slightlyoffchilt | - IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

I did mention you, yes. I made it clear that you were the only investigator to be trusted with this matter.

[It was a point of pride, that Baltimore business should be kept within their circle -- a point of pride that didn't account for how prone to osmosis that circle truly was. But aside from emotional sentiment, Chilton had more to fear: the thought of exposure weighed on his mind. While Sherlock might be the other competent investigator, as according to Chilton, it was Will who had the ability and the rationale necessary to protect Chilton's own interest. It wasn't much of a dilemma.]

If you thought it necessary to involve other professional parties, I would submit to that decision. As long as you're involved in the process nevertheless. [As long as you're watching my back. Chilton shifted, uncomfortable in his excessively comfortable chair, and leaned forward.] Chimera recommended Sherlock Holmes.

I informed Clark Kent of what happened to Freddie, considering their...friendship. [Still strange to Will that someone who seemed to take reporting as a serious means to do good would befriend the likes of Freddie, but Baltimore and their circle was one of predators, scavengers, and prey alike. They needed types from all over in that osmosis. Better to absorb through osmosis than consumption.] He. Suggested someone, asked if he could pass the word along. Got a call from the Batman a little while later.

[Did Chilton already know this? Will couldn't be sure. He was aware of the conversation Chilton had with Clark to some extent, had been the sole reason poor Clark got a taste of Will's memories. But he's making an earnest attempt to be honest and open here with the idea that it might be returned.]

Do you want me to reach out to Holmes?

[Or have you done that yourself? Chilton talks about submitting to a decision and Will tries his hardest to prove that he doesn't want it while hoping it doesn't come across as something else. He wants them to work together, as a team (even if there will be an unbalance to it). He misses Jack Crawford. He misses the stability, but Chilton is not his boss. Oddly enough, he can be trusted with a bit more information that Jack Crawford, at one time, could not. Or so Will thought. In the spot of Chilton's patient, hands relaxed around the armrest, he watches carefully, no part of him ready to bite, a cannibal who would take his fingers (ring included) if he dared to show him either kindness or mercy with an extended hand.

He needs a friend as much as he needs someone to look to as a final authority (provided Will doesn't find the ultimate decision a poor one, mind; he'll always be his own dog once he's out of sight of a master he doesn't quite agree with), but Chilton isn't exactly the best sort of handler for Will Graham, is he? Still, he defers. He listens. He'll protect Chilton's interests as much as he'll protect the man himself if he can. He is a good boy, when he's been treated. Treat him right.]

Walter. [He sounded subdued, his tone lacking its practiced swagger. There was something more raw, more honest in his voice.] I'm back.

[ Walt is on this phonecall at the first ring. ]

Back?! What do you mean back. Where the fuck were you?!

[ Don't be fooled by all that cussing, though. Walt's tone is full of deep concern. ]

[The confrontation nearly had a paternal tone to it, something that perhaps would have been more pronounced if Chilton hadn't been so close in age. Nevertheless, the worn psychiatrist had boiled down to his instinct -- like an unstitched gash, he ached with unsubtle defensiveness.]

Where was I? Where. Was. I. Why don't you ask Crane?

[ Chilton's words felt like ice -- suddenly freezing Walt at the core and spreading its bitter chill throughout the rest of his body. He knew it was coming. He didn't know when, but he knew. Crane had made good on his threat. Crane had made the move against Chilton. And when Walt imagined this happening, he didn't expect to be on this side of it. He expected to be there, celebrating with Crane. ]

I should have known. I should have guessed. The swearing in ceremony, when he accused me of not taking you down...

[ Walt uttered his thoughts aloud, getting up and pacing. Damnit, damnit, damnit! ]

I should have realized he was planning something...

[ And now, back to focus. Back to Chilton. ]

Where are you? Is whatever he did to you out of your bloodstream? I'm assuming it's chemical. He's a chemist. That's what he does. I can remove it.

Wait -- come again? He was under the impression you would do what to me, Walt?

[Chilton pricked at the hint of conspiracy -- something that wasn't inconceivable, given the men in play, but nevertheless the additional context cloaked a darkening cloud over his ribcage. A constricting, tightening knot of nebulous molecules. But, with Walt soon said, how he should have realized -- it illustrated that Crane had acted independently. Rogue intentions. Was this then a burgeoning schism?]

I'm with -- [No. Best not mention Raina.] I'm recovering. In recovery. Did you know he has synthesized his own lysergic acid diethylamide? Does he know what you do?

We had an alliance, Chilton.

[ Walt was forthcoming. It was too little, too late. He should have warned Chilton, but he didn't. Maybe he was still holding onto his respect for Crane or maybe he just hoped that Chilton would see it coming -- he was a crafty man, after all. ]

I am well aware of what it is he makes just as he's aware of what it is I make. He used my lab at the pharmacy to do it, even. But I didn't know you were going to be the recipient of it.

[ A little white lie because he totally knew. ]

But we've since had a falling out. He accused me of falling for your lies, saying you were trying to delude me into believing you're my fri-- ally. He claimed he was the one who had always been honest with me and tried to get me to tell him what you did to me that one night in your basement. But I didn't. I protected you. And I hope like hell you were able to get him with your sedatives...

