“"I have faith," he muttered at the ceiling. "Faith that humanity will win in the end." He was aware how obscure that statement probably sounded to someone outside his world, but he had spoken his mind. If he didn't have faith in that, then he really didn't have anything. Ukoku was right in stating that it was important to have faith in something, no matter how small it may be, or how insignificant it may seem. Faith that they'd survive; that they'd win, was the only thing that kept him fighting from day to day. "And what is it that you believe in?" He questioned.”
“Well that question certainly piqued his interest. "I'm flattered you know my name~ Ukoku Sanzo, but you see, I just like to play with fire. And what, pray tell, is your reasoning? Trying to kill your everlasting boredom? Or maybe you just like to bend humans into playing a part you yourself assigned them? Ah~ you're all so predictable." Izaya sighed forlornly, glancing off to the side. He really was losing interest in this subject.”
“Ukoku was all too familiar with the expression on Izaya's face. That look of disappointment and soon boredom. He wore that very same expression when a pawn of his became too predictable and dull. It was what he believed to be the curse of his wisdom and intelligence. "Why?" echoing Izaya's question. "For information of course." He adjusted his glasses once more as he let out a sly smile. "Why do either of us do anything, Izaya Orihara?"”
“"I guess you do have a reason to fear death then." Ukoku knew very well how Rivaille felt. He had seen life dissipate from the eyes of many innocent humans. With a world as cruel as this, it was near impossible to put one's faith in a god. "Praying to something that has no proof of existence is foolish," he thought aloud. "But, you know, having faith in something is important isn't it? Even if it's something as ridiculous as a god."”
“"God?" Rivaille couldn't believe in such a fantasy. "If God really existed, he wouldn't have let all my friends die for nothing." The notion that a higher power was up there, watching as the titans devoured his friends for sport, was repulsive. What kind of God would that be, then? No, he had no need for a "God" in the ruined world he was cursed to live in. The only thing he felt a need to believe in was his own strength, and that of his comrades.”
“Disappointment crashed over him like a wave, effectively drowning his hope along with it. "I suppose so," he mused, excitement dulling in his crimson orbs. How boring. Although, he shouldn't have gotten his hopes up to begin with. Looks like this man was all bark and no bite, after all. His fingers drummed along the hilt of his concealed switchblade as he debated on his next move. Leaving seemed like the best course of action now that his partner had folded, but he couldn't shake the feeling he was missing something essential. "I don't see your point though," he began, assessing eyes boring into the other man's own. "Why the need to pretend you aren't a student?" He couldn't see the benefit of deceiving someone about something as trivial as that, if not to simply see their reactions.”
“Ukoku's expression was quite blank before responding. How intriguing this was. Izaya knew more than Ukoku had given him credit for. No matter, with this Ukoku would be able to gage the extent of Izaya's research. So, he would go as far as to investigate the staff as well as the students. Not bad. "Ah, I guess you caught me huh?" his hand was rubbing the back of his head as if caught in the act. "I guess I should have been more careful." Perhaps a quick surrender would prove Ukoku to be less of a challenge than Izaya had expected. He was sorry to disappoint, but having Izaya underestimate him would be best.”
“"Oh~?" His grin was back in place. Interesting move on Ukoku's part, but he had a ways to go if we wished to play Izaya's game. "Interesting, seeing as I happen to know the librarian is a woman in her late fifties. I also happen to know that this particular library only has one librarian, as the former one died in an unfortunate accident a few months ago." Despite the fact that Ukoku himself was able to stay in the shadows beyond Izaya's reach, that didn't mean he hadn't already acquired all the information he could on the benefactors and staff involved with the Academy. This was a game Izaya new all too well, and currently Ukoku was a mere pawn on his game board.”
“It looked like Izaya did some homework, but he had his work cut out for him. No one knew anything about Ukoku. His parents were long gone along with his mentor and disciple, and even they had known little about Ukoku in their life. "Eh? me? Do I really look so young?" he gave a hearty laugh. "I'm not a student. I'm the librarian of this Academy. Pleasure to meet you." He grinned from ear to ear as he adjusted his glasses. How would Izaya respond he wondered. There was no proof that Ukoku wasn't the librarian of Shinkoku, and Ukoku knew he looked the part. Although Izaya had known beforehand that Ukoku was a student, could this be enough for Izaya to doubt himself?”
