Saturday, December 17th, The Midnight Channel

[thepull_mods]

Who: The Port's Latest Shadow Televisions Stars! And Thousands of Home Viewers!
When: Midnight, Saturday December 17th
Where: In front of your Television Sets or Streaming NV TV. (Digital Cable? You'll still get the analog effect.)
Summary: Full Plot Details Here
Warnings: Please Put 'em In the Subject Lines As Necessary, Kids?

Comments

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ It had been a while since she last strode down the street in her Servant's robe, with the hood hung low over her eyes. Perhaps it was like an infection of the city. Trapped within the island, one's problems rested far away in another parallel world. The Port and its daily workings slowly spread through every arrival's veins, until an individual became known as a resident of its confines. ]

[ It may have been one of the reasons that the city came to have the name of Siren's Port. With its irresistible Pull, the island truly called in its denizens like a siren's spell. ]

[ Caster had resolved to resist it, but she couldn't deny it was partially the cause in searching the streets for the boy she had just witnessed on screen. She had felt something beneath her breastbone that was more than simply the low thrum accompanying the ever-present Pull. The dark-haired boy was unrelated to her, but nonetheless, her legs had carried her outside. While it certainly contributed to her agenda, there were other motives at play, which made her realize just how potent of an infection that the city was. However, she knew that she would never consider the city another home. Only the Core could change her mind, but for now, she would never fall victim to the city's bittersweet addiction. ]

[ Keeping her thoughts in check like clockwork, she tried to match her surroundings with the one in the video. She extended her perception, searching for any other presences in the area. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[The surroundings won't be too hard to mistake; it's a wide-open, unpopulated area with the surrounding several metres of ground blasted apart. Gohan had made sure to get the . . . Shadow someplace where it was less likely to hurt anyone.

[His energy was a little unstable, flickering high and low while he tried to settle his heart rate. He wasn’t badly hurt, but it was a bit more than a few scratches and he needed to calm his body out of fight mode. He wasn’t completely unaware of his surroundings, so he sensed the presence getting closer to him, but since it didn’t feel hostile, he didn’t worry about it. Maybe someone was just checking to see if he was okay? It wasn’t an unreasonable thing to think, given how rarely anybody came to this spot.]

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ A soft gasp emerged in a nearly inaudible voice. ]

Boy, are you conscious? [ Caster doesn't walk with careless haste, but there's a sure sense of urgency in her stride over to his side. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[Nearly inaudible to normal humans, maybe. But Gohan was only half human, and thanks to the part of him that wasn't, he heard that pretty clearly.

[He looks up at her, and though his smile was distant, his eyes were not. They were bright and clear, hardly betraying any hint of pain. He probably looked like he was in rough shape though, didn't he?] I'm really okay, Miss. Just tired. I'm not hurt as bad as it might look.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ With her hands pressed against her chest, Caster gave a small frown as she spoke with a hint of incredulity. ]

What are you saying? [ She softly shook her head. ] No, of course, you're saying that. You haven't seen yourself in the mirror.

[ She lowered herself besides him, assessing him from up close. ] Where do you live? Actually, wait, don't speak. I'll take you to the Newcomers' Clinic.

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He sat up, and his movements were not those of someone in a great deal of pain. Any harsh breathing he’d had was calm now, and though he obviously had a few injuries, they weren’t actually causing him any distress.] Thank you, Miss. But you really don’t have to go out of your way for me. I can take this pretty easily.

I’m not actually human; I can take a lot of punishment without getting hurt that badly.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ His words sparked just a hint of irritation flickering inside of her. Caster had heard those answers far too many times during her stay in the city. 'I've been in worse.' 'I can do it myself.' 'It doesn't hurt.' Perhaps it was her fault for inflicting such an eyesore on her visual perception, but it was incredibly vexing to hear someone speak so lightly of such visible injuries. ]

[ For her, the answer was simple. If they were wounded, they shouldn't have to bandage themselves. Being independent was commendable, but accepting help wasn't a big deal. While some worried that she would harm them, she found that it took every fiber in her being to keep from laughing. If she wanted to make them bleed, she wouldn't let them see her face. With how weak most of them were, she could deal them real injury without even being present. ]

[ She let out a long sigh, letting it calm her slew of thoughts and giving her time to rebuild her composure. When she spoke, weariness softly glided along her gentle tone. ] You might say that...but I came all the way out here already.

[ Slowly, she straightened, extending her hand to him. She would have attempted to lift him into her arms, but she doubted that he would appreciate the gesture. ] At least let me treat your wounds. You may not be hurt that badly, but you're still hurt, human or not.

[ In spite of the firmness in her tone, the undercurrent of concern lent it the air of a request. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[And yet there wasn't really that intention behind Gohan's words. What he said was what he'd meant. He honestly didn't want to inconvenience her. He was foolishly considerate that way.

[He ducked his head a little apologetically.] I’m sorry. I’m really not trying to be difficult. I just didn’t want to inconvenience you. [There was nothing but unabashed sincerity in his words; he wasn’t putting on any airs, or trying to mislead her either way.]

But you’re right. Should do something about these. [He nodded vaguely at himself, indicating his injuries, and took her hand when she offered it.]

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ As he accepted her hand, her touch was gentle, mindful of his current status. ] Do you live near here?

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He let her guide him along with no more protest.] In the same sector, yeah. But I had to make sure that my . . . Shadow was far enough away from people that he couldn’t hurt anyone.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ A light inclination of her head in a nod. ] That's very considerate of you. And your Shadow...have you accepted it?

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

My powers can do a lot of damage. Too many people could have gotten killed if it all happened in a more populated area.

[At the question, his step faltered a little for a second, but then he continued on without further hesitation. He gave a solemn nod.] ... Yeah. I didn't really want to, but . . . I guess you can't always keep denying parts of yourself you don't like, can you? [He wanted to. His Shadow had been callous and sadistic, a born warrior, a child exposed to too much violence too early. He wasn't comfortable with it -- but it was there.]

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ Seeing his steps falter, concern knits Caster's eyebrows beneath her hood. Inwardly, she doesn't actually realize that her expression changes. She only sees pain in his mannerisms, and she gingerly reaches forward to place a hand on his back to support him. ]

You're strong. [ A small, clear smile lights her lips. ] Most people aren't able to accept their weaknesses. [ It made her wonder about the form that her Shadow would take, assuming that hers would make an appearance. The unknown bothered her, especially when she had more than a few secrets to bury. ]

Most people can't usually talk about it so easily, either.

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He doesn't mind the support, even if he's more in need of emotional support rather than physical at the moment.

[Weaknesses, huh? He's not sure that's what he'd call his. Gohan has no problem admitting he has weaknesses. But he does have problems admitting how violent he could be at times. Is that a weakness? The violence?

[When he smiles, it's genuine, but it's not a particularly happy expression. Resigned, maybe.] I guess I've thought about stuff like this before, sometimes. Just never actually had to literally come out and face it.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

It seems like it's still weighing on your mind. [ A neutral observation, one that he was free to deny. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He's got no reason to deny it. And he shrugs, even if maybe he shouldn't.] Even though I accepted it, I don't like that it's a part of me.