Video with a slice of action if anyone wants his doppel

[bythewaves]

[ Have a late fourties man with messy dark hair and a nice suit ]

Ah... is this working now? Oh! Hello! Yes! Nice to meet you all! I'm Arnold, Arnold Benedict. Some of you may know my son Liam! Thank you for looking after him, all this time. Just thought I'd... say hi, as it were! I'm gonna be in the area for a while, and it turns out I'm Numbered too, so... yes! Hello!

[ He looks thoughtful ] There was something else... Oh! Yes, folk in the Art Community might recognise me - Benedict Galleries, is, indeed, run by me. We're always looking around for new pieces to show, and I'm hoping to do an exhibition around here too, one day. So! Any budding artists, I'd be glad to chat! I can be reached on this number - [ Have a neat business card with his details ] and if you see me around, don't be shy! I'd love to say hi.

[ And with a wave he disconnects ]

Arnold has been around on the streets of Locke, sketching. His Doppel is doing much the same, but where Arnold's works, although sometimes melacholy, are usually ones of beauty, his are full of pain. He walks and he draws, and might be found anywhere, drawing whatever comes to mind.

Comments

[scarlet_devil]

I think you'll find life is about to get quite interesting for you.

[Here is a face that might be familiar, one Emilia Stacojiu, who happens to be mildly interested in viewing art.]

[bythewaves]

[ A cheerful smile answers her ]

Oh, well, you know what they say - normality is overrated yeah? Perhaps I'll get some inspiration for my work!

[ Arnold pauses and eyes her thoughtfully ] Say, have I seen you around? You look familiar - have you been by our gallery in New York, maybe?

[scarlet_devil]

Fairly recently, yes. Though, I may have looked a little different then.

[There's the large bat wings on her back for a start. Also, she's got some bat themed earrings.

She may have tried to drag her boyfriend along too.]

[bythewaves]

[ Well for all he knows those are just cosplay ]

Oh, well then, a pleasure to see you again, miss! I do apologise I'm don't think I ever caught your name. Did you enjoy the exhibit?

Got permission, of course, for saying Arthur York was with her.

[scarlet_devil]

Emilia Stacojiu, the pleasure's all mine. [Emi replied, her accent a little less obvious today.]

I certainly did, as did my boyfriend, to my surprise. I don't think he's ever been to an art exhibition before.

video;

[stefanged]

[Oh no. First Danny, then a bunch of Olette's friends, and now...]

Uncle Arnold? Um, congratulations on "joining the club?"

[But mostly he's inwardly groaning, because of all the people he expected to join the Network, his parents' old family friend definitely wasn't it.]

video; I am so very sorry Stefan

[bythewaves]

[ Arnold lights up and positively beams to see Stefan ]

Stefan! Is that you? Oh my, how you've grown! I didn't realise you were in Locke! We really must meet up. How're your parents doing?

video; ... it is karma for SOMETHING

[stefanged]

I... ["I really wish I hadn't said anything."]

Uh, yeah, we could? I don't know, you're probably super busy and I'm studying for the MCAT.... you sure it wouldn't be a problem? [Please say yes, because Mom and Dad are going to hear about this, and parental interference via Facetime is a MAJOR DNW.]

video; at least he hasn't pulled out baby pictures?

[bythewaves]

Psh, I'm never to busy to catch up with a friend! I'm only just settling in, in any case. why don't you pick a time and location and I'll meet you there.

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

Hello again. I'm glad you're doing well.

If you are still interested in doing an exhibit in the school, you're welcome to, but I need to revamp security first. Unfortunately there have been some incidents; you must have heard about them by now...?

[Audio]

[bythewaves]

Hello again! Lawrence, wasn't it? Thanks for the other day.

And yes, I'd love to discuss that further. Of all the buildings I've seen, the school is the one that resonated the strongest. But... yes... I had heard... something about... doubles?

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

...it's Lazarus, actually, but that's close enough, I suppose.

You heard right. Apparently they're everywhere, mostly concentrated in the Neuschwanstein area. Be on your guard, they're not all friendly.

[Audio]

[bythewaves]

Lazarus, right right, sorry! All I could remember was that it started with L!

Oh? That's... rather worrying. Thanks for the warning though, I'll keep an eye out. How exciting! No wonder Liam doesn't want to come home.

[Voice]

[espigeonage]

I don't suppose that's you down on the corner of fourth and maple?

[He's spotted Dopplarnold.]

[Voice]

[bythewaves]

Julien? [ Confusion ]

Noooo? I'm still at home. Why?

[espigeonage]

How very curious! There's a man down there sketching who looks exactly like you. I was going to ask how roadkilled paper cups fit with your oeuvre.

[bythewaves]

[ .............................! ]

A... wow? Roadkill paper cups? [ INDIGNANCE ] How... how gauche! How pedestrian! [ Because that's totally the most concerning thing about that statement ]

I'll not have it! He'll ruin my name!

[voice]

[ruleorserve]

It is, yes. Although I can certainly understand the confusion.

And it is nice to see a few older Numbered around as well.

[voice]

[bythewaves]

Oh! Hello sir, and yes, I was told of the strange skewing of the population of numbered towards the younger set! A strange thing indeed. Are you of the older subset yourself?

[voice]

[ruleorserve]

I am. Ah... give me a moment here.

[There's a pause and then the connection switches over to video, revealing a gentleman who looks to be about Arnold's age, and is start to go a little gray around the temples.]

Emil Keller. It's a pleasure to meet you.

video

[bythewaves]

A pleasure, Mr Keller. [ Arnold grins back. He's a little grey as well, but with his enthusiasm for life he comes across much younger (also the grey is easier to hide with his preference for long messy hair) ]

At least there are some adults who can be responsible on this thing! Although I am sure my son would groan loudly at that.

Video

[vaimo]

[Ah, so this is Liam's dad? He seems nice, Åsa's glad he's come to be close to Liam. She's normally a little weary about going on video or voice to someone new because of her Swedish accent, but less so of late, and besides, he's not exactly a stranger.]

Um. I'm not an artist, but I just wanted to say. Siiri said you helped her with the rings, so thank you. [And sure enough on her finger she has the white gold ring that Siiri picked out and Arnold paid for. Not that she knows that last bit of information yet.] I'm Åsa, by the way! And I'm glad that you're here for Liam! He really wanted to see you when he was sick. [Whoops, maybe Liam wouldn't want her to say that, but she tends to babble a bit when she's flustered.]

Video

[bythewaves]

[ Oooooh So this is Siiri's special someone! How cute! ]

You'd be Åsa? Sorry if my pronounciation is off. Nice to finally meet you! I was glad to help out Siiri in return.

Haha, did he really say that? He doesn't normally admit to wanting us.

Video

[vaimo]

[Åsa chuckles.] It's not too bad! I've heard all sorts since I moved here! It's Åsa. [She tells him, slowing down so he can hear.]

I think he was really scared! He's better now, right?

Video

[bythewaves]

Åsa [ He repeats slowly, trying not to mangle it in his accent ]

He was, yeah. I guess it's a pretty terrifying thing, yeah? Thinking you might have a dangerous or fatal disease! But yeah, he's loads better now. Thank you very much for keeping an eye on him!