[Unfortunately, most of Giorno's present people are like this. The suspicious, easily mistrustful ones, the ones that put everything under deep scrutiny to meet lofty standards. Lofty standards they share, otherwise they would never function as a unit.

But it's good to firmly believe in something, she thinks, in a place that wants you to believe in suffering and nothing else.

She watches Atem in the meantime, his expressions unreadable, other than she's sure he feels the same way she does about such a scenario. Ryslig is cruel enough, she thinks, but Atem is willing to play its game. To what end, yet, she's not sure. Mukuro is the same way, really. They're appealing to the Fog in different ways, but appealing nonetheless.

Which makes it surprising to hear the two of them fought? Trish can't hide her surprise, eyes going wide — She thought I was a conceited, judgmental jerk, he says – and he explains, clear, that Mukuro was right to think that way. And it's horrible to think of him using his powers to hurt a friend like that, but she supposes she sees his point.

In fact, she narrows her eyes, because the way he constructs this is deliberate, as is everything else he's ever done. He's lifting a mirror for her to look at, to show her her actions as he seems them, and really...for what they are. She's not subtle, and she knows it.

The mer considers all of this, expression smoothing out into something less pinched and more resigned, and tilts her head.]

Those things ought to be one and the same, right?

I can't make a decision if I don't understand. Besides, if I was only here to make a decision, there would be no discussion. I would have already made up my mind.

But I haven't. So here I am.

[She curls forward again, relaxing her posture.]

Besides, I don't care about danger. I know you and Mukuro wanted power for a reason that precludes any notion that you two would hurt me intentionally. Even if we weren't friends, I doubt either of you would. For different reasons, but all the same...you're no danger to most of us.

[In her particular case...she's a monster like them, and in some ways, she wonders if that renders her invisible to them. She's not a human, so she's not inherently disposable. She has connections, doubling the former.

Ultimately, she's best left ignored. She doesn't mention humans....but as a baseline, they're all dangerous to humans.]

I thought about my father after this happened, actually. He wanted to be untouchable too, to always be in control, but he wasn't. Though he didn't have anyone to protect but himself, so that already sets you both as far apart from him as I could imagine. What you two want in comparison is ultimately understandable, noble even.

But it made me consider something. If power couldn't protect him...it won't always protect what's important to you either. That's where you run into the same problem.

It's a fine line to walk, isn't it? Being paralyzed into inaction, or grasping for control no matter the cost. I can see that.

[But she sees that regret isn't on his mind, and she can't play that card, can she? Even if she feels strongly that he should have regrets, he won't do it at her behest. It's tough, because he knows the better side of humanity in a manner similar to her, doesn't he? He's operating from a completely different position than Mukuro.

Still, Trish pivots away from that.]

You're clever, Atem. So I know you didn't make the decision you did lightly. I don't think you're a bad person either.

And if I want better for you...I very well can't get that if I walk away, can I?