Sharing a Starry Night (Izzy~)

[17blackroses]

"That's a solid view to have. Darwinism at its finest. Very useful, though it's a shame that it had to come at such a price."

Again, Ayano shrugs at his comment, returning her gaze into his. "It's a price I don't feel much grief over anymore. It's what opened my eyes at that moment. People die every day. It doesn't matter how close you are to them or how much they mean to someone else. If they're weak, then they will just fall prey to those who overpower them."

She listens to his answer to her question, smiling a bit when he's done. "Makes sense."

Her attention perks up when he mentions the situation as being a test of psychology and instantly wonders what it is that he can learn from her answer. She listens closely to the situation, narrowing her eyes at the end. "That seems like a rather common psychology scenario that's asked. However, the answer is quite obvious. Her depression over not having any way to contact the man of her dreams drives her to kill her other aunt in hopes that she will meet up with the man again at that funeral. However, her results could very easily be quite disappointing. In her urge to meet this man again, she murders someone in order to meet up with him again. Although, she fails to realize that there is a very possible chance that the man will not show up again to this funeral. The last aunt could've been someone he knew very dearly, but this one could be a stranger he's never met before. There is the chance, though, that the man could be just as insane as her and show up for the exact same realization she made," Ayano explains, an eerie smirk growing along her lips. "Then again, we all have a streak of insanity inside of us, right? It doesn't belong to a select group of people. For instance, people will kill for any reason they so desire, despite knowing the consequences that can occur from these circumstances. People, truly are interesting and despicable creatures, indeed.~"

[Izzy]

Listening to the woman's rather detailed response, Johnathan seemed, well, amused. Not a mocking sort of amused, but a genuine, happy sort. For the first time during this entire encounter, he actually smiled. It was faint, but it was a smile. "Spoken like a true scholar!" he congratulated.

"You were right about it being a common scenario, first of all. It is given to criminals. Not petty thieves, or drug dealers, mind, but arsonists, serial killers, men and women on death row. The scenario is simple, if they answer correctly, in that the woman killed her other aunt to meet with the man again, then it is deemed that the subject is a sociopath, someone who doesn't care about other people. If they answer incorrectly, though, well, that's obvious isn't it?" He said. While he wasn't too enthusiastic, it felt as if his interest was growing steadily as he prepared to make his next point.

"Secondly, you have shown that you have some mind for strategy. Anybody, 'insane' or not, can understand what the woman was thinking, even if they have to be told, but you not only figured it out on your own, but you saw the potential pitfalls, the different factors that can influence even something like this, what seems to be a simple cause and effect scenario. Very impressive, that." Johnathan continued. At this point, he was flipping through his notes, as if he wished to reread what the woman said.

"And finally, a piece of advice, Ms. Ayano. You are not insane. Sure, there may be some that believe that sociopathy is an illness of the mind, but take it from a man who is learned in these matters. I'd say that you see clearly where most stumble. Humanity is something to be cared for, like a cow, but like a cow, you don't let it sit at the table, and when the time comes, you must slaughter it. A wise person understands that, fools do not. You are no fool." He finally concluded. By this point, the smile had melted away, leaving his normal, neutral expression. He still seemed rather pleased, though.

[17blackroses]

She watches as a small smile actually lines the other's lips, interesting her even more. He compliments her and she shrugs, not really thinking much of her explanation other than just matter of fact. His voice fills her ears again and draws his attention back to him while be begins to elaborate on the situation explanation.

"I see. It didn't seem like a rather complex situation," she mumbles the last part to herself mainly, but loud enough for him to hear if he so desired. She listens again while he continues speaking about her answer.

"Hmpf..." she answers softly, gazing off to the side in boredom, but training her bored eyes back on his hands when he begins flipping through his notes and continuing to talk.

"And finally, a piece of advice, Ms. Ayano. You are not insane. Sure, there may be some that believe that sociopathy is an illness of the mind, but take it from a man who is learned in these matters. I'd say that you see clearly where most stumble. Humanity is something to be cared for, like a cow, but like a cow, you don't let it sit at the table, and when the time comes, you must slaughter it. A wise person understands that, fools do not. You are no fool."

At some point during his words, her gaze had shifted back up to his face, noticing the lost smile but still pleasant expression on his face. Once more, she shrugs at his words. "The flattery is nice, but I honestly don't see why it's such a big deal. It's just a true reflection of the world. The world is merciless and doesn't care about anyone in particular at all. Life tends to be a game for the universe to indulge in. Anyone who doesn't realize this truth is probably more than likely blinded by sweet and sugar-coated lies fed to them by everything around them. Those people feed those lies with a steady diet of denial and belief that the world is a relatively kind place and that life can be lived away gleefully. Those people are typically the ones that are swallowed whole by the stronger..." she expresses, attention shifting away again in some boredom, but more as a chance to reflect on her mind again.

[Izzy]

"Ah, now I have a firmer grasp on you shortcomings." Johnathan said. "You seem to have some trouble seeing the bigger picture. Remember what I said about the test? How it is conducted on only the heavy duty offenders? That's important. You know what every single person who passed that test except for you and I have in common? They were caught. They got careless. Like you, they thought that the world is merciless, so they might as well prey on the weak before they are targeted themselves. Now, they weren't blind to nature, just to the law. They couldn't figure out simple things such as how to commit a crime in such a way that hard evidence is all but impossible to find." he continued. For the briefest of moments, a scowl crossed his face. He couldn't abide fools, especially those who had such promise.

