013 ♐ Video ♐ I'm writing this letter and wishing you well; Mama, we all go to hell

[codename_duchess]

[Archer's been thinking. Running around teasing the flooded passengers was a good distraction, but his talk with Rogue has stuck in his mind. So this time he looks a bit more somber, although no more sober than usual. He's sitting on his bed, tie undone, sipping a gin and tonic with Kazak sprawled out behind him.]

Hey, I just have a question.

Is it uh - shit. [He falters, uncharacteristic for him.] Is it normal to hate your mother?

Comments

[codename_duchess]

But what if you do anyway?

[fire_punk]

She's into S&M and she likes fucking kids.

private

[codename_duchess]

Yeah.

...I mean Mother is just a bitch. She didn't do anything like that.

Private;

[codename_duchess]

What about your dad? Did you get along with him?

[codename_duchess]

Oh, EW.

Ewwwwwwwwww!

[lastincident]

It's normal to hate a parent that doesn't care for you in an emotionally healthy way.

[ Bruce is pretty firm on that. ]

You are not abnormal for having angry feelings toward a parent. If you want to... talk about things, you're welcome to contact me privately.

[ Bruce is super familiar with family abuse. ]

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[ichoosefight]

That doesn't mean you're obligated to like her. I mean, you should probably try to make sure she doesn't die, but your obligations pretty much end there.

[routemistress]

Loving someone doesn't 'ave to mean accepting everything they ever did as right.

Archer. You're an adult. Sit down with Rogue or with one of our counsellors 'ere and take it apart, strand by strand. She might've loved you; that doesn't mean she did right by you. She might not 'ave loved you; and that's not your fault. If you take one thing to 'eart today make it that: it's not your fault.

[fire_punk]

Yeah, ew. At least she doesn't have her powers anymore.

[this_corrosion]

I dunno, what did she do?

[logistical]

Is there a reason for hatred?

[codename_duchess]

Is she dead? I really hope she's dead.

[codename_duchess]

Yeah, I know. If you asked me to list off things Mother's done right, I. Can't get past the first one.

That's... not what I thought. [He doesn't think. Did he ever believe it was his fault? Or was it always just sucky and he got used to it?]

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[codename_duchess]

I already do make sure she doesn't die. She's my boss. If someone's trying to kill her I'm probably in the office.

[codename_duchess]

She's a bitch. And she's mean. And she liked her dog more than me.

[codename_duchess]

I think she might be a bad person.

[NO SHIT, STERLING.]

[logistical]

[In his defence, he's a great Boggle partner?]

You are not obligated to love a parent, and under those circumstances I would say it is illogical to.

[codename_duchess]

[One of his many skills.]

Yeah, but it's love. It's not supposed to be logical.

[Those skills we mentioned? Relationships aren't one of them.]

[logistical]

True, but you have asked a question regarding reason.

[codename_duchess]

Actually I asked a question regarding normality but it's pretty much the same thing for you, isn't it? Not with humans.

[fire_punk]

Not as far as I know. Not that she doesn't deserve it but I'm done killing.

[codename_duchess]

I'll do it! Can I do it? I bet the Admiral would let me do it.

[routemistress]

[Iris nods.]

Kiddies tend to internalise whatever's their normal. Expect it to be normal for everyone. They feel unloved or unwanted, they go with it being their fault; 'cause that's the closest they can get to 'aving any control over it. It's not as scary as understanding the person in power over 'em's liable to go off on them for no reason they can influence.

What d'you think made your mum 'ow she was?

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[this_corrosion]

What, actually?

[logistical]

It is normal to dislike if there are sufficient grounds. Hence my qualification of your question.