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]

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.

[slightlyoffchilt]

All right, yes. Okay. Please do.

[The reverberations of his sudden fracturing had caused him dissonance. He was reaching out, grappling for a hold.]

And we will just. Talk. Together.

[baetiful]

Yes, talk. I believe there is much to talk about. You've gone through a terrible ordeal. And while I had heard of the attack at your hospital, I feel there must be something...more going on.

[ A pause. ]

You entered the Shimmer, correct?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I had to, I had to do that.

[He says it quickly, regrettably. His voice a lowered hush.]

I was needed for retrieval. It had been determined that those suffering the Shimmer were likely not... Psychologically sound. I was needed.

[baetiful]

Are you certain everything you experienced there has left you?

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Quietly, after a long pause:] I cannot say that for certain. No.

I see your driver.

[baetiful]

Good. I am glad Maurtia Falls traffic didn't keep him from getting to you quickly.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm getting in.

[The driver seemed harried. Maybe that traffic was a bit terrible.]

I'll expect to see you soon, Petyr.

[baetiful]

I will be waiting.

[ And so he did, in his immaculate home. Things were still much the same here as when Chilton had stayed for a time, many months ago. Although there were touches of Haen's presence here and there -- colorful paintings she had liked, small ornaments, and naturally...the engagement ring. Solitary and alone on Baelish's coffee table.

But when the car rolled up, Baelish immediately went to the door -- opening it up so that Chilton could feel the assurance that Petyr was here. ]

I've already poured the wine. So come. Make yourself comfortable.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[He wasn't his most charming -- still dazed, still on the verge of dissociating, Chilton numbly nodded and walked inside at Baelish's invitation. He looked around, absorbing the details of the room, associating comfort with this place.

The wine had quickly found his hand, and then his throat.]

I appreciate this, Petyr. I know I -- I'm aware it isn't convenient.

[baetiful]

Nonsense. If anything you are saving me from my loneliness.

[ He ushered Chilton to the couch, gently taking a seat beside him and maintaining a comfortable distance. Close, but not too overbearing. Friendly, not intimate. ]

So please, let me try to help you in any way I can -- even if it's simply to listen. I understand the things you had seen in the Shimmer, the things you experienced were quite harrowing.

[slightlyoffchilt]

It had -- transformed me, I had been transformed. Into something I should never have been.

[He led into it haltingly, in bursts. His speech pattern tormented.]

But that, along with. What happened with Woden's pantheon, you must know I don't blame David -- but he seems so erratic, changing so quickly. A lack of blame and a lack of trust may coexist.

[baetiful]

[ Baelish reached out, his palm settling on Chilton's knee. A gesture of comfort -- perhaps archaic in that most men would not go on to touch a male companion in such a way in these modern times. But Chilton seemed as though he could use the reassurance. ]

It is difficult. While you may not blame him, one does have to wonder how much of himself he retained -- how much of what he was during that destruction is dormant inside of him. And I certainly understand your need to protect yourself. I do not know how close you allowed yourself to get to him prior to what happened with the pantheon, but I do know you are no stranger to betrayal.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I had let him go. As my lawyer, on retainer. Not because of this -- the Apep business. [He looked down at that hand on his knee, but did nothing to remove it. A welcomed touch indeed.]

But because of other... Unpredictable behaviors he had been displaying. I fear another betrayal is coming.

[baetiful]

And you are likely right to trust your instincts.

[ While Baelish might be using David's services himself, he's not about to try and mend things. If anything, this will give him perspective on this unknown variable. He does trust Chilton's insight more than a lot of others. ]

When I am suspicious of someone's motives, sometimes I like to play a game. What is the worst possible reason a person has for saying what they say and doing what they do? And how well does that explain their behavior.

So what do you believe the worst motive would be for David to be acting in unpredictable ways?