savetheearth | 04 | text + action

Entry tags:

04 | text + action

Who: Stefan Alesci, you, and a whole lot of doppelgangers!
What: Stefan intends to bring his doppelganger (and Xander's) back to Locke. There may or may not be the smashing of a swan statue involved.
When: March 25th
Where: Locke City + the Castle in Neuschwanstein

I haven't heard from my doppelganger in three weeks. Or Xander's, for that matter. From what I can tell, that's not normal - especially since he hasn't tried to quit my job. Again. Since they're from the castle, I figured I'd pay the area a visit and see what's going on.

If anyone wants to come, I'll be by the teleporter in Locke around [hour]. I can wait for late-comers too - just let me know so I don't leave without you.

[action / prose]
After waiting for people to arrive, Stefan leads the way to the castle. He hasn't exactly been before (nor did he have any desire to visit), but he acquired directions easily enough. The castle's smaller than he expected. Then again, he wasn't sure what he expected. He'd certainly heard of the castle before - it was the inspiration for the castle in one of his sister's favorite movies!

Finding Xander's doppelganger is easy enough: the guy's sitting in the center of the room, right beside a small swan statue that doesn't feel out of the ordinary. Stefan's throat tightens as he stares at Doppel-Xander. Logically, this is a different person. A different person, albeit, who helped him take the original Xander to the hospital the night Xander lost his Echoes.

There's gratitude Stefan wants to express (because that was one of the most painful nights of his life), and yet... he can't find the strength to express it either. Instead, he kneels down and tries to shake Xander's shoulders.

The guy doesn't budge an inch. Strange. Stefan would've guessed that his mere presence would've been enough to bring the doppelganger back to reality. He frowns, standing up and glancing back towards the statue. (What was so special about that thing, anyways?)

"Well, this's going well."

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[ It's Arnold but not actually Arnold! He's way too miserable looking for that, hands wringing in worry ]

Stefan? Um. I'm not... I'm not Arnold but... but, if you're going into the Castle. Um. I ... I need to go back there again. I... know my way around? I don't like it there but I get... I can't stay here either. And ... I don't ... Arnold and I, we worry.

[Don't worry, Stefan would've never mistaken Benedict for his not!uncle. The differences are literally night and day here - but it figures that they'd share the same worry.

Stefan can't help sighing.] I can take care of myself. I promise. If you want to come because you need to go, though, that's a different matter.

Well. I... I do, kinda... I don't like it there but I can't stay here, either. It keeps... I dunno. It's like a constant itch. It only goes away there. But most of the other dopples are mean. I don't... it might not be safe if you go alone.

You feel like you've gotta go back there? [Did his doppelganger feel that urge? It'd explain the radio silence.] Um, if that's the case...

I guess I can't say no.

Yes. [ Benedict rubs his arms and nods ]

We... all seem to be? It's like... we can't be comfortable if we aren't there.

[ A relieved smile ]

Alright. When were you going?

In like half an hour? If that's too soon, I can wait.

[He's relieved too, even though he's struggling not to show it. The effort's probably failing.] I don't... exactly plan on staying there long.

No, that's fine! [ Benedict smiles, relieved ] I'll tell Arnold, or he'll worry. But I'll be there waiting.

He doesn't need to worry... [Still, it makes him feel loved.] But yeah, sounds good. I'll see you then.

But he does, and me too. You're... our... nephew, almost. So. Yeah.

I'll see you soon.

[ And he'll be there waiting, fretting and wringing his hands and pacing ]

[Stefan rushes in, a bit frantic as he adjusts the strap on his messenger bag. He's not late, by any means, but he's come prepared with some "gifts" for his doppelganger and Doppel-Xander.]

Uncle Benedict? [He waves.] You ready to go?

[ To hear Stefan call him, the copy, 'Uncle', brings a huge beaming smile to Benedict's face, and he settles with that (he will kill for Stefan now, without any of Arnold's compunctions) ]

Hey Stefen. Yeah, whenever you're ready.

[Well, what else was he going to call Benedict? It's rude to not give him a title too.]

Got it. [He reaches for the symbol, going ahead and activating the transporter once everyone else's arrived. No matter how many times he's used this thing, it never ceases to make his stomach feel uneasy. Sure enough, when it lands them in the Lapland area, he lets go of a breath he didn't know he was holding.]

So... where to from here?

[ Well... he could just not call him anything, but Benedict is pleased anyway.

On the other side Benedict doesn't even have to think, his arm coming up and pointing, the call so very strong the closer he gets. ]

This way. [ He is visibly fighting not to simply take off and head straight for the swan. He's human, damn it. He's not some puppet that simply goes wherever ]

Be careful and keep quiet. Some of the others aren't... very nice, and they might be around.

[Stefan nods, following in the direction that Benedict indicated.]

"Might?" I thought a lot of them were in Locke or Vegas. [Headtilt, though he makes note of the warning.]

We... are all drawn back here. [ Benedict admits, shifting uneasily as he leads Stefan through the corridors, always heading down without ever missing a turn ] It's like... we have to come back. We can't stay away for long. It sucks.

Weird.

[It explains his doppelganger's disappearing act, though. If they're all drawn back here, maybe the guy took an extended vacation.] You... you're really strong, then, Uncle Benedict, if you can fight that off.

Not really. [ Benedict shrugs ] I... I just hate it here. I come back but I don't stay. Once... once the urge is satisfied, I leave. Arnold is... he's good at trying to keep me from thinking about it.

[Uncle Arnold? Really? Stefan involuntarily makes a face thinking about it, but he knows that's also a long-standing mental image he has.]

He would be, yeah. [More softly:] I just hope I can get mine back. It's not like him to disappear for three weeks without a word.

