|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:19 pm
"Haaa? A secret?" he repeated, sounding surprised the other grunt wasn't about to give away his first language much less what the words he said meant. "That's not very nice~ What if I just spoke Japanese to you all the time instead? Anata wa sore ni tsuite dono yō ni kanjiru deshou ka?" (あなたはそれについてどのように感じるでしょうか?)
He fed himself a piece of sushi while continuing to watch Adam as discreetly as he could manage. The blond's lack of a visible, physical response to Zuberi's one-armed hug perplexed him. His brows furrowed slightly, wanting to ask, but refrained while knowing there was a good chance he might have regretted it if he did.
This was particularly likely if he did so in front of Zuberi whom he was unwilling to drag into whatever this was. It didn't seem like Adam to sulk so openly in public, either. He seemed to try to hide it, but was doing a half-assed job. Was it so bad that he was having a hard time concealing it even just for now?
The older grunt picked up a piece of sushi with his chopsticks and held it out to Adam. "Naze koibito fukigendesu?" he asked with a blank expression, resting his chin casually in the palm of his other hand. (なぜ恋人不機嫌です?) He knew Adam would be able to pick up on at least one of those words.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:35 am
Each bite didn't return much normalcy, but it did sate the gnawing hunger in his stomach. One less thing to distract the teen was better. Especially when Striker and Izaya were near. Striker was extremely kind. Adam could count on one hand the times someone had showed him genuine kindness. Normally people had a motive, but Adam couldn't figure out what Striker's would be. It was so confusing. Nothing was making a lick of sense. Still, the other was perceptive enough to move away, and Adam appreciated it.
When Izaya began to speak Japanese, Adam stopped eating and watched him with open interest. Knowing how to speak another language must be amazing, he decided. Nothing that Izaya said made sense, but it was still mesmerizing. Much more dazzling that me. No wonder he... No. Adam shook his head.
"Jeeze... You're both making me feel stupid. I can hardly speak English and here you are Trilingual and Bilingual..." Adam chuckled lightly. Putting in place the practice of letting it roll off was helping Adam to bring up a false cheerfulness that wasn't outwardly so fake. Even though darkness trickled just out of sight, he felt more confident. Adam smiled towards Striker, a smile that boarded nearly on normal, "Not Nigerian. Uh... Malawi? Chad? Not Egyptian... Er... Man my African geography sucks. You should tell us, though. What's the worry? It's a skill!"
Koibito. Adam's heart seized. Slowly he looked to Iza, and from the grunt to the offered piece of sushi. Koibito... It was for him. The message was intelligible, other than that term. Izaya could have used it simply because he knew Adam would recognize the term and pay attention to him... But if he wanted to get his attention, Izaya could have just used his name. Izaya's face was completely blank as he rested on his palm. It was too casual a gesture, too forced. Forced indifference. Are you... Saying sorry? Leaning in, he allowed the sushi to be fed to himself.
After he had finished the sushi, Adam leaned against Striker, now willing to take some sort of physical comfort that his mind wasn't a complete and utter mess, "I'll tell you later, Iz."
|
 |
 |
|
|
Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:09 pm
Zuberi watched Izaya with a cold stare. He frowned when it seemed that he was starting to throw out... something different. Something sneaky. Something that Zuberi was certain he wasn't going to like. He rose a brow slightly at the mention of speaking Japanese. It wasn't like Zuberi was only speaking in Swahili. He was dabbling in and out. Using a word here or there. Now if his Pokemon were out, that would be different. That would be him giving full on commands. That was something that could confuse people. And he was fully okay with that. That was the point. He narrowed his eyes rather dangerously at Izaya. He was a smart a** for sure.
The language fell on deft ears. He stopped listening fully as soon as it came out. He had no interest in learning another language, or listening to one being spoken to him. He folded his arms on the table and leaned heavily against them. His fingers drummed against the table, and he glanced over to Adam when he was addressed. He smiled half way and tilted his head lightly to the side, causing a few dreads to fall to the side. "You could learn. I would not mind teaching you Swahili, if you like." He smirked, well aware that he'd given up what language he was speaking as well as offering to teach Adam something new if he so desired. He wouldn't force the boy to learn, but he didn't mind teaching if someone was willing to learn.