“Ukoku directed his eyes towards Rivaille without a single movement of his head. "Well I am a priest," he gestured at his clerical clothes. "I'm supposed to believe in heaven and hell aren't I? How can I fear death when there is an afterlife. When there is reincarnation. Do you not believe in God?" That question itself had been directed at Ukoku countless times. Being a man of science, Ukoku found such ideas difficult to believe, and he had seen just how cruel this world could be. The idea of a higher power was out of the question. His god had died long ago.”
“Izaya paused. Yaoi...? Wasn't that that strange genre that Erika was obsessed with? Well, he honestly wasn't expecting Ukoku to be reading something like that, but that just further proved how little he new about the man. His grin faded slightly as he assessed the priest before him. What an interesting human he was turning out to be. "Me?" He questioned, seemingly surprised. "I'm in Sapphire Eagle, but I would have expected you to know that at least." This game of theirs was fun and all, but Izaya felt like dropping the curtain a bit. He wasn't going to hide the fact that he was interested in finding out just what made Ukoku tick. "As for you," he started, glancing up at the brunette slyly. "You're in Onyx Tiger, are you not? With that shorty for a roommate." So he had played his cards first, now he just had to sit back and watch how Ukoku played his.”
“Ukoku tucked the book into his robe, not revealing the cover or title on the book's spine. "Oh, this? It's nothing. Just some yaoi." This Izaya fellow was not as innocent as he had feigned, and his latest expression was proof of that. Like a cat playing with a mouse, not knowing that he was actually playing with another cat. He tried to make sure his expression gave nothing away. As of right now, it was a battle of who could get more information from whom. "What house are you from?" he asked casually. Just a harmless question, something reasonable to ask. Ukoku had spent years gathering information. This Izaya Orihara was, what? 21? Getting what he wanted from him should be easy. After all, everything for him was easy, and that's what bored him the most in this world.”
“Rivaille glanced at Ukoku. His eyes were closed and he looked deep in thought. "You wouldn't understand," He muttered truthfully. No one would understand the horrors he lived through unless they themselves had lived through it with him. There was no point in trying to explain it. "You speak like you aren't afraid of it though. Death, that is."”
“He leaned back and closed his eyes with a little grin. "And why is that?" He pushed his glasses back and could hear from a great distance, a raven's cry. Much like a night so many years ago when he had gotten this name, Ukoku. In truth, he was not afraid of death. He never feared it. In fact, he had been waiting all of these years for that one person who would end him. And yet, time and time again, he failed to die.”
“Irrational anger surged up inside him at his roommate's comment. So there was nothing to fear where he came from then? Well that only cemented his dislike of Ukoku. How easy he must have it, not having to live in a perpetual state of fear every second of every day for years. No wonder the other man could act so carefree. He'd probably never had to see countless friends die in front of him. If he had any to begin with, that is. "It's not silly to fear death." He said a bit forcefully. Maybe to this man it was, but he wouldn't let him shame his comrades. This man had no idea what true fear meant. What it looked like to stare death in the face. But Rivaille wasn't going to fight him over it, Ukoku wasn't worth that. He'd let him hang onto his skewed perception of things. Belatedly, he wondered if it were possible to get a room change...”
“Izaya blinked slowly, a rather predatory grin spreading across his face as he realized just who it was he'd come across. If he recalled correctly, the taller man's name was Ukoku Sanzo. He wasn't particularly irked by the fact that he found next to nothing regarding the man's personal life, but now he could see why. This man was just like him. His entire life, Izaya dealt with emotion. Years after years of playing with humans had taught him how to read even the smallest of changes in facial expressions or body language. Still, if he himself hadn't been wearing one his entire life, he never would have realized that what he was looking at on the other man's face was a mask. The slight hesitation in the taller man's response was enough to go off of. "Oh no, I already have one in mind," he responded easily, waving his hand dismissively. Without looking, he pulled a book off the shelf at his left. Bringing it up to his face, he regarded the red leather thoughtfully before flipping it open; though his full attention remained on the man across from him. He feigned interest in the book for a moment before snapping it closed, not having read one word. Grin still in place, he turned his carmine eyes back up towards Ukoku. "Any book interest you?" He questioned, gaze locking on the book in the other man's hands. It was worth it coming to this library just to see the other's reactions. He faintly wondered how interesting this man truly was, or if he was simply the same as the rest of his humans: predictable and ugly.”
