<argylecape> Me either

<argylecape> I don't actually think you're dangerous or anything?

<argylecape> Getting stuck that way seems like it'd be a bad thing

<argylecape> For everybody involved

<argylecape> But the dangerous Picassos I've heard have seemed like they were dangerous because of the kinds of people they were

<argylecape> And how that worked with how Picassos lose some stuff with how they can think

<argylecape> Not because Picassos are just automatically bad or anything.

<argylecape> If it is something where getting upset causes it you should know so you can be careful, is all.

<GenderBender> But if I'm partially Picasso what does that even mean?

<GenderBender> That's not even a thing, or well, I guess the DoS could've lied.

<argylecape> Yeah, maybe don't trust the DoS at all, about anything

<argylecape> If they say the sky is blue, check.

<GenderBender> But why would they do that?

<GenderBender> Their entire purpose is keeping the City safe.

<argylecape> Yeah, they /say/ that

<argylecape> I grew up in an institution.

<argylecape> Government types say all /kinds/ of stuff they don't mean at all.

<argylecape> Or think they mean but aren't going to follow through on.

<argylecape> You really do have to look at what they're actually doing.

<argylecape> Which in this case is 'literally having friendly conversations with Bedlam'.

<GenderBender> But it's not just about saying things.

<GenderBender> This is like the fire brigade starting fires.

<GenderBender> It's the whole point, the department has been around since the City started.

<argylecape> ...yes?

<argylecape> I mean

<argylecape> I get what you're saying

<argylecape> But it doesn't surprise me at all that they're doing the exact opposite of what they're meant to

<argylecape> I'm not sure why things like this happen but they definitely do.

<GenderBender> It surprises me, if the D.o.S. doesn't do its job then someone else has to!

<argylecape> If it needs to be done, sure.

<argylecape> It sounds like nobody's doing it right now, though, and nothing is especially on fire.

<GenderBender> It's... not exactly on fire, no.

<GenderBender> But it's smoking.

<argylecape> I guess what I'm trying to say is let's be careful not to make a worse problem while we're fixing this one.

<argylecape> If there does need to be a new DoS type thing, fine.

<argylecape> I'm just not sure that's actually true.

<GenderBender> I guess.

<GenderBender> I mean, these things are statistically uncommon but they do happen.

<GenderBender> Like fires and car crashes.

<GenderBender> Also there's the more immediate problem of "the second most powerful person in the City is buddy-buddies with Bedlam."

<argylecape> Yeah.

<argylecape> Who's the most powerful, by the way?

<argylecape> I feel like it'd be a good idea for me to be able to recognize them if they turn up someplace.

<GenderBender> The mayor.

<GenderBender> The heads of each department are appointed by him, and they're technically jointly the second most important people in the City

<GenderBender> But D.o.S. is effectively the strongest dept.

<argylecape> Okay.

<argylecape> I'll look them up when I get a minute.

<argylecape> In the meantime, what do you want to do? You seem to care a lot about this.

He sends several messages, one after the other, very quickly.

<GenderBender> Well, yeah, cubism may not be as dangerous as people think but it is dangerous and

<GenderBender> If I flicker like that and I'm okay...

<GenderBender> There must be a lot we don't understand.

<GenderBender> Does it even need contact for infection?

<GenderBender> Is despair cause or symptom?

<GenderBender> How does it all work?

<GenderBender> And the D.o.S. must know more than it lets on and if it's trying something it's got the power to affect everyone.

<argylecape> Mmhmm.

<argylecape> I don't know of anything you can do to help yet, though.

<argylecape> And I'm kind of nervous about telling you much if you're going to be around Hollister or anything

<argylecape> Like, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't clue him in on purpose, but it's easy to make mistakes with this stuff.

<GenderBender> Hmmm

<GenderBender> That's fair

<GenderBender> But Hollister already knows about the creepy doctor, right?

<argylecape> Yeah

<argylecape> What are you thinking?

<GenderBender> Well, like I said, someone needs to figure out what the D.o.S. is doing and why

<GenderBender> And how to stp them

<GenderBender> Stop*

<GenderBender> But we don't necessarily need to tell Hollister it's the D.o.S.

<GenderBender> And he could be a useful resource, within the government

<argylecape> You could tell him you're taking it over, with me dead, that'd work.

<GenderBender> ...it feels very wrong to pretend you're dead.

<argylecape> I'm open to suggestions, if you can come up with something that's as safe and doesn't make anyone think I'm crazy.

<argylecape> It really is best if the DoS doesn't know I exist, though.

<argylecape> Even if they can't catch me, it would let them guess more about what people I'm helping might be able to do

<argylecape> Which makes it harder for us to do it or less likely it'll work when we do.

<GenderBender> If I think of something I'll tell you.

<GenderBender> Meantime you'll need to have disappeared for a few more days before we declare you dead.

<argylecape> That's the plan, yeah.