Ken Kaneki (金木 研) (
enucleation) wrote in
westwhere2021-12-12 10:59 pm
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WHO: Kaneki and Marcos
WHEN: After Kaneki's arrival
WHERE: Spina hunting grounds
WHAT: Merchant asked the boys to go get something for him
WARNINGS: Pulsating hearts, violence against undead animals, one of the boys is a cannibal )=
[ He had just arrived but there is little Kaneki feels capable of doing right now. Politics are not his forte and he has a hard time caring for a situation this convoluted and with so much already going underway. He is meant to be some sort of reinforcement, at least that's what he was called, however he mostly feels behind in a situation he doesn't care terribly about.
But when the Merchants gives Kaneki a specific task, he takes it because now he has an objective and a clear idea of what to do. He is also curious about this thing he was asked to retrieve and perhaps even suspicious, therefor he readily accepted it with a half-smile that held no actual feeling to it. He doubts the Merchant would care, anyway, for he doesn't seem like a sentimental man.
But naturally, Kaneki was given some reinforcements, even though he believes he could easily do this on his own. Marcos was the name of the man who would be coming along with Kaneki, and the half-ghoul did not complain. That is fine with him, he will make sure they are both safe during this small side mission and that they will find what they need.
Now standing in front of the gate to the hunting grounds, Kaneki looks back at Marcos ]
Do you have any experience with this?
WHEN: After Kaneki's arrival
WHERE: Spina hunting grounds
WHAT: Merchant asked the boys to go get something for him
WARNINGS: Pulsating hearts, violence against undead animals, one of the boys is a cannibal )=
[ He had just arrived but there is little Kaneki feels capable of doing right now. Politics are not his forte and he has a hard time caring for a situation this convoluted and with so much already going underway. He is meant to be some sort of reinforcement, at least that's what he was called, however he mostly feels behind in a situation he doesn't care terribly about.
But when the Merchants gives Kaneki a specific task, he takes it because now he has an objective and a clear idea of what to do. He is also curious about this thing he was asked to retrieve and perhaps even suspicious, therefor he readily accepted it with a half-smile that held no actual feeling to it. He doubts the Merchant would care, anyway, for he doesn't seem like a sentimental man.
But naturally, Kaneki was given some reinforcements, even though he believes he could easily do this on his own. Marcos was the name of the man who would be coming along with Kaneki, and the half-ghoul did not complain. That is fine with him, he will make sure they are both safe during this small side mission and that they will find what they need.
Now standing in front of the gate to the hunting grounds, Kaneki looks back at Marcos ]
Do you have any experience with this?
no subject
He's staring up at the gate with his hands out and half-raised when Kaneki asks a question. As he turns to look at him, Marcos wonders if the Merchant gave him any warning at all about what they'll run into. Not that the rumors Marcos has to go on count for much, but he's at least seen enough to believe them. ]
With this exactly? ...I've gone on retrieval missions before. Just none that potentially involved the undead. [ He looks back to the gate, listening for anything moving beyond it, but it's suspiciously silent. ] Did he give any hint to why this is so important to him?
no subject
Truthfully, he has not dealt with undead either, and he doesn't know what to expect from them apart from what books might have told him about zombies. But undead are people - dead humans - and that means that kaneki himself has a very big advantage here. Besides, he has already feasted on some back at the citadel and that went perfectly well, so right now he isn't particularly worried about what revived humans can do. He is more worried about what sort of magical beings can be found out there as well what sort of artifact he is meant to bring back.
But he also hoped Marcos had some sort of experience since Kaneki doesn't want to babysit a stranger, either. He will give him the benefit of the doubt though. ]
He only gave me a key and directions. [ kaneki reaches for the eyepatch that covers his left eye to pull it off and put it back in his pocket ]
Shall we go, then? [ he asks but doesn't expect an answer, stepping inside the hunting grounds, past the gate. He can't smell any humans, though, so that's a good sign but the place is eerily quiet ] Do you have experience fighting?
no subject
Telling Kaneki that he is one probably won't mean anything, so he shrugs as he follows him in. ]
Unfortunately. [ Here and back home, though he focuses on the more relevant point. ] Before you came here the city was invaded by all kinds of monsters. We drove them back, but I don't know if there aren't still a few hiding. It seems like he would have said something if he thought we needed a warning.
