[ Open ]

[enucleation]

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...?

Comments

[nagachika]

[He waited to see if Kaneki would have touched his face after saying 'I'm alright'. But when it didn't happen, Hide continued to walk, his smile returning to it's normal cheer. Whatever it was, he had a feeling it wasn't something Kaneki felt important enough to share.

He'll just poke it away for later.]

Heeeh, if there's obstacles, you might have a better chance. Obstacles slow me way down, 'cause I have to change momentum and fix my direction. [A grin.] So maybe that's for the best, eh?

[enucleation]

[ He became a good liar with time. Though there are times that he still can't happen, specially when he hears certain things he doesn't want to hear.

He nods ] I thought so. It'll help you train, too, right? [ so it's all good. ]

[nagachika]

Heeeeh, it will. [A smirk, and it's clear he's getting excited about this idea.]

I practice a bunch with Wally an' Rei, but usually it's just on flats. Doing obstacles'd be real different... [A hand on his cheek...]

Do you have any place in mind?

[enucleation]

[ he nods ] The forest would be nice. There are a couple around. [ and away from the general population, so he will be sure there is no destruction or prying eyes nishi ]

[nagachika]

[He'll lead Kaneki around a turn, avoiding the crosswalk for now. The spot he was thinking of... they'd be there soon.]

Heeeeh... I've actually not visited one yet, actually. I should think that'd kill two birds with one stone.

[enucleation]

[ Kaneki is following and though he doesn't look like it, he is learning every single step by heart ]

They are quiet. I used to train there. [ with his kagune, actually. He never told anyone, before. He didn't want anyone knowing either, too ]

[nagachika]

[Learning your surroundings by heart is a symptom of paranoia, bud.]

Nothing dangerous there, I'd hope? [He turns a little grin towards Kaneki, a finger tapping the side of his temple. He's mostly joking, but hey. Superheroes existed, who said monsters in the woods didn't, either?]

[enucleation]

[ indeed. Welcome to Ken's life, Hide. He also hallucinates. ]

The squirrels are deadly. [ whoever said Kaneki lost his sense of humor is wrong. ]

[nagachika]

[....He stops in his path, giving Kaneki a very serious look.]

[nagachika]

...They're Nuts, huh.

[enucleation]

[ he stops, to look back at Hide with an equally serious look ]

Nut jokes are corny. Don't worry about the squirrels, they are nuting to worry about.

[nagachika]

[CaSUALLY SLIDES A HAND OVER HIS NOSE.

Don't laugh, don't laugh--]

Ken, I really pecan't take these jokes of yours...

[enucleation]

I'm still your favorite person, in a nutshell. [ still very serious. he isn't going to laugh ]

[nagachika]

[He's going to be the first to laugh, trying--and failing--to stifle a little giggle, oh god--]

I'm sorry, what did you say there? I didn't quite cashew...

[enucleation]

[ when Hide giggles, Kaneki smiles and he leans forward ]

Your puns are getting terrible, Hide.

[ and his hand reaches to mess up Hide's hair again. Maybe he is being too physical, too dorky, but there has been so much in kaneki's life.

Pushing Hide away was such a mistake. He needed this person so badly. ]

[nagachika]

I know. But hey, at least I give it a try, right? [He winks one eye when Kaneki ruffles his hair, a grin staying fast on his face as he points, the coffee shop is coming up. The sign dangling outside stylishly, gold and brown. 'Coffee Matters' in ornate print on it.]

What with all you read, I bet making plays on words is as natural as actually reading for you, huh. [Going to bump you with his shoulder. Honestly, screw the idea of being 'too' physical.]

[enucleation]

[ Kaneki looks up at the sign, finding it a bit too cocky. Coffee Matters.

He doubts it's anything amazing, like the way ghouls do it, but he will trust his friend's taste and go along. He isn't sure if this coffee place existed before, but it's fine.

When Hide mentions the books, Kaneki only smiles a bit. he hasn't read in a while; everything he read felt like a chore, he couldn't picture anything, he couldn't see anything - the words were just passing through his eyes and he felt nothing. Sen's most recent book was the only he actually did enjoy reading, but everything else was...

nothing.

Hide doesn't need to know this. ]

Hm-

let's go inside?