He... he's probably down by the statue. It... the pull comes from there. It... makes us feel... safe. Where we're meant to be.

The statue? [He's never been to the castle, forgive him.

It looks like they're almost there, anyhow - and it's bigger than Stefan expected. He takes a breath, glancing back to make sure they've got everyone that wanted to tag along.] Maybe. I wonder why you guys feel attached to that, over everything else in the world.

Yeah... in the basement? Dungeon? Right down at the bottom. There's a statue of a swan. It... it's comfortable to be there. Like... you're where you belong. Part of something bigger. But...I don't belong there. [ almost a plea in that voice ] I belong with Arnold, not down here.

Hm.

[His voice grows more somber:] Damn right you do. My doppelganger - and Xander's - belong at home too. [Stefan just hopes he can pry them away in time.] So let's go and take them back.

[ Benedict smiles at Stefen fondly ]

Alright. Come on then - this way. [ He picks up the pace, leading them unerringly to where the statue lies - he almost seems to get faster as he gets closer, eyes glazing a little as he steps into the room and simply... stops, like a homing pigeon coming in to roost ]

Stefan's had enough of his unresponsive doppelgangers (well, one unresponsive doppelganger). As Doppel-Stefan explained, "the idiot's been like this for weeks now."

Considering that Doppel-Xander won't leave the castle without his precious statue, Stefan wonders if maybe, he should just take the damn statue back to Locke with him. Rolling up his sleeves, he heads over to the statue, side-stepping Doppel-Xander and reaches out to grab it. If he couldn't take the doppelganger out of the castle, maybe he could take the statue as incentive.

"Don't touch it."

Aaron Strider, with his hair cut military-short, steps into the room with a military-issue machine gun held in his hands. Being Aaron's doppel, he doesn't actually give a damn what historical artifacts he destroys as long as he achieves his mission. This mission, in particular, is survival at all costs. That means protecting the statue.

He has the gun aimed at Stefan, but doesn't shoot. He just takes a slow step forward.

"Lay one finger on that statue and I'll fill you with lead."

Tony, who had wordlessly followed along with Stefan's little crew until now moved forward as well, drawing a sword. Also dressed in military attire, and tugging off the eye patch he'd been using to try to blend in.

It'd worked well enough, it seemed.

He broke from the group and moved to join Doppel-Aaron, sword pointed at Stefan as he moved.

"We will not allow you to damage the statue."

Tony (Doppelganger Tony?)'s efforts had worked a little too well. Stefan stares first at the stranger with the gun, then at the sword Tony's pointing in his direction.

Under normal circumstances, he would've listened. Violence was never the answer, and there surely had to be a diplomatic way to get them to listen.

"Really?" His tone's genuine, as he gestures towards his own doppelganger. "What if I didn't want to hurt it? Just take it somewhere else?"

"Unacceptable!" Aaron snaps. "We can't trust anyone with it but one of our own. Step away from it."

The doppelganger's gaze remains unwavering, ice-cold and intent. Almost like staring down a predator.

"As he said. You will not touch the swan. Step back."

Failure to comply is very likely to end in someone on the end of the sword, or Aaron's bullets.

"How come? It doesn't look any different from the other artifacts."

Talking clearly wasn't getting him anywhere. Stefan returns the doppelgangers' gaze, before taking a deep breath and stepping closer towards the swan. A smart person would've probably stopped there, but right now, complying didn't seem to be an option.

"Don't ask questions!" Aaron snarls, stepping closer, not lowering his gun for a moment. "All you need to do is comply."

"That is none of your concern," Tony's copy echoes, eyes narrowing. While Aaron steps forward, Tony keeps close to the statue, ready to act should Stefan make a lunge for it. "If you think we have qualms about cutting you down where you stand you'd be sorely mistaken, I'd leave if I were you."

"I'm not leaving without them! You want me to stop? Then get them to go home." Stefan points a thumb towards his own doppelganger (who is visibly struggling to hold back Doppel-Xander).

Talking doesn't seem like it'll get them home, so - like an idiot - Stefan steps towards the statue.

Operative Strider doesn't give a single damn about historical artifacts, so he doesn't bat an eyelash before he opens fire, sinking about a dozen bullets into the antique, historically important floor at Stefan's feet.

"Do you think I'm fucking around?" he roars.

"You want them? Take them," Surely Aaron's gunfire is enough to convince Stefan to step off and stop pressing the issue. Seeing a possible different route to the problem Tony instead moves over toward the other doppelgangers, sizes them up, and lightning fast lashes out aiming to knock doppel-Xander flat out.

He will be far more complacent while unconscious.

Stefan jumps, nearly turning into a blur as he clings to the historically important wall behind him. "N-no, sir!" He can't exactly outrun a bullet, and he knows it.

Doppel-Xander doesn't know what hit him; he slumps onto the ground into Doppel-Stefan's arms. Staring down at the unconscious man, Doppel-Stefan groans, the irritation evident in his voice as he says, "Stefanizo. Stop playing the goddamn hero."

"Does it mean you'll go home?" Stefan ventures to ask, his voice nearly cracking.

Doppel-Stefan rolls his eyes, picking up Doppel-Xander and cautiously heading towards the door. "Yes."

That answer settled, Stefan's gaze cautiously turns towards Aaron's doppelganger, as if to ask if he'd please politely put his gun away now.

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04 | text + action

video and then action eventually I guess!

sounds good!

/crawls back in here so very late I'm sorry

it's all good!

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actual smashing attempt!

I'm completely fine if doppel!Aaron is killed here!

Waugh the week was murder HERE I AM.

the latest to the party i started....

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