Humans are pretty weak, that much is true. But they do seem to have a desire to live despite that. That's all that really matters, right? Even if you have to continue to live in this sort of wasteland, people would rather live than say they died in it.
What good would it be to be upset or troubled by it? I don't think that I'm strong enough to be able to fix the world. I can't say that I'm not a little bit annoyed since it didn't change anything in the end. At least in the thing that should be changed.
[A light shrug.]
Is that not how one should see it? Ah, the tone that you use makes me think that you don't quite like the person that would agree with me, right? But I don't mean much offense. I just think that despite the weakness of humans that it's kind of amazing how they continue to live at all sometimes.
I never said anything about fixing the world, but it certainly shows that you have---or had---some kind of ambition. I can't say whether or not it's commendable...but I can say I feel an odd sort of relief that you couldn't do anything, to be honest.
[Because she's getting some serious creeper vibes from this guy. And she's encountered some serious creepers.]
I didn't. In fact, I hated them. Still, you wouldn't understand---humans continue to live because it's their instinct to affirm their existence. [Ironically, like the witches.] So even when times are dark, we manage to find reasons to keep moving forward.
So, in a way, I only somewhat agree with what you initially said.
Ah, that is most cruel. That's almost like saying that you think that I would make the world worse if I had the ability to remake it.
[He shrugs his shoulders in a helpless manner, but doesn't seem too bothered about it.]
It is their need to affirm their existence. That is what makes them kind of weak when you think about it. Other animals are able to live without having to affirm such things about themselves. They build things because it is meant to help them to continue to live. But humans build things so that they can show that they can do so, most of the time. And the destroy things -- [Gesture to the surroundings] -- for the very same reason. Everything to continue to prove that they are here. Otherwise, it is like they need not live or even be here.
But I digress. Shall we find a safe place, Miss Gun?
[She only raises an eyebrow at him at first, but when a zombie suddenly creeps up on her from behind, she quickly whirls around and shoots it squarely in the head, and it crumples to the ground.
Still, she remains silent at the remainder of his words. As twisted as they were, they were true. She chuckles, bitterly.]
Are you trying to say we're all a bunch of arrogant brats? Why, you're human, too, so to try and speak as if you're elevated above the rest of us would make you no different.
[Eye twitch at the nickname, but she holsters said implement and proceeds to cautiously approach him.] It's Ange.
[A slight flinch when the gun is fired. Not the sound or zombie scared him, but the sound itself was quite loud. He lightly taps the side of his head -- further indicating just how ruined his hearing is, but not really.]
Not at all. I'm the same as them. I'm not separating myself from humans, at all, because I like them far too much to say that I'm not one. If I sound like I'm above them, I'm touched that you view as that, but I speak mostly as an observer of my fellow man.
Angun. [He smiles.] Heh. I got it, I got it. It's Ange.
And I'm Orihara Izaya. But Izaya is just fine. It seems silly to hold onto politeness and social courtesy when the world has ended, but I suppose most will for the sake of not devolving in this sort of wreck. Ah, there I go, again. I guess the current state of affairs has made me quite thoughtful.
Is it really? That's one weakness you have, isn't it?
[She gives him something of a withering look, at both the comment about women's instinct and the stupid nickname.]
But say what you want...Orihara. [Not going to give him the pleasure of addressing him by first name. To do that would only give the impression that she trusted him---which she clearly doesn't.] Observer or no, you still talk about your fellow man as if they're ants going about their business, and you're the queen.
[She's really quite put off by how much he reminds her of Beatrice. Or better yet, Bernkastel.]
Like ants, humans can be easily trampled on. You're no exception to that rule. [There's a hint of resentment in her voice---she may be speaking from personal experience.]
Are you saying that I don't seem that weak? I'm touched.
[With a few sweeping steps, he picks the backpack off the ground to heft it over his shoulder.]
I wouldn't like to be something like that, Ange. It's no fun to be the queen, because you never get to do anything. You're not even really watching anything as you are just seeing the world in such a small scope rather than the big picture. Focusing on something very insignificant when there is so much more to be aware of to be concerned about.
[Izaya takes the moment to glance toward the two zombies.]
Everything can be trampled on, but you have to have the strength to crush what is beneath your boot.
[Ange only glowers at him all the more, taking up her gun once more to fire at the two zombies. Headshot! Once that spectacle's over and done with, Ange strides right to his side, almost like a child trying to prove to their parent that they're an adult---indeed, she feels like he's treating her like a child.]
Then if you're not a ruler, and yet you're observing over everyone---what is it exactly that you consider yourself as, Orihara?
[The comment about strength...she thinks back to when she tried to get the Stakes to kill her classmates. Mammon had told her she hadn't the will to get her hands dirty, so that's why the Stakes couldn't obey her. For a moment, Ange's expression darkens considerably. Did she have that kind of strength?]
...I know that. [Said through gritted teeth as she follows him through the ruins.]
When you don't speak clearly, people are going to take whatever inference that you are making from their words to be in their favor.
[Oh yes. He shall stay with this one as it seems like he'll survive longer. There still might be a chance for the head to awaken on its own, too. And he returns his friendly smile to her.]
As I said, I consider myself human.
[A few gliding steps away when he notices her darkened expression -- but when hasn't it been dark as she spoke to him?]
Of course, I can't say that I have that sort of strength, myself. Things are much better if people are living than if they are dead. When a person is dead, I really don't know what happens to them. No one really does, and that means that for the most part, their story ends. It affects other storylines to a varying degree, of course, but it's unfortunate when they aren't able to star in those interactions anymore.
