#Definitely it's a Beat when Rachel realizes he was projecting Sibby

[artbyblastweave]

Hi! You seem to know a lot about Worm and I haven't read it in too long. You posted a thing I liked about Siberian and it reminded me of a question I had that I may's well ask you.

If I remember correctly, in the interlude where Siberian tries to recruit Bitch, they can communicate, right? Like, isn't there something in there about Siberian having body language stuff going on so that is as easy as talking to a dog? Do you know why that is? It makes sense at the time and then we find out Siberian is a projection and suddenly I'm not sure why Manson should have any idea how to do that.

Honestly? No idea. Two theories off the top of my head, which I think would have some thematic resonance-

He really was following her for weeks, observing her interactions, mannerisms and body language, and as one of the world's foremost experts on parahumans and how powers can modify the host he came up with an educated guess about how to best conduct himself with her. Thematically resonant because it means that the first interaction Bitch has in the entire book that feels natural to her, is in fact the result of weeks of premediated observation and preparation for the encounter, coming from someone whose entire pitch is a life free of bullshitters.

Two, for reasons completely unrelated to Bitch, Manton actively cultivated the "natural predator" mannerisms as part of his overall commitment to the bit, and his alignment with Bitch's preferred mode of engagement is some combination of an accident and why he thought they'd get along in the first place. Also thematically relevant because a major element of Bitch's POV in this chapter is her confusion and uncertainty about... basically everything. Her own motivations, her level of loyalty to her teammates, how her own power works, who she should trust. The way she lives her life isn't as much of a considered lifestyle choice as what she ultimately winds up with in Gimel; it's just who she is, and what she's dealing with. But it's what Siberian actively wants to be and has to actively cultivate- even if he's authentically after it, it would rankle Bitch for sure to know how much he as to work at being "free" when, again, the pitch is a life where you don't have to pay attention to expectations or roles.

Just my best guesses, though. It's also possible his vial modified his psyche in the same way it did hers. Who knows

#Definitely it's a Beat when Rachel realizes he was projecting Sibby #She's pissed about that #so anything that emphasizes the inauthenticity is good in my book #worm #wildbow #parahumans #thoughts #meta #ask #asks #God Manton is fascinating #I want to study him like a bug