- 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

[corviform]

Form? What?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Bodily. Form.

1/2

[corviform]

If I favor a...

[corviform]

[ He manages to sound more confused. ]

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're asking at all, Doctor...

[slightlyoffchilt]

[His tone is quite agitated, as if speaking so plainly is somehow obscene -- not necessarily because of the subject matter, but because of his profession and its sleight of tongue:]

Men. Do you favor men instead?

1/3

[corviform]

[ It all finally clicks and Chilton better prepare to hoist the communicator/phone away from his ear.

Gil draws in a breath. ]

F-F-Fa... Favor men...?!

2/3

[corviform]

[ Wheezing now: ]

What?! N-No! I-I'm not...

3/3

[corviform]

I'm not a homosexual!!

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A







beat.]

But why are you defensive about such accusations?

[corviform]

Anybody would be defensive when asked such a question!!

[slightlyoffchilt]

You just seem particularly. Sensitive. About it.

[corviform]

B-Because... Because you asked such a weird question!

[slightlyoffchilt]

You seemed a bit repressive. Statistically speaking, it wasn't so weird to inquire.

[corviform]

Statistically?

[ He's not at all familiar with Chilton's work. ]

I'm not repressed either! Why is everyone obsessed with such things?!

[slightlyoffchilt]

People are hardwired, as socially involved creatures, to be interested in sexual endeavors and acquisitions.

Exceptions apply, of course.

[corviform]

S-Se... [ Nope, he can't say it either. ] I don't want to talk about this anymore!

[slightlyoffchilt]

All right. So you say you're only Kenzi's friend?

[corviform]

Y-Yes! We're friends!

[slightlyoffchilt]

Then I'm sure she would consider something similar along those lines.

[corviform]

Yes, she would...

Like I said, we've been friends for a long time...

[slightlyoffchilt]

How long, precisely? I'm aware that she has been in universal displacement for quite some time.

[corviform]

Nearly two years...

Why?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm only fleshing out the context. Would you consider this your most meaningful friendship in Heropa?

[corviform]

[ That gets a long pause from Gil as he deliberates on how to answer.

When he finally speaks up, his tone has shifted from mildly irritated and embarrassed to crestfallen, yet still preserving some warmth as he speaks about Kenzi. ]

My most...

[ A beat. ]

I suppose yes. Kenzi is... [ was? ] my most precious friend here.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm sorry for your loss, then. Let's both hope it's temporary.