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WHO: Kaneki + Open
WHERE: Heropa, Nonah, Maurtia falls, De chima
WHEN: March 1st to March 15th
WHAT: Find Kaneki on the street because he won't tell you he is here otherwise
WARNINGS: Canon spoilers, mentions of violence, gore and cannibalism

[ His arrival back in this world was smoother than he expected. The government told him he was not going to prison for what he did, but due to his violent acts --even if he wasn't in his right mind and was being "controlled" by Hornets-- he had to be put on probation. He was requested to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet for a month and he will have to report to a Registered imPort who will act as his parole officer; the tattoo in his arm now says "criminal" and will remain so for a month. And during all of this, not once Kaneki argued or complained. He nodded and accepted every decision the government made about this situation, and at the end all he did was ask if he still had access to De Chima labs --they said 'yes' because it was necessary-- and requested to now live in De Chima --request accepted-- and that was it.

That's how he returned to this world.

He left an entry over the network, and went to his new place. he is not sure how to address others just yet, but he knows he has to apologize, though you can't really apologize for something like that, not so lightly. He will focus on what he can while he decides the best course of action: the Hornets, the Porter, he will focus on keeping his place in this world, that has been threatened so many times already, and he will protect everyone. He will find what is the better way to do that, since experience told him he can't just do everything blindly. He needs to think.

He will figure it out. ]

HEROPA : Bookstore

[ Even though Kaneki is no longer living in Heropa, he still walks around the city quite often. It's a way to make sure everything and everyone are safe and in case something happens, he will be there to help and protect the people he cares about. He is now working at De Chima bookstore, but he decides to drop by his old workplace; here, only few days passed after he was sent back to his world, but back home it was over 6 months.

He smiles politely at his ex-boss as he comments on the white hair, and he smiles kindly at the man. He also apologizes for leaving and apologizes for no longer working there. With a small bow, he buys three new books and an extra fourth is given to him for free. When he finally leaves the bookstore, he looks around for a second and decides to take off his eyepatch; white hair and black clothes made him pretty weird already, but he figured it was better to avoid looking THAT weird with an eyepatch too. ]

NONAH : Coffee shop

[ He never actually been to Nonah before. It's funny because he was 6 months in this world before, and he never found an excuse to go to Nonah and visit the city. Right now he is only doing so because he wants to know the city, the layout, to see the people, the natives, the imPorts and their locations. He is scouting, that's the only reason he is there. Annie and Reiner live there, so it's important for him to know the place and in case something happens, he can navigate through it.

After a whole morning of walking around, he eventually comes to a coffee shop - a petite and quiet one - and asks for their "best coffee, no sugar, no cream, just coffee". And he eventually sits by the window, looking outside. Doing this sort of things... drinking coffee at a coffee shop, taking a moment to look around without searching for an enemy... it has been a while. ]

MAURTIA FALLS : Streets

[ This was the second city Kaneki was set on getting to know. Like Nonah, he has never been there, but like Nonah, he needs to get to know it in case anything happens. Scouting, learning the layout, learning what you may need to face. If anything happens and he needs to go to this small city again, he will know the place easily. He is also interested in the rumored underground scene going on; these are usually good for information, but given Kaneki is currently a "Criminal" and under Government's observation he knows he can't approach it just yet.

He is carrying his eyepatch today, plus the black clothing and the white hair help a lot for people in this town not to be so suspicious of him. The ankle monitor also brought enough attention, too, but Kaneki politely asks them to go away -with a smile and everything!- as he grabs his cup of coffee and sits down at a public bench to drink it.

This is a really interesting place, actually. Ghouls would probably find it "homy" ]

HEROPA/DE CHIMA : Moving from a city to another

[ Now that he lives in De Chima, he will have to move there. It means going to his old apartment in Heropa and get his things and move them to a different city. At least Kaneki doesn't have much house utensils and necessities, but he has a lot of books and carrying those can be a feat. At least he has super strength and he isn't going to hide that anymore; in his hands, he carries bags full of books, some clothes, some other accessories like coffee.

He can be found carrying his items from Heropa Individual Housing back to De Chima Individual Housing, since it's where he will live from then on. ]

CLOSED : Will Graham

[ Kaneki was assigned Will Graham as his parole officer; he is to report to him and the man already has files on what Kaneki is, thus he doesn't expect having to explain it to him. Hopefully. Though he has a feeling questions and conversations will be had. In any case, Kaneki decides to visit him the second he can.

At least he doesn't bring cupcakes this time.

