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]

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?

[anthropophagite]

Only Japanese authors and some English books. Those are the only languages I speak.

[aeva]

Well, if you ever thought about it you could likely learn another here.

[anthropophagite]

Oh, I gu-

[ a pause. Because he just realized ]

Oh, we are understanding each other even though we are speaking different languages. [ he moves to open the file he was given when he arrived ] That's the nanites, right?

[aeva]

I assume so.

( she used to be able to comprehend and language but now? it's not something she's tested in a while and she doesn't know if it would be so effortless anymore. or if she still could )

Though does it work for written words as well as spoken?

[anthropophagite]

[ he smiles ] We can check that with any written sign-

[ and Kaneki looks around his place, quickly finding a direction's sign ]

it reads Japanese to me. SO I'd say it works for text too. That's very handy. [ which means he doesn't really need to learn languages, does he? Though... it'd be fun to, probably ] What's your original language, Sheringham-san?

[aeva]

( fun question. but for the sake of being the irishwoman she claims to be )

English. I suppose it could be more challenging to learn a language if everything is simply translated.

[anthropophagite]

Yeah. Well, there must be a way to turn the nanites off or something. [ he will have to read on that ]

I can try studying other things that don't involve learning a new language, though. I do enjoy studying.

[aeva]

Oh?

( she smiles, curious and very approving of this attitude )

What have you studied before?

[anthropophagite]

I am studying Japanese literature, back home. I am a freshman. [ he smiles a little ] I was thinking of becoming an editor, in the future.

[aeva]

It could be something worth looking into continuing here. I'm sure people here would still want editors.

[anthropophagite]

Hm! That's true, there are still books being made. I just need more training for it.

[ he touches his own chin ] Maybe when I settle in, I can check out the colleges around here.

[aeva]

I hope that you find something you enjoy. I mean that.

( everyone deserved the chance to find and pursue what they enjoyed no matter what the situation was )

And if you'd like you can always talk to me to figure it out.