Shadow Event Log

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone, affected and not
TONE: Ranging from paranoid to angry
RATING: PG to PG-13
WHEN: After the memorial on October 31st through November 2nd.
WHERE: Hogwarts
WHAT: Those who have passed too near to a certain goblet may find themselves haunted by whispers of their unconscious insecurities. From themselves.
STATUS: ONGOING
NOTE: Details for the event are here, feel free to use the log for the whole event

Comments

[brokethecycle]

...

[ Norman stood stock still, utilizing his ability to vanish while he heard the shadow talk. He didn't know what was going on, he'd never heard anything about any kind of curse that made a horrible self deprecating doppelganger to talk down to you.

Then again, knowing little about the wizarding world was kind of his thing.

But he was quiet, letting the twin's words settle. Dipper was upset about being stood up, a lot more upset than he'd ever thought. Wow, Norman. You sort of make friends and then you go and do something like this.]

[Though- this thing was saying a few things that were untrue, he needed to set the record straight.]

That isn't true.

[mysterytwin]

[Both Dippers suddenly seemed aware of his presence, the double keeping his gaze on him while Dipper glanced the other way, hand lifting to fist in his hair as he bit his lip. This didn't make sense. Norman could see this apparition? Worse, he could hear it. Hear everything that the doppleganger was saying.

You don't seriously expect him to believe that bull, do you? the twin said, gesturing towards the original as he got up from his chair, placing a hand on his hip. We both saw you walk past us without a word. Not even a hello? It shook his head. Normy, Normy, Normy. Leading people on isn't very nice, you know.]

Stop talking to him. [Dipper's voice was a quiet hiss even as his hand clenched in his hair. Whether it was directed at the double or Norman was an entirely different thing.]

[brokethecycle]

[When did- Norman bit his lip, uncertain, but soon narrowed his eyes. Whatever this thing was, it was trying to get under both of their skins. He wasn't going to let it win.]

I'm not leading anyone on. I'm not talking to you either. You're not who I came here to see.

[He turned towards Dipper.]

Dipper... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin our plans like that, it was an accident. I lost track of time. I...I understand if you're really mad at me.

[mysterytwin]

[Wooooow. Hey look, everyone, we've got a badass over here! the double catcalled, even though it appeared as though nobody else could see him. Dipper let his hand drop from his hair to his lap, not even realizing he now had a streak of ink on his face. He gave a sigh and looked over at the other boy with a small smile.]

It's okay. I-I mean I'm not mad at you. [He rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. His feelings were being blurted out by this...this thing, and it made him feel really, really awkward.] Well I was but it...doesn't...really matter now.

[brokethecycle]

[Norman stayed firm. This apparition sounded no different than the idiots back home that liked to pick on him. Being catcalled was nothing new. He knew how to not let that get to him.]

It matters if you're upset. I just ...wanted you to know because I didn't want you to think I'd done it on purpose. I really do like hanging out with you.

[mysterytwin]

[The twin let out a long, sarcastic laugh as Dipper stared at him with a small look of disbelief. What? You like hanging out with this nerd? Please, Normy, both of us know you could do so much better. Why would you even want to hang out with someone who gets upset whenever something doesn't go according to plan?]

Y-you do?

[brokethecycle]

[Norman turned back around and glared at the apparition.]

Shut up. I'm still not talking to you. If you're going to act like a bully then go bother someone else.

[Back to Dipper!]

Of course, why do you think we've hung out so much before now? I mean. I'm not ...really used to having people who like talking to me or being around me, so I guess I'm sorry if I seem really new at this, but its true.

[mysterytwin]

[There's a long pause of consideration as Dipper mulls over his thoughts. It was true he could be kind of paranoid and jump to conclusions a lot of the time, but really, it had happened before. This time he just didn't think about there being any other reason. He scratched his cheek with a finger, glancing off to the side sheepishly.]

I'm...sorry too. I jumped to conclusions rather than asked you straight up. [He laughs a little.] I kind of do that a lot.

[brokethecycle]

[Norman offered him a small sheepish smile in return.]

That's okay.

[That ....didn't go as badly as it could have at least, and Norman is ...relieved? That Dipper seems to forgive him for screwing up.]

Um. So what do we do about him?

[Points over to the shadow.]

[mysterytwin]

[Dipper glances at his shadow too, who looks rather unhappy about this turn of events to the point where it's pretty much seething and he shakes his head at Norman's question.]

I don't know. I'm not sure where he came from but it's...it's almost like he voices all my negative thoughts. I've just been ignoring him for the last day or so.

[brokethecycle]

He looks like a ghost, but he really doesn't act like one. I've never heard of a ghost exactly copying another person. Or one that steals your thoughts.

[Oh, he really did look mad.]

So what do you really want? Why are you tormenting Dipper?

[mysterytwin]

[The double laughed again, apparently thoroughly amused at the prospect of what was unfolding in front of him before looking at Dipper. How cute. You think you're friends? You and I both know differently, don't we, Dip? Dipper bit his bottom lip and the shadow flopped back down into the seat behind him, lounging back. I'm him, he's me. We're the same.]

No we're not. [The twin looked at him with mild surprise as Dipper spoke, looking off to the side before he raised his eyes, looking straight at the shadow.] I'm nothing like you.

[brokethecycle]

And you didn't answer the question. What do you want?

[mysterytwin]

[Your guess is as good as mine, paintbrush.]

[brokethecycle]

[What an odd answer. When its tormenting Dipper it doesn't want to shut up but try to get it to talk about anything else and it clams up.]

You said it was voicing all you negative thoughts right?

[mysterytwin]

[He gave a small shrug.]

Negative thoughts, insecurities, fears. I guess they're all the same in some way though.

[brokethecycle]

...Maybe you should hear what it has to say then. Maybe that's what it wants.

[mysterytwin]

[Dipper glanced over at the double, not receiving an answer to that as it examined its nails. He reached up to rub his arm, glancing away.]

What if I'm not ready to listen?

[brokethecycle]

Then it might not go away.

[He bit his lip.]

If you want, I can leave. So you don't have to listen to it where I can hear it. Would that make it easier?

[mysterytwin]

[It takes him a moment to respond, giving a sigh and shaking his head.]

I think...I think I'd like someone to be here.

[brokethecycle]

All right.

[Norman turned his gaze over to the shadow, fixing it with a frown.]