Kaneki is wearing black, and if Will remembers a gentle black haired kid who smiled and looked too naive for this world, he will now meet a white haired Kaneki who still wears an eyepatch and looks far too tired (and sad). He is still smiling, though. Once he arrives to Will's shop, "Hook, line, & tinker", the first thing he notices is the dog, but after he looks around ] Excuse me...?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Gunther has had to attack someone he thought a friend in recent days, and lives with other dogs, cats, hamsters, and a load of raccoons. His owner is a cannibal, too, even if that's not biological necessity or something Will has carried over here, of his own choosing. As long as Ken doesn't ever give the dog a reason to fear him, he'll find that he's always receptive and friendly, welcoming of being pet as he tries to sneak in a few licks here and there. And as long as Ken doesn't ever give the dog reason to fear or Will reason to fear for the dog or himself or anyone else in the nearby area, Will won't give a shit if Ken decides to show the bearded doof a bit of attention.

His lips turn into a thin, grim line at the question, good shoulder lifting just enough to pass for a shrug. He doesn't see a problem with sharing it. How else can they know, for certain, where they stand, knowledge-wise? This isn't a case of coming from a different country, a different socioeconomic standing, a different generation, the usual—they come from completely different worlds.]

I think it's necessary. [If Ken is prompting him on whether or not Will's breaking a rule already, he'll have to be more direct with it. Will's read that file several times, has stowed it away in his memory as a priority. Technically, he could throw it away and be fine, as long as nothing happened to scrambled his brain.] And being up front, I come from a world that's...relatively mundane. No one has superpowers. Vampires, werewolves, magic, [He waves one hand, etc., etc., all those supernatural fun types] aren't present.

[He has questions. Just...probably not the sort that would be expected, so maybe it's better not to ask. Not immediately, at least. Oh well. To Will's credit, though, he doesn't pay that eye any additional focus, no odd staring, no cringing despite being face-to-face with it, and not a whisper of the dreaded c-a-n-n-i-b-a-l word.]

Is there anything you think would need more explanation, that taken into account?

[No immediate pressing questions but if Ken has something he sees in the file he wants to correct, clarify, or make sure some average world bozo like Will doesn't find super alarming, he has the chance.]

[ ken rarely gives people a reason to fear him until he gets serious. Until then, he is polite and gentle and possibly a bit mopey, but still rather nice. He is, however, a highly specialized predator and most people who deal with him (and know that) should keep it in mind. Like Will. Gunther doesn't know, but Will has probably read all about Kaneki's specialization in cannibalism - both ghoul and human.

Kaneki hums softly as he keeps reading the file, glancing back again at Will after. ] Except for Ghouls, you could say mine is as well. In fact, there was a time no one knew ghouls even existed and for a long time I believed they were just media stories overreacting.

[ kaneki places the file down again, having read it fast. And so, his hand returns to pat Gunther's head, given the animal was probably already expecting it from him. if not, he would receive those petting regardless. When the ball is passed back to him, he decides to take a moment; yes, there are few things that the file doesn't mention ]

I am an artificial ghoul. After an accident, I had a ghoul's kakuhou transplanted into me and in return I became like this. [ in other words, he used to be very human and very normal ] And while before, I did not have any control over my ghoul side, I can assure you I am in perfect control now. [ he doesn't have to worry about Kaneki flipping out and trying to eat Will, it won't happen ]

[Despite how strange it is—and it really, really is strange compared to the science Will studied and knew to be fact—he manages to keep his face under control. Nothing that could make him seem like he doesn't believe Ken, nothing that could smack as too morbid of an interest, as neutral as it gets. Just digesting new information before coming to any judgments (hah), he even delays taking the file and putting it back under lock and key to further cement the idea that he's being attentive as best he can.

But really, this is fucking bizarre.]

That's good. [Having control is important, though Will knows very well that what it might take to gain control isn't always good. It seems like a natural thing to bleat, on par with how others might say "I'm sorry to hear that," and he's at a bit of a loss for what to say himself. So reverting back to the norm it is. The norm for others, those with dull cow eyes, sheep in sheep's clothing, completely unaware of the predators, the wolves in wolf's clothing until fangs are ripping hair and skin and muscle from bone.] And the government provides you with bodies to consume, right? They're still keeping up their end of that?

[For how taboo cannibalism might be as a topic of serious conversation, Will doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Doesn't seem to have a problem with anything that's happened so far, though Gunther can be considered downright thrilled with everything that's occurred since Ken walked in, eating up that physical attention like a cannibal might eat up a particularly rude neighbor. It's all good, here and now, though whether Ken finds that alarming isn't something Will can control. Or wants to control.

