It was an example of a power that was unquestionably strong, but also inherently limited. Shuffle could work over huge areas, switching out parts of the landscape, moving roads, hills, even buildings. He was able to massively rearrange a battlefield, but significantly less capable when dealing with the subsequent battle. More of a setup cape than an active combatant.
That's a stronk power. I can really see him having been named Labyrinth or something in an another fanfiction if he was to become a more active combatant whatever its villain or hero.
She was being regarded as some kind of defiant symbol, which was just about the last thing she wanted.
[...]
Effectively, she was an example of the Protectorate's failures, serving to highlight another extremely high-profile failure. If things didn't work out for her, if she had to slink back to San Diego at the end of all this, there was no chance of just falling back into her previous role. Not after what had happened and the amount of focus that had been placed on her. They would either have to counter that image or subvert it somehow.
Ouch. Not only has she make sure that she doesn't burn bridges she doesn't need to but also make sure she doesn't accidentally say things that can be twisted.
Garment was an incredibly talented person, and there was no doubt that she was a master of her craft, but she would probably want to apply that craft, or at least attempt to. No matter how talented Garment might be, there wasn't any outfit Gully could imagine herself in that wouldn't make her feel like an elephant that had been decorated for a festival.
Happy that Garment's skill is recognized. It hits harder than when its from a tinker perspective from Armsmaster. Armsmaster is more about the technical skill and the profoundness of her tinker ability while Gully is about Garment's fashion skills.
It would help if there was something she could do to prepare, but beyond maybe watching some more of the woman's admittedly excellent videos to get a point of reference, she was at a loss. Really, beyond waking into the studio and trying to find a way to bring up the subject, she didn't know what she could do.
Ouch. Stressing trying to research a topic to ask about and second guessing herself about it.
And that wasn't even getting into the panic waiting for her if Garment could actually set up a meeting.
[...]
"Good afternoon, Gully."
[...]
Apeiron, the Enigmatic Artificer, was here.
She knows how much panic she would have if she actually can make a deal to have it.
In the face of possibly the most powerful cape on the planet who was apparently taking the time to meet her personally
She's in panic mode. It doesn't really get better after this too. Yes, she did somehow ground herself a bit after this but she's much more stressed and nervous than Armstrong for example.
"Some additional privacy would probably help, and I might need access to my facilities, depending on what treatment option you decide to pursue. If any." He added at the end.
The casual nature of his life changing offer was almost insulting, if not for the clear sincerity in his actions.
Something I am glad for is that he hasn't lost his sincerity and that it comes across clearly. It makes a clear difference.
"Please, have a seat." Apeiron said as he stepped through the portal. The simmering aperture winked out behind him, making Gully suddenly very aware that she had moved to a completely unknown location with no means of return.
Yeah. Kinda like you are getting that second voice questing your judgement and choice.
Like she could speak in a normal tone rather than her usual whisper without constantly being reminded of who off-putting her voice could sound.
#CasualApeironConstruction
If she describes this then it will be very much deliberate on the report's view.
If Weld hadn't clearly gone behind the PRT's backs, broken the non-interaction policy and made his own deal for treatment, she wouldn't have been surprised if they had sandbagged on the issue for years, and not until Apeiron agreed to all of their terms, conditions, and policies.
That's quite cynical but not unwarranted. I do think thought that public pressure would have forced their hand eventually.
In a perfect world, the fact that Apeiron had a treatment that could help Case 53s would have pressured the Protectorate and PRT to come to terms and resolve their issues with the man. Unfortunately, in reality it was much more likely that they would have used the same situation to try to force him to comply with their demands, not ALLOWING him to help until he agreed to fall in line.
I have a hard time thinking this would be the case for any other PRT branches than Brockton Bay's. Maybe trying a bit but ultimately wouldn't push their luck too much.
"Well, more like a couple of seconds to maybe a half hour, on the outside." He said, "And that will mostly be scanning and analysis. The actual treatment won't be much longer."
Maybe the analytics will get an 'aha' moment with the decade aged whisky made yesterday now. That it can be applied to other things than non living things.