[ Maybe. Marcos has yet to speak to him personally, so he can't really vouch for him beyond what he's heard. ]
What about you? Was there a reason he asked you to go?
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kaneki listens as he watches Marcos, but also pays close attention to all sounds around them; having heighten senses is very useful, but then again, the training grounds are absolutely silent for now. It's good and yet also extremely unnerving. ] Would he? [ kaneki doesn't know the Merchant well enough to trust him ]
I can handle myself. But I assumed he asked me simply to keep me busy. [ kaneki hates to stay still. he allows for a small pause before Kaneki finally shakes his head ] I can fight and kill any undead with ease. I don't think they could do much damage.
My body is too tough. [ unnaturally so, he means ]
no subject
He carries on the conversation though, as if that wasn't at all concerning. ]
I don't actually know what the Merchant would do. You've spoken to him more than I have, but it seems like he'd want us to succeed.
[ That's unless he really did give him this task just to 'keep him busy', in which case... why? Marcos isn't phased by his boasting, he's been around enough mutants who think of themselves as invincible, but he still doesn't know what exactly he can do. He turns his attention from the wind blowing through the bushes to raise an eyebrow at his last statement. ]
How do you mean?
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But he nods when marcos admits to not being familiar with the Merchant ] He doesn't sound like a man easy to get to know. [ politeness can be an armor and the man wears it with pride. With a sharp tongue and polite words, it's hard to know where to press.
The younger of the two hums ] Their teeth can't rip through my skin. I'm kind of like a brick wall. [ kaneki smiles, amused, although that smile may not be honest. or maybe it is ]
no subject
Well, he hasn't exactly made an effort to reach out. I'm told he arranged our entire stay here, so maybe he's looking to make it worth his while.
[ Then he goes on to explain what sounds exactly like something that would come from a mutant. Not many people use that word here, but he has to wonder if it's just another matter of genetics. At first, Marcos just nods, but his expression turns thoughtful when he looks back at him. ]
Mind if I ask you something personal? [ He waits for a moment, then tentatively continues. ] How do people react to you, back home? Where I come from, people with powers are persecuted, but here... it's not what I'm used to.
no subject
The question leaves Kaneki silent for a moment. Marcos clearly is assuming Kaneki to be something he is familiar with, but marcos is not a ghoul - he doesn't smell of such. And if he were a human who knew of ghouls, he would not be this relaxed. So no, whatever this person is assuming Kaneki to be, he would be wrong.
But the ghoul will go along because it's easier ]
Chased and killed on sight. [ he is not sorrowful for that. Kaneki knows that happens because Ghouls can be cruel, they can be vicious, they hurt and torture for fun and pleasure. Humans chase and kill them as defense, because ghouls do exactly the same in return. ] We do the same to them.
It's a messed up world. Wrong. [ that's why kaneki decided to focus on those he loves instead, humans or ghouls it doesn't matter. And he will face those who threaten those people ]
Do you do the same, too?
no subject
A glimpse into the future.
That Kaneki openly admits to what he's done says a lot about him. As much as he doesn't like it, Marcos doesn't really have the moral high ground to tell him that violence isn't the answer. He used to believe they could change things peacefully, and he still does, but every time he starts over from scratch it gets harder. ]
I... know a little bit of what it's like, to be hunted. There were plenty of people who only saw us as a danger to society. They decided we weren't human and didn't deserve the same rights.
[ He's tentative, not wanting to pry but wanting to know more. ]
Did something happen that started it?
no subject
That is how things are.
But hearing marco's words explains a little bit more how he is seeing Kaneki. Unlike him, kaneki is not a human whose society decided he was not - he may have been born a human but threw away his humanity and embraced being a ghoul instead - but a ghoul. A whole different species ]
We are not humans, thus we never had rights from the start. [ kaneki stops, sighing, as he looks back at Marcos. They can have a serious conversation about this, indeed, although he isn't ghoul to explain all of it ]
Our situations are not the same, though. I kill ghouls, not humans. I pluck them out, like bad coffee beans, since they threaten my place and the ones who are mine. Humans, on the other hand, they never did. [ it's truly that simply to Kaneki ]
no subject
It's not unheard of for mutants to go after other mutants. Some thought they could work within the system to change public opinion, and others thought that mutants were superior and had to take over by force. That fracturing is kind of how the Mutant Underground fell apart, both times.
