[Audio network post] Backdated to December 25, Mid-morning

[scarsolderthanyou]

Merry Christmas, everybody.

[He's American. He can still say "merry" even though he knows perfectly well the local saying is "happy". He just doesn't care.]

In case you're wondering, the coal stocking things smell like that bastard from the bomb site, who was fooling around with it, a few months back. I'd remember that smell anywhere.

While I'm here, is everyone okay, with this power thing? Nobody's stranded anywhere without a fireplace or friends for body heat?

Comments

[Audio, unless Stone's is Video?]

[iamnotgod]

[And immediately Walter's mood goes from 'cautious, but better than when the power had gone out' to 'very alarmed.']

Oh, no. Not him again!

[He grinds his teeth, then makes himself breathe.]

Russell and I are doing all right, though.

[Not in the least because the power came back on for Mossgate at midnight that morning.]

[Audio] I should make that clear in the original post :P

[scarsolderthanyou]

Sorry to tell you this, but I'm pretty sure he's going to be showing up again. He's involved in all this, somehow.

[He doesn't sound that sorry. He's just annoyed by the whole thing, to be honest.]

Did the investigators interview you, too?

Re: [Audio] I should make that clear in the original post :P

[iamnotgod]

[Walter sighs. Loudly and in aggravation.]

Yes, they did-

[He briefly debates mentioning Russell, who had encountered the stranger while with someone, but caution in case someone who has a Number and hasn't spoken up is listening goes a long way.]

They dug in a lot on how I described him. Expressions, any hint of an accent. Similar with you?

[Audio forevs]

[scarsolderthanyou]

They seemed to think he was acting unnaturally. Like he'd been coached somehow on what to say, or was uncomfortable with what he was saying or how he was acting. It was a little weird, honestly.

Re: [Audio forevs]

[iamnotgod]

He could just have some sort of disability, if they wanted to focus on him seeming 'odd'.

[Goodness knows this wouldn't be the first time someone with a disorder has been considered 'acting unnaturally'...]

Not that it's an excuse for anything he's done, obviously.

[scarsolderthanyou]

Obviously. I think they were hoping it was some sort of lead. I didn't think "man acts uncomfortable at a bomb site" really counted as a lead, but I don't have all the information they have.

It might be suspicious, itself, that they have information about this that we don't.

[iamnotgod]

Benjiro couldn't find much about our investigators, either.

[Well, the superintendent Khan specifically, but that didn't mean it didn't apply to the others she'd brought with her.]

None of us work for the British government, last I checked - or at least aren't in investigations.

[scarsolderthanyou]

I'm not even technically British, though I'm a citizen by marriage even with Amy long gone. I guess maybe somebody should try and find out more. Maybe a retiree volunteer might not be turned away.

[He wonders what kind of scents he could pick up if he hung around the government buildings, anyway.]

[iamnotgod]

[And that thought piques his interest.]

It doesn't sound the sort of thing they'd advertise on their website, if how they were acting around the Green was any indication. Worth a look, perhaps.

[scarsolderthanyou]

Well, I wouldn't go walking in and ask to help with secret investigations. But you never know what you can pick up just hanging around, doing odd volunteer jobs.

[Might at the very least give him something to do besides babysit and read and scroll the network.]

[iamnotgod]

Not for certain, no.

The trick is putting yourself out there - and not being taken by surprise by whoever happens to be looking.

[scarsolderthanyou]

I'm an expert at not looking surprised. My poker face is very good.

[He sounds like he might be grinning.]

[iamnotgod]

[Walter snorts, but he doesn't have much to say to that except:]

I have no reason to doubt you on that.