Plot: Come on, Locke - meet a visiting spaceman.

[goldenbrother]

Who: Geoff Benwick and OPEN (to Locke City characters in the main log; phone-in thread is open to all).
When: June 1st-4th, afternoons.
Where: By Locke's City Hall.
What: One of Locke's visitors from beyond the atmosphere would like to make acquaintances of some of the city's other less-mundane occupants.



[Geoff had given his directions vaguely to the handful who'd been involved in cleaning up yesterday. He said he'd be by City Hall, starting at two, and that's where he is - close to one of the front walls, a ways from the door, dressed, as usual, for a proper impression. He's wearing a copy of the same suit he's been seen in already. As there's no need for them, he hasn't left a trace of his wings visible.

The suit, his look otherwise, and that aura he radiates have still caught eyes, and a couple of crowds of fans that it looks like the third of those things has already gotten him. He's turned away a reporter, or someone who professed to be a reporter, once. Asking nicely seems to have gotten him enough space to scan for the people who he might be looking for, eventually.

Speaking of which - anyone who does seem to be looking for him or heading his way with any kind of intent will get a wave over, a polite beam.

Either he'll wait for them to take their signal or he'll close some of the distance, and confirm they are who he thinks they are with an innocuous-enough greeting:]

Good afternoon!

What brings you here?

[OOC: If your character cannot, would refuse to, or just plain wouldn't meet with Geoff in person but you'd still like him to speak with them, you may have them call in if you like.

Remember that speaking with Geoff directly 1. leaves a person under the influence of a supernatural "charm" effect which makes him seem trustworthy by default, and 2. grants eligibility for a plot Echo.

Comments

PHONE LINE

[goldenbrother]

[A number was bid be passed on to the network along with Geoff's planned location from the 1st to the 4th.

Call it at any time until the end of the 4th. It'll finish one ring, and then receive prompt answer.]

Hello. May I ask for whom you're calling?

[Call it after the 4th, and it'll be out of service.]

June 1st

[the_fist]

Uh. [Gabriel was under his covers as if that would make his subterfuge all the more flawless.]

I'm calling for the alien guy.

June 1

[lightsoflife]

[Oh, Naomi has been waiting for this opportunity.]

Hello, my name is Naomi Kaufman. Can I confirm that I'm currently talking to Geoff Benwick?

June 2

[moreweaponsthanyou]

[This is kinda frivoulous and probably will get him yelled at but whatever. You have to take a few risks in life. He's even calling from a payphone (and it took him far too much trouble to find one in the first place.]

Hi. I'm Bert and I've got one quick question, then I'll give my spot to another guy.

June 2nd

[sunshinethatwarmsherup]

[ Linda wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not, but well... after thinking about it for a little bit, she decided that it was better to try to talk to the alien rather than just praying that answers would come. ]

Hi. Umm... I'm trying to get in touch with... Geoff, I think his name is. Can I speak to him?

[stopping by City Hall]

[stillshrill]

[ The word has been duly passed, and as ever with Anders, curiosity overrules caution. He wants to see this ... person... for himself.

Even though City Hall doesn't seem like the wisest possible place to be, for someone with Anders' anti-authoritarian leanings.]

It's you. You're the one -- aren't you?

[goldenbrother]

[Geoff's attention doesn't skip Anders for a moment, once he's out of passing-by-happenstance direction and distance, and he's inclined to first hold curiosity of his own. This man might have known he'd be here, or perhaps, he could be homing in the way that a person just plain might on spotting a known self-proclaimed extraterrestrial on the street.

He smiles politely, brings it into his eyes.] I am -- one of the ones!

I'm out today to meet some acquaintances.

June 2nd, after school

[nowi_wins]

[Nora wouldn't miss an opportunity like this. But one does have to be careful. That's why she's going incognito.

By which I mean she's wearing a hat and sunglasses. Such a clever disguise. Her approach is slightly hesitant though, city hall is such an official looking place it's making her nervous. But his greeting puts her at ease.]