But if he has to damage control, so be it.]

[ to be fair, it's quite strange to Kaneki too. Or it was. He used to be human and for a while he didn't even know how a ghoul looked like; he imagined them to be monstrous creatures, and never in his mind it crossed his imagination that things would turn like this. Of course, after almost a year of being a ghoul and six months of accepting that he was a ghoul, this became less surprising and bizarre to him.

Kaneki wouldn't mind if Will looked weirded out or confused at what he read. He thinks it's natural, when your world is relatively... well,normal. One day, ken will think about what "normal" really means, but Will is living in a place populated by Super Heroes, taken from different worlds, and given "super powers". Will is one too. So even if it is bizarre, he should be used to it by now. Or at least used to it enough to just nod and accept and not try to make sense out of everything he hears - Kaneki wouldn't be able to explain much, either.

The question earns a nod from kaneki ] They are. They can't take it away, either. [ there is a tiny hint of amusement. Tiny. Kaneki doesn't want to sound as if he is mocking them, but he is certain that's what many ghouls would do if they heard of this ] Without it, I will go on a hungry driven psychosis and try to attack and eat people. Or steal bodies from hospitals and morgues. However, I'm required to be registered. [ they want to make it sound like kaneki has a choice. In truth, he does, but the government doesn't.

Before Ken didn't want to hurt people and was oh so thankful for the government and for the opportunity to feed under their rules and it always felt like it was of Kaneki's interest to be registered in order to get food, but it's the other way around: it's of the government's interest to keep an eye on Kanaeki. Ghouls have lived all their lives hiding from the government and getting away with murder- Kaneki can easily do the same. This "arrangement" is solely to help the politicians and the military believe they have a saying in it at all, when they truly don't. Kaneki couldn't see that before, but he can see that now. If he wishes to no longer feed off the scraps the government calls "food", he can go about his life and never be found out.

But he doesn't want to clash and he wants to look well behaved, at least until they forget about him. Keep a low profile, smile and pretend to go along with everything. At least for a couple more months.If he suddenly said he didn't want the bodies and didn't want to be registered, it'd be far too suspicious.

Kaneki is paranoid now. ]

You have no issues with this, Will? I am a cannibal. [ not everyone smiles and nods about that ]

[He is used to it—as used to it as anyone from a situation like his can truly be. Every now and then, though, something crops up that he didn't expect. People capable of flight or casting fire with their minds? Fine. Of course. Some of the worlds represented are ones he barely understands, doesn't think he wants to know more, doesn't pry after extra details to fill out the picture. The one that he's working under has always served well enough.

But when it comes to cannibalism, of this hideous variety, Will Graham can't help but have a bit of difficulty digesting it.

Ken's explanation of what happens if he doesn't get what he needs is a horrifying one, gets the first negative reaction out of Will, a hint of a frown as his jaw tightens. Less disgust at the idea and more facing the severity of the situation at hand straight on. There is a big difference between reading a file and hearing it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. That question, though, ah, how should he answer it? The frown and tight jaw disappear as he thinks it over, eventually seems more relaxed at talk of consuming the same species than he is at the idea of Ken losing it and going on a rampage, oddly enough.]

You're not the first cannibal I've ever...encountered. [Generous word for everything that happened with Hannibal Lecter, for what Will himself is, for what so many people running about elite circles in Baltimore are without realizing it. No smile, no nod, but it may very well smack of acceptance without as much, especially when Will leans down to put Ken's file safely away. Almost like this is totally normal! Cannibals? Not getting kicked out of this shop. No shirt, no shoes, no having eaten your own species, no service.] That's not going to be an issue on its own, no.

[Issues will arise if Ken doesn't get what he's been promised.]

[ Ah, there they go. He expected that, but it came later than he thought it would, truthfully. Kaneki doesn't show much expression, but he makes a mental note of what brought Will's expression just now; he makes far too many mental notes and pays too much attention about the smallest things. But it's the way his mind works now and if he stops, he feels like he will get crazy. Nobody wants Kaneki to go crazy, not really.

The answer makes him glance at Will with renewed interest for the subject. He waits for the man to put away the file, before he comes closer, but only to lean at the counter - which is still between the two. Not that it'd make a difference if Kaneki decide to attack Will (he won't), but he wishes to give him a fake sensation of security (fake because if Kaneki decides to attack, there is nothing that will stop him _ no counter, no dog).

