[ OPEN ]

[dualismum]

WHO: Haise Sasaki (Ken Kaneki)
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: All through the month
WHAT: Sasaki is settling in and secretly checking on people
WARNINGS: None for now

A; OPEN TO: Heropa #4
[ Welcome to heaven, or at least something similar to that! Because Today Sasaki is making CAKES and the house smells heavenly. Yes, indeed, one of the first things Sasaki decided to do was to go greet his neighbors (to get to know them, to check who is around, to check on people he pretends he doesn’t know) , and what better way than to offer them delicious goods? Specifically strawberry shortcakes?

Yeah, it’s the perfect way.

Anyone who lives in Heropa #4 and decides to go to the kitchen will see Sasaki with an apron, preparing the cakes while he hums. If you try to steal raw cake batter he WILL remind you it might have salmonella so PLEASE DON’T DO THAT. He will dad you if he must. ]


B; OPEN TO: Heropa’s Government Houses (all of them)
[ He never actually did this before, but Sasaki never actually had neighbors before. However, he doesn’t need to read a book to know it’s nice to get to know your neighbors, especially if they are imPorts like you. Specially if they are people Sasaki might know from the time when he was Kaneki (he is still trying to figure out how to handle that and as such, he will continue to pretend he is NOT Kaneki and he does NOT remember everything that happened while he was in this world for two years).

In any case, he is set of making friends, or at least to be polite and introduce himself! And so, after he spent a day preparing everything, he has made strawberry shortcakes he will be giving to his neighbors. Anyone living in Heropa’s government housing will eventually get a knock on their door and if they open, they will see Sasaki with a big smile and will be carrying a small box with five shortcakes inside (five because each house has at least five people living there)] Hello!


C; OPEN: Café (all the cities)
[ Cafés are the place to be when you can only drink coffee. And that’s why Sasaki will be revisiting coffee places he remembers, specifically the good ones. The waiters, baristas or even regular clients who know their Superheroes recognize him, but as he doesn’t seem to reply to that recognition, they are left incredibly confused ]

Ah… no, I’m Haise Sasaki, not… Kaneki… [ he looks away while the waitress insists he must be Kaneki. He doesn’t know what to do or what to say. Sasaki frowns, not out of anger but worry instead. Everytime someone says Kaneki’s name, he feels his chest tightening, he feels like someone punched him in the gut and he just wants to run off.

Still he pulls a smile, even if a weird one, and shakes his head again ] I’m sorry, I’m not- [ he just wants to drink his coffee ]


D; OPEN. Police work
[ Sasaki is a police officer! That’s the job they gave him and honestly, it’s not a bad job, he enjoys it. He was given a blue uniform which he actually wears quite well and badge – no weapons because he is an imPort and imPorts already have their superpowers, right? – and told to patrol the Heropa city, not for criminals but small disputes. That’s right, he isn’t meant to actually do anything big, but simple routine tasks, such as receiving crime reports from citizens, handling lost and found articles, counseling citizens in trouble and giving directions. He was also not given a car or a motorcycle, but instead a bicycle. Actually? All of this feels a lot like Japanese neighbor policemen, koban.

He will do that job with a smile on his face, of course! So that’s what he is doing, collecting surveys on native business and also getting familiar with the problems of the area. As he is an imPort, he is well received, usually even given presents.

That’s why as he walks out of a local grocery store, he is carrying a bag presents inside. He has insisted he didn’t want anything, but they also insisted with him. So he now has a bag with a book, and some chocolates. While Sasaki is more than happy for the book, he is staring at the chocolate.

Yeah, he should give it to someone else. And if you are passing by, you might be in luck. ]


E; WILDCARD.
[ Sasaki will be discreetly checking on imPorts he knows. He will go to their business, or maybe just pass by places he knows they hang around. FEEL FREE TO COME UP WITH ANYTHING AT ALL, or I can come up with something! PM me or add me/talk to me over plurk vilani ]

Comments

Closed to Tetsuo

[dualismum]

[ As a person who is very secretly and discreetly (or maybe not so much) checking on the people he hasn't seen in three years, Sasaki is visiting all the imPort cities. While he doesn't outright reach for the people he wants to see (he's still pretending he isn't Kaneki, after all), he will try to check the places he knows some can be found.