Hey! Um, so you're the alien guy, right?

[goldenbrother]

[Between the apparent attempt to obscure her face and her hesitance, it's apparent she's not just any passing child, all right. He's not assuming in a snap, but he figures he's good carrying on with it unless corrected.]

I'm the one who you would have heard would be here today - that's correct. A pleasure to meet you.

[As in meeting face-to-face, even without introductions. Meeting any of them is an inherently interesting experience.]

[In Person] June 1st

[knights_king]

[Arthur listened intently to what Geoff said before he left the streets the day before. He went straight to town hall in the morning, wearing jeans and a hoodie with sunglasses--the hood up if only to keep his face a bit on the hidden side. When he got there, Arthur approached Geoff and spoke up to him--clearing his throat a bit aloud to catch his attention.]

Hey.

[goldenbrother]

[Ah, yes - greeting returned by one of the five from yesterday. He'll consider them already acquainted, drops his expression into an easy smile.]

How are you? Are you rested, from yesterday?

[Morning, June 2]

[chalicejoker]

[Hajime is not alone in this endeavor. He's in his guise as the Lord of the Bugmen, and he's brought along Cousin Jack in Jack's self-proclaimed 'High King of the Avians' form. Getting over to City Hall had been sort of a feat; Jack still couldn't transform back into a human, and they'd been forced to traumatize a cab driver in order to get over there. But now they were here, and Geoff would find himself presented with a bugman and a birdman both covered in things like weird spikes and weird eyeballs.]

The Lord of the Bugmen and the High King of the Avians seek an audience with the visitor from the stars.

[Okay, yes, he does feel like an idiot, but he and Jack had talked this over, the best way to handle this while maintaining their "covers"...and Hajime had lost the "break the ice" coin toss.]

[fusionjack]

[If you're going to do something ridiculous, you might as well do it with a partner. If left to his own devices, Jack might have just opted to phone in. But he had jokingly suggested that the Lord of the Bugmen ought to open diplomatic relations and then after the laughing stopped, it suddenly actually seemed like a legitimately possible thing... so here they were. He had only needed to forcefully will the cab driver to calm down and take them to their destination once, and now they were there in all their green and blue and seven-or-so foot tall glory.

He stands right next to Hajime, because damn it, the High King of the Avians is at least an equal to the Lord of the Bugmen. After his cousin speaks first and sets the tone, he gives a single, firm nod.]

There is much to discuss.

[Well. A bit, anyway.]

later on june 1

[phoenix_temple]

[Anais is having a time trying to figure out how to approach this guy. She knows going in without something to offer is just going to be impolite. Honestly, she doesn't even know how to take any of this, if she has anything to really ask him, but it's an opportunity she can't waste. After a deep breath, she closes the steps between them.]

Were you hurt yesterday?

[Yes, that is how you approach people. Anais is finding it's easier than making small talk to offer goods and services in exchange for information. She's always been bad at people, anyway.]

[goldenbrother]

[Another of that unexpected "team" from yesterday. That definitely more than does for him - he thought he recognized her; as far as he was concerned they already "knew" each other, to an extent; and so excessive formality needn't necessarily be fussed so much.]

No. And you?

Are you rested?

June 2, late morning

[seriallylucky]

You're Geoff, right?

[Yeah, Fred watched the broadcast, and maybe even caught a glimpse the other day, but it rarely hurts to check.

He's "suited up" for relative anonymity, with his cape and mask, newly-long hair tied back. He's also got an open network connection on the phone in his pocket; it might come in handy, even if the pocket might block some of the sound.]

[goldenbrother]

[He nods.] I am.

Were you informed I would be here?

[He does look like he prepared to head out this morning with a purpose.]

June 3rd, after school

[onecream_fivesugar]

[She had caught sight of Geoff in action during the CARtastrophe and after being told he'd be be around for people to meet, well... She just had to meet him!

Unfortunately her leg was still bothering her a run in with the monster car that could have gone a whole lot worse. It was just a sprain that had somewhat healed, but it was still bothering her.

