irenicly | IC Contact

I imagined so. That would be why I said something in the first place.

[...He knows.]

[He's content to leave it at that and not reply anymore, because Banjou doesn't know what to say and every conversation he has with Tsukiyama is precarious, but he learned something halfway interesting so he may as well share.]

I was told recently one Halloween apparently involved people having their souls stolen.

It's not like something like that will probably happen again, but it sounds like it's not uncommon for strange things to happen in this place.

If two people trying to end the world last month wasn't a clue already.

Edited 2014-12-01 07:38 (UTC)

[Oh, what's this now...]

I see...

This world does seem to run on a tight schedule in general, have you noticed? There seems to be an increase in new people on the first and third weekend of every month; since there are five weekends in November, we'll have to see if anyone arrives then - whether it's truly every two weeks, or just the first and the third, but either way I suspect a pattern will be adhered to and I'll be vastly surprised if it isn't.

This place also observes holidays, it seems, given that there are strange things that have happened around Halloween on multiple occasions, and my source has told me that every six months this strangeness we've been discussing happens - that would put one instance of it it near America's Thanksgiving celebration. I'm not sure what May's significance is, since that's a bit late for Easter - it's possible that it's Golden Week, but it could be a local holiday, too.

I wouldn't be surprised if something happens next month as well, what with both Christmas and the New Year so close together. We should keep an eye on it.

It was good of you to tell me that, Banjou-san.

I've noticed that, too.

[Somehow.]

If there's such a set pattern, I wonder what causes things to change?

Strange things happening on Halloween, us turning back into ghouls twice a year...

What the hell could cause things like that to happen?

[It's probably not important to think about at the moment, though.]

You're right. Assuming the pattern is true, something will happen again at the end of the month.

It's hard to say. It's possible that all of this is coincidence, or maybe human interference - after all, the holidays are a human creation, it's not as though the natural world itself has reason to care - but at least one of the Halloween incidents hasn't been manmade, from what I've heard. If this soul-stealing incident was another, that's two, and we can probably dismiss both of those possibilities as the cause if that's so.

As for what could be causing physical changes like that...I know someone who likely has a better idea than we do. If they don't have answers, they may be able to give me a direction.

I'll follow up on it.

[He knows that everything about this is likely pointless, what with the general culture of "shrug and accept it" that this place has instilled in those inhabiting it, and it will be decidedly more difficult without Chie around; just the same, it's...refreshing, in a way, to do this again. His contacts and ability to network were a large part of what kept him valuable back in Tokyo; even if he doesn't have hunting to stave off the ennui this world tends to cultivate, usefulness is an acceptable substitute for the time being.]

I don't think soul-stealing could be something manmade, no. It sounds like the plot of a horror movie more than anything. That probably makes it timely, but I can't imagine that sort of thing is fun to experience.

If your contacts know what's going on, I wouldn't mind hearing the explanation.

[As long as the explanation doesn't involve a God llama because he won't stand for that, no way.

But the mystery of how this place works will keep Banjou's interest for a while, even if he doesn't think he'll figure it out on his own.]

Just think, Banjou-san - if we keep this up, we may fool people into believing this alliance of ours is functional.

If that happens, Kaneki might not know what to do with himself.

[He's joking. Probably!]

Either consider it a relief or question what's been done with us and who these impersonators are taking our place, I'm sure.

As long as he's not panicking over imposters, it shouldn't be so bad.

[Tsukiyama does raise a good point, though. They are managing to get along fairly well, all things considered.

That's... something. He doesn't know what, but it means something.]

[It means they're never going to discuss it properly and will instead limit it to mindless banter like this in future, because discussing it leads to some bizarre Observer Effect. Observing any positive movement in a relationship between a pair of people is guaranteed to send that relationship straight to shit. Or something.]

Well, we may get to see how things go soon, if he's brought here.

[12/25; morning]

[Well, despite the fact that the message is roughly as flamboyant as usual, it's probably obvious that this is winning some sort of stupid award for Most Awkward Thing He's Ever Done, congratulations.]

Bonjour, Banjou-san - hopefully this Christmas is finding you well!

Miss Everett is coming over today; you ought to join us, assuming you're not otherwise busy.

[Oh, that's... a little surprising, actually. Banjou doesn't know what to say right away, but he doesn't leave too long of a gap between reading the message, being terribly confused, and actually replying.]

Sure, I'll join you.

It's appreciated; I'll let her know, then. She seems rather fond of you and all.

[At least we're not wasting huge amounts of time on confusion today.]

[At least that clears things up for him. He was pretty sure this was for Meridiana, but you never know. Tsukiyama might be asking for a pack mule again, which Banjou would be less than enthusiastic about.]

I don't want to keep her waiting in that case.

[Believe it or not, he isn't seeking favors today!

Admittedly, he's sort of got an "oh honey no" amount of Ikea lying around still, but he isn't asking for assistance with that...]

I'll send you the address; incidentally, it's where I can be found for the duration.

[You know, in case that becomes...a thing, anytime soon. Not so much if you need anything, per se, but just if it becomes relevant. Somehow.]

[Don't worry, this is Banjou. He'll probably offer to help anyway because he'll inevitably be mildly curious about Ikea furniture and think "if there's two of us it can't be that bad..."]

I was about to ask what the address is. I'll be there.

Good to know!

[...why is this so hideously stilted, good lord.]

Come now, Banjou-san, it's not as though I'm asking you to officiate at my wedding, there's no need for us to be this awkward. Miss Everett is going to think we're fighting at this rate.

[This is so awkward and strangely every day for them. He'll try to not think about it much, at least. And do... something with it.]

I'll be there. I wouldn't want her to worry and think there's some sort of problem.

People are supposed to bring something over for this sort of thing, aren't they? I'm sure Miss Everett would appreciate it if nothing else. I'll pick something up before I come over.

[It's not going to be anything fancy, but a store-bought cake makes it look like he's putting a modicum of thought into this whole trying to be human thing. That and the slightly more important keeping the alliance intact part.]

Well, I'm not going to argue with you, either, if you want to do that.

...She wants something of a traditional holiday this year, and I'm indulging her when it comes to that. Given her circumstances, I admit that I have no idea what this is actually going to entail, but I imagine that if we go in expecting it to be quainter than anything we've ever seen in our lives, we should be fine.

I wouldn't know what that would involve even in more normal circumstances.

Admittedly I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm going to do what I can to give her an enjoyable Christmas.

Not really one for celebrating, I take it.

I haven't had much of a reason to.

But I am looking forward to seeing what Miss Everett's take on the holiday is.

[1/9]

[Unlike the last time Tsukiyama got in contact with Banjou for any reason, there's no attempt at softening his approach, nor is there any proper greeting. He's aware that texting across the damn house is a stupid, nonsensical move, but really it's no more nonsensical than the fact that he's locked himself in his room and not really wanting to see anyone right now, and really, this is easier just because he can, in theory, actually look over what he sends before he sends it.

Not that there's any guarantees that he'll do that much, but the thought is there.]

Check the network. You'll know what you're looking for when you see it.

It seems we have a problem.

[Seeing a text from Tsukiyama is a strange thing these days, precisely because they're both in the damn house at the moment. He nearly shouts across the house before actually looking at the text and deciding maybe he should take a look at the network first.

Oh. Oh goddamn it.]

What are we supposed to do?

[Ignore it, maybe? Ignoring it would be good. He's not their Kaneki.]

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