[X] Protean chose to lean on her powers. Keep the discussion going a few minutes, switch PRODIGY from parkour to... charisma? Talking? Negotiation? Something like it. Hopefully she can be swayed with words alone.
-[X] "How many times have Empire capes broken out? It's obvious the PRT aren't actually interested in keeping them behind bars. I guarantee he would have been broken out in a week, either by his fellow Nazis or a sympathetic Officer. There is even rumors that the PRT will accept villains into their ranks in exchange for not putting them behind bars. They claim they're sending him off, but along the way they change course and soon there is a new Protectorate Hero in some other city. To them it's just a game, but try telling that to Victor's victims. His power was to steal peoples skills, permanently. How many surgeons has he taken a living from? Which psychologists or therapists did he steal the skills of to manage the Empires PR? If we're lucky, they'll finally get their skills back now. If not, that's a decade of schooling they have to pay for with skills they no longer have. How many people have lost limbs to Hookwolf? I don't know how many, but given he's escaped from a birdcage transport twice, I would guess close to triple digits. Now imagine if someone had just taken care of him after the first sentencing. Or even the tenth murder? And don't even get me started on the ABB's 'Farms'. Eventually, someone has to draw a line. It has to be somewhere."
[X] ...Protean discussed her ultimate goals and powers with Skitter. If they work together, it'll have to come out eventually, right? And a fellow survivor of Leviathan might appreciate trying to actually kill one of them. At least if Skitter doesn't consider her insane, or refuses to work with a cape-killer. But something about Skitter told Protean that she would appreciate an honest appeal to the greater good.
-[X] Shift your prodigy skill to communication, to help understand eachother.
[X] Protean chose to lean on her powers. Keep the discussion going a few minutes, switch PRODIGY from parkour to... charisma? Talking? Negotiation? Something like it. Hopefully she can be swayed with words alone.
-[X] So, let's take this by parts. Mention to her that you are a cape - in Brockton Bay no less -and a person who is inclined to action. The moment you got your powers - your agency - in this graveyard of a city was the moment you stopped being safe. "But if i want some trust i should extend some of it in kind, right?". Unmask. Tell your name. Explain to her you're the type of people the Empire would lynch if they got the chance. That Victor would squish you like a bug with glee, for being who you are. He's not a "villain", he's a monster, sure, an human one, but not less terrible because of it. If she asks about Skidmark ("was he a monster too?" comes to mind), ask her what exactly does she think he wanted with you, to shackle you in his basement? What was on his mind, when he decided on kidnapping you just after you passed out in the middle of an Endbringer attack? If Casey knows about the Truce, mention it. If not, just mention how utterly wrong it is, to do that after an EB - the literal, actual enemies of mankind, more or less - attacks your city. Tailor your approach with PRODIGY's help.
-[X] Regardless, try to set up a meeting with her, to talk cape stuff or just attack a villain/gang. Give her your phone. pho handle, a date/place to meet or whataver works. If it doesn't work, just politely leave.
[X] Protean chose to lean on her powers. Keep the discussion going a few minutes, switch PRODIGY from parkour to... charisma? Talking? Negotiation? Something like it. Hopefully she can be swayed with words alone.
-[X] "I sought out a villain to talk and get her point of view. Not exactly great "Grrr, psycho villain killer" material, now am I? I only kill monsters."
-[X] "Skidmark? I passed out in the middle of an Endbringer attack. Next thing I know, I woke up in his basement. Shackled. With two other girls. Need I say more? I did what I had to do to save myself."
-[X] "Victor? His power was to steal peoples skills, permanently. How many surgeons has he taken a living from? Hello, how many people have died because Victor thought he needed their surgeons' skilks more than they did? Which psychologists or therapists did he steal the skills of to manage the Empires PR? If we're lucky, they'll finally get their skills back now. If not, that's a decade of schooling they have to pay for with skills they no longer have."
-[X] "Think about it. How many times have Empire capes broken out? It's obvious the PRT aren't actually interested in keeping them behind bars. I guarantee he would have been broken out in a week, either by his fellow Nazis or a sympathetic Officer. There is even rumors that the PRT will accept villains into their ranks in exchange for not putting them behind bars. They claim they're sending him off, but along the way they change course and soon there is a new Protectorate Hero in some other city. To them it's just a game, but try telling that to their victims. How many people have lost limbs to Hookwolf? I don't know how many, but given he's escaped from a birdcage transport twice, I would guess close to triple digits. Now imagine if someone had just taken care of him after the first sentencing. Or even the tenth murder? And don't even get me started on the ABB's 'Farms'. Eventually, someone has to draw a line. It has to be somewhere."
-[X] Lay the groundwork to work with Skitter in the future. Maybe something minor, a hit on a Merchant cape, or going after a Chosen?
