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

Action

[solvethepuzzle]

[There isn't a lot to feel better about, in his estimation. If the strong get stronger, and the doubles copy that as well . . . There are already some that have expressed a want for destruction and retribution upon those who have admittedly treated the Numbered in shabby ways. Those are the ones that Nathan worries the most about.

[He keeps toying with the scarf, casts his eyes down. He can certainly guess what the obvious and simple solution is. It should come as no surprise that he does not like it.] I would very much prefer it not come to that solution. We need to find other ways.

[He would like to have this resolved with as little violence as possible. Naive? He wonders perhaps if it is. But he has his aversions whether they're practical or not. And the unspoken prospect alone is enough to make him feel vaguely ill.]

Action

[dead_black_eyes]

[Lazarus is not as forgiving and benevolent as he often wishes he was. He wants to be a friend to children, someone to be recognized as a gentle and safe influence; he's wanted that ever since meeting Nathan, actually. Unfortunately, his edges are sharp in places that are difficult to avoid, and he has an underlying vicious streak that seems to get hungrier if he suppresses it. Just because he's good at suppression by now doesn't mean he can't feel the strain.]

You're right. I suppose I could get another tattoo... something intricate enough that copying it would be difficult, but I realize not everyone would be willing to go that far.

Action

[solvethepuzzle]

[In Nathan's case, it's less being forgiving than it is his instinctive fear of violence, even used against those who may arguably deserve it. And some of these doubles . . . they're harmless. Or frightened, like Emilia's. His own, from what little he's learned, is little more than obnoxious and reckless. Disagreeable Nathan might find him, but surely he doesn't deserve anything so drastic as that.

[He just nods. He should probably do something himself, but his foremost concern . . .] I admit I'm . . . concerned about the powerful ones. [How are they supposed to be contained? Conventional means wouldn't stop them. He so badly does not want to entertain the obvious solution.]

Action

[dead_black_eyes]

[L has yet to fully experiences the complete range of nuances presence in these doppelgangers. To him, they are all of them a threat, impeding truth an integrity.]

Which would those be? The ones you're primarily concerned about? It's my understanding that Torin's is a force to be reckoned with, and... obviously, Tony's is, as well.

Action

[solvethepuzzle]

Mm. [Tony's double is certainly to be avoided, although Nathan also isn't eager to see the real one at this point, either. Not since their argument the other day; he's still cooling off from that. Sometime later, Nathan will feel guilty for that fight and seek to make amends. But he isn't there yet.]

Lily's, and quite possibly those of the other Cures. Lily's double was the first to appear on the the network, speaking of essentially "paying back" the treatment the Numbered have received. [He certainly should not have to elaborate on why that concerns him, with how the known Numbered are treated.]

Action

[dead_black_eyes]

[L catches what looks like a small trace of discomfort at the mention of Tony; is he imagining it? Is Nathan really that troubled by the sizable bruise on his head, left by the young man's doppelganger? He cants his head, but says nothing to pursue it.]

Noted. That's really unfortunate, and very unlike Lily. That's the theme I'm picking up on... no one's doppelganger is really like them, and if the majority of us are committed to not causing trouble, I suppose the logical inference would be that the majority of them are committed to the precise opposite.

Action

[solvethepuzzle]

[It's just as well that Lazarus doesn't ask; it isn't an issue that Nathan is up for discussing right now.]

Yes, there are drastic differences in the attitudes of all of them, whether or not those differences are readily apparent like they are with yours, or hers -- or mine, evidently. I haven't personally encountered mine, but from speaking with others, it seems he's . . . rather talkative and wild.

[He has difficulty imagining it. Someone with his face acting in such a way, doing things he would never even consider doing. But it's happening; there's evidence enough that he can't deny it.]