slightlyoffchilt | - IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

[Chilton arrives on the dot, cautious about maintaining an approachable demeanor. And approachability often meant accommodation -- it wouldn't do to keep Hank waiting.

His eyes are drawn to the bald, squaring man in the uniform. Easy pick, wasn't it?]

Mr. Schrader?

[Chilton eyes the agent cautiously, careful not to extend his hand. It wasn't as if his own experience with federal pitbulls had served Chilton well, and if Schrader was anything like Crawford, well...]

Doctor Chilton. Pleasure to meet you in the flesh.

Edited 2015-03-27 05:48 (UTC)

[ Despite the nice shirt and badge on his belt, it would be clear upon closer inspection that he isn't dressed like a real fed. In actuality, at least in this version of America, he's a city cop, and that's how he's going to play it while here. It would seem pathetic to keep introducing himself as Agent when everybody else had given up former jobs alongside. He can't be above that, not as a public servant.

He'll hold out one of the paper cups instead of just offering a simple handshake. He's nervous but he really doesn't show it, save for the occasional break in his speech. Just doesn't want to make anything worse for Walt, really. ]

Officer Schrader, at least these days, but you can just call me Hank. Nice to meet you. Uh, coffee?

[He didn't react to the bait -- it was obvious that Crane wanted him to, and obvious that the hued language was intended to provoke. The insinuation of some relationship with Walter perhaps shed more light than Crane had intended; but that wasn't unusual, just as Chilton underestimated individuals, individuals underestimated him.

More reason to be guarded around the man, more reason to pinch out the details of his own behavior. The parallels with this relationship and the one he had possessed with Hannibal were crystallizing.]

What a relief, that you could access such a necessary facility. Let's hope it ends with relief.

[ His mind is swimming in the sedative, trying to focus on that over his panic and terror at Yuri being back. At the same time, his body is trying to heal from the drug put in his system, so needless to say, Dorian Gray was feeling FUNKY. ]

That's the problem, though. So many of you try to smudge this, [ said with a lazy gesture towards himself ] Be a hero, save the day, don't stand around watching as the houses burn. And it's hardly like I can kill everyone. There'd be nobody left for me then.

And what would you want people for, anyway?

[Chilton eased on the sedative, watching Dorian intently. This was an experimental dosage -- who knew the details of Dorian's ageless physiology? Who knew the conceits of his metabolism? Chilton wasn't keen to overdose the patient, but he wanted a thumb to Dorian's pulse -- so to speak.]

What would you do to those left for you?

[ Dorian put a hand to his head, frowning slightly as his healing power started to chip away at the sedative. ] I am a creature of comforts and of habits. Even if I inevitably abandon them, I need people to be with me for a while.

[ He knew he was alone. But being absolutely alone sounded terrifying. ]

Elliot once said, "What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from."

[His calm tone mixes with excitement and mockery - his voice barely more than a whisper.]

We'll see how it ends, won't we?

[It's a hint - a subtle hint that he has a theory, the framework that Chilton's so very curious about him and wants to get him wrapped up in a study. It's throwing down the gauntlet. It's showing that he's linked the intent hidden behind Chilton's joke about experimenting on his patients, and an ending with relief. That Chilton's own challenge hadn't gone unnoticed. It's a message between psychaitrists that he knows all the tricks of the trade - he's played this game at Arkham. Being caught isn't weakness; if it happened to him it wasn't going to be over at all.]

Edited 2015-03-27 14:02 (UTC)

[Officer Schrader. Well.]

Hank it is. And -- ah, thank you.

[Chilton took the offered coffee gently, his movements measured and precise. Walt had to have sent Hank, but the question lingered as to why. There had been some days between the initial call and their current meeting, so any doubts that Chilton could have suffered about his analysis of what this wasn't about were formally laid to rest. One didn't borrow a (probably criminal) citizen and drug him against his will without repercussions, if the subject was known.]

Would you prefer to talk out here? My office isn't too far away, if you'd like a more private setting to discuss your... Problems.

[Chilton framed it like that, as if Hank came to Chilton because the former required treatment. He hoped to fluster the officer.]

billy said we’d need someone more powerful than him. we talked about trying to get emma frost. sabriel also offered to help.

