Q

I *really* don't want to encourage a creature who thinks it's a good idea to mind control its playmates.

But...

The rabbit ears? And tail? I have to admit that's downright hilarious. Not something I'd *do*, mind-- I like to think I have a more mature sense of humor than that. But I'd be lying if I didn't say it's a terrible effort for me not to fall down laughing hysterically.

Don't get me wrong. I still enjoy being mysterious and secretive most of the time. But it turns out it's not nearly so pleasant when there's actually something real at stake.

Recently it came to my attention that a certain individual, to whom I feel I owe a debt, might be having some difficulties. Said individual was involved in an unconventional relationship with a completely different form of life, who manifested differently to said individual than to others in the same location, and who obviously enjoyed amusement and fun. I am not really one to talk about people being involved in such relationships, for obvious reasons. *grin*

Buuut, as a Q I have always considered it my ethical duty to make sure any mortal friends I have (and I haven't really had all that many) don't get overwhelmed by me. (I seem to have gone a tad too far in the opposite direction, in fact.) This entity did not seem to be applying such ethical restraints in its relationship with the above-mentioned individual, who seemed to be becoming dangerously dependent on the entity's friendship. I ran a small test to see how this individual would handle being separated from the entity and forced to socialize with those who had always been good friends rather than with the entity. The individual failed my test, spectacularly, in front of numerous witnesses.

So here I've been, dropping hints, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for other people to figure out what's going on and do something about it, and I swear it's like one of those plays where the plot can only be driven forward by everyone being an idiot and you just want to scream "PAY ATTENTION AND USE YOUR BRAINS! YOU HAVE THEM, DON'T YOU?"

There's a fine line to walk when a Q is involved in the affairs of mortals. Involve yourself too much, answer too many questions, volunteer too much assistance and you make them into toys. Keep yourself too aloof, and you end up watching someone who once saved your life disintegrating in front of your eyes, and while you *have* the power to save them, you can't use it. It's a very, very difficult thing, but mortals can die-- that's the point to being mortal, and if you interfere to save their life or their mind, when does it stop? And how do they handle having godlike interference in their lives? (Most mortals handle this very badly.) And how do you prevent from destroying the very qualities of independence and courage and eagerness to grow that you were interested in them for in the first place?

It's so much easier not to be emotionally involved. Or to be able to step in to do whatever the hell you want and as long as you do it in a way that maintains plausible deniability, they either aren't sure you did it or they don't trust your motives. The trouble with trying to become friends with beings who are so much less powerful than you, and, frankly, so much dumber, is that if you intervene they know it was you and why, but if you don't intervene, you don't end up feeling like much of a friend.