The exchange of sushi confused Zuberi even farther. It seemed to mean something to Adam, but Izaya seemed bored... His head tilted lightly before he shook his head and stared off in the distance, his amber eyes taking in all the movements around him. He only looked back when he felt Adam lean against him. He turned his head and glanced at the blond before looking back to Izaya curiously.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:20 pm
His roommate's fake cheerfulness was starting to annoy Grunt Nakura (as if he never acted that way himself), but part of him was somewhat satisfied that Adam's attempts to throw them off were improving. That, at least, must have meant he'd recomposed himself a little better. Perhaps Zuberi's unexpected show of comfort had had more of a positive affect than he'd realized.
When Adam looked at him, he knew from the guy's face that he'd understood. Perhaps more than Izaya had intended, but that couldn't really be helped. The teen was sharp as Scyther blades and had only seemed to get sharper in the time they'd known each other. At least the main message had gotten through and that was enough for the informant.
The blond's final comment, combined with his sudden decision to lean against against Striker, through the older grunt off, though. His eyes widened slightly before he forced a laugh. "What? Tell me what later?" He scratched his head with a practiced, crooked smile. "Addi-chii has a secret crush on Striker-san...?"
Perhaps that was a little low, especially after just having upset Adam so badly, but Izaya chalked his actions up to still being irked that his roommate and his new toy, Zuberi, got along so well for seemingly no reason at all. It was reminding him all too much of Jerome and Zacharie when Zacharie first showed up.
As he slouched back in his seat, however, arms crossed while still wearing that lop-sided smirk, all Nakura could think was, 'Don't tell me he actually understood what I said...?' Last he checked, Adam couldn't speak Japanese. Heck, he'd admitted it himself just now. Was the blond so perceptive and adept at reading between the lines that he had guessed the translation of the question asked of him in another language...? If that were true... How bothersome...he's more of a pain than I thought.
Sensing the cold stare that studied him transform into a dangerous glare, Izaya caught that amber gaze and grinned, cheekily giving him a little wave with the fingers of the hand he rested his chin on. Good, Mr. Striker had discovered his love of playing games. Maybe he'd be more prepared for any future...inconveniences that came with being associated with Grunt Nakura.
But then the man found himself being ignored by the African. His kind words and smile to Adam only served to tighten the crimson-eyed Rocket's own. Even more insulting was the fact that Striker had so casually dropped the name of the language to the blond whereas Izaya had been denied it even when he'd been the one to ask in the first place. Were they trying to piss him off? With the smirk Striker was wearing and Adam's own apparent love for teasing him, he wouldn't have put it past them.
"Ehh?! How come you wouldn't even tell me what it was called, and yet you offer to teach it to Addi-chii?!" he whined like a needy girlfriend. "Striker-saaaan, that's so meeean!! What's he got that I don't? Tell me, tell me, tell meee!" If he had any care for the scene he was causing, he gave no indication as Izaya proceeded to throw a very vocal tantrum. So much for keeping Striker from getting caught up in things.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
|
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:30 pm
Truthfully, the fact Adam's response had somehow managed to fit an answer for Izaya's question was just pure luck. If Grunt Nakura had said something like "A cat puked in your shoes and your father smells of elderberries", but still seemed apologetic, Adam would have said the same response. It all came down to two things: 1) He seemed sorry 2) He used Koibito. Those two facts led Adam to the conclusion that it was an apology and.. Well... He had wanted to speak with the grunt later anyway. So this was the best time to just state openly they'd talk about it later.
It might have been a low blow, but there wasn't much lower Adam could get. He had barely elevated himself above an ant, and therefore the swift kick was miles over his head. There was also that fake smile, something Adam was starting to notice more and more. Of course when you bugged someone nearly as much as Adam bugged Izaya, small things started to come out in full view. So it was obvious Izaya had said that in retaliation, but... Retaliation in what Adam hadn't the clue.
For how observant he is, sometimes he was just as easily clueless.
Adam took to eating the rest of the nuggets and started on the salad, his appetite returning in full force. He grinned happily towards Striker, "Ah, sure! I'd like to learn some words. It'd be nice. An... Eh? Ahaha! What the ******** Iz knock it off." Adam snorted softly, watching the older grunt throw a tantrum. Okay, something had thrown off Iza now. This dude...