Like Tetsuo. As only a week passed in this world, he isn't different, but it has been years for Sasaki (it's very confusing, he is trying not to think about it at all). He remembers the boy doesn't usually leave Nonah and also that he could be found over the Arcade often, so that's where Sasaki heads. And when he is finally inside, Sasaki feels a tinge of disappointment he never actually played.

He will play this time, watch him.

But first things first! Finding Tetsuo (follow the angry screams maybe?). ]

[iamtetsuo]

[Player Select arcade is a fairly large one, and it's full of narrow aisle after narrow aisle of game cabinets. It boasts a proud selection from the 70s to the 90s, fans whirring to add white noise and diffuse the clutter of electronics and people. Pinball machines line row after row, followed by games that may seem almost familiar, but not quite - Cagematch? Power Surge? Kooshman? Primal Quest? - along with some that probably are exactly and deeply familiar.

Ahh, other universes.

Tetsuo in this fine day is somewhere near the back, haunting the chair he usually keeps to when he's not trying to avoid everyone and pretending he's doing work. He's slumped fairly listlessly on it, waiting for the seconds to finally pass by long enough to use the back room again.

This is BULLSHIT. No one should be ABLE to kick him out like that, no amount of telling him that they're cleaning back there and he better either help or find somewhere else to be makes it not irritate the hell out of him. But there they are, a ton of people invading 'his' 'personal' space and they were half done when he got here.

Vanessa even made sure they brought boxes, helpfully labeled 'gremlin shit don't touch' to stash everything that Tetsuo had personally amassed or strewn about in his quest to try building things back there. He'd only agreed to be out here once it'd been made clear that no, his damn precious collection of junk wasn't being tossed out.

He finally fled when Vanessa unearthed roller skates and made a huge show of how charming it was that he owned a pair.

So, now, here he is, technically watching part of the arcade, lazily debating what kind of horrible fate to visit on the worst offenders of today. It wouldn't take too much wandering to find him.]

[dualismum]

[ there aren't angry screams and that's perfect. Good, tetsuo, you are getting better at this!

And because it wouldn't take much wandering to find him, Sasaki IS quick to do so. At first, he doesn't approach, not entirely sure how to talk to this person because he has a feeling how that will go (with grumpy expressions and and annoyed answers, probably some curses in between), but since Sasaki is here, he might as well right?

Plus, he needs to know which game is the best, he never actually played in an arcade.

And so, not!Kaneki (because he isn't kaneki, nope, nope, nope) comes closer, offering Tetsuo a big smile ] Hello! Do you happen to work here? [ perfect icebreaker, sure ]

D;

[amadaman]

[Ken is, in fact, passing by. He remembers Sasaki saying he was a policeman, and he recognizes the uniform immediately. But he isn't feeling so up to approaching him, not after a few incidents this week that have left him reeling from social interaction. But Koromaru, who he's with, seems to have other ideas, and that is why Ken cannot escape when the white dog barks cheerfully at Sasaki and starts running toward him, making sure Ken has to follow.

Koromaru is determined. These reclusive children will interact, damn it, he's gonna make sure.

So 'sup, Haise. Whatcha got in that bag? Koromaru stops once he's in front of him, tail wagging and tongue lolling out as he grins up at him, Ken trotting up to them with his backpack over his shoulders.]

[dualismum]

[ when Sasaki feels like he is being watched, and also hears that panting right next to him, he turns his head to meet the pup, blinking in recognition ] Koromaru...

[ except Sasaki totally doesn't know this dog of course not a lot of dogs are called Koromaru of course............

He will kneel down anyway, reaching for the dog to pet him and scratch behind his ears. Of course the man looks around too, quickly finding the person he was looking for: Ken. And offers the boy a bright smile when he approaches ]

Hi there.