That didn't stop her and her friend, Lucy Kesswick, from making a trip down to see him for themselves.

Robyn will step up to him as fast as her leg will allow. She's got a pen and notepad in hand that she'll quickly offer to him.]

Mr.Benwick? Uhm! CouldIgetyourautograph?

Re: June 3rd, after school

[believing_heart]

[Lucy is practically trembling with anticipation when they approach. She lets Robyn do the talking first, but as soon as the brunette has said her piece, the redhead jumps in to say her own.]

It's really good to meet you!

[She beams brightly.]

june 2nd, early morning

[wonk]

Hey.

[Roxy approaches Geoff with a solemn expression, face mostly hidden from passerby under a hoodie.]

So how does your guys' mutation stuff work?

[goldenbrother]

[He watches her approach with a calm smile, which slowly irons out to businesslike neutrality. Raises a brow.]

May I ask what you're referring to? [Even someone listening for defensiveness will not hear it - he sounds as if he truthfully hasn't a hint.]

June 2nd, afternoon

[gogoghostpowers]

[Danny shows up as Cure Phantom, not wanting to risk Danny Fenton being associated with the aliens in any way. He's trying to keep calm and play it cool, but honestly he's pretty giddy. He's been wanting to ask this question since the aliens landed in Locke.]

Hi, uh--just one quick question.

Do you...know anything about Las Vegas, or Tonopah?

[goldenbrother]

[He nods, and recites.]

Las Vegas is a city in the North American United State of Nevada, and it's seeing similar events to those that took place over the past solar year in this one, starting with a light event identical to one that occurred here.

I... [His brows skew; he shakes his head, mouth twists with some regret - speaks lightly, though.] ...have not heard of Tonopah yet, unfortunately.

June 3rd, after class

[saviorsoul]

[ Someone did not watch the first broadcast and therefore has no idea who the hell Geoff did, aside from his being involved in the car incident. In a good way. He still has his wings fastened back with his braces since he's not yet sure how much of the other day's car antics made it to the news feeds. So maybe his attempts to get people out of the car's path haven't become public knowledge. And his parents can stop freaking out about him getting involved in the rescue efforts.

Still, if this Geoff guy knows more about what's going on, it's worth seeing what he has to say. ]

Uh, I was wonderin' if you knew what could've set off that... car thing...

[goldenbrother]

[His greeting beam fades.

Into a blank attentiveness. He lifts a hand, slowly uncurls two fingers.]

As a matter of fact, I strongly suspect I estimated its tracks back to where it came from.

I do not know what was done to animate it yet, however.

June 4th, Mid-Afternoon

[purestambition]

[ Fashionably late? Sure. While Saretha very much wanted to speak with their visitor - and had been for many weeks now - she didn't want to seem overly eager, either. It was never good to show too much of yourself when coming face-to-face with someone such as this.

She wears Junketsu - because why shouldn't she - but foregoes the sword. As she approaches, her demeanor is a bit different from what the Network may be used to - she still carries herself with professionalism, but it comes with a smile that appears much more genuine, much more personable. Her voice is a bit softer, as well.

Intimidation isn't what she's looking for with this sort of person. ]

Mr. Benwick, yes? [ She extends a hand in greeting. ] My name is Saretha Kaiser. It's gracious of you to meet with us, but it has been some time, has it not?

[goldenbrother]

[Like is met with like. Calm smile.] Gracious of you, as well, Saretha Kaiser.

[And he will certainly take the hand.

He gives a firm nod, acknowledging.] Yes, apologies. My "shipmates" and I have been hoping to close in on the source of some of the trouble it seems your city has been experiencing. We haven't seen any from your group. [Definitely none on the scale of the "pests" about the city they'd been met with on landing.]

June 3

[professorwolf]

After speaking with Nick (and probably a few other people, too) Lyall finally shows his face at the town hall in the late afternoon. No one who's been here thus far has died a horrible death, or even said the fellow was rude, and he's still dreadfully curious... so here he is.

