Episode: 7.10

--- Trish ---

(“This obsessive nature manifests in a number of ways, typically derived from the nature of the subject’s base Obsession.”)

(“Due to this most Obsessions are defined as Positive, Negative, or Neutral, depending on the likelihood of generating an aggressive response from the subject.”)

(“Obsessions defined as Positive are the rarest and typically compel the subject to do something of benefit to those around them or can be fulfilled without any actual input. Such as an Obsession with the concept of [Healing] or [Feeding] those in need, will seek to do so, regardless of hinderance or difficulty these actions may cause to themselves.”)

(“Neutral Obsessions -the most common type- are those that, while at first glance seem harmless or even beneficial, possess the ability to be twisted into a context that can lead the subject to lashing out aggressively.”)

(“Most Obsessions of this category revolve around [Protecting] a person, place, or thing. Something that when left alone can leave the subject in a passive or even helpful state as they seek to aid their Obsession. However, it must be noted that should anything seek harm to the subject’s Obsession they shall enter a state of extreme aggression in their attempts to protect it, going in so far as to value it above all other life, their own included.”)

“Well, that’s not horrific.”

“What is?” Maggie asked from the other side of the waiting room.

“Just, uh, just read something kind of messed up.” She explained truthfully.

Her gossip loving friend rolled her hand through the air while asking, “And that is?”

“It’s a psychology thing.” She answered turning the page of her book, as she skipped the section on Negative Obsessions already having a decent idea of what those were.

Maggie nodded knowingly. “You found out what an Oedipus Complex is didn’t you.”

She just rolled her eyes before turning back to her book.

“In all seriousness why are you reading that?” Mags asked, stretching her arms above her head. “I mean, didn’t you focus on pediatrics with that minor in pharmacology?”

“It’s a book Jacob left me.” She offered, not feeling like explaining her temporary roommate’s not quite human psychology had her worried about his mental health.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Maggie blinked in surprise. “Jacob?”

“The teenager I caught you making out with in the broom closet.” She confirmed almost casually.

“Hey! He was eighteen and on his last year for a psychology doctorate!” Mags shouted indignant, while also making sure their mutual boss didn’t hear about that little indiscretion.

“It’s fine.” (Besides I’m Pretty sure it was just a pity thing anyway.) She thought to herself, remembering how broken up Mags had been after finding out her boyfriend of the time was cheating on her.

Mags glared at her for a moment before shaking her head. “Still it’s been what six months since he passed through. What made you want to read it now?”

“I think I’ve figured out what kind of Deviant Ozzy is.” She admitted, deciding to answer with a half-truth rather than giving the whole truth.

“Oh?” Maggie asked, with a fair amount of interest. “You going to share?”

She frowned before giving her (nosy) friend a look. “No, that’s not my secret to tell.”

“Just yours to look into without him knowing.” Maggie argued, returning her look.

She couldn’t help but sigh as she closed her book, already knowing that this was going to be a thing. “He ran away from home for a reason, and I just want to see if there’s anything I can do to help him.”

“You do know how many runaways pass through the falls, right?” Maggie reminded her. “You can’t change the fact that certain places are scared of certain Deviancies.”

“I know.” She growled, not liking that fact. “But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t help Ozzy, if I can.”

Maggie watched her for a moment before shaking her head with a sigh. “You know that’s not what I’m saying.”

She felt her face twitch into a scowl. “It doesn’t mean I shouldn’t help those I can help either.”

Maggie matched her scowl before running a hand down her face. “Never mind, you’re not going to change your mind about this right now either way.”

(Probably not.) She was self-aware enough to admit to that, at least to herself, even if she wouldn’t admit to Maggie.

“But ignoring that old argument.” Maggie began a little bitterly, before switching to a more concerned tone. “What exactly are you trying to help Ozzy with?”

(Let’s see, the fact that he keeps zoning-out out of nowhere.) That was something she hadn’t noticed until their card game, and after she noticed it, she began to notice it a lot more frequently.

(Or how about the way his mood keeps jumping from passive to aggressive?) Normally she’d just chalk that up to teenage hormones, or whatever way ectoplasm screws with someone’s brain chemistry. Except, she knew Ectoplasm only flashed like Ozzy’s eyes when something activated it. Normally something involving a Deadman’s Obsession or emotions.

(And all of that is before getting into the fact that,) “If Ozzy ran away from home odds are that whatever city he lived in was prejudiced against his kind of Deviant. After all, very few cities are outright racist against all Deviancies given how mainstream Arcane and M.A.D.s have become. That said, if he grew up an anti-Deviant environment…” She trailed off, already knowing Mags would get where she was going with this.

“Then he might develop a complex about being a Deviant.” Her friend sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Shit.”

“Yeah.” She agreed wholeheartedly. “I’ve gotten lucky with most of my roommates up to this point, given how none of them were really runaways. But it’s still something I need to figure out in case I run into someone who might have a complex towards themselves and their Deviancy.”

“Like Ozzy?” Mags asked with a grimace.

“Like Ozzy.” She nodded mirroring her friend’s expression.