The Oracle said to find Russell immediately...

[guide_beregond]

[Continued from Beregond's visit to the Oracle]

So, then. The Oracle says that [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] may have answers for me. I don't understand, but an excuse to see Russell again is not a terrible thing.

I have asked about, and it seems he stays here now. *raps on the door*

Comments

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

Well, it's home for now, and I've got a great view of the park!

-shows Beregond the view from his window-

Agent Smith's Mom sent you? Funny, she sent him to see me too. He left not too long ago.

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

Smith was here? That's strange. I don't understand what she's doing.

Did Smith say anything important? Or anything at all that might help me understand what's going on?

*stares out the window, growing quiet, finally speaking again after a while in a subdued voice*

Something's very wrong and I don't know what to do.

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

-Russell looks concerned, and goes over to you, putting his hand on your shoulder-

Hey man, it'll be okay.

-tries to remember everything Smith said-

Okay, he's not big on emotions, but you knew that. But then he started talking about emotions software, and what year it was, and did I know anything about it, which I don't. Something about the clone and the software.

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

*nods, appreciating a sympathetic ear*

It's all gotten so confusing. He did load a program that would give emotions to the clone. There was a chance that the software might be faulty, but well... I thought I was willing to take that change to have at least a shadow of him.

But the clone is dead now... and Smith is ill. He caught a virus when he was searching for the emotions software.

*looks at you and sees as much confusion on your face as their is on my own*

It's all gone wrong. I should have never let him tamper with this. It was a stupid, selfish dream.

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[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

Hey, man, don't be so hard on yourself!

-sits Beregond down on the window seat, and gets him a beer-

And Smith didn't look ill when he was here, just pissed off! Or is he like that all the time?

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

Thank you - a drink sounds wonderful right now. *takes the beer, drinks half the can in three swallows*

He does tend to look stern and gruff most of the time. I've known him to laugh on occasion, but it's rare. But today, he was not himself. I know it was the effect of the virus, but he did smile, and acted very emotionally. He... well, we... um. Russell, he insisted on having me. And would not relent. I should have been happy, but I'm not. I don't want him like this.

Wait - he was here today too? He was with me, until not long ago. That's strange.

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

-Russell leaves the six-pack in the window ledge between them-

Yeah, he laughed while he was here. Scary!! But he wasn't emotional at all, in fact he totally disagreed with my theories on his emotions. And he didn't smile once.

-is very concerned for his friend, and puts a reassuring hand on his leg-

Are you okay, Beregond? He didn't hurt you, did he?

-Russell thinks back to Smith's visit-

Are you sure we're talking about the same guy? He only left here about an hour ago, and he was here for quite a while. What about these duplicates you told me about? Could one of him have been ... one of them?

-Russell takes a deep drink, and wonders if there is anything stronger left in his backpack-

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

No, no, don't worry. I'm not hurt. I'm no stranger to such encounters, if the truth be told. I'm concerned about Smith, and feeling like kicking myself for letting this all happen. As if human relationships aren't complicated enough, eh?

*With a laugh, I set my hand on top of yours and grip it, thankful for your honest concen and friendship right now, then reach for another beer*

He laughed, but never smiled. Argued with you about theory. It sounds exactly like Smith. The Smith I knew before this virus took him. But... how could he act one way with you, and another with me? Sweet Elberth, Russell. The duplicates. But I saw the clone dead! Wait. I saw *a* clone dead. One looks like the next. And they all look like Smith.

I think I need another beer. Or some of that special smoke you sometimes have.

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

Beregond, if they all look alike, how can you tell one from another? How do you know that the one you were with, or the one you saw dead was was Smith or the clone? Or another clone?

-Russell's head is starting to hurt-

Help yourself!

-pushes another beer towards you, and rummages round in his jacket for a joint-

Er, Beregond, he left me this.

-holds up the device that Smith left him-

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

I'm beginning to doubt everything about Smith's identity. I'm not sure how I can tell them all apart anymore. Next time I fall in love, it will be with a nice, unique human, that much is for certain.

*looks at the device, puzzled*

What is it? Are you sure it's not a trick? What if it explodes?

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

Maybe if they all wore a different colour shirt ...

And you can't pick who you fall in love with, Beregond, it usually just happens!

-Russell examines the thing in his hand-

Well, Smith said it would take me to his workspace, if I had anymore information for him. But I don't, do I? Have any information. I thought he might be mad if I tried it just to see where it took me!

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

*tries to think this through, a tricky proposition considering the beer Beregond has rapidly consumed*

The clone that he gave me had no such device, I would have learned of it. I might think that this could only come from the real Smith.

I wonder if it could carry two people to his workspace? Between the two of us, we might be able to learn if we are speaking with the real Smith.

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

-Russell finishes another beer-

So, the Smith you were with wasn't actually Smith but one of these .. clones .. oh, sorry man!

And the Smith I was with was Smith .. the real Smith! Who left the device thing .. And how can it take both of us .. to where?

-Russell opens another can-

And what the hell is a workspace, anyway??

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[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

*nods* It had to be a clone I spent the day with earlier. It needs to be -stopped-. It's dangerous, I think.

Smith doesn't think as we do. He's a program, so he doesn't need a home, not as we think of it. What he calls his workspace would be what we call a home... when I've visited, I'm really only aware of him, not the surroundings. *chuckles* He's not exactly the type to hang curtains on his windows and arrange flowers in vases.

I suppose 'home' is whatever each of us needs home to be.

If he didn't tell you how the device works, I suppose it knows how to carry whoever hold it to where Smith is. If you hold it, and I hold onto you, it might be enough to take us both. What harm could there be in trying? Smith needs to know about the clone!

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

Okay, man! If you think this will work!

-Russell stands up, holds the device at arms length, and points it out of the window, just in case it does blow up-

Maybe if we press the big button on the top it'll work!

-looks at Beregond-

You ready??

Re:

[guide-beregond.livejournal.com]

As ready as I'm likely to get.

Wait for me! *grabs your arm and hangs on tight*

All right. Push the button.

[almost-russell.livejournal.com]

-eyes almost closed against what he is sure is going to be a huge explosion, head turned away, Russell pushes the button. The room melts around them, and everything gradually turns black-

Beregond!!!!!!!!!!!

where are we, man???