And you know that these... Comforts, they're only episodic relief. A limited supply. [He took note of how coherent Dorian sounded just now, how awake. Chilton forced more sedative onto the immortal, observing with precision.]

Because the very thing that makes these people so temporary to you is what they would destroy, if they could.

All good choices. I can't say that anyone could network a better powerhouse.

I trust that you have a solid direction.

[ As the sedative flowed into him, Dorian lurched forward slightly, like someone who just had a dizzy spell, before reasserting himself and settling back into that stupor. ]

What would they destroy? My youth? My immortality? Even if I could die, it wouldn't stay dead. This place would just resurrect me again. [ like it had done before. Like it had done to Yuri. Like it would do to practically anybody else here now that he thinks of it. What was the price of immortality if everyone was effectively immortal? ]

But I'm fine with episodic. I fuck up the permanent on a regular basis.

[ That gets a raised eyebrow and a grunt, but other than the disapproving once-over he's not too flustered. He already had a stance on what he was coming to talk to Chilton about, and he knows when a shrink's being a shrink. ]

Nah, I think it's your problems we need to talk about, Doc. You seem to have some kind of problem with my brother-in-law, and uh...as I understand it, he got a little mouthy.

[ Motioning towards the bench near the steps, he'll begin heading over so they can take a seat. He'll let Chilton sit first, though. ]

I just wanted to let you know that he's not, uh, that kinda guy. I mean he's been going through a lot, and this place would put anybody through the ringer, huh? So I'm just hoping you can maybe cut him a break and, you know...back off a little. Let him breathe. He's a good guy.

[ The threat is as gentle as it can be coming from a man like him, polite, almost friendly, but it's very much there. It always is where family is concerned. ]

It's almost rather circular logic.

[Haha. Chilton dangles that, wondering how soon Crane will want to analyze his response, and if any of that analysis would approximate his intent. Those of other professions might call it a tired habit, but psychiatrists were keen on context in contrast with its subtext -- especially those psychiatrists with tenuous personal boundaries.]

But until then, Doctor Crane.

[Crane can't wait to get started on dissecting Chilton's response, and would rather enjoy doing so in private. Back in his apartment, not at work, in a timeless atmosphere perfect for such lateral thought. He makes his goodbye rather quiet and thoughtful in tone.]

Until then, Doctor Chilton.

[A nod to Chilton's profession. It was better to dominate the strong than the weak, after all. Then he disconnects.]

Does Mr. White routinely confide with you his insecurities? It's rather evident that he has expressed concerns to you -- that's why you're here, now, and talking to me. Asking about -- what was it, some kind of problem I have with him?

[Chilton took a quick sniff of his kindly given coffee, before taking a sip and then taking his seat. His eyes were still on Hank.]

I thought we had been rather civil on the Network, given his... State of arrival, shall we say.

[He quoted only their single Network interaction, which would create some distance between the apparent event of insult; it was deduced that Walt wouldn't have possibly divulged much of what was really going on with him and Chilton, but to send Hank to sniff this out? To bark at the facade of it all? That seemed desperate, if anything -- especially given Walt's own mechanisms in Hank's death.]

[ Routinely? They're family, it's not like talking about those things are strange. He doesn't answer that, though, not here to second-hand shrink Walter White. Walt needs help, sure, but he's not sure this is the guy to do that. ]

He mentioned how you won't leave him alone, and how he lost his temper with you. Which frankly shouldn't be that surprising if you've been that set on watching him. He's going through a lot, and none of it has to do with you, so it might be better if you just give him some space.

Oh. You mean about -- well. That.

[Chilton looked down at his coffee, as if this whole discussion had suddenly coiled into something embarrassing. He shrugged, shaking his head lightly.]

I have no intention to press charges, Officer. If his gambit was an intimidation game via your... Department, I'll be frank: this was a wasted visit.

I don't want the fact that Walter grabbed his groin at me to become public knowledge.

[ Whoa whoa, wait. He looks incredulous as Chilton says 'press charges', and even more-so at the mention of crotch grabbing. Despite being shocked, he almost starts to grin, but quickly loses it when he realizes the gravity of this. Walt had sent him in with less than a full set of information, and now he's not sure what he's apologizing for.