[nagachika]

[Hide will be the first to admit--this place isn't anything like Antieku. It's not bad, though, for something to look for quick.

Next time he'll research for the best possible coffee shop for their next outing. He opens the door, taking a moment to grin at the other, pulling the door a bit more to let the other inside, too.]

Smells good, right? I'll buy you whatever cup you want, too, so just tell me what you prefer. [Being a ghoul... he knew Kaneki couldn't drink anything with milk or sugar in it, but.

Different roasts tasted different, right?]

[enucleation]

[ kaneki comes inside, the smell of coffee filling his nose. It's good, and nostalgic, to be at a place like this. He has missed it, and he has missed Anteiku. While the place is nothing like Anteiku, it still brings a gentle memory. ]

Iced expresso. [They call it "Iced Americano". ] I'll grab a table.

[ since Hide is the one paying, he is the one asking for the drinks ]

[nagachika]

Iced expresso. [He gives a gesture like a salute, before walking up to the counter. Normally he'd grab a snack, too, but somehow, he doesn't feel like eating in front of Kaneki.

So a cappuccino and an iced americano is all that's ordered, and when the coffee's ready, he'll carry both drinks to the table for himself and Kaneki, sitting down across from him. A grin already on his face.

...He was really happy, he decided. Things... didn't feel as bad as he thought they would.]

--Hey. So you're having to deal with bein' a 'criminal' for a month, are you not allowed to work or collect a paycheck or anything?

[enucleation]

[ the table chosen is by the window, yet still away from people as much as possible. And he chooses a place where he can look outside the window and around the place without much effort - this way, he can keep an eye on everything.

And while Hide is at the counter, his eyes learn the place by heart, trying to recognize faces, and try to learn about other's intentions. He has found it's incredibly hard trying to relax when he is outside.

But when Hide returns, Kaneki is already smiling back at him and takes his iced coffee before the other sits down ]

I'm not being paid, but I am working. It's not as if I need money, anyway. [ except to pay the rent at his new place, but he will pay it next month ]

[nagachika]

You have to work for free for the month? [He raises his eyebrows, already taking a mouthful--mostly of the milky foam--off the top of his drink.]

Huh. Well; if you're sure you don't need money, then it's fine. But if you do need anything, ya know you can count on me, right?

[He waves a hand, really, it wasn't an issue. It's not like he was loaded rich, but. He could still handle spending money on Kaneki for a month.]

[enucleation]

I don't have to, but I want to. [ not for any noble - or nerdy - reason. But it's because Kaneki wants to show the government there is nothing for them to worry about. Wants to show them he is a good citizen and is still working even if not being paid - or not really needing it. In fact, Kaneki has no plans to work for much longer.

He takes a sip of his coffee - the flavor is good enough for an American coffee and at least they didn't burn it when making it - and nods softly after ]

I know. If I'm in a pinch, I will let you know. [ he already expected the offer ]

... it's mutual, you know? If you need anything. [ he isn't talking about money. ]

[nagachika]

It's something to do, right? [A little grin on his face as he takes another sip off the top of his drink, a hand resting against his cheek as he looks over at the other.

He might be... paying attention to the other a little more firmly than he had back on the street.] Still at the library?

[But he nods his head, all the same.] More than anything, I know it. If I'm ever in a pinch, or in need.

Your number is the first one I'll scramble for, bud.

[enucleation]

Yes, it is. [ he has so many things he wants to do here. None related to work.

But Kaneki shakes his head ] Bookstore. [ in De Chima. In all honest, Ken isn't sure if he should tell Hide where he is staying at. With Nishi, his fridge full of body parts, as well with all of what he is planning, it doesn't seem wise to him to bring his friend into that.

He nods as he hears Hide's words. He wants the other to really do that. Even if the pinch is something as ridiculous as "I saw a monster under my bed". Kaneki wants to know and he wants to be there.

He takes another sip of his coffee, while his eye follows someone who just entered the coffee shop. Once he is able to tell this person's smell and vibrations, he looks away again - like this, he can place each person inside the coffee shop. he is in no way good like Hinami-chan, but if people are close, he can do this much. ]

Your job- which was it? [ 6 months passed, so he doesn't remember. Sorry, Hide. ]