week 3 ( tuesday )

[subordinacy]

[Yo, Izaya. On this fine, sushi-less day (so, probably not all that fine for Izaya), Setz decides it's time to have a talk with him, so here they are.

As Setz approaches him, he'll be nice enough to speak so that Izaya knows who it is. The monotone, to be honest, also probably helps give him away.]

Izaya Orihara.

Comments

[voyeur]

[It sure does! But Izaya didn't buy a cell phone and a Seeing AI app not to use it. He holds his phone up, and it narrates for him:]

PAPA'S DISGRUNTLED TEENAGED CHILD FAILING TO EMOTE.

[Chuchu uses his own phone to check. It says the same thing.

Izaya smiles and waves in that direction.]

Hello, Sekreuz.

[subordinacy]

[Um.

Suffice to say, he does not wave back. Besides, you know, the fact that it'd be pointless.]

... What was that?

[voyeur]

I can't tell if you're asking me to explain a cell phone or the concept of an application. Well, either way, it's something that views what's in front of me and then gives me a narration of it so I know what is there. In other words, it's eyes for the blind.

[subordinacy]

I... see. [No. No, he does not.] Then why did it—?

[What the hell was that narration.]

[voyeur]

Is something about it confusing you, Seikruz?

[LIKE HE DOESN'T FUCKING KNOW]

[subordinacy]

[...

You know what? Nope. He's going to side-step this entire thing and change the subject to what he approached Izaya for.]

I wanted to talk to you about my partner.

[... In other words, he has actually not changed the subject, but.]

[voyeur]

[GOOD JOB, SETZ. You tried.]

Sure, what about him?

[subordinacy]

What exactly is your relationship with him?

[... He doesn't want to know about your UST, please don't tell him about your UST.]

[voyeur]

[time to learn about their ust]

[Izaya smiles.]

I'd say... that he is a player in a game of chess, and I'm someone who's decided to be gladly used by him until the very end. Yeah, I think it's something like that. If it's at all possible, I'd like to stick around to witness him making his final moves.

[subordinacy]

[Uhhhh.]

... And what made you decide that?

[voyeur]

He reminded me a lot of the people I used to work for, back at home. Like I said, I was an information broker, you know? So I like to think I have a good sense for who to pick out to be used by.

[he could just say 'to work for'

he will not]

[subordinacy]

[WHY DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS WEIRD, IZAYA.]

That, ah, sounds... ["like something I didn't need to know after all"] ... rather one-sided.

[voyeur]

Not at all. Rather, it's my pleasure to be used by him for as long as possible. I find my position with relation to him really fulfilling, so I'm completely happy with it.

[im sorry im so sorry]

[subordinacy]

[Something about this conversation feels distinctly inappropriate but Setz can't quite put his finger on what.........]

And what would happen if you, um, no longer found your... position with relation to him fulfilling?

[voyeur]

I'd betray him, of course. Jacopo already knows that.

[Obviously]

However, I have no doubts that I'll be completely content with him for the rest of this Game. That's simply the kind of human being that Jacopo is.

[subordinacy]

[...]

Then, what kind of human being do you think he is, exactly?

[PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS WEIRD AGAIN, setz internally begs.]

[voyeur]

Haven't you noticed? You're his partner, so I think it would be obvious to you above anyone else.

Jacopo is a fanatic.

[subordinacy]

... Which is to say...?

[voyeur]

“Fanaticism” in Japanese is the character for “heat” followed by the character for “insanity.” Did you know that? People can be rendered insane by heat, or they can be insane about the heat itself. Or, heat can rage inside them, making them insane. That happens, too. A heated passion for humans can rage inside someone.

Jacopo has that heat. Loving fanatically, hating fanatically: he's someone who is driven insane by the extremes of passions. In other words, he's someone who's like a tempest. Haha, or maybe I should say like an Othello? Fuelling the flames of his own fire, he won't burn out.

That's why I don't doubt that I want to stick with him. He'll keep this storm going until the end.

