Disclaimer: I own Durarara! ...ha, I wish. But seriously, no, I don't.
It was roughly a month and a half after Roppi was awakened, and Roppi had completed his education that Shingen had setup for him. Shingen had asked his superiors at Nebula Corporation for a four-month long break for his own private research. When they questioned him what he was working on, he vaguely replied that he would let them know when he finds out himself. Already used to his antics, they simply shook their heads and granted him permission with the condition that he gives them a full report when he was done and he does not neglect his regular duties for the Nebula Corporation. As it was, thanks to Roppi's quick learning, Shingen was ahead of schedule. He gave the boy several movies, magazines, books so he had something to pass the time for now. He also brought a newspaper for him every day, and even showed him how to use the computer.
The boy seemed to be in higher spirits with the change of pace, especially when he received Shingen's newest gift.
"You know, that coat actually makes you look even more like your donor"
"My what?" he turned to face the doctor as he slipped into his new black coat, lined with red fur.
"The man who gave his stem cells samples to me so I could make you," the doctor explained as he jot down some notes on a file he was looking though. "Didn't I ever mention him?"
"...no, you left out that particular detail" he deadpanned. "But that's fine, the fact that I'm not completely man-made and I actually have a biological relative is apparently a subject for casual conversation and not a big deal at all"
"Huh, I figured you'd be a little more upset over this...oh, that was sarcasm was it? Hahaha! You almost got me there", Shingen laughed.
Roppi pinched the bridge of his nose. This man probably created him just to see if he could irritate someone to death. It seemed like something he would do. He felt the cuff of his sleeve brush against his face. It reminded him that he was still wearing the new jacket Shingen bought him. The feeling of the fur against his cheek felt soothing and diminished the irritation he felt. It was so warm and soft. He really couldn't stay mad at Shingen after he gave him such a nice gift.
"So, who is he?"
"Hm? Oh, your donor? His name is Orihara Izaya, he is currently an information broker in Shinjuku. He is a shady guy, the worst kind of person you would ever meet."
"How reassuring..."
"He may be an incurable snake, but even I can't deny he's quite the character. You're a spitting image of him. It's a pity that you don't display the same exuberance he does, your company would be a lot more amusing" the doctor noted.
He scoffed. "Well pardon my sorry excuse of an existence"
The doctor didn't reply and continued to shuffle through his papers, humming absentmindedly. Roppi frowned at Shingen for ignoring him. He was also a little annoyed that the doctor thought he was worse company than the 'worst kind of person you would ever meet', but he thought likewise with the doctor's company.
Still, the sudden revelation of a mysterious donor left Roppi with several questions. He knew what the doctor wanted from him; he wanted to create a perfect "functioning" human being with his own hands. After he achieves his goal, Shingen wouldn't have any use for him (Roppi didn't want to think about what would happen to himself after that). However, he was unsure about this donor's involvement. Did he want someone who looked like him? Was he a replacement of some sort? Or was he like the doctor, enthusiastic with the idea of creating a pseudo-human? Roppi had no way of contacting his donor, so he simply asked the doctor for answers.
"About my donor, why did he agree to create me? What does he benefit from this? Why haven't I ever met him?"
"Hm, so many questions. Good to know your inquisitive nature is functioning well" The doctor put his pen down and grasped the chin of his gas mask. "Ahh... Let's see, for your first question...hmm, no clue, I pass. Next question...um, right... pass. And for the last question-"
Roppi's eyebrow twitched. "Let me guess, pass?"
Shingen laughed and held his hands up defensively "Ahaha…that's right. Well, I don't know the answer to any of those because I haven't discussed the progress of this experiment with him. In fact I haven't even kept in touch with him since I started!" he proclaimed proudly.
Roppi stared at Shingen in disbelief. "So...he doesn't even know that the experiment was successful? Or the fact that I exist?"
"Nope! Ha ha! Poor fool, he's probably been waiting to hear from me all this time! But the great Kishitani Shingen will leave him hanging!" Shingen threw his head back and laughed.
Roppi lifted his brows at the doctor, and he let out a quiet chuckle. He actually found Shingen's antics amusing when he wasn't the poor soul at the receiving end of it.
