[ Video ]

[anthropophagite]

[ the video starts and Kaneki has a small nervous smile because using video is always a bit awkward. He is in his apartment house in Maurtia Falls, with tons of books on the shelves behind him. ]

H-hello. We are almost in December, and I guess Christmas is very important here- [ he has noticed all those Christmas decorations and songs, yeah. It's all a bit overwhelming, but he is going to get into the Christmas spirit too ] So I was wondering if anyone would be up for a Christmas dinner? I never had one, neither hosted one, but I think it'd be nice and different.

Me and Katsuki live in Maurtia Falls, and we can host the dinner here at the beginning of the month after the Welcome Ceremony for new imPorts, maybe. For friends, and friends of friends. [ kaneki smiles wider ]

If anyone would like to bring food or drinks you can, but I will be the one cooking, I've been reading a little about popular Christmas dishes.

Comments

[obediences]

[ He smiles back; not as broad and unfettered, but it's there nonetheless. ]

I would, yeah, if you'd have me. That sounds nice.

And [...] I could see if Allison's free that night. If that's okay.

[anthropophagite]

It's nothing big like Mister Stark's party, but at least a small "get together".

[ and f course kaneki nods at the suggestion of bringing Allison ] Yes, of course. I'd like to finally meet her properly. [ and face to face, he means. things over the network always feel a bit impersonal ]

[obediences]

Was Christmas not much of a thing, back where you came from?

[anthropophagite]

Not really. In Japan it's more of a... romantic holiday. [ kaneki chuckles softly ] I mean, some families started celebrating it as a family time, but it's not something I ever did. So I wanted to try USA's version this time.

What about you, Luther-san? [ he sort of knows the answer. Luther's father wasn't very good either, but maybe he had something else with his siblings ]

[obediences]

[ He snorts; a little exhale of breath that's almost amusement, all things considered. Even a year and a half in, he's still running into this sort of thing all the time. ]

No. We never celebrated any holidays. Barely even our birthday. So I'm just... learning as I go, here, I guess.

[anthropophagite]

Well, then I hope this will be good for you. And for Allison-San as well. [ a taste of what others usually get. Though Kaneki is aware it's not the same and there will b so many young people there that he may feel like he is a babysitter. But Kaneki really hopes Luther will enjoy it a bit]

I promise I won't put Christmas songs on repeat.

[obediences]

I probably wouldn't even be that upset if you did. I don't hear them too much, and some of them are nice.

[anthropophagite]

The store I work at has a compilation of Christmas songs that is always playing. I thought they were nice at first...

But I'm changing my mind. [ they are on loop, Luther. They never stop.]

[obediences]

[ And that actually draws an abrupt laugh from Luther, his usually-stony or anxious expression thawing into amusement. ]

This is when I'm glad I'm not stuck in a store all day with the same radio station on loop -- I get to move around instead. I've made my own music mix to play when we're driving the truck, too.

Don't go insane.

[anthropophagite]

I'm trying. [ he huffs, a bit dramatically. Since Luther laughed, he seems to relax into the joke too. ]

I thought it was just one month of this, but the music has been going one even before Thanksgiving. [ he doesn't understand the obsession ]

[obediences]

Yeah. I thought it'd just be the week before Christmas or something, but it lasts way longer than I realised. I never really paid attention to it before.

Do you have a favourite holiday from back home?

[anthropophagite]

We only realize when we are surrounded by it, I guess.

[ kaneki does take a second to think about it at first ] I think Hanami. From the end of March to early May, cherry trees bloom all over the country, and so crowds gather to watch the flowers.

It's very beautiful.

[obediences]

I wish I'd had a chance to see it. I'd passed through Japan when I was younger, but it was just temporary, like— to be deployed for a mission, fight some giant sea monster, pose for a picture, and then fly home again. Not much opportunity to sight-see.

[anthropophagite]

That's a shame. I wonder if it's possible for imPorts to visit other countries...

that way you could do more sight-seeing.

[obediences]

You're allowed to if you're registered -- for at least a few weeks, I think. I've never really travelled much here, though, apart from between the Gate cities or up to the moon.

[anthropophagite]

Like normal tourism then-


[ a pause ] We can visit the moon? [ kaneki is aware there is a space-station there, and he is aware imPorts have even gone to Mars (the Kaneki who was here before did...), but he didn't know they could actually visit the Moon. ]