yu "ho life, apparently" narukami (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
izanagis) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2024-07-10 07:41 pm
izanagis) wrote in expiationlogs2024-07-10 07:41 pm
I am a Shadow, the true self [open]
Who: Shadow Yu and YOU!
Where: all around town
What: In multiple instances, Yu glitches into various Shadow versions of himself
Warnings: violence and aggression, others will be added as necessary
You're not me.
The Shadow represents the worst parts of a person. Secrets buried so deep they may have forgotten they carry them. Their darkest thoughts and wishes, the impulses they keep behind closed doors to remain palatable to society.
Yu has never had to face a Shadow self before. That changes today.
(prompts in comments!)
Where: all around town
What: In multiple instances, Yu glitches into various Shadow versions of himself
Warnings: violence and aggression, others will be added as necessary
You're not me.
The Shadow represents the worst parts of a person. Secrets buried so deep they may have forgotten they carry them. Their darkest thoughts and wishes, the impulses they keep behind closed doors to remain palatable to society.
Yu has never had to face a Shadow self before. That changes today.
(prompts in comments!)
no subject
However, he knows that it's not Yu, no matter how similar its mannerisms and reactions are. Something is just a little off; maybe saying that it feels incomplete is a better comparison? Either way, the mutant is now even more certain that what he's facing isn't actually his friend.
Scott slowly inhales, letting himself hold that breath for a few seconds while figuring what he wants to say. It feels important, well, he knows it's important if this is anything like the doppelgangers from before. He's not quite sure where Yu is, but it's one thing at a time and right now, he's focusing on what's in front of him. He has to do his best-- he needs to, especially if this will lead to helping out Yu.]
...Like the fact that you aren't Yu, not entirely. [He decides to be straightforward, but there's a softness to his voice, like Scott is trying his hardest not to escalate the situation. He'll fight if he has to, but if he can avoid that then he will.]
You're similar, doing a really good about it honestly. [He shakes his head.] But I know.
no subject
Everything within him positively bristles at the denial. How could he say that? He is Yu -- even if he isn't all of him, he is. How could he possibly prove it? Is he going to have to fight to establish--
... no. No, that's not what he wants at all.
(To be clear, it's not what Yu wants. But that goes the same for him, too...right?)
His stance loses the tension it gathered in being defensive.]
I am him. [The wording gives him away all too easily.] ... Part of him. I'm a Shadow. Part of him he tries to ignore.
[God, and wouldn't he hate to hear that so candidly? Some part of the Shadow twists in a strange combination of guilt and excitement. It's his job to make Yu uncomfortable, after all. Otherwise how could he possibly face himself?]
no subject
He takes another deep breath, calming his nerves, thinking on how to reach out. He's not just that angry teen from the beginning, right? What's in front of him is Yu in some manner and he doesn't want to screw this up.]
...The side that Yu tries to ignore.
[Scott repeats, almost quietly but still audibly to himself. He doesn't fully understand the full context of those words, but he's determined to figure it out. With the walls still surrounding them and maybe this being a call of help from his friend, there's absolutely no way he can turn his back now.]
What part is that?
no subject
It's that last word that strikes hardest, and with it comes the realization that he wants to watch Yu twist in discomfort, just knowing his secrets are out. Just knowing that he can't be ignored anymore.]
Everyone has them. Parts of themselves they don't want anyone to see. Parts they're ashamed of. [Yu's neutrality of expression isn't as natural, to him, not when he's this desperate for acceptance. He tries, but the opacity feels forced, and little pops of mirth occasionally shine through in his words. He's very clearly enjoying this -- spilling secrets, sowing discomfort.
Yu deserves it, for trying to hide him away like that.]
It's kind of pathetic, really. [He chuckles, in spite of the fact that it includes him, too.] Underneath that cool attitude, he's just so afraid of losing people. Of being left by himself. Lonely, friendless...
[He huffs out a soft breath, not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh. Then, his eyes land on Scott again.] He's so desperately convinced that he doesn't have to worry about that anymore. Not with people like you. He...he really thinks he trusts you with that. Deep down, he doesn't.
no subject
Yu's always been confident, seemingly in control of not only his powers, but his emotions. In a lot of ways, Scott looked up to him, his leadership, that dedication to make sure that his friends don't sacrifice themselves. Of all the people that he talked about that, he really is one of the few that seems to really understand. Kotone and others... they're always just willing to put their life out first as a sacrifice while not realizing how much it hurts for those left behind. Maybe it's foolish to think that no one will ever need to do something like that, but he's still going to believe in it.
Yu understands that. Of course, this seems like more than just losing his friends in that manner. It's about being alone, without anyone, for one reason or another. Scott's a little surprised that Yu was worried about being alone, but as the Shadow explained, he's hid this from others.]
He's afraid too, huh? [Scott finally acknowledges after a moment, the corner of his mouth curving upward in understanding. All this is serious, painful, but he gets where his friend is coming from. After being surrounded by so many people that have come to accept him, it's hard thinking about them disappearing from his life. Some already have.]
...Going back to the days where you're just an outcast. It sucks to think about. Maybe that's why I will stubbornly be his friend, for as long as I remain here.
no subject
Yu had never been like that. It had all been intentional, for him. Less an outcast and more an outlier.
It's the rest that hits him hard, though, makes his insides twist and settles like a heavy feeling in his chest. His friend. And the Shadow can't deny it, either; he's just a part of someone else. He doesn't get to have those links, not himself. Not all for himself.]
Scott... [Nothing changes about the labyrinth, exactly, except that echoes sound a bit deeper. The ends of the hallways seem a bit darker. As if they go on forever.] Stay with me. Please.
[He doesn't specify how long.]
no subject
Sure, man.
[Maybe he shouldn't reach out and touch an obvious doppelganger, but Scott doesn't think hard about that, raising his hand to lightly grip his friend's shoulder in a reaffirming hold. Even like this, he trusts that Yu wouldn't harm him or anything, so this support is easy to give. It's what Scott wants to give to a friend that's helped him multiple times in the past. And yeah, not fully him and everything, but it's still a part of Yu.]
I'll stay here as long as you need. [His voice takes on a more joking tone.] Although, I would prefer if we start finding a way out of this place too. But... we'll do it together.