As you can see from my conversation with doomlord9, I've come around to this interpretation. It's just that my initial interpretation of what I read didn't give me that impression - for whatever reason, my first impression was that Sophia actually believed these things.
Well, she *does* in the sense of "in a fair fight, I'd win, but having super bug monsters made for you by someone else is not a fair fight". And that much is certainly true- if she had a chance to go after Taylor without her "hiding behind" others... then, oh yes, she's convinced she'd win. Because she already DID win, once. Up until others came along and saved her.
I only responded with sarcasm to what I interpreted as a snide remark - "or have you never been introduced to this sort of behavior before in your life?" If - somehow - you did not intend that to be patronizing and dickish, then I apologize.
No, I was being patronizing and dickish. We both know it. But to you ignoring the context of the chapter in what was looking like an intentional fashion.
1) Yeah, I think you overdid it a little. (No more or less than "a little.")
2) I didn't see my comments as an attack. If I came off as aggressive, hostile, or... I dunno, anything else that would make it seem like I was attacking you or your chapter, then I apologize. I only meant to give feedback on what struck me as an underwhelming chapter (by your standards) with a few flaws that jumped out at me.
3) I may have misread your character, but that just makes me slow on the uptake. I really don't think there's a case for intellectual dishonesty, here.
1- Fair enough. Profanities probably a lazy way to do it, but Sophia's not exactly portrayed as the "intellectual" sort. She's mean, possibly below average IQ, and is currently in Juvie. There's not a lot for me to do that's in character EXCEPT profanities and simple language as I used in the chapter.
2- Which would be fine, if you stick to facts when pointing out flaws. But saying things about Sophia that are contradicted by canon. (RE: she acknowledged Taylor as any kind of person deserving of respect) and the like... that's not sticking to facts.
3- I see any time when you ignore facts or information you possess to portray a case in your favor, instead of letting the evidence speak for itself, as intellectually dishonest. You say you're aware of people lying to themselves/talking themselves up to make themselves feel better in their own minds... yet ignore that when arguing about a point in the chapter where that very thing is obviously happening.
All of this is true (well, except for Sophia being forgetful about her power). I chose the word "respect" because I recently re-read it here:
Also, it's not an important point, but she did have reasons for not phasing through the costume:
Dumb reasons. If she were smart (or in character), it's kill first THEN look for ways to cover it. Or kill, then make up an excuse for why she did. Remember- this was a *notorious* supervillain. I'm sure Sophia could have been all "I didn't have a choice because (bullshit)". Maybe not enough to sell the public, but Piggot wouldn't have been too heartbroken to cover the murder up/plant justification/whatever.
That part of the story was pure plot armor, nothing more.