Chloroform. He chloroformed me first. Did that come from your laboratory, too?

[There's a shudder to his hiss, as if he's physically fighting the revulsion.]

What he did was a violation. What he did to me. Crane violated me.

[Chilton wasn't about to engage the gory details, the fact that he had been stripped (quite literally), or that he had been forced into a straitjacket. The image of him squirming on his own floor.]

I forced a breakthrough with you, Walt -- hadn't you benefited? Haven't you adapted? Are you not more aware of your potential in this world? What Crane attempted to force upon me was a breakdown. He wanted me incapacitated, if not subservient to his so-called philosophy. [A beat.] Clearly the man underestimated my resilience.

So tell me again: which of us is your ally?

Hello, Chímaira.

So sorry to have missed your messages. I was detained and thus without wings, chicken or otherwise. I must say, your timing is extraordinary.

Not dead, and not ported.

Put distance between yourself and Crane ASAP.

Edited 2015-04-27 06:29 (UTC)

Am I to assume your frantic messaging was some manifestation of concern?

Dorian, Dorian. Based on this histrionic display? I want to double our sessions for the next three weeks.

You're more than dedicated. Noted. But humor me for a moment: what happens when all that stress and work and sentinel duty grinds away at you? Surely it's a risk. Depression. Anxiety. Surely it's fair to take your health into consideration, given how on point you must be when undertaking this responsibility.

I think it must matter a little, in that regard. At least.

[ He's alive. That's good. She doesn't want to see Will Graham become a mess because another one bit the dust. But just because she has nothing to do while sitting at home alone amidst PLAGUE in the morning doesn't mean she's responding to the text right away. Forget that, first she's finishing Breakfast at Tiffany's and...breakfast. She worked the entire night in the ER, it was disgusting. ]

why's that?

The violent plague infecting the masses. There was apparently a dragon. I was detained.

You have quite the knack for dramatic moments. You could have picked any other time to call me a nerd, and yet you found the most theatrical of weekends.

[ WHEN THE HUSBAND IS AWAY SAVING THE WORLD

BITCHES GET BORED. ]

really
do you want to say that to me
the man who went through the trouble of finding a bar named imposter syndrome
you ARE a nerd
and i'm a dragon
sshhhh we can keep each other's secrets

Are you drunk? Are you drunk texting me? This is unprecedented.

Literally, my acquaintances up until now have always had the decorum to text me while sober.

[Oh no, he already had sent that when he realized how nerdy it sounded. It wasn't completely true, anyway, since he couldn't consistently be sure when Dorian was sober or not.]

All right. You're a dragon. My congratulations.

[ Well

what is wrong with a mimosa with breakfast. God she is a lonely housewife HOW DARE YOU SIR. But no that isn't it, Chilton. ...How many acquaintances does he have that text him who are normally drunk? Or high? ]

for a smart man you sure are slow
hit your head while detained?
shouldn't piss off a dragon. i'm trying to celebrate a new beginning here
nobody appreciates the work i go to

Edited 2015-04-27 07:01 (UTC)

I wasn't aware of any chloroform. No.

[ But probably, yes. To Walt's knowledge, Crane didn't have access to any other lab so he likely synthesized it there.

Walt listened as Chilton went off. Admittedly, he felt a tinge of satisfaction. Crane did help in the sense of forcing Chilton to feel the same damn things he forced on Walt. Violation. Stripped of free will and drugged. That Chilton was deluded enough to call it a breakthrough though....Walt shook his head in disgust. ]

Neither of you are my ally, if there's one message to be taken from all of this. But my favor has shifted more so in your direction. Even in spite of you having the nerve to call what you did to me a breakthrough.

Crane may have violated you. But he left you alive, didn't he? And what he probably didn't take into account was that you not only have the chance, resources and drive to retaliate even worse, but you now have a chemist on your side who happens to have extra incentive to see Crane out of the picture.

Edited (I didn't like the original reply) 2015-04-27 19:21 (UTC)

When did fair come into this conversation?

[ oh ffs Chilton ]

It was because I expected you to actually do your job and cater to your patients. If you actually answered your phone, I wouldn't have bugged you.

[Oh good. He isn't mad at Will. More importantly, he takes that to mean his face is still whole. Not that those two go hand in hand or anything.

Guess who replies within a prompt 60 seconds.]

I was going to bring him lunch today. Are you sure you want me to put distance, not close it?

Slow? Do you really believe that, or are you bright enough to figure out the truth of this matter?

[There were limitations to what Chímaira could know, and this would be a fine time to glimpse at those parameters.]

Are you look for a goat and a lion, too? Taking the nickname a bit literally.

So you saw the dragon. What else?

like you said there's been a dragon and plague. a lot of people have been DETAINED and i was busy
have no reason to track you unless you want me to ♥

a lion wouldn't be bad but not very useful
dragon was right in the backyard
now i can fly and fight godzilla
what else do you need? impossible to please

Wait. How long did you sit in my chair?

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