(The kagune wasn't brought up yet. It might. Kaneki is willing to show it, if Will desires to see what do they mean about "tendrils coming out of his lower back". Anyway, moving onto the matter than he actually wants to talk about). ]

How many have you encountered? Cannibalism is not common between... civilized societies. [ AHA. he doesn't mean to be offensive, but cannibalism is a taboo even to ghouls and they sure practice a lot of it - not because of hunger (unless you are Kaneki; he certainly prefers to eat ghouls than humans), but because of power. Why would a human wish to eat another human, though? They do not feel the pleasure a ghoul feels when they feed on humans, and they don't gain anything from the consumption of those of their own species. And let's be honest, the human body must have the grossest diseases in it. ]

And I guess I should also ask "why"? [ why do you know these sort of people yeah ]

[Feeling secure in a fake way is rather common to Will, and if he picks up on what Ken is attempting by keeping the counter between the two of them, he doesn't let on. Even the best laid plans to keep healthy and fit can be done away with by a poorly timed accident, either through the hands of someone else or the body keeping quiet about some of those gross disease until the last, worst possible moment. For all intents and purposes, he seems as relaxed as he ever gets about this entire situation, but that doesn't mean he's blind. Not anymore. But he's not about to go about life here showing fear at every turn, and he knows full well what it's like for people to know about what he (supposedly) can do and react to him as though he is a threat. Dangerous.

Just because he doesn't cower or talk about having security cameras set up or anything else to show he's aware there is danger about doesn't mean he's slacking or not keeping Ken's abilities in mind. They'll get there one day, he's sure of it. They'll have a better understanding of each other, if not because it's outright stated (by Will, by someone who knows him), then by finding out on their own. Despite Will having a file and some semblance of authority (and pure empathy), he's not going into this believing he knows it all. That he has an advantage. Talk about a surefire way to have things go belly up.

But that statement, the absolute fact that cannibalism, within "civilized societies" isn't considered common hits harder than Ken can possibly realize. Will almost literally bites down on his tongue at that. He agrees. He knows. And he's immensely grateful for being asked why instead, since that makes it so much easier.]

I worked with an organization called the FBI, back home. We tracked and caught serial killers. [Bland, so bland, like he's talking about easy facts that will be on the test later, not anything intimate and personal.] Some of them ate their victims, shared their trophies. Made it more difficult to find them, but we managed. It's not common where I'm from, either.

[The dog has flopped on the floor, content to try for a nap, and Will doesn't see any harm in leaning back on the stool behind the counter as he speaks. It puts distance between them, sure, but it's also a place he clearly spends a lot of time standing in, surely Ken can understand that being on his feet all the time wanting to lean back and give the barking dogs a break isn't uncommon. Or a clear method to keep away from his conversational partner. There isn't much room behind the counter in the first place—if he were backing away, he could just as easily go back around and wander. This is settling in, not running away.]

[ Will is Kaneki's parole officer; it's wise not to show fear and it'd probably be nice to expect the criminal you are watching over to reform themselves, or something of the sorts. Kaneki does have psychotic crisis, but they don't happen unless there is heavy stress falling upon him. And if he keeps busy - like now, talking to Will has been pleasant so far (so far is the key word) - it's even harder for that to happen. Telling the man "there is nothing to worry about", though, will only make it worse Ken thinks. Let them talk and go at their own pace. Fake security or not, everyone is safe, right now, Kaneki can assure it even if he doesn't speak it.

And Kaneki will wait for questions to be asked and answered. His interest in Will right now isn't verging paranoia like it usually is, but simply to keep things pleasant and to allow this conversation to be as pleasant as well (not that the themes brought up are). He is glad Will is willing to talk rather than just demand answers or avoid questions.

He nods at the answer ] I know FBI. It existed in my world as well. [ they focused on humans, not ghouls, though. Of course what he knows of FBI is simply from books, and perhaps the version of his world is very different from Will's. ] At least a version of it.

I'm glad to hear it's not common, though. [ that is not common. Not because Kaneki is the sort of person to be horrified if he heard someone is a cannibal (he is not. He'd not care), but because he imagines what it feels like to others who aren't him. He was like that before; back when he and Will were roomates, if he knew someone was a cannibal, it'd have shocked him immensely and probably freak him out.

People change though.

It doesn't matter. ]

I don't share trophies. There is no need to worry about that. [ he basically eats everything. That was a poor joke. Kaneki decides to look back at the dog for a moment, to watch it on the floor trying to find a position to sleep in, and Kaneki can only smile a little at it ] Do you miss it, working for the FBI? I imagine it's not the same as running a bait shop.

