"...But I don't mean that it's a bad thing. Well, the whole clinical tone deal is a little weird for me. Like you're scrubbing everything you say clean. But that's just something else you choose to do, not because you're like that, but because you thought it was a good idea. Right? Most people do most things because they're a way. Because it feels right. You want something, and you aim for it. There's nothing really cold about that."

"Well, maybe you're a little bit like that."

Jessica laughs softly. "Guilty as charged, I suppose." She looks over at the girl thoughtfully. "You seem to have put a lot of thought into analyzing me. I'm curious what led you to these conclusions." She gives the girl an assessing look. "And what about you? Do you find that you 'aim for what you want' in a similar way?" She's still wary of the coy, adversarial tone the girl has taken at times, but is willing to engage in a frank discussion if it will give her more insight. There are layers of meaning and motivation behind the way people choose to interact, and she's determined to peel them back and understand this girl, as much as she's able. Though to be honest, it's a bit harder than usual, sweating in her tidy work blouse.

"Well, you didn't make it hard. Half of it was demographics—you wouldn't make it here if you weren't kind of a try-hard— and the most of the rest was affect, dress, paying a bit of attention to what you say. And little things. Pauses. Reaction speed. Reading, cold and hot."

She furrows her brow.

"When I tried it on Armsmaster he started asking if I had a Thinker power. Again, low expectations."

"...And yeah. I guess that's how I think of myself."

Jessica laughs. She can certainly see why Colin asked the girl about Thinker capabilities, given how insightful and perceptive she seems. "Well, I appreciate you taking the time to try and figure me out. It's an interesting experience, having your methods turned on you." She pauses, considering her words. "Do you think you'd be interested in joining the Wards, even without the para of parahuman? I'd be surprised if they underestimated you in here."

"I'm not really sure I have much of a choice."

"There's always a choice."

"It's... not a terrible idea, I guess. I'm already kind of battle-proofed, and the Wards are supposed to be pretty safe, so there's nothing really stopping me. Just kind of a trial period, while we figure things out. It feels weird, though."

"Maybe they'll put me on the fast track to a PRT field team once we clear up this whole misunderstanding?"

Jessica smiles encouragingly. "I'm sure you'd be an incredible asset to any team. And the Wards program is designed specifically to mentor parahumans your age, so I'd guess it's more than equipped for you." Her smile turns wry. "Not that you seem to need much mentoring, intellectually speaking. But having a stable support system can be … nice." She pauses, considering. "You seem wary of the idea, though. What concerns you about joining the Wards?" She keeps her tone gentle; it's clear this girl has faced a difficult path to get where she is now, and her reservations likely stem from very real experiences. Jessica wants to understand, so she can reassure her and ensure her needs are being met. Her job is to protect and empower even reluctant parahumans, not coerce them against their will.

"I mean, like I said. Not a parahuman. Imagine the mess that'll be, when... ugh, if, they actually figure out what's going on. Are they going to debut me? Am I going to have to lie? Will everyone think I'm crazy if I don't? I don't like that."

"...And I'd have to meet them to really know, but if I'm honest, the whole 'youth team' thing doesn't really gel with me. I'm... used to doing things alone. And I'm not sure how I feel about some kid whose main achievement in life is getting so traumatized that they got superpowers bossing me around."

Jessica nods thoughtfully. "I can understand why the idea of the Wards might not appeal to you, given what you've said." She considers for a moment. "As for the issue of your powers, the PRT is fully equipped to handle unusual or obscure abilities - I don't think you wouldn't have to lie, exactly. You don't have to call anything you do powers, just show them what you can handle. I like to think we do a better job not underestimating people with better standards." She gives the girl a sympathetic look.

"I agree that many people join the Wards or Protectorate to find purpose and belonging after traumatic experiences, but few of them that haven't moved past their trigger are leaders." Her tone is gentle but matter-of-fact. She can almost convince herself that it's not a lie.

"That said, the choice is ultimately up to you. The Wards program is designed to be supportive, not coercive. If you're not comfortable with the idea, we can discuss other options for helping you." She pauses, waiting to see how the girl will respond to her reassurances.

She furrows her brow a bit, angrily going slightly faster on the elliptical, before registering how silly that is and calming down.

"I guess it's not that it bothers me that I'd have to lie. Just... people are going to have these ideas about me. About how I came into what I can do. I guess... maybe I can work it? They let Myrddin say he's a wizard. But I don't... well, I don't know. I guess I can try to workshop it."

The Very True Assurance goes unremarked on.

"I just don't want this to just be how people see me. Forever."

Jessica nods in understanding. "Having your identity defined by your abilities, especially in the public eye, can be deeply uncomfortable. The Protectorate and Wards do provide resources for maintaining an alter ego and protecting your privacy, but there are no guarantees, and the line between cape and person can blur." She smiles gently at the girl. "You seem to have a strong sense of who you are, apart from any labels others might apply. Hold onto that, and don't let them define you. The PR department may want to craft an 'image', but you are the only one who can say who you really are." She pauses, considering. "Being part of a team like the Wards can provide mentorship and support in navigating these issues. But there are other options, if you'd prefer to remain independent." She smiles encouragingly. "The choice is yours. Just know that you have options, and you have worth and value regardless of what path you choose."

She stares at Jessica for a moment, slowing down a bit on the elliptical, rotating the shape of the conversation around in her head.

"...You're kind of good at this, aren't you? I..."

She chuckles, shaking her head and starting to wind down.

"Anyway. I'm probably tiring you out. Is there anything else you need to, uh, know? To clear me, or whatever it is that we're actually doing here. Formally speaking."

Jessica smiles. "Thank you, I do try my best." She considers the question, gaze thoughtful. "To formally clear you, I'd need to determine that you don't pose a threat to yourself or others, and have a plan in place to productively channel your abilities. We've discussed options for the latter, but to address the former..." She pauses. "You seem wary of authority and uncomfortable with the idea of close team dynamics. Are there any concerns I should be aware of regarding your willingness to follow orders or work with others?" Her tone is gentle but probing. She needs to get a sense of how well the girl would integrate into either the Wards or the Protectorate before determining if clearing her is the right course of action. But more than that, she wants to understand any underlying issues and find ways to support her, whatever path she chooses to walk.

"Oh, me? Team player. One hundred percent. Very prosocial. I ace those personality quizzes they give you in online intervies."

Single raised eyebrow.

"...I guess I'm not much of an order-follower. Again, I'd rather, uh... meet the team, yeah? I don't really know what to say except that it depends. I have kind of... quit more than one job on a whim. Kind of because I could. And I can get... a little too focused? But I'm not much of a maverick, I just have a strong personality. And only kind of an ass, most of the time. I can't imagine I'm worse than most of the people you end up getting."

She's again going to reject that comparison, all - or at least most - of her patients like to think they're above average on that front. "Because you could?" There's a lot being elided here.

"Well, I mean. A lot of people don't... well, maybe it's not that they don't realize it, just- well. A lot of people don't really seem to have figured out that they're in control of their lives, you know? They don't realize that they can just... change tracks. Hit the bricks. Start over. Or they don't know what to do, or they have things tying them down, or something. In the real world no one knows what you did."

Beat.

"...Like, if you cussed your boss out and walked out, or whatever, you don't have to put that on your resume when you go looking again."