Firebird, a Worm AU/Xover?
- Thread starter chibipoe
- Start date
Sasha
Not the Leader
- Location
- The Ever After
Everyone seems to think that the meeting with the Director will go terribly, but I don't see why.
...on second thought, while this might go alright for Taylor, I'm not so sure about the Director, surrounding property, or any of the heroes that may be sent after her.
Also, damn you @chibipoe for your cliffhangers! I could stomach it in Acceleration because it was complete and I could just archive binge, but now... now it's just painful.
It seems to me that Taylor has a plan...
...on second thought, while this might go alright for Taylor, I'm not so sure about the Director, surrounding property, or any of the heroes that may be sent after her.
Also, damn you @chibipoe for your cliffhangers! I could stomach it in Acceleration because it was complete and I could just archive binge, but now... now it's just painful.
Drakind
Black Mage
This is not going to end well if Taylor Telepathy is up on Piggot.
"Now, I know that you are upset Sirin"
'I don't care about your feelings in anyway , so shut up and do as I say'
"But this is the best result for a new Parahuman"
'I would rather throw you all in the birdcage'
"We are on your side and we can give you the support you need"
'We are going to hamstring you as much as we can'
"Welcome to the Wards"
'Now do as you are told'
And PHOENIX BURNIATOR!!
"Now, I know that you are upset Sirin"
'I don't care about your feelings in anyway , so shut up and do as I say'
"But this is the best result for a new Parahuman"
'I would rather throw you all in the birdcage'
"We are on your side and we can give you the support you need"
'We are going to hamstring you as much as we can'
"Welcome to the Wards"
'Now do as you are told'
And PHOENIX BURNIATOR!!
VolantRedX
Official Conscience of Worm Fanfiction!
Did Piggot get replaced by Senator Kelly? That's wildly out of character for her.
Total fanon. The Protectorate are only hamstrung in the same way you'd expect cops to be hamstrung.
Anon42
Some random dude
- Location
- Sweden
Let's see here, one on hand we have Taylor, who is angry, resentful, cynical and worst of all, psychic. On the other hand we have Piggot who has an abrasive, less than pleasant personality and is bigoted towards parahumans.
...
This is going to go to hell, isn't it?
...
This is going to go to hell, isn't it?
QuietlyObserving
The Railgun That Walks Like a Bear
- Location
- Here.
No. Nononononononono!
This is NOT A GOOD IDEA.
I think everyone can see exactly how well this is going to go. Piggot will, as usual, poke Taylor. I have not yet found a story where Taylor has taken being poked lightly.
Plus,
Also, a round of slow claps for Daniel Hebert, who in astonishing fashion, manages to not only shoot himself in the foot, but set that foot ON FIRE and throw it out the window. While still attached to it.
I get that there is some extent of unreliable narrator, as it is Taylor, and plenty of teens have those moments where "Everyone in the world is against me", especially when they're angry at their parents. It's actually an interesting mental process, mainly used to subconsciously affirm the teen's self-image; if everyone is against you, it means that you are of enough importance that you are worth their enmity. With Taylor, even canon!Taylor, this is occasionally evident, and she has more justification than most to expect the worst from everyone around her. But it does seem that Danny has twice now actively alienated Taylor, to the point of stupidity.
This is NOT A GOOD IDEA.
I think everyone can see exactly how well this is going to go. Piggot will, as usual, poke Taylor. I have not yet found a story where Taylor has taken being poked lightly.
Plus,
This. Yes, Taylor, come work for the organization that convinced your dad to join it without talking with you! Deal with a boss that is more concerned with his own image than his subordinates, and his boss who hates you by default! It'll be fun! Even worse is the fact that this will almost definitely mean Taylor is going to be vulnerable to Coil's...proactive recruitment policy, especially with Tattletale's ability to tear at all your little psychoses.
Also, a round of slow claps for Daniel Hebert, who in astonishing fashion, manages to not only shoot himself in the foot, but set that foot ON FIRE and throw it out the window. While still attached to it.
I get that there is some extent of unreliable narrator, as it is Taylor, and plenty of teens have those moments where "Everyone in the world is against me", especially when they're angry at their parents. It's actually an interesting mental process, mainly used to subconsciously affirm the teen's self-image; if everyone is against you, it means that you are of enough importance that you are worth their enmity. With Taylor, even canon!Taylor, this is occasionally evident, and she has more justification than most to expect the worst from everyone around her. But it does seem that Danny has twice now actively alienated Taylor, to the point of stupidity.
The real problem isn't what Danny did so much as how and WHY he did it. I don't doubt it's true that he wants what is best for Taylor. But the reason he's going over her head to put her into the Wards rather than trying to take the time to convince her, however many hours or days or weeks that might take, is his own psychological issues.
He does have good reasons for what he's doing. But... he also has not-so-good reasons. He might be able to get away with it with a non-psychic, but from Taylor... not-so-much. He's trying to take away her right to make her own decisions on a very important issue, and Taylor's powers are making it obvious to her that one of his reasons for making this decision is because he has been doing a terrible job at being a proper father. And he's not even making an effort to start being a good one. He's finally owned up to the fact that he's lost almost all contact with his daughter and has no idea what's going on in her life, and instead of having a long-overdue discussion with her, what is he doing?
