- 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

[abduxel]

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.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[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.

[abduxel]

[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.

[slightlyoffchilt]

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.

[abduxel]

[He laughs a little, good-naturedly, and resumes a relaxed position on the sedan.]

Topics? What, like real therapy?

You know... I never really intended to get counselling when I signed up for this. [He winks and grins, and says it like it's secret, because he knows both of them are extremely aware of that fact already. He's just being a comedian.] What do normal people talk about?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Themselves, usually. So you wouldn't be that adrift from the normalcy range. In that singular regard.

[Chilton inclined his head, smirking at his patient.]

Have you been feeling unusually anxious? Optimistic? What do you find yourself devoting a lot of thought to?

[abduxel]

Oh, optimistic, I guess. Everything is going fairly smoothly. [It seems like he means it, which is perhaps at odds with how Chilton has been experiencing this whole rollercoaster.]

I've got a girlfriend, you know - but you already know that. I heard that Reggie mentioned her to you. I think she and Raina have met, actually.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You have a girlfriend. [There's a quiet disbelief -- not because it was unbelievable that someone would savor Abduxel as a mate, but rather than he would settle down -- for any brief period of time.]

The redhead?

[abduxel]

The redhead. He didn't manage to get you a name? Well, I'll spare you the trouble: she's Elsa Brandt. Anyway, it's really nice, isn't it? Being with someone who understands you -- and has your back.

[His own idea of settling down is questionable at best, which would probably sit better with Dr. Chilton. "Girlfriend" is a strong word, since he and Elsa have never discussed her being anything of the sort, but, plainly, he doesn't realize that's a thing.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

And in how many ways does Ms. Brandt have your back, Abduxel?

[The tone lilted with skepticism -- as if Chilton was wary of Abduxel's claims to emotional connection without some strong sexual appeal to the matter.]

[abduxel]

[He acknowledges that innuendo first with a broadening smile.] Oh, we've actually never tried that position, although I'm sure we will eventually. Usually she's the one face-down - or wherever I want her at the time. Does Raina have your back?

[This conversation might make a particularly poignant memory after Saturday the 25th.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Raina has my everything. [He said, primly, as if their discussion was something more in line with the front page of the Financial Times.] Though I'm not surprised you haven't allowed yours to dominate you. Control issues much?

[Asked Chilton.

Frederick Chilton asked this.]

[abduxel]

Damn. Well, film it next time, will you?

[His eyebrows raise meaningfully at Chilton, although he's smiling this time. He could tell him that he's offered this to Elsa and is letting her follow through on her own time... But when is Abduxel ever so honest and direct?]

Is this sex therapy, Dr. Chilton? I'd let someone dominate me if they were able. [He grins wolfishly, an expression familiar to Chilton by now.] I'm not the type to just roll over.

[slightlyoffchilt]

It is whatever breed of therapy that you, the patient, deems it to be.

[Not something Chilton enjoyed saying; while he accused Abduxel of control issues, even he might not disregard the projection so inherent.]

And have you found many who fit that description? Anyone who is capable of containing you?

[abduxel]

Mm, not yet, although I think that depends exactly how you look at it.

[After all, among imPorts, he was far from the most powerful - as much as he liked to talk himself up, he didn't have any illusions about being the apex predator around here, and to pretend would be to leave his flanks open, when speaking to someone like Dr. Chilton.]

I guess it's more correct to say that someone's will needs to dominate mine. There are people here who could physically subdue me, but it doesn't mean I would necessarily submit.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You're interested in the psychological battle. [He raised his eyebrows at that, clearly finding the clarification quite interesting.] Do you understand why? Has that always been the taste of your... Preference?

[Was it more demon, or more human, for Matthew Lin? This need to be subjected to dominion?]

[abduxel]

I've never really thought about why. This is just how it is; how it's always been. What is sex without that, anyway? Like a nice back rub with a happy ending. Still pleasant, but there could be so much more.

[The flavour of his debauchery hadn't changed much. The depth of it, however, is another story.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

A significant investment -- to dig deep into your partner's personality through the measurement of their ambition and willpower, I mean. You're interested in the soul as much as the body.

If you'll excuse the turn of phrase.

[Which had been intentionally chosen, and thus required no apology.]

Is Dorian the Victorian up to scale? Or should we not discuss your former lovers -- perhaps we ought to count those you're courting?

