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[metaphorbia]

[ David has used mobiles before, but posting to a public network? It's been ages. So he ends up staring kind of hard at his comm with the feed on, debating what to say. He hopes it makes him look pensive and thoughtful; mostly he looks like a dumbass. ]

So - okay. One question. A lot of questions, but let’s just go with one for now. Is it really true that people cope okay with their powers? And every ImPort gets them?

[ He shifts a little in his chair. Very awkward, a little uncomfortable. He knows he’s asking basic questions, but he just has to. At least he looks friendly enough, though his ragged, patched clothes give him away. Kid’s from a post-apocalyptic world and it shows. ]

Where I’m from, absolute power corrupting absolutely is really, really literal. So getting to keep the superpowers without the psychopathy just seems kind of nuts to me. Awesome nuts. Like - nuts with pop rocks in them. Pop rocks exist here, right? I haven’t had those in ages.

[ Focus, David. He needs to focus. ]

What kinds of powers does everyone have? And do you have trouble with it at all? I mean, if you don’t wanna tell me, that’s fine. I’m just a little bit jealous.

[ And excited, too. Even in this situation, David can’t help but be the world’s biggest superpower nerd. ]

Comments

[ghoulking]

[ it's not a secret, there are records of what happened before, and that's probably the only reason why Kaneki is willing to talk about it so openly ]

I can. One of my powers allows me to amplify all of my other powers; I become stronger, faster, a lot more resilient. [ there is more to it, but kaneki's powers are difficult to swallow. So he won't specify just yet ] Unfortunately, in exchange for this, my self-control vanishes, I become unstable, and dangerous as well.

It is possible to control, but requires a lot of training and willpower.

[metaphorbia]

[ David is absolutely taking mental notes here. It's nothing personal, he swears; it's just what he does. ]

How'd you manage it? Controlling it, I mean. Do you have a weakness you tap into?

[ghoulking]

The more I needed to use it, easier it became to controlling it.

It's not easy, but still easier than before.

[metaphorbia]

So kind of the opposite of how it works for my world. For us, it's more about not using them.

[ghoulking]

I tried that approach too.

And when the day came that I had no other option but using that power, I ended up hurting people. I don't want that to happen again.

[metaphorbia]

[ Ah. That. He's seen that too. ]

How long've you been living with that power?

[ghoulking]

Three years here, and four in my world. Seven in total.

[metaphorbia]

... That's a long time.

[ He's kind of awed. ]

[ghoulking]

I know. I never make things easy on me, so I take a long time to get things right. [ he laughs ]

Don't worry. Unless your power is something like mine, you can learn to use what you have and not go mad.

[metaphorbia]

[ He's quiet for another long moment. ]

Maybe. Yeah.

What's your name, anyway?

[ghoulking]

Some imPorts also enjoy helping new arrivals to deal with their powers, so if you need help you can always ask.

I'm Kaneki. Yourself?

[metaphorbia]

[ David brightens instantly. ]

You're the Kaneki. The lorist who wrote those guides?

[ghoulking]

[ the Kaneki what what???

He looks absolutely awkward ]

Ah- the what...?- yeah, I guess that's me.

[metaphorbia]

Lorist. Uh, I guess that's a term from my world too. You're someone who keeps track of what's going on. Researches stuff, draws connections. Specifically about superpowers.

[ghoulking]

I've never heard of that word, so possibly it is, yes.

I have been here for a while, so I try to keep track of most things. It's useful.

[metaphorbia]

It's really useful. Woulda taken me ages to research that stuff on my own. Now I can focus on new things.

[ghoulking]

Which is why I gathered all of it, so it's easier for others to go on their own.

If you have any questions about anything, let me know. I can try answering.

[metaphorbia]

A ton, probably, but I'm gonna have to think about it.

[ A pause. Wait, he has one. ]

Does Chicago exist here?

[ghoulking]

Hm, it does.

There is an application in your communicator which shows you the world map. You can find all places you are looking for that - if they exist here.

[metaphorbia]

Wait, really? And it actually works?

[ He's gonna go ahead and flip it open and look. Lo and behold! ]

[ghoulking]

It does. it's very useful, as it also has city maps and helps you to reach specific destinations.

[metaphorbia]

Well that's pretty amazing. Our GPS system doesn't work any more back home.

[ghoulking]

Why not?