[subordinacy]

[Okay, this got weird again.]

So, you're with him because you think he can make an impact? Or because you find him entertaining?

[voyeur]

[setz is lying to himself if he think it ever stopped]

They're the same thing. Not to say that I don't love humans who have no impact on the world and live their ordinary lives. Yeah, they, too, are beloved to me. However, what I like best, and what I will trust in to protect my existence in this game, is someone who can make an impact in this game.

[subordinacy]

[HE WANTED TO BELIEVE.

Izaya's profession of love towards humans is, uh, more than a little bizarre, especially to someone who's secretly not one.]

Well, if there's anyone who can do that, it's definitely Jacopo... I don't think even erasure could stop him.

[voyeur]

Hahah, probably not. He's someone with that kind of resolve, right? I love that about him, too.

[subordinacy]

[...]

Do you have to keep using that choice of words?

[voyeur]

What's wrong with it? It's the truth of how I feel, so isn't it how I should say it?

[subordinacy]

You're... rather open about how you feel.

[voyeur]

I don't know if that's a totally fair criticism to level. After all, aren't you the one who came here to ask me about my relationship with Jacopo? Rather than inappropriate, I think instead it was a sign of courtesy that I've been so open and honest about exactly what you've asked.

[subordinacy]

[he didn't!! want to know!! about your ust!!]

Considering he's my partner, I have a certain investment in knowing what others think of him. But... [awkward pause, and then, as if it's killing him to say this,] ... thank you, I suppose.

[voyeur]

[Setz. You didn't have to. Please don't.]

Of course. Ah... We didn't have time to be close, but even so, I regret the loss of my first partner. [The smile turns bitter, not quite melancholy] I think Lion would have been someone who I could have really grown attached to.

At any rate, Jacopo is very dear to me, and I know you're very dear to him. That's why I'll do my best to support and protect you, too.

[subordinacy]

... I'm sorry.

[That's for Lion. Then Izaya continues, and, uh. Not that Izaya can see it because he's fucking blind, but Izaya putting Jacopo's sentiments so bluntly kind of breaks Setz's brain.

(Also, what the hell has Jacopo been saying about him, or did everyone see/"see" him try and beat up Shinssin?)

So, yeah. Izaya just gets dead silence.]

[voyeur]

[Hm. Well, dead silence sure is a problem for him, a blind man.

Let's see if his phone can help.]

PAPA'S DISGRUNTLED TEENAGED CHILD FAILING TO PROCESS BLUNT STATEMENT OF AFFECTION.

Oh, thanks, phone! Haha, yeah, it's really like that. I know this can't be a surprise to you, but I think that his affection for you should be obvious to anyone else, too.

[subordinacy]

[This, uh, is still a bit of a surprise to him, actually.]

I... what?

[He and Jacopo have mostly just argued in public?? (Amidst Jacopo's random protective fits, which still weird him out?) How???]

[voyeur]

Haven't you heard about his fight with Assassin? On top of that, there's how protective he gets of you when we talk in private. I think he'd be willing to be Erased if it meant you made it to the end. He really likes you that much. To put it in terms that would be appropriate to him, I'd say that for him, you're "part of the family."

[Or rather, Family, because he is damn sure Jacopo is a mafioso. Izaya hasn't spent his adult life working with yakuza not to be able to spot them.]

[subordinacy]

Please don't remind me of that fight.

[He prefers to pretend... it didn't exist... Anyhow, he has no idea how to process half of what Izaya's saying, so:]

... I'm surprised he doesn't just complain about my behaviour in private.

[voyeur]

He does that, too. But it's affectionate, you know? Like when you can tell that someone really cares about someone because they wouldn't complain that way if they didn't.

[subordinacy]

... He complains about everyone, though.

[voyeur]

Yeah, all the time. That's why it's easy for me to pick out the differences in the ways he complains about people. Maybe it's a tone thing it's easier for me to pick up on, but regardless, there's an audible difference between the frustrations that come from love and those that come from hate.

