AN: Bit of a follow-on to anothvortex's last one.

Side Story: A Cold Welcome Interlude: Making a Point

Standing at attention before her superior's desk, Arbiter only maintained her composure from years of practice. She had seen the older hero use her mind to defeat opponents before, but rarely did that include someone of Wards age. The rumors of an infamous boot camp were honestly overblown. After all, if you were bad enough to warrant a personal dressing down from a Triumvirate cape, you were probably not going to stay in the program anyways.

Not to say that Alexandria did not take the problem children, just that she usually outsourced their handling to trusted subordinates in the PRT and Protectorate.

Completing another piece of paperwork, the Triumvirate Brute suddenly broke the silence. "Do you disapprove of how Mister Stansfield was handled, Arbiter? You're being quiet rather loudly over there."

Instinctively fighting back the urge to flinch, the Protectorate hero finally spoke. "I understand that his actions were foolish and nearly led to a disaster of S class proportions. But was it really necessary to make him think his ex girlfriend was dead? It just seemed needlessly cruel."

Looking up from the neverending administrative work, Alexandria spoke in that tone she reserved for making points. Particularly to dim underlings who had annoyed her. "Cruel? And yet, Glory Girl was killed. Perhaps not at his direction, but as an inevitable result of a series of actions set in motion from his continual refusal to bring up the issues surrounding Braid and Shadow Stalker to literally anyone else. That Victoria Dallon is still walking around is sheer cosmic luck and the incredible loyalty of her friend - nothing more, nothing less. Mr. Stansfield needed to understand that his actions can and do have real consequences and I was not convinced he had truly internalized that prior to hearing the recording. Even if the threat of a registry is empty, that recording was real, and its lesson will stick with him, always moderating his actions moving forward."

Understanding the point, yet still troubled, she tried to speak up. "But Ma'am -"

The infamous flying brick did not even indulge her first sentence of debate. "All Mr. Stansfield had to do was mention their mental states to a single person. Anyone would have done. Armsmaster, Miss Militia, Piggot, Renick, Legal, the Youth Guard rep, Aegis, Glory Girl, even Braid or Shadow Stalker herself would have been enough. Any of those would have set off dominoes that would have had the whole thing crumbling down as an investigation launched. But he didn't. You say I was cruel; I disagree."

Arbiter frowned. "It still seems a step too far. It's one thing to confront him with personal screw ups, but that was just dirty pool."

Alexandria shook her head. "Was it any more dirty than bombarding an empath with barely constrained hatred for a week? You three were not a subtle as you thought. Admittedly, Winters was more upset about the situation and Bryce concentrated on the unnecessary loss of life due to his incompetence, but to someone like Stansfield it would all be a wall of negative emotions. Something I know you were briefed on."

Feeling her fists reflexively clench, Arbiter took a breath. "Ma'am, with all due respect, I will not apologize for what I felt. Watching a teammate sink into a depression so severe that it causes you physical pain, failing to report it to anyone, actively working to force two incompatible Wards together despite knowing it is causing a toxic work environment, and then not bothering to resign in disgrace because of your wealth is a combination that I cannot condone. It is disgusting that he doesn't seem to understand why everyone is focused on his behavior. I would almost think that the child has never been held accountable before."

The older hero seemed to pause before tilting her head. The next statement was a touch softer, but still held the weight of the woman's will. "You are both right and wrong, Kim. He doesn't understand what the problem is, and that is exactly why we can't simply send him out into the world. We need to make this lesson stick, or who knows what trouble Mister Stansfield will get into. An empath without a proper understanding of empathy is just asking for trouble."

The two stood their ground but, as always, Arbiter looked away first. "I'm sorry ma'am, but could you please explain your logic? I think I need to understand it, if I'm to do my job."

Nodding, Alexandria gestured for the other woman to sit. "That's acceptable. The long and the short of it is that Dean is exhibiting a pattern of behavior that I've seen before. It comes up in old money or political families more often that not. The better ones try to use it to instill a sense of responsibility into their children. A sort of moral obligation to give back to a society that has offered them so much. The best try to become philanthropists or start charities. But most develop a sense of entitlement, that they are the ones who must guide other people because of their name or birthright. Despite what he may believe about himself, Mister Stansfield has deeply internalized that behavior."

Frowning, Arbiter replied. "I'm not sure that I have seen this phenomenon before. Is it really that common?"