[Pleasant, that's a good word for how Will is perceiving this, too. The conversation itself isn't a delightful, appetizing thing, but he's certainly talked about worse. He's of the impression that Ken and he share that much. Topics might be less than joyous, but as long as they can discuss them as they're currently doing, should be fine.

He totally wasn't worried about trophies being shared, no way. Though, after reading that file and the subsequent leak over the Network, Will felt like, perhaps, his paranoia when it came to those cupcakes wasn't as unfounded as it had been, still didn't make him worried. His palate wasn't very refined, but putting human in cupcakes instead of as a simple replacement for veal or pork...that would take much more skill and effort, wouldn't it? Poor jokes are in good taste when it comes to Will Graham, for better or worse. The bait shop is full of stupid fishing wordplay.

Nothing here is meant to be screaming class. The tacky and tasteless are firmly at home here.]

Not particularly. I didn't enjoy the work. [A point that he feels needs to be made more than it ever did before, perhaps unsurprisingly. He'd followed Ken's eyes to the dog, brings up a hand to run over his neck as he looks back across the counter, appearing hesitant. A bit nervous about bringing this up, but not because he's afraid. It's just—how does he word the question he's had all along?] One question, though. About your. Diet. [Politeness gets people places that aren't on the table, okay.] Do you—do you cook before you eat?

[A bit nervous, but for whatever reason, it's clear that this point is important to Will.

(The reason is Hannibal Lecter, duh.)]

[ kaneki can't imagine what that sort of work was like. But he understands why someone would not enjoy it; it's a difficult tone, and it can be pretty disgusting, Ken is certain. Specially because FBI seems to deal with the complicated cases the police isn't able to; something like that? (and complicated usually means utterly disgusting).

He'd ask further about Will's work, but it's not as if he really wants to know; he is mostly curious, and mostly interested in Will himself (but not to extenuating point. It's curiosity, not paranoia). Since the subject was changed and a question was ask, Kaneki will focus on that.

In fact, it earns Will an eyebrow rise, and a small pause because he doesn't quite understand the reason of that question. Kaneki shakes his head ] There is no need for it. Ghouls cannot ingest spices and salt and whatever you might add to a dish - and there is no use roasting it, either.

[ it reminds him of Tsukiyama, actually. Kaneki pauses, wondering if he should say that to a human or if Will would find it utterly disgusting ] There are differences between body types and... people. As well as organs. However, a ghoul's palate is very limited.

[ he has to ask: ] Why?

Edited 2015-03-18 11:36 (UTC)

[Will's threshold for disgusting has been a wide one, almost untouchable, even before he got wrapped up with cannibals. He's always had an affinity for insects, wrote the standard on how to tell time of death using their activity, and finds it relaxing and enjoyable to stand in running water under a hot sun catching fish. Ken's file had its horrors, true, but he'll have to actually work towards something unique and terrible to earn disgust.

Of course, he's unaware of how that reminds Ken of Tsukiyama, and is unaware of who the hell Tsukiyama actually is. If he were in that loop, if that were verbalized, well, there would be one way to get his disgust up. Alas, he's not. For the best, probably for everyone involved. Or just everyone in general.

Douchebag cannibal chefs, who ~~kneads~~ needs 'em?]

Just [curious, no. Curiosity isn't always a bad thing, but in these situations...it's not how he wants to be perceived. Not by someone outside the realm of Baltimore.] thought it would be good to know. [He shrugs, one shoulder going higher than the other.] It's a little different than being allergic to gluten or eggs, but still a...specific worth noting.

[Literally only interested in whether or not Ken cooks his people, goodness.]

[ who knows? before Kaneki found so many things utterly disgusting, including his diet. Nowadays, he'll still say it's understandably disgusting to most people, he had to be honest and practical: it no longer grosses him out. He has done so many gross things that it's hard to call them so anymore. Like the body parts he has inside his fridge; before he was scared to open it, and now Kaneki makes use of the fridge almost daily. So what he thinks it's gross and isn't, is no longer normal and hew is never sure when he has to stop.

If talking about how ghouls taste their victims doesn't bother Will, if Kaneki started to talk about how Tsukiyama "The Gourmet" Shuu thought the was super high class and made dishes out of his victims, that would probably hit close to home (even if Kaneki doesn't know). So yeah, it's better for everyone ever not to mention it right now.

