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

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...

Video;

[knights_king]

I don't exactly know what's going on, though--and, I'm a little behind to be asking precisely what the matter is...

[Between his work and the amount of routine exercise he did, Arthur didn't spend time with anyone but Emilia and her family.

He was nicely too inconsiderate of the world around him.]

So, is there anything I should know, moving on...?

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

[Lazarus sighs. He feels like his time is more valuable than essentially catching up someone who might as well be willfully ignorant with everything going on lately.]

There's a lot. Why don't you look back on the network, and then come back when you have some specific questions.

Video;

[knights_king]

I've... [He wanted to object. Arthur was determined to be involved in peoples' lives peacefully, but he was worried he couldn't avoid it forever.]

...Is their influence getting spread outside of Locke?

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

Hard to say. To my knowledge, I think that they're just approached people who are Numbered up to this point, but their "rebuilding efforts" are definitely getting noticed, and there's no way awareness of it hasn't spread outside of Locke City.

Video;

[knights_king]

[He wasn't happy with it. Arthur wasn't confident enough in himself to push some sort of initiative.

In Locke, towards the end, he managed to help the army route some of the aliens, but--]

What do you think we should do?

[When in doubt--go with the instinct that tells you Lazarus is well beyond intelligent enough to think of something handy.]

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

Well...

[No pressure or anything.]

I have some ideas that I can't talk about here because it's simply not secure enough, even if I took the conversation private. That being said, I want to find out who accepted their offer, if anyone, and why. I'm sure very productive things can happen from that point forward if they're handled the right way.

Re: Video;

[knights_king]

[Admittedly, Arthur was curious about the motivations behind it all.]

But... They're trying to publicly shame and humiliate us. What do you think would happen if all that catches on and people start feeding into it?

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

[Everyone should be by this point, save of course for the people who accepted.]

We've been the subject of ire before. I'm sure we will again, whether or not it stems from this incident, but we've got Factor Industries supporting us on the opposite end of the spectrum. There's a counterbalance, and hopefully it's just a matter of waiting for the pendulum to swing the other way and reacting then.

Re: Video;

[knights_king]

[Arthur found himself frowning inwardly at that--there was Geoffrey to take into account, from what he remembered.]

The last time we got sudden backing, it turned out bad. How upfront is Factor Industries being with us?

[Arthur was, by no means, all that intelligent, but--he had a great deal of instinctual habits. He knew better than to accept an outstretched hand unless he trusted it.]

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

Very upfront, actually. I look for any excuse I can to distrust an organization, being somewhat naturally paranoid, and Factor's been honest, straightforward and helpful from the start. Shepherd's Haven couldn't have existed without that help.

Re: Video;

[knights_king]

[At the very least, Arthur could trust Lazarus to do research.

Still, that was where his trust ended--with Lazarus. Outside parties would have to earn it.]

Thank you for letting me know. I... I'm really not good at judging people until it's a dangerous situation, so I gotta rely on others for this...

Video;

[numberedshepherd]

It's no problem. Half the struggle is knowing your strengths and weaknesses and when to turn to someone else for help. That takes a lot of wisdom and maturity.

[Not that he believes that Arthur possesses much of either of those things, but hey, credit where it's due.]

Video;

[knights_king]

[He nodded fervently.

One of Arthur's faults was definitely saying too much for no reason--]

In that event, I can rely on Emi. Heh... She's a lot more capable than I am at most times.

[Private Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

Do pay more attention, Arthur...

[Private Audio]

[knights_king]

[Admittedly, he didn't want to--but, he didn't want to admit it to Emilia. Arthur was happy to work in the garage and act ignorant. If a problem came to him, he would work to end it, but...]

S-Sorry... I've been busy with repairs, you know? I kind of lose my focus.

[Private Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

So, were you hoping that I handle everything?

[Private Audio]

[knights_king]

Mmm, no, but...

[There was a difference, to Arthur, between instigating and responding.

He wasn't happy with how backhanded the Thunder Corp situation was, but he didn't know what to do about it.]

You've got better judgement than me.

[Private Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

Hm, you could stand to think things through a bit more, my love...

[ With all of the Thunder Corp stuff going on made her concerned about what's to come. She wonders, though, if he got the engagement ring yet... ]

[Private Audio]

[knights_king]

[Purchased and hidden somewhere crafty, Arthur was simply struggling with timing.

If she could forget just a little so I could make it a surprised-- had been his one thought for awhile.]

Instinct is one thing and being smart is another.

[He offered a weak smile as an apology.]

Re: [Private Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

I love you despite how smart you are...

Re: [Private Audio]

[knights_king]

['Despite'. He admitted himself, but it was still a little foot wearing cleats stepping on his heart whenever Emilia admitted it, too--]

It's why I trust you more than myself.

[Private Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

Ah, perhaps that was a little too mean...

[ She didn't think he was incapable of learning... ]

Re: [Private Audio]

[knights_king]

[Compared to Kyle's bullying--Arthur could find very little insult in what Emilia said. He only really felt bad, because he was worried her impression of him might have declined if he hung back in wit too far.]

Emi... You're sweet. If you worry about sounding mean, why should I feel bad about it?

[Private Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

Oh, dragul meu... I love you so.

Shall we meet up when there's time?