Will's Insight | Opt-In Post

[empathicfault]

In the series Hannibal, Will Graham is shown to have a unique ability- he calls it 'interpreting the evidence', whereas Hannibal calls it 'pure empathy'. It lets Will know what the people around him are feeling, often to Will's detriment. Will frequently appears to be overstimulated by the outside world, slumping in chairs and avoiding eye contact. He finds comfort in dogs and being alone.

However, this ability can often be extremely useful for determining motivations, desires, and fears. When he uses it at crime scenes, the series shows murders taking place as if Will were the culprit. He sees fantastical visions and metaphorical imagery as he places himself in his target's place, seeing the world as they see it.

I'd like to write out some of this imagery in narration as I roleplay, but I also don't want to infomod. So if you are interested in letting Will into knowing your character through this ability, please reply here.

What I'd like to know (feel free to copy+paste, or just write out what you'd like)--
<b>1. What would you like him to be able to suss out about your character? </b> He works in emotions, so fears, desires, motivations, immediate wants, all that sort of thing is good. <b>2. Is there a character trait or emotion you absolutely do NOT want brought up?</b> Will isn't magic and he's not always right with this ability. It's easy to veer off of any topic you might want to avoid. <b>3. Is there any visual imagery you associate with your character, and/or is there anything specifically that you'd like Will to visualize?</b> Sometimes he sees things that don't seem to make a whole lot of sense until later- I tend to interpret that as him integrating evidence that he hasn't logically noticed yet. <b>4. Any plot threads or development you'd like to actually get going through this mechanic?</b> Let me know, I'd love to plan with you! Will could be a good way to weasel info or feelings out of someone who would otherwise keep them hidden, if that's something you'd like. I'm also very happy to just see where things go.

Thanks, and please let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to know or talk over with you.

Comments

[themostfun]

1. What would you like him to be able to suss out about your character? Root feels everything intensely, but presents as serenely unhinged: she has weaponized her smile, so that no one can tell her to smile, and also because she's having fun most of the time. Most people find her unsettling as a result, which is her intention. Underneath everything is a current of loneliness. Even now that she and Shaw are married, Root still feels like everything is fleeting. It's not about Shaw at all, but a lifetime of being isolated one way or another has left its mark on her. There's also anger and a thirst for revenge: Samaritan and friends almost killed Shaw, definitely tortured Shaw, constantly attacked the Machine and Her agents, and outright killed Root. She's determined to make them pay.

2. Is there a character trait or emotion you absolutely do NOT want brought up? Nope! Have at it.

3. Is there any visual imagery you associate with your character, and/or is there anything specifically that you'd like Will to visualize? Think philosophy and metaphysics and relativity. Wave forms, Schrödinger's cat. Dancing, ballet in particular, the strength, grace, and precision required by the art form. The coziness of a home-cooked meal. Libraries. Books. Computers and code. Guns. Dogs.

4. Any plot threads or development you'd like to actually get going through this mechanic? I feel like no matter what happens, the potential for him to get her thinking she needs to make an actual effort to graduate will come to pass. Otherwise, nothing specific comes to mind.