video

[undermoonlight]

[Perhaps the background of Maurtia Falls is recognizable; Atsushi stands outside of his assigned government housing, having just been dropped off. He looks startled when the video starts, as if he's been struggling to figure the device out for a while now. At least it's kept him distracted from being afraid, though.]

... Oh, there! Yes, hello! Thank you for your time.

I'm Atsushi Nakajima and I'm in... uh. Maurtia? Is where the man said I was being dropped off. I've done my best to read the brochure that I was given, so I think that I'm up to speed. [This does not mean that he understands much of what he read.]

I was told there might be other people in this house. Maurtia Falls #007, I think? [He holds up his keys.] But I'm not sure if they're home. I don't want to stress them out by letting myself in, or break any house rules, or touch anything that I shouldn't... I also don't know how to contact them.

Where can I go that will be out of the way? Is there anywhere? I'm not familiar with the area yet.

[He looks like he might end the message there, but hesitates. Atsushi is trying hard not to think of home yet; He knows it'll stress him out and leave him useless. But a concern regarding his home does occur to him. Perhaps seeming immature, as it demonstrates his inability to acknowledge that he's in a new world;]

And... I'm not sure if they're here, but... This is America, right? If anyone from the Guild made it back here safely... I'm from the Armed Detective Agency in Yokohama City. Can you please contact me? I want to know that you're okay.

Thank you very much!

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Video

[detectivedwloki]

Yes, you're in America. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, to be more exact.

You have keys so you can go into your assigned house and introduce yourself. I know it can be difficult being in a strange new place but you should be fine.

So you're a detective?

[undermoonlight]

[... Soo Atsushi knows 'America.' He can even point to it on a map. The rest is foreign.]

I know I have the keys, but it's still not my home. I don't want to start things poorly by doing something to insult them.

[Like, do they take their shoes off in America? They must. It would be uncomfortable not to. Or what if they're all asleep, or they don't want visitors right now? He could become a nuisance.]

And yes, well... Sort of. I'm still training under my mentor. I don't know much about solving cases on my own. But I can write reports and fight?

[Video]

[anthropophagite]

Yes, we are in North America. I'm from japan as well, from Nerima city.

You can find your friends on the network, though. You can look for them by name, if they registered with their names.

[detectivedwloki]

You're from Japan?

Training is good. I've done that as well. I've been on the force for over ten years, also in Pennsylvania but a different city. One that... doesn't appear to exist here as much as Maurtia Falls doesn't exist in my world back home.

[undermoonlight]

[He wants to be relieved by the familiarity; Someone else from Japan is a comfort, even if Atsushi doesn't know much about Nerima City. But instead, Atsushi looks more concerned. Bordering on distressed.]

So if I've already looked at the other names and didn't see theirs...? [They aren't here?]

[anthropophagite]

It means they aren't here, yes. Or maybe they registered with another name, but that's rare, from what I was told.

[undermoonlight]

Ten years? That's a very long time. So that makes you my senior, for sure.

[Atsushi does not realize he has implied that this person is old.]

Yes, I'm from Yokohama City in Japan. If I may ask... What does it mean when the brochure says.... 'world.' Does it mean continents?

["A world away from home," is an expression, right? Maybe they mean that? Atsushi isn't ready for the real explanation.]

[undermoonlight]

... I see.

[There's a feeling taking over that he doesn't like. A fear, actually. Yokohama is his home now, right? Atsushi can't accept that he's been taken away from his home. Not when he finally found it.]

Ah, w-well. The Guild members... I didn't know their names. They're the ones who actually lived in America, so maybe they're here? [He doesn't want that hope crushed, so changes the subject in order to save it;] My name is Atsushi. You?

[anthropophagite]

Hm- well... maybe. [ no, kaneki doesn't think so. This is a whole new world, universe and even timeline. So it doesn't work like that.

But he doesn't feel like just breaking this person's hope, so he won't ]

I'm Ken Kaneki. It's nice to meet you, Atsushi-san.

[detectivedwloki]

[He's only thirty three but has worked very hard and dedicated himself to his job. He doesn't take it as a negative remark on his age.]

This is Earth. As far as I'm aware all the countries and continents exist, although some may be altered or perhaps missing, like my home city of Conyers.

If you're Registered, you should be able to get permission to travel outside of the U.S.A.

[He hasn't attempted this so he's not positive on the details about international travel.]

[undermoonlight]

[Later, if he learns of Ken's kindness, then he'll thank him. Atsushi wouldn't be able to accept that level of loneliness just yet.]

You too, Kaneki-san.

