{005} Network Video + Log

[lovesickkiller]

[Misa is obviously freaking out a little. He eyes are wide, she's breathing fast, and she is newly blonde since she last appeared on the network. But her latest echoed change isn't anything that's visible.]

The lights over Tokyo— something is happening, I'm going home. If anyone is coming and needs a place to stay, my apartment is open to you. It's not very big, but I'll make room for anyone who needs it. Bring a sleeping bag or air mattress if you can. Private message me for the address, and if you have a doppelganger either do it in person or by phone. I don't want any uninvited guests showing up.

[[ooc: feel free to handwave Misa giving your character this information, as long as they are not a doppelganger and we have some previous CR.]]

-----
Who: Misa and ALL THE PEOPLE
What: Crash at Misa's one-bedroom apartment during insanity in Tokyo. SLUMBER PARTY. There will be separate header threads for different weeks, plop your person anywhere.
When: April 10-28
Where: Tokyo, Misa's place

Comments

LOG: April 17-23

[lovesickkiller]

OTA

[evowhisperer]

The apartment is a tiny one, but there is a table, and it is empty enough for him to use in brief stints. He might have a laptop open with maps displayed one time. Or he might have a camera plugged into it, showing photos of destruction and glimpses of scales. He won't be in the apartment for more than a few visits across two or three days, but when he is there, he's either sleeping, eating, or working. (Jetlag and his own brand of workaholism is not kind.)

Any time someone walks into the room he'll stop and look. Is this someone he knows? One way or another they're getting at least a slight grin, and the salute-like sign that is 'Hello'.

[dead_black_eyes]

Lazarus is trying to take the opportunity to rest up; he's been in and out of Misa's apartment between meetings and attempts at diplomacy, which are touch and go for him; ultimately, though he's knowledgeable and can be very convincing when he gets going, he's not a very reassuring presence in other ways, and he's not been sleeping nearly as much as he should.

He's coming in now looking dog-tired, but he's wearing a suit instead of his typical post-apocalyptic grunge aesthetic. He rakes a hand back through hair that's still shaggy but uncharacteristically combed, and catches sight of Cesar's gesture.

"Hey. I didn't know you'd arrived... you seem to be in good spirits."

[evowhisperer]

Cesar's smile stays, and he turns in his seat to face him more properly. He hasn't been a part of the diplomacy teams for a number of reasons, but that doesn't mean he isn't glad someone is trying. What will happen if they don't succeed? That's what they're all here to prevent, he hopes.

{I got a lot of very clear pictures. I'm no biologist, but I can tell already that the Kappa has very interesting anatomy. Hopefully these will be a clue as to how it was made.}

He gestures briefly at his laptop, before looking back to him. Lazarus is wearing a suit. Cesar's eyes travel to the hair that's so recently been combed back, and the pressed cloth that softens the harsher edges of his frame: none of it works miracles, but it is flattering.

He's a little ashamed to realize that he's surprised. Had he not thought that L could actually present himself well, before? Well he's been proven wrong now. They're all trying to put their best foot forward, starting with the obvious.

{You look good.}

[dead_black_eyes]

It's mostly aftermath, now, but there are still reasons to be present, still reasons to cut a sharper image in black pinstripes and a cool-toned azure necktie. Lazarus' fingers are already loosening it when Cesar answers his question by revealing some of what he's been working on, himself, following the gesture and looking at the laptop as he slips the loop over his head.

He seems surprised by the compliment, even self-conscious. His hand goes to the back of his head, where he scratches as though embarrassment is an itch than can be remedied the typical way.

"Misa helped out with it. She knows a lot about clothing and made sure that Nathan and I looked alright before we went to talk to parliament, and I've had chances to wear it since. People really do treat you differently."

[evowhisperer]

People would treat Lazarus differently. Cesar nods, not inclined to elaborate: how could he explain to L the impression that he usually gave without it being hurtful? The hungry, rail-thin frame, those lizard-like eyes, the clothes that contrasted to show how little sun he really saw... It's a far cry from Cesar's height of rebellion, which involved sweatpants and flip flops with socks.

{She made good choices,} he says simply.

Lazarus tugs the loop over his head, and Cesar follows it, before smiling self-deprecatingly. He sure just caught himself wishing he'd been the one to take that off of him, hadn't he?

What the hell, it's not like there's anyone else here. He steps closer, holding a hand forward for the tie.

[dead_black_eyes]

Whether or not L is aware of how he tends to come off, Cesar's probably wise not to go on about it. When he confirms that Misa did well, the glimmer of a smile lights up his face, and he hands over the tie.

"I know you're busy, but... we're alone right now, aren't we? I'm going to change, and if you wanted to come lie down with me I wouldn't complain."

