- 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]

Am I to understand that this is a discussion brought forth by your concern for your friend's mental health? Or is there another reason?

[He's hoping for the former, needless to say.]

[godly]

[Light will likely disappoint him, then.]

No. It's brought forth by their concern that you're rather adamant about trying to diagnose them with something -- especially since they're unwilling to play the part of patient.

[Of course, Violet did not say it in so many words; hers were far less polite.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh.

[The disappointment proves palpable -- his tone wears it swiftly.]

And this individual confided in you with the purpose of what, exactly? Is this a warning?

[Quick to the defense.]

[godly]

[And just as quick to quip back:] Why? Are you interpreting it as such?

[slightlyoffchilt]

It seems fairly aggressive, the subtext. Coming here to make such inquiries -- but, perhaps you're simply protective? [He pulls back a bit, needling less, suggesting other options instead.]

Perhaps you value the comfort of knowing.

[godly]

Protective of a friend? That's hardly a trait that's isolated to myself alone; neither is knowing the truth in an otherwise uncertain situation.

Wouldn't you feel the same?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm certainly not accusing you of any abnormality.

[Yet.]

We're just discussing your goals at hand, with regards to me.

[godly]

[oh boy. yet.]

"Goals" is too lofty of the word at this point in time. I just wanted to speak with you, to get provide myself with a sketch of your initial character. I wanted to see if I had anything to be concerned about in the first place.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Am I the only one on trial, then, before your judge and jury?

[godly]

Guilty until proven innocent? Not quite. That'd hardly be just of me.

This is just a friendly chat.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Perhaps I've missed when the friendliness came in.

[He's partially joking, at least!]

I'm certainly not judging you for scouting out the resources. It's good method.

[godly]

I've been nothing but politeness. You can hardly blame me for that. [Also partially joking, maybe? He masks his intentions with words well enough, but that undercurrent of this being a little more than a friendly chat is still there.]

Resources? I wouldn't go so far to label you as a resource, at least not for myself -- I don't have need for a psychiatrist. But acquaintance would be fair enough.

[slightlyoffchilt]

No need for a psychiatrist? You are rather quick to protest it. [It's spoken with a smile, perhaps genially enough -- and the subject is not pursued, at least not verbally. Chilton began to reserve his doubts, however, that Light didn't need a psychiatrist.]

However. I am not one to deny an acquaintance -- we can certainly consider ourselves as such.

[godly]

[Light, on the other hand, frowns. If Violet claimed that Chilton was forcibly "psychoanalyzing" her, he had to be careful that he didn't end up in the same boat. He can't imagine how irritating that might be; as such, he makes a tactical decision to not argue the point further, and simply continue the line of conversation.]

Good. [-but not without that frown now being heard in his tone.] Then as an acquaintance, I would request that you be more careful about whom you apply your... skills to, please.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I aim to apply them to people in need. [He poses this like a martyr might.] Are you suggesting you're to be the arbiter on who is needy and who is needless?

[godly]

[And his response to that is simple, deflecting.] No, just someone who'll be mindful of my friend's conversations on the network. I'm not sure I'm suited well enough to be an arbiter of anything, Doctor. [Ha...ha.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

You must care deeply of your friends. This depth of concern is remarkable.

[godly]

Is something like that really so surprising?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Usually people maintain ulterior motivations. It's rare to find someone so. Selfless.

[He's not even hiding the skepticism.]

[godly]

[Aaand Light will therefore be calling him out on it!]

So what, you think this is some complex, subtle plan that ends with my own personal gain? You don't know me well enough to label me that manipulative.

[Spoiler: he can be if he wants to, though.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I could always get to know you better. [He says, by way of invitation. But he doesn't retract his assertion.] If you'd like.

[godly]

[Light is pretty certain this is not where he wants to take the conversation at all.]

A generous offer, but I think I'll have to decline it.

[slightlyoffchilt]

There's always another day, of course. I imagine we're both here for quite the while, and I wouldn't be surprised if people began to find the duration, ahh, even more stressful.