far from it, actually-- this man is built entirely differently, thinner and maybe even a little shorter. still, the thing most different about the person before him is his face; red, slanted eyes stare sharply back at him where Crona had expected the kind, easy expression he's used to from Juuta. ]
Um...
[ although his feet remain firmly planted in place for a moment, Crona spares a look at the job notice again, assuring himself this is indeed the right place. once he's completely sure, he steps inside (eyes on Izaya, but not directly looking at him), closing the door as delicately as he can; flipping the piece of paper over so Izaya could see the text
( ... )
[ without turning away from the plant in front of him, he retorts-- ] It's "Izaya." [ after his introduction as 'Iza-chan.' no, thank you.
that's the least offensive thing he says, but it's really the only thing that bothers Izaya, since while he would disagree that everything bad was a lie (sometimes the bad things were true-- and like he said, they were just possibilities. maybe it was unkind to suggest to them but he hadn't exactly lied either), it didn't surprise him to hear an explanation like that and it was hardly the first time someone had described him in such a way. ]
He can decide for himself [ he speaks quietly, as if he might be speaking to the flowers instead of Juuta, since he still won't bother to turn around ] whether to believe me or not. Sometimes negative people have a way of reinforcing the bad things that are told to them.
[ Crona watches the indirect exchange between the two nervously, eyes finally straying to where Izaya knelt. Iza-chan...? Juuta must be more than familiar with the man to give him such a nickname, so...it seems that not everything the man had said had been a "bad lie", as Juuta had worded it.
but with one possibility comes another and another, leaving Crona feeling even more anxious about all of this. what hadn't been true, what had? he knows what he feels about the situation, but maybe that's wrong...
--noticing he's been vacantly staring at the two during this, he straightens up farther, back rod-straight as he turns full to Juuta, nodding slowly. ]
I-If it would help you...! And Iza-ch-- Mr Izaya, too...
[ he doesn't mean that last part at all (and its said less than enthusiastically), but if Izaya is the other's friend...he should try be polite, for now. even if all he really wants to do is warn Juuta about this bad person calling himself his friend, a tiny, growing feeling of protectiveness over the other. or is it
( ... )
Ah, you can call him Iza-chan if you want. He won't mind.
[ he pats his shoulder softly, still smiling-- hopefully to give him confidence, and to make him feel safer and less intimidated. secretly, he had been wanting a way to keep a closer eye on the kid, so this was a more than perfect opportunity, and he wasn't about to waste it.
turning to izaya again, with an authoritarian tone (because clearly, he needs a reminder of just who is in charge here), hands on his hips to go with the whole image. ]
Iza-chan, Cute Crona might be working with us from now on, so I don't want you scaring him off saying mean things. I want you to take care of him gently, like you're doing with the flowers.
[ what-- he turns his head now, looking over his shoulder at Juuta with a less-than-pleased expression. if that kid knew what was good for him, he would continue with "Mr. Izaya" as he had done thus far. but it seemed counterproductive considering he had told Juuta himself not to call him that a couple of times as well and he had never once listened, so he didn't protest it this time. he just looked at Crona . . . and smiled.
he looked perfectly pleasant, but in that smile was all of the bitterness he felt, all of the misplaced protectiveness he felt towards Juuta, all of the things and the ways he would terrorize, observe and scrutinize Crona from the day he began working here until the unforeseen day they would leave Splendor.
though as Juuta began speaking to him, he turned in his direction and listened, nodding his head once as if he completely understood, despite the nefarious thoughts in his head. ]
[ the touch to his shoulders brings immediate alarm-- not because of Juuta but because of Izaya's shove earlier. his shoulders twitch up into the motion just a little. afterward, however, Crona begins to feel a little more at ease...
-only to jolt back to nervousness when he sees that smile from Izaya. it's a nice smile. pretty, pleasant, seemingly well-meaning...but it still puts him on-guard. he's seen smiles like this before- smiles he wants to believe, take in and treasure and in most cases does but there's the nagging feeling they're really as thin as paper.
Juuta isn't upset, though...so he should try. completely, totally unrelated to what that jerk had said, he didn't want to burden his friend with his mistrust. not when he's hiding so many things (well, one big thing, really) already. ]
I'll...do my best, Mr Juuta.
[ a resolute nod, his mouth twisting into the smallest suggestion of a smile as his eyes finally stray from Izaya. ]
Good! I know you will-- in fact, hey, you're hired!
