- 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]

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?

[corviform]

It's hard to say, to be honest. She's been closed off for a while now. I thought maybe... the both of you are friends, so maybe you would know if something was wrong?

... Has she said anything?

[ It feels awful, prying like this. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A beat.]

No. In fact, she's seemed more... Distant than before. Our last major interaction was the paintball incident. [He clears his throat.]

She shot me.

[corviform]

She...

[ Game or not, he's heard how awful it was. ]

Are you alright, Dr. Chilton? I was told the pain felt quite real in that exercise.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm -- she was an earlier hit. It wasn't the worst of the worst. [A beat. It had hurt so much.] I'm fine.

So you say she's been pulling away from you?

[corviform]

[ He's not sure if he can believe that given what he's heard, but he decides not to press. ]

Ah... it seems so. She was fine one second and then we got into a bit of an argument when I asked her about it.

[slightlyoffchilt]

My condolences. [A beat.] That feeling can be quite stressful, indeed. Her -- you know, tendency. To close off.

[corviform]

It wasn't always like this...

[ He clears his throat, trying to prep himself to ask Chilton outright, though he's having a bit of difficulty. ]

... I don't know what to do...

[slightlyoffchilt]

Are you asking me to -- counsel you both?

1/2

[corviform]

What? No!

[corviform]

Not at all...! I just...








I would appreciate advice on what to say to her...

[slightlyoffchilt]

That is, essentially, counseling you both -- granted, though it would be one-sided and filtered through you. Nevertheless.

[corviform]

I don't need counseling.

[ AhaHAHA. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I didn't suggest you did, singularly. [A beat.] But that certainly was defensive.

[corviform]

I was asking you as a friend of Kenzi's! Not professionally!

[slightlyoffchilt]

It's difficult to divorce the two. Given the context.

[corviform]

... Never mind, then.

[ He doesn't need the focus, it's Kenzi who does. ]

I shouldn't have troubled you with this.

[slightlyoffchilt]

It's no trouble, Gilbert. Especially since this concerns someone we both care about.

[corviform]

You must have enough on your shoulders already, Dr. Chilton.

I... I should just talk to her, isn't that it? Be direct...

[slightlyoffchilt]

Well, ideally, yes. It isn't impossible that she doesn't realize the effect her behavior has upon you.

[corviform]

She wouldn't do it on purpose, definitely. She's not that kind of person.

[slightlyoffchilt]

All the more reason to discuss the matter with her, Gilbert. In person.

[corviform]

Yes, you're right... I'll do that.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you know how you'll phrase it to her?

[corviform]

[ Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaause. ]

... N-Not really, but I'll come up with something.