- 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

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A swift, but meaningful, beat follows.]

What about Lounds?

[heartlessglitch]

I am interested in understanding how she is relevant to yourself, Dr. Gideon, and Will Graham.
You may take this opportunity to elaborate.
Or I can investigate myself.

[slightlyoffchilt]

She's a reporter for a online watchdog blog called Tattlecrime. [He answers factually but without petulance -- surely unusual for Frederick Chilton.] She reported on Abel Gideon before, and -- I have encountered her, personally.

[heartlessglitch]

[ She takes note of his tone, and it makes her suspicious. ]

Is that to say that your relationship is amicable?
Or, at the very least, that it was positive in some way?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I would say -- that yes, Freddie Lounds has been very helpful to me. Indispensable in some regards. [A beat.] He didn't remember you, Danger. Your father.

[Whiplash.]

[heartlessglitch]

[ It makes her pause. Finally, a bit flatly: ]

No.
He did not.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you wish that he had? Do you want him to admit his relation to you? His importance to you?

[heartlessglitch]

I am trying to reconcile what he is now with what he will be.
And what he will do to me.
That is difficult.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You've already revealed yourself to him -- he knows who you are, and what he must mean to you, at least to some degree. [A beat.] How will you cope? What is your game plan?

[heartlessglitch]

I would suggest you do not press me for an immediate answer.
I am not in a pleasant mood.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I can help you think of an answer, Danger. That's why I'm your psychiatrist.

[heartlessglitch]

Acknowledged.
I had assumed you would be too busy enjoying the situation.

[ Her voice is pointed. Her mood really is bad. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

My personal vindication never interferes with my work.

[heartlessglitch]

I suspect that is untrue.
Regardless, I fail to see how you intend to help me.

[slightlyoffchilt]

That's just your petulance speaking, Danger. I'm sure someone as capable as you could... Compute possibilities. After all, you mean so very much to me.

[heartlessglitch]

I know what you value.
And as I warned you, I am not in the mood to be trifled with.
If you insist on provoking me, I will respond.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have little doubt that you would make good on your word. But answer this, at least: would you be imagining his face over mine, when you responded?

[heartlessglitch]

Confirm: You want me to utilize you as a means to vent my frustration.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Just -- hypothetically.

[He's already had to deal with Freddie and Karla, he knows he isn't prepared to deal down Danger.]

Think of it as a thought experiment.

[heartlessglitch]

[ flatly: ]

I am perfectly capable of running hypothetical scenarios by myself.
By the dozens, if not hundreds, per second.
Thank you regardless.

[slightlyoffchilt]

And I'm sure you process such violent scenarios in a completely healthy, unadulterated manner. Oh yes. Quite sure.

Immensely sure.

[heartlessglitch]

Perhaps we should cease to pretend that my health matters to you in any benevolent capacity.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Why do you think I'm pretending? Just because your father's name manifests on the Network doesn't mean it's rational to shun all your interpersonal relations.

[heartlessglitch]

[ immediately, sharply, loudly enough that there's just a faint static to her mechanical voice: ]

I DO NOT WANT TO DISCUSS MY FUCKING FATHER.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[He balks, made speechless by her speech.

The silent affliction is, however, only temporary:]

Then what would you like to talk about?

[His submission to her will is only exterior, and halfway; inwardly, he scents a nascent weapon on the forge. Something to beat into a sharper agony. Fucking, indeed.]