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

Warnings: Gore, violence, death

[hybrid_prodigy]

[The feed comes on to show Gohan, in Super Saiyan form - or rather the one beyond, what with the blue crackles of lightning periodically flashing through the golden aura - looking thoughtfully at something out of frame. He tilts his head one way, evidently considering something, before looking over his shoulder and seemingly just realizing he’s got an audience.

[He’s smiling, but the expression is a wicked one, eyes alight with some sadistic pleasure.] Oh, you’re paying attention? Well, that’s good. Nobody seems to pay attention to this back home.

[He looks down at something in his hand, and then lifts the hand to show everyone the severed arm, still dripping rivers of blood, clasped in his fingers. The grin doesn’t fade at all.] This is all that’s left of him. Don’t worry; he deserved it. You hurt people? This is the consequence. [A slight flex of his hand, and the arms bursts apart, splashing gore all over him. Not that he seems to care. Any bit that remains is casually tossed over his shoulder

[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.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ She sends him a sidelong glance, briefly mulling over his words. ] I want to tell you something that I once told someone else.

Now, I'm not trying to assume anything, but this is what I think. A person, for all of their strengths and weaknesses, good points and bad, is beautiful. Each one has feelings and thoughts and decisions, all of which affect other people's lives. So, what I saw on that screen today -- I consider it beautiful. [ A soft smile plays across her lips. ]

Not the destruction, of course, but the person that was there. Simply because it's a part of a living, breathing life. And knowing that you can keep it subdued makes it all the more lovely. [ Then, softly: ] Be proud of who you are.

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[What she's saying makes a lot of sense. He really does believe that. And when he'd accepted his Shadow, it had been with the knowledge that without that part of himself, he'd be powerless to help anyone. Even that violent self had a sense of justice. Even so, there's just one thing . . .] ... When that side comes out, it scares me.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

Because of what that side of you might do?

[ With the violence exposed on the screen, that would have to be her greatest fear if her Shadow was anything like that. However, at this point in time, she hadn't the faintest idea on the form that hers would take, let along whether she would even have one. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He nods solemnly.] I worry that I'd completely lose control, and lash out at somebody I care about. Or I'd just wipe out everybody.

[He pauses thoughtfully, recalling a part of the broadcast that hit at the issue of his heritage.] That really is what the Saiyans did, you know. "Cleared up" whole planets. I'm . . . strong enough to do that.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

But that's the difference between them and you. You fear the very notion. It means you have a conscience. You have principles.

[ Those which were most unlike her own. They used to stand as adamantly as diamonds and as clearly as a cloudless sky. However, a single man rotted those precious gems and polluted her atmosphere, whittling away those ethics until it was nothing more than a single twig stripped of its bark. A slender thing that easily snapped. A delicate, little thing that easily shattered and broke into pieces that rested before her like glass

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[The words really do help, though he's going to be subconsciously bothered by this for a while. He has a tendency to dwell on bad things -- at least when those bad things are about himself. He gives slack to other people on things like this, but not to himself.]

[His smile is somewhat brighter this time.] It's not really something I think about all the time. Most of the control is kinda second nature by now. But yeah. Like a self-fulfilling prophesy, right?

Can’t . . . spend all your time worrying about what might go wrong.

[A quiet, self-deprecating laugh.] I’m usually not this gloomy, I swear.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

Oh, it's understandable. [ She spoke with reassurance, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. ] With what happened, who wouldn't feel a little down about it all?

[ She drew her gaze back to their surroundings. ] So, which one is your household? [ Or apartment. She wasn't really sure what kind of establishment he lived in currently. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He tilted his head, for maybe the first time registering where they were going.] Oh. I’m guessing you can sense magic and stuff, right? [Since it was pretty obvious that she had some magical ability or something herself; he could feel that much.] Just keep heading toward that strong barrier. It’ll let me through, and the building’s big enough you won’t be able to miss it. I’ve been staying there ever since everyone at my old house got sent back. Miss Nelliel’s been taking care of me.

… She’s probably kinda worried. [He’d headed off before anyone there could have even thought about stopping him. Probably not the smartest move he’d ever made.]

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

[ While Caster was capable of suppressing the full extent of magical energy that she expelled, it was impossible to conceal all of it. As long as she performed a spell at some point within the month, a person skilled in searching for it could perceive an air of magic enveloping her. And it wasn't just any magic -- it was one cleanly executed with precise professionalism. ]

If that's the case, I'm sure she will be happy just seeing you return in one piece. [ As he indicated, she proceeded in the direction of the barrier ahead. ] But you should be careful not to take it for granted. You might be strong, but you have to think about the people who care about you, too. You have to take good care of yourself.

[ She chided him, but she used a softened voice, indicative of concern. ]

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

Yeah, I . . . wasn't really thinking when I headed out.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

Well, it's only natural. These Shadows really know how to strike a nerve, right? Sometimes, it's the truth that hurts more than anything else.

[ She flashed him a reassuring smile. ] By the way, I don't think we've introduced ourselves yet, have we?

[Action]

[hybrid_prodigy]

[He just nods at that.]

Oh. I guess we didn’t. My name’s Gohan.

[Action]

[boundbytreason]

And I am Caster. I'm one of the Greeters. It is good to meet you, Gohan.