Shrugging, the older woman countered, "Not as much as it used to be, with our world being what it is. But back when the Protectorate was in its infancy, Legend, Eidolon, Hero and I would spend quite a bit of time around politicians, and their wealthy donors, in an effort to drum up support. You would see it more in that sort of crowd. The fifth generation of some bloodline that made it big during the gold rush, or the heir to a significant trust fund. They felt that they should give back, but that they had an obligation to direct those around them. An inborn belief in their right to lead. Stansfield's case is not quite that severe, but it's similar enough for the details not to matter."

That description made the younger hero frown. "The divine right? Really? Is he THAT bad?"

Alexandria shook her head. "Not consciously, but his first thought when confronted with the situation was to assume he knew the best course of action. It didn't help that he could escape the consequences of his actions by paying a relatively small fine. He joined the Wards with good intentions, but he hardly needed the paycheck. Whenever Piggot would use financial penalties against him or the group in general, he would usually eat the charges. Except for Braid, who needed it the most. I can't tell if it was an intentional effort to make his stupid plan work, or an honest lack of understanding about how what he considered pocket change was necessary for the girl to eat." At that, the hero seemed to pause. "Piggot is being relieved for quite a few separate issues surrounding this mess, but I'm going to have to mention to the Chief Director that the person in legal who approved all of those lovely manipulations concerning Braid's financial support be fired with prejudice for not mentioning the potential backlash."

Arbiter allowed herself to glare behind her mask. "That still doesn't seem to be a good enough reason to allow him to remain in the program. He aided and abetted physical and emotional TORTURE because he though he knew better. That is not the sort of child I want to work with, or expose my teammates to. He is not worth the trouble."

Alexandria did not answer for a moment, before speaking in an almost conversational tone. "Kim, I want you to picture this. Assume that Dean or his family called my bluff and dealt with the consequences of leaving the Wards. He doesn't go to work for his father's company, but finds a position that allows him to skirt the edges of our legal penalties. Let's be honest, the Stansfield's could probably make that happen if we pushed him too hard. However, he still has his powers, and is surrounded by the pain and emotions of others. Being near them in large quantities is probably unpleasant, but he has enough experience to make a life for himself."

Then her tone got colder. "Now imagine that Mister Stansfield is walking along one day and he encounters someone who is a swirling pit of negative emotions. He can't endure the pain but he doesn't want to leave the person in question by themselves. He puts his foot in, and tries to help. But he can't understand what exactly he is seeing, and ends up angering them beyond all reason. Then the freshly Triggered Parahuman kills him, is branded a villain, and has to live with the consequences for the rest of their life. As does anyone the newly minted threat encounters."

The idea of some well meaning idiot going back in time and interfering with her own Trigger Event made Kim involuntarily shudder.

Nodding at her reaction, Alexandria's tone was firm as steel. "Dean Stansfield has the ability to understand the people around him in ways that are subtle yet profound. But when he attempts to apply that ability, he lacks the experience to do so properly, and the true motivation to improve. His expectations of personal skill contributed to the development of a potential S class threat. His silence nearly caused a worst case scenario. I will not let him leave the Wards or the Protectorate until I am satisfied that he will not set off another one through his apparent arrogance. If that involves some hard work? Well, that's the price you pay for keeping people safe from their own stupidity."

Recognizing the statement as a dismissal, the younger hero stood. "Don't worry, Ma'am. We'll get him into shape. It might take some kicking and screaming, but we'll get the job done."

Nodding firmly, the Triumvirate Brute gave one of her rare smiles. "I know that you will, Kim. I have complete faith in you and your associates on this matter. However, can you get him to PR sometime soon? We need a proper code name to use now that Gallant is retired."

Returning the nod with one of her own, Arbiter moved to head out.

"And Kim?" Arbiter stopped, looking back as Alexandria met her gaze. "For all of his faults, remember this: Mr. Stansfield was trying to help. He chose the single worst possible path, yes, but he was one of the only people to recogize a true issue and at least try something. He has potential. We just need to teach him how to properly utilize it; when to speak up, when to seek others for help. His actions kept making things worse and he never sought a second opinion. Mr. Stansfield is, currently, a stupid teenager. Help me make him into a smart adult."

Arbiter winced. When framed like that..."I see your point. You can count of us, Ma'am." The younger hero twisted on her heel and left the office.

She had a job to do.