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:15 pm
Zuberi, at first, was more at ease. He didn't seem as stiff, though he was still on guard. His face went back to that of expressionless, and his eyes seemed to go distant. He glanced around the room, letting his eyes linger on people or Pokemon. Places or things. He drifted in and out of though, relaxing in conversation that was going on. He didn't know what was going on between the two. Lovers quarrel or something like that. He shifted slightly and relaxed a bit more. After a few moments, he shifted enough that it would make Adam be forced to stop leaning on him. It wasn't that Zuberi minded much; but he didn't like being leaned on for long amounts of times. Not unless he was, well, interested in them in more ways than one.
He sent Izaya a look. Basically a "knock it off. It isn't such a big deal" look. Glancing back toward Adam, he nodded his head curtly before leaning against the table once more. He shifted to peek at the egg, making sure it was okay, before tucking it back into his bag. The African lifted his eyes to look over toward Izaya once more, and then shook his head at Izaya. "Nothing. He does not have anything you do not have Izaya. So stop whining." He stated matter-of-factly. He leaned back in his chair after a moment and seemed to rather calmly rest against the back, watching the two. He could observe what they were talking about at the very least.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 12:48 pm
Scowling, the short grunt quieted down, but didn't seem any more pleased. "Why is everyone so buddy-buddy with each other all of a sudden? I thought you two hadn't met before. And I was certain I introduced myself as 'Grunt Nakura' to each of you, so when did you decide to stop calling me that?"
He raised a brow at Adam, as if suspecting the blond might have had something to do with Striker's knowledge of the name 'Izaya'. The first time he'd heard it out the African's mouth, he'd pretended not to notice, but if he was persisting in calling him by that name, he at least wanted to know why. It also didn't rub him the right way that Striker knew his real name and he didn't know Striker's. If he just had internet access, it would have been so easy! It sucked being an information broker without access to information available to everyone else.
"Are you saying that because Addi-chi almost guessed your 'secret' language, you wouldn't mind teaching him, but you won't teach me?"
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 1:46 pm
Adam shot Zuberi an appreciative smile. Normally advice like that was useless, but this time it seemed to work a little. It wasn't like Adam would go and jump cartwheels around, but at the same time he didn't feel like a puddle of mud. He moved to sit up after Zuberi shifted to get him off and focused again back on Izaya. Why was... he so upset? What had happened? Because Zuberi helped him feel better? But wasn't that why Izaya had drug him here? Or had it been for something else? God, who knew with the informant.
Adam sighed gently and stabbed more salad, eating it happily. After a few bites, he set the fork down.
"I'm sure he'd teach you too, you know." Adam pointed out and quirked an eyebrow, "Ah... Yeah I was wondering that too... Did I accidentally use your name?" Adam honestly couldn't recall, but a certain sense of dread said he might have.
|
 |
 |
|
|
Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:30 am
Zuberi glanced easily at Izaya. He almost had to chuckle knowing that he was throwing the other man off. But he held it back and merely rose a brow instead, his fingers tracing some patterns in the wood. It was true he'd accessed as much of "Nakura's" files, in order to find out real names. And so when he leaned it was Izaya, he found it wise to call him that instead. He tilted his head slightly and watched the other two quietly before he shrugged his shoulders and leaned back against the seat. His arms crossed slowly over his chest, and he let his mind wander idly while listening to them. "I looked into your files after we met the first time. It was not hard to decipher what your real name was." He stated easily.
When it came back to him and Swahili, he rolled his eyes and let out a slight scoff. Honestly. They acted like children more than they acted like grunts. He glanced toward Adam, and then back to Izaya, before shrugging his shoulders with a hum. "It is because he did not whine at me to tell him. I do not reward whining, Nakura. Not with Pokemon or people." He stated coldly. It wasn't that he was annoyed or anything. Not yet anyways. He just was getting slightly fed up with whiners. No one got anywhere with a whine. That was what he always was told growing up. Fight for what you want and get what you want. Complaining and giving it handed to you was not the way. "I will teach you as well, Nakura. Though neither of you will learn specific words I use with my Pokemon."
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:03 am
"And you think it's alright to call me by my real name when I didn't give it to you?" Izaya asked the African, his voice low as he concentrated on his food. "That's not very respectful, Striker-san, looking into people's personal information like that and then using it without permission."
"What use are codenames, then? How would you like it if I'd done the same?" He fed himself a piece of sashimi, chewed, and swallowed before looking up with an unreadable expression. "I had thought better of you."