"You have a few screws loose, old man. Let's just hope that he isn't the type to do something drastic if he finds out" he said as he turned to walk away "I'm going to bed. Good night" he called out before walking into the room adjoining to the lab.
Shingen's laughing died down and he glanced at the doorway the boy just disappeared though.
'Something drastic, huh?'
It wasn't just Izaya that Shingen was worried about who would do something drastic if Roppi's existence was discovered. With a body made completely through cell fermentation, and a programmable synthetic brain, Roppi was a gold mine to scientists everywhere. If anyone ever got their hands on him, they would take him apart, bit by bit, to understand how such a feat was possible, and exploit it for all its worth. Any fool could see the potential mass-producing humanoids that can be programmed to carry out their will. They could sell the technology to anyone with the right amount of money. Warlords could make armies of faithful soldiers. Crime lords could make subordinates, hitmen, and freelance workers that work for zero pay. Even politicians could make doubles of themselves for safety or even make doubles of their opponents to tarnish their reputation. The possibilities were endless. Shingen would not allow that to happen. He wouldn't let anyone abuse his research like that.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the only thing Roppi was in danger of. Orihara Izaya worked in a shady business. Any mess Izaya gets into, Roppi would be involved as well. Given that they both share the same face. It was also troubling that Izaya, as an informant, and someone who worked in the underground society, had a lot of enemies; people he has taken down in the past, unhappy clients, rival informants, opposing yakuza members, or just people who dislike him in general. All these people become Roppi's enemy. They'd probably hurt Roppi without even realizing they got the wrong guy.
'Bastards', he thought, directing his anger at no one in particular. Shingen had already considered countermeasures in case Roppi was put into danger or pursued. He thought the process was harsh, but he hardened his resolve as he recalled the potential dangers Roppi had in store. He hoped that the boy would continue to be carefree and happy for the next few days. The boy deserved a break, especially before what Shingen has planned for the next four months. He could only hope that the boy would not break before he was through.
CHATROOM
Kanra: Good Eve-ning~! ヽ(´▽`)/
Tanaka Taro: Good Evening
Setton: Evenin'
Hachimen: Hello
Tanaka Taro: Oh, we have a new member in the chat
Setton: Hello Hachimen-san
Hachimen: Hi
Hachimen: I'm a little new at this...it's my first time using these chatrooms
Kanra: Yeppppp! I found Hachi-chan struggling in another chat, he was so funny, I decided to invite him here, lol
Kanra: By the way Hachi-chan, remember that 'lol' is an abbreviation for laugh out loud ^_^
Hachimen: You don't need to tell me twice!
Hachimen: And who the hell are you calling Hachi-chan?
Kanra: Uwwahhh! Hachi-chan is scaryyyyy~~~
Tanaka Taro: Kanra-san don't tease Hachimen-san too much
Setton: Nice to meet you Hachimen-san, where are you from?
Hachimen: I live in America
Tanaka Taro: Oh wow! That's cool! Where in America do you live?
Hachimen: ...
Kanra: I already tried asking him that, he's too shy to answer (*^∀^)=3
Tanaka Taro: Ah I see, makes sense...when I was a first timer, I was also cautious about what I said online. Maybe over time you can gain our trust :)
Hachimen: Sorry, thanks for understanding. And also, what does ":)" mean? I keep seeing that everywhere
Kanra: Turn your head sideways dummy! It's a happy face! They're called emoticons. Were you born yesterday or something?
Kanra: And how come you never asked about mine? I've been using them the whole time!
Hachimen: That's because I just ignore most of the stuff you say
Tanaka Taro: LOL
Kanra: Ehhhhhhh? How mean! (ﾉ ´Д｀)ﾉ
Setton: Lol, If you tease people, they will tease you back, Kanra-san~
Kanra: Hmph! You guys are no fun!
Hachimen: So, If you don't mind me asking, where are you guys from?
Setton: I live in Ikebukuro, Japan
Tanaka Taro: Same here
Kanra: Shinjuku!
Hachimen: Oh, I know those places, so you all live near each other?
Kanra: Yeppp!