They were the minority, but still at least a part of human society. So he has to wonder what it's like when there is no drive towards equality. Do humans look to Kaneki for protection? ]
You kill the ones who are dangerous, you mean? [ He didn't specify. ] Are they not like you?
no subject
Very dangerous ones. Not even other ghouls would dare to approach them. [ which is the point.
And yet it's not that simple. Kaneki started everything in order to eradicate the terrorist group Aogiri Tree in order so they'd not harm the ones he loved, but he messed up a lot, went mad and grew mad. He did things that he doesn't even fully remember, and he left dozens of half-eaten bodies behind, a trail of blood that spread all across Tokyo. And a lot of that was done out of hunger and thirsty for more, and the original objective got a bit muddled along the way.
Everything is a mess.
Thinking about it makes kaneki's head ring, and everything gets so loud; he feels like something inside his ear is eating away at him, and although his hand rises to reach for it, kaneki manages to stop himself before his fingers try to dig in. No, this is not the appropriate time to lose himself. ]
I am like them. They made me like them. [ kaneki is being very literal in the sense that he was originally a human and was turned into a ghoul, but he also means it in the sense that he used to be gentle and innocent and they tortured and messed him up. They created Kaneki physically but also mentally. ]
They aren't here, so it's alright. [ finally Kaneki's head clears enough. He smiles back at Marcos ] I won't hurt anyone and I will help in whatever I can. Even if that means walking into some creepy woods to fetch some mysterious thing for the mysterious
Merchant.
no subject
It's a cover, he knows, but he's not sure he wants to keep pulling at that thread. If having a task is good for his sanity, Marcos will help too. That's at least something they can agree on. ]
Yeah. [ He's quiet for a few more steps, then sighs as he reconsiders their surroundings. ] They aren't here. Just the two of us and a... mysterious thing.
[ And he did say he has directions, so it's not like they're fumbling in the dark. He nearly asks if they're heading the right way, but it doesn't feel right to drop the subject like he's uncomfortable with it. Kaneki is clearly fighting against his own demons. He can at least reassure him that he's not afraid of him before they get back to work. ]
Listen. I've... been around long enough to see some things. Mutants who felt like they lost their humanity. Ones who have done things they thought they couldn't come back from. — You won't find any judgment with me. Wanting to help is more than enough.
no subject
He smiles again ] You don't look "mutated".
[ he knows, he knows. There are many ways to pass as human, others would say Kaneki is one at first ] Have you ever done something you thought you couldn't come back from?
[ wanting to help is enough. But things don't always go right with just good intentions.
Kaneki glances around for a second there. It's almost like he heard something, and when one is standing in the middle of a silent forest, it can be easy to pick up that. But after he stops, no other sound can be heard, so he wonders if he is just being paranoid (entirely possible) ]
no subject
We don't all look like mutants. The only thing we have in common is possessing an X-Gene that manifests in different ways. [ He debates for moment, then lifts a hand up. Light travels through his veins and his palm starts to glow. Nothing so bright that it would light up the forest, and he douses it in his fist soon after. ] To answer your question... yes. I used to use my powers for something I'm not proud of. I could say I didn't have a choice because I was out of options, but that's just an excuse.
[ It's hard not to think of Lorna taking down a plane and thinking there was no going back, but she proved him wrong. He takes a breath and shakes his head. He tries not to make things uncomfortable with specifics, even if his recovery comes off awkwardly. ]
At least you don't have to worry about getting lost in the dark. I make a pretty good flashlight.
no subject
I'd say that will be helpful here. [ it's a dark forest, they probably will need some light. ]
How long have you been here, in this world?
no subject
It's nice though, talking like this. They can pretend that they aren't on a very bizarre errand for a benefactor that won't even give his real name. ]
Good question. It's been... probably close to three months now? You seemed to be pretty new to this place. How was it for you, getting here?
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Honestly, it still feels like I am dreaming. [ and that none of it is real ]
no subject
I wish I could say that goes away. [ He sighs, looking around them, but trusting Kaneki knows the right direction to head in. ] ...I was drugged, when I came here, along with some of the others. It was days before the people here found us and helped get us out.
[ He leaves out the parts that were more distressing. The world looked a lot different after he got out. ]
I can barely remember anything that happened before that.
