- SECOND IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

[slightlyoffchilt]

"Hello.

You've reached the direct line of Doctor Frederick Chilton, imPort psychiatrist. As I am not available at the moment, feel free to assume that I am quite busy with something more pressing. If you would, state your name and business, and I will return your call. If you are calling about an appointment, please leave a message with my assistant."

Comments

[baetiful]

Supporting my chosen candidate. One you had suggested to me long ago, one I mistakenly thought you had intended to insult me with...

Sam Merlotte.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A long, deadened beat.]

You want me to support him. On the ballot?

[baetiful]

And verbally. Aloud. To other imPorts. Convincing other imPorts.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You want me to endorse him?

[baetiful]

Yes. Will that be a problem?

[ His tone of voice is pretty much saying 'it better not be a problem.' ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I -- I just -- I have doubts about his psychological stability. [A swallow. Pleading, almost:] Lord Ambassador.

[baetiful]

You will have plenty of time to treat him while he serves the role. At that time, more than ever, he will need your aid to properly serve the imPort population. But at this moment, I figure him to be stable enough to run a successful campaign.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A deep, long inhale.]

You knew. That I had already deposited the check, your donation.

[baetiful]

I need you on my side in this, Doctor Chilton.

[ Hell yes, he knew. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Yes. [Chilton clears his throat, reluctant and yet duty-bound. He knew he was bent over the table.] Yes, Petyr.

I am on your side.

[baetiful]

Excellent. I knew I could count on you.

There are benefits to this, of course. Just think, my friend...if Merlotte controls De Chima, then you and I control Merlotte. Being in the public eye all the more, he will come to need you because image is everything, and who knows better than a psychiatrist about what sort of image the public most likes to see?

[slightlyoffchilt]

[You and I control Merlotte. Chilton wondered how that Southern peach pie was divided, however, because he doubted it was an even fifty-fifty. This hitch might deeply delay his efforts to obtain Sam as a Project in his hospital's growing collection.]

Perhaps in the professional forefront. Mr. Merlotte does quite well in the popularity contests of his own choosing.

He stands a bold chance.

[baetiful]

I only wish there weren't so many other candidates there to divide the vote. But I suppose becoming an ambassador is a rare opportunity that many do want to jump on. I simply fear that those who would have otherwise voted for Merlotte may find themselves leaning toward Lehnsherr or Wayne, leaving the unity of the Stark family to secure the win for Snow.

Who do you believe you would stand a chance of convincing to vote our way?

[slightlyoffchilt]

... My own hospital, I suppose. My -- [He thinks, quickly, who to offer in sacrifice.] My patients, perhaps.

Merlotte polls well with women, no doubt.

[baetiful]

Have you many female friends? Apart from your betrothed.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh -- yes, in fact.

[He always got on better with women than with men.]

But surely you don't want me to illuminate his most appealing quality to them? They have eyes.

[Bit of a backhanded compliment for Sam there.]

[baetiful]

I want you to sell him like he is the finest merchandise. You absolutely cannot count on them to simply come to the conclusion to vote for him on their own. I'm sure you're aware, Doctor Chilton, but most of the imPorts here are both lazy and dim.

[ Baelish for mayor 2018. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Strong feelings still residual from the last election, hmm?

[baetiful]

Oh, no. I harbor no ill feelings. I prefer them this way.

[ It makes it far easier to move people how he desires. ]

But that said, they still need to be led to the voting polls. This election has far more at stake than the others for if Jon Snow achieves any form of influence in this world, he will devote himself to destroying my empire.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Curious how Snow has this apparent obsession with you, given the novel opportunity that this world affords him. To move on.

[That alone was motivation enough for Baelish to want to dissuade a Snow candidacy -- or at least, a successful one. But clearly the concern ran deeper.]

[baetiful]

He believes he is being honorable. He believes he is sparing the world from my evil intentions. He has no idea what my intentions even are, and yet he will tell those around him that they are not good. And others will believe him without thought because I have always had to fight for what little I had. This world and my reputation here would be no different.

Look at how easy it was for him to turn Lucy against me.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Why would he possess such animosity? You are from the same world, yet he barely knows you, as far as I understand. Now -- I do not doubt that others will not question that, but it is worth asking.

Seems to be more commentary on his character, rather than yours. If I may say.

[baetiful]

[ Petyr sighs wearily. Chilton, being Baelish's closest companion, did get a bit more insight into him than many others. It was a respect that had to be earned over that one fateful trip to Maine. ]

I took a gamble when it came to his half sister. She and her family had lost their home of Winterfell, and so I thought that if she were to marry the son of the man who controlled Winterfell, she could regain control from within. I convinced her to do so, not knowing how dangerous the man she wed happened to be. He...hurt her. In ways that are unspeakable. She was a maiden at the time.

But even so, she rose up and with my army at her disposal, we not only saved Jon's life, but we reclaimed their home of Winterfell in the Stark name once again. All he can seem to see out of this is that I sold his sister and she was harmed. The victory came at a cost, but they were still victorious in the end.

[ And that SHOULD be what matters, right? Right?? At least it is in Baelish's mind. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh. So he has made you his pet conquering, his charitable cause. Because he couldn't save his half-sister from whatever harm, he blames you -- deflecting his internal guilt upon your head.

That could very well cause a man to become obsessed, I agree.

[baetiful]

You speak with a certain familiarity. Have you been the victim of a similar circumstance, my friend?

[ Victim. As though both of them did not equally make their own bed to lie in. ]