- 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

[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. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have before been mishandled.

[And manhandled.]

It is a bittersweet thing to survive.

[baetiful]

Mishandled in what way?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Taunted and lured by those who I would call friends. Paid in a pound of flesh -- twice, actually.

[baetiful]

There was another incident after the...scar on your abdomen? The loss of your kidney?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Another incident, yes.

[Something he did not want to show Baelish, of course.]

[baetiful]

What happened?

[ Of COURSE he was going to ask! ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A long beat.]

I had been framed for murder. By someone I once considered a friend.

[baetiful]

A cruel thing for someone to do to you. I do hope you paid them back in kind. But what followed you being framed for the crime?

[slightlyoffchilt]

The usual abuse.

[So tacit.]

[baetiful]

The usual abuse does not usually merit -- what was it you said? Paying a pound in flesh.

Unless you're from Westeros, of course.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have the feeling that my Baltimore operates by similar rules -- even if its inhabitants prefer to pretend otherwise.

[baetiful]

What had they taken from you this second time? The first, it was a kidney and part of your small intestine. How much more could you stand to lose and still remain standing in the end?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Likely just my dignity.

[Spoken wryly -- he isn't in the mood to be pushed. Sam's victory still stings.]

My world is a cruel one, once you cut the skin.

[baetiful]

You do not trust me enough to tell me.

[ Baelish spoke it, flat out. It was a statement of observation, carefully spoken to perhaps mask the sting of it. Because surely it was something Chilton would have told Rincewind. ]

But no matter. I'll take my leave. I trust you will do the right thing come the election.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I will not disappoint you.

[Well. He would vote for Sam, at least. And as Sam has already won Baelish's approval, Chilton couldn't care much for the end result.

But, that being said, he truly thought that Sam would fail.

Turns out Baelish only picked winners.]