[ open ] jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

[lyingheart]

WHO: OPEN.
WHERE: De Chima.
WHEN: Saturday, December 13th, 2014.
WHAT: Earlier in the afternoon, there will be base-jumping in elf costumes. Later on is the charity silent date auction and different performances by USA celebrities fundraising for charity this holiday season. OOC information post here.
WARNINGS: None now, will update later. To avoid seeing all the silent auction threads, simply press on the (Hide ## comments) under the header comment for the auction section!

[ BASE JUMPING from TARTARUS TOWER ]
For those imPorts who volunteered to jump from Tartarus Tower, arrivals for fittings into their costumes begins at 2:00 PM sharp. Each costume comes with a name-tag attached, and make-up artists are on hand to help affix elf ears to participants and work on their eye make-up for the ease of the cameras catching all this live.

The jumps will start at 4:00 PM, and after all imPort elves have jumped and successfully reached the ground, they'll join the bus transporting presents and Malik to the De Chima children's hospital to deliver gifts to the children in the cancer ward (and elsewhere). ImPorts will then be transported over to the main facilities for the fundraiser event as a whole, invited to attend the Silent Date Auction as well as listen to any of the various performances occurring over the course of the evening.

[ CHARITY SILENT DATE AUCTION in DE CHIMA ]
Starting at 4:00 PM, the doors to the conference hall made available for the ImPort Charity Silent Date Auction will open. Live music will be provided, along with refreshments and catered hor d'oeuvres, and televisons displaying both the news stories and live coverage of the fundraiser events occurring over the course of the evening. ImPorts will be encouraged to attend any of these performances in person, but will not be required to leave the conference hall unless they wish to do so.

There is lounge seating available, and free wireless throughout the building. Different conference halls are hosting different events in this event center, and the largest productions are happening on a built stage outside. There's a massive lit tree in the central front courtyard of the event center, and many small stands selling hot drinks, good foods, and wares outside by the stage and surrounding streets, all with a portion of proceeds going to various named charities.

Please comment to this log with your own starters! Only the Auction Thread will be set-up under its own sub-thread, for ease of tracking. Auction Threads can be threaded in, but initial comments to those threads should be the bids that a character is placing on someone else (or themselves). Bidding will close OOCly by this time next week (or when a player states bidding is closed on their character - send me a PM to close that thread, or comment to close it on your own). ICly, all bids close at the end of the night.

Comments

[soldiarity]

[ Reiner pauses, frowning slightly -- it's the question he never knows quite how to answer. Did he even have an answer? ]

Sometimes I would. I think about seeing Bertholdt, or finally going home again... but the truth is it's not a good life we'd be returning to. It'd be better if he was here.

It's useless to think about, though. You're right about that.

[anthropophagite]

[ Kaneki nods softly. He sort of understands both positions, though annie was more on the side to stay. In any case, he understood the desire to want a new life just like he understood the desire to see the ones they've left behind. ]

Yes, I guess you are right. it's not like the Porter will listen to our requests.

[soldiarity]

[ It's not a point of contention between Reiner and Annie, but certainly a vague... conflict, in a way. Reiner isn't opposed to staying while he's here, but forever? That depends on so much else. ]

Not so far, anyway. [ He sighs in mild frustration. ] In the meantime, we might as well make the best of the situation.

[anthropophagite]

[ Kaneki looks back at Reiner and smile wider, nodding after. ]

Hm! I have been trying. [ given kaneki's terrible life, he sure has! ] Though dates aren't exactly what I had in mind.

[soldiarity]

Hah, me either. But better here than home, maybe -- at least as far as I'm concerned. There's more opportunity for downtime now.

[ And where he's from, many don't consider dating a priority when their lives are all on the line, when surviving even to 25 isn't a given. ]

So dating can't be that bad.

[anthropophagite]

[ that's because your date never tried to eat you Reiner. ]

Ah, I wonder. [ kaneki touches his own chin ] It does look like you are comfortable with it. <small<[ a hell lot more than kaneki is ]

[soldiarity]

[ Not as far as either of them remember, at least, but one of their friends tried once. Water under the bridge, though. ]

Ah, well... I figure, why not, right? I didn't get to much before, so I won't reject the idea. But I'm not really going out of my way, either.

[anthropophagite]

[ you've got the best friends

Kaneki certainly isn't going out of his way but he is apparently going on dates because the universe hates him and wishes to embarrass him the best it can.

Kaneki just smiles, a bit awkwardly since there is no way he'd go "WHY NOT" ] Well, I hope you'll get many dates, then. Even if you aren't going out of your way. [ he is polite, always ]

I think I prefer to focus on other things. [ reading. Maybe he could visit america. Maybe. Travelling isn't his thing but he might as well ] Maybe travel...

[soldiarity]

[ Reiner looks a bit uneasy at that, laughing and rubbing at his neck. ]

Well -- thanks, I guess. But listen, I don't need to go on dates to be happy. I was just thinking that there's no harm in getting to know people...