With his nervous boyfriend outside with the car. It's kind of cute. (Scratch that, it's very cute).

He doesn't beat around the bush, though, and once he finds the familiar face, he heads immediately that direction-- offering a friendly handshake and a mild smile. "To meet you, I'm afraid. One more person to come gawk and probably ask you questions you have little interest in or ability to answer." He's good at self-effacing; it's practically his natural state, anyway.

[goldenbrother]

The handshake's taken, and the smile's reciprocated.

"I wouldn't say so. There's much for both your people and mine to have interest in, and I'll answer the best that I can."

[Visiting! Sometime on June 3rd]

[mistakesmakeuswhoweare]

[Disguise? Eh, maybe a little. But it's times like these having a alternate name is useful. And damned if the author isn't going to take advantage of this.]

So! You're the one all the fuss is about. Curiosity, mainly. It's a pretty big universe. Why here, of all places?

[goldenbrother]

Ah. [He throws one small glance off to one side, then the other - his attention's not off her, in truth; it's merely to indicate "around".] A public location seemed as if it may be more inviting than an isolated one. At least, for first meetings.

It is understandable if any of your people would consider being alone with mine a risk - after the damage done by Tiny's actions.

Honored by your curiosity. It is a big universe, indeed.

[espigeonage]

[Julien had never been near the car or the takedown of it, but he remembers the crude simulacrum of a face he'd seen on television and can recognize the contours. TV doesn't look remotely real to him anymore. He's not sure if he's disappointed that Geoff looks a whole lot more human in the flesh. Attractive, though.

As for himself - Julien's been modeling for a couple of months now, and living publicly for long enough that the news has largely lost interest in him, though he draws stares still. As a seven-foot bird creature he quite overshadows Rakka, who he's come with.]

Galu! [He smiles brightly.] I've got a certain interest in wings, for hopefully obvious reasons.

[charcoalfeather]

[As noted, Rakka had come with Julien. She was almost overshadowed by the bird-man that stood with her, but she wasn't about to complain. Something about the aliens made her trust them, but that didn't stop her from feeling apprehensive of coming out to talk to them.

Her cap was on tightly as usual, hiding the halo underneath. Her wings were less inconspicuous unfortunately, making small tents in the back of her jacket that needed to be smoothed out.]

Uh, yeah, hello there. I have questions too.

June 3rd, after school

[moodkiller]

[Nat doesn't even make a token effort to disguise herself as she approaches.]

Geoff Benwick, correct? [She nods in greeting, extending her hand. She has to start somewhere, and Geoff may very well have answers that could help shed some light on all of this. Or, at the very least, rule out some hypotheses.] I have a number of questions for you, if you wouldn't mind? I imagine that you're hearing no shortage of them, but...

[goldenbrother]

I don't mind at all. Answering as many questions as I can is part of why I'm here, after all.

June 2! In-person meeting; Kotetsu and Ravi

[earnedmystripes]

[There's a certain sort of irony to this moment, Kotetsu finds himself thinking as he ascends the steps up to Locke's City Hall. He'd only just a short while ago talked about how getting a chance to speak to one of the aliens directly would be a simple answer to some of their questions for once. And here it is, an open offer from Geoff Benwick himself. It's just too bad it had to come off of an incident where people died. But he supposes a demon car is certainly the sort of incident that would demand explanation. It's certainly on his list, along with a few other matters.

At the same time, he's still not prepared to reveal himself as a numbered. Even with the corrupt police gone and "Tiny" dead, the recent events in Vegas have only reinforced the idea that the less attention drawn to oneself, the better. So when he decides to pay Geoff a visit alongside Ravi, he dons the Wild Tiger suit again for the trip. Or half of it, anyway--spandex in summer is bad enough, nothing in this life can possibly convince him to go for the underwear-over-pants dealio his past self had going on, superhero or not.

