- 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]

I'm -- I'm sorry. Excuse me. For a moment I thought you said Lin was a demon -- [Chilton searched her face, his brow furrowing. A beat followed. Then another.

And another.]

Oh my god. Matthew Lin is a demon.

[This in the light of such intimate conflict. The psychoanalysis, the touching, the engagement -- Chilton thought he had graduated from that mistake, however minor it was compared to Hannibal's masquerade. But Matthew had been so elegant, so charming, just like Hannibal Lecter had been. Traits that Chilton admired.

Traits that he compulsively imitated.]

So we won't speak it.

[He looked at the piece of paper she had written the demon's name upon; so this was how Matthew understood the nuanced trickery of speaking Lucifer's name, and the mystical consequence inherent. This was how. Chilton took the piece of paper, along with Raina's kiss, and clenched the name within his palm.

Abduxel.]

Names have a natural psychological resonance. Consciousness is arguably a search for identity -- and what is more raw, more vulnerable, than how we want to be perceived?

[Spoken a touch hollowly, even if the logic was sincere. Chilton would have to digest this demonic Lin business at a later time.]

I -- [Chilton committed a doubled take, looking back at his girlfriend with starkly widened eyes.]

I plan to take additional precautions with Mr. Lin from hence on.

[He leaned his shoulder against hers, his hand moving to stroke at her neck, her collarbone.]

[flowerette]

[ Raina listened to Frederick's remark about names, and while there was a certain truth to it -- these demons also proved there was danger in their names as well. Call them and they would hear. They would come. Perhaps the very way Lucifer had teleported to Raina during their first meeting. ]

Good.

[ But she thought Chilton should have been taking those additional precautions in the first place. Raina had always suspected Abduxel's motivations from the very moment Chilton confessed his fake name as the other party in his tryst. Maybe Chilton was content to be complacent in his arrogance and desirability, maybe he was content to be blind for the sake of a little ego stroking. But where her lover was concerned, Raina couldn't afford that same blindness. She had to protect him for her own selfish reasons of not wanting to lose him. ]

Matthew is arrogant and foolish, but he can be dangerous if you allow him to be.

[ Raina closed her eyes, letting out a soft breath of enjoyment at the touches -- the attention. She was pliant and responsive, leaning in to his touch. ]

I also believe he thinks he's above humanity. It wasn't until I confessed I wasn't human that we actually seemed to have a conversation worthwhile. I planted the seed of individuality and potential to do so many great things away from the devil deep within him. And I'm certain you're the best candidate to water that and make it grow -- let it become the beautiful weed that chokes out his loyalty.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Who doesn't think they're above humanity?

[Hardly a criticism of the masses, since Chilton was including himself in that collective superiority complex -- but it was a typical fact of the ego, wasn't it? Identity naturally intertwined with worth. The danger lay with those who couldn't see their value reflected in their name. Chilton inclined his head, his eyes solely absorbed in her face. It was beautiful, how she leaned into him. The way she reacted.

Simply gorgeous.]

I'll handle him with propriety. [It was a reassurance, a promise.] But for now -- in this particular moment? [His hand stroked lower down her body -- while his fingers served ill for surgical endeavors, they nevertheless possessed other talents.]

I'd rather just enjoy my lovely company.