[ He could be a player, but he just isn't. Despite being good with people, Reiner's been avoiding the whole "making friends" thing for a while; it makes it easier not to worry about falling into old habits, not to feel guilty all the time about letting people believe he's someone they should think of as a friend. But nothing here is permanent, he also needs to remember.

He nods. ]

Traveling would be nice, though. I keep wanting to visit the mountains again.

[anthropophagite]

Ah-I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything bad with it. [ Kaneki isn't good with people at all, and honestly he has lived without ever being good with people. He only had one friend until recently, back in his world. And proof of how awkward he is, is how he feels like he probably said something stupid every time he talks to someone ]

Mountains? [ Kaneki blinks. he'd imagine the ocean was a bigger deal, after he spoke to Armin. ]

[soldiarity]

Oh, don't worry -- I know you didn't. It's not like I'm not upset or anything, but I wanted you to know I'm not some kind of heart-breaker either.

[ He smiles reassuringly, sitting up a bit straighter. It's not a big deal to him, but he's always directed his attention very specifically. Narrowly, one could even say.

Reiner glances away for a moment, debating on how to elaborate. ]

Yeah. My hometown was up in the mountains, so it feels good getting out there even if they're not the same ones.

[anthropophagite]

[ Kaneki laughs sheepishly ] I didn't think that-

[ he really didn't, he probably just used the wrong words.

but they can change the subject now, yes. Kaneki waits for the answer and nods softly after ] It's a good reminder of home, at least. I... know your world was difficult, but even so, I'm sure you miss it. Your hometown, I mean.

[soldiarity]

Ah, relax -- you make yourself too easy to tease, you know that? It's really not a big deal.

[ Reiner smirks, waving the protest off. His reactions are cute and all, but Reiner isn't out to get Kaneki flustered -- or overthink things for himself, either. Apologies aren't necessary. ]

Ever since we began our mission, going back home has been my main priority. It's been years, but I won't give up on that. [ But it's complicated. ] Where would you want to travel to?

[anthropophagite]

[ reiner will find out Kaneki apologizes over and over again. he also feels flustered about everything too. As matter of fact his cheeks gain some color as he whispers softly ] D-don't tease me, please... [ seriously he is 18, he shouldn't be teased by a 16 years old (that looks like a weightlifter and hella older than him) ]

I hope you can make it, Reiner. [ he smiles softly. He may not understand much of the other's world - or rather, he turns a blind eye to it because he does like Annie and Reiner - but he hopes they can be happy somehow. ]

Uh- well.

... [ okay now he really is blushing because what he wants to see it's nothing as nostalgic as Reiner's suggestion ] ... bookstores... there are some bookstores considered the places were intellectuals and writers meet, like Books & Books in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Or City Lights in San Francisco, John King Used & Rare Books in Detroit and- [ Kaneki seems to be getting excited yes he is planning to visit all of them ] - and there is also The Bookstore in the Grove, and they have night readings from the authors of the books, which is-

[ and he finally realizes he is just rambling on about books, oops. ] Sorry, I got excited-

[soldiarity]

Well, since I like you, I'll try to resist.

[ Yeah, Reiner, don't give your elders such a hard time, you should respect them or something. But really, it's just a habit of his: Reiner's instinct is to lighten the mood when he's able to, which often means a little lighthearted or crude banter will be in order.

But Kaneki has gone ahead and made that less necessary anyway, with his answer. ]

Thanks -- I hope so too. I guess here it's easy to imagine anything being possible, huh?

[ He laughs lightly, trying to let it roll off his back. Nothing he could do about it now, after all; no sense in worrying overmuch. Instead he sits forward slightly, leaning his elbows on his legs as he listens.

Ken really is similar to Bertholdt. Although even Bertholdt, Reiner imagines, wouldn't think of a bookstore first when it came to places to travel to. ]

You really do like books, don't you? [ Another mild laugh. ] When's the last time you were at a bookstore?

[anthropophagite]

[ gosh Reiner, look at Kaneki blushing a bit thank you for that.

So he won't answer to that, but he will nod. And he knows that reiner's world isn't easy, so it makes Kaneki smile to know here he has a chance to do more and be more than just a child soldier who turns into a titan.

Kaneki hums, thinking ] I work at one, but it's pretty small. All bookstores here are, nothing grand, memorable or anything... It has been a while since I saw one of those-

[ and last time he went to a big bookstore... Back in his world. before he got into his accident and before he was turned into a ghoul. kaneki shakes his head ]

My father used to read a lot. I guess I started liking books because of him. [ in a way. It's not like Kaneki remembers anything about his father, but books were the only connection left ]

[soldiarity]

[ You're totally welcome. Reiner's good like that, right!

He listens, leaning his chin on one palm. He can understand that in a disconnected way -- he has no concept of family by now, not the kind that comes with mothers and fathers, but thinking fondly of something because it was important to someone important is something Reiner knows well. It isn't books for Reiner, of course, but the point stands. ]

Yeah, I bet. I haven't seen any like that either... not really big ones. Maybe Bertholdt visited one, but he never mentioned anything. [ Hmm. ] Is it all books, or do you have favorites?

