X05 | Text | UN: D33

[d33tached]

Given what you've experienced in this world, would you return to your own if given the choice?

Comments

[gitarre]

[Klavier's a lawyer, so he's all about getting caught up in semantics. In this case, it's good for weaseling his way out of talking too much about his home, his past. He prefers focusing on the here and now.

But...since D33 has re-worded himself, now it's harder to dodge the question. Thankfully, text makes it easy for him to mull over his response.]

In 1986, this world's version of America was a totalitarian government. And yet, within a decade, imPorts had banded together with natives to successfully enact sweeping reforms. Reforms that actually improved countless lives.

The fact is, where I'm from, no one has that sort of influence. Not in America, at any rate. That may be a good thing in some respects. But it also means our flawed legal system is painfully slow to change for the better.

[d33tached]

I see.

[It seems that Klavier has done his research better than D33 has. And he makes a more than fair point. D33 hesitates to speak well of this world even given its freedoms, but even he has to find the overthrow of a totalitarian regime to be at least a little inspiring.

[If only such a thing had been possible in his world, he thinks. And somewhere, buried so deeply that he can't even recognize, something clicks in D33's brain.

[That maybe, despite his best efforts to deny so, based purely on historical fact and subsequent logic, ImPorts do have the ability to change things. They had changed things.

[Perhaps their efforts to do so now aren't entirely in vain after all.

[Of course, D33 would never allow himself to admit so. He doesn't even pause to acknowledge the idea. Not out loud. But it does lead him to his next question.]

Given that, then, Klavier, what do you suppose it is exactly that you might seek to change in this world?

[gitarre]

[ Research isn't optional for Klavier, least of all when he's trying to work for this world's justice system. As far as he's concerned, being an imPort is no excuse for ignorance. Thankfully, it also means he's slowly getting a better grasp of his new "home".

As for what he hopes to achieve here, well...that's a little harder to pin down. Especially at this stage.]

That's an excellent question. And to be honest, I'd like to live here a little longer before I give you an answer.

Imposing my ideas on this world after only a few months of living here wouldn't be very effective. That would be like telling a fellow musician how they should arrange the songs on their album without having listened to them for myself. A backwards way to go about it, in other words.

[The main thing is, imPorts have a great capacity to do good. And an equally great capacity for harm. In many ways, their potential in this particular world dwarfs anything Klavier would be capable of back home. Walking away from everything the first chance he got, as if none of it has anything to do with him, would be both a wasted opportunity and a chance for some pretty wide-scale corruption and violence to go unchecked.]

I have no delusions of grandeur, of being some "hero". At the same time, I recognize what we imPorts are capable of, and the types of changes this country is willing to undergo for the greater good. We are in a unique position. The world is our stage. May as well make it a good one, wouldn't you say?

[d33tached]

[The funny thing is, despite his best intentions, D33 is just barely beginning to wrap his mind around what Klavier is trying to say. It's something that - God knows why - he's been avoiding. Sometimes, bitter denial is easier than having to own up and face the facts - that he might be able to do something to actually better his life for once and that, in doing that, he would make himself vulnerable to failure. But Klavier presents the issue in a way that's hard to argue, and if there is one thing D33 values above anything else, its the use of logic, sensibleness.

[He hears you, Klavier, however softly.]

I must admit, I do respect the lack of such delusions.

You are certainly not the only ImPort who has expressed such beliefs.

I suppose we shall see where they get you should you remain in this world long enough to act upon them.

[gitarre]

[For all of his flowery language and rockstar antics, Klavier is surprisingly logical and sensible. He's come to discover that it's an excellent way to keep people off-balance and on their toes when facing him in the courtroom.

If there's one thing Klavier understands on a core level, however, it's D33's closely-guarded fear of failure. Over time, he learned to cope by doubling down on things that are truly important to him. Without that, he thinks he'd eventually burn away into nothing. Like a falling star.]

We certainly shall. Who knows? Maybe the two of us will work together toward a common goal someday.

[d33tached]

[Well, now. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Klavier. Rome wasn't built in a day and all that.]

It would do you well to keep your focus on your own goals for the time being, Klavier.

And I, my own.

[gitarre]

[Collaboration has always been in Klavier's nature. Both on stage and in the courtroom.]

I assure you, I have no issue staying focused on my aims.

And what of your own goals? What do you want to do while you're here?

[d33tached]

[Well, that's what D33 gets for mentioning his goals. What he neglected to mention is that he really doesn't have any.]

My focus is on my survival. I find little purpose in anything else.

[That and macking on Kaneki.]

[gitarre]

If the nanites do their job, you'll have very little trouble on that front.

Ever consider picking up a new hobby?

[d33tached]

I have no desire to die despite the nanites' ability to revive me should such a thing occur.

[And he's gonna just skip over that hobby part because what is fun?]

[gitarre]

Well, I should hope not. Putting that kind of faith in our nanites would be a reckless thing to do.

Besides, a man your age still has plenty to live for, wouldn't you say?

[d33tached]

[He wouldn't. D33 doesn't seek survival because he has any sort of "life" to be had. If you were to ask him why living is so important to him, he wouldn't even have a good answer. It's simply how he's always been. Fight, survive. But for what? He doesn't know. And he doesn't know how to answer Klavier's question. So, just to appease him, he gives a short:]

I suppose so.

[gitarre]

[ Such a short response would normally be his cue to drop the conversation. But Klavier doesn't this time. Not yet. ]

Have you thought about learning how to cook?

[d33tached]

[Well, D33 isn't...quite expecting him to continue, and certainly not on that topic, but actually...]

I have no talent for cooking, but I have had the opportunity to assist others in the matter.

Why do you ask?

[gitarre]

Cooking is a skill that can be learned, just like anything else.

I ask mainly out of curiosity. It's a practical thing to learn, and also an excellent way to impress a date.

[d33tached]

[Not his date. He very nearly laughs at the idea.]

While I suppose there might be some value in learning how to cook for myself, I do not foresee my using that skill for the other purpose that you've mentioned.

[gitarre]

[There are certainly a few ways to interpret that statement. HMMM...

If this were anyone else, Klavier would likely start teasing right about now. But instead, he responds:]

Fair enough.

[Aside from health reasons, a large reason Klavier practices cooking different dishes at all is with the hope of someday sharing them with a significant other. It wouldn't be nearly as rewarding to him otherwise. That's a bit too personal to share, though. So Klavier lets the matter drop.]

As much as I enjoy our little chats, I really should be getting back to work.

Auf Wiedersehen, baby 🌟

[d33tached]

Please don't call me that.

[gitarre]

[Klavier just grins to himself and tucks his communicator back into his pocket.]