Video | They don't make posters of my kinda life

[shipmaster]

[It is hard to tell if the person who appears on the network this afternoon is a particularly handsome woman or a strikingly beautiful man. Or what age they are. Or any nice, easy assumption, actually. They lean towards the screen, having watched the network for a few days, picked up what they could. A planetary war, tensions between imPorts, tenuous situations all around. For most people, it would be the time for serious discussions, strategic planning and getting the strongest intel they can.

Bel Thorne puts their chin on their palm, regards the camera a moment before cutting a sharp, curious smile.]

So, what does one do on Earth for fun? I'm taking suggestions.

Comments

[shipmaster]

[And no nerves mean stunners and nerve disruptors would be just as ineffective.]

Remind me not to piss off the local ghost and ghoul population.

So, what I'm getting here is good conflict management is intel and diverse hiring practises.

[ghoulking]

[ oh he used the... g-word...

kaneki actually looks a bit amused. The fact that people in most worlds consider a ghoul a ghost or an apparition or some supernatural creature is still so strange to him. ]

Yes. Good friends and allies, and remember that surprises happen.

[shipmaster]

All good advice.

So. Looking for new friends? Because suddenly, I am.

[ghoulking]

Aha-

I'm always looking for friends, but we have only just met. I can be a bit of a surprise, too.

[shipmaster]

[Hm. New world or not, they take the warning with a certain gravity.]

Normally, I'd mention that in not unaccustomed to working with all sorts in the mercenary line of business ... Should I assume this is also a 'not small scale' surprise?

[ghoulking]

Most people know about me. I don't hide it, but it's a serious matter, nonetheless. I'll let you decide on that, though i admit, I don't usually talk about it on a first conversation.

[ but it came up, and Kaneki really doesn't hide it. ]

I'm a ghoul. Not the ghost kind. An "another species" kind of ghoul.

[shipmaster]

[The clarification was good, since they were already thinking this kid was well put together, all considered.]

That's ... A hell of a name for a species. Not that I can talk, but all the same.

[ghoulking]

So far, only my world has Ghouls.

In any case, ghouls are humanoid beings who look like humans. There are many other differences, but the biggest one is the dietary needs; ghouls can only consume humans. It's the only thing a ghoul can eat.

[ yeah. Kaneki is a cannibal. ]

[shipmaster]

[Oh. Oh.

The silence stretches over the line as they struggle with that one.]

... You're right. That needs some warning.

[Bel is having trouble enough with this planets eating of animals and not far grown protein. This? This was way, way further.]

I'm .. My condolences on.. that. But I can't work with that.

[ghoulking]

Not at all. I'm used to it. [ of course he is. He is used to people being scared, horrified and disgusted by ghouls. Also used to everyone wanting to kill him for it. While things are very different in this world and most people aren't like this here, that's an exception and not the rule. ]

[shipmaster]

[And Bel is very much not the most tolerant of people on the BEST of days.]

Tell me you've found a substitute. Vat protein or something.

[ghoulking]

I don't expect you to accept it.

But understand that when I say it's the only thing a ghoul can eat, it means nothing else will feed a ghoul; without it, I'd starve. [ and rule number one, when dealing with ghouls: never let a ghoul starve. It's so much worse when they are crazed with hunger. ] That means I don't have a choice, no matter how disgusted and outraged you are by it.

[shipmaster]

[Bel goes very still and quiet, just a moment before the outburst. All that good advice about picking your battles carefully, with planning and backup? WHOOSH, GONE.]

Worlds of science and magic at your goddamn disposal and oh, murder is fine since it's the only option.


[[OOC: I don't know if you like the more negative flavoring of CR or not. SORRY ABOUT THEM. 300% emotions at all times. If this isn't your jam, gimmie a tap and I can swerve.]]

[ghoulking]

[ ooc: 100% fine with it, don't worry! ]

I have never killed anyone in order to feed. Neither have I said this is something I enjoy doing.

You are entitled to judgement as you please, so you really don't need to twist things around to make yourself feel better about being mad that a whole species is unable to be just like yours.

[shipmaster]

[Oh god. Does he eat corpses? Or just. Parts off. Neither thought sat well with them.]

Oh, don't talk to me about twisting during that argument. There's a hell of a difference between a person with some social stigmas due to genetics and a person who eats other people.

[ghoulking]

I'm not saying there isn't; in fact, from the very beginning of this topic, I have pressed on how this is not acceptable or positive in any way. It's your own decision to make it sound like anything else.

But in the end, all of your stigmas and anger won't change anything; not the fact that I'm a ghoul, not the fact that I have to eat what I do.

[shipmaster]

[There is a not-so-subtle eye roll at the blame shift again... But the second argument seems to at least strike a little bit. There's truth there, just a sour as hell one. What answer is there to that? Die?

They watch the feed with lidded eyes a moment, jaw muscles tense... before simply reaching out and closing the connection.]



((OOC: This IS a fun one. I'm totally up for throwing them at each other again sometime if you'd like.))

[ghoulking]

[ For over 7 years Kaneki has apologized for what he is, for the things he didn't do, for the fear other people had, and for the fact that he existed. And after so long being sorry for being alive, he no longer is. And he isn't going to bow his head and apologize anymore.

So when Bel turns off the feed, Kaneki isn't bothered by it at all. Besides, this could have gone A LOT worse. ]


[ ooc: I would love for them to meet again, eventually, yes! : D ]