[anthropophagite]

[ considering kaneki's father and mother died when he was still pretty young, it's difficult for him to talk about a family. He remembers his mother well, but... even if Kaneki doesn't admit to it, his mother wasn't really... the normal kind of mother. Kaneki has an idealized idea of her, simply so he can live well, but in fact, his mother was a very unfair woman.

When Reiner mentions Bertholdt, kaneki wonders if he should ask... first, he will answer the question ]

Aha, I read a lot of different things. But I'm very fond of horror, terror, psychological thrillers and... kind of dark themes. [ insert awkward laugher here. ]

Uhm, Bertholdt... is the other of your friends, right? [ a titan shifter, too ] he left. [ it's not really a question. kaneki hasn't seen him around and Annie doesn't mention him as if he were ]

[soldiarity]

Ah-- [ Reiner pauses, caught a bit off-guard by the question. He's too used to talking about Bertholdt, and it's obvious; slowly, he nods. ] Right. Bertholdt is my best friend, but he hasn't been here for a while.

[ But then, after another pause, he moves back to the other subject easily. ]

Because they're more interesting than love stories, right?

[ Reiner, for the record, is fine with those too. ]

[anthropophagite]

I'm sorry. I know what it's like to miss someone. [ yeahhh. Though Kaneki feels a bit weird to say this, because he imagines being here is much better than being in Reiner's world with... well, titans and everyone wanting to kill you because you are one (sort of) and having done what... they... did.

kaneki isn't going to say anything like that, of course.

Okay, the subject change might be for the best, he doesn't want to upset the other ]

Aha- yes and no. I'm sure love stories are fine. [ sure. ] I just feel like thrillers and horror stories can stimulate my perception and emotions a lot better. [ REINER, YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO KEN RAMBLE ON. because books. ]

For example, in psychological thrillers, characters rely on their mental resources to overcome the situations presented to them, and you are allowed to see how their psyche works, rather than their physical body. You are allowed to learn more about these characters, and in a way, it stimulates the reader enough by also playing with our minds. It’s less aimed at direct entertainment, and more at provoking thought and shifts in understanding of the human mind.

I think it's amazing! [ so much excitement ]

[soldiarity]

Mostly, I'm glad it's me that's here alone and not him. I don't know how he'd handle it.

[ Bertholdt was always the loner, between them; it's not like he wouldn't take to that role here, probably, but Reiner doesn't know if Bertholdt would make any effort to seek out others either. Guilt drives him in such different ways than it does Reiner.

He glances upward thoughtfully, rubbing at the side of his head. ]

Wow... that sounds too complicated for me. I tried reading this one called A Journey to the Center of the Earth, but I don't think I understood most of it -- I liked it, though. Or I think I did. I'm not always so good with that kind of thing.

[anthropophagite]

I don't think anyone would like to be alone, regardless. But you also have Annie. [ so he isn't that alone. Right? ]

[ even if Reiner worries for his friend, Kaneki is sort of glad Reiner isn't alone either. Not completely. ]

Aha- Julio Verne can be difficult since it was written years ago and the writing style is a bit more elaborate than nowadays. But it's a very good book.

Have you found any genre that you are into? [ kaneki might suggest something ]

[soldiarity]

Yeah... that's true. Annie and I are closer now than we used to be, and that's good.

[ They're actually for sure friends now, and not just allies. It's been an adjustment, but not an unpleasant one.

Uncertainly, Reiner nods, then shakes his head. ]

It was good. I did like it, even if most of it didn't make a lot of sense... but I figure that's bound to happen. This world isn't like my world, so I won't get a lot of what they're writing about. [ He pauses. ] I thought I'd like "science fiction" because it would be different, but it's pretty confusing, too.

[ Because it still relies on a lot of ordinary conventions in order for logic to follow. Reiner is not, in fact, illiterate or anything. ]

So not really... not yet. I don't really read that much.

[anthropophagite]

[ its' great to have friend Reiner, don't be like kaneki.

He smiles as he hears so and nods after ] It can be a bit difficult to follow if you aren't from this world or don't know things that this world already assumes you do, such as space.

But, in all honesty, my world, yours and a lot of people's worlds would be considered "science-fiction" to a lot of people. [ a sheepish laughter ]

Hmm~ why not super-hero books? [ OR ACTUALLY. ] Ever heard of "comics"?

[soldiarity]

[ But you can't betray people if you don't know them, right? Well, you at least don't feel as bad about it.

Anyway, he nods. Ideas of space or traveling below the Earth's surface? Definitely beyond Reiner's imagining without some context into what either of those actually... is, or entails. The latter is admittedly easier to grasp than the former. ]

Space isn't something I ever thought about before coming here. [ Or knew about, because really. Reiner looks at Kaneki with mild surprise. ] Our worlds? Really? Even compared to all this?

[ Flying cars and stuff... ]

Comics?