[amadaman]

[Well, that's all the proof Koromaru needs. Ken doesn't hear Sasaki utter the name, but now the dog is certain of who this is and whether he's really forgotten everything or not (conclusion: if he did, he remembers it again). But Koromaru doesn't stress the details. He's happy to accept the scratches and rub up against Sasaki's leg, tail wagging peacefully behind him.

Ken's smile isn't as bright, but he still gives him one in return out of politeness.]

Hi, Sasaki-san. Are you out patrolling today?

d is for dearly sorry

[deadtective]

[aww, it's nice that Sasaki's enjoying his job. Hazel has a job too - one that he may not "remember" helping her get - and she even deigns to do it on occasion. it's a combination of a fantastic distraction and her own hidden inability to leave off helping people, especially when she's actually being paid for it in this world.

she's on the job today, in fact, although there's almost no way to immediately tell that. as Sasaki exits the grocery store she practically bursts onto the scene, shooting from around a far corner and sprinting down the street with all her might and no consideration for the other pedestrians at all.

a furious middle-aged man rounds the corner behind her in hot pursuit, and it's his voice that cuts through the air to lend a little context to this scene first.]

You bitch! Give me those pictures!

[Hazel laughs, turning her head slightly to flash one of those familiar shit-eating grins back at her pursuer. apparently she's not even remotely bothered by the unspoken threats directed at her.]

What's the matter? Your wife's gonna be fucking thrilled to see how flexible you still are!

[well, at least a little of the mystery's been cleared up now. unfortunately for everyone else, but especially Sasaki, none of the action is going to be lightening up.

because as Hazel's frenetic pace finally brings her by the grocery store? she's grabbing onto Sasaki's poor bike and hopping on in the fluid motion of someone who's done this more than a few times. who would've thought he'd needed to lock the thing up for a five minute business check?

she doesn't even get a solid enough glimpse of him to realize who it is, but her beleaguered opponent sure does; he hasn't even reached the store yet and he's already shouting at the cop to do something as Hazel pedals away with another cackle.]

d is for damnit hazel

[dualismum]

[ Sasaki hears the commotion and turns his head only to see Hazel - whom he recognizes right away, no ]matter how much he claims that he doesn't - rushing towards hi- his bike?! wait a moment, don't you dare hazel.

Hazel, don't you DARE.

But she dares and he sees her pretty much stealing his bike and rushing off. Even if he was ready to stop the man running after her and try to calm down everyone involved, like a proper policemen would do, Sasaki doesn't even have the chance to try. Getting his bike stolen like this is just an embarrassment he isn't willing to let go so easily and so Sassan is on the run after Hazel too. ]

Stay here!

[ And while the other man will eventually give up, Sasaki won't and he is fast enough to reach Hazel in no time ] This bike is not yours!! [ if the girl looks over her shoulder, she will see Sasaki nearly catching up to her ]

d is for did anyone expect anything else

[deadtective]

[oh, would you look at that. not only is the cop she stole the bike from present and giving chase, it's someone she knows - even if she's still not sure how well yet. that just makes her grin widen even more as, rather than stop, she starts pedaling even harder.]

Gimme an address and I'll send it back later, then!

[this is not the response you give a police officer, but at this point no one should expect rational behavior from Hazel. now that she knows this belongs to an acquaintance she's got free rein to be as much of a shitlord as she wants.

GOTTA WORK FOR THIS BIKE SASAKI]

c; sweats ok here we go

[sidequestings]

[ he'd.. honestly just come in out of curiousity. everything about this city is still so new to him, after all, and it's been a struggle just to take it all in. the interesting smells and the pastries had caught his interest-- it reminds him a bit of shops in parts of orlais.

he'd been perusing the pastry display case when the voice caught his attention, earning a glance. the longer he watches, the more he feels for the stranger-- so by the time he's weakly protesting his identity for the third or fourth time, mahanon is sweeping in to lace an arm around one of the stranger's. he turns a near-beaming smile on the waitress, plucking the drink off her tray and pressing it into haise's hands. ]

