Text ; un: samsa

[anthropophagite]

Hello, this is Kaneki. [ he is always going to introduce himself and say who he is because he never did social media before. kaneki is awkward like that ] I hope everyone is alright after what happened.

I have been realizing that despite me coming from a version of Earth, my version is different. All Earths are very different from each other. Did your Earth have another sentient species besides humans? I wonder if that's an exception or the norm.


On an unrelated note, I had the idea of sharing stories. Since there are no written books in this place, we could sit down and tell each other stories we know, or even stories we make up. Like... a book club, but instead it's a story club.


There would be snacks, of course. I can bring and make coffee.

Comments

[anthropophagite]

yes, I had. I think a lot of people miss books.

But anyone is welcome to leave if they don't wish to hear the story. Perhaps next time they can share one they enjoy, instead. However, the idea is for us to enjoy ourselves, so I'll probably ask everyone to be kind to each other.

I see. There are many then.
We have something called ghouls. Some people call them monsters, other ghosts, some even say they don't exist.

[perfectdevil]

I'm sure they do. Books are an escape from the mundane, after all. They have always been popular, no matter how the times change.

But that is a very sincere desire to have, for everyone to simply get along. I hope for your sake that the people here take notice of your earnestness.

I must confess, I thought of ghouls as a type of spirit, too. One that robs graves and eats the flesh of corpses, or so the stories go. Humans are so quick to attempt to categorise and explain the things they don't understand, don't you think?

[anthropophagite]

I know it can be hard. We all come from different worlds, different universes. It can be hard to understand each other. But I still think it's possible.

The relationship between ghouls and humans is very difficult. I don't think it's only ghouls who are right, and I don't think it's only humans either.

[perfectdevil]

Ah, that is always the case, isn't it? It's typical for each side to have faith in their own perspective, because that's all that they have. It's difficult to put your shoes into the position of another... unless you've been there at some point in your life.

[ That's why it's so easy to be frightened of vampires, isn't it? Of course, it's smart to be so for one's own good, but calling humans their prey is such a closed-minded statement; it's more accurate to call them the true love of vampire kind, one they will inevitably destroy through the fatal affection they are cursed with.

But Lestat can sympathise. He's been human, he knows how easy superstition can cloud the mind, and he knows how easy it is to be scared of the unknown. ]

Am I to take it this is what you are, my friend? A ghoul?

[anthropophagite]

[ ahahah Kaneki will never admit to being that. ]

No. I've met some recently, though. I learned about them. And they became less monstrous.

[ he may lie about what he is, but the rest is honest ]

[perfectdevil]

[ Well now. Lestat hadn't been expecting that. The way all the facts had fallen into place, he felt sure he was talking to someone distinctly not human, as he is. It always seems to be those outside of the human experience who have the most sympathy. ]

I see. I suppose that makes sense. You have a great deal of empathy, then. More than I've ever witnessed any human capable of.

[anthropophagite]

I think many humans are capable of empathy as well.

[perfectdevil]

Of course. You're right that they are. You are living proof of that, are you not?

[ :) ]

I only meant that true empathy for an experience unlike your own comes unnaturally to humans. You can attempt to put yourself in their position, to be the monster in the fairytale, but you will always be able to take the costume off at the end of the night. So humans will never understand the blight on a creature's twisted soul from being unable to ever be what they once were.

Speaking from experience, at least.

[anthropophagite]

From experience? What do you mean?

[perfectdevil]

I'm a vampire, my friend.

[anthropophagite]

[ so we are just admitting to these things without any worry of angry mobs going after you? Is that a thing people are doing in this place?

Kaneki isn't sure if he should ask why he is so relaxed about it, but... ]

Is it wise to admit to it like this?

[perfectdevil]

Ah, there's that empathy once again.

You believe me, then? How can you be certain I'm not stringing you along? Monsters are often just stories we tell each other to explain the unexplainable, after all.

[anthropophagite]

I believe you. I don't see why I would not.
I've met magicians, superheroes, people who deal with curses, demons...

I don't see why vampires are that far-fetched. [ and kaneki is also a ghoul]

[perfectdevil]

I could be some fanboy. Some musician pretending to be a vampire just to sell more tickets to his concerts.

[ Okay that last one is a bit on the nose, but,,, anyway,,,,, ]

[anthropophagite]

Are you hoping I will argue with you?

[perfectdevil]

I suppose so, perhaps. Arguing does get the blood pumping.

[anthropophagite]

There is no point in arguing. Whether it's true or not, in the end, you know yourself best.