homeless forever.

[headhunting]

Ah... mundane-san.
Is that right? Can I call you by that name?
I wonder if this is the best idea...

At least there won't be any traffic cops here. They're scary. They're too scary!

But what's the point? I still don't know why you've brought me here.
I was content to keep searching where I was. The others might need me. I have a job to do.

If you don't have any plans, please let me go back. It will be easier for both of us that way.

(You don't really need more icons, do you...?)

Comments

[uprouse]

Isn't that a pretty conditional way of asking for freedom? Anyone would think the infamous Black Courier of Ikebukuro would be more assertive!

[headhunting]

Is there a point in making demands of a force you can't control?
I can sense it... I can't leave without permission.
Haven't you noticed, Izaya-san?
I doubt you can leave, either.

[uprouse]

How kind of you to point it out. Unfortunately, you're making too many assumptions about me!

[headhunting]

Oh?

1/2

[uprouse]

Normally I'd let an open-ended question like that pass by... but you're still pretty new to this kind of arrangement, aren't you?

[uprouse]

Someone who leaves a place usually does it for one of two reasons. [ ticking them off on his fingers. ] One: because they have a need that can only be filled somewhere else, or two—because their current position makes them so uncomfortable that they have to escape! In a case where neither condition applies, there's no point in going anywhere else right then.

Is there?

[headhunting]

Hm...
I don't think that's right at all.
But I'm not surprised you think that way.
Are you saying neither of those conditions apply to you?

[uprouse]

Exactly! When there's a need to be somewhere else, I'll already be in place. [ and there's a 5% chance that there's some alternate self of him already in canon loving humanity in his place but let's not think about that, it makes him grumpy. ] Until then, why should I pass up an opportunity?

[headhunting]

You make it sound like you believe in destiny. But it's not that, is it?
What opportunity are you finding here? This is a strange place... even stranger than Ikebukuro.

1/2

[uprouse]

This isn't "destiny" so much as "natural laws"—aaaa, but the price for that kind of lesson really builds up.

[uprouse]

Maybe it'll be easier to understand if we use you as an example. Do you know your reasons for wanting to go back?

[headhunting]

Ah... of course. How could I not know something like that?

[uprouse]

Can you name them?

[headhunting]

... yes.

[ WHY SHOULD SHE TELL YOU SHIT, IZAYA. ]

[uprouse]

It's going to be something of a challenge to explain it to you, you know, if you hold back all your answers too. Or is it that you'd like me to name them for you?

[headhunting]

Can you really do that...?

[uprouse]

You've picked up a few human connections over time, right? Shouldn't I notice things like that?

[magic101]

Well...

I would have been happy to unsummon you, but each time I try I find out that my spell doesn't work.

So...

...well...

...is it really that bad to be here?

[headhunting]

You can cast magic?
Ah, no, it's not that bad.
But I have responsibilities that I've left behind.

[magic101]

Yes, that's right. Before coming here I was attending the Tower of the Silver Star to become a magician.

I'm sorry to hear that, though. I hope that you will find a way to get back soon.

[headhunting]

Well, thank you. That's kind of you to wish.
A magician... I didn't think most these days believed in that sort of thing. I don't see it very often.

[magic101]

It wasn't common in my day either. But magic still played an important part. I was training to hopefully get a job that will help me provide for my family back home.

[drlove]

Searching for what, Celty?

[Although he's pretty sure he knows.]

[headhunting]

Shouldn't you know the answer to that?

[ She's roughly mid-series, forgive her. ]

[drlove]

[Yep. He does.]

... Ahh, Celty... [There's a laugh and a wry smile, but it's not unkind.] If that's really the case, I think you might be better off staying right where you are.

only the rustiest

[pictureframe]

Celty-san.... [SUP]

Um... I haven't seen any traffic cops.

no it's cool i'm pretty sure i might be terrible

[headhunting]

Anri-chan!
I didn't think you'd be here as well...
That's good. I'm not sure what they'd be doing here, anyway.
Are you alright?

[gotahead]

Well, well. The Black Rider of Ikebukuro, begging the unseen force behind the curtain. Some would wonder what you were in a rush to get back to, Courier.

[headhunting]

By "some," do you mean yourself, Izaya?

[gotahead]

[Well, naturally he knows already.]

You're got me. I'm very curious.