Text ; Anonymous [cw;discussing cannibalism]

[anthropophagite]

[ baby's first network post and it'll be an anonymous text post, because Kaneki's priority is to know just how bad his situation really is without having others freaking out. He has thousands of questions, but none are as important as these: ]

Does anyone know what Ghouls are? Do they exist in your world? Do they exist here?

Comments

[burntbridges]

Well, I can't say I know anything about yokai or ghouls.
The people of my clan don't have much in the way of folktales, so we only know the stories that travellers and traders bring in. Ghosts, evil creatures and all of that. Things that I know for a fact don't really exist.

What does a ghoul look like? I might be able to tell you if I spot any.

[anthropophagite]

That sounds nice. Are you all humans?

They look like humans, you can't tell the difference unless they want you to. They have different biology, though.

[burntbridges]

As far as I know we're all humans... at least, there's nothing like elves or demons. We do have magicians, though - people who can perform magic. My family are all skilled magicians.

...By that description I can't be sure there aren't any here.

[anthropophagite]

We don't have magic in my world. Can you do it as well? What sort of things?

I'm not either. And even if there were, I don't think they'd reply to this post. But I needed to ask.

[burntbridges]

I can speak to the dead, and visit them in the afterlife. Although... I've come to learn recently I can only visit those who have died in this reality.

[anthropophagite]

[ that's



actually sort of creepy ?????



but hey, who is he to judge? ]

We call someone like that a "necromancer" in my world. Well, in books and stories, of course.

Do you like those abilities?

[burntbridges]

We call them necromancers in my world, too.
I'm glad things aren't so different.

I like them, yes. The dead make good company, and I do hate being lonely. I know others tend to misunderstand me because of my magic, but it really is a blessing when you think about it.

[anthropophagite]

In my world they'd certainly be weird company, but I'm glad you don't feel alone with them around.

I'd think people move on after dead, though. Like, to the afterlife, or reincarnation or- something else.

[burntbridges]

Some have trouble... even when they've made it to the afterlife, they have things they want to say to their loved ones.
Some want to be sure their children know they're loved, some want to name their killers.

[She says this as if she actually helps those people. She usually just animates their corpses to do chores.]

And anyway, having been dead myself before, I like visitors.

[anthropophagite]

[ Letha................. ]

You were dead? But not anymore? How? [ she is a necromancer, so probably a spell ]

[burntbridges]

[Hey SOMEONE'S gotta do the laundry sometimes and it's not gonna be her. She could chip a nail.]

I couldn't tell you. The local doctors seem to be able to cure all sorts of things.

[It doesn't even really bother her that much anymore. Not like she took death super seriously in the first place.]

[anthropophagite]

[ why all of that ]

I see. [ he doesn't see it at all. How do you bring someone back from the dead??? ] I'm glad they were able to help you.

[burntbridges]

I hope I didn't frighten you.
I know many people have trouble seeing past the odd parts of me.

[anthropophagite]

It's strange for me, and I'd probably be a bit scared if I was told that face to face.

But I'm asking about ghouls, who are scary too, so it's alright.

[burntbridges]

Would it be out of line to ask why you're so interested in ghouls?

[anthropophagite]

Anything and anyone can pass through that gate thing we arrived from. Ghouls can too.

[burntbridges]

So you're afraid of finding some... well, the best way to handle that is to simply prepare yourself. So, if one should turn up, how does one defend oneself?

[anthropophagite]

I don't know anything about that. [ he doesn't want to create a CCG here, no matter how scary ghouls can be. ] I don't know how to do that.

[burntbridges]

Well, then that would be troublesome.

It might benefit you to put them out of your mind,
and simply build your own defenses. It would be bad to be caught unaware, but worse to be fearful beyond reason.

[anthropophagite]

But if they are here, they'll be like you and me. I mean, living here and trying to get back.

We would end up having to live with them, right?