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

[regeneratesalot]

[ It starts off dark. There's a rustling sound, and then a dim light appears. The video is blurry at first as it adjusts to the new light, displaying the outline of a body. Standing in what appears to be a gym of some kind, the body begins to move in synchronized movements. ]

F-R-E-A-K. What does that spell? [ The video clears, and it's obvious who it is, though it sounds nothing like her. Well, nothing like how she normally sounds, anyway. She sounds angry, livid. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail that swings with her movements, crisp and precise. Instead of a cheer uniform, she's dressed inside in black shorts and a matching long-sleeved shirt, her feet bare. The gym is empty, the laminate floor free of mats or equipment. ]

Claire Bennet. [ She does a high-kick, moving her arms in a transition to a regular standing position. ]

Who can't die? [ Her voice, though angry, sounds like a cheer chant. She's shouting it at the top of her lungs. It sounds unnatural. ]

Who can't feel? [ She does a consecutive series of flips on the ground before tumbling to the ground, obviously sooner than planned. There's a crack as her ankle breaks, then dead silence. She rises, not bothering to fix her currently grotesque-looking ankle. It doesn't appear to bother her one bit. ] Pretty disgusting, huh?

[ She gives a humorless laugh. ] Do you all know what happens when somebody finds out about my little secret, my little freak-show? [ She has a bitter smile on her face, her voice still full of anger. ]

I have to pack up and move. Watch somebody I love die. Leave my friends. Not that I've had any in a while.

But not this time. I don't care anymore. What's the worst they could do to me? I can't feel anything. I have no friends here. Peter isn't that much of a hero after all. [ Oops still bitter about that. ] Why stop the inevitable? I can't defend myself against any of them.

So come and get me, SERO! [ She holds out her arms, fists clenched. ] Experiment on me, find out what the fuck is going on inside here. [ She shoves a finger up to her temple. ] It's a brain and blood thing, you know. That's what that book said.

Maybe after you're done, you'll fix whatever Sylar broke so I can at least pretend to be fucking normal.

I'll be waiting outside. [ The video suddenly stops. ]

[reaction]

[axemeaquestion]

[Oh, what.

Rochelle's expression goes through suprised, confused, a little disgusted(much as she was used to bodily harm), and back to confused.

O-kay, seriously creeped out. And worried.

reaction;

[dancing_pierrot]

[Claire...

If Franziska was more familiar with the girl, she would leave her a message, too. As things are, however, it's entirely uncomfortable enough to leave well alone for now.]

call...or action if you want it ♥

[boundbytreason]

[ Having the same occupation of Greeters, it wasn't difficult to acquire Claire Bennet's NV number. Although, having taken notice of her certainly served as another reason. ]

[ She sent a call ringing her way, but she wasn't certain whether the girl would pick up. Carrying her NetVice with her, Caster strode out of the Tower Apartments, intent on searching for the blonde. Even if she didn't have a clear idea, she could extend her perception, until she identified her presence within the proximity. ]

ooh bb action all the way ♥

[regeneratesalot]

[ Claire's NV is ringing in her apartment, but there's nobody there. As soon as she saw the broadcast, she booked it outside, fuming. What the hell was this supposed to be? That was definitely not her.

She ran outside of the lobby, realizing that she would probably be killed by Darkness monsters before she found her Shadow, if she had to look for it. Jaw clenched, her legs moved swiftly forward, her eyes unable to see through most of the dark. ]

Where are you? [ She knows it's useless, it probably isn't even here, but it makes her feel a little better, at least. Her blood's pumping and her heart is racing. ]

yeah, let's go all the way, yeah yeah yeah~

[boundbytreason]

[ Once the girl's presence came within distance, Caster instantly shifted directions and headed towards her. Heels clicked lightly to announce her presence before she spoke out. ]

Miss Bennet? [ Her voice was softened as she called out. ]

ARE YOU READAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY~ also her shadow will make an appearance soon

[regeneratesalot]

[ She gives a small gasp, more jumpy than anything. The last time she went out, she had been attacked by a Viscera, which put her on hyper-alert. Couple that slight paranoia with the inability to sleep for the past few nights, and she wasn't at the top of her game.

She turned towards Caster, squinting. It wasn't a voice she recognized. ] Who's there?

oh yeah, I AM READY TO RUMBLE~

[boundbytreason]

[ A hint of an apology curves her smiles. ]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I am Caster. I'm another one of the Greeters.

[ Gently: ] That's why I recognized your face. [ On the NV. She doesn't say it, but it's clear. ] After what happened tonight...I was worried that you might have run out. It's dangerous to be out in the Darkness by yourself, you know.

