Just for once in my life I'd like for something to go right! Why are you still facing away-- the demo's over! I can't do it!
[ At that precise moment, the blue light comes back, and Daisy might just feel herself compelled to turn around and stare at Catra, unable to look away even if she tries, even as Catra's still ranting. ]
Oh sure, now you're glowing, you good for nothing piece of garbage!
[ it isn't as strong as the compulsion drugs, nothing quite so obvious that she knows she can't, but a girl as strong-willed and stubborn as daisy johnson can recognize when the instincts in her head aren't her own.
it's not hive 2.0, thank god, but there's definitely something extra about the sudden and irresistible urge to give a good hard look at catra that begs to be explored. ]
You did something. [ pride colors her tone, warm and reassuring. ] You want to try again?
Try something harder. Try to get me to do something weird. [ a beat. ] But I think you're going to have to really want it. I didn't feel like I wanted to turn around until you got pretty worked up before.
[ It takes a second for her to restrain her excitement and settle down. Things are starting to make a bit more sense. She closes her eyes and tries to remember that feeling she had back when she fought Rey, without actively bringing it out. The desire to not be ignored.
The blue glow starts again. While her eyes are still closed, she can feel it this time, and she fires off a rapid string of directions. ]
Touch your toes. Pat your head. Jump up and down. Look at the clock. Balance on one foot.
[ There's no compulsion behind any of them............ except, strangely, "Look at the clock." The feeling of wanting to look at the clock is very strong. ]
[ she's got minor experience with mind control when it comes to displaced-specific powers. her pseudo dad's got something similar, but his hadn't started there; he'd been able to hear, but not to manipulate, where catra seems not to control, but to focus... as if to channel her own intense need into someone else.
it makes sense, then, daisy thinks, for catra's ability to require attention. a purpose, not just a desire. why should daisy have wanted to turn around, except for the fact that catra needed her to? if daisy hadn't turned, she would have failed. the need was there, the focus. so when catra rattles off silly commands, daisy feels nothing — until the clock, and the impending sense of urgency, and her head snaps up to look at it without missing a beat. ]
Wow.
[ it's almost like the empathy bond, but without touch. ]
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But... the second time, I was talking too. Venting.
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So trash talk me. You wanted Rey to look at you, so try to get me to do it. [ a beat. ] No touching.
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[ She flounders for a minute. Nobody's ever asked her to insult them before. Her heart isn't really in it now?? ]
I don't know. Your... face is stupid...?
[ Predictably, nothing happens. ]
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Oh, come on. Why would I want to look at you if you tell me that?
[ she would not. ]
I'm gonna turn around. Try to get me to look at you. Pretend I'm Rey.
1/2
This isn't going to work...
[ But she stares at Daisy's back for a moment, wrestling with her feelings of inadequacy and embarrassment. ]
... Fine. Hey, look over here.
[ She sounds about as silly as she feels, and predictably, it doesn't work. There isn't even a blue glow. She's too self-conscious. ]
Turn around...? Fight me? I don't know-- hocus pocus abracadabra?! What's the magic word??
[ Still not so much as a blue glow, and frustration mounts in her stomach. ]
This is stupid! Nothing's going to happen because I can never do anything right!
2/2
[ At that precise moment, the blue light comes back, and Daisy might just feel herself compelled to turn around and stare at Catra, unable to look away even if she tries, even as Catra's still ranting. ]
Oh sure, now you're glowing, you good for nothing piece of garbage!
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it's not hive 2.0, thank god, but there's definitely something extra about the sudden and irresistible urge to give a good hard look at catra that begs to be explored. ]
You did something. [ pride colors her tone, warm and reassuring. ] You want to try again?
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--Wait, seriously?
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[ she tips her head, considering. ]
Try something harder. Try to get me to do something weird. [ a beat. ] But I think you're going to have to really want it. I didn't feel like I wanted to turn around until you got pretty worked up before.
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You think I can-- compel people to do stuff?
[ There is barely restrained manic glee in her voice. ]
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[ is that a challenge. ]
You might have to convince me.
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[ It takes a second for her to restrain her excitement and settle down. Things are starting to make a bit more sense. She closes her eyes and tries to remember that feeling she had back when she fought Rey, without actively bringing it out. The desire to not be ignored.
The blue glow starts again. While her eyes are still closed, she can feel it this time, and she fires off a rapid string of directions. ]
Touch your toes. Pat your head. Jump up and down. Look at the clock. Balance on one foot.
[ There's no compulsion behind any of them............ except, strangely, "Look at the clock." The feeling of wanting to look at the clock is very strong. ]
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it makes sense, then, daisy thinks, for catra's ability to require attention. a purpose, not just a desire. why should daisy have wanted to turn around, except for the fact that catra needed her to? if daisy hadn't turned, she would have failed. the need was there, the focus. so when catra rattles off silly commands, daisy feels nothing — until the clock, and the impending sense of urgency, and her head snaps up to look at it without missing a beat. ]
Wow.
[ it's almost like the empathy bond, but without touch. ]
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--It worked! One of them worked!
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[ pride!!! so much pride!!! ]
Are you feeling like you're getting the hang of it a little? Or at least feeling the difference?
1/2
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I'm only gonna say this once, so pay attention, but--
... Thanks.
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[ but there's a smile on her face that says she did. she's letting catra off easy this time, no smug you're welcome laid out between. ]
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... Don't push it.