He quickly holds up his free hand, and with one quick shake of his head he backtracks. ]

This has nothing to do with my department, I'm just here as his brother-in-law. Why would you— Come on, press charges? Over that? No, I wasn't worried about it. [ Especially since he hadn't even known Walt had done more than mouthed off. What else had happened? ] So glad to hear you...aren't thinking on it. Seemed more to me that you haven't been leaving him alone when he asks you to.

[ But if it wasn't more clear than ever, Hank was sent here with a deck half full, and the realization has both embarrassed and irritated him. It doesn't remotely excuse Chilton borderline stalking Walt, but he's suddenly a lot more focused on the truth of what happened than getting Chilton to back away. Problem is he won't ask for the truth if it means throwing his brother-in-law under the bus, despite knowing Walt more or less just did the same to him. ]

Edited 2015-03-30 05:53 (UTC)

[Chilton had anticipated that Walt wouldn't have oozed out the sordid details; he made a note to return the favor. Expose the skeletal structure of his design, but keep the veins and arteries to himself. That was something special to share with Walt, and Walt alone.]

It is surprising that you still take this allegation at his word, given that he apparently had not fully informed you of his actions.

[There it was, snaking out along a forked tongue.]

Regardless of your opinion on the severity -- or lack thereof -- inherent to public indecency.

[Another sip of the coffee Hank had so kindly bought him, as his eyes maintained focus on the officer's face. Just to accentuate the point.]

What does he mean, that I haven't been leaving him be? What evidence did Mr. White provide to you?

And why is that, Dorian?

[There's a careful squeeze of Dorian's shoulder, and Chilton offered to lead him to the light blue sedan. Easier to sit down now, isn't it? He muttered, softly, and he spoke in that metered, psychiatric metronome.]

Do you think that, perhaps, you can't trust yourself with permanent things? That you alone must be the constant variable in your life? And so you destroy the rest. Callously.

[ While it might burn Hank that Walt clearly kept this from him, and maybe something else if this guy's behavior is indication...it's the very behavior that forces Hank to rear up in defense of his brother-in-law. It's subtle, the way his shoulders square and the grip on his coffee tightens, and there's a grimace that's quickly set in the clench of his jaw. He's visibly restraining himself, something even more apparent by how quiet his voice suddenly becomes. ]

He's family.

[ And you sure aren't. His distaste is clear, judgment already made. Anyone who tries to turn someone on family's definitely about as trustworthy as a snake. Ugh but then Dave had always been giving Marie plenty of ammunition, too. This guy probably just wants to shove experimental pills on Walt or something, and that's the last thing he thinks his brother-in-law needs. ]

I just don't want there to be any problems. We're all in this together, aren't we?

Edited 2015-04-01 01:24 (UTC)

Are we?

[Chilton lowered his coffee cup, holding it with both hands over his abdomen. Beneath the double-breasted jacket and stripped button-up shirt was a long, precise scar: proof of his former dissection. It was a daily reminder that Chilton could never afford that sense of family, or even anything similar to the trust that Hank now bestowed upon Walter White. No one short of Will Graham could Chilton even humor with his hints about his secrets.

Ah, yes. Will Graham. The bloodhound he had released before this meeting, in fact, he had informed Will in preparation of this meeting. Psychological warfare was a nuanced game.]

You of all people, Officer Schrader, no doubt can understand that any given selection of people will harbor less... Savory individuals. Are we really all in this together?

Edited 2015-04-01 01:33 (UTC)

[ At first, Hank just squints at him like he can't quite believe his ears. Because, well, he can't. What the hell does that have to do with this. Is he going to sic some crazy-ass psych patient on them? The fuck did Walt say to this guy to make him talk like he's Poe all of a sudden? ]

We ain't talking about those people, Doc, unless you're one of them. That's not a threat, is it?

[ Like right in front of the police station? Hank isn't sure how else to take it. ]

It's only a warning. Not a threat.

[The arch in Chilton's brow indicated that he wanted to say more, but he nevertheless restrained himself. Schrader would likely exhibit bluster and disbelief if Chilton illuminated a few facts for the former DEA agent -- but that seedling of doubt would fester in his mind, and ultimately challenge what Chilton had established with Walt.

He couldn't allow that to happen. This pawn to E4, as it were, was invitation, and Chilton wouldn't squander Walt's thoughtful engagement.]

I speak from a perspective of clarity, Officer Schrader. Let's remember what it is that I do for a living.

- IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

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