24 ⚜ Anonymous Text / CW: abuse mentions

[restingstitchface]

Whether a man is a criminal or a hero is a matter of perspective.

But if you don't want to play your role anymore, and are removed from your motivation for being who you are, what do you do? Do you seek redemption and rehabilitation and transform as an individual, or do you repeat negative behavior? How much do you believe people change only because they are imPorted? In short, do you believe people can change?

If I had anybody willing to discuss this in private with me, I assure you, I'd not be raising the issue publically.

Thank you in advance.

Comments

[unbreaker]

[Fifteen years old, and he makes it sound like he knew what he was doing.

What you have to remember about somebody like him, Josuke, is that he's not a child; he's a hardened criminal. That should be the only way you treat someone like that. Even if they're human beneath it all.

But a fifteen year old boy wasn't a hardened criminal. No matter how Crane paints it, whatever he'd done to his grandmother had been done out of fear. Josuke understands that much about him now. He'd needed more than just to feel like he had control. He'd needed to exert his dominance...to know with certainty that he wasn't going to wind up under her thumb again.

It pains him to consider what that might mean Crane did. And what it means for the man now. He's well into his forties, isn't he? He's lived a long time with what he's done. Has had years to shape it in the most comfortable way for his mind to accept. The way that makes him seem faultless.

Probably, he has no regrets because he's managed to convince himself that behavior yields results.

He's got his work cut out for him wanting to help someone like this. Especially when he remembers something else Crane said before.

The most you will receive for your efforts is to see them wasted.

He's afraid there's truth in that...but he can't give up.]

did you murder your grandmother, dr crane?

[His line of questioning remains as direct as ever, his choice of words deliberate.]

[restingstitchface]

[He doesn't so much as waste time answering Josuke's question. With casual bluntness, he sends his answer over.]

Murder is a waste. You're mistaken if you believe I indulge some frivolous need. It's disappointing to lose a test subject, all my progress, but I don't cry when it happens. Yes, I killed her a month before I left home, but I don't care that she died. Do you?

[unbreaker]

of course i care.

[Because taking the life of another isn't something you can come back from. It's a steep, slippery slope, and even those who manage to climb back up still have to live every day for the rest of their lives with the knowledge of what they've done. It changes a person. It's changed Crane.

Josuke sees now...this man isn't the same boy he met in the park. But that doesn't mean he should have to suffer or that he should be considered a lost cause. He meant it when he said that he believes people can change.

But they have to want it. And Crane...right now, at least, he wants what he's wanted for a long time: control. He doesn't want to be different. Doesn't think it's necessary or beneficial.]

that day under the tree i told you that i knew your older self. you guessed you were smart. and i didn't deny it. but i couldn't deny that you were isolated, too.

how can i look at what it's done to you and not give a shit? is being like this...

is it really the best way to achieve what you want? is there no better way?

[restingstitchface]

[Good question.

Crane doesn't acknowledge it, but he investigates it mentally. This world has obviously had some effect on him, that's a fact, but it isn't Gotham, and he is certain that being away from home doesn't solve his issues. People are all of a lower caliber who lack skill and patience - and their rules often never make sense.

By the time an answer rolls around, he's convinced himself that his way is the only right way. He feels so secure in his belief that he actually gives a short, straightforward answer.]

None other than this, I'm afraid.

[But this isn't the topic he needs to control. He can feel the carpet being removed from under him every time Josuke speaks about meeting his young self. Time to pull it back.]

If you would like, I would be willing to show you why.

[unbreaker]

[Red flag, red flag, red flag...]

how do you propose to do that? the same way you fucked up my memories before?

[Although this time at least, if Crane can even do that across the network, he'll have the entirety of this conversation to put him back on the right track. Thank goodness for the written word.]

[restingstitchface]

[He sighs. What he did to those was an improvement, honestly.]

No. Don't you think I can access mine as well as yours? Consider this. I'm offering exactly what you're after. Knowledge. You say you want to understand me and I'm offering you that.

[unbreaker]

[And it's just as likely that offer is another manipulation. Josuke's not stupid.

He is, however, curious. Too much so for his own good.]

and if i say yes, how do you wanna go about it?

[restingstitchface]

A meeting in person. It won't work any other way, I'm afraid.

[Maybe he's testing Josuke's resilience a little, but honestly? This part of his power won't work without that happening.]

[unbreaker]

heropa, then. my place.

it'll be just us since everyone else has moved out.

[He'll text the directions to Heropa #004 after that, not really leaving any room for argument. Although Crane's free to fight his decision if he'd like.]