Haise, it's so nice outside-- why don't we go sit out there? [ he.. doesn't give the poor guy much of a choice, either. despite being a small, skinny little elf, he tugs him insistently toward the door, waving cheerfully to the waitress as they go.

only when he's manhandled sasaki outside does he release him at last, brushing his hair back over his shoulder with an apologetic glance. ] I'm sorry. You just looked so uncomfortable, and like you weren't sure how to get them to leave you alone. [ a beat, and the sunny smile returns as he points to a table. ] On the plus side, it really is nice out.

reaches for

[dualismum]

[ it's difficult for Sasaki to deny he isn't kaneki when he has kaneki's memories from two years - that's why he looks so pathetic while trying to deny being that person. It's complicated, but everything always is.

Still, he is very thankful that he was just saved, even if by someone he has never met before (and neither has kaneki! Which is great, it means things won't be so awkward). And he is dragged, waving back at the waitress too, and once they are outside the shop, he turns to look at the man ]

Thank you for that, really. They were very...hopeful, and didn't seem to want to listen to what I was telling them.

[ he smiles back at the other. No, clearly he never met him! A new imPort, maybe? ] I'm Haise Sasaki! It's nice to meet you.

e! @ starrware in de chima, let me know if this is okay!

[glowsferatu]

[ Kanaya's stepping out of the Starrware building for her lunch break, lugging Ashiah in her basket, when she spots a distinct head of two-tone hair. It's unexpected to see him there, but there's always the possibility of a coincidence. Who knows, the world tends to be much smaller than she always thinks it is.

The biggest thing, though, is being this close to him, she can sense his threads in Space unmistakably. They're just as familiar as his face. But that doesn't change anything about how to approach him, even if he is Ken Kaneki, she can't be sure how much of this world he remembers.

Still, there's no reason not to be polite. ]

Enjoying your day, Sassan? What brings you up here?

it's perfect!

[dualismum]

[ Kaneki has never been here, which means Sasaki is on his own with his own lack of knowledge. Or Kaneki's. It's confusing, he doesn't want to think about it. But he does want to check on people Kaneki cared for... that he cares for. because all of those memories, no matter how much sasaki insists he must distance himself from them, feel and are very real and he remembers everything and he feels everything.

While claiming he is a different person allows him a moment of peace and not to think about how to address all of this mess, it's also quite sad because he cares for people that he is currently saying he doesn't know.

Kanaya is one of them and he wasn't sure where else he could check on her. Starrware shall do it and he will be very smooth about it, watch him. ]

Maryam-san...! [ he smiles as he finally sees her, nodding politely ] It appears I'm a bit lost. Good thing I've found you. [ what a wonderful lie ]

Closed to Will

[dualismum]

[ It's true that Sasaki is claiming to be someone else and not Ken Kaneki, but his undeniable memories of the time spent in this world, as well the connection he feels to the people here, make it difficult for him to tell himself that he is not Kaneki and the time he spent here isn't his. It feels like it's his, though that causes him to feel quite a lot of guilt for even thinking that - Sasaki sees himself as a parasite in someone else's body, and Sasaki knows these memories should never be his. It's unfair towards Kaneki, isn't it?

But no matter what, Will was one of the people Sasaki wanted to check on the moment he arrived, because as Kaneki did see Will as a parental figure, well- so does Sasaki now. And again, it's conflicting, and it's complicated, and it's difficult, and it's not as if Sasaki doesn't already have a dad (not his real dad, though) and yet he still wants to see hi, he wants to make sure the man is alright, he wants to talk to him.

Just talk. That's all.

The first couple of times he passed by Will's bait shop, the other wasn't there (gone on vacation? Sasaki hopes it's only that). It's a good thing, because it allowed Sasaki to think the meeting over much better than suddenly showing up and sounding like an idiot and making it obvious that he remembers everything. When he tries once again by the end of the month, finally the shop is open.

