and sure enough, that had come true. Only these nightmares weren't exactly what Shizuo might have envisioned at the time. They weren't dark and unsettling, filled with images of daggers digging into the wrong places and blood stains left on skin. Rather, they were pleasant. He dreamt of red roses, and of Izaya, smiling that smile that had made Shizuo, in his delusion, promise to make Izaya smile like that again. In his dreams, Izaya was kind, taking his hand when he felt lost, and making promises. Shizuo woke up after each one feeling sickened, the sense he had felt the previous night - that of being a monster, just as Izaya had pointed out time and time again - feeling exasperated. As much as Shizuo appreciated Zelda and her comforting presence, she had brought an uncomfortable truth to the surface, and Shizuo couldn't forget it, now.

Eventually, he gave up on sleep, quietly slipping out of Zelda's home so he could stand outside and chain smoke. He hadn't smoked all week while under the curse, and he probably could have quit easily, but smoking always gave him something to do - a way to keep himself busy. Distracted. He tried not to think of things, but the more he tried to drown out any thoughts, the louder they became, and the worse Shizuo felt.

Eventually, he left Zelda's entirely, wandering back to his own place, trying - and failing - to resume his fitful sleep.

Being an individual who required a good night's sleep, due to the strain he consistently put on his body, going without made Shizuo feel extra irritable, and even more confused about everything that had transpired during the curse. His mind was slow, foggy, and more confused than ever. So when he accidentally stumbled upon Izaya, who was pacing back and forth between lamp posts in the distance, Shizuo's judgment may have been a little off.

There was no hatred, and that was terrifying. By Shizuo's logic, his loathing for Izaya should have been restored, by now, the curse having been left in the distance. But no - he couldn't find that familiar hate, and that pissed him off. The subsequent anger was enough for him to yank a lamp post out of the ground and hurl it in Izaya's direction.

Except that his aim was off. Way off. Almost embarrassingly so.

Shizuo didn't want to approach him beyond that, though. Really, if he could just chuck things at Izaya from a distance the rest of the night, he'd be able to find some kind of peace. So he crossed to the other side of the path and pulled out another one, ready.

[kingwithnocrown]

Izaya honestly didn't expect it. He was so consumed with his mantra of thoughts that he didn't really even see Shizuo. So when the lamp post whirled past him just as he took a few steps away, he stopped in surprise as it crashed into a building just next to him. A brief sensation of dread filled him because he knew exactly what that meant. His knife in hand, he turned his head slowly and sure enough- there was Shizuo. He had uprooted another sign and Izaya knew that it would be thrown his way any second.

Very much like the blond, he didn't feel a shred of hate but instead some unusual fear that didn't involve the street signs currently being thrown at him.

He didn't want to do this. Not tonight. Not after everything. It didn't even feel like their normal fights and that was the worst part. Izaya could have flicked his wrist, smirked, and curled things back into some sort of feign normalcy but he just couldn't.

"Shizu-chan," he said, his voice holding a steady warning to it, "I'd love to stay and play with you..." he said, reciting a familiar sort of line, "But I'm very busy and don't have the time. You look horrible by the way," he added, as an after thought and that's when he smiled his usual smile that was something more of a smirk. He tossed his knife up, flipping it around before he caught it again. He slid his feet together and held his knife out. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard after all to play this game. Or so he thought- until his mouth decided to screw him over.

"Come to try and get me to cut your heart out again?" he asked, as though he were making a cruel taunt of Shizuo's offering. "What's with that anyway? Were you trying to make me kill you? What would I even do with your heart? It'd just rot in a jar on my desk if I had it," he said, and okay, he did take the invitation to Shizuo's heart very literally. The problem came from the fact that Izaya had this feeling that Shizuo might not have meant it so literally.

But that was the confusing part. He knew Shizuo. He knew that wasn't the case. There was still that delay in his stance. He lowered his knife briefly, a clouded expression drifting over his face as he thought about that possibility.