Hachimen: I see...what's it like where you guys live?
Tanaka Taro: It's really exciting, there are lots of things to see here, the restaurants, the arcades, the shops, they're all great. I'm new to Ikebukuro myself, and it is really something. It's way better than my hometown, I was pretty much stuck in the middle of nowhere, the only exciting thing I had was my computer ( ^_^;)
Hachimen: Is that so...that kind of sounds like my situation. I don't really get out much often here.
Kanra: Aww, poor Hachi-chan! You are missing out so much! Never fear! Kanra-chan is hereeee! I shall fill you to the brim with the latest Ikebukuro gossip!
Hachimen: Ah...thanks...
Tanaka Taro: There she goes again ( ^_^;)
Kanra: Have you heard of the online gang called Dollars? Or the Black Motorbike? The beast of Ikebukuro? Which one do you want to hear about first?
Hachimen: ...
Setton: Kanra-san, that's overwhelming. You can't introduce all those things at once.
Kanra: I can't help it~ ┐('～`；)┌ It's not every day I run into an Ikebukuro gossip virgin! Kya!
Setton: ...you sound like a pervert when you put it like that
Tanaka Taro: lol, you really do
Kanra: Oh you two, I'm only kidding. So Hachi-chan~ tell me, who do you want to hear about first? Hmm~? Oh, maybe you want to hear of the most recent rumour floating around Ikebukuro?
Setton: Oh no ... please don't talk about scary things
Tanaka Taro: Are you talking about the Slasher?
Hachimen: The Slasher?
-Saika has joined the chat-
Tanaka Taro: Eh? Σ(ﾟДﾟ)
Kanra: Uwahh! Speak of the devil, and he comes running!
Hachimen: ?
Saika: Cut
Saika: I want to
Saika: Cut.
Saika: Cut. Cut.
Saika: Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut Cut
Saika: I want
Saika: to cut
Hachimen: What is this?
Saika: I want
Saika: Mother
Kanra: Don't worry about it Hachi-chan, this happens a lot ( °∀°)=3. Spammer begone! Pyun! Pyun!
Saika : Mom
Saika: to cut
Saika: to love
Saika: Want to love
-Saika has left the chat-
Tanaka Taro: ...
Setton: Scary...
Hachimen: ...what was that?
Kanra: Well Hachi-chan~ Let me start by telling you the story of the Slasher...
Roppi (or Hachimen as he goes by in the chatroom) chatted with his newfound online friends for the remainder of night. He learned a lot about the strange happenings in Ikebukuro. Lately, there has been reports of people getting stabbed by a mysterious assailant. There seemed to be no connection between the victims; it appears that the attacker targets people at random. People have started to call this person 'the Slasher'. There have been eyewitnesses claiming to see the Slasher before it attacks. They described the Slasher as a dark figure with red glowing eyes that disappeared as quickly as it came. It was almost like something out of a movie. It was way more interesting than anything Roppi read about in the American newspapers. After his new online friends finished explaining about the Slasher incidents, it was already late. Tanaka Taro and Setton called it a night and logged off the chat room. Kanra stayed back and continued to chat with him for a while before logging off herself. She promised to keep him updated and tell him more about the strange happenings of Ikebukuro.
A week passed by and Roppi chatted with the trio every day. He learned more about the urban legends of Ikebukuro, like the mysterious online gang called "Dollars". Apparently, each member got an anonymous invitation to join the group. No one knows how big the group is, or who they are, or what's their purpose, or who the founder is. It was all so interesting, but what interested Roppi the most was the monsters, like the Slasher, that lurked in Ikebukuro.
CHATROOM
Kanra: The Black Rider is one of the biggest discussed legends I'd say. The rider rides a black motorbike that is so dark, it doesn't reflect any light. He's like a shadow. You can't even hear the roar of the engine when he passes by, the bike only makes the sound of a horse.
Kanra: Lot's of rumors floating around about what's his purpose. Some say he is a "grim reaper", or he is a "hero of justice". But the most interesting rumours are the ones about what's under his helmet
Hachimen: Under his helmet? As in his identity?
Kanra: Sort of~~ There are rumours floating around, that the rider...