Kaneki looks at the man for a moment. Curiosity is a good answer, and honestly, ken would not blame him for it. While Will said he had met cannibals before, Kaneki doesn't know to what extent and context, so he can only imagine it's still far too weird in many ways. And curiosity is a normal ting, for humans and ghouls alike. ]

I don't think i'd want the smell of cooked human flesh all over my apartment. [ or would he? Kaneki isn't sure, he never wanted to do anything like that. Raw flesh is, actually, something his taste buds are quiet happy with - he isn't going to cook it. Unnecessary. ] I don't even know if I'm able to digest cooked food. [ seriously, it never really crossed his mind. ]

- not that I will try it. [ he figures he should probably add it so he wouldn't freak Will out or something? He mostly said it out loud! ]

[Will should, probably, find the idea of the scent of cooked human flesh permeating an apartment (any of them, not just Ken's) disgusting. But if Ken is expecting that to cause a wrinkled nose or worse frown than usual, he'll come up empty-handed. There is no noticeable revulsion, not for any of it. Ken continues on and, what, adds some reassurance that he won't be lighting up his stove to partake of cooked human meats? Is eating human flesh considered that much better in ghoul culture? Do they simply eat it as it comes to them and not care for preparation? Puts a whole new twist on salads being human. Can't be worse than the smell of fish, he thinks, biting back the words of someone who is terribly freaked out right now (only not). Arms crossed over his chest for lack of anywhere else to go, no defensiveness, Will is quite at ease. With Ken. With the conversation. No worries here. Will sluggishly lifts his elbows outward just enough to be spotted in place of a shrug and pulls a face. If that's how Ken wants to go about his diet, no skin off Will's back.

Hopefully...]

You know about the file leak that happened by now, don't you? While you were...unavailable. [It's the best way to word it that Will can think of, better than going with something like "disposed of." Not all cannibals are the same, after all. Ken probably doesn't appreciate that sort of humor the same way as someone who does it on purpose and cracks jokes at the dinner table no one else understands until it's horrifyingly too late.] It was on the Network, is why I ask. Everyone in the community could. [Sorry, buddy.] See it.

[Part of Will's job is making sure Ken reintegrates with the community at large properly, knowing how Ken intends to go from here is something for his notes.]

[ Food is food. certain organs have different flavors, but they don't add to the pleasure of eating unless you are a pretentious asshole like Tsukiyama. To a ghoul, human flesh is possibly the greatest pleasure (that kaneki never felt as a human before) and the pleasure is the same no matter how picky certain ghouls wish to think they have the right to be.

It's strange how he can be talking to someone like this. It's not normal, even if they are talking as if it is. If will doesn't mind it, Kaneki won't mind either. ]

Yes, I do know. I have seen it and read it and I'm sure many others have, as well. I do plan on addressing this matter soon. [ leave a network post for everyone to see, being called a monster by Sylar, things like that ] My situation is no longer a secret, so I'll just have to see what comes out of it.

[When one is hungry, almost anything can be food. When one is a cannibal, every fight is a food fight.

Abnormal conversations are par for the course when it comes to Will Graham, hopefully Ken can pick up on how far that goes. When it comes to what others might consider morbid and not to be discussed, if Ken needs someone to converse with, Will's going to keep an open door policy. Regardless of how much it might remind him of the taste of human flesh.]

I'm glad to hear that. [And he is, too. He's glad that Ken has already come to his own decision about this. Not that Will wouldn't be of some help if he hadn't, but Ken displaying that he can think things through on his own, that he has a mind and uses it? That's valuable.] If something comes up when you do and you feel like someone's taken too much of an interest...I'd like to know.

[So he can bark at them. Fuck you, Sylar. But Will knows people can have conversations where they aren't easy to see, and that's more what he's referring. He won't demand Ken hand over his device, won't invade his privacy, but if he does get something that's a bit much, well. He's not in the corner by himself, as long as Will's around.]

[ what a beautiful and deep thought.

ken has been thinking about so many things and though - let's face it - a lot of what he has through through comes up as a total mess, he still is trying to figure everything out, plan everything out. Make sense of things, decide others. Even if they are difficult.

Those last words make Kaneki pause ]

... like Suzuya? [ oh yeah, his killer. The elephant in the room. One of them, at least. ]

[supah profound

Ah, well. There is one thing that is undeniably strange to Will: people who were killed coming back. Not people who were thought dead, or had the possibility of being dead attached to their cases. People who were dead, coming back from that? That was unheard of, in the world Will knew. The human body could go through quite a lot, more than most wanted to ever know about, before it finally stopped. But where Will's from, when that final heartbeat thumps and that last breath is taken or let out, there is no return. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

He's talking to someone formerly dead. That, to Will, is one of the most horrifying and difficult things he's had to face here.]