He's trying to invoke his parental rights. Now. Of ALL times. There is literally no worse moment in his entire life for him to have tried to pull this on Taylor.
There aren't enough natural 20s in the world.
He does have good reasons for what he's doing. But... he also has not-so-good reasons. He might be able to get away with it with a non-psychic, but from Taylor... not-so-much. He's trying to take away her right to make her own decisions on a very important issue, and Taylor's powers are making it obvious to her that one of his reasons for making this decision is because he has been doing a terrible job at being a proper father. And he's not even making an effort to start being a good one. He's finally owned up to the fact that he's lost almost all contact with his daughter and has no idea what's going on in her life, and instead of having a long-overdue discussion with her, what is he doing?
He's trying to invoke his parental rights. Now. Of ALL times. There is literally no worse moment in his entire life for him to have tried to pull this on Taylor.
There aren't enough natural 20s in the world.
VolantRedX
Official Conscience of Worm Fanfiction!
Maybe Piggot, not being a moron or a monster, will recognize the asset Taylor could be and recognize she will not respond to either threats or feigned interest, will be honest and frank but not demanding? You know like a well written character and not a flanderized strawman.
Sadly that is fairly unlikely. Piggot is, after all, an anti-Parahuman bigot. (Not without reason and she does keep it mostly in check.)
Taylor is going to pick up on that, which means it doesn't matter what Piggot says. Taylor knows what she really feels and that is going to lead Taylor to interpret Piggot's words in a negative light.
Why does that matter? Human language is all about interpretation. If I were to say "Think of the color red" I can almost guarantee you that you and I will think of slightly different colors. That's our individual interpretation of the color red. With that in mind, imagine how Taylor is going to mis-interpret every word out of Piggot's mouth in light of Piggot's bigotry.
The best thing Piggot could do would be to tell Taylor that she doesn't want an unwilling Parahuman in the Wards. Unfortunately Piggot wants all Parahumans under some level of "adult supervision."
On a personal note, I'm wondering if Taylor's telekinesis has grown to the point where she can break the Rig in half by herself. We might just find out..
Endymion
An Operator will be with you shortly.
I think Piggot's going to be forthright and honest, both out loud and in her head, make an all in all decent pitch, and still get shot down by Taylor. Taylor has made her point many, many times at this point. She does not want to be a Ward. They really have no way to force her to do anything she doesn't want to do; other than psychological manipulation...which works badly when the one your talking to can read your mind.
@Nicholai She's not going to the Rig, they're going to the PRT building which is Downtown.
@Nicholai She's not going to the Rig, they're going to the PRT building which is Downtown.
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Sasha
Not the Leader
- Location
- The Ever After
I agree, but even if she proceeds in a logical manner when it comes to recruitment, Taylor's gonna be able to tell that underneath the facade, she has a prejudice towards parahumans.
Not to mention that Taylor's not likely to change her mind at this point no matter what Piggot says.
notmi
Super Koala God Super Koala
I can't imagine it would be legal to force a child into the wards when they have not committed any crimes, and even if it was, I can't imagine that the PRT would go along with it. For all that the Wards are not a crime fighting organization in the same way as the Protectorate, they do fight crime and put themselves in dangerous situations, especially in the Bay. For that matter, just being in the wards would place a target on your back, as it would be counted as a declaration that you are on the side of the heroes, and thus against the villains.
Disregarding all of that, they place a large emphasis on their public image, and having a ward that was forced into the job without them having some kind of legal hold over them, like with Sophia, is just asking for a public image disaster. The Wards do public events, and are used as an example to try and encourage other parahumans to join, and there is very little that would put a newly triggered person off wanting to join more than learning how much one of the members hates being in the Wards, and was forced to join. Can you imagine a Ward, past or present, going out in public and giving an interview that he/she was forced into the program against their will, especially if they pulled anything like the shit that Armsmaster and crew pulled against Taylor? It would be a disaster.
Disregarding all of that, they place a large emphasis on their public image, and having a ward that was forced into the job without them having some kind of legal hold over them, like with Sophia, is just asking for a public image disaster. The Wards do public events, and are used as an example to try and encourage other parahumans to join, and there is very little that would put a newly triggered person off wanting to join more than learning how much one of the members hates being in the Wards, and was forced to join. Can you imagine a Ward, past or present, going out in public and giving an interview that he/she was forced into the program against their will, especially if they pulled anything like the shit that Armsmaster and crew pulled against Taylor? It would be a disaster.
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chibipoe
May I tell you of the glory that is Catradora?
- Location
- Astoria, Oregon
Everyone seems to think that the meeting with the Director will go terribly, but I don't see why.
It seems to me that Taylor has a plan...
...on second thought, while this might go alright for Taylor, I'm not so sure about the Director, surrounding property, or any of the heroes that may be sent after her.