Kanra: doesn't even have a head...
Hachimen: ...If you're trying to scare me, that was a lame attempt Kanra-san...
Kanra: Pooo! You're no fun (≧ ε ≦ ;) Well you don't have to believe me. There are pictures of him all over the net, but people are still skeptical if the Black Rider is real or not. I guess I can't blame them for believing such a unbelievable existence, can I? v(￣ｰ￣)v
Hachimen: It does seem like the type of thing that you'd have to see to believe. It's like that character Headless Horseman from the Brother's Grimm.
Hachimen:...Have you ever seen the Black Rider before Kanra-san?
Kanra: I have. But you won't believe me either way would you?
Hachimen: I'm not really sure. But, I know a few things that you probably wouldn't believe either, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Hachimen: But, if it were true, that would be cool. I'd like to hear more about the Black Rider, if you hear anything else Kanra-san
Kanra: Hee hee, Hachi-chan likes monster stories? How cute~ any other stories you'd like the amazing Kanra to tell? Maybe in exchange for one of the things you know that I 'wouldn't believe'?
Hachimen: Maybe. You said something about the beast of Ikebukuro before, can you tell me more about that?
Kanra: That guy huh? That beast would be Heiwajima Shizuo. He really is a beast you know~ Horrible temper, insane strength, and absolutely no brain! He's just a big headache, he should just die already.
Hachimen: ...he isn't an ex-boyfriend of yours is he?
Kanra: Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh? Don't say such disgusting things! Even for a joke, that's taking it too far! (;;≥⌂≤)
Hachimen: Ah… sorry. I just got that vibe from the way you were talking about him, it just sounded personal
-Setton has joined the chat-
Setton: Evenin'
Hachimen: Hi Setton-san
Kanra: Who'd go out with someone like Heiwajima Shizuo? He's got the charm of a rhinoceros. A stupid stinky rhinoceros! (*｀∧´)
Setton: Ah, today's topic is Heiwajima Shizuo-san?
Kanra: Nope~! I've already explained everything Hachi-chan needs to know about that delinquent! So time for another topic, I'm getting sick of talking about that guy ^_^;
Hachimen: But all you said was that he was strong and stupid…
Kanra: And that's exactly all there is to know about him!
Setton: That's not true. Heiwajima Shizuo is a nice guy when you look past his temper
Kanra: Objection! How can you look past his temper when he gets mad all the time? It's a part of who he is. He's an uncontrollable beast, he hurts anyone unfortunate enough to get in his way.
Setton: But he doesn't mean to hurt anyone, unless they are delinquents that pick fights with him... but you can't say he's a monster if he doesn't like to involve innocent people
Kanra: Even if he doesn't like to, he still does. And if you're unwilling to call him a monster for that reason, then you deny his strength is enough to label him as a one.
-Tanaka Taro has joined the chat-
Tanaka Taro: Hi guys, how is everyone?
Hachimen: Maybe Tanaka Taro-san can settle this
Tanaka Taro: Eh? Me?
Hachimen: What do you think of Heiwajima Shizuo? Kanra-san says he's a short-tempered monster, Setton-san on the other hand says he's a good person. I don't know what to believe.
Tanaka Taro: …well, I'd say they're both right. When I first came to Ikebukuro, my friend told me to stay away from Heiwajima Shizuo-san, the blond-haired beast in a bartender suit. I realized why after I met him, he's super strong. He beat up a gang of thugs in an instant.
Kanra: Told you!
Tanaka Taro: But, Heiwajima-san only beats up people who start fights with him. I don't know him personally, but I know a few friends of his, and I've seen him when he was calm as well. And I don't think he's a bad person, just unbelievably strong.
Setton: It's true, I know he has insane strength, and a short temper, but he...means well
Kanra: HA! Means well? Geez Setton-san! You're giving him too much credit! All that goes through that tiny head of his is "Kill Kill Kill!"
Hachimen: Is he really that strong?
Tanaka Taro: No doubt about it. He's known as the strongest guy in Ikebukuro. He's the last person you'd want to pick a fight with. I saw him punch a guy at least 30 feet off the ground
Hachimen: 30 feet? Are you serious or is that an exaggeration?
