Chapter 3

Wow guys, loving the favourites and reviews~

Just letting you know the next update might be a little longer. My co-writer is moving to Japan. She will need a little time to set up camp.

Ronny's stare flitted from the mug to the cigarette. He watched the cigarette's choked flame flicker; somehow, climbing past boulders of ash that threatened avalanche, the flame reached out and licked the outer lip of the cigarette paper once more. Ronny watched the little flame's desperate cling to life and licked his own lips, tasting what he wished was fire. With one inhale, he could become a god to this flame to spite the red eyed man in black before him, the man who would, through the natural order of storytelling, become the devil.

But, Ronny was a demon. He could give life like god, but he would not take responsibility for its consequences. Even if his patrons lived good lives, he wouldn't answer their prayers. Good stories aren't written about people who live good lives, and that was all that really mattered to Ronny-a story great enough to mask the void of eternity.

Besides, Ronny's smoking was merely one of the many ways he dealt with the inherent boredom of human life. Today, however, the secretary was to reprise his former role, and with that, he had no reason to concern himself with needs of his human body.

After much pause, Ronny rubbed the cigarette's flame out against the bottom of the mug, and lifting the cup to his face to study the waste at its bottom, he finally spoke.

"I have gone by many names in the past. One of those, which I believe is the name recorded in that book," He lifted a finger from the clasped mug and pointed in the direction of the book, "was Faustus."
"And it is not a belief. You called me, and I am here to answer," Ronny, setting down the mug, smiled at the informant. "Oh well," The demon's shoulders shook as if he was laughing but no sound pursued. Instead, folding his arms across his chest, Ronny continued to answer to Izaya's questions.

"Some call me by drawing circles in the dirt or conjuring up insane potions. They are usually the ones who call me out of simple curiosity, wondering if the invisible world of gods and demons in their bibles actually exists." Ronny shrugged and then slowly raised his head to meet the other's gaze. He let the seconds pass, staring at Izaya, until the silence between them was heavy enough to vouch for the truth in Ronny's words. Then, again, he spoke.

"Sometimes," He tilted his head to appraise the informant, "the person's desire is strong enough to carry their call to me."

"I heard your voice, your wish, and I am here to grant it. You may call it alchemy or witchcraft. Name me a demon if you like. I, personally, do not prefer the term." While speaking, Ronny had picked up a pen from Izaya's desk and was now spinning it between his fingers.

"You can toss away your pawns, Mr. Orihara. They are no longer necessary."

Izayas' grin widened at the interesting explanation. "A demon immortal alchemist? Well I have not heard that one before Mr Sukiart~ I must say if anyone else but yourself said that to me I would suggest they try out Hollywood" He shrugged his arms out with a smile. "But~ I can tell when someone is lying to me and I must say~ You fully believe what your telling me is correct..."

Izaya walked closer to the other "Oh~ but you don't like the term demon.. It's true it's a term used by the biased and afraid. So 'Faustus', you say you are here to answer my calls? That the desire for power you say I have called you forth..well.. I must say I am not sure whether to applaud you or be slightly insulted"

Izaya felt an odd thrill at being so easily read by a complete stranger. This man...was not an average human. It was starting to become a little uneasy the amount of others who seemed to calculate what he was doing.. to better him at something.. no.. this was the mere encouragement he needed to improve.. keep above the general human race.

"Well Immortal.. you are saying you are the one that is responsible for all the others? I guess that sort of makes you a god in a way doesn't it?" He opens the briefcase up taking out the files. "You say I should throw away my pawns now? You speak as if I need them to survive.. they are merely a tool of my amusement kept their regardless of my need for them...they are just so much fun to watch~"

"So~ You have come to fulfil my desires~? Hm? I must say.. a human body can indeed be troublesome.."

It was a true fact that even a man like himself, still had a human body like anyone else no matter what way you looked at it, a fact made all to obvious by his trip not that far in the past to the hospital. That paranoia that death affects even the strongest person.

"A human reminded me not to long ago not to underestimate anyone...that any human ..including myself could do something unexpected.. tell me Immortal.. does anyone even do anything unexpected any more?"

He smiled and sat back down in his chair looking thoughtful. "Do people still carry the will to live once the fear of death is taken away?" He mused to himself out loud. "I don't know.. if an eternity is something that is incredibly appealing ...living on until one got tired of living and decided they wished to die" He laughed slightly.

"Ah~ I feel quite rude to call you here and deny your generous offer" He gives the other a closed eyed smile. "So.. I won't.. in a way~ I am quite interested in what you have to say Mr Sukiart.. but whether or not..or when I use what you have to tell me..well~ that remains to be seen doesn't it~?"

Izaya was still not completely sold on the idea of loosing control of his existence. He was already weighing up the pros and cons in his mind. Oh this was a fun game wasn't it~?

He laced his fingers and lent forward on his desk. He was not a person to carelessly agree to such a thing so simply. The life of an immortal.. was not as appealing as someone might imagine it to be. He looked up at the man in front of him, the others continuously casual face an irritating puzzle refusing to be read.

"So~ what are your terms then~ I would like to hear them..."