Also, damn you @chibipoe for your cliffhangers! I could stomach it in Acceleration because it was complete and I could just archive binge, but now... now it's just painful.
I didn't want to load this chapter down into another monster like the previous one and this felt like a good spot to bring it to a halt.
She refuses to speak with him. That is why he tried to sign her up to the Wards.
chibipoe
May I tell you of the glory that is Catradora?
- Location
- Astoria, Oregon
As near as we can tell, your parents can submit you for Wards membership against your will. I hesitate to invoke him here, but, when an inquiry was submitted, example given was... well, Feint.
Sasha
Not the Leader
- Location
- The Ever After
No worries.
I was getting antsy without my Firebird fix anyways.Out of curiosity, what does/will the PRT file on Taylor/Sirin say, and will we get to see it?
Also, any plans for a PHO interlude at some point?
notmi
Super Koala God Super Koala
Is PRT Quest actually considered Canon?
Endymion
An Operator will be with you shortly.
You know I'm kinda wondering when Taylor's going to realize that her TK is not Manton limited. She can as easily pick up a person as a rock. Or scarier gently constrict the blood vessels in the neck to knock someone unconscious. Of the powers she's letting them see that would be the scariest to face as an opponent.
BeaconHill
Lost Among Carbon Fields
Regrettably, things would not have gone the way they already have if Piggot were not a flanderized strawman.
Trying to find the secret identity of an immensely powerful parahuman who's committed no overt villainous act is a terrible idea. Sending an incredibly obvious spy into a normal high school to attempt to discover that identity is a terrible idea. (And the PRT already had someone on the inside!) Outing that parahuman to her father and then blowing your spy's cover at the same time is also a terrible idea. Trying to press-gang an extremely powerful yet teenage superhero with an awful temper into the Wards unwillingly is a terrible idea. Getting her father, who only knows about her secret identity because you outed her to him, who his daughter doesn't even talk to let alone trust, to try to sign her up over her vocal objections is a terrible idea. Poking anyone who has the PR equivalent of the Sword of Damocles hanging over your head is a terrible idea. Attempting even one of these things is deeply, deeply idiotic, and either Piggot or her subordinates have already tried all of them, plus probably more I've forgotten.
There's also the fact that the Wards has already hired not just one but two of her tormentors, the second of which she'll only find out about if some moron makes her join the Wards. The only way this could possibly be a worse plan is if Emma is secretly Vista.
The fact that Piggot hasn't told them to shut it all down yet strongly indicates that, alas, Piggot is just as straw as all the rest of the PRT/Protectorate are. Which is not to say that this is a problem, necessarily. A good old-fashioned flanderized PRT stomp is always nice for light reading. But I do think it's kind of a shame.
(Incidentally, I cannot fathom why people keep calling this fic's Armsmaster intelligent. Indeed, I've rarely seen one so comically buffoonish.)
Most people ignore it; there was a lot of utter brokenness in that quest, and that's just from when I dropped it a year ago.
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A shame that interesting, fun characters like Horizon, Auroch, and Roulette get ignored too as collateral.
chibipoe
May I tell you of the glory that is Catradora?
- Location
- Astoria, Oregon
This is a fantastic idea!
chibipoe
May I tell you of the glory that is Catradora?
- Location
- Astoria, Oregon
No worries.
Out of curiosity, what does/will the PRT file on Taylor/Sirin say, and will we get to see it?
Also, any plans for a PHO interlude at some point?
A PHO interlude will be forthcoming at some point. Sirin hasn't made enough of a splash(or any really) to be much of a topic of discussion. PHO interludes are just sort of there, so I might not even do one. We'll see.
and she keeps making her own day worse by actively alienating just about everyone that wants to help her.
I know that it's in character for Taylor but it's still fucking stupid.
Example: Taylor is upset that Armsmaster is more concerned about the big flaming chicken than about her.
Yep, she's definitely being extremely self-centered here. As bad as the bullying she's getting is, that's not Armsmaster's job. The huge flaming bird that caused a worldwide thinker blackout most definitely is.
And if it wasn't, Brockton Bay is still better served by patrolling the streets and preventing the Merchants from drugging schoolgirls into sexual slavery rather than preventing mere bullying. Maybe Piggot will shove that little fact in Taylor's face in the next chapter?
Yeah we know that Taylor is super-powerful and important and all that, but we're sitting behind the fourth wall.
Given that teenagers can trigger over bullying, y'know, like what happened here....
Legend Of Desu
Frustrated easily by Rudeness and Stupidity
Famous Last Words.
What gets to Taylor is the fact that all these people claiming to want to help her, but not because they care about her. In her mind, they don't really care what happens to her, they just want to use her for their own ends, and she can't stand that, even if on some level she understands that it's for her own good.
It's like a suicidal person being convinced not to jump off a ledge, but then learning that the person trying to save her is motivated by the promise of a promotion. Of course, that person might also be inclined to just saving lives in general, but in the suicidal person's mind she'll latch on to that bit of negativity and conclude that she's just being used for his benefit.
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