Entry #B-3: "Beg" [Audio, Backdated to the 14th]

[dead_black_eyes]

Regrettably, I'm late to this mess, but where my own double is concerned, it's my hope that I can be of some assistance regarding notable differences in manner and bearing we possess.

I have not personally met or viewed him, but it's my understanding that he dresses like a tourist, eats a lot of bacon, and hangs around Neuschwanstein propositioning passerby indiscriminately.

I really hope I don't need to explain why this makes him, obviously, very unlike me. If there's still some confusion for any reason, he's probably not been recently bashed in the head, so use evidence of that to check for the genuine article.

I am the real Lazarus Lawliet. Not every double is as cartoonishly opposite to the original as mine, so I've taken measures to protect myself for the time being. If you need to meet with me, we can probably work out a way for you to prove that you're not going to try to murder me. If that is your intention, stay the hell away.

Comments

[Audio]

[radiantchicken]

I encountered yours. He is...quite peculiar. Quite fixated on mating.

[Torin is still baffled by that encounter. If he lives millions of years again, he will still be baffled by it even then.]

I'm just glad the reverse did not happen--my own double seems to think that there is nothing wrong with recreational murder. I was afraid he'd done something when you went missing.

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

[Lazarus is glad that he's not broadcasting on video. His cheeks are tinged with red; he has a feeling that everyone he respects, whose respect he wishes for in return, has probably bumped into this phantom, bizzaro-world version of him.

Hopefully, it won't affect the way they view the real thing long-term.]

Yes, I... heard. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

It was Tony's double that bumped me off, but... yours is really that dangerous? Are you going to try to do something about it?

[If anyone can stop a murderous Torin, it's Torin, right?]

[Audio]

[radiantchicken]

I suppose it was some sort of karmic retribution for that time I accidentally made an angry customer fall in love with Tony...

[Torin doesn't sound too traumatized by the experience.]

Mine is very much that dangerous.

And he's smart enough to pretend to be unconscious, thus allowing himself a chance to escape. I won't make the same mistake twice.

[Torin sounds grim.]

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

I don't believe in karma.

[The words are slightly scolding; L recognizes that he's perceiving Torin's attempt to make him feel better as something uncomfortably close to a victim self-blaming, even though he knows that Torin could likely turn any version of him into a grease spot if he cared to.

He's even more sure when he hears further details about just what kind of double Torin has been lucky enough to get shackled with.]

So you had him, but he escaped... has he hurt anyone to your knowledge, yet? Or is he just capable and willing?

[Audio]

[radiantchicken]

[As long as L's not blaming himself for his double's actions, that's what Torin's worried about...even if he's already blaming himself for his own double's misdeeds.]

He has tried. But he's also made the mistake of trying to hurt Numbered who can take care of themselves.

[He sighs heavily.]

If he has hurt anyone else, I do not know about it.

Voice

[solvethepuzzle]

[He might sound just a little bit relieved.] There you are. Are you all right, relatively speaking?

Voice

[dead_black_eyes]

[Lazarus picks up on that note of relief. He's touched... but now he's also worried. What the hell did that idiot freak do to his protege?]

I was attacked and subsequently delayed, but relatively speaking, I'm all right. Thank you.

What about you? Can you tell me anything about the other doubles that are running around?

Voice

[solvethepuzzle]

[The double was out there and he couldn't find you. That freaks him out enough without factoring in . . . well, the other thing.]

I don't know that it's wise to discuss them over the network.

Voice

[dead_black_eyes]

I know. And I understand.

I feel that you're the real Nathan; it's what my intuition is telling me and I want to accept it. Is there anything you can offer to convince me beyond a doubt that it is you?

[He hates doing this, but he also hated being locked immobile in a closet for two days after Tony's doppelganger took him out.]

Voice

[solvethepuzzle]

From what I hear, my double is quite noticeably different himself. [He hasn't heard anything about him having any potential for violence, at least. But he can understand the caution and respect it, even if it's somewhat saddening.

[He thinks a moment, decides to use something from before the Network. The doubles are, he would assume, more likely to have clear memory of recent events than ones long ago. Enough detail, he hopes, for proof while not giving enough sensitive information where others can see it.] We met at my school eight years ago; I asked you for a chess game after your presentation. I opened with the English, you with Reverse Sicilian. You won, but we were interrupted before we could shake hands.

[Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

Was he why you seemed to vanish for a couple of days? He was quite unpleasant to deal with.

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

He very likely had something to do with it. My understanding is that his motives are less than pure.

Are you all right? I hope that he was merely unpleasant and didn't try to hurt you in any way.

Re: [Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

I'm fine, I think even he knows what I'm capable of...

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

I believe he must have a great deal of my memories. He must, for some of his thoughts and behaviors to make any sense at all.

[Audio]

[scarlet_devil]

What do you intend on doing with him?

[Audio] - it goes without saying this is the doppel XD

[oncedevil]

Quite the theatrics.

If I had intended to murder you, you would be dead. Don't think so highly of yourself.

[Audio] !

[dead_black_eyes]

[No, that really sounds nothing like Tony, despite having what L can only describe as the precise cadence and timbre of his voice. It's uncanny, and horribly unnerving on top of that.]

I'm not trying to suggest anything or offer unsolicited advice, but maybe you should have. You're mistaken if you think I'll let this stand.

[Audio] ho ho ho~

[oncedevil]

[It's interesting to note how Tony's unique monotone drawl can sound downright cold in the right circumstances. While it's probably something Tony could pull off if he really put his mind to it, it's definitely not within his character to do so.]

And what, pray tell, do you plan to do about it? Will you summon your bodyguards to strike me down?

Or maybe the sacrificial lamb?

[On a face best described as devoid of emotion, the slight sneer he puts on is positively menacing.]

[Audio] :|

[dead_black_eyes]

[It is interesting to note, and L can say with full confidence that he's taken an instant and strong dislike to it.

He's poking at something he probably shouldn't be, but Lazarus doesn't feel that he has any reason whatsoever to be polite to the guy who took what was possibly the cheapest shot known to man and then locked him in a broom closet. What if he hadn't gotten that finger free? He hadn't had any water in there. He could have expired the way Cesar found him, and he finds the thought sickening.

In short, fuck this guy. He can't see that sneer, but he can hear it well enough.]

I thought maybe a scarecrow in a wheelchair would be enough to draw you out. That should be easy enough for you to knock over, shouldn't it? I could remove the legs, just to be sure it's an agreeable target.

[Audio] You should know better than to feed the trolls, L

[oncedevil]

[Probably, but at the same time the doppel doesn't regard L as honestly worth his time. He's a little bored, and a little busy, but perhaps he may divulge a little more information than he'd like if poked at the right way.

Or at least a laugh.

You see, the thing is, he remembers everything. Quite clearly, but from his perspective L has done some terrible things. Tony might not have taken offense, might have understood, but this one has no such reason to.]

Ooh, ouch. [Could a tone be any more mocking?] Such a weak and defenseless scarecrow at that. I have no interest in you, or your martyring. You were simply a means to an end.

[bythewaves]

I have found mine. [ Arnold waves wryly ]

Fortunately, it seems his main crime is to be, in my opinion, a terrible artist with no sense of taste. Also I believe someone needs to put him on antidepressants quick stat. [ since his reaction to having a snowball dumped on his head was to stare mournfully and burst into tears ]

But at the least he is otherwise benign. Is there... a way to... um. That is, does anyone know where they come from or... what we're supposed to do about them? Or... something...

[dead_black_eyes]

Have you? At least you're OK.

You are OK, yes?

[He belatedly realizes that was kind of a shitty assumption to just make.]

I guess it's natural that they'd have the sensibilities and tendencies that their originals would find the most annoying or shocking, so... hopefully he won't damage your reputation. As for dealing with them... hell, I'm still trying to figure out what they are. Until that's perfectly clear I don't know the ethics around this situation in the least.

[bythewaves]

Oh yes, I am fine! [ Arnold grins wryly ]

As I said, he's a miserable ball of tears, but he's fairly benign. I put him up in the spare room. So long as he doesn't publish the terrible cliche things he calls art, I don't mind much.

[dead_black_eyes]

Wait, you're "putting him up?" You aren't afraid he'll take advantage of the situation?

[bythewaves]

Nah. [ Arnold waves dismissively ]

We're kinda the same person, right? Just a bit different. And he's so miserable I'm terrified he'll do something dumb like walk in front of a car if I don't keep an eye on him.