❧ 003 ❧ Video from laptop camera

[dominateartimus]

[The video starts with a rather empty wall of an apartment with a light source directed at it and a piece of furniture in the corner of the frame. A few seconds pass without anything going on, except for a black streak of fur chasing after a ball toy. Off-screen, Xander's voice is heard and he sounds rather calm for the most part.]

I noticed that a lot of people were sharing what they got from the lights.

[He walks in to frame and is seen wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt and jeans, but he's not facing the camera. He's intentionally keeping his back to the recording to lower the chances of people identifying him. He makes his way over to the wall.]

...You could say I was reluctant to share, but, I was busy learning how to control it better.

[With that said, he brings a hand up to it and starts to merge with his own shadow against the wall. It takes a few moments before he's a silhouette against the wall, but he's facing the camera now -- not like it was very noticeable.]

I can also take the form of someone else's shadow and not just my own. I don't have anyone else here to demonstrate that, so, you'll have to take my word for it.

[He starts to move up to the ceiling, disappearing from the frame. A few moments later, a bit of a thump is heard from behind the camera and the video ends.]

Comments

[action]

[dominateartimus]

[Xander is already outside by the time Ravindra arrives. He's not sure who he's suppose to be looking for as he smokes. That was his own fault for not asking for a name or an appearance.

But, once his gaze finds the former combat medic, he blinks in surprise and tries to not choke on the cigarette smoke. In fact, he turns away to stifle the noise and hopes that the other man doesn't notice him.]

[action]

[healspec]

[too late, Ravi noticed.]

[he forgot that Xander probably wouldn't realize it was him responding on the network. so yeah that is. a nasty surprise. whoops.]

[he glances away, rubbing the back of his neck, and considers what he should say.]

[nothing? nothing sounds good. he's just going to wait for Xander to approach him, path of least resistance, let's go with that.]

[dominateartimus]

[It takes him a few moments to compose himself and extinguish the cigarette before moving to approach Ravindra. He might as well get this over with and try not to be so awkward about it.]

I take it you're my volunteer?

[A small smile takes to his features, despite the amount of dread was building up from the inside. He had a feeling he would probably need to direct the other man to the apartment complex and the guest parking, luckily it wasn't too far away.]

[healspec]

[he folds his arms and gives a nervous smile] Yes. I should have said, sorry.

[dominateartimus]

It's fine. [He made a small gesture of dismissal before turning his attention down the street.] I can give you directions to the guest parking for the apartments.

[He was planning on walking back, not that he wasn't opposed to a car ride, he didn't want to make things more awkward than they already were.]

[healspec]

[luckily(?) Ravi thought it was more awkward to force Xander to walk while he drove] Ah--sure. Would you like a ride back?

[dominateartimus]

[He didn't answer right away since he was mentally debating with himself. A small exhale escapes him as he turns his attention back to Ravindra.]

...Sure. It'll be faster that way.

[He gestures to the other man to take the lead to his car.]

[healspec]

[AWK...]

[he definitely shouldn't have offered and definitely shouldn't have come. OH WELL IN TOO DEEP NOW. he motions toward the passenger side door and climbs into the car]

[he knows why he volunteered for this, and it wasn't just out of curiosity. there's some part of him that wants to reconnect with Xander. as though somehow gaining his approval can resolve what happened. it's like wanting forgiveness, but on a deeply subconscious and far more abstract level.]

[it's probably a lost cause, he thinks. but he tries not to dwell on that while Xander directs him to the guest parking]

[dominateartimus]

[Xander slips in to the passenger side, taking care to not slam the door after himself. He promptly puts on a seat belt, despite it being a short ride.]

Turn right here and go straight for a little bit. I'll let you know when you need to turn again.

[He kept his attention forward and not on Ravindra. He realized he didn't know if the other man was allergic to cats and that might complicate their plans.]

...You're not allergic to cats, are you?

[healspec]

[ALLERGIC TO CATS

HIM

HAH]

[he didn't mean to laugh at the question, it just sort of came out. he stifles it quickly, feels bad for it, and hurries to explain] I live with three. I will be fine.

[dominateartimus]

[The laugh got a brief eyebrow raise out of him, but his expression dropped at Ravindra's answer. He nodded and turned his attention back to the road. He wanted to be safe than sorry.]

Well, I only have one. Turn here.

[healspec]

[it's a question he usually forgets to ask. he's not gonna knock Xander for being thoughtful.]

[he takes the turn] Anything I should know? [like, is it a friendly cat or should he watch his hands]

[dominateartimus]

[He directs Ravindra to the parking spot.]

He's rather talkative and won't hesitate to grab your attention, but he won't harm you. I'm thinking of putting him in to another room when we get in, so we're not distracted.

[healspec]

[yay friendly cat :> he loves meeting other people's cats]

Probably a good idea. [BECAUSE HE WOULD BE SO DISTRACTED]

[he parks, climbs out of the car, waits for Xander before locking it up and setting the alarm, and waits to be led up to the apartment]

[dominateartimus]

[He nods in agreement before getting out of the car when Ravindra parked. He pulled out his keys to the apartment complex and lead the way inside, holding the door open for him.]