"That, Ms. Ayano, is why it is such a big deal. I wasn't flattering you in order to build your ego, I told you how things were in order to put everything into perspective. Most people like us end up in prison, and a majority of those with our common sense end up too frightened to do actually make a change, to take their life where they want. They're content with their small jobs, avoiding the law, and slaving away. That is a pathetic waste of talent, would you not agree?" he asked, though he hardly paused before continuing. "I tell you all of this in the hopes that you keep it in mind. Don't be an idiot, Ms. Ayano, and don't be a drone. I'd hate for someone of promise to let it all slip away." he concluded. Normally at this point, he'd be working towards asking her to join his 'family', and to be fair, he did, but to do so, and to have her be an obedient enough member, he'd have to strip nearly everything he appreciated in her, and that just would not do.

[17blackroses]

She hears the man begin speaking again and turns her attention back to him. Typically, she wouldn't even try to listen to most people speak against what she says considering most of the time they just spew out words that they've been fed to repeat. However, she can tell that Johnathan is actually rather intelligent and she begins to think that maybe something he says will actually be worth looking into. When he finishes with his speech, she replays the key points in her mind and tries to understand where he's coming from. Even so, if there's those that are like her and him as he says, she doesn't give much of a damn what happens to them. They have nothing to do with her, so she feels no need to worry about their misfortunes. Everyone else isn't worth the time either.

Ayano notices a scowl settle into his features, then his mouth begin to move again to speak. Shrugging in response, she allows all of her attention to focus on him when he speaks once more.

"I tell you all of this in the hopes that you keep it in mind. Don't be an idiot, Ms. Ayano, and don't be a drone. I'd hate for someone of promise to let it all slip away."

She smirks after hearing that. "Like that'll ever happen. I won't stop or change until the day I'm put to rest in the ground. Even then, though, I will continue on in the afterlife or any place I end up."

[Izzy]

"Ah, Ms. Ayano, I didn't expect you to be one to believe in the afterlife. Most like us aren't. Well, good for you, if you have that sort of determination." Johnathan said. It certainly was good to have a firmer grasp on just how strong willed this woman was. It gave him a few advantages. One, it helped him to decide the pace for any possible future conversations. Two, it provided, well, not trust, but something...dependable. And finally, a strong will made it easy to manipulate someone, whether or not they were on your side at the moment.

"Well, I believe that this has been a most delightful conversation, and I thank you for your time, Ms. Ayano. If you ever have need of me, here, take my card. You can call at any time, but if you call around midnight, you'll get one of the 'family', usually Derek. He'll get ornery, but he's a pushover. Low self-esteem was how I snapped him up, you know. In any case, I'll be available at any time, should you wish to have another chat. If it would be anything like this, well, I'll be waiting with bated breath." he said. The card was simple, not much to speak of. Except, of course, for the fact that it had the entirely wrong name on it. This card apparently belonged to one Abraham Simmons. Johnathan didn't seem to notice the error, however.

[17blackroses]

"Ah, Ms. Ayano, I didn't expect you to be one to believe in the afterlife. Most like us aren't. Well, good for you, if you have that sort of determination."

She stares at him, then smirks a little. "Hmpf. That is, if there's even an afterlife at all. Who knows. I'll just handle things appropriately when I get to that point," she tells him, pushing herself up from the bench to stand up. He begins speaking again and she pays attention, but doesn't fully look at him. He explains the situation with his card and his family, then takes it when he hands it out to her. Reading over it, she notices the different name from the one that he gave her. Peering over her shoulder, she looks back down at him, actually somewhat impressed.

"An alias, hm? That's not such a bad idea. You never know what people can do with your fate once they know your name and your birthday," she says to him, still holding the card in her hand.

[Izzy]

"As I have said before, there are those like us who are cautious, and those who were caught. I have thirty different identities. It would be foolish to have any less when you...take in so many downtrodden individuals." Johnathan explained, rising from the bench himself. If one were paying attention, they would notice that, as he rose, he seemed rather paranoid. His face stayed the same, but his eyes darted in every direction until he stood fully.

"Nevertheless, the all of the other information on the card is correct, do a degree. That isn't the house that I stay in, but it is one of mine, and the number is normally answered by Julia, my most faithful child, but she will always transfer you to me, so have no worries that you won't be able to get a hold of me, child." he said, face a statue once more.

[17blackroses]

"As I have said before, there are those like us who are cautious, and those who were caught. I have thirty different identities. It would be foolish to have any less when you...take in so many downtrodden individuals."

"Thirty different ones, hm? I see," she trails off, eyes peering back at him while he rises to his own feet. She notices his eyes dart around frequently while he preforms his task, intriguing her but not to the point where she really feels like asking about it.

"Nevertheless, the all of the other information on the card is correct, do a degree. That isn't the house that I stay in, but it is one of mine, and the number is normally answered by Julia, my most faithful child, but she will always transfer you to me, so have no worries that you won't be able to get a hold of me, child."

"I'll keep that in mind," she tells him without too much sincerity while she slips the card into her pocket. Ayano stares out over the landscape a little while longer before pivoting her body to face him completely.

[Izzy]

Observing the girl, Johnathan found a little spot of amusement at her continued disinterest. A lesser man might be emotionally wounded at being treated so callously, but Johnathan didn't mind. This woman might be a smarter, much more relatable specimen, but she was still merely human, and thus couldn't hurt his feelings more than a dog, or rather passionate reptile. Though his respect for her grew, there was little that could change that, in the end. "See that you do. I wouldn't have you avoid calling me because you are worried I might not answer. That wouldn't do at all." He said, stance easy as he lifted his briefcase.