- IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

[slightlyoffchilt]

"Hello.

You've reached the direct line of Doctor Frederick Chilton. As I am not available at the moment, you might assume I'm quite busy with something pressing. State your name and business, and I will return your call."

Comments

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

He didn't do that to me! [There's a sudden sharpness to his voice; the cold, thin reed of fear and despair.] According to Freddie Lounds, I was framed for murder! I -- I was framed as the Chesapeake Ripper!

voice;

[heartlessglitch]

What is that saying humans have?
"A taste of your own medicine?"

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

That -- That isn't funny! [The irony boils beneath his skin.] I'm -- when I'm out of that medical hospital -- they're going to put me in my own!

[It's a terrifying prospect, for reasons that Chilton had constructed all by himself. This was his cage that he built, never intending his own flesh burdened.]

I can't go there, Danger, I cannot go there!

voice;

[heartlessglitch]

As you stated yourself, there is no altering what will happen in your universe once you return.
I have offered to protect you while you are here.
That is the extent of my power.

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

He's going to get away with it. [It's a whimper at this point, a whine -- the curl of an existential crisis forced before uncompromising destiny.] He's going to get away with hurting my reputation.

[The degradation, the humiliation. The coil of loathing. The rub of a starched, orange jumpsuit against his slender legs. The weightlessness of ringless fingers.

The view of mold speckling dark, damp tiled walls.]

He isn't going to touch me. He won't lay a finger on me -- he won't need to, for this destruction.

voice;

[heartlessglitch]

If a tarnished reputation is the worst of what Hannibal Lecter does to you, then perhaps you are less in need of my protection than I initially assumed.

[ Is she being cold, or is it just that mechanical quality in her voice? ]

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

But my work is all I have.

[Quiet, struck admittance.]

... Or rather, it is, back home.

voice;

[heartlessglitch]

You have your life.
That is more than others can say.

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you think I'll have it for long? When I'm committed to my own asylum? Accidents happen often with prejudice.

voice;

[heartlessglitch]

What would you have me do, Doctor?
Your destiny is out of my hands.

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

I don't want you to -- hold this against me, while I'm here. [Beat.] I don't know what he's planning with me in Heropa, and I -- I require your help.

[Beat.]

What do you want me to do, to make it up to you?

voice;

[heartlessglitch]

[ She doesn't answer immediately, letting his plea for help hang in the air between them untouched as a way of making a point.

Finally, her terms: ]

I want your submission.

voice;

[slightlyoffchilt]

[He holds his breath for the moment, appreciating the controlled way she said that.]

For how long?

voice mail | it's a two for one special

[boobwindow]

[ No ID printed. ]

Hello, Dr. Chilton. My name's Power Girl and when you have a moment to spare, I'd like a word.

voice mail

[corviform]

[ He doesn't sound quite comfortable or sure of himself as he leaves this message for Chilton. There's a lingering concern that this may not be the right course of action. ]

Hello, Dr. Chilton? It's Gilbert again. [ He pause, trying to find his voice. ] I'm sorry to trouble you again. I was hoping we could talk when you're available.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Power Girl? [Fancy that. He was just talking about her, not too long ago.] How might I be of service?

[boobwindow]

I'd like to know why you pointed Freddie Lounds my way when you and I have never spoken.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[The return call comes half a day later:]

Gilbert? This is Doctor Chilton. I got your message -- I'm quite available.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Has she already contacted you? [That's one thing he liked about Freddie: she was constantly motivated.] Well, she moves quickly, when she knows what she wants.

[Knowing Freddie Lounds, she wouldn't have opened with a will you be my bodyguard friend? so he figured the best way to play this was cautiously.]

You'll have to pardon my reference of you -- while we've never spoken, I know of your good repute. Freddie is from my world, you see, we're familiar with each other, she and I.

ew redundancy. kicks that other 'again' out.

[corviform]

Thank you for getting back to me. I'm sorry to bother you. I...

[ A beat. ]

I wasn't so sure who else to ask.

[ But Chilton's a psychiatrist, which means he dispenses advice when needed. Gil feels incredibly embarrassed to turn to someone he barely knows, but he's finally at a loss with what to do with Kenzi. ]

i assumed gil was just being thoroughly cute

[slightlyoffchilt]

This isn't about a situation regarding yourself, is it?

[Gilbert has always struck him as a selfless sort of individual -- or, at least, someone preoccupied with others and their consequential needs over his own sense of being.]

[boobwindow]

Normally, I'd be flattered, but there's something sketchy about a tabloid reporter contacting me out of the blue.

[ It wasn't very hard to find that post. ]

u//u

[corviform]

No. [ Kind of? He has to mull over it. ] Not exactly.

It's about Kenzi.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh. I think she has bigger scoops in mind than whatever secrets you might have to offer -- though I'm sure your secrets are engaging, too.

[Hard to tell what someone would find offensive, in some situations. He covered both bases.]

It is, in fact, because of her chose occupation that Freddie tends to... Alienate people. You seemed open-minded enough to look past her career.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Not exactly concerning you, but definitely about Kenzi? Would it be too presumptuous to hazard a guess? Is this about something that has happened between both?