Entry #A-3: "Ask" [Video] [Shepherd's Haven]

[numberedshepherd]

[It's getting easier to tell Ryuzaki and Lazarus apart; the latter looks significantly thinner and more unhealthy than the former, and instead of breaking into easy smirks, his face is placid and serious. The two share a Number, but little else.]

Regarding recent events, Saretha has given these aspects thought and is asking you to do the same. Please pay attention to what she has to say, whether or not you've missed these events in real time. It's all important.

I'm one of the people who was contacted by the informant from Thunder Corp, and I know of some others, but there's a question I'm very interested in at this time. I want to know if anyone was both contacted by this informant and approached by a representative from the company, and if there are any Numbered currently active on the Network who experienced neither of these things.

If you're not comfortable sharing this information on the Network, especially considering that I have a particularly destructive and untrustworthy doppelganger who can see even my private network messages and just took a job with someone I have a very bad feeling about, I can meet with you in person to discuss this regardless of your location, or speak with you on a private line. If you've agreed to help Thunder Corp, I'm not not here to judge harshly... at this point, I just want the data I've specified, and your answer one way or the other is something you're welcome to keep to yourself.

To reiterate: Were you contacted by Thunder Corp's rogue informant, or a recruiter? Were you contacted by both? Were you contacted by neither?

Comments

[Voice]

[scarlet_devil]

I'm at home at the moment, but I can make my way over to your town, if need be.

[Voice]

[numberedshepherd]

At your convenience, I'd be glad and willing to meet with you. I'm at the town hall right now and will be unless I'm called away elsewhere, in which case I'll alert you and not be gone long.

[Voice/leading to action]

[scarlet_devil]

With my speed and that teleporter, I shouldn't be long.

[Indeed she won't even if she has to use a parasol. After a while, she'll be at the town hall doors.]

video

[dictator_ko]

I wasn't contacted by either.

[And Mina feels left out. It's clear in her tone, even if she doesn't say it directly.]

video

[numberedshepherd]

Still, thank you very much for coming forward with that. It's very helpful; I'll make a note of it.

...you almost sound like you feel bad about not being tangled up in this.

1/2

[dictator_ko]

I don't want to involved in this stupid mess!

2/2

[dictator_ko]

...But why'd they have to ignore me? I would've liked the chance to say no to them. [And rub it in their faces what she thinks of their publicity stunt.]

[Video]

[twinkletwinklesuperstar]

Oh, yeah, one of those recruiters came by and tried to get me to sign on with them.

I didn't see that other thing though.

[Video]

[numberedshepherd]

I see. So far my theory's holding up, thank you for contributing that information.

Would you be willing to talk more about the recruiter on a secure channel? You've seen how unpleasant my doppelganger can be.

[Video]

[twinkletwinklesuperstar]

Oh, yeah, that weirdo messing with everybody, right?

Is there, like, a secret number I should call or something?

video;

[brotimaeus]

Man, anyone told you lately that you look like shit?

[Just sayin'.]

I got an email, but Saretha's message was the first I'd heard of anythin' else. You can probably guess what my answer was, but if you wanna talk about it, I'm open to that.

video;

[numberedshepherd]

I think my girlfriend's used to it, or too polite.

[Said dryly; he's spread thin lately and he's had to do more around the place just to keep them afloat when he was working pretty hard before. Tony's departure has not helped this situation in the least.]

I do want to talk, actually. About more than just the email.

video;

[brotimaeus]

Maybe she is.

[He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck, then nods.]

Thought you might. Go ahead.

Video

[icy_heavens]

Never saw anything on the network, but they did email me a little while ago.

Video

[numberedshepherd]

I understand. Thank you for letting me know.

Toushirou, would you be comfortable forwarding me the email chain? I can give you a secure way to do it that my doppelganger won't be able to see.

[Video]

[witnessme]

Uh. Hey, sorry to bother you, but you asked so.

I saw the message. No one approached me. Thought I'd let you know.

Re: [Video]

[numberedshepherd]

Thank you, Luca.

Video;

[knights_king]

I haven't been contacted or anythin'.

[He knew Emilia was, but Arthur was cautious. He simply made efforts to ready up the house and the garage with plenty of material just in case someone else with guns decided to pop up.]

But, if you need help with certain stuff--I could probably help get ready for a storm.

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

No one got in touch with you at all? I see.

Hopefully there will not be a need for that. Maybe that's too optimistic to hope for...

Action

[solvethepuzzle]

[It's been a very trying few days for many of them, and Nathan is far from excepted in this. He is dealing with a little more than most people know, honestly. What with what he's privy to, but hiding.

[Nathan is bearing the hallmarks of having difficulty sleeping, with the dark circles under his eyes, vague listlessness, and drinking more coffee than he probably should to get through the days. But he's still managing to look healthier than Lazarus at the moment. Which, sad as it is, may be something of a feat, considering how he's feeling.

[He just watches him for a moment, before voicing some concern.] Did you remember to eat today?

[Says someone who generally forgets to do so more than once a day himself. At least he's had breakfast.]

Action

[numberedshepherd]

[Lazarus, to his uninformed shame, is completely ignorant to most of what's tormenting Nathan. While this isn't exactly his fault, it's uncharacteristic of him; he likes to know everything about his small but close-knit family, especially now that some of them have drifted apart and away. He's clinging tighter, more obsessive and controlling and nurturing in his neurotic, stifling way.

He means well, but a lot of very damaging people do.

Glancing up, a ghost of a smile lights up his pale features; he's always happy to see Nathan. It fades when he hears the first thing out of the younger man's mouth.]

I did. But there just wasn't time...

[An easy enough excuse, something that sets the blame aside and redirects it to something that it out of Lazarus' control but not his understanding. The latter is what would be humiliating, implying that he never really recovered from a lifelong affliction that chooses cruel times to strike him down and make him helpless and ineffective and essentially little more than a sad, shameful burden.]

Are you here to talk about Thunder Corp? I have some interesting results so far. My theory's held up to this point.

[Video]

[prismaticdestruction]

I didn't get either one but I can understand why. I do want to figure out why this is all happening though.

[Because being the/one of the (?) youngest Numbered was mostly trying to find out what everyone else wouldn't tell her anymore.]

[Video]

[numberedshepherd]

Why is it you believe you weren't contacted? Thank you for adding your voice to my attempt at better understanding this.

[Video/private]

[charcoalfeather]

I was approached by one of them.... right here, in Shepard's Haven.

[Judging by the way Rakka averted her eyes from the screen, it wasn't a fun time for her.]

[Video/private]

[numberedshepherd]

First of all, are you OK?

Second... did he say anything at all about how he found this town? Or you, for that matter?