slightlyoffchilt | - IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

I never accused you to be capable of love, mind. [Just sympathy -- which was, on average, more useful.] And I don't know if I'm going to sign. Or not. But both you and Raina make persuasive arguments against allying with him, congratulations.

[Said somewhat sarcastically -- Chilton couldn't take Abduxel's account at face value, but he needed someone to blame if it ended badly.]

What? Did you finally remove his virginity? I presume that's what the stick up his posterior was hiding.

[Chilton smirked, silently congratulating himself on that epic burn.]

Edited 2015-07-25 00:51 (UTC)

[Ohhhhh.

He still looks fairly sullen until Chilton makes that quip about virginity, which has him looking at Dr. Chilton in unmasked surprise, and then bursting into unexpected genuine laughter.]

Oh, no, no, no, that's a closely guarded treasure, Dr. Chilton, although between you and me, I think he's got a little crush on me. [It's a science/fearboner crush, a "I want to torture you until you scream because I've never tortured a demon before" crush, but Dr. Chilton can probably get at least the gist of that himself.]

I actually asked him if he was a virgin, at the Swear-in.

And he did lie and claim that he wasn't?

[Chilton's eyebrows, already arched at the crush comment -- quite obviously that seemed like a dangerous situation for the demon -- kept his composure tight.]

Hah! As if he'd answer me. He called me boring, which I've learned to take as a compliment.

Then we can agree that he is, and simply played the haughty soul to avoid your mockery.

Naturally. I mean, who would sleep with him? I presume Raina told you what I told her about him. [He smirks, meanly.]

She did, yes. And gleefully so. I certainly wouldn't disagree with the data your investigation had wrought -- seems fairly unsurprising, don't you agree?

He rejects for that lasting trauma of rejection.

Yes, and isn't it a shame that such a beautiful face was wasted on someone like him, so cold and broken.

[He looks distant for a moment, thinking, and then turns his dark eyes back onto Chilton and says rather abruptly:] I don't have the slightest idea what you really think of me, Dr. Chilton. How much I can really trust you. How much you really trust me. I know you have the urge to like me. But how much is that worth? Coming from you.

[He gestures with his knife as he talks, pointing at the doctor for that last line. He sounds calm, musing, like he's just comfortably thinking aloud.]

You securing that deal was political for me, like we were nations wedding their royal children together, or something. I'm not angry with you; I don't think you should have considered it in the first place. But now what is there for us? Your empty compliments couched between your insults. What's to be done about that?

[A light shrug, before:] You could always remove that face.

[It's funny until Mason Verger has the same idea.]

-- What's do be done about that? [Chilton's voice rose, once Abduxel's mercurial speech turned.] I offered you that protection as a gift, because Raina had upset you. International diplomacy entails both parties getting something out of it -- even agreed upon peace comes with trade influx.

So I gambled the child I had sworn to your own son, so what? Consider it a miscarriage, or something. Accidents happen.

Don't get upset. [He smiled a little bit, like an asshole. It was a gentle chide, a calm parent to an irate child, and purposely a condescending reflection of something Dr. Chilton had said to him earlier.] All I'm saying is that I'm going to need some sort of insurance on this friendship of ours. Some proof that I'm not throwing my talents and assets into some void that will never provide return for me, or worse, will backstab me. You're too opaque, Chilton, while Walt might as well have been tissue paper, his motivations were writ so boldly beneath his skin.

But, well. [He swings his little knife around by the handle, smiling more openly now.]

There's is a way I could read your motivations.

Edited 2015-07-26 19:05 (UTC)

Is this just some tawdry excuse for you to cut into my mind?

[It was a fair question, thought Chilton, as he watched the demon swing around that knife.]

I'm willing to hear out your needs and designs inherent, Abduxel. But I won't agree with them upfront necessarily -- what on earth are you considering?

"Cut." Such a violent word. Consider it more of a peek. Is there some reason I shouldn't?

Something else you don't want me to know?

I'm not a patient. My mind isn't on the table for intrusion. If you're looking for that kind of joyride, have at it with Reggie or someone.

So there is. You don't want me to know. [He leans forward in his seat, a dark sort of glitter in his expression.] I have at it with whoever I want. I ask your permission out of respect. But you haven't shown any respect for me, Dr. Chilton.

I've been at least mildly respectful towards you, relatively speaking. [Chilton frowned, eying his employee uneasily as the demon leaned forward.] We just have different expectations regarding my behavior, it seems.

Then I guess I should be adjusting my respect to match.

What is it you want from me? In actual terms?

Or are you not sure, yourself? Some vague notion of respect that you equate with transparency -- who has ever given you that? Even while Walt wore his emotions like a boutonniere, he didn't respect you. You were an expendable scion substitute to him.

No, I guess that's true, Walter didn't respect me truly, but he acted like he did. I could trust him enough not to turn his abilities on me, for example, the way that you can trust I won't turn mine on you - without permission. Let's say that there was a lack of blatant disrespect. Mutually. That's what I want, Dr. Chilton.

