💣 003 | audio

[devoutish]

Yeah. This Christmas thing. It's just fucking over the top, innit? You do know we're barely into December? You need to calm down, all of you.

[Alfie's tone is chiding, but in a light and teasing way that isn't really meant to be taken as a serious condemnation - he's actually been in an okay mood these past couple of weeks. This is just one more car on the culture shock train. The Christmas celebrations and decorations that he's is used to seeing at home are much more subdued, and definitely don't start this early in the season.]

Is this an American custom, or a twenty-first century custom? If I were to pay a visit across the ocean, would the Europeans be kicking up this much of a fuss? Fucking hell.

Comments

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

You might have heard and seen Santa - an old guy with beard and red suit. He used to be an elf sort of creature with a bishop's robe and animal skin covering him.

The whole red suit came from Coca-cola company that redesigned Santa Claus aorund the 1920's, so they could advertise their drink and still appeal to the season. And Coca-Cola is known for red and white colors, and thus many people say that's where the red came from.

[ you have now discovered that Kaneki is a walking library and can tell you all stupid details nobody cares about. ]

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

Mm. Hasn't happened on my world yet. At least not that I've heard. I'm from the 1920s, myself, but Coca Cola's American.

[And he isn't.]

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

I'm not sure about an actual date on that, but yes, Coca-Cola is American in my world as well.

So maybe in a couple of years you'll get to see the red and white Santa Claus in your world as well.

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

He's already got a big white beard. That's iconic enough. I know a man, right, in my time, who gets kids on the street staring at him around this time of year.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

really? Does he bring them presents, or is it just the looks?

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

The looks. He's a gangster - retired, now, but he was fucking brutal back in the day.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Uhm, i can imagine children are scared and yet fascinated.

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

Depends on the neighborhood. You get far enough away from ours and they stop recognizing us by sight.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Are you one as well, then? A gangster.

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

I don't know what would give you that idea.

[He winks.]

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

[ he smiles, amused. Well, Kaneki is the leader of a terrorist organization so he won't complain about Alfie being a gangster]

Aha, of course. Things must be really different from what you are used to.

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

That has more to do with the time period, mate.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Obviously. Also super-powers too, maybe?

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

Yeah. But I like mine well enough.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

What are you powers, if it's alright to ask?

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

I've got a couple. I can change food and drink into bread and rum.

[And he can move things with his mind, which isn't something he's keeping a secret, but he also isn't telling everybody about it.]

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Oh. Well, if it's something you like a lot, then I suppose it is a good power indeed.

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

It's my bread and rum from home. That makes a difference.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Yes, I can imagine it does. A way to remember home. [ sadly, not everyone has that ]

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

Yeah, it is. They don't make bread and pastries here the way we do at home. I've found one good Jewish bakery, but the ingredients taste odd.

And you, you look for-- what? Japanese food? Is that decent here?

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Odd? Well, it could be the way they are processed now.

[ and kaneki shakes his head softly ] I don't eat, so I don't know for sure. But my friend tells me the food I make is close to what he knows from back home. [ so he supposes at least the ingredients are good enough ]

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

Right, yeah. You did tell me that. How is that going for you, mate? Continuing to avoid arrest?

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

I'm not in jail, so I suppose so.

I have no reason to be arrested, anyway. [ he leaves no evidence around ]

[ Video ]

[devoutish]

Well. I raise my glass to your continuing good fortune.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Thank you.

The same for you as well, of course.