Purple Chili

Villain raised an eyebrow at the sight before him. “Are you drunk?”

“Does it matter?” Hero replied with a slight slur, “we’re all doomed to die alone anyways. What’s the point of my job if I can’t enjoy the fruits of my labor? Has the life I’ve succumbed myself to contribute so less to my happiness? Are humanity and I to forever wilt in this parasitical relationship the media has gilded? Could the idea of karma only exist to ease the minds of those who have been wronged?” Hero paused for a moment to catch her breath, which her amused fiancé took as an opportunity to interject.

“I think it’s time for bed, —”

“What?” the crime-fighter asked, snapping out of her dazed stance and now fully listening to her partner.

Superhero scowled at the sight before them. Hero and Sidekick have been on Hero’s phone for the past three contemplating on how to reply to Villain.

“You know, when I was your age, we relied on our wit and personality to be able to ‘get with’ our desired partner. We didn’t have hours to decide what to say nor did we have the internet to guide us though what response might imply what,” Superhero lectured the younger crime-fighters.

Sidekick glanced up and remarked, “That’s because you had other resources to look to. Like Moses and the Beatles.”

“Besides,” Hero drawled, “if you were so keen on having face-to-face conversations with your potential other, why don’t you suck it up and ask Mentor out?”

Superhero’s cheeks warmed. “That’s- That’s different.” Hero let out a ‘mhm’, while Sidekick snickered beside them.

“I swear to god, you both spend half the energy you put into this into your work and there wouldn’t be any villains left in the city,” Superhero murmured.

“So… you wanna get dinner?” Villain asked, throwing in his signature grin for a good measure.

Civilian paused wiping the countertop of her pastry shop. “I’m sorry?”

“I was thinking Italian or maybe Chinese.” Villain leaned in, putting his elbows on countertop and his head in between hands. “What ever you decide you feel like eating. The important thing is that I get to know you better.”

“I-uh,” Civilian stuttered. The shop owner was clearly flustered, making the criminal smirk.

Person A: "You have to stop using so much paper. It's killing trees. And it's also a waste of paper."

Person B: "Can someone tell the goddamn Lorax to shut up?"

"My grandmother said I was too quiet and that I need to talk more before I forget how to speak. So, I started recording myself on my phone rambling."

"I think she meant talking to people."

Villain cocked the gun and pointed it to Civilian's head. They weren't planning on taking a hostage, but then again, they weren't planning on Hero completely foiling their plan. A plan, which the criminals had worked so hard on. Civilian's quick and shallow breathes snapped Villain back to reality. Pressing the gun harder, they said, "You're coming with me. Did you come here with anyone?"

Civilian franticly shook their head no, shock and fear making it impossible for them to speak.

"Good. Is your car near?"

Civilian nodded.

constant victim - individual wall always find a way to end up as a victim in situations

one-upmanship expert - uses put downs, snide remarks, and criticism to show they are superior

powerful dependents - creates a mask of being weak and powerless to help dominate relationships- romantic and platonic. (one type of the message "you must not let me down")

triangulators - quick to put the victim down and say some nasty things, tries to get others on their side while isolating the victim from anyone with people the victim trusts (good friends, family, co-workers, peers)

projector - thinks they are perfect and only others have flaws, they are never wrong

deliberate misinterpreted - seems nice, twist and use victim's words, spread misinformation and misinterprets you

flirt - uses flirting to get their way in life, want to be admired (usually by an audience), victim's feelings and needs are of no concern

iron fist - uses intimidation to get their way

multiple offender - uses several techniques, often switches to fit the situation (person a will most likely be a victim to a flirt and the manipulator uses that techniques, while person b would fall for the constant victim and then they use that)

"truth" barer - makes the victim doubt their understanding of reality

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"M'kay."

"Why did you turn to the dark side? What happened?"

"I failed."

"What did you fail? Yourself? Your family? Your friends? Your lover?"

"Love, love, love. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing."

"Hey." Villain's voice rang though Hero's cheap phone. Oh god, Hero thought, what did he want at this ungodly hour?

"Hey?" Hero managed to reply groggily. Hero prayed that Villain hadn't made any form of mess that she would be left to clean up in her morning patrol.

"I can't sleep," Villain whined and Hero could almost imagine the pout on his lips as he spoke.

"Yeah? Well, guess what?"

"What?"

"Maybe you should wear less black."

"Guess what I'm about to get."

"You don't want to do that," Hero warned. Villain stilled at the utter confidence in Hero's voice.

"Oh? And, please do tell. Why wouldn't I?"

"I know your secret."