Solstice and Eclipse: Part II

Chapter XI: The Watcher

(L/N)'s ears perked at the revelation.

"I see I've caught your interest. In a manner of speaking, anyway." The Watcher said amusedly. "Just because I'm blind though, doesn't mean I cannot see."

"If you're trying to sell me on some philosophical ideology, I'm not interested."

"No, no, nothing like that." The Watcher laughed. "See, my quirk may have taken my sight from me, but in return it has granted me the ability to see through another's eyes."

[The Vigilant Hero: The Watcher! Quirk: Empath! His quirk allows him to view the world through the eyes of another person. That means sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. This includes any deficiencies a person may have as well, like color blindness, or the need for corrective lenses. He also experiences their emotions which can give him insight into the individual whom he is viewing or the situation at hand. For every twenty-five meters he gains in altitude, the range of his quirk extends by one kilometer! Sitting in his office his total range is nearly 10 Kilometers! Empath can only be used on person at a time.]

"What do you mean, 'you can see through another's eyes'?"

"Exactly what it sounds like." The Watcher answered. "My quirk allows me to quite literally walk a mile in someone else's shoes. That means I get a taste of everything their feeling, both their physical senses, and any emotions their experiencing."

"You used your quirk on me." (L/N) concluded. "That's why you think you know me."

The Watcher smiled. "Perceptive. Good. That's good. That's something you'll need if you are to work for me."

"I don't need anything from you." (L/N) snarled, angry that he had once again fallen for this man's tricks.

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong." The Watcher countered. "See, I have something that no one else can offer you."

"Oh, really?" (L/N) scoffed. "And what would that be."

"Perspective."

"Perspective?"

The Watcher nodded. "The problem with people is that they're too involved with their lives. It sounds strange, I know, but it's the truth. But a single thread in a tapestry can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design. It takes a nonpartial observer to appreciate the image in its full."

"That it then?" (L/N) asked, still unimpressed. "You take a small glimpse at my life, and you think you know what it's like to be me?"

"That's not what I said."

"It's what you implied." (L/N) retorted. "You're judging a person's entire life based on a single snapshot of the present. You may be able to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, but that doesn't mean you know them. And you don't know a damn thing about me."

"I know more than you'd like to think." The Watcher countered. "Let me tell you a little bit about yourself, (L/N). You're overflowing with a sense of rage and guilt. You're drowning in it. So much so that you can't even think clearly anymore. You've become nothing more than a bitter shell that wants nothing to do with anyone, so you've erected these walls around your heart and pushed away anyone that tries to get close, but the truth is; the truth is you're afraid."

"Of course, I'm afraid!" (L/N) cried out. "Why shouldn't I be? Wouldn't you be? I've hurt everyone I've ever cared about. And every day I risk hurting somebody else because I can't control it!"

"No, that's not it." The Watcher said. "That's not what you're scared of, not really. Don't get me wrong, you are certainly terrified of hurting someone, but that's not what keeps you awake at night. That's not why you're afraid."

"Then why am I?" (L/N) growled through clenched teeth.

The Watcher leaned forward in his chair and took a moment to examine the young man sitting before him, peering into his mind, and sifting through the noise.

"Because" he said, "you're damaged. And you're afraid everyone will see. That's why you've closed yourself off. That's why you pretend you prefer to be alone. Because you're damaged, and you're afraid someone will see just how broken you are. You're afraid someone will try to fix you, and most of all, you're afraid that they'll give up when they realize it's too hard."

(L/N) clenched his jaw, angrily shaking his head. "You're wrong."

"Am I?" The Watcher said through raised brow. "Then tell me, (L/N), if that's not it, then what are you so afraid of?"

"It's like you already said. I don't want to hurt anyone else."

"But that's just the surface. That's just the excuse you tell yourself, so you don't have to face your real pain."

Standing, The Watcher walked back around his desk and sat down in his high-backed swivel chair.

"Whether or not you agree with me is really neither here nor there. You have already decided to do your internship with me, it's far too late to choose another agency now. Matsui will help you fill out the required forms, release waivers and the like, and you will spend the next seven days learning how to empathize with the people you are trying to save."

As if on cue, Cloudburst reentered the office. (L/N) scowled and angrily turned his back on The Watcher, eager to be rid of his presence.

"And during your time here, I want you to ask yourself something. What is it you want? And why do you want it?"