"No," he said, more to himself than Shizuo, and he shook his head and stomped directly over to the blond, knife still out and in front of him.

"Why didn't you just walk by? I wouldn't have noticed you."

[a_violent_end]

Shizuo listened instead of throwing the sign because he was hoping that Izaya's words would stir up anger. Resentment. Anything. Anything that wasn't this sickly feeling of fear mixed with the heavy burden of memory. But even Izaya's taunt didn't give him the rage for which he had been hoping. In fact, it bothered Shizuo in a way that he still wasn't ready to face or accept.

"I wanted to see if you would do it." It was only a half-truth. In the moment, before he had been able to think and get confused in a process of trying to bury feelings, he hadn't exactly meant it so literally. In part, yes, or there wouldn't have been a dagger involved, but he had been trying to fulfill a promise. Stupidly. "But you didn't." Those last words were quiet, as though he was talking to himself.

Then Izaya closed the distance between them and Shizuo realized he couldn't throw the post, now. Swing it, maybe, but he didn't. He just held on to it absently. He didn't flinch at the brandished knife - it had never alarmed him before, and it certainly wouldn't now, after Shizuo's own (more or less) blade had been shoved in his skin. He did, however, glare at Izaya's chest, rather than directly at Izaya's eyes. Meeting them would be too hard.

"I wanted to throw something at you," he answered simply and honestly. He was too tired to twist the truth, the effort would have been too much. Then he pushed the post at Izaya - not too hard, almost as though he was handing it to him. "I can't now."

[messianic]

[Yup. Totally. Just stopping, sticking his hands in his pockets and watching.

Watching.

Watching.]

Izaya-san, you might get dizzy.

[kingwithnocrown]

[Give him a moment. Because. That's a voice he hasn't heard in quite a long time.

He stops abruptly and looks over. His eyes are comically wide before he smiles at once.]

Minato-kun.

[Ummmm. Yes. You know that personal space thing? It's obliterated by him quite literally hugging Minato. He can cover ground in seconds flat.]

Ah, you're stupid. You can't get dizzy from pacing.

[He has a hand on Minato's head and the other around his waist. Ignore the knife. It's not like he's going to stab him or anything.]

[1/2]

[messianic]

[Holy cow asklnd on the list of unexpected things in his life--]

[2/2]

[messianic]

[That one was mildly unexpected.

He will just ignore the knife, thank you, and instead offer Izaya a bit of a hug back once he manages to work his arms around him.]

Hello, Izaya-san.

[... : |a]

Are you sure?

[ex_diplomacy861]

[And interrupt she shall, but not before watching for a good few minutes. Although it's a strange thing to see, she's gathered that Izaya is quite different from most people from their first encounter.]

Working, Orihara?

[kingwithnocrown]

[That is a really good thing to gather. Let me tell you.]

Greenhill. Shelly Greenhill.

[He stops the moment she speaks and turns to her with a grin.]

Something like that. Been a while. Have you settled into Vatheon since we last saw each other? Do anything life-changing through governmental manipulation?

[ex_diplomacy861]

When there isn't a proper government to exert influence over? [Her words carry some mirth, as if his words amuse her. Which they do.] I run a senate, not the invisible authorities of this place.

But I've settled in just fine. And you look like you're enjoying yourself.

[nonsensical]

[ this would mark the second time he's met this man under odd circumstances— outdoors in a relatively public area with this guy being in a less than normal state. the first time he had been exhausted, but this time he was looking a little roused up.

break hits the ground with his cane, steadying his hand against it as he calls out to the other man— ]

Mister Nakura! You really have some odd habits, or so to speak. What has affected you so greatly this time?

[kingwithnocrown]

[How curious. He had almost forgotten that he'd given Break another name. He stops when he hears it and instantly grins.

He didn't like to think about the last time they met. He wasn't a fan of appearing weak to strangers.]