[subordinacy]

... And you've heard him complain in all forms? You two really must be close, then.

[voyeur]

I think we're very close indeed. Oh, but I wouldn't say that's a requirement. Like I said, I'm an information broker, so assessing and understanding people quickly is part of my trade. Of course, it isn't a perfect effort, but Jacopo isn't exactly a difficult person to read.

[subordinacy]

[...

Sorry, sir blind man, but Setz is awkwardly quiet again because he. Actually finds Jacopo very confusing, thanks!!]

[voyeur]

[phone]

TEENAGE SON UNABLE TO PROCESS INFORMATION.

What, still? Hey, are you okay? Maybe I should leave you alone.

[subordinacy]

... Why does your phone keep calling me that?

[voyeur]

I think it's identified you as Jacopo's son, but I can't figure out how to fix that without my sight.

[subordinacy]

[oh my god]

Get someone else to fix it for you, then!

[voyeur]

It's helpful for me to identify who you are.

[subordinacy]

I'm not Jacopo's son.

[voyeur]

Of course not. However, you do have that kind of relationship with him, don't you? Probably, that's why the phone is confused.

[subordinacy]

What? No, I don't.

[:/]

[voyeur]

No? What would you say it isn't so?

[His tone is open, welcoming. Inviting. Like he's willing to be persuaded.

(it's a trap)]

[subordinacy]

For starters, we just argue most of the time.

[voyeur]

Okay, what else?

[subordinacy]

... That isn't enough?

[voyeur]

[Hm.]

I don't want to speak in a way that generalizes on all father-son relationships or anything, but it isn't like arguing is outside the scope of a normal family. Especially with teenagers, it's supposed to be pretty common.

[subordinacy]

[Setz sure as hell doesn't know what a normal father-son relationship is like (because he's pretty sure it doesn't normally involve one half trying to murder the other), so. Fair.]

... He acts as if I'm incompetent. He ignores whatever I have to say. He involves himself in my affairs when they have nothing to do with him. [Blissfully unaware that he's... probably not helping his case...] He's—this is Jacopo we're talking about!

[voyeur]

Yeah, this is Jacopo. So when it comes to showing affection, he's really bad about it. But if you want, we can turn this around.

Rather than him acting like you're incompetent, isn't he worrying about protecting you from your mistakes?

Rather than ignoring what you're saying, isn't he thinking, 'I know best'?

Rather than meddling in affairs that have nothing to do with him, isn't he concerned with those affairs because you have something to do with him?

I definitely wouldn't call him the ideal parent, but at the same time, I don't think he's phenomenally bad as one, either. After all, he seems to be trying his best to take care of and help you.

[1/3]

[subordinacy]

[...]

[subordinacy]

[...]

[subordinacy]

... I don't need it.

[That's it, that's his only defence.]

[voyeur]

[Izaya smiles. It is that caring, gentle smile he has, one is no less loving for the sharpness in it.]

Yeah, maybe not. But you know, I think it's also like a father, not to realize when his son can take care of himself. You know? Because when it's like that... he still just doesn't want to see the one he cares about come to harm.

[subordinacy]

[...

Setz suddenly regrets this entire conversation. Actually, he already started regretting it when Izaya made it weird, but he officially regrets it now.

Which means that he is definitely deflecting, because this is getting too awkward.]

And what about you?

[voyeur]

I don't think I'd make a very good parent.

[SHRUG]

[subordinacy]

T-That wasn't what I meant! What I was trying to say was, doesn't he care about you as well?

[voyeur]

[Izaya actually laughs.]

To a degree, yeah. Like I said, he's not exactly good with feelings, so he doesn't express it in the same way. Rather, I think he appreciates the companionship and understanding that's between us, so he wouldn't want to lose that. In other words, we're friends.

[subordinacy]

You two do seem... somewhat similar.

[voyeur]

I'd say... there are similarities in how we've chosen to live our lives in response to the world around us. At least, that's the impression he's given me.