- 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]

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.]