“Ukoku's mind wandered for a moment. So, then what was this Corporal afraid of? He'd have to find out. Whatever it was that he feared, Ukoku could take advantage and play around with it. "That's good then. Some humans are just afraid of the silliest things." He let himself trail off a bit. "Darkness. Death. Pain. How silly... There truly is nothing to fear in this world." Except perhaps living the rest of eternity in absolute boredom...”
“Ukoku didn't react instantly to the voice he heard. He grabbed the book he had been looking at from the shelf before he forgot why exactly he was interested in it. Ukoku turned to the owner of the voice and with a false smile he responded with a similar if not identical: "Hello~" Izaya Orihara. That was all he knew about the person standing in front of him. The school files did not give him much information which irritated him slightly. He had tried doing more research on the students of the school, but this Izaya had little to no information to follow the name. "Looking for a book?" Ukoku carried the conversation innocently, "Would you like any suggestions?"”
“"Afraid of the dark..?" Rivaille questioned, tasting the foreign words on his tongue. "I don't know what world you live in, though it's no doubt disgusting if you're there, but where I come from, the dark is where you're safe." Any further discussion on the matter would only confuse the other man, so he opted to leave it at that. It was surprising though, that people could actually fear the dark. Where he came from, the dark meant the titans weren't coming.”
“Smiling at a joke only he knew the punch-line to, Izaya lazily stalked through the massive library. Sure, he had his computer with him, but there was something satisfying about sitting down at a quiet table with a book in hand when trying to gather information. He didn't have anything better to do with his time anyways--that roommate of his was rather bland when it came to holding a conversation. Still, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to observe his beloved humans. Even from a simple thing like the title of the book they read, Izaya was able to deduce their personality with deadly accuracy. His hand found its way into his pocket, where it reflexively gripped the hidden switchblade. Oh, how we wished to see the expressions on their faces when he ruined them. But that would have to wait for later. After all, he was going to enjoy his stay here even if he did have to sleep on a shitty bed. Mind wandering, Izaya soon found himself walking down a not-so-deserted aisle of books. A man stood in front of him, looking way too happy to be in a simple library. A slight smile curved his lips as he strode closer. Playing with his humans was so much fun. "Hello~"”
“"Well, I don't see anything to be upset about," Ukoku pouted, "Not on such a beautiful, dark night such as this." He finished his cigarette with another breath. He loved nights like this, when the moon was out and one could see the shadows lurking in the night clearly. That was when he realized something. "Rivaille, don't tell me! You're afraid of the dark? It's okay, if you are scared you can lay over here with me. I'll keep you safe."”
“"I don't see any need to be cheerful in this situation. Surely not with you." Another glare was sent Ukoku's way before Rivaille returned to staring at the ceiling. Maybe they'd be able to kill each other in one of these Contests the Academy was so famed for. He could dream, couldn't he? So long as he wasn't sleeping, that is. Not with that creep in the same room as him.”
“He strolled down shelf after magnificent shelf of the library. There were so many books he hadn't seen before. Hopefully they would be filled with things he didn't already know. He had spent most of his life trying to keep himself on his toes. It had only taken him a couple of years to become a doctor and earn a PhD. And only a couple of months to became the one of the highest ranking priests in the world. It was all too easy, and now he thirsted for more information. Something new. Something amazing. Something he'd never heard of before. He hoped to find it in these books. As he almost (but didn't) skipped through the aisles he began to hum quietly, but the library was so huge a nail dropping would have been a great disturbance. The library was so empty and it left all these books to himself.”
