VIDEO: 002

[fource]

It’s funny how time works here, isn’t it... Even disregarding what happened with the missile launch.

[Quatre’s sitting on a beach outside Heropa-- one of the meteor-viewing party spots-- as the sun sets; his eyes keep drifting away from the camera to watch the light off the water.]

For example, my birthday was a few days ago, by this world’s calendar. Back in my world, it was December, but I arrived here in March. I want to say that it’s hard to believe it’s been a year... but it hasn’t been, not really. Ten months, give or take. In the end, I suppose it’s the date that’s more important than how much time has passed, especially when no one else in this world would know that it matters.

[After a second, he visibly catches himself, smiling apologetically at the camera.] I'm sorry, that’s pretty dramatic for a birthday, isn’t it? I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had to deal with this, for birthdays or holidays or important dates back home. I’d like to know what people normally do, or if it’s not something that’s worth worrying about.

...Well, in either case, it's been a year or ten months since I first came to Earth. I was mostly in Europe and Asia before, so I’d like to see more of this country while I can. If anyone has any recommendations for places to visit, I’d love to hear them. [His eyes are wandering off to the horizon again.] It really is beautiful here.

Comments

[ghoulking]

Hm- I'm glad then. That you have ti figured out.

Yes, I am. From Japan. Specifically a city called Tokyo. [ which also exists here ]

[fource]

Ah, Japan and Tokyo existed in my universe as well, though I've never been there. I spent a little bit of time in southeast Asia, mostly Singapore and Indonesia; I think that's the closest I've been. The political borders have some pretty significant differences in my time, so looking at a world map here still throws me for a second. There are a lot of countries missing, and some here that I don't recognize.

[ghoulking]

I've never been to any of those countries. To be honest, I've never been anywhere outside Japan until I arrived here.

Differences in worlds do not surprise me, though. Every universe has its own story.

[fource]

It’s interesting, isn’t it? I’m several hundred years in the past here, but even if I wasn’t, it’d be silly to think things would go the same as they did back home. Maybe the countries in my world will never exist here. [Or the colonies. It’s easy enough to keep his voice even, but the idea of outer space being-- empty except for a lunar base and some launch site on Mars’s moon strikes him as something very sad.] Are you enjoying it? While you’re here.

[ghoulking]

Some imPorts truly believe this is just the past or the future of their world. Honestly, everything points for it not to be, but in the end, it is possible the is a very close version of what you know.

[ he hums softly ] It's not the world, but the people. That's what makes this place worth it, as sappy as it sounds.

[fource]

[He's shaking his head before Kaneki even finishes; it's small and quiet, but he's already made up his mind.] No, I don't think so. There's technology here that we don't have by my time. At the same time, this world is far behind in terms of space exploration. I can't imagine that things will look like my universe did by the time I was born, even if all of us imPorts weren't influencing things.

[It matters a lot to him right now, that they're not on track for the colonies to even exist in this universe. It's a very lonely feeling, but a complicated one too, today of all days.

Kaneki's second comment draws him out of the mood he's in, though, and he manages another smile, small but genuine.] I don't think it's sappy. I think that's very honest.

[ghoulking]

Hm- it's the fact that imPorts have been influencing this world for a while now that it obvious it's not really anyone's past. Plus, Lachesis never cared for natives, and I doubt she'd start any time soon. [ so she most likely won't pull anyone from this world's past, present or future ]

I suppose - it's just the way I feel, truly.

[fource]

Do you think she doesn't care at all? [He's a bit surprised to hear that; it seems needlessly harsh.] I know that she's the reason that we're here, but surely she must care about what happens in this world. Otherwise, why would she reset time when the missiles hit, instead of just moving us to another dimension? I think... she has to care about the people here, even a little.

[ghoulking]

She only intervened because the Porter would be destroyed. Lachesis is known for being a megalomaniac, cruel and unforgivable AI that takes the title of God to a whole new level. She was never kind and caring.

And honestly, she probably likes this world a lot. Most likely because her sister hasn't found her so far, which means it is a perfect hiding spot.

[fource]

I just don't see how anyone can care for the world but not the people inside it. She plays 'favorites,' doesn't she? Among the imPorts, at least. If she's capable of caring about us, even if it's in her own way, I don't think it's impossible. Maybe it's naive of me to say that, but I want to believe that it's true.

[ghoulking]

I don't think it's playing favorites.

But naturally, you can believe otherwise if you want to. It's not like I've ever met her personally; I just know what I have been told and what has been happening here.

[fource]

[For a moment, Quatre frowns as if he's going to argue that, but he catches himself before he can say anything. He's already learned his lesson about talking too much about what Duo's told him about Lachesis. Duo didn't want their connection from their home world to be public knowledge, and Quatre's quickly realized that most people don't talk about Lachesis the way Duo did. Almost all of his slips so far have been related to her.]

...Ah, I suppose. [a little quickly, he adds] It must look different for you, since you've been here for so long without hearing anything from her. I just happened to arrive right when she resurfaced.

[ghoulking]

[ kaneki shakes his head ] It's not just that. I don't mind her silence.

But all the people brought from the City at the time, all said the same about her. So I see her in a different light, because I choose to believe what those people told me is true.

[fource]

[Wow. Things must have changed a lot after Duo left the City. Quatre looks politely bemused, before he covers it with a small smile.]

When you say it like that, I sound rather rude, don't I? I don't mean to doubt everyone. I think I'd just like to believe it, even in the face of evidence. That's pretty silly of me.

[ghoulking]

[ there is also the fact that her son caused all their nanites to go haywire after a conversation and literally killed some imPorts during that. Of course Lachesis isn't the Porter BUT, the Porter is still obeying her law. ]

No- it's not that. It's just that everyone has a different experience. You can think whatever you wish, so if you wish to have a good idea of her, you can,

[fource]

Mm. I think I'd like to believe the best of her. But I'd rather believe the best in everyone, if I had a choice.

[ghoulking]

That's a kind way to look at things.