[evowhisperer]

Cesar considers it, tilts his head, nods, and smiles. Jet-lag is a miserable thing, and it's not unusual at all to walk in and find people napping in the main room at any time of day.

Not that Cesar thinks L hopes to simply leave it at sleeping, but this isn't L's doppelganger. It's unlikely that they're going to get carried away in a place as new as this, and Cesar wouldn't mind something in this brief window of calm.

He unties the tie as he steps back again, coiling neatly it around one hand.

[solvethepuzzle]

He hadn't intended on staying particularly long, but Nathan still finds himself here after several days. He'd burnt out his very limited diplomatic skills at the first meeting. That he'd even managed to go to that had been an achievement. He can't talk to those people anymore. It's too stressful.

He's ill-equipped to help with the clean-up and rebuilding efforts and yet he's still been out a few times. Just to . . . pick a few things up. Part of him feels a little guilty for it, considering the situation. But he just feels like he needs these particular things now.

Cesar's arrival happens to coincide with one of the periods he'd been out, so when Nathan returns to the apartment, a backpack slung over his shoulder, he isn't particularly expecting to see anyone who hadn't already been staying there. He closes the door quietly behind him -- and freezes when he sees Cesar working at the table.

The smile doesn't encourage him. The double had smiled, too, before he'd taken him. No. No, this is different. Stop that.

"... Hello."

He doesn't step any further into the apartment.

[evowhisperer]

It's a young man he doesn't recognize. His sudden pause has Cesar reaching for his tablet, and even though it was at least somewhat expected the accent is a relief: all he has by way of translation is whatever he can scrounge up on google. This isn't something he wants to rely on, for obvious reasons.

Typing. He zooms in until the text fills the screen, and Cesar rises to his feet, turning it around. The apartment is too small to have anything very far from the door, but Nathan is still far enough that it might be difficult to read, and Cesar's going to fix this.

The screen will read, 'Hello! My name is Cesar. I am a friend of Misa's from the Network.'

[solvethepuzzle]

He fights the urge to back up; there isn't any room for that anyway. It's different, it's different, it's different. Stop that.

This isn't the first time he's seen Cesar's face since the kidnapping. But that had been the network. That had been distant. Safe. Now they're alone in the same room. This isn't the double; he knows that. Logically, he should be perfectly secure. He isn't.

Nothing about his expression changes. And his voice comes out flat. "I know who you are, Cesar."

No elaboration, no introduction. He probably should have done at least one of those.

[evowhisperer]

Cesar isn't like Lazarus: Near's expression hasn't changed, but there's something distinctly unwelcoming about the way he keeps his distance, and Cesar doesn't approach more than a couple of steps. The whole situation has shifted into something confusing, and he's wracking his mind to figure out where this kid knows him from. The network? Obviously yes, but when...?

Typing. 'Do I know you?'

Even as he shows the message, he's starting to put pieces together. If he doesn't know the kid, but this kid knows him... More typing. 'Could you have met someone else who looks like me?'

It occurs to him that if this were a conversation with anyone else, it would sound not just ridiculous but condescending. Well, there's nothing for it now. The Numbered all understand what this would be a reference to, right?

[solvethepuzzle]

That Cesar is keeping is distance is helpful. Not enough to get Nathan to relax, but it is, in its own way, appreciated.

"We've spoken, but you have not seen me." Still no movement, still no change in his expression. He's not even blinking. Just that intent, relentless stare. "I assume that you've been apprised of certain recent events. In which case, telling you that I am Nathan should be enough."

Enough, certainly, to explain why Nathan shows a marked preference to keep his distance. Even if it is not entirely fair.

[evowhisperer]

Shit. It's more than enough. Cesar's mental image of his copy kidnapping a young man, capable but at a temporary disadvantage, is shattered. Nathan looks like a strong breeze from the open door could knock him over, and there's something fragile about him that Cesar can read at a glance. This guy--this kid--was vulnerable. The perfect victim.

His copy took advantage of this.

Cesar looks back at the table, then down at his tablet. He types, no longer looking tempted to inch closer.

'That is enough. Would be more comfortable if I left?'

OTA

[solvethepuzzle]

He's wound up staying longer than he'd intended. Truthfully, he does not particularly have to be here anymore. He isn't involved in any additional talks with the government; the first meeting had turned out to be all he had it in him to do. Too much stress, too much anxiety for him to manage more. At least there are others who can handle such things. He'd done as much as he'd felt able.

So while he periodically goes out, Nathan spends much of his time at the apartment. One might expect him to be tapping away at a computer, or at least reading a book. But no. He's sitting at a table, or possibly even on the floor . . . playing with robot action figures, apparently. The action does not appear to be bringing him any particular joy -- his expression is placid as ever -- but he's doing it anyway.