Sasaki will enter, glancing around for a moment while he tries not to be obvious that he is looking for Will. ]

[infomodder]

[A vacation, yes. Arguably he doubled down by using it as an escape from certain situations, but it had been planned before and sharing any amount of alone time with April was a vacation as far as Will was concerned. He looks the part, too. A little shaggier, skin a little darker, all that good letting loose in the sun sort of effect.

Gunther, this time, doesn't make an appearance. Not yet. The dog's contentedly snoozing behind the counter, paws up balls up as the happy mustached menace enjoys sun on his belly.

Will steps out of the back room and promptly stops when he looks up. Plaid, fishing vest, crappy hat with a pun, a completely unreadable expression...it's all the usual Will. But nothing past that feels usual, not right now.]

Hey, welcome. [He sounds, and looks, the part of someone in customer service who's not the most social. Nothing rude, just a little awkward.] What can I do for you?

B

[flynnnotjunior]

[ He opens the door. ] Uh... I'm not buying.

[dualismum]

[ Sasaki's smile turns a bit awkward ] I'm not selling. I just started living here so i thought I'd say hello?

C;

[lasthugs]

[Just because Cass is at her café nearly all the time, that doesn't mean she's there all the time. It also doesn't mean she's not going to go to other cafés. She just happens to be at a native friend's café today when she sees a man she recognizes -- a man she recognizes being given a hard time, too.

Well, then.]

Hey.

[She's not subtle about the way she pushes her way between him and the waitress, a hand planted firmly on his shoulder and steering him slightly behind her. There's a smile on her face, but there's also a firmness to her voice as she addresses the waitress.]

If he says he's Sasaki, he's Sasaki, all right? Let him be, honey.

[dualismum]

[ it's good to go out from time to time, being stuck in the same place all day isn't very healthy.

As Cass finally saves Sasaki, and the waitress eventually gives up if only because she can't fight both their denial at the same time (she still gives sasaki a suspicious glance, and only then leaves). With a relieved sigh, Sasaki turns to cass ]

T-thank you so mu- [ and that's when he recognizes the woman, blinking for a moment there. He wasn't expecting to meet her unexpectedly ] Cass...

Ah- hello!

C;

[insinerate]

[Cafes are also the place to go when you happen to be out and find yourself possessed by a hankering for a rich and foamy chai tea latte...

...which brings Yuri, conveniently, into the same cafe as Haise today.

Of course, for Yuri, not nearly enough time has passed since last he saw the young man, and when he happens into the same eatery and hears the name Ken Kaneki spoken aloud by curious customers and employees both, a very real ache is triggered within him. Reflexively, Yuri touches his side where, beneath the expensive layers of a custom tailored suit, a rather nasty wound is still taking time to heal. A wound caused by none other than the object of so much curiosity, though it seems strange that the young man with his two-toned hair and slender face should deny at all who people think he is.

Perhaps due to his own curiosity (or some more deeply rooted desire to inflict punishment upon himself) Yuri approaches Haise shortly after purchasing his drink at the counter. He carries himself well, as though physically (or mentally) there is nothing wrong with him, but beneath his carefully crafted mask he feels lost in a turbulent storm.]

Pardon my intrusion, but I couldn't help overhearing. You look...strikingly like someone I know. The same Ken Kaneki you've been asked about. Is there truly no relation?

[dualismum]

[ Yuri should be punished a lot tbf

It has in fact been three years for Saski, plus a whole lot of memory wiping and resetting, but as he arrived to this world, all of the memories kaneki made here returned to Sasaki ether he wanted it or not - and of course, Yuri is certainly part of those memories: specifically, what he did that night. And what he triggered.

Sasaki has Opinions on the matter, which he won't share and he can't because Sasaki is not Kaneki and Sasaki doesn't have kaneki's memories, of course not. that's why he insists on telling the waitress he is NOT Ken Kaneki.

