The Midnighter | Night 1 | Video

[grouchinleather]

[The Midnighter is not one with technology. Sure, he can use a TV and a computer just fine, but that doesn’t mean he’s an expert, or even a fan of portable technology. So give him a moment to figure out what the hell he just turned on. In the meantime, get a nice shot of leather crotch, a white crescent insignia on top of a gray upside down

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[grouchinleather]

[Midnighter could still hear the kid's heart pounding in his chest, though he was finding he had to strain to do it. It was the first sign something wasn't right with his implants, but he was too concerned that the kid might have some sort of heart or panic attack in front of him, or just pass out, or whatever knows what else to notice. Granted, he was fully aware of how terrifying he could be in costume (he usually relished the thought), but he didn't typically inspire that level of panic in a child. Was the kid the child of one of those Sons of Liberty followers or someone else in the incredibly long list of people he's pissed off over the years?

...Probably not. He probably wasn't even on his Earth anymore, if that blog post he had read was any indication. Midnighter's second thought was that there might be more superheroes (or villains) in this place, and one of them terrified the kid, thus making him terrifying by association. Whatever the reason, he was sure he'd find out eventually.]

Hey, uh... can you help a new guy out?

[When Jenny was little and she showed a fear of something, he or Apollo would try to lessen the fear by exposing her to it in small doses, and showing that there really wasn't anything to be frightened of. It worked (a bit too well) for Jenny, so why not this kid?]

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[crossespurpose]

[He wanted to help--he always wanted to help the best he could but with the level of anxiety he possessed after his arrival there, it had been hard. Yet, without Damian around to guide him in anyway Colin was finding that it was growing difficult to stay locked up in his room without company. Sometimes it was the face of another that could keep him sane and the man taking off his cowl had helped because it was a gesture of kindness. He seemed like a decent kind of guy but there would always be some hesitance until he was absolutely sure about it--always, he was an adult after all and Colin had horrible relations with other adults, a low level of trust.

Watching him carefully, he shifted in his steps and quietly looked upwards before replying.] I--

[A pause.] I don't know what I can do, but um--what is it?

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[grouchinleather]

[Okay, the kid isn't about to drop dead at the sight of him anymore. This was a definite improvement. He can work with this.]

Something, anything. What should I know coming into this place?

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[crossespurpose]

[A quiet pause and his brows continue to furrow. He knows very little about the place to be honesty--only what Damian had told him and Damian, had his berry still, wherever he was. A twisting in his gut and he looks down with a breath. What was it that the other had told him about this place? With a pause he is looking up again.] You're trapped here, no one's been able to escape.

Some people have been here years.

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[grouchinleather]

[Midnighter crouched down to Colin's level to see if that might make things a bit better for the terrified kid. After all, he had been blessed with considerable height, and all that height was probably not helping right now.

He nodded at the first part.] What about you? How long have you been here?

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[crossespurpose]

[Watching the other crouch down, the height difference is significant and now that he is on his level, there is a small lingering since of comfort. It shows that he is trying and well--while Colin knows these things, he still is not completely trusting, adults try these things and sometimes it's just manipulation.] A month, I think.

[He drops his hands at his sides and looks to the other.] Time goes by really fast.

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[grouchinleather]

And how have you been holding up?

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[crossespurpose]

[He pauses for a moment before speaking, honest for once because he really has no one else to talk to at this point in time, who knows where Steph has gone to and Damian has been missing for awhile now.] Badly.

I don't like it here.

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[grouchinleather]

[Is silent for a while, trying to choose the right words for what he wants to say next.] Look, kid, I'm not gonna sugar coat this, it isn't fair to you. I can't tell you I'm gonna break you out, I can't tell you everything's gonna be all right...

What I can tell you is that as long as I'm here, all you have to do is call and I'll be there. I may not be the listener Apollo is, but if you need someone to talk, I got this crappy looking cell phone thing [Fishes his 'berry out of his coat pocket and offers it.]; I'm sure I'm listed under Midnighter or something. And if you ever need anyone to kick some ass or scare some monsters, I'm one of the best on the planet--well, my planet at any rate.

It's the best I can do. [Isn't exactly sure why he's doing this at all, but he really doesn't like how terrified this kid is. This is no place for someone like him--it's no place for anyone, but especially a kid like him. And maybe that's why he's offering. Maybe he's trying to make up for fucking up so badly with Jenny in her later years. Who the hell knows...]

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[crossespurpose]

[Listening to the other carefully he is watching his face until his hands move and while the instinct is to move away, he holds still and watches as the man takes out the berry and offers it outward towards him. Quietly, he leans forward and looks at the room number at the top of the device. He learned something positive from Damian, everyone was listed by room numbers instead of names on the network and while he does not have his device, he is not one to mention it--he knows the others room number now.

Honestly, it's the most sincere a strange adult has said to him and while he is hesitant he is not worrying as much and his heart beat is slowly halting. It means a great deal to hear words like that and there is the smallest of smiles that quirks at the corner of his lips before fading slowly.] Thank you--

[He leans back and looks across the space at the man, remembering that he does not have a name to go with the face.] Um, I--what should I call you?

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[grouchinleather]

[Isn't the best guy to give these kinds of talks, but the kid deserves the truth. He was just glad the boy seemed to have calmed down for now.] Anytime, kid.

The Midnighter. I lost my "real" name years ago. Though you don't seem to like superheroes too much, so if you want to call me Lucas I've sort of learned to respond to that too. What about you?

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[crossespurpose]

[He's calmed down a little but he's not got too much to worry about at the moment. Talking his started to take his mind off all of his worries since he is so focused on trying not to flip out on the other--silently telling his heart to slow down, eyes looking to the ground then back up to the other.] I like heroes.

[Colin spoke up suddenly when the other said that--his words fumbling a little. All the newspaper clippings made sense of that but the other didn't know that, so.]

Oh--I'm Colin.

[A pause.] Colin Wilkes.

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[grouchinleather]

Can I ask why you almost had a heart attack when you saw a guy in a mask if you like them? [Smirks.] Or do I look like some sort of villain?

[Offers his hand after removing his glove--he doesn't want to accidentally stab the kid.] Nice to meet you, Colin.

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[crossespurpose]

I don't feel myself. [And he looked like a rather large bat--Colin was terrified of them, he was dark and perhaps villainous. Nervously he glances up and then looks back down to his feet, not aiming to make eye contact for that moment. At least until he raises his hand and he looks out at it. Taking a minute he stares forward then hesitantly places his hand in the others.]

Nice to meet you too.

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[grouchinleather]

In this place, I can't blame you. [Is firm but gentle in his handshake.]

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[crossespurpose]

[Withdrawing his hand from the others once the shake was over he looked to him.] Can I ask where you come from?