[ turns to izaya again. he was in a good mood, despite how awful the past few minutes were, and he has faith in both of them to be civil with each other (more faith in one than the other, but). ]
Since the place is new and all, I'm gonna need you to teach Cute Crona the ropes, okay? He's a hard worker and makes the best cupcakes, so if you do a good job maybe he'll consider making some for you.
[ civil was a subjective word. regardless, Izaya would do his best to act appropriately while Juuta was around. of course, when he had his back turned, the opposite method would likely be implemented. needless to say, Juuta's presence was key for civility.
there's a twitch in Izaya's smile, a brief indication of annoyance. teaching him the ropes? no, that wasn't a problem. in fact, it only gave him more opportunity to disparage him further and that wasn't an opportunity he would contest. the issue he had with Juuta's words was something else entirely. ]
I'll do my best, though the incentive isn't necessary.
[ like he'd make cupcakes for this guy, anyway. nuh uh.
"hired". the word (and just Juuta's presence in general) push a wave of calm over Crona, his hands feeling a little lighter as he smooths where his tunic had become wrinkled from slouching against the door. Mr Juuta wanted his help. . . something about that felt good, even with his nervousness and anxiousness and skepticism over Izaya's words. ]
A-Ah! No...I'll be okay, don't worry.
[ whether the meister would be okay is still up in the air-- he's already floored he even made it to this bright, open, cheerful shoppe in the first place-- but he doesn't want to bother Juuta with that, so he answers maybe a little too quickly. turning slightly to Izaya (eyes carefully focused on the wall near the other, instead of the person himself) Crona addresses the both of them, voice lowering shyly. ]
[ yes! despite adversity, all seems to be falling right in place. he turns around and walks further inside, glancing at the flowers neatly arranged close to the register. ]
If you're ready to start right now, you can start by watering the plants.
[ turns to izaya ]
You don't mind, do you? I mean I don't know if you liked doing that or not but-- figures I should ask before I give your job to someone else, right?
[ not that izaya did a bad job, but he needed to test crona's limits. ]
[ it probably seemed like that to someone so unobservant. ]
Quite fine. I'm not attached to it.
[ hopefully Crona's limits weren't as shallow as not being able to handle watering plants or he would have more trouble than simply dealing with Izaya. as if that wasn't plenty of trouble in and of itself. ]
Though I can't imagine he needs much instruction for that task. That being the case, I have to ask what undertaking you require of me now.
[ Crona glances to the flowers and Juuta again, before starting towards them, pushing down the original shake in his steps at the idea of moving closer to Izaya. he can't help but notice Izaya's apron, though he tries to keep his eyes averted, and how...unwork-like his own clothes are, however. ]
-okay! Ah...should I put on one of those, [ he gestures to Izaya, hopefully showing that he means the apron and not the man himself. ] -too...?
[ there had to be a reason Izaya was wearing one, right? watering flowers didn't seem too hard, though... for a second, the meister contemplates what he'd be able to help with if the others knew about Ragnarok. no, no, that isn't an option here. at least, not yet. ]
...ah. that's...
definitely
not
Juuta.
far from it, actually-- this man is built entirely differently, thinner and maybe even a little shorter. still, the thing most different about the person before him is his face; red, slanted eyes stare sharply back at him where Crona had expected the kind, easy expression he's used to from Juuta. ]
Um...
[ although his feet remain firmly planted in place for a moment, Crona spares a look at the job notice again, assuring himself this is indeed the right place. once he's completely sure, he steps inside (eyes on Izaya, but not directly looking at him), closing the door as delicately as he can; flipping the piece of paper over so Izaya could see the text ( ... )
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that's the least offensive thing he says, but it's really the only thing that bothers Izaya, since while he would disagree that everything bad was a lie (sometimes the bad things were true-- and like he said, they were just possibilities. maybe it was unkind to suggest to them but he hadn't exactly lied either), it didn't surprise him to hear an explanation like that and it was hardly the first time someone had described him in such a way. ]
He can decide for himself [ he speaks quietly, as if he might be speaking to the flowers instead of Juuta, since he still won't bother to turn around ] whether to believe me or not. Sometimes negative people have a way of reinforcing the bad things that are told to them.
Reply
but with one possibility comes another and another, leaving Crona feeling even more anxious about all of this. what hadn't been true, what had? he knows what he feels about the situation, but maybe that's wrong...
--noticing he's been vacantly staring at the two during this, he straightens up farther, back rod-straight as he turns full to Juuta, nodding slowly. ]
I-If it would help you...! And Iza-ch-- Mr Izaya, too...
[ he doesn't mean that last part at all (and its said less than enthusiastically), but if Izaya is the other's friend...he should try be polite, for now. even if all he really wants to do is warn Juuta about this bad person calling himself his friend, a tiny, growing feeling of protectiveness over the other. or is it ( ... )
Reply
Ah, you can call him Iza-chan if you want. He won't mind.