So you're saying you prefer someone lying to you by making the hollow gestures, rather than the inherent respect of treating you like a competent adult who understands emotional deception? You would rather have the illusion.

[Chilton arched an eyebrow, his gaze scouring.]

I employ my powers when I find the situation dangerous enough to use them. You don't exactly have a shining record of good ethical behavior yourself, you know. You're just as likely to buddy with Crane again as much as you're not -- the plight of a whimsical nature such as yours, I imagine.

But I don't hold that nature against you, Abduxel, not vindictively. You are, however, doing your own intelligence a disservice if you think I'm foolish enough to lower my defenses around a highly capable, vastly powerful demon with lingering emotions for at least a couple of my own enemies!

Lingering emotions? You talk like I was in love with him.

I wouldn't call it lying if it means I can turn my back without expecting a knife. Unless you mean to imply that you aren't capable of fostering that kind of relationship.

Sure, I can be a little - flighty. [He chooses the word carefully.] But it's about enticement. I'd imagine you'd try harder to keep my attention, if you were a smart man. I'm convinced that the two of you - Raina and you - would throw me under the bus eagerly if the opportunity arose. If you're saying we can never graduate past this childish distrust, then what's the point of our arrangement at all? Of course if I'm so uncertain of my own allies, I'd keep my eyes open for better offers. That's just capitalism, Dr. Chilton.

Not love, no. But affection. Most everyone is nostalgic for affection.

Your leap in logic from one to the other is baseless, obviously that was not the implication I made. But it is revealing of what you think -- and proof that the respect you claim to deliver might be just as hollow as Walt's was for you. [Something fairly revealing, and by Chilton's expression, it seems that made the most impact.]

-- You don't realize that I'm a smart man? Really, Abduxel, are you such an idiot?

[A very dangerous tone.]

Edited 2015-07-26 19:53 (UTC)

I have other sources of affection besides my employer. [Lots of them.] However hollow my respect might be, I've never given you reason to distrust and fear me as much as you do. I am powerful, I am highly capable; I could have easily flayed you to my own benefit months ago, and yet here we are, talking face-to-face so honestly.

You know, Walter offered me that. He would take me back if I hurt you, truly hurt you. Tortured you. And I could have. All that money, and yet! Is that hollow respect?

[He smiles again at the final question with a tilt of the head. Chidingly,] Oh, come on. Brilliant, touchy Dr. Chilton -- that ego of yours. Of course I do. And like any smart man, you'll understand that I've been painstakingly demonstrating my use to you to earn your fickle trust, or respect, or whatever you want to call it. For a real partnership.

Edited 2015-07-26 20:04 (UTC)

[Chilton adjusts in his seat, pinching his shoulders inwards -- sullen body language, perhaps, but in truth he's been appeased. Abduxel astutely touched upon his insecurities, soothing them, and he responded like any self-promoting narcissist might; with pleasure and recovered vulnerability.]

It isn't that I don't respect you -- your sacrifice, your immense power. Your ambition. But, unlike, perhaps, Crane, you're better equipped to get at my jugular. I... Like dangerous people. And I will always keep that in mind about myself.

[A lesson gleaned through difficult times back in Baltimore.]

But I can... Understand. How that isn't an excuse. I can understand how you would feel that I'm belittling your sizable efforts and admirable loyalty to me. And. I was, perhaps, far too triggerhappy with you. I'll acknowledge that your consent is... Preferable. With regards to my powers.

[His most convoluted apology yet. Chilton draws back his shoulders, taking a deep breath, his eyes on the ceiling as if beseeching mercy.]

You're more than a valuable asset, Abduxel. You're like -- you're more akin to a friend. A friend that I'm legally obligated to pay on a biweekly basis.

[Well, he's not so easily appeased to really believe Chilton sees him as a friend in any genuine capacity, but this is exactly what he wanted to hear. In way, Chilton was right that Abduxel just needs people to pretend; he doesn't expect anyone to actually care about him or like him, because he's terrible, he's a terrible person, selfish and disgusting: but he still needs friendship, affection, respect. He eats it up, every word of it, albeit it could have been a third of the length and get to the point -- but that's just Dr. Chilton, and he won't hold it against him. Two big, sensitive egos stroking each other. Someone needs to put a blur on this footage already.

He listens thoughtfully, and at the end smiles warmly. Internally he wants to laugh at the biweekly pay part, but he restrains himself and doesn't address it.]

See, was that so hard? Thank you, Frederick -- Dr. Chilton. I feel like we're finally making progress.

Edited 2015-07-26 20:49 (UTC)

Progress we both agree upon, too. That's the truly astounding fact.

[He said with a smile, teasingly.]

Well, Abduxel -- were there additional topics you'd like discuss? You have the hour at your whim, after all.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject