DUPLICITY: IC INBOX

[theansweris]

[text ~ voice ~ video ~ in person]

Comments

[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. ]

[theansweris]

"Hm." He taps the pencil on the notebook, looking off to the side. "What? Oh, yes, How about, you are a loyal, devoted young woman with military skills, but was denied friendship and relationships until coming here. You are looking for someone equally devoted, whom you can protect."

He can play with words, dress things up, polish them out. It's part of why he exists.

"Or whatever it is you want from a contract. I just want to be left alone and I get it."

[prideinbattle]

That doesn't sound so bad. For this one I want to make sure it will be someone who will pay attention to me. So I guess we're kind of the opposite.

[ She looks at the notebook wondering what he brought that along for. ]

[theansweris]

The notebook goes most places with him. It helps him think. "So, you say that. You want someone who will want to spend time with you."

[prideinbattle]

Exactly. Oh and I'll need them to be a compatible sexual partner too.

[ With all that she is much more confident to make a post now. ]

[theansweris]

"Specify that. If you intend on them filling your quota, if you wish monogamy, all of that sort of thing. I specified that I had no desire for commitment nor intimacy with my contracted half. A purely platonic arrangement."