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

[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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

[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?

[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.

[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.]

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.

[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...

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.]

[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.

Emi, for wisdom and maturity?

[He frowns slightly, and starts to give a one-shouldered shrug.]

Well, all right then.

She has both of those things.

[Though, Arthur neglected to realize that by merit of saying he lacked those things, he actually possessed quite a bit of them both.]

Then, I'll rely on you for the rest. If you need me--I can be reliable in a lot of different ways, alright?

I'm sure.

[If you say so.]

Which ways?

Well... [He wasn't keen on admitting it.]

My echoes are pretty, uh. [How to word it?]

Useful.

Are they? How so?

I can fight really well.

[Plus, the whole magic knight thing-- Hey, it was easier to show it.]

I can use this. [Focusing for a moment, a bright sheen covered Arthur for only the length of focus he needed.

It had been months since he actually used any of it, but it was there all over again--a well-made set of armor coating him, pristine and white.]

Ah, so you're one of those. It seems like everyone else has been lucky enough to get that kind of stuff back... myself, I can speak ten languages fluently but can't block a punch.

[He sits back and watches the transformation, wondering if Arthur wants applause or something for it.]

[Arthur reached into his breastplate, scratching at his collar bone.

Unlike a proper knight and more like a southie with bad habits.]

It's a little itchy since last time... Wait, ten languages?

[To his credit, Lazarus isn't put off or perturbed by people who aren't particularly polite fidget-wise. Hell, he's one of them.]

Counting English and Hebrew, which I knew before, yes. Ten.

[By some miracle, Arthur didn't admit he didn't know Hebrew was an actual language. He was growing.]

Oh.

...Why don't you work for the government? Couldn't you be uh... a diplomat?

I do that kind of work sometimes, when I need to. I'm decent at it but I'm no Kissinger.

[Arthur offered Lazarus a bit of a prolonged stare.

He had him until Kissinger which, fortunately, was the last part of what he said.]

Oh. How much do you travel?

[He added, wondering--]

Is it fun stuff to do?

Not as much these days. But it used to be a lot... it even took me to space, when the aliens were attacking us and someone had to talk to The Boy.

And I don't know if I'd call it "fun." It's rewarding, because it's necessary, but it's stressful if anything.

I get it. [Now that he thought about it, the whole process of interacting with people in official positions was a pain in the ass. He had done a number of interviews with FBI agents and the police as a Numbered who didn't disguise himself and it had often times ended with a sickening taste in his mouth.

But, for Lazarus--what he was doing as an ambassador was a lot more serious, wasn't it?]

But, uh... [Moreover--]

...Was space fun?

[Arthur was still a teenager in many ways.]

[There's a pause as Lazarus really just... looks at the guy and considers what he's asking.]

I guess. I wasn't thinking about that aspect of it at the time.

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

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