savetheearth | ❧ 005 ❧ Video, laptop camera

[Well, isn't this a familiar sight? The video starts with a blank wall of Xander's apartment, but there is no light source directed at it this time around. Once again, a few seconds pass before a white streak of fur is being chased by a black streak of fur across the floor. As for the man who was making this post, he speaks from out of frame, sounding rather tired.]

Like a few other people on here, I got another 'pulse' and it's tied to my ability to disappear in to the shadows.

[There's a momentary pause as he walks in to frame, keeping his back to the camera as he walks over to the wall. His attire looks suited for going outside and he's wearing shoes. He reaches up to touch the surface and a few moments pass as he merges with his own shadow against it.]

I'm able to take someone with me and 'teleport' now. I don't how it is possible, but I'm trying to figure it out.

[Instead of sliding up to the ceiling like his first video post, he simply disappears from the wall entirely. A few minutes pass and Xander hasn't returned. Something obviously went wrong here as the feed continues, with no one present to turn it off. Connor, Xander's black Siamese cat comes walking in to frame, meowing and looking for his owner.

Ten minutes later, a more timid white tabby cat walks in to view before jumping slightly and turning towards the sound of a door being opened off-camera, then he dashes off to another area in the apartment. A bit of an agitated grunt is heard as Xander makes his way back over to the laptop, which the camera only catches his chest, torso and legs.]

...I was lucky that this 'pulse' didn't interfere with our mission last night. Considering what you just saw, that wasn't suppose to happen. I wanted to appear somewhere else in this room, but didn't work according to plan.

[He sounds a bit disappointed, but at the same time a little guilty, as if he wasn't saying something else that was on his mind.]

That's all I have to report.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

OUTRAGEOUS!

Do that again!

If I do that again, I might wind up somewhere else than my intended destination and it could be an unknown amount of time before I return.

[Francis watches the feed, wide-eyed. People on this network never fail to astound him, every time he sees something new and crazy.]

Christ, I wish my pulses were that useful... Granted, I suppose it only does you any good if you can control it properly.

Where on earth did you end up??

But what if you tied a rope to something so you could follow it back?

[No, Arthur, it doesn't work that way...]

[There's a bit of a delay before he responds.]

I don't think it would be possible to do something like that. There's a chance I might injure myself in the process or damage whatever is tied to me.

Edited 2013-11-18 08:21 (UTC)

There's still a chance that you'll get something useful, sir, and you would be right about that.

...I ended up outside, by accident. I was lucky though, it was an empty back alley. [Hopefully.]

The most useful pulse I've received so far has been the ability to never need sleep. And really I've only been able to use this ability to catch up on my reading. Every other pulse has been a nuisance.

... Then again, I'm not sure I want a pulse that could result in me accidentally teleporting into a crowd of police officers.

That... sounds like a nightmare. [But kind of handy.] Has your health deteriorated by any means with being unable to sleep?

[There's a brief pause, followed by an exhale and a chuckle.]

...Funny how you should mention that. I've dealt with two incidents involving the police and this shadow ability of mine.

[The first was with Nick at work and the other from the expedition with making sure Arthur wouldn't get arrested.]

I've been visiting a doctor, and a psychologist, and as far as I can tell, and they can tell, my health has been alright... It's certainly given me some extra time in my day, at least.

[Francis actually looks shocked by this revelation.]

Wait... And you haven't been arrested yet?

Interesting. [If he was responding with video, he would have nodded, but it goes unseen.] I believe it. At least you haven't run out of things to do?

[That shocked expression gets another chuckle, but it's quickly muffled.]

I've been lucky, both times. I don't know how long that luck will last though.

You've been dodging bullets, if you ask me. If you managed to dodge another, it'd be a bloody miracle. Maybe you should leave the... strange shadow powers to emergencies only. I feel as though future 'practice sessions' will only increase your chances of getting caught.

Which of course could put the rest of us in danger.

The most recent situation was an emergency. If I didn't act, someone would have been arrested.

I'm well aware that practicing would put myself as well as this network at risk. It's not like I have the luxury to practice in a larger and private place without worry.

[Whoops, he might have come off a bit aggressive there. He takes a deep breath to collect himself.]

...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap like that.

Well, don't try that then, definitely!

But you gotta test it SOMEHOW!

I would need a private and larger place to practice in. It's too risky to keep testing inside of my apartment.

[What. What what what what what whaaaat?! Doyle just stares at the demonstration, and there's some delay before he reacts:]

... Shadows don't work that way!

[Wow Doyle thanks for the useful commentary!]

What if we went to the beach? No one's out there now because it's getting cold!

[Except him, because he's crazy like that.]

It shouldn't, but it does.

I would prefer somewhere enclosed.

[As a defense mechanism, maybe - Doyle's fixating on smaller details instead of the big one of 'that's impossible!!!'. So, uh, that's something?]

That doesn't - I mean - it's the - hh-- How are you - 2-D? 2-D?!

[That's right, maybe if he repeats himself, he'll get his rough meaning across, anyway. After pausing for breath - he adds, a little more intelligently:]

And what - where did you even - go?!

[~~if you say shadow realm i swear to god]~~

I don't know. I'm not someone who is skilled in science and I doubt saying 'magic' would cut it either.

I landed in an empty back alley behind my apartment building.

Hm...you think there are any old abandoned warehouses out there no one would care about?

I'd offer you Granny Curry's old barn, but it's kind of all the way back in Texas anyway, and just our luck that would FINALLY be the day Granny Curry decided to go through all the junk out there...

There might be a chance, but I'm worried I might discover a bomb inside.

[His voice wavers slightly, uncomfortable with the idea. A sigh is heard.]

...I don't think leaving the city would help me either.

[Francis blinks in surprise at his reaction. He really hadn't meant to provoke him, but then he knew that there were occasions where he could come off as patronizing.]

No, it's alright. I didn't mean to make you angry, I really am just worried for the well-being of everyone involved. I just meant your... demonstration... was a bit risky. I would refrain from future demonstrations, if I were you. Don't practice if you can't guarantee that you can control it.

Not all of this is your fault. [There's a sigh from him.] It's this damn buzzing inside of my head that's affecting my mood.

[Aside from winding up outside when demonstrating his ability, but there was no need to add that.]

...I don't usually demonstrate my abilities on here. I have to learn how to control it or else I will expose myself to the enemy without meaning to.

Hah, it's been driving me insane as well, though I find that a warm drink and a good distraction, such as a book or something, goes quite a long way towards lessening the burden on my mind. And, if that doesn't work, alcohol always seems to be quite effective as well.

[Francis nods slowly to what he's saying.] I... understand the necessity to master this ability, especially since such an ability could prove useful, but I think even practice in an attempt to learn to control it poses a major risk. What if more practice sessions go awry? The more often you use these powers, the more likely it is you'll be caught.

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❧ 005 ❧ Video, laptop camera

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