Hiding in the Shadows (open)

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan took a good look around. He found himself at the pier, asking himself a question that had been bothering the human Tristan for a short while. Why has no one tried to leave by water? Surely they don't believe that the military could prevent them from leaving... Are there other shadows out there, in the water? He couldn't sense any, but that meant very little. He would barely be able to sense that another shadow was right behind him, let alone far off in the water.

Still, it was a good question as far as he knew. The barrier probably extended to the water, but that wouldn't stop anyone from trying to leave. Still musing it over, the shadow leaned over the railings in order to feel closer to the sea.

[Tristan Carter]

When he heard a voice, Tristan turned towards a person approaching. He was both surprised and alarmed to find that the speaker was none other than Isolde. The shadow knew that if anyone were to be able to tell that he had changed, it was her. Still, he felt he would be able to pay a convincing enough role.

"Oh, hey, Isolde," Tristan said. He looked up at the peaceful sky and took in the gentle breeze. Seriously. This would be the best way to try to leave, he thought to himself. However, he quickly snapped out of it and continued speaking. "Beautiful day, isn't it? So, what brings you out to the pier?"

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan could understand loneliness. After all, that was one of the reasons why it was so easy to kill the original. The human felt such loneliness at being within a group where most saw him as a mere nuisance. In retrospect, the boy probably would have lasted longer had he remained ignorant to the existence of the others. Not that he could have blamed Isolde. She was simply trying to help.

So, Tristan could easily understand loneliness."Don't let it get to you, The demons get you then." Tristan looked out over the ocean. "Anyway... So, what's up? Anything important going on, besides the full moon?" The shadow thought for a moment, then continued. "By the way, I'm not going to be able to make that."

[Tristan Carter]

Made some new friends, lost to a tiger, lost contact with Vice, Tristan thought. I don't know the friends, but the tiger has to be that Gin character. Contact with Vice? Other shadows probably aren't that social. Him especially, given how everyone knows what he is. With a sigh, the boy looked at Isolde.

"Well, I've got one thing agreed with you. I've not heard a thing from Vice." Tristan thought for a moment. "I've not met many new people, and I actually beat Gin. Not that I was any help." The shadow grinned. "I couldn't do a thing to him. How about you?"

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan chuckled. Gin, annoying? She doesn't know the half of it. She had no idea what Gin can do in the name of annoyance. That cat was nothing but a nuisance to Tristan. The new Tristan recognizes that Gin was only trying to help, but... Well, the tiger was stupid.

"I can understand that... He pulled the same trick on me before being silenced. God... I hate silence." Tristan looked at Isolde. He wondered if she had any suspicions about him... Eh, it's better not to worry... Not yet. With that, he smiled. "At least I doubt he'll be pulling the trick on us anymore. Unless we get on his bad side, of course."

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan looked down. Zhou... The human Tristan had met him briefly before his disappearance. He had seemed nice enough. Of course, it hadn't lasted all that long. Of course, on the topic of shadows...

Tristan wondered. Would Isolde accept the new being in the body, or would she simply grieve for her friend and come to hate the shadow? Either way, it wasn't likely that the boy would reveal himself. At least, not yet.

He looked back up at the sky. "I'm sorry about him... It's not like his disappearance can be easy for you..." The shadow then realized that it would be best if he were to shut up. All he could succeed in doing is making Isolde more lonely.

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan looked at Isolde briefly before turning away. He could see how the original Tristan liked her, not that he would say anything about that. He could feel Isolde's sadness and longing. The shadow could sympathize, if not relate.

He looked back at Isolde."I'm sorry, Isolde. I didn't mean to bring him to your thoughts. If you need to talk, I'm here," he said. He realized he was speaking the trademarked words of a member of the "friend zone." Still, he didn't care. He meant his words, even if only a tribute to the original Tristan.

He looked over at the ocean again. "I'm so sorry, Isolde..."

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan found himself being hugged by Isolde. He looked at the ocean with a sad smile. Then he started asking him about the truth of his feelings for her. He thought about this for a moment, then took a step back. There was no way that he could outright lie. Tristan had no reason to lie, and felt lying was wrong when there was no reason. It was something he got from the original. Still, he couldn't say the truth, either. It was also something that he got from the original- an inability to put himself on the line emotionally. Damn his narcissism, the shadow said mentally.

He looked into Isolde's eyes. "I'm not an imbecile towards you, huh? Count yourself lucky. You're apparently the only one," he said with a nervous chuckle. He didn't know how well the dodge would work, but he could only hope not to hurt Isolde's feelings by not answering. That would only end up making things far worse.

[Tristan Carter]

Tristan couldn't look Isolde in the eye. Did I honestly just dodge her question because of some crap that the original felt? he asked himself. He couldn't believe it. This, of course, meant that when Isolde said that "she cared for him," he found himself feeling extremely guilty. He looked down at his feet before saying anything.

"Isolde..." he started guiltily. "I'm sorry, I didn't..." He found himself unsure of how to continue. He sighed, then looked into her eyes. "Isolde, I have to go. I'm sorry, truly.

Tristan started to walk off before stopping. "Oh, and maybe I'll honestly answer your question someday. I just... Not today." With that, he left.