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Do you trust them? The ones we travel with? [ kaneki wishes to return home, but is that the desire of everyone else, he wonders ] I hope there hasn't been issues among us.
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They were the ones who helped get me out of there, so I owe them. If it hadn't been for them, I don't know that we would have. [ Risking their lives when they didn't have to goes a long way with him. ] There's a couple I trust more than the others, but right now I think everyone realizes that we're all in the same boat. We don't really have a choice but to work together.
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maybe. ]
I have been wondering. People like you and me, our worlds are not kind. Not everyone would wish to return to their homes, specially if they came from places worse than ours. [ marcos probably knows what Kaneki is implying ]
I hope we are all in the same boat and continue to be. [ guess who is paranoid? kaneki is! ]
no subject
...Back home we tried to vet the people we worked with, to at least weed out some of the troublemakers. [ They took in about anyone, but they did make an effort to manage psychopaths who only wanted anarchy. As well as that turned out. ] That's harder to do here. Supposedly the Merchant knows more about us, so it's possible he has some standards, but I don't know how we'd get our hands on that information.
no subject
Nobody knows much about the merchant, do they?
no subject
Not enough to get his real name. The ones who have been around a while might know more than me, but I don't know how many have met him. [ He looks at him. ] Or been asked to run his personal errands.
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... Do you worry we all might be a bit too trusting of the man? [ what if he is actually planning something different? Maybe find a way to use these overpowered people for himself? Kaneki is far too paranoid not to consider it, but truth is, he knows nothing about the man. He could be an undead warlord for all kaneki knows ]
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In a word? Yeah, I do. [ He hasn't voiced it often, but he won't pretend it doesn't bother him. ] We were put in an impossible situation without any alternative but to follow him. He could be behind all of this, for all we know.
no subject
But in the end, we do not have a lot of options, though. I mean- I don't even have a map of this place, I have no idea where to turn. [ and magic isn't real, or at least wasn't in his world ]
There are always the undead warlords, but from what I've heard, they are much worse. [ at least the Merchant seems less willing to rise the undead and destroy everything ]
no subject
They are. I only caught a glimpse of them when Taravast was invaded, but I don't know if any of us would still be here if it'd been more than a warning. [ All the Merchant needed to say was that this leverage was going to be used against the warlords and it would have been an easier sell. ]
Which I also don't get. They must see some benefit to leaving so many people alive, but if they could turn anyone into soldiers for them... there must be more that we don't know.
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You saw one? [ that interests him, deeply in fact. He stares at Marcos for a moment longer, before his eyes finally fall to the ground for a second ] Can you tell me about them?
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I only got a good look at one of them. She wasn't what you'd expect. A beautiful woman on a horse, who crumbled the ground she walked on. They said death and disease followed wherever she stayed, so we had to keep her moving. [ She was also very naked, which was extremely distracting in the middle of a battle. ]
The other one was nastier. I heard stories afterward, but mostly I was busy trying to fight off the monsters he brought with him.
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How many warlords are there? [ so what marcos said is that they haven't really faced them directly. Is the merchant trying to avoid them, then? ]
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Not that many. I got the impression there were four or five, maybe six? But one of them seemed to be against the others. [ Who knows how many undead they control, but it's... a lot from what he's seen. He shrugs. ] I'm probably not the best source of information about them. I had no idea what we'd be facing until they invaded.
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Few warlords... and we have seen two. [ uh. It could be what the Merchant said: they are looking to have the arrivals from other worlds, and that's why they are around. Then again, kaneki doesn't know how big this continent or world actually is. It could be minuscule for all he knows. ]
Are they specifically after us, or did they just show up by coincidence?
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That time, I think it was a warning to Taravast. ...I guess they didn't get the offering they were expecting. Something about weapons that got diverted by some in our group.
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But still, he makes a mental note to somehow ask others later. Others who have been here longer... but he also fears they might be too paranoid to share. or might be too trusting to see any red flag.
Still: ]
I will stay alert. I would not like to meet one of those warlords. [ even if he is curious about them ] But I have been wondering... they have the power to bring us to this world, right? After all, the Merchant said we were brought to become powerful pawns for their war.
no subject
[ That doesn't mean that's not the case for some of them though. ]
It'd make sense if that was the reason why we were brought here, and why the Merchant wants us to leave, but I'm not sure that's the whole story.