[ he pats his shoulder softly, still smiling-- hopefully to give him confidence, and to make him feel safer and less intimidated. secretly, he had been wanting a way to keep a closer eye on the kid, so this was a more than perfect opportunity, and he wasn't about to waste it.
turning to izaya again, with an authoritarian tone (because clearly, he needs a reminder of just who is in charge here), hands on his hips to go with the whole image. ]
Iza-chan, Cute Crona might be working with us from now on, so I don't want you scaring him off saying mean things. I want you to take care of him gently, like you're doing with the flowers.
[ wink ♥ ]
Reply
he looked perfectly pleasant, but in that smile was all of the bitterness he felt, all of the misplaced protectiveness he felt towards Juuta, all of the things and the ways he would terrorize, observe and scrutinize Crona from the day he began working here until the unforeseen day they would leave Splendor.
though as Juuta began speaking to him, he turned in his direction and listened, nodding his head once as if he completely understood, despite the nefarious thoughts in his head. ]
If that's your decision, I'll act accordingly.
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-only to jolt back to nervousness when he sees that smile from Izaya. it's a nice smile. pretty, pleasant, seemingly well-meaning...but it still puts him on-guard. he's seen smiles like this before- smiles he wants to believe, take in and treasure and in most cases does but there's the nagging feeling they're really as thin as paper.
Juuta isn't upset, though...so he should try. completely, totally unrelated to what that jerk had said, he didn't want to burden his friend with his mistrust. not when he's hiding so many things (well, one big thing, really) already. ]
I'll...do my best, Mr Juuta.
[ a resolute nod, his mouth twisting into the smallest suggestion of a smile as his eyes finally stray from Izaya. ]
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[ turns to izaya again. he was in a good mood, despite how awful the past few minutes were, and he has faith in both of them to be civil with each other (more faith in one than the other, but). ]
Since the place is new and all, I'm gonna need you to teach Cute Crona the ropes, okay? He's a hard worker and makes the best cupcakes, so if you do a good job maybe he'll consider making some for you.
[ ah--! wait. he turns to crona again. ]
. . . Sorry, I hope this isn't overwhelming you.
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there's a twitch in Izaya's smile, a brief indication of annoyance. teaching him the ropes? no, that wasn't a problem. in fact, it only gave him more opportunity to disparage him further and that wasn't an opportunity he would contest. the issue he had with Juuta's words was something else entirely. ]
I'll do my best, though the incentive isn't necessary.
Reply
"hired". the word (and just Juuta's presence in general) push a wave of calm over Crona, his hands feeling a little lighter as he smooths where his tunic had become wrinkled from slouching against the door. Mr Juuta wanted his help. . . something about that felt good, even with his nervousness and anxiousness and skepticism over Izaya's words. ]
A-Ah! No...I'll be okay, don't worry.
[ whether the meister would be okay is still up in the air-- he's already floored he even made it to this bright, open, cheerful shoppe in the first place-- but he doesn't want to bother Juuta with that, so he answers maybe a little too quickly. turning slightly to Izaya (eyes carefully focused on the wall near the other, instead of the person himself) Crona addresses the both of them, voice lowering shyly. ]
W-Where do you want to start...?
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If you're ready to start right now, you can start by watering the plants.
[ turns to izaya ]
You don't mind, do you? I mean I don't know if you liked doing that or not but-- figures I should ask before I give your job to someone else, right?
[ not that izaya did a bad job, but he needed to test crona's limits. ]
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Quite fine. I'm not attached to it.
[ hopefully Crona's limits weren't as shallow as not being able to handle watering plants or he would have more trouble than simply dealing with Izaya. as if that wasn't plenty of trouble in and of itself. ]
Though I can't imagine he needs much instruction for that task. That being the case, I have to ask what undertaking you require of me now.
Reply
[ Crona glances to the flowers and Juuta again, before starting towards them, pushing down the original shake in his steps at the idea of moving closer to Izaya. he can't help but notice Izaya's apron, though he tries to keep his eyes averted, and how...unwork-like his own clothes are, however. ]
-okay! Ah...should I put on one of those, [ he gestures to Izaya, hopefully showing that he means the apron and not the man himself. ] -too...?
[ there had to be a reason Izaya was wearing one, right? watering flowers didn't seem too hard, though... for a second, the meister contemplates what he'd be able to help with if the others knew about Ragnarok. no, no, that isn't an option here. at least, not yet. ]
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