Like that, yes. [Staying calm and approachable in the face of the truly bizarre, however, wasn't beyond him. Even if he was doing so propped up against a stool in casual clothing, not dressed up and gracing the halls of the FBI.] Is there anyone else like that for you here, now, Ken?

[He doesn't expect full honesty. He'd like it, of course he would. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't, at least, ask. Ken's clearly been through his own world of horror, this is not a subtle challenge for him to lie, for that to work against him, and for Will to appear a better support or more trustworthy companion in a few month's time. This isn't a design to drive a scalpel into his mind later.

This is just a question.]

[ it's unheard of, in most worlds. In Kaneki's too; dead people don't come back, even if you hallucinate them while you are being tortured beyond the mental limits of your mind. Kaneki certainly hallucinates dead people, and he even had a whole mental breakthrough thanks to one of those illusions, but they didn't come back from the dead. After it happened to Kaneki, though, he realized how it wasn't as traumatic as one would think it to be - perhaps because kaneki because so used to pain that dying isn't the worst thing that can happen to him.

The question will be answered truthfully ]

Suzuya-san is still around. I'm always a target to be put down, I'm sure of it. [ just because Suzya killed him once and he came back to life, it doesn't mean the other won't try it again. While he is certain he won't come out of the shadows to kill Kaneki again and again, he is certain the other is ready to attempt killing kaneki if he misbehaves. Or if he finds someone to build him a quinque out of Kaneki's kagune. ]

I don't know about anyone else. [ he doesn't think anyone else wants him dead besides Suzuya. However, he can think of a couple of people ready to... stab him if required, but it's not because of Kaneki's nature, but rather Kaneki's friends. Like Armin. But Kaneki won't mention any of that, not because he is a liar, but because he doesn't think it matters.

it's alright. ]

How would you like for this to go? Meeting you week, or-? [ he doesn't know how these things go. ]

[Will doesn't know much about Ken that isn't in the file and isn't from several months ago. That is going to change, immediately, as soon as this is all over. Will's taken a shine to looking through the Network, skimming what is dull as dirt, paying close attention to what it isn't. It won't be too much of a problem for him to go back with an eye looking out for the kid, specifically. He wonders if he'll find anything else, left out in public. Something (or someone) Ken might not consider as too interested but reads (or sounds) differently to Will. But he won't mention of that, not because he finds it shameful or the overly used "stalking," but because he doesn't think it matters.

He has a duty to fulfill, what sort of good would he be if he didn't do an ounce of research?]

Well. [Leaving that topic behind isn't an issue at all. Will pushes off the stool and pulls out a bit of paper from the receipt machine, clicking a pen to fill it up with various numbers and addresses.] I think, to start, twice a week would be...good. If that's agreeable to you, of course. [Like he's talking to a work acquaintance, not some filthy criminal.] But if you ever need me for anything, this is all my contact information.

[The shop's address. His home address. The shop's phone number. Will's cell phone, used mostly to keep in contact with marinas, boaters, frequent customers he's grown a bit friendly with. They're all labeled appropriately, and Will slides it over before pulling out another sheet of paper and putting that in front of Ken, too, with the pen.]

Return the favor?

[A question that isn't rhetorical. Ken has every right to not return the favor if he doesn't want to, and Will wouldn't press him on it. Choice, that's important.]

[ there is so much about Kaneki, but sadly., the Kaneki Will will find on the network no longer exists. He was pure back then, gentle and soft, kind, the sort of person who'd rather be hurt instead of hurting others. The sort of person who'd smile even when he wanted to cry, the sort of person who would rather take the blame instead of pointing out it was someone else's mistake. Kaneki is no longer that person and he is now some sort of monster who will pluck out whoever gets in the way, whoever threatens his world, whoever dares to try and take his place away.

He is no longer the sort of person to give cupcakes during New Year's.

And back then, no one knew what Ken was, either.Only a handful of people knew, and they were close friends. The ones that learned during that... memory share situation, didn't have the time to do anything about it because Kaneki was killed few days after.

