video • CALL • un: themeddler

[roberteo]

[Well, it certainly seems Speedwagon has figured out the video medium: he's posed himself very seriously, with a straight posture and both hands folded neatly in his lap. There is, however, a small, polite smile on his face, though this may be more formality than anything else. He is, of course, eternally a gentleman, no matter the circumstances.

It does not take a particularly observant eye to note that the man is in mourner's black.]

Hello! It is I, Robert E. O. Speedwagon.

[The smile widens into something more genuine, just for a moment.]

I'm curious if anyone in this city has any idea as to the state of...well...hm. I wish to phrase this delicately, but I would like to know if there's a program in place to...well, help people? Where people need helping, you know--Nightmares, Shadows...et cetera. Particularly children? I--I don't know, I was just wondering if there was any present system to care for people in unfortunate situations. Thank you.

[And he remains smiling for a few moments more, before lurching forward to grab the device.]

Speedwagon out.

Comments

[roberteo]

[It's impossible to really control the look of surprise that flashes across his face, though after a few moments he manages to dial back the deer-in-the-headlights expression to speak. He doesn't want to be rude, really, but it's just...unpleasant, considering the last conversation he had about Jojo.]

I do, yes! I do--

[He pauses, delicately rearranging his hands in a way that indicates nothing but empty space.]

...I did; I knew him well.

[fivenareff]

[Oh. The smile really does fade now, and Polnareff nods.]

I'm sorry.

[Does he know about Dio's desecration? Perhaps. But if he doesn't, Polnareff won't bring it up, not right now.]

I ask only because the man I'm thinking of was his friend.

[roberteo]

I...really--I really don't--

[He swallows, eyes flickering towards the camera and then away again. He hates sympathy, even as he knows that it is justified in this case. Jonathan was his friend, his only friend for too long, but he can't reconcile that with what he's heard about this other Speedwagon.]

You really must have someone else in mind, though. I never did anything to help anyone?

[Nervously, his fingers grasp the edge of his hat.]

Sorry?

[fivenareff]

[Okay. This is . . . weird, but okay. Pushing what he knows to be the truth clearly isn't going to help, and it doesn't truly matter. But he wonders. He doesn't know much about Speedwagon the man, and now he wishes he did. He asks about starting a foundation for children, and yet somehow believes he's never done anything to help anyone. So what's the inconsistency?

He's curious, but he's not cruel. So he shrugs.]

In any case: assuming that there's nothing set in place, what did you have in mind in terms of a program? Any specific ideas?

[roberteo]

Well! I had a few thoughts, yes.

[He's grateful for the subject change: he doesn't know this man, but his uncanny knowledge of Jonathan is a bit alarming, and, quite frankly, a bit disrespectful, in Speedwagon's eyes. However, he has to recognize that this stranger might not know the circumstances, and so it's an easy forgiveness to manage.]

I was considering perhaps just organizing a place for children to come, to stay out of bad situations or off the streets. Not even necessarily a living space--though that would be the ideal--just a location where they could come and occupy themselves.

[fivenareff]

That wouldn't be too hard to organize. The problem would be getting a location large enough. That, and something well protected.

[He thinks of what Giorno has told him of Italy's problems, and adds:]

A guaranteed hot meal wouldn't be such a bad idea either.

[roberteo]

Yes, I'd have to actually look into arrangements, but I've been keeping those factors in mind. I'm just going off of what I...what I know that children need, in these kinds of situations.

[Which definitely doesn't draw off of personal experiences.]

The hot meal is a fantastic idea, though! I simply can't cook.

[fivenareff]

Ah, it's not particularly difficult. Something like a stew is easy to make in large quantities, too, which I suspect we'll need.

[Not that he has any idea how many kids are in Nightmare or Shadow, but he can guess.]

If you'd like, I'll show you. It might be easier to plan this kind of thing in person.

[roberteo]

That would be absolutely splendid, sir! That seems like an excellent idea; I'm hardly used to these blasted devices.

[Finally, he looks genuinely excited: here is the chance for him to do something entirely physical with his time, because while planning is all well and good, he prefers face-to-face discussion.]

Oh! Speaking of, I don't believe I caught your name?