And when Yuri approaches, Opinions cross Sasaki's mind, while surprise does too because oh my god did you really come up to him to ask him about Ken Kaneki? Sasaki snaps out of it and shakes his head right after ]

I've been told that a lot, but I'm not that person. [ is he wrong? technically he is not; Sasaki isn't Kaneki, not fully ]

... was he a friend of yours? [ aha ]

D

[shuttermouse]

[ It's been a few days since her arrival, and while it's still all kind of weird Chie is good at adapting. She spends a lot of her time outdoors, exploring Heropa and checking out the cafes and dessert places.

And by sheer coincidence, she just happens to be passing by, her camera bag thumping against her hip as she moves. ]

Yo, Sasaki-kun. Whatcha got there?

[dualismum]

[ with the familiar voice, Sasaki's attention switches from the chocolates inside the bag to Chie, and he greets her with a smile ]

Hello, Chie-san.

Someone gave me chocolates. [ AND ACTUALLY this is perfect ] Would you like to have them? I'm not very fond of sweet things. [ he reaches for the chocolate box inside the bag to hand it to the girl, if she shows interest ]

wildcard!!! as i tap dance on in here

[kakugan]

[ It's strange. Mutsuki remembers this place, this world and all its current events. He remembers the familiar faces and not-so-familiar ones. He remembers his strange new powers. Most of that is still the same though the house is different, completely different town from the one he lived in before though the new job was certainly a step up in the right direction.

Still, his thoughts linger on what he last remembers from home. The islands, the ghouls, Torso suddenly appearing and...

He shakes his head, clearing it away and trying to focus on the now. Looking at the nearby calendar, he'd only been gone a few months so some of the people he knew might still be here. Though, honestly, only one really comes to mind currently. After everything that happened back home when Sasaki... changed, it's been the one thing he's thought about since coming back to this world but his hand fumble through his phone trying to remember contacts or numbers. Finally, he gives up and heads out the door. At the end of the day, he was a detective so tracking someone down was at least familiar territory.

Hours later he's considering going back and trying the phones again even if it was good to get out. Back home, lately, it had been so hard day-to-day without Shirazu and Sasaki. Perhaps it was for the best that he got out and away from all his thoughts about events back home. Besides, he hadn't explored the cities as much as he had wanted before so he's grateful for the odd self-imposed mission to actually see them. It's passing through Heropa that he catches sight of someone's back, a familiar back that causes him to come to a stop and stare. It's the hair, really. Who else has hair like that besides... ]

Sa... Sasaki!

[ He shouts the name without giving it a second thought and immediately regrets the reaction. What if it wasn't him? Because now he's just some weird kid witch an eyepatch shouting in the streets. ]

wraps arms around my son is back

[dualismum]

[ Sasaki himself is in a very difficult place regarding memories, as he has the memories that Kaneki did here - all of them, including Mutsuki being there, too. Also how he left. All these memories that Sasaki doesn't know if they belong to him or not, that he struggles to keep at a distance from them, yet failing completely because it feels as if he lived all of it.

So he just pretends he doesn't actually remember and pretends he is totally a new person. nevermind he started crying when Cass hugged him and told him she loved him, nevermind he had to Rick because he felt like his heart was going to come out through his mouth, nevermind he was to scream everytime he tells Josuke he doesn't remember him. nevermind. nevermind at all. Everything is fine.

In fact, he is out today to buy food for their house. As he is living with Josuke and Chie, he has decided to cook for them. the first because it's his best friend (even if Sasaki can't admit to it) and the second because it's Chie and she is shameless about asking for food. With a meal already planned in his mind, all he had to do was to buy the ingredients, and lucky for Mutuski, he happens to be around the neighborhood the quinx is currently exploring.

Sasaki hears his name and the voice is far too familiar, so he quickly turns around, eyes wide ]

Mu... [ it IS Mutsuki ]

Mucchan!! [ and he is quickly on the move, approaching the other, and bumps right into someone and his groceries fall on the ground. Now there are broken eggs and the tomato sauce he bought to cook? yes, that's all over too.

So lame. This is so lame. Sasaki wanted to look really cool for Mutsuki but NEVERMIND THAT. ]