Setton: No if it's Shizuo, that's definitely within his ability. I saw him rip a telephone pole off the ground once.
Kanra: He got hit by a truck, and walked away like it was nothing! Seriously, that guy just won't die!
Hachimen: That's...unbelievable
Tanaka Taro: I saw him throw a vending machine during one of his fights with Orihara Izaya. He lifted it without a sweat.
Hachimen: ? Orihara Izaya? You mean the information broker from Shinjuku?
Tanaka Taro: Ehh? You know him? Σ(ﾟДﾟ)
Kanra: Oh my, an introverted boy from America has heard of Orihara Izaya? What a twist!
Setton: I didn't know he was that famous...
Hachimen: Ah...no, I don't know if he's famous or anything, but the guy who looks after me told me about him. He has family in Ikebukuro, that's how he knows about him.
Setton: Wow, what a coincidence.
Kanra: What kind of a person is your caretaker Hachi-chan?
Hachimen: Ah...that guy is an idiot and plain annoying. And also, is it normal for someone to wear a gas mask all day? He may be a doctor, but wearing it even when he's off work, it's just plain weird
Tanaka Taro: lol he sounds like a handful
Setton: G-Gas mask?
Setton: And you said he's a doctor?
Hachimen: Technically, yes, but he does more scientific research, than actually treating people. The gas mask makes more sense for a scientist rather than a physician...but, all day?
Kanra: Hachi-chan is being open~ I feel like I've gotten to know a little more about you ^_~
Hachimen: Yeah, I figured it's ok to let you guys know a little more about myself, since you all are so open with me. And don't wink at me. It's creepy.
Setton: Um...sorry, I have to go check something. I'm logging off early
Setton: Bye, everyone
-Setton has left the chat-
Tanaka Taro: Wait, so soon?
Tanaka Taro: Gah, she left already...
Hachimen: Did I say something wrong?
Kanra: Weeeelll, that's all for me today as well! Bye byeeeee bii~~~!
Tanaka Taro: Ah! Kanra-san too?
-Kanra has left the chat-
Tanaka Taro: Um, did I miss something?
Hachimen: I... feel the same way =_=;
Tanaka Taro: lol, well it's alright I guess. Anyway, Hachimen-san, did you watch that movie I told you about?
That night, Orihara Izaya did some idle research on Kishitani Shingen and his acquaintances on the off chance that he might be able to put a face to his new chatroom buddy. When he came up with no possible leads, he simply shrugged and turned his attention his usual work.
Meanwhile, Kishitani Shinra tried to calm his beloved Celty. She was convinced that his father was keeping some poor boy against his will. When he asked her how she came to that conclusion, she showed him the log of the chatroom she usually visits. He tried to assure her that it was probably a coincidence and his father wouldn't do something like that... probably. To reassure her, and himself, he called his father to make sure.
Roppi spent his night dreaming of headless shadows and vending-machine-tossing monsters.
[Author's note] I usually don't like writing or reading chat logs, but in the DRRR-verse, the main source of information exchange is done online. And Narita-sensei seems to get away with it. I actually had fun with it as well. Huh, go figure.
Just a note on Kanra referring to Celty as a boy. In the book and anime, people who don't know her personally think she is a male. Even Shizuo thought she was a guy until Shinra told him and Tom in Volume 4.
If you feel Roppi's tolerance with other humans is out of character, bear with me, that is all coming soon. That being said, the tone of the story is about to take a rather noticeable shift from the current carefree atmosphere.
Stem Cells vs. DNA. My sister actually beta'd this chapter for me. She told me that using DNA to reproduce a person is a bit of a stretch for today's technology. But she told me that a Japanese scientist team found that using human stem cells, you can actually "grow" organs (they've managed to grow a liver and an eyeball). It took them a year and several trials. Which works out for this story because Roppi's entire body took a long time to create (Shingen got Izaya's stem cell samples while him and Shinra were still in high school). So, thanks to my sister for the info! Everyone wish her luck for her final med-school exam! She writes it on the 9th, and if she passes, I'll crank out two chapters in celebration xD.
Review and let a silly little author know what you think :)