I'm sorry to bring it up again, but do you know of a good place for me to stay? Or of a way to learn the names of whoever lives in this house? I really don't want to inconvenience them.

[undermoonlight]

Registered... Right, they mentioned a swearing in ceremony of some sort.

[Atsushi takes a noticeable breath in; Calming himself. Earth. Other countries. And yet... Another world. He knows what that means, but doesn't want to.

... Well. He needs to focus on the next step. Not on denial. Just move slowly.]

Are you registered, sir?

[anthropophagite]

[ Kaneki can relate, to this day he is still in denial about a lot of things ]

Just Kaneki is fine. [ they look like they are close in age, so it's fine to be ore familiar with Kaneki ]

The house you were offered is technically yours until you decide to move out and you do not have to pay rent. If you do wish to move out, you will need to pay rent at the new place, so most people rely on the government housing.

But I don't know if there is a way of learning the names of your housemates...[ a pause follows. Now he is a bit embarrassed. ] I admit I never met mine...

[detectivedwloki]

Yes, I am. I believe it does make things easier to be Registered. Even if they will tend to call us all heroes.

[He doesn't sound too impressed by that title.]

[undermoonlight]

[Excuse Atsushi while his brain short circuits. No... honorifics? Talking casually? Like equals?

Then again, this is America...]

A-Atsushi is fine for me too, then. [It's not. He's going to jump every time he hears it. But he'll get used to it eventually, right?]

I wonder if moving out would be for the best... But I really don't mind living with others. It's disturbing them that worries me. If a stranger just walks into your house and says "I live here now!" isn't that a bit unsettling?

[anthropophagite]

Ah... Only if that is alright with you. [ Kaneki is very polite, after all!]

Hm, I understand that. But everyone seems to be used to that, since it's the way imports live in this world.

[undermoonlight]

They did mention an impressive number of benefits.

[And Atsushi can't say that he dislikes the term 'hero.' It may not suit him, but it's what he'd rather be.]

Do you feel that there are many drawbacks?

[undermoonlight]

Of course! Don't worry!

[Worry a lot.]

Is it really that normal? I wonder if that makes it okay. Normal doesn't mean they have to like it.

[anthropophagite]

... Okay... [ well. He will see]

I think it's the way we have all adapted to live here. After all, these are strange circumstances, and we all have to find the best way to be together.

[Video]

[vociferates]

Woah, hey there! Not at home right now, had to step out real early, but looks like we'll be sharing 007 together, dude! If you've got a key go on in, it's just me and one other real quiet fella that I know of, make yourself at home!

[he shrugs one shoulder, but in a way where his whole arm gets in on the action.] there's food and stuff in the fridge if you're hungry, just make sure to pick one of the open rooms.

[This guy looks pretty young. Still a kid, probably? Maybe 18 or 19... Well, that's not a problem.]

[undermoonlight]

[This is not at all what Atsushi expected. Maybe he hoped to hear from the over residents, but he'd hoped as if you hope on eggshells; Lightly and carefully.

Atsushi seems to relax slightly. This person seems nice, at least. Though his house rules are so lax that they almost seem non-existent. How is he going to follow rules that aren't there?]

Okay, thank you! It's good to meet you, sir.

Don't worry, I won't eat any of your food... But it's okay to go in? The other person won't be bothered either, I hope?

[vociferates]

[House rules are things to be discussed together Atsushi. He's going to keep his comments about this kid's name to himself though because honestly, it's probably just coincidence.]

Yeah, go in, Nakajima-kun! Look, there's leftover curry on the second shelf, you can definitely help yourself to that you dig? The name's Hizashi Yamada by the way, I'm sure we'll get along great, yo!

[undermoonlight]

[Curry does sound nice, actually... But no! He can't just take someone else's food from them.

More importantly, Atsushi waves a hand at the sound of his surname.]

You can call me Atsushi if that's easier, Yamada-san.

[A hypocritical request. But 'Nakajima' is an empty surname when you're an orphan, slapped with a name out of social obligation. At least 'Yamada' might have some real value to Hizashi.]

And thank you very much. Will you be out long? Is there anything that I should be doing? [To earn his keep. Maybe some chores?]

[undermoonlight]

[Kaneki makes a valid point. The man who took him here made it sound as if this was a normal occurrence, too. And the houses are shared among many imports, who all went through the same thing.]

You said you never met your housemates? Did you not have any?

[Could Atsushi be waiting for an empty house to invite him inside?]

[anthropophagite]

I do have them, but I guess we are never in the house at the right time...? I admit I don't spend a lot of time in the house, either. [ to be fair, Kaneki has been avoiding them, sort of. He doesn't think he should be sharing hose with anyone at all. ]