HELLS YEAH MAN

[regeneratesalot]

Oh. Yeah, I-

Are you one of them? [ Claire's interrupted by ... well, Claire. Shadow!Claire, that is. She turns, confused. ]

Who are you?

I'm you. [ Shadow!Claire's voice sounds almost desperate, but still angry. Impossibly angry. Claire doesn't respond. That guy on the network had told her the only way to get rid of it was to accept it, but ... this wasn't her. She wasn't like this. ]

Who are you? Are you with SERO? Here to take me away to the carnival or lab where I belong? [ Shadow!Claire turns its attention to Caster, stepping closer with each phrase. ]

[boundbytreason]

[ At last, Caster had a chance to see a Shadow up front and personal. It was an interesting sight and the presence that she could sense was truly astounding. She doesn't hesitate or express any sign of fear in front of it. Rather, she moves, shifting to stand in front of Claire to protect her. ]

If I was, I would have done so already. No, I am here to help you. [ On that note, she gave a pointed glance at the non-Shadow one, intending it for her. After all, they were the same person, if she wasn't mistaken. ]

[regeneratesalot]

[ That just seems to infuriate the Shadow, and while it seems ready to lunge, it doesn't. Yet. ]

I don't need help. I don't need anybody's help. Nobody can help me. I don't need saving anymore.

Stop it. [ Claire's irritation sounds nothing like the malice in her shadow's voice. ] Stop pretending to be me.

I am you, I'm not pretending. I'm done pretending! [ It lunges forward, intent on attacking Caster rather than Claire. Claire makes a move to push Caster out of the way; nobody should have to get hurt over this. ]

[boundbytreason]

[ Caster doesn't expect Claire to react as she does. However, she had expected the Shadow to attack. If she hadn't moved, the magus would have defended them both. If she had the time, she would have clicked her tongue and called her a silly girl. ]

[ Instead, she's pushed out of the way with a gasp, and she barely manages to catch herself. With her usual elegance, she's quick to straighten herself, whirling back around to face them both. ]

Claire? [ She called over to check on her condition, but regardless of whether or not she was injured, there was something the blonde needed to know. ] Claire, you need to accept her.

[ She uttered that with a sure sense of firmness. ]

[regeneratesalot]

[ Claire hears Caster, though she's a little preoccupied pushing her Shadow away. The Shadow-version of her is nothing like her. It's not her. ]

She's not me. [ She mutters, holding onto her now-broken arm. Or, at least she thinks it's broken. It's hard to tell in the dark, but she does know that it was the main part of her body that the Shadow had hit in its attack. ]

Of course I am. Don't you remember Odessa? [ Claire's jaw clenches. How could she forget? The shadow turns to Caster, a bitter smile on its face. ]

What are you hoping to accomplish by 'helping' me? Some sense of pride, dignity? There's nothing to help, nothing to save. This is the real Claire Bennet. [ She raises an arm, pointing at Claire. ]

That's the impostor. I'm not the one going around pretending like everything's A-OK, like I haven't endured hell for the past six months.

Shut up. You have no idea who I am. [ She fights to keep her voice controlled. She doesn't want to admit that the Shadow was really her. ]

No. You have no idea who you are. [ That awkward moment when you're fighting with yourself in public. ]

[boundbytreason]

[ At the shadow's question, a wry smile quirks the corner of Caster's mouth. She had all the pride and dignity that she needed. If she had any more, buildings would catch on fire and the lovely denizens of the city would burn with it. After all, there were already a few that crossed her and would pay dearly. She simply had the patience to wait until the time was right. ]

Claire, calm down. Think about what she is saying. Why are you angry? It's more than just her face, isn't it? Calm down, and take a deep breath.

[regeneratesalot]

The world kept kicking me when I was down, that's why I'm angry. [ The shadow was shouting, its voice cracking. Its anger seemed to lessen, a strange sadness replacing it.

Claire listened to Caster; with her nostrils flared, she attempted a deep breath. It was shaky and didn't do much to calm her. Her adrenaline was still racing. She could take her shadow down. It was just her, wasn't it? She could take herself. She knew her own weaknesses. ]

Shut up. [ It was directed towards her shadow. ] You're not real.

[boundbytreason]

It's fine to be angry. It's fine, to feel that way. It's only natural, given the circumstances, Claire.

[ She turned her hooded head in Claire's direction -- the one that wasn't a Shadow. ]

There's nothing wrong with being angry. With being weak. [ Then, softly: ] Why do you deny it?