Hello, hello. Do I now? I was just thinking about life is all. Philosophy and boring things like that.

[A cheery smile and what have you. You bet he's much more energized this time around.]

I was in a coma for two weeks. I feel pretty left behind so I'm just catching up. I could've done this at home but I'm feeling a little restless from my sleep, see.

And how are you?

[nonsensical]

Philosophy, is it? Do you you personally consider it a boring subject, or are you referring to the common alliteration that the majority of people do? [ oops someone likes wordplay. ]

Excellent, actually. [ to answer his question, giving him an equal smile. he's still more interested in discussing "nakura" than himself, however— ]

Oh? Was it related or unrelated to your physical state before?

[demonicbookworm]

Mr. Orihara?

<sub>[Ever since Ruca has heard from Ion that Izaya was asleep and not waking up, the silver-haired boy has been worried. Though maybe he was worrying a little too much...

Seeing that Izaya is awake now, makes him feel relieved. However, seeing how the other is playing with his knife and all, makes Ruca keep some distance from Izaya.]</sub>

...Mr. Orihara, are you alright? Ion told me that you were asleep for a while... I was worried about you...

[kingwithnocrown]

[He doesn't seem to hear him at first. No, no, he's pretty deep into thought but when he does, he whips around with his knife held out and a smirk delicately etched on his face-


---Oh. Ruca. Ruca. Okay. He lowers his arm and eventually that smirk turns into something of a smile.]

Nn. Sorry, Ruca. I was expecting you to be someone else.

[Snap that blade shut and he tucks it away.]

What were you saying? Oh, right. Yeah. I'm fine. I think I went into one of Vatheon's...

[Wait a second.]

Eh? You were worried about me? Really? Why?

[demonicbookworm]

_{[That startles Ruca a little, but after Izaya says that and tucks his knife away, the boy relaxes and walks up to the other.]}

Ion told me that you were asleep and not waking up. That made me worry...

_{[he sighs.]}

Then there was that curse and so many weird things happened.

_{[He smiles softly, looking relieved.]}

But you're okay, right?... I'm so glad.

[indoorscholar]

[Shinra follows the faint sound of a metallic clank through the center of the plaza, slowing to lean a shoulder against the base of the streetlight. He lets out a light chuckle as he absorbs the source of the noise:
A fur coat is bobbing up and down as its owner traces the same path over and over, breaking the stillness of the evening air with a quiet monologue Shinra can't make out. The sight of the flickblade's cold steel catching the light overhead as it dances in and out of its casing is so familiar, it almost seems welcome.]

Well I'll be damned - even Izaya's stuck in this bubble.

[His words are quiet -- barely louder than Izaya's muttered ramblings as they give way to a flurry of quiet thoughts in the doctor's mind.
Izaya's presence is synonymous with trouble, regardless of the circumstances - so where was the trouble here? What could a guy like him even have to do in a place like this?
No gangs to tamper with, no jobs to pay out...just a strange, albeit somewhat idyllic underwater society. Or was there an underside to Vatheon like there was to Ikebukuro? Shinra has Celty and a job as a doctor: maybe it's possible to just pick up where his life had left off here in Vatheon...

Of course, there's still the question of why Izaya's pacing around like a mental patient.

He keeps his silence and waits to see when - or if - the informant will notice his presence, a wry grin playing across his lips as he sinks his fingers into the pockets of his lab coat.]

Well hello lovely Shinra.

[kingwithnocrown]

[Izaya hadn't even thought twice about checking his phone for new names. He had awoken shortly after the new shipment of people coming into Vatheon and had yet to hear about Shinra being one of those people.

He doesn't notice him. Not until he speaks.

Only then does Izaya stop in place. His skin crawls with something familiar and without turning his entire body, he merely glances over his shoulder.

Sure enough- there's Shinra. Just as he remembered him.]

Shinra.

