DUPLICITY: IC INBOX

[theansweris]

[text ~ voice ~ video ~ in person]

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[prideinbattle]

[ So they have that in common. It would explain how he could see what was going on just from the conversations on the network. To her it sounds like more example of humans being awful only this time to each other. She takes a moment to sort out exactly how to explain. ]

Well to start with, I met Connor at a festival. I was happy to find another android here since the only other one I knew of was the one I had just gotten out of a contract with because he abused me. We hooked up and I didn't realize I had feelings for him until he told me the next time we met that he was in an exclusive relationship now. I never had feelings like that before. Didn't even know I could.

[theansweris]

He listens attentively, nodding his understanding. "You came out of an abusive relationship. You met another android, had brief relationship?"

A one night stand? A few dates? Did they discuss emotions?

[prideinbattle]

It was just that one time but it meant a lot to me. I thought that he felt the same. It really hurt that he wanted to be with a human instead when we've had experience with them treating us like we're not even people. I only wanted to tell her not to hurt him.

[ She tenses her shoulders with her fists in her lap. ]

[theansweris]

"I understand that," he agrees. "There was a woman I greatly admired and had fondness for. And when her boyfriend was leaving bruises on her, I stepped in, told him he had to stop. And he publicly shamed me to make me back off. That I 'didn't understand how things are with a woman like her'."

But death doesn't stick here, so that's not a solution this time.

"What was it that you did that they're all up in arms about?"

[prideinbattle]

Being shamed for trying to help is the worst. I didn't harm her and as long as Connor's alright then I won't interfere. They keep going on about stalking. But I'm not sure what they consider that to be exactly.

[theansweris]

Ed is the worst person to be explaining this, but Riddler does his best. "Stalking is following someone without their knowledge for your own gratification. Basically. People don't like being secretly followed, they like to decide what to share with others."

He might have stalked a couple of people.

"Tell me what actions you took between when he told you there could be no further relationship between you and when Alfred lost his temper."

[prideinbattle]

I saw them together once and then I went to talk to her the next time I saw her alone. I thought I could confide in Alfred about it after it went badly. But then this happened.

[ If she had known he would punish her like this she would not have told him. She was used to being hurt physically. At least with that no one else needed to get involved. ]

[theansweris]

"Where was she when she was alone? Was it in a public space? I need more information than you're giving me, give me... a tactical rundown of the build up and meeting. I can't dissect what I don't have."

[prideinbattle]

I recognized her as she was going into a bookstore in the down and then I went in after her and talked to her inside. There wasn't really anything to it before that. I was just going about my day. It's not like I planned this.

[theansweris]

"All right, so you saw him and her together. Then when you saw her go into a store, you followed her in to speak to her. Tell me what was said."

[prideinbattle]

Yes. Okay well I told her I was concerned about whether she could be trusted. I guess I did threaten her when I said that if she hurt him I would come for her. She thought I was a stalker because I would do anything for him even if he didn’t notice me. I didn’t mean that I was going to watch him!

[theansweris]

"Honestly, it sounds like they jumped to conclusions. But, something I've learned, most human women are raised in a culture of fear. They're often made to feel helpless and vulnerable, which is enhanced in this city, so someone more physically capable in inherently somewhat threatening."

This is another thing learned from listening and studying. Gotham has problems, but has usually had a lower sexual crime rate than many cities (and a much higher violent crime rate).

"But I think this woman over reacted. And probably interpreted your bluntness as threat. Most people like lots of explanation and cushioning of terms with uncertainty. I don't know why. But they do. They think being blunt or confident is arrogant and demanding."

[prideinbattle]

That's something I don't know much about too. Our kind have no sexual parts. We don't learn about these kind of things. And the few women I knew in the military were high-ranking officers, so pretty different from this one.

[ She thought it was overreaction too. Hearing him agree makes her feel validated. ]

[theansweris]

"Well... sometimes people who have been hurt are hyperreactive to anything like the same hurt. Someone I know was betrayed and he was very on edge about it happening again. Any hint of betrayal and he would overreact unless I could talk him down. She might have done this."

He thinks. "Is Pennyworth your contract holder?"

[prideinbattle]

That would explain it.

[ Going over the conversation in that context does at least put some reason behind it even if she can't personally relate at all. ]

Alfred? Yes, we were assigned together. Why? [ She reaches for the dog tag that serves as her collar and identification to feel the raised letters between her fingers. ]

[theansweris]

"I know him. We come from the same city, but not the same point of time. Given the company I know he keeps, I'm not surprised that he took the moral high horse without listening." He should have known better than to trust someone who was on good terms with Gordon.

[prideinbattle]

Is there something I should know about him?

[ Perhaps something he wouldn't tell her himself even. ]

[theansweris]

"Not really. I just disapprove of someone he befriended. I should have realised that to befriend Jim Gordon and defend him despite his crimes would take a level of rash judgment or hypocrisy." He can't think of anything about Alfred that's actually a problem.

[prideinbattle]

He tells me he's giving me freedom but it feels like he just doesn't want anything to do with me.

[ So it's that kind of deal. She's known people like that before. ]

[theansweris]

Riddler decides it's better to be honest. "He didn't want a contract. With anyone. He's pining after the marked guy he had who vanished from here. You should try and find someone else, who can meet your needs. I posted when I got here, said what I wanted from my contract and worked out something which fulfilled my needs and theirs."

[prideinbattle]

It's not for lack of trying. I've just been refused by every dominant I've had any interest in. So why bother? I'm not even sure if I'll meet my quota this month.

[ She doesn't want to be turned down again. After that many times and then this whole incident it's just too much. Posting to the network is the last thing she wants to do. ]

[theansweris]

"That the beauty of a post. You don't invite any person. You are simply stating what you need. And I strongly advise you meet quota. I just go to bars, find someone fairly appealing, do whatever is required and leave. Distasteful, but the alternative horrifies me. This way, it's still my choice."

[prideinbattle]

Everyone will have seen that post. He's gone and ruined any chance I had to find a partner willing to be with me let alone sign a contract. At best any attempt I make at selling myself now would be ignored.

[theansweris]

"A lot of people don't check the network. Others will realise it's just one side of it." He pulls out his notebook and a pencil, twirling it in his fingers. "Some people would see what you did as a sign of devotion and want that aimed at them. My friend, John, I don't recommend him for you, by the way, but he follows people he likes. Just how he is. I only paused over that post because I know Alfred."

That simple. Most people simply wouldn't care that much.

[prideinbattle]

I guess I'll think about it. What would I even put on a post like that? I don't want to sound desperate.

[ Very important. Though she does like the idea of someone who would appreciate her devotion. She has so much to give if only she can find someone who can handle her. ]