Kaneki reaches for the paper, reading the numbers. Even his home address is there, even his private number. How weird, to trust Kaneki this much, with so much.

he reaches for the paper and pen after, writing down his new home address over De Chima, but he also provides Will with the location of the laboratory where he takes his food from. The government makes sure to keep a track on how much Kaneki takes to make sure he won't go on hunger rampage, but why not provide it to Will as well, if he feels like checking it out. And eventually he gives his cellphone too, though he will rarely use it for imPorts. ]

I'm rarely over my place, but if you want to drop by, feel free. [ to see it? To make sure Kaneki isn't keeping anyone kidnapped there. ]

[He doesn't much mind people who have the ability to be very dangerous knowing where he lays his head at night. After walking into his home to find Mason Verger feeding his face to Will's dog at the clear behest of Hannibal Lecter, it would take a lot to actually shock him. April has her interest in the baddies, and her horde of furry little men ready to do anything she requires of them, it'll be just fine.

He pulls the slip back, eying the address for the laboratory with muted confusion. Is he supposed to go by and make sure Ken's come around for his meals, isn't skipping out and getting his cannibalism groove on some other way? Good information to have, sure, but he hasn't a clue what he's expected to do with it.]

I used to live in De Chima. [And he was not rarely at his place, except on the weekends when he was April's live-in boyfriend-not-boyfriend-shaggy-man-leech. Despite having left Virginia behind, he still speaks fondly of it. Will obviously liked the place, even if he's no longer a resident.] I'll send you a message if I'm ever back up that way again. Wouldn't wanna interrupt anything or waste our time.

[A more human smile than usual makes its way across his face at that, directed solely towards Ken as he folds the paper up and moves to stuff it in his wallet. No fear, no hesitation, no viewing Ken as some terrible cannibalistic criminal who must be treated with gentle hands, or cowered to, in order to prevent any terrible violent outbursts. If Will's openness all along hasn't made that very apparent, well. He can add onto that with:]

Want me to tell April you said hi?

[Like talking to an old friend more than anything else, go figure.]

[ Will can do with the address whatever he wants, including nothing. If he wants records of how many times a month Ken drops by the lab, if he just wants to check the place out, Kaneki doesn't care at all - Will decides what he wants to do with that information. ]

He nods with a small smile ] I'm sure I won't be doing anything super important.

[ and that will be the first big lie Kaneki will tell at Will's face. Because he is planning so much and every second of his time is actually precious. He has no plans on stopping still, he has no plans on sitting back. And the things he plans on doing are certainly against the government's ideals.

But he doesn't lie out of malice. He does it because there are things inside Kaneki and about Kaneki he can't ignore and that won't allow him to stop. Everything he does is because he wants to keep his friends and loved ones, safe. And he is very willing to dirty his hands for it, but he isn't going to bring anyone else into it. He can deal and handle everything, and sure he won't be doing it alone, but people like Will should never be involved in such.

So lying to him isn't only because he is paranoid and doesn't trust Will. But it's also to keep will safe from the things Ken might do.

When Will mentions April, kaneki pauses, but he eventually smiles. ] Hm. It's good to know she is still around.

[ if she doesn't mind a "hello" from a cannibal. ]

Thank you, Will. [ mostly for treating him so naturally ]

[Will doesn't pick up on the lie at all, has no reason to, has no extreme knowledge of Ken just yet to tell, by the little things, what is lie and what is truth. And even if he did, he'd have no clue what he was lying about. But it's perfectly fine as it is, because Will's not always honest himself. He's surrounded by people who are just the same (and worse)—lying isn't the most deplorable sin out there. He might prefer sins of omission to outright lies, but some would argue they're the same thing.

So the smile stays on.]

No problem. [Being polite isn't a problem at all. He's yet to see anything from Ken that gives him a real reason to be rude, anyway. He might not find him a threat, here and now, but if there's one thing he knows about cannibals who eat, and eat, and eat, continually consuming flesh? It's that being polite is sometimes far more valuable than flattery or empty words. It costs him literally nothing and the benefits later on can be worth their weight in every precious jewel and stone the collective universes have to offer.] I'll see you soon. Have a good one, and don't hesitate to get in touch if something comes up, okay?

[April doesn't mind getting a "hello" from a cannibal, Will would argue, considering the two of them engage in much more than just greeting each other. But Will still can't bring himself to bust out the fact of the matter that he has experience consuming his own species, too. He'd already mentioned people who had too much interest in Ken; he can't, so soon, put out the idea that he's one of them.]

[ Kaneki stands up, nodding as he hears the other's offer ] I won't. Thank you for the trust, Will.

[ Kaneki has nothing else to add and he assumes Will doesn't have anything else to ask, either. Maybe more questions will arise as they go, but Ken is ready for them, even if he may not give him a truthful answer.

And with that, Kaneki will leave, with one last glance at the dog, one last nod at Will, and with that he leaves. Sorry, Will, he isn't exactly good at goodbyes ]

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