[abduxel]

[Dorian the Victorian? He once mocked Hannibal the Cannibal to Walter White, when he was stalking Chilton and, in jest, called himself Temon the Demon. He declines to share this joke at the moment.

The turn of phrase makes him smile. He also declines to tell Dr. Chilton about his own ponderings regarding whether he's able to eat someone's soul. Something so cannibalistic might not go over well in the present company. But there's that twinkle in his eye of something unsaid.]

Dorian's a good lay. It was so disappointing when he decided to become monogamous with that animated cadaver of his. But Dorian never dominated me, if that's what you're asking, and he'd never have the will to. But don't get me wrong, Dr. Chilton. [There's that fangy smile again.] I am quite happy to do the dominating.

You, I wonder about. Do you like being taken? Your face when I described taking you over your desk... hmm. [He looks like he's picturing it.] It's interesting that someone so in love with control and power might be especially thrilled to have it taken from them when their clothes come off, isn't it? It makes you wonder, are the clothes just some mask of yours, to hide the itch?

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Chilton raised an eyebrow at Abduxel's deflection. The demon had a skillful way of weaving just the threadbare details of what was inquired of him into a tapestry that would ultimately depict his conversational company. The psychiatrist folded his hands, giving him a look, before tilting his head to the side.

Chilton acknowledged that he was in a position of proof; he had just pledged sincerity and transparency to his employee. He couldn't retract that statement not even fifteen minutes after promising it -- it would undermine the negotiation just achieved. Chilton would have to indulge a little. It was an informational investment, an interpersonal necessity. And he suspected that Abduxel knew that.]

I like being challenged.

[While freely spoken, it was clear that Chilton expounded only resentfully.]

The idea that someone is... Compatible. That someone is fascinating enough. Powerful enough. I find the thrill rather... Unique.

[abduxel]

[The look of rather satisfied indulgence would tell perceptive Chilton all he needed to know: Abduxel very well knew what he was doing, and, more than that, it was a test. It was a demonic quality of his, really, that knack for getting people to agree to corner themselves, and then taking advantage.

But he won't push too far right now. Like Chilton, he's wrapped himself in some social necessities. Get too invasive and Chilton will retract back into his shell in self-defence. Once bitten, twice shy.]

Well, Frederick, then it's no wonder we get along so well.

[But have your reward for good behaviour: Abduxel elaborates on his answer.]

Dorian didn't really challenge me, but he and I understood each other. Indulged each other. I suppose he does that with Tobias, now. But it's not often I feel understood.

[Maybe it would help if he didn't constantly lie and talk in circles. But he isn't self-aware enough to say that.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

And you want to be understood, at least on some level. You want to be admired for your talents, and your sacrifice. [Chilton offered a smile, perhaps somewhat relieved that he needn't delve deeper into his own preferences.] Like you said -- no wonder we get along so well.

And this new one? Elsa. She's more up to your speed, is she? You don't appear to disregard her as a mere plaything, at any rate.

[Which might have been remarkable in of itself, at least according to Chilton's professional opinion.]

You've kept her from us.

[abduxel]

Why, because you relate, or because you admire me?

[Talking about himself is simultaneously satisfying and uncomfortable. His sacrifice. He chooses to avoid and side-step that particular wording choice. God, does he ever hate to think about it too much, and yet how he can't help but dwell on it constantly. He shifts his posture a little as the discussion moves to Elsa and he smiles like a man with a secret - but then, what else is new?

With purposefully over-acted faux-levity,]

Oh, have I? I thought you knew all about her. Well, you're right, she's far from a plaything - well, unless we're still talking about sex. She's hardly new, though; I think I first slept with her before I slept with Dorian...

[He trails off, visibly thinking, because he honestly can't remember if that's true.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I meant more in relation, but I won't deny that you have admirable qualities.

[As Abduxel waxes on Elsa, Chilton lifts his chin to better examine the demon's face while musing. While the demon's itinerary of sexual partners proved amusing, Chilton couldn't help but dwell on what had already been said: she's far from a plaything. Was Elsa, then, setting the standard for the mutual respect that Abduxel craved?]

Is she loyal to you?

[abduxel]

Loyal?

We're both sleeping with other people, too, if that's what you mean. Or I assume she is; after all, she had her own affairs with Dorian before he settled down.