01. Video

[anthropophagite]

[ Kaneki did not enter his new house in De Chima #1, instead he is standing in front of it, looking very unsure of he should go in, despite being told that's where he lives now. The video feed will start with him looking up at the building for a second and then smiling back at the camera - it's totally a nervous smile ]

Hello- I hope this is on. [ oh this is very awkward. ] I'm Ken Kaneki, 18 years old and I come from Tokyo, Japan. I have just arrived so I'm still trying to figure things out. This is all a bit too surreal...

I was given a house and a job. I don't mind the house but the job is a little... [ bad, the job is bad ] I wonder if I could pick something else.

[ He is still smiling though, and his uncovered eye looks down while Kaneki tries to figure out what else to say. No, he knows what to say, but how to say it...? ] Is there a way to know who comes from where? I'd like to know if there are other people from my world here. [ he can't just downright ask if someone is a ghoul, after all ]

... and coffee. If anyone knows where I can get good coffee, I think I need a big cup right now. [ this is waaaaaay too awkward ] Thank you.

[ and with a small head bow, he turns off the feed ]

Comments

[aeva]

( she just offers him a smile )

I wouldn't be able to do it either.

( though not because she's not outgoing. she just wouldn't want to scare people )

But I don't see why you wouldn't be able to have a different job.

[anthropophagite]

Yeah, I was told I could just find something else.

I wonder if I have to write my resume... [ would people even believe in it? It's not like he will have references ]

[aeva]

Do you have something in mind that you wanted?

[anthropophagite]

I used to be a waiter at a coffee shop, back in Tokyo. [ he thinks for a second ]

Maybe something related to books as well. Like working at a library or a bookstore. That would be nice.

[aeva]

I've come across a few of those in each city. I think they'd be glad for the help.

[anthropophagite]

[ he nods, looking a bit more cheerful ]

At least it'd be something I'm familiar with. So it doesn't all feel alien to me. [ everything still feels alien to him, truthfully ]

[aeva]

It's strange. There's a lot that's familiar in these cities but it does feel-- ( she pauses to find a good word and then realises that his works ) alien.

( especially since she was an architect, she knows it all but this isn't her universe )

I think it does for many of us.

[anthropophagite]

I've never been to America before. So I'm having a hard time seeing familiar things right now... It's kind of scary.


[ a pause ] I wonder if this counts as "visiting America" even though it's in a different universe.

[aeva]

I haven't either.

( not in this lifetime. she's definitely just a simple irishwoman )

But I think it does count. You're still here.

[anthropophagite]

I was told we won't remember when we go back home, though.

[aeva]

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the experience you have now.

[anthropophagite]

Isn't all a bit useless, though? Because once we leave, the time spent here means nothing to us anymore... [ he may... have found out he used to be here some time ago. But he doesn't remember that. ]

[aeva]

So we should give up and not even live? No one can really tell us what our future will hold. You have to take every chance you have.

[anthropophagite]

[ he doesn't want to argue, but it doesn't feel right. He was here, met people, and then leaves, never to remember, and comes back with no memories of anything.

Honestly, it feels like a bad joke. ]

... hm... [ he ends up agreeing because, after all, kaneki is not the confrontational type. ] I guess we will see how things go here...

[aeva]

You can do something. ( her tone is soft, reassuring ) It might be strange to think of now but you have choices.

[anthropophagite]

[ a beat ]

Choices? [ such as? ]

[aeva]

A job, how to spend your time. What do you like doing?

[anthropophagite]

Isn't that just being "there"? [ he doesn't mean to be rude, but if his choice is just living, it's not really a choice that will change much about his current situation ]

Er- reading. [ and... that's it! ] I'm not particularly interesting... [ he realizes that! ]

[aeva]

Reading is a very worthwhile activity.

( and just to prove it she may turn her video around to show him the small stack of books she has on the desk beside her, one open in front of her )

I've been spending time since getting here reading about this world.

( and then the video pops back to her )

[anthropophagite]

Oh! [ see, he brightens up when he sees the book collection. because if there is one thing Kaneki loves, no matter which world he end sup on, it's books ]

Just about the world? Or do you like fiction as well?

[aeva]

For now just about the world, though I'm sure I'll need something else too.

( she just loves literature. and learning. but fiction is such a pure joy, the creativity and imagination people have, being absorbed in their worlds, particularly with what she knows of the (her) universe )

If you ever have suggestions.

[anthropophagite]

I don't know if the authors from my world are the same as here. It'd probably be a bit strange that they were...

I will have to look for it myself, but I'm sure I can give you some recommendations in a couple of days. [ because kaneki reads A LOT ]

Do you have any preference for- [ he just realizes: ] I'm sorry, I never asked for your name...

[aeva]

Mrs Sheringham. And secretly I've read something of every genre.

( sure, she didn't enjoy each exactly the same but they were all interesting perspectives and one day she might find a mood for something that she doesn't enjoy on a different day.

that and her real preference feels as if it would sound a little odd. she's more interested in seeing what he'd come up with )

Though considering there are cities here that exist on at least my Earth some of the literature may exist too.

[anthropophagite]

It's nice to meet you, Sheringham-san. [ he smiles a little ][ oh yes, quiet boys have this sort of taste ] I have read all sort of books, though! From Franz Kafka to Lewis Carroll.

[aeva]

Have you read some from their original languages?