[oncedevil]

Tony had stuck around to continue to help with clean up efforts, hindered somewhat by the language barrier he was still quite useful in removing rubble and clearing roads for the professionals to get through. But that was exhausting work, so it was nice of Misa to offer her place for a brief rest and refill before heading back out.

On one such return he was beelining for the kitchen (Tony lives off his stomach you know) when he realizes he's just stepped over Nathan laying on the floor. He pauses, the fact taking a few moments to long to sink in before he turns around to make absolutely certain that what happened had indeed just happened.

Yep, sure enough, that's Nathan on the floor. Playing with robots. Okay..? "Uh, you alright there? I almost stepped on you."

[solvethepuzzle]

It's good that there are those of them strong enough to help. Nathan burns himself out after a single diplomatic meeting. Which, to be fair, such a meeting is impressive for him to have participated in at all, the quiet and nervous creature that he is.

But he's out of that awful suit, doesn't have to worry about keeping his hair neatly combed, and Misa has been generous enough to return the toys. He can relax, as much as someone like him is capable.

He notes the shadow passing over him, but pays it no mind until Tony speaks. Not even bothering to look up, he lands the robot he'd been passing through the air. "I am fine. It's alright."

[oncedevil]

To be fair, Tony sure as hell wouldn't have been able to stand up in front of all of those people. Even if the language barrier wasn't an issue, he'd have frozen up, probably made some really embarrassing squeaking noises, and fled.

Digging through rubble is easy compared to that.

Tony watches, mildly bemused but lacking in any sort of judgement. Mostly confusion, and slight concern, because he knows Nathan's been through a lot lately and Tony's genuinely hoping this isn't some kind of mental breakdown. "Never seen the robots before, that new?"

[solvethepuzzle]

Oh, Nathan had so very badly wanted to do something like that. Though his version would have been clamming up entirely and shuffling out as soundlessly as possible.

"Yes, I've just picked them up recently." Said in that usual monotone, no sign at all that this is unusual. As far as Nathan is concerned, it isn't. While he's perfectly aware that he hasn't been behaving this way until recently, he doesn't think to question it. Playing with the toys feels natural and calming. Really, he should have brought the ones from home, but he hadn't been thinking of it at the time.

He picks up the other robot; it's this one's turn to fly.

[oncedevil]

He did good though, he made it through at least. Whether or not the government was convinced has yet to be seen, but for now the Kappa is safe. That's at least a small victory.

"You sure you're feeling okay?" He's still monotone, but then he's always monotone, so it's impossible to say if he's clammed up over stress, or if this is just the normal Nathan monotone. Mission to food temporarily forgotten, Tony decides to settle on the floor beside Nathan to watch him play. Why not, he's not doing anything right now anyway.

"These your favorite, then, the robots?"

[lovesickkiller]

Misa has some concerns about Nathan's recent obsession with these toys, as he probably realized when she took it upon herself to confiscate them prior to his day in parliament. As a young teen he's a little old for this, and as a young teen posing as an older teen it is most definitely too childish. It seems like he's regressing in age under the various pressures that have been thrust upon him, and Misa is starting to wonder if she shouldn't be setting him up with a psychiatrist.

"Hey, Nathan," she says in as gentle and casual a tone as she can muster. "What are you up to?"

[solvethepuzzle]

He is aware of her concerns on some level, and he could hardly refute the point that having the toys with him while speaking to the government would be unprofessional and bias the parliament against what he'd had to say. He understands, and had willingly given them up for that day.

But now they're here. He does not see why he shouldn't play with them in the privacy of the apartment. What does it hurt?

He at least grants her the courtesy of a glance when she speaks, though his attention goes back to the robot he's moving through the air. "I believe what I am doing is rather clear."

Isn't it? He's playing with robots; it's hardly difficult to tell.

[lovesickkiller]

Misa's smile immediately drops. Smart ass. He is awfully confident for a weirdo playing with children's toys.

"Hitting your mid-life crisis early?" she guesses haughtily.

[solvethepuzzle]

If he were looking at her, he would be concerned by the way her smile drops. He isn't trying to be difficult or antagonistic. It's just . . . what he's doing is obvious. He does not see why it's necessary to explain it.

"As long as I engage in them privately, I do not see the reason in being overly concerned about my recent interests."

The robot whooshes through the air in the opposite direction.

[lovesickkiller]

"It's weird... don't you think it's odd to suddenly like playing with kids toys so much?" she asks, trying to gauge exactly how much of the socially unacceptable nature of what he's doing she is going to have to explain.