✥ video .005

[thevulnerability]

[ Chloe is sitting at her desk with the camera propped up in front of her, and she looks wholly uncomfortable, which is par for the course whenever she addresses the network. She takes a deep breath, speaking with an even tone, clearly having rehearsed what she's about to say quite a few times. ]

Hi, everyone. If you don't know me, my name is Chloe Decker. I've been in Wonderland for almost two years, and before I came here I was a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. For the last few months I've been running the Deux Lux bar and nightclub, so if you don't know me personally, maybe you've seen me there. That's, uh, not really the point of this, though.

[ She clears her throat and pushes her hair over her shoulder, trying to get back on track. ]

I'm not closing down Lux or anything, but I've come to terms pretty recently with the fact that I'm always going to be a cop. About a year or so ago someone put together a guard to help protect people who had died multiple times in Wonderland. That person has since gone home but I always thought it was a good idea, and even though our relationship with the Mirrorside has seemed to change a little since last year, I think the concept is still applicable. So what I'd like to do is talk about reforming something similar, a group of people who have experience that might be able to offer resources or even protection for those who need it, especially during the more chaotic events.

And even outside of them, when necessary. Some of you are probably aware of an incident that occurred last year involving one of our own being murdered, and I don't think I'm the only one who felt helpless to do anything during that situation. I don't plan on laying down any law here... For the most part, I've learned we take care of each other as best we can. But I do think there is a basic code that needs to be upheld and that is one of decency towards each other, and for me, that means letting the people I care about know that they have somewhere to turn when they need help. I think this idea could help with that, whether it be organizing rescues or safe areas during events, or developing some kind of due process when someone is doing active harm to our community.

[ The part of the script she's more or less memorized is over at that point, so she presses her lips together and nods at the camera. ]

I'm open to suggestions, and volunteers.

Comments

[thevulnerability]

[ That elicits a small wince. Because yes, she did do that - and the part of her that has had time to think about it actually regrets it. ]

That's part of the point of this. To make sure people like you are punished fairly and accordingly for what you've done.

[hypoxic]

Fairly. [He focuses on the word he finds the most offensive.]

You think I've been treated fairly here.

[thevulnerability]

No. Amazingly, I don't. I think what we did to you was wrong regardless of the crime you committed.

[ What she would like to do to him and what should be done are two completely different things. ]

That's the point of this. To make sure next time someone like you hurts an innocent person, we have a system in place that punishes people fairly instead of letting our emotions run wild.

[hypoxic]

You left me to be chewed-upon. You stood by and watched while they proved themselves to be everything I said they were. You'll leave me as I am, tormented by a witch.

[Because, regardless of the personal crisis she is trying to communicate to him, his thoughts cycle back to his own pain. Truthfully, he doesn't even remember much of the conversation they'd had when he was at his weakest. It doesn't stop him from assuming she'd betrayed him. Everyone here has.]

[thevulnerability]

[ Her first instinct is to defend them - to point out that they only acted like monsters because he insisted that they were. There's nothing to defend, though; from Chloe's point of view, all sides were wrong in this situation, if to varying degrees. All except the innocent woman who got caught in the middle and was murdered for it. ]

I know Freya pretty well and I highly doubt whatever she's doing is all that much of a torment. If you want, I could talk to her about putting you in a jail cell instead.

[hypoxic]

So she can visit me in a closet of a different shape and continue setting me in danger? There's no reasoning with beasts.

[He takes a beat and glances over his shoulder, huddling closer to his device then.]

But are you serious about wanting to help?

[thevulnerability]

[ Oh, Christ. This is about to turn into something questionable, she just knows it. ]

Yes, I'm serious.

[hypoxic]

[It might.]

Then I need to know you're trustworthy. You've betrayed me once already. What are you willing to do to make amends?

[thevulnerability]

Yeah, no, that's not how this works. You're the murderer here. I don't need to prove anything to you and I sure as hell am not trying to make amends.

[ Not with him directly, anyway. ]

[hypoxic]

I was defending myself. [He growls it through clenched teeth.]

And I won't paint a target on anyone else's back if there's even the slightest chance you have an ulterior motive.

[thevulnerability]

[ She huffs a sigh. ]

I don't know what kind of ulterior motive you might have invented for me in that twisted, deranged, victim-hood obsessed brain of yours but I promise you whatever it is, it's not rooted in any kind of actual reality. So if you have something to say to me, just say it.

[hypoxic]

[He takes in a slow breath, growing still.]

You're with them. You've been supporting them the whole time. You'll just tell them everything.

[His pupils constrict.]

I won't fall for it. You can tell the witch and her entire family that she'll have to dig what she wants out of my bloody corpse. I'll defend it with every last synapse.

[He's handling his captivity so well, really.]

[thevulnerability]

That's my point. You are so paranoid you just think I'm going to go tattle on you every time you say anything. I still don't actually understand what your deal is, but I've dealt with worse and honestly, way more efficient criminals. [ She's still not sure whatever he's going to say isn't going to be manipulative and completely insane, but that doesn't make her any less curious. ] You wanna talk, Fitz? Drop the dramatics and just tell me whatever it is you think I need to hear.

[hypoxic]

Because I'm not a criminal.

[But he is furious. Instead of answering her honest question, he hurls his device across his meagre space, letting it turn itself off upon impact.]

[thevulnerability]

[ Maybe in the past she would be more startled, but she's dealt with tantrums from the Devil. This barely phases her.

Instead, she just rolls her eyes and concentrates on more useful members of the population who want to help. You're the worst, Fitz, and she hates you. ]