Did you want to take the stairs or the elevator?

[healspec]

[WHAT'S WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS he didn't sign up for this!!]

[he freezes up for a moment, because what answer is he expected to give? he doesn't know oh god--but actually it's not a big deal at all so shut up brain] The stairs are fine. [THERE SEE THAT WAS SIMPLE]

[dominateartimus]

[He's trying to be a good host! That's why there's a lot of questions!]

All right.

[He makes sure the front door is closed fully before leading the way up the stairs and to his apartment. It took him a moment to unlock the door before stepping in first, holding it open with his foot. He was busy with scooping up a black Siamese cat who comes running over.]

This is Connor, Savarna.

[The black cat was looking at Ravindra rather intently before meowing at him then he began to purr and knead his paws in to Xander's shoulder. As for the rest of Xander's apartment, there was a minimalistic theme and his furniture was pushed up against the walls or as close as they could get.]

[healspec]

[CAT :D!!!]

[omg what a cutie, it really is a super friendly cat. this is probably the first genuine, unguarded smile Xander has seen out of Ravi since Iraq.]

Hello, Connor. [he reaches out to let the cat sniff his hand, and pending approval will move in to scratch behind his ears.]

[he keeps it quick though, because it's awkward to pet someone's cat for too long when said cat is on their shoulder.]

[dominateartimus]

[Connor was reveling in the attention, rubbing his head against Ravindra's hand and purring even louder. While Xander made sure his guest was inside fully before pulling his foot back to let the door close. He'll lock it in a moment after putting Connor down, who instantly went about rubbing himself all over Ravindra's legs.

Once that was taken care of, Xander moves further in to his apartment. He gestures to the kitchen.]

If you get thirsty, feel free to grab a drink from the fridge. I'd do it, but I'm not too sure of my grip right now.

[He turns on his heel and indicates to a large flash light that was on the table. As he opens his mouth to speak again, he's sinking in to the shadows.]

That's all I have for a mobile light source and nothing for padding on the floor. [A momentary pause and a glance to his bedroom, as if he was thinking of a plan.] ...I have a few ideas in mind for how we can test this, but I am welcome to any other suggestions you have.

[healspec]

[Ravi is more than happy to entertain Connor's friendliness. He crouches down to give the cat his full attention while Xander moves off.]

[he looks up at the drink offer, a hint of puzzled concern on his face. does he mean because of that shadow-ability or is it something else? should he ask? is that a rude thing to ask??] Alright. [maybe he'll ask later...]

[sorry, cat. it was nice while it lasted. he stands, moving to pick up the flashlight, turns it briefly on to check the beam.]

[the comment about padding is confusing, as he hasn't quite put together why that would be necessary, but it sounds like he's supposed to have figured it out so he will just...pretend he understands.] Could you use the couch cushions for padding?

[dominateartimus]

[He was indeed referring to his shadow ability affecting his grip and wouldn't be offended if Ravindra asked. If his guest did decide on having a drink, he would not find anything of the alcoholic variety.

Connor meows at Ravindra when he moves away before following along, circling the man's legs.]

I don't have any. So, it's either the bed or the couch or the floor.

[He might as well go put Connor away, the only issue with that is he's in his own shadow. So, he moves towards the bathroom and calls for Connor, who promptly comes.]

...Savarna, can you close the door for me? I should be able to get out if I'm in this form.

[healspec]

[he wouldn't even notice the lack. alcohol is not recommended with the anxiety medication he's on, so he only drinks very occasionally.]

[but he's not going snooping through Xander's fridge just yet, even if he was invited to.]

[he is, instead, going to take a moment to reflect on how fucking weird his life has become that he's just watched a man sink into his own shadow and walk across his apartment like that, and that this is just a Thing To Accept and not something to freak out over.]

Alright.

[he walks over to the bathroom, flashes the cat an apologetic look, and shuts the door. then steps back to wait, because he's not sure what to expect here]

[dominateartimus]

Thanks.

[It's said when the door is closed. Connor was already pacing around and meowing at this betrayal. Don't feel too bad for him though, Xander took plenty of time to make sure his cat would be well situated during testing.

As for Xander, he appreciated that the door has a little bit of a space between it and the floor. It took him a few moments for him to slide under the gap and move to be flush against the door.]

...Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.

[He was being quite humble about it before moving across the wall.]

I take it we'll do the light test first or did you have something else in mind, Savarna?

[healspec]

[cat no he's sorry :( :( :( ]

[meanwhile Ravi is just staring while Xander shadow-magics his way out from under the door. that... that was certainly a thing. For a moment, he is too busy internally ?!?!?!-ing to respond, but he snaps out of it.]

Ah--no, that's fine. We can start with that.

[he trails after Xander, whichever room he's headed toward] That is a very useful ability.

[dominateartimus]

[He wasn't surprised when it took his guest a few moments to come to his senses. This was new and unlike anything else.]

All right.

[He moves over to where he recorded the network message, which was in the living room.]

...It is. Apparently someone else on the network, their 'other self' dealt with someone who could do the same thing. Except, he could do a lot more than I can with it.