Keeping the children apart

[Paladin]

"Some," Paladin said, "Slaves freed, tyrants killed, refuges set up, civilians trained and armed, networks of informants set up. I've done more in the last 20 years than I could have hoped for, but I am unfortunately in effect one person trying to fight against a well entrenched enemy."

[Atropha]

"Who think of you more as a nuisance than an actual problem..."

[Paladin]

"Better to be underestimated by them," Paladin said, "Most of them do. The few that haven't created a considerable mess when I took them down."

[Atropha]

"Until you run into someone who won't be fooled." she says, clearly not just talking about him.

[Paladin]

"Or you run into somebody better than you, more powerful than you, with more resources, more money," Paladin said, "The list of things that can go wrong while confronting somebody or something are endless."

[Atropha]

"None of that matters as much as people want to believe."

[Paladin]

"Really?" Paladin asked somewhat curious.

[Atropha]

"Well it does if you want to confront them directly. But I figured everyone's favourite urban guerilla fighter would be aware of that."

[Paladin]

"My use of guerrilla tactics will not save me from an enemy prepared for the kind of warfare I wage," Paladin said, "If you are fighting you must consider your opponents strengths and weaknesses. Ignoring either can have unfortunate consequences."

[Atropha]

"Who said anything about ignoring that."

[Paladin]

"You downplayed it considerably," Paladin said, "I admit I exaggerated as well."

[Atropha]

"Well, I suppose it's admirable that you haven't given up on this world."

[Paladin]

"Somebody had to step up," Paladin shrugged. "Nothing ever gets better if you let yourself become passive."

[Atropha]

"True. And sometimes they get worse no matter what you do."

[Paladin]

"I'd prefer to risk that than not try at all," Paladin said, "You know the results if you don't try, it's safe and comforting in some ways."

[Atropha]

"Right." she lets out a bitter laugh. "Comforting."

[Paladin]

"Routine is comforting," Paladin said, "Many of the people outside only continue to live because of it. The idea of stepping outside of it frightens them, the idea of being forced to even more so."

"You on the other hand are not like most people are you?"

[Atropha]

"What tipped you off. The fact that I tried to infiltrate the Hotel? Or maybe that I survived being brought to Harbinger's special little place."

[Paladin]

"You seem to have survived in body," Paladin said, "But has the spirit survived as well?"

[Atropha]

"That's a bloody good question now, is it? Why don't you take it and shove it up your ass."

[Paladin]

"Does your anger make you feel better?" Paladin asked.

[Atropha]

"A little, yes."

[Paladin]

"Then why not channel it productively?" Paladin asked.

[Atropha]

"There's nothing productive to come from anger. It gives you strength but leaves you empty."

[Paladin]

"Like it is doing to you," Paladin said.

[Atropha]

"Congratulations. Sorry, I'm all out of cookies right now."

[Paladin]

"You are stronger than this, Atropha," Paladin said.

[Atropha]

"You don't know me. Don't pretend you do."