infomodder | IC contact [Mask or Menace]

[~~tells her to contact Power Girl~~]

I don't know who all is going to make their intentions of finding him public. Keeping an eye on the Network and getting in touch with some of these capes might be in your best interests. I have to work within the bounds of the law [LMAO] here, and I'm not yet sure what their response is going to be.

[He's not encouraging illegal stuff, exactly. He just doesn't imagine bringing Sasha in with him to go over very well, and it's not like the government hasn't given certain imPorts a pass to deal with others. Still, until Will finds out more from Internal Affairs and knows what he's expected to do...Sasha doing a bit of networking, no pun intended, could be way more beneficial. Hopefully she knows if anyone asks for a character reference, she's free to point at Will. And some of these capes seem to be young, or young-ish, too. They'll probably have less frowny faces at pulling in a "kid" to run track and field.]

[ She knows he's right. She's not privy to how the law operates behind the scenes or during an actual investigation. It all sounded simpler in her head a moment ago: help catch him and leave the rest to the official authorities.

She pulls her legs up, resting her chin against her knees. ]

He wanted to know if I had seen or felt anything at the university. Why does he want to know if we were scared?

[A long pause. Sasha's spoken to Will enough to realize that's more because he's thinking his words than he's ignored her, or having troubles.]

Because he's a sadist [Does Sasha know that word? Maybe not. But Will doesn't ask, keeps going.] and he's obsessed with fear. Knowing you were afraid, what you saw, is part of his design. People like Doctor Crane care for others when others can provide them with something. In this case, the reactions and results to his attack. He may have lost the capacity to relate and care for others outside of that.

[Or he may have had it taken from him, Will doesn't say. He doesn't want to get into relating to Crane, not with Sasha.]

Remember when Doctor Crane told you we all have monsters inside of us, and that doesn't necessarily mean anything bad? Now you have a better understanding of why he'd think so, and what his idea of the "greater good" is.

This whole time he was trying to push us all into doing things he wanted?

[ So that's why he tried to convince her of all those things. It really does make her sick and angry, especially in light of everything that's happened back home. ]

That's... that's horrible.

[Sick enough to puke...]

Yes it is. But that's reflective of him, Sasha. Not you or anyone else.

[ She'll throw up Crane's ear... ]

I know.

... I didn't tell him because I wasn't ready, and I'm glad for that now, but I wasn't honest with you when I ported back in.

[In Will's sink, please.]

Is that something you want to change?

Yes... I should.

[ She exhales loudly. ]

Um, remember when you asked about the timeline? If I had experienced the future I [ slight pause ] was worried about?

[And it all ties back to Crane anyway, doesn't it?]

I remember.

... that thing happened.

You wondered what kind of person you'd be after. Are you still wondering now, or do you know?

[And if it's latter, does she know how blessed she is, too?]

[ She takes a moment to think about her answer. ]

I think I'm still not sure.

[ Maybe this is all Crane's fault -- putting all these ideas in her head that's left her confused. ]

[They should just totally stab Crane.]

New experiences, good or bad, can be difficult to adjust to. [Except this isn't a new job, this is something so much heavier, and Will's voice carries the proper weight.] Taking your time to be sure how you feel about any change isn't abnormal.

[ She'll get the axe. ]

It's already been a few weeks.

How long is it supposed to take?

Everyone's different. There's no solid answer for time frames.

[A super adult answer that basically amounts to "I don't know" because Will is also conflicted, even now, over a year later.]

I wonder if things could have been different, that's all.

[ Maybe they could have injured them rather than take their lives. ]

Might be left wondering for a long time. It's been over a year and I still wonder about that same thing myself.

[All thanks to big-headed cannibals.]

It's... kind of scary.

[ She can admit that much because it's Will. He won't judge. ]

When you're in the act you become this entirely different person.

[No judging, not on his end. Aggressively empathizing, which could easily be taken as projection...not that he's going to get into it too much. Not with Sasha.]

That's one way to look at it.

[The way that might make it easier, for some. The way that can also make it more difficult, more along the lines of her talk with Crane, more I can turn into a monster instead of myself, am I then a monster? But whatever the case, whichever direction that line of thinking steers Sasha into, Will's tone stays dangerously neutral. Nothing to sound like That's one way to look at it but I don't agree and nothing to lead her to believe the opposite, that it's his point of view, too. He isn't dismissive, he isn't ignoring her, he's just...there.]

What's the other way?

[How to be honest without being too honest? Well, there's the easy out of...]

Just like everyone needs different amounts of time to adjust to a big change, everyone has their own unique perspective on what those big changes mean. What they feel like. There's as many different viewpoints on any given situation as...there are stars in the sky. Or fish in the sea. It's endless. Some perspectives align perfectly while others are complete opposites.

[ The explanation is difficult to comprehend, but Sasha tries. ]

So... I have to decide what it means?

[He takes a moment, voice taking on a decidedly teacher-like quality.]

Who else would?

[Independence. Confidence. The ability to know oneself without being a reflection of others, however admired they are. Valuable strength to have, despite the struggle that may come from it.]

I'd say most everyone has an opinion on the matter, whether they've been in the situation or not. In the end, though, it's you. Not anyone else. You have to carry it. Live with it. Would you want anyone but you to decide?

I don't think so.

[ She hasn't quite figured herself out since it happened, though neither has she given it the proper thought it probably deserves. ]

... thank you.

["For what?" he almost asks, but decides it's too far. Too close to rejection, and Sasha doesn't need that right now.]

You're welcome. Always.

IC contact [Mask or Menace]

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could also* not should...

i saw nothing

eats eyes

but how will i make art

in the dark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehizf4vrsaw

omfg

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