maskormenace | [04] Voice

[ So even though the feed opens up, Walt doesn't talk for a moment or so. There's a sharp inhale and it's accompanied by a piteous cough. And then after a couple minute pause, he starts talking -- sounding rather relaxed. ]

Today was my birthday.

[ A beat. Nonchalant. ]

But it's also my death anniversary. How many people can say that? Their life came a full and complete circle, starting and ending all on the same day? I mean, what are the chances? Pretty crazy, that.

[ Another brief pause. Another follow up cough. When he speaks, his voice is a little strained. ]

I mean like, this whole world. What an insane concept, right? To think that our own individual worlds are just this tiny fraction of all the different worlds out there -- some with crazy powers or vampires or Satan. We have Satan. Does anyone ever stop to think about that? How Satan has a TV show? I mean, I guess...what a better way to say welcome to hell than Satan with his own TV show. I've never actually watched it, mind. But I imagine it probably involves burning people alive.

But following that thought -- I still think this place is hell. I mean, I can't be the only dead guy walking here, can I? And it's definitely not heaven. My therapist called it purgatory once.

[ A beat. ]

Purgatory is kind of accurate. Sometimes he knows what he's talking about. All of us just sitting here and waiting -- to either go home and die for good or to do whatever it is we do here. I mean, we can't die. There's a definite statistical likelihood that we come back to life if we get killed, so do we age? I'm 53 today, but am I not really 53? Am I eternally 52 until I die again? Do I die again? Or do I just live an endless loop of my life -- dying, coming here, dying coming here until some otherworldly being makes up their mind?

Maybe that's what Satan's show is about. Collecting as many of us that belong in hell and dragging us back with him. That's a pretty morbid thought, isn't it?

[ So why is Walt laughing. Why is Walt laughing like it's the most hilarious thing in the world? Why is he laughing at all? What was he laughing at again?

The laughter dies. ]

What was I talking about again? [ But it's lost. ] Anyway, I just want to know. Is there anyone else out there who died? Bonus if you died on your birthday. Might be good to talk about it. Therapeutic. And I'm here to listen. We can talk here or in person. If anyone wants to go with me to get birthdeath day breakfast for dinner, that could be a thing. That we do.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You woke up here. You are alive again. That makes you responsible for yourself once more.

It sounds tiring, though.

53 years worth of exhausting.

[ What a bummer. ]

Especially since I don't know if we have any end in sight. Are we truly immortal now?

53 isn't so old.

[ he hums ] We don't die by unnatural terms. I don't know about old age or genetic diseases.

Were there imPorts before us? I seem to believe there were. I wonder if any of them are still in this world. That could be the answer to this question.

Yes, there were. But at the time the Porter wasn't being controlled by a crazy AI, so they were able to go back to their worlds.

And not a single person chose to stay? Or did they not have that choice?

A moment-

[ kaneki is going to move, his face is off view for a moment, and he returns to what it looks like to be written notes ]

The first wave of imPorts arrived in 1986. They helped to bring to light the paranoid surveillance the government of the time had on its people. in 2008 imports were killed - actually killed - by a Death Ray created by some USSR ally. An import executed this person.

This whole issue caused a lot of problems. Questions regarding imPort safety and imPort freedom, and it also painted a target on every imPort's back and the world had their eyes on them. While a lot of Heroes retired, it wasn't until 2010 that the government decided it was best for imPorts to go back to their home universes for their own safety while the military reorganized itself.

[ those are the notes he has. Which can be found at public libraries. ]

[ Walt had never really had the time to do his research, to find out these things. So he's rapt and attentive on Kaneki -- maybe a little too attentive. Look at how serious this boy is....

No. Focus, Walt. ]

So. No. They're not in this world. I had no idea it was such a dangerous place for imPorts at the time. And wouldn't it be incredible if somehow, some of us had been imPorts from all those years ago? And yet we don't even remember our stay here at all.

[ you have no idea how serious he can get ]

Well, I can't say it's impossible. I'm not sure how much control they really had over the Porter back then, but the Porter is known for grabbing people from different timelines and points.

I have names of few past imPorts, but this list isn't complete whatsoever. [ besides, these were all imPorts that died. ] I don't think anyone but the government has such compilation.

I'm surprised no one with the computer skills hasn't tried to hack into the system.

I mean, there are some seriously expert hackers among the imPort population. Have you noticed that?

They have; it has happened before. But the government upgrades their technology everytime, specially after they were hacked by imPorts, by groups against imPorts and more recently, Russians.

[ honestly, they have been hacked so many times, it's sad. ]

I've found there are many different types of experts among the imPort population; not just technology savvy.

Edited 2015-09-23 00:56 (UTC)

It seems to be the criteria for our arrival. To be an expert at something.

[ Even if it's a stupid something. ]

So what is it that you consider yourself to be an expert on?

[ there is a pause for a half second there, before Kaneki smiles right after!

:) ]

Nothing I can think of. Books, maybe? [ eating people. Killing too. Power hunger. Maybe going crazy, too. He thinks he is great at being a monster. ]

What about you, Mr. White?

[ Hey! Walt, too! Monsters together forever. ]

Well. I am advanced in chemistry. I taught high school chemistry back home and teach part time here as well. I also work at the pharmacy with chemicals on a daily basis. So there's that.

[ And meth making. ]

But I'm sure your being modest. After all, you were very helpful with your notes and research. You had all of that prepared, and that's more than a lot of people do in this world.

[ monster buds. ]

Considering I know nothing of chemistry, that sounds like expertise to me. Must be fun in some ways, though. [ as a literature student, he never did anything awesome like building volcanoes, creating perfumes... making meth. ]

I think most people would just call me picky and paranoid for that. [ because he is, yes. But those notes exist because Kaneki wants to make sure he finds out everything he can about this place, since he doesn't trust the government ] I like to be pro-active.

Being pro-active is also a talent. See. We're discovering so much about you.

[ He says it with a jovial laugh. ]

But I certainly wouldn't call it paranoid to be precautions and plan ahead. The same most people who would poke fun at you for it could stand to learn a great lesson from you before it's too late.

Aha- [ he sounds a bit amused, a small smile on his lips.

And after, kaneki hums ]

I think most just want to see all of this as... inevitable and want to trust our hosts. Which I understand. It's easier to lead a simple life like that- [ ... ] And maybe they are right. [ he doesn't think so, though ]

[ They are not right. Not at all. Walt will never trust their supposed government. ]

Yeah, maybe.

It certainly is easier to trust in them. Life is getting a bit more complicated for the Unsettled.

A lot of people follow things because they are easy. Some regret it. [ many regret it. ]

Though, I can't say much. I am registered. it'd be hypocrite of me. [ of course. ]

There are many reasons to become a registered imPort. And not all of them have to do with complete and utter loyalty to the government.

[ Walt holds up his wrist to display his own REGISTERED tattoo. ]

Yeah, that's true. Though I have to admit, it IS easier. They make it so. [ sickeningly so. ]

Why are you, if it's okay to ask?

[04] Voice

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