[A wide, wide smile and Izaya twirls about, arms held out to either side of him as though inviting Shinra for a hug. Of course, Shinra would know that that isn't the case but instead just a flamboyant gesture of welcome.

He takes a few steps towards the good doctor before both of his arms drop and a smirk settles comfortably on his face.]

It's good to see you. Been a while.

Say. That must mean Celty's finally done sulking you not being around. Looks like Vatheon's in the mood for miracles lately, nn?

[It wasn't too much of a mystery of what Izaya has found to do in Vatheon. Similarly to Shinra, he picked up where he left off. No, there were no gangs, but there were still plenty of humans and monsters and demons to play with and that was all Izaya really needed to be happy.

It didn't help that the whole chess board just got shaken up either.]

You're just the man I've been looking for.

Oh hi fabulous Izaya.

[indoorscholar]

[Shinra returns Izaya's extravagant greeting with an upturned fold of his coat in lieu of a wave, his curious grin not quite reaching his eyes. He pushes off his streetlamp with a shoulder and takes a few steps toward Izaya, his hands swinging casually in his pockets as he stops just short of his reach.
Good to see that the shock and trauma of being uprooted out of Ikebukuro as he was hadn't tarnished the informant's unique personality.]

It sure has. I almost got close to missing you for a while.

[The beginning of a light chuckle fades at the mention of Celty: she mentioned that she'd missed him, but downright sulking? A heavy sense of guilt sinks to the pit of the doctor's stomach -- making Celty sad is one of the most despicable things a person can do in Shinra's book, and being a prime offender of his own book is even more despicable than that. His next words are spoken with a steely conviction:]

I don't know about any miracles, but now that I'm here, I'm going to do everything I can to make Celty burst with joy at every moment or die trying.

[A wary eyebrow rises into the doctor's fringe. Taking jobs on his behalf was certainly an entertaining pastime, but he's almost looking forward to using his clean slate to his fullest advantage before diving into the gritty underworld once more.]

And what exactly do you need me for?

[nos_servabit]

[And just like that, without any warning whatsoever, Jacob is standing not too far away, cocking his head slightly at the scene in front of him. Long time no see, Izaya.]

Penny for your thoughts, Izaya?

[kingwithnocrown]

[Izaya stops almost the moment he hears his voice.

And just like that- Jacob will have an armful of Izaya. It's one hell of a tight hug and there's not much that can be done about it.]

Jacob! [He's missed you. Clearly. It's kinda obvious in his voice but he's shameless lately, so.] Nnnn! It's so confusing but boring.

How are you? [He pulls away, just a tiny bit, and grins subtly at Jacob, his eyes curved in simple joy.]

[kivaember]

Gilbert was exploring this strange new world - after securing his place at Canada's of course, with clean clothes and his own shoes, instead of the wet underwear he had initially arrived in. He had seen several people, but mostly stayed out of immediate sight, treating the entire thing as a reconnaissance in hostile territory. So yes, he was being smart, not /shy/, just observing and seeing who were the neighbourhood psychopaths and who seemed nice enough to let him mooch off of them. Canada was great, but it was great to have different...allies (who would give him free food).

It was when night was falling, and he was trying to find his way back to Canada's that he saw a strange person pacing back and forth between two lamposts, muttering and fingering a flick blade with an expression better suited to Russia in one of his 'moods'. Gilbert shuddered and considered giving the man a wide berth - one Russia was enough for his poor heart to handle - but there wasn't really a way too, since the street was a little narrow, and Gilbert would have to double back and find another way back to Canada's to avoid the man, and he wasn't confident about his knowledge in the map of Vatheon to do that without getting lost.

After some considering Gilbert slowly continued forwards, eyeing the gleam of the blade catching the lamplight with some caution. He kept his body mostly facing the strange person as he came closer, and he let out an experimental, quasi-friendly greeting. "Hello! Local crazy, huh?"