With a heavy sigh of his own, the grunt drank some of his green tea. "Very well. I hope you'll pardon my behavior, then. Once in a while I enjoy testing others' patience and it seems I got a little carried away, there." His gaze shifted to settle on Adam. "Not the whole thing. But enough."
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:35 pm
"I'll be more vigilant next time," It wasn't a smart idea to spill real names around. They could be dangerous. Or well, that's what Adam had been led to believe, given how everyone attached to them and guarded their real name fiercely. What were they protecting? The past? Secrets? Family? Adam could think such things applied to some, but in general Izaya didn't seem to have such issues.
Soon the salad was gone, and all the food had been eaten. His stomach felt much better, and his mind not as heavy. He had a direction to go in, and that was a good way of going. Thinking too hard about the past or future upset Adam. But if he had a general trajectory, he could force hunky-dory.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:31 am
Zuberi, at first went on edge. He stared Izaya down like a Pyroar waiting for it's kill. Before he relaxed some, his face going passive. So, being scolded was in the menu today? The African tried not to snort. From the rumors he'd heard, Izaya would have done the same thing had he had internet. And anything on file for Zuberi would have been his to use. And that being said, Zuberi sat up a little taller and narrowed his gaze at Izaya. He dropped his voice to a slight growl of a whisper. Je, si kuwa mnafiki, Izaya . Ungependa kufanya hivyo." He said almost harshly. He hadn't meant to switch into Swahili, but when he was annoyed or frustrated it happened.
Amber eyes shifted to lock on Adam for a moment. Apologizing. Or at least basically. He looked back at Izaya, his eyes locked and seeming like fire. After a moment, he stood, and grabbed his bag and egg with him. He eased the strap over his head to rest on his shoulder, standing up straight and rather proud. "If you will excuse me, I have to go get this egg examined. Good day, Addi-chi. And you as well, Nakura." He almost hissed the word, though held back. After turning he waved a hand over his shoulder and headed to the door, needing to get down to the labs.
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:31 am
Raising his brows at Zuberi's look, Izaya's expression showed a mix of curiosity and surprise. Perhaps the African had done more research on him than just his name. That might have explained the sudden hostility he seemed to bear towards him as he spoke in what seemed to be threatening tones. Of course the Japanese didn't understand the Swahili other than 'Izaya', but he guessed Zuberi had not meant for him to if he didn't bother to explain its meaning.
The informant seemed to realize that his innocent act was now pointless and smirked at the dark-skinned man as he finished up the remainder of his lunch. "Aww, Striker-san's offended. And here I'd figured he was made of tougher stuff. It seems I overestimated him. Disappointment everywhere~!" His sing-songy tone, though delivered cheerfully, was mocking. "Nevertheless, I hope to see you around, upendo."
Getting to his feet, he picked up both his and Adam's trays. With Zuberi gone, his demeanor returned to apparent indifference. "I don't really care what name you call me here," he told the blond as he disposed of their trash. "Pretty much everyone, Rockets and trainers, already know who I am. I have Agent Asch to thank for that, him turning traitor and telling everyone my and my partner's identities before he died. The League has us on a list of known Rockets."
"But aside from just giving you a hard time, you probably should keep track of codenames, aliases, and real names, whether your own or your teammates'. You never know when it could be a matter of life or death."
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 9:13 pm
Tension snapped in the air. Whatever Zuberi knew of Izaya, it was enough to make the other angry. That low, growling whisper of a threat set Adam on edge. Instinctively, his hand tightened around a fork, every muscle tensed as he waited for the first blow. Fight or flight. The punk almost always chose fight. His body only calmed when Zuberi looked at him.. And seemed to apologize. Slowly, the teen relaxed and allowed the fork to clatter back on the tray. It rang out like a bell, ending the momentary tension.
"Ah... You too, Striker. See you later." Adam watched him go, barely hearing what Izaya had to say. Though the word upendo filtered in, and from the sound of it, that wasn't a nice thing to call someone else. With just the two of them, Adam felt a little at a loss of what to say. He'd promised to talk to Izaya later, but this was too soon. Adam didn't have a proper way to express himself... Not yet.
"Asch... I see." It wasn't like he was upset with Izaya anymore. An apology was offered and accepted. Yet that sinking, muddy sensation of depression still clung desperately to every limb, "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for lunch. I need to get to chores so uhm... I'll see you later."
|
 |
 |
|
|
Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|