personavelvetroomdr | (no subject)

Have you ever wondered what's up with that gas station attendant who sometimes shows up in Inaba's shopping district on rainy days? He's as cheery and smiley as most cognitions. You might even be forgiven for mistaking him as one of them. After all, he only really shows up around the gas station.

But you see, "Izaya Sagiri" has gotten kind of bored of just doing his usual schtick. So, remarkably, he's decided to move.

First, he can be found in the Velvet Room, where he's engaging in a staring contest with Igor. Just standing there, a gas station attendant, smirking as he tries to out-stare Igor and Igor has no choice but to watch him. He howls with laughter. "Man! No wonder your eyes are so bloodshot. Do you ever blink?"

But that's not all. Just for a little added fun, he's elected to visit Iwatodai during the Dark Hour, where he can be found splashing in puddles of blood and chatting it up with the coffins. Yes, really. He's so happy and content despite the eerie green moon above.

Oh, and as for Tokyo... he's going on and off the subways. Multiple times, in fact, as he tries to see if anyone 'real' notices him.

What a weird guy.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I guess it can be. Just as much fun to watch them pick their way around traps that should've caught them." And those are his favorite humans, the ones clever enough to keep up.

"Like rats in a maze. Sometimes it's a mystery. Sometimes it's a 'greater cause.' There's always some kinda nudge to push 'em forward." These things come in cycles. It's what makes it all so fascinating.

"And they do so well, with those nudges, too." Or sometimes they fail spectacularly.

"You're not of the Realm. But if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say you're the only one here close to my age, except maybe the old mad out front."

"Heh. Saw right through me..." Then again, there was something strange about this 'Akiren' from the start. Maybe it's just the vibes. Maybe it has something to do with that note on the board. "But I'm not about to give up my true name so easily. Heard it ain't the smart thing to do around here."

"That's the smart thing to do. I don't want a minion army in the first place." Not that Akira's sure how it'd work with an entity of similar power but bound to entirely different rules, but maybe they shouldn't test it.

"That doesn't mean I'm not wondering what realm you call yours, since I kind of doubt it's a gas station."

The question is not 'why would you pass the time in such a menial job,' because Akira's no stranger to that sort of blending in himself. Sometimes you learn more when people look right past you than when they see you.

"Ha. Wonder if our powers would cancel each other out. That's the thing about being a god... I'm not some average Joe, even if I play the part." He is, after all, the actual Izanami. At least, the part of her that really matters. "Let's just say I've got a pretty deep tie to all of Japan. It wouldn't exist without me."

And Izanagi, but he just had to light that comb ablaze. He just had to see the truth.

"They might. Or you might actually have an edge, at least since I gave up my first name. Just as well neither of us is looking for a fight, isn't it?"

Truthfully, Akira's not sure that his first name would've made much of a difference. Laws of the gods are not laws of the Realm, after all. But even in such vague terms, he knows who he's talking to now, and if anyone of the Realm could've rivaled that kind of power, it was the Red Death.

But he walked away from that life for a reason.

"Nobody'd jumped on Lotus yet, so I'm using that here. What should I call you?"

"Izaya Sagiri. It's what I told the kid. Figure it gets the job done. Maybe one of these days it'll even get the gears turning."

That's the fun part, really. A simple name with hidden secrets. A riddle to revisit. There's an eerie glint in his eyes as he speaks and an almost Cheshire Cat-like smirk.

"Never say never. Some humans need to be told, but others get it right away."

"Yep. Betcha if that Akechi kid wasn't hangin' around Inaba, all his little pals would've just carried on with their case and forgot all about me."

But that kid's so sharp, he knew something was off. Such a fascinating specimen of a human...

Akira shrugs. "Maybe, for a while. No telling what they might've circled back to eventually."

"Oh, sure, they might've figured it out eventually, but that kid's so nosy, he managed to figure me out before the end of April." There's almost a hint of fondness to Izaya's words. How funny.

"Is... that fast? I don't have a frame of reference."

"I started stirrin' the pot in April. Been less than a month, and the kid's already pegged me as the 'mastermind' behind everything."

Akira nods. "Well, if that board's anything to go by, he's certainly sharp enough to keep you on your toes. Best way to have it, isn't it?"

"Ha. He's given me more than I expected, but that keeps things interesting." Izaya looks up at that eerie, green moon. "All the other pieces on the board didn't even notice. He actively sought me out."