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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 9:21:37 GMT -5
I sighed.
"Izaya knows everything because he's got spies everywhere." I groaned. "Man, I really hate that guy!"
Shaking my head, I continued. "It's not like he's wrong about me wanting to keep an eye on him, but it's not so much 'spying on him' as it is 'damage control'. You never know what he's up to, or who he's making deals with behind your back."
I shrugged. "And, honestly, having a secretary who's firmly Network won't keep him from doing those things, really. He'd just do it when you're not around - he's jerking your chain, and mine."
I thought for a moment, runing my hand through my hair and looking up at the ceiling.
"But," I continued, reluctantly, "that doesn't mean his offer isn't valid. The problem with dealing with Izaya is that the information he offers is usually - usually, mind you - something you need to know, or something incredibly useful. He's just also going to try to guarantee that he gets the better end of the bargain." I groaned again. "He's such a pain! Why now, anyway?"
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 14:48:18 GMT -5
Shiki rubbed her arms, "I wish I could say I have no idea, but...I think I know."
She looked past Neku, focusing on the wall behind him, "He said he knew how to get me out of this deal. He could have come to me anytime before, couldn't he? That only leaves me wondering if my uncle's found me."
Her frustration was starting to boil over her, "All I wanted was to focus on this whole Ifrit situation, not deal with this. This isn't the right time! And then he goes off saying how I won't be like my parents, but I'd be dealing with a demon all the same. I mean really?"
She sighed, "Sorry, the things he said are starting to get to me."
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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 14:53:27 GMT -5
I nodded.
"Izaya says a lot of things, and they generally 'get to' everyone who's involved wiht him at the time. He ticks me off. A lot."
I shook my head. "I'm not so sure he's wrong about you not being like your parents, though," I said. "As much as I dislike dealing with Izaya, you're not dealing with something that isn't yours to give. That's the real problem with your parents - they didn't have the right to do what they did."
I shifted in my seat a little, thinking about my next words.
"And your worry about your uncle? That worries me. Because you're absolutely right - Izaya could have contacted you at any time... and that just seems like the kinda thing that jerk would do."
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 15:03:32 GMT -5
"So there's a huge chance my uncle knows where I'm at; that's great. And Izaya knows the answer. He knows all the answers to my questions." Shiki clenched her fists, and shook her head.
This time she looked at Neku, "You shouldn't worry about me. That's the last thing I want you to do. Especially with all that's going on right now."
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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 15:26:02 GMT -5
I sighed.
"I'm sorry, Shiki, but I can't not worry about you." I chuckled. "Lea calls it my 'fearless leader mode', but.... when my friends are in trouble, I feel like I've gotta help 'em out. Especially since... I didn't used to have any friends. Told myself I didn't need 'em." I sighed again.
"That's just the way I am; take it or leave it, you won't be able to change it if you tried."
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 15:36:54 GMT -5
"I have no desire to change who you are, Neku. I like you this way. And like it or not, you're my friend too." There was a shadow of a smile on her face for a moment, then it disappeared.
"But if he is out there..." Shiki shrugged, "Nothing's happened yet, so maybe Izaya's just giving me a head's up."
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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 15:41:15 GMT -5
I nodded.
"It's likely that he has something to lose if your uncle gets ahold of you - either that, or he's got something monumental to gain by having you in his camp."
Knowing Izaya, it was honestly probably both.
"Anyway, I'd give accepting his offer a good thought - when dealing with Izaya, you have to carefully weigh pros and cons against each other; at least he's asking for a price up front. If he were offering the advice for free.... well, let's just say that with Izaya, nothing is free."
I'd learned that from experience.
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 15:49:22 GMT -5
She nodded, "Yeah, I've got two days to think it over. But I'm not going to be his little secretary for the rest of my life."
Shiki stood up, handing Neku the plate he'd given her, "Thanks for your help, Neku. Sorry if I wasted your time. Or worried you even more."
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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 16:11:57 GMT -5
I rolled my eyes. "You're not wasting anyone's time. This is what I'm here for, remember? I'd rather have you come to me about Izaya than do something rash any day of the week." I put a hand on her shoulder. "Look, Mr. H put you in my charge; do you want to tell that man you disappointed him? 'Cause I sure don't."
I don't. Whatever his laid-back appearance, there's just something about Mr. H that.... I dunno. It promises that he's a whole lot more dangerous than he appears.
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 16:20:01 GMT -5
She shook her head, "No thank you. I'd rather be stuck in a Crossing for three days straight." That wasn't much of an exaggeration. She wasn't going to tell him if her uncle showed up either. There was no way she was going to let him put his life on the line for her again. Neku seemed to have filled that category now.
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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 16:27:53 GMT -5
I chuckled, then stopped, realizing I'd cut off the start of her next comment.
"....let him put his life on the line for me again. Neku seems to have filled that category now."
I shrugged.
"I like to think I have," I told her. "Thanks for believing in me. Don't know why you do... but thanks anyway."
((Before I, the player, get yelled at for reading minds... I promise. There is method to my madness.))
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 16:49:27 GMT -5
Shiki blinked and stared at him for a moment. Uh, where did that come from? She blew it off though and replied, "Why shouldn't I? You haven't given me a reason to not to."
She finally managed a smile for him, "Thanks again." She then moved to open the door.
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Post by Neku Sakuraba on Nov 2, 2011 16:53:23 GMT -5
She was looking at me strangely, and I cursed mentally. That wasn't stupid-sounding at all... and yeah, I'm being sarcastic.
"I suppose... and yeah, anytime." I got the door for her - kind of an apology for being weird.
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Post by Shiki on Nov 2, 2011 17:01:23 GMT -5
She walked out and turned back to him, "See you around." Then she made her way back to her apartment. One day down, two to go. It was still a mystery to her if she'd accept.
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