The leather pants Nick convinced him to wear instead aren't really much less ridiculous, though. Especially since he decided to wear the gold tiger-logo belt along with it. Sorry Ravi, your friend is 900% embarrassing in any lifetime.]

Sooo...let's do this.

[healspec]

[Ravi was curious about the alien's offer to meet with people, but not curious enough to go by himself, which is the only reason he's here with Kotetsu right now.]

[actually the only reason he's here with kotetsu is because nobody else made the offer. ravi is kind of ashamed to be seen with him right now. it's summer but he's wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled up, and walking with the quintessential high school loner slouch in an attempt to keep his face as hidden as possible short of just wearing a mask himself. he's also got his sunglasses on, the ones he wears for driving, in the further hopes of hiding his face. he REALLY doesn't want anybody to be able to recognize him because KOTETSU WHY ARE YOU SO DAMN EMBARRASSING.]

[he doesn't say anything, just gives Kotetsu a nod and follows him into the building. he doesn't take the sunglasses off as he scans the room for Geoff, but honestly, next to Kotetsu, that probably doesn't make him look any more suspicious than he already does.]

[when they approach geoff, he's definitely not going to be the first person to say something. he subtly nudges kotetsu to go first]

June 4th

[neonnerd]

[There'd been absolutely no way that Benjamin was going to be able to resist speaking with one of the aliens. He'd been wanting to have the chance to talk with them almost since they first landed. Certainly, he'd participated in the attack against the previous alien who'd landed here, even used his own alien technology against it - but that doesn't mean these aliens aren't different.

Their story is believable, and Benjamin has no problem accepting it, or them.

After all, Benjamin himself is an alien, technically. Or used to be on. He would be hypocritical if he held that against them.

And there's little he wants more than to be able to talk with them, to find out more about the technology they clearly have, and perhaps to show them some of his own. An exchange of scientific ideas, the concept is thrilling.

Of course, when he'd shared the idea with Harding, he hadn't been quite as enthused. But he'd come along anyway, likely because he'd known Benjamin would have gone anyway, even if he had to go alone.

When Benjamin spots the man waving, he heads over immediately, smiling at the greeting.]

You, actually. I've heard you're amiable to discussion?

[goldenbrother]

That I am, and glad to do so.

[He inclines his head, obviously genuine curiosity shining in his eyes. This seems like a promising opening.]

June 3rd

[gobybessie]

[ Geoff doesn't really need to coax John. He knows exactly what he's here for, and doesn't hesitate to approach either. Had Geoff said he'd talk to people, then he has himself to blame for it, and all.

John puts his hands in his jacket pockets, and smiles lightly. Polite. ]

Afternoon. I'd think that was self explanatory. Mister Benwick, yes?

[goldenbrother]

That would be me, yes.

[The smile is returned in kind, light and polite, picking up the atmosphere that the other man brings with himself and just rolling with it.]

By your words, I'll assume that you have come here with something specific on your mind?

[By tone, rather, but the point stands that he is leaving the floor open, allowing John to take this where he wants. Much more might be forthcoming that way.]

June 3

[originaloddcouple]

[Both Dians are pretty excited generally, and it shows as they approach Geoff.]

Hello there!

Can you give us directions to where this "Geoff Benwick" is?

[goldenbrother]

[Well this is ...different. For a moment, there is overwhelmed surprise in his eyes before he collects himself and grins at them, his cheeks stretching and eyes narrowing in amiable amusement.]

You won't need to search any further if you are looking for him, because that would be me.

And you two are?

June 4

[buildyourworld]

[ He heard about this a few days ago but he was delayed for nursing his broken arm. It's a good thing that the hospital trip didn't turn up messy since the ER was flooded with injured civilians, because he has a hunch there's something wrong with his de-aged body.

Once he spotted Geoff, he heads straight for him. ] Geoff Benwick, correct?

[goldenbrother]

That would be me.

[A smooth, quick incline of the man's head comes with the words, along with a sparkle in his eyes.]

I'm glad that you found the time to see me, despite everything that is surely happening in your life right now.