007; Video

[baetiful]

It sure has been a few harrowing months in Maurtia Falls, has it not?

[ Baelish flashes an exhausted smile. ]

And riding on the coattails of destruction and clean up was an election. Congratulations to Ambassador Delos and the first ever Deputy Ambassador Maximoff. As this city's mayor, I do hope to work with you both and help bring Maurtia Falls a stronger sense of security and growth.

And to everyone else who ran -- thank you. I am grateful for those who would stand up to represent this city. It's no secret Maurtia Falls is the toughest of porter cities -- to visit, to live in, to be an imPort in. And I believe now, more than ever imPorts need to demonstrate their leadership qualities and the good we can do. If any candidates have ideas or projects they wish to see happen within Maurtia Falls, please do feel free to speak with me.

[ Squaring his shoulders back, he sits up a bit taller to address the business part of this post. ]

A few months ago I addressed the network regarding the construction of an underground shelter. The plans and designs have already been drawn up and this project was slated to be completed within a year's time. But I think it's imperative to get this done much sooner. I am asking for engineers, builders, scientists -- anyone who has something to aid this project to volunteer their time and efforts. If all the citizens ever see is the destruction imPorts can bring, then we owe it to them to show the opposite, do we not?

[ There's a long pause. Baelish has in his fingers an engagement ring -- colorful with double DNA helix shapes of diamonds. ]

One final thing. To those who knew her: my fiancee Haen Hithiel has ported out for a month's time. I would like to be optimistic about her chances of returning, but given the nature of the porter... [ He trails off, offering only a helpless shrug. There is little anyone can do about port outs and port ins. ] That said, she ran the Maurtia Falls Endeavor Center. While my team and I have been overseeing things in her absence, this center was always meant to be an imPort vision -- to give children of this city a place to flourish while at the same time educating them about us. If this is something any of you would be interested in taking over, I would love to be able to reinstate an imPort director.

I believe it would be Haen's wish as well.

Comments

[baetiful]

The chance to air your concerns freely. On a public network.

[ Come on, Chilton. Do you really think Baelish is going to be offering bribes right now? ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

My concern is that Maurtia Falls has developed in unpalatable ways, and I seek to escape being stifled.

[He'll play this game, Baelish.]

[baetiful]

In regards to?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Non-political partnerships. I have nothing against the newly elected mayor and his deputy.

[Chilton had, in fact, voted for Logan Delos.]

[baetiful]

Specifically regarding?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Why, Petyr, you really have not been paying much attention to me! Ought I feel offended?

[baetiful]

Are you going to answer my question or are you going to be petulant?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Well now that you've given me a choice, I'm going to pick the latter.

[baetiful]

What in the world has gotten into you?

[ Has Chilton gone mad? Is some bizarre magic happening right now that would cause temporary insanity? ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

You should know better than to offer a choice.

[baetiful]

I am asking you to take a look at your actions right now, to assess how you are acting on a public forum.

[ Toward him!! Of all people! ]

I'm concerned about you.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[It's almost like he's been suffering a breakdown the past few weeks



and someone finally noticed.]

Concerned? Why?

[baetiful]

You are my friend. Why wouldn't I be concerned? Especially since we have not had an altercation of this sort since our trip to Maine.

[ "Trip." Definitely not an abduction!!! ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

[He's stunned. You are my friend. Four words that impact him more than he would care to admit.

His pulse rushes like the deluge of newly storming rain over a sun-seared desert.]

I just -- [A beat.] No one else is concerned.

[baetiful]

People are so often consumed by their own selfish desires or struggles, they neglect to see what is right in front of them. Or perhaps it's that they see you as the one to fix the problems and never as someone who may have some of their own.

Either way, are you in need of some company?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I -- maybe. Yes.

[He's been made vulnerable, caught off-guard by Baelish's perception. Raw, unadulterated, and without pretension. Chilton's usual defenses had been submerged deeply within still waters, and he remained exposed.]

[baetiful]

Come to my home. A place away from all of this business and politics.

[ It's as much for Chilton's privacy as it is to keep all the secrets for himself. Baelish is certain there are people listening in on this conversation now as it is. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

How am I going to find it?

[A ridiculous question, but Chilton was already feeling helpless and hopeless. Barely able to function in this unvarnished moment. And he hadn't been to Baelish's residence recently, more often opting to meet him at his office, or at the Iron Throne.

How was he going to find it?]

[baetiful]

I can send a driver to you. Where are you right now?

[ Probably at the hospital. But just in case he wasn't... ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm at my hospital.

[Because of course he was!]

[baetiful]

The car will be there shortly. In the meantime, have you eaten? I can have something prepared for us.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I am still vegetarian.

[Not so helpless that he won't remind everyone of THAT. He needs to keep his remaining kidney as free from excess protein as possible, so it may dedicate its limited life span to processing only alcohol all the time.]

Just. In case I ought to clarify.

[He was still finding his footing again. Give him a few moments.]

[baetiful]

Do not fret, Frederick. Those aren't the sort of details I'm liable to forget unless I were to try and poison you on purpose.

[ A little bit of dark humor there. Baelish is no stranger to poisoning people, after all! ]

I'm not, of course.

[ Given Chilton's state, it.....might be best to clarify that. ]

But my driver should arrive for you in approximately fifteen to twenty minutes.

[slightlyoffchilt]

And you'll stay on the call? In the meanwhile?

[Oh, so desperately vulnerable.]

[baetiful]

[ Soothing. Gentle. ]

Of course. I can stay on the line right up until you arrive at the door if that is what you wish.