18.z (Bonus Interlude #3; Jessica Yamada, Therapist)

Worm, Chapter 18.z (Bonus Interlude #3) Summary:

Jessica Yamada, a therapist working with parahumans, interacts with several patients and colleagues, revealing the psychological toll of recent events in Brockton Bay.

Thursday, June 16th, 2011, 22:11

Jessica meets with Victoria Dallon, a patient with a fear-inducing power. Victoria, unable to speak, communicates through blinking and an alphabet system. She wants to contact Amy, her sister, who is now in the Birdcage. Jessica explains Amy’s voluntary confinement due to the danger she posed, but Victoria is unconcerned, only that she is “alone”. Jessica offers to arrange a bath for Victoria, a small comfort she can provide, and Victoria agrees.

After the Meeting

Jessica, drenched in sweat from Victoria’s power, discusses the meeting with the head nurse. She agrees to take Victoria on as a patient. Next, Jessica prepares for a session with Sveta, a patient with dangerous, constricting tendrils. Despite a malfunctioning protective suit, Jessica manages to calm Sveta by reminding her of their goal: socializing her enough to celebrate Christmas with other patients. Sveta is calmed, and expresses interest in Victoria. Jessica uses this to segue into a discussion about Sveta’s self-perception as a “bad guy” due to the lives she’s taken with her power. Jessica shifts the conversation away from self-blame, and asks about Sveta’s journal, but doesn’t find an explanation for Sveta’s earlier anxiety. The session ends with Sveta asking why Jessica isn’t scared of her, to which Jessica lies, saying she has no reason to be.

Friday, June 17th, 2011, 10:15

Jessica meets with Dennis, also known as Clockblocker, a member of the Wards. Dennis talks about the recent hardships, including his father’s leukemia, Leviathan’s attack, and the abduction of his teammate Shadow Stalker by the Undersiders. He expresses a feeling of losing a war where the consequences don’t seem to affect the villains as much. He mentions a mild, conflicted crush on Shadow Stalker, and worries about a “worse fate” due to the dangerous world capes have created. He says that due to his workload, he is sleeping well, and not having problems with his diet. Dennis also regrets joining the Wards due to the bureaucracy and rules, feeling that villains have an advantage by not being bound by them. Jessica suggests that he may find answers when he stops actively searching and remains open to learning.

Friday, June 17th, 2011, 13:01

Weld, the leader of the Wards, visits Jessica. They discuss the negative portrayal of Brockton Bay in the media and the struggles of the local heroes. Weld mentions the departure of Flechette and the lack of replacements for fallen heroes, speculating that it might be due to the city’s reputation or the risks involved. He mentions a comment about him being “marketable but a freak”, but says it doesn’t bother him. Weld is interrupted by a call about Skitter and Parian, cutting the session short but promising to schedule a longer one next week. Jessica tells him to pick a proper name.

Friday, June 17th, 2011, 18:01

Lily, also known as Flechette, vents to Jessica about Parian, a friend and romantic interest, being “turned” by Skitter. Skitter offered Parian money for her family’s medical expenses and her education, leading Parian to leave with her. Lily is heartbroken and feels betrayed. She had feelings for Parian but never confessed, especially after Parian’s family tragedy. Lily describes Skitter’s unsettling presence and ability to manipulate others with her seemingly idealistic words. She debates whether Skitter was genuine or just manipulating them under Tattletale’s influence. Lily has a satchel with the answer but refuses to show Jessica. Lily is called away by Miss Militia, who informs her that Triumph has been hospitalized due to anaphylactic shock, implied to be Skitter’s doing. Lily, despite her emotional turmoil, quickly composes herself and leaves. Jessica reflects on the demands of the cape life and the difficulty teenagers face in such situations.

Saturday, June 18th, 9:01

Kid Win visits Jessica but expresses his preference for working through problems on his own. He believes that conforming to others’ expectations has caused him problems and that he’s happier following his own path. He mentions that if he were to talk about being happier during a time when others are miserable, he feels like therapy would try to change that. He decides to leave, preferring to spend time taking notes rather than talking, but assures Jessica it’s nothing personal.

Saturday, June 18th, 11:06

Vista (Missy) visits Jessica and questions how Jessica can help without understanding their experiences in Brockton Bay. She reveals that she tries to help her teammates and feels like the team’s “heart,” as Weld put it. Vista is torn between wanting to keep the team together and a colder, more logical part of her that accepts the inevitability of their demise, especially with the world supposedly ending in two years. She says she’s okay with that, and challenges Jessica to “therapy that”. Jessica accepts the challenge, offering to equip Vista with tools to help her teammates, hoping to tip the scales in favor of unity over fatalism.

Sunday, June 19th, 17:39

Jessica receives a call about a patient and agrees to come in, despite it being her day off.

Monday, June 20th, 12:50

Jessica waits anxiously in her office. The Wards’ intervention in a villain attack went wrong, resulting in numerous deaths. Jessica feels useless, unable to help in the crisis. She goes to the roof and smokes, reflecting on her inability to offer assistance.

Tuesday, June 21st, 6:10

Jessica, still on the roof and on her fifth cigarette, is approached by Eidolon. He asks for a few moments of her time, not for therapy, but to confide in her. Eidolon reveals he’s losing his powers, which could have devastating consequences for the fight against the Endbringers. He says that when he fights, he feels close to regaining his lost power. He hopes for a serious fight tonight, one where he can either regain his powers or die trying, as he sees no point in living without them. He chose Jessica because he used psychometry to view her past and believes she won’t betray his confidence. He asks her to wish him luck, which she does, before he departs.