[Izaya laughs once as he hops over a few bodies, like it is some sort of game.]
Even this wasn't enough to wake up?
[A soft laugh.]
Perhaps, you don't care about these people at all. How cruel...!
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What little people are left alive, anyhow.
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[And continues.]
Humans are pretty weak, that much is true. But they do seem to have a desire to live despite that. That's all that really matters, right? Even if you have to continue to live in this sort of wasteland, people would rather live than say they died in it.
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Desperate times call for desperate measures, but I can see you're quite relaxed about it.
[Nevermind that all that spiel about humans and human nature gets her somewhat unnerved.]
Hmph. Is that how you see it? I think I might know someone who'd agree with you, then.
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[A light shrug.]
Is that not how one should see it? Ah, the tone that you use makes me think that you don't quite like the person that would agree with me, right? But I don't mean much offense. I just think that despite the weakness of humans that it's kind of amazing how they continue to live at all sometimes.
Are you saying you don't agree?
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[Because she's getting some serious creeper vibes from this guy. And she's encountered some serious creepers.]
I didn't. In fact, I hated them. Still, you wouldn't understand---humans continue to live because it's their instinct to affirm their existence. [Ironically, like the witches.] So even when times are dark, we manage to find reasons to keep moving forward.
So, in a way, I only somewhat agree with what you initially said.
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[He shrugs his shoulders in a helpless manner, but doesn't seem too bothered about it.]
It is their need to affirm their existence. That is what makes them kind of weak when you think about it. Other animals are able to live without having to affirm such things about themselves. They build things because it is meant to help them to continue to live. But humans build things so that they can show that they can do so, most of the time. And the destroy things -- [Gesture to the surroundings] -- for the very same reason. Everything to continue to prove that they are here. Otherwise, it is like they need not live or even be here.
But I digress. Shall we find a safe place, Miss Gun?
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[She only raises an eyebrow at him at first, but when a zombie suddenly creeps up on her from behind, she quickly whirls around and shoots it squarely in the head, and it crumples to the ground.
Still, she remains silent at the remainder of his words. As twisted as they were, they were true. She chuckles, bitterly.]
Are you trying to say we're all a bunch of arrogant brats? Why, you're human, too, so to try and speak as if you're elevated above the rest of us would make you no different.
[Eye twitch at the nickname, but she holsters said implement and proceeds to cautiously approach him.] It's Ange.
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[A slight flinch when the gun is fired. Not the sound or zombie scared him, but the sound itself was quite loud. He lightly taps the side of his head -- further indicating just how ruined his hearing is, but not really.]
Not at all. I'm the same as them. I'm not separating myself from humans, at all, because I like them far too much to say that I'm not one. If I sound like I'm above them, I'm touched that you view as that, but I speak mostly as an observer of my fellow man.
Angun. [He smiles.] Heh. I got it, I got it. It's Ange.
And I'm Orihara Izaya. But Izaya is just fine. It seems silly to hold onto politeness and social courtesy when the world has ended, but I suppose most will for the sake of not devolving in this sort of wreck. Ah, there I go, again. I guess the current state of affairs has made me quite thoughtful.
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[She gives him something of a withering look, at both the comment about women's instinct and the stupid nickname.]
But say what you want...Orihara. [Not going to give him the pleasure of addressing him by first name. To do that would only give the impression that she trusted him---which she clearly doesn't.] Observer or no, you still talk about your fellow man as if they're ants going about their business, and you're the queen.
[She's really quite put off by how much he reminds her of Beatrice. Or better yet, Bernkastel.]
Like ants, humans can be easily trampled on. You're no exception to that rule. [There's a hint of resentment in her voice---she may be speaking from personal experience.]
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[With a few sweeping steps, he picks the backpack off the ground to heft it over his shoulder.]
I wouldn't like to be something like that, Ange. It's no fun to be the queen, because you never get to do anything. You're not even really watching anything as you are just seeing the world in such a small scope rather than the big picture. Focusing on something very insignificant when there is so much more to be aware of to be concerned about.
[Izaya takes the moment to glance toward the two zombies.]
Everything can be trampled on, but you have to have the strength to crush what is beneath your boot.
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[Ange only glowers at him all the more, taking up her gun once more to fire at the two zombies. Headshot! Once that spectacle's over and done with, Ange strides right to his side, almost like a child trying to prove to their parent that they're an adult---indeed, she feels like he's treating her like a child.]
Then if you're not a ruler, and yet you're observing over everyone---what is it exactly that you consider yourself as, Orihara?
[The comment about strength...she thinks back to when she tried to get the Stakes to kill her classmates. Mammon had told her she hadn't the will to get her hands dirty, so that's why the Stakes couldn't obey her. For a moment, Ange's expression darkens considerably. Did she have that kind of strength?]
...I know that. [Said through gritted teeth as she follows him through the ruins.]
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[Oh yes. He shall stay with this one as it seems like he'll survive longer. There still might be a chance for the head to awaken on its own, too. And he returns his friendly smile to her.]
As I said, I consider myself human.
[A few gliding steps away when he notices her darkened expression -- but when hasn't it been dark as she spoke to him?]
Of course, I can't say that I have that sort of strength, myself. Things are much better if people are living than if they are dead. When a person is dead, I really don't know what happens to them. No one really does, and that means that for the most part, their story ends. It affects other storylines to a varying degree, of course, but it's unfortunate when they aren't able to star in those interactions anymore.
[Izaya laughs once as he hops over a few bodies, like it is some sort of game.]
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