#izaya01

Shinra had one absolute fear, something that he thought if it ever came to pass would absolutely break him. Then it did. His love disappeared from this world, but he was still here. Shinra could not understand, the meaning behind his current functionality, for what purpose did his heart continue to beat if not for Celty? 

He didn’t receive an answer, but rather an invitation. By a man in a labcoat just like his own, to come join in a city. For him, whose entire world of cause and effect revolved around Celty, instantly concluded Celty must be waiting for him there. That was how long ago?

The answer to that question did not matter, because the flow of time had no meaning without Celty.  He still was capable of waking the streets alone, becase he  walked with purpose. There was a certain man who would show up at random intervals and spout words like a prophet just enough to convince those who heard him he knew everything that was going on, or perhaps he was even behind it. Shinra knew him as a friend, and knew he was not as unpredictable as he thought. If you threw a bundle of hornets into a crowd, the outcome was easy to guess. Which is why Shinra, walked that day all the way to sector one, to a mainstreet where many of the people walking through their day converged at once. It reminded him of the main square in Ikebukuro, almost perpetually packed with crowds. Just as he reminisced of the past a bit he saw it, a familiar white fluff of a fur collar. He moved to catch up.

Ravio is a lot of things, but he’s never been stupid.

He’d been capable of surviving for so long in Lorule because of his extreme resourcefulness, so when he once again finds himself in the Hive, he busies himself with what he knows best--merchantry. If he starts out selling small things that are cheap but quite high in demand, he’ll garner the cash and customer base he needs to branch out. Oh yes, he knows all about trade, perhaps more than Link knows about swords and sorcery.

What he doesn’t know is that he’s picked the wrong person to sweet talk. Ravio’s not exactly a liar, but any shopkeeper knows how to hawk wares.

“Hey. Hey, you! Yeah, you buddy. C’mere a sec. Got something to show you. Some prime stuff you can only get in Sector One at just the right hour.”

Ravio looks left and right as he speaks, hood pulled low over his eyes. Sheerow flutters around his head like a tiny winged feather duster.

It’s all so cliché but—

“That’s the last one.”

And slowly, her frown wills itself to shape into a smile.

“Is it—” She looks him up and down, he is all sleek clothing and dark colors. Not the type she would expect to have ten tons of bright pink cotton dangling from his phone. “—a gift for someone else?”

The little bell above the entrance dings, and no one looks.

Behind some shelves a group of girls laughs, and at the counter a couple tries to add up all their loose change.

Her gaze doesn’t leave the horned demon or the corners of his eyes.

kokkei

A look of decided annoyance crosses the face of the shark, because he's not certain if he's a little bit pleased and mostly ticked off, or entirely ticked off and just a little bit pleased.

He does so love the opportunity to learn more and see more, and there's no doubt his captors are powerful beings, but on the other...he isn't very fond, per se, of being the one that's manipulated.

But. No matter. No sense in getting...getting angry right now. He had a meeting to attend, and that meant he needed to be on his absolute best behavior, didn't he?

The overgrown jungles of Zeta are thick with humidity, but Sal fails to bat an eyelash at it. It helps to soothe the absence of water after all, and as far as he's concerned, it's a very good thing. Sal's sitting ever so calmly on a smooth rock near a pool of water, his tail draping over the side and submerging itself beneath the surface. The water at least is pleasantly warm--warm as sunlight. Warm as blood.

One red eye opens as he takes notice of something, scanning the dirt paths of Zeta with a predator's gaze that doesn't match his voice.

"Ah, so there you are~♪" Sal says in a strangely upbeat tone. "I could have just as easily gone to the Third Sector, but you were so gracious as to meet me here! I do appreciate the courtesy." One gloved hand lifted up--his claws were still visible at the tips--stroking his chin thoughtfully. The look of concern on his face seemed for all intents and purposes, genuine.

{ ✗ } Have you ever felt just an instant hate for someone?  Just a glance at a certain someone's face puts you in a foul mood?  That makes your blood boil at even the mere thought of it?  

Well, that was happening right now.  A certain insect had decided to show their face to his own, right after work.  He could feel his blood start to boil as lavender hues watched the other.  Byakuran was, and always has been a calm man, but there was these certain people that caused him to lose it.

 Perhaps it was just the fact his hate bubbles and simmer for so long, that made him more annoyed to even view a person he disliked.  That was most likely the case.  After all, no human could possibly hold it in forever.  

Of course he was never going to admit it, but he despised certain people.  The will to crush them was always strong, and only acted upon when provoked.  Hopefully the other would simply want to chat. Like usual.  A brief exchange of formalities before going their separate ways.  He doubted that would happen though.

It never did.  

Keeping himself in check was the main goal here.  Placing the continuous smile on his face, he had to force himself to remain calm.  He had grown used to keeping on a calm exterior whenever they crossed paths.  Unlike a certain blonde, he was more...in control of his actions.  

"Ah...Good evening Izaya-kun."  Byakuran said, keeping his voice in the normal chipper tone he had on.  "Or should I say Good Morning?"  He added, with a short laugh after.  

The albino was heading home after his job at the bar.  It was late at night already, with it being 2 AM.  Why had the raven decided to bother him now when he was tired?  What an annoying little bug he was.  

"So, did you need something this late?"  He asked, giving a bright grin.  The swirl of dark emotions was reaching for his mind.