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

[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?

[slightlyoffchilt]

That his Apep fiasco is, in fact, demonstrative of his unvarnished behavior. That he is a chaotic, cruel, destructive individual. That he will inevitably betray me, if I keep him in my company.

[A kind of game that Chilton wasn't unfamiliar with, even if he wouldn't have phrased it in the same way as Baelish had.]

What should I do?

[He looked to Baelish now, his brow drawn. Pleading for an answer.]

[baetiful]

You have already cut him out. But if he is chaotic, cruel and destructive -- this likely will not stop him. He will try to force himself in, regardless of your wishes.

[ Baelish draws back from the comfortable closeness to Chilton, stroking his beard idly in thought. ]

What has he done in regards to what transpired? Has he seemed genuinely apologetic? Or has he seemed more like he is trying to cover his tracks when interacting with you? If I were in your shoes, I might suspect instead of planning a betrayal he may be attempting to lure the man with psychiatric expertise into a false sense of security and use that to his advantage. If he has you to vouch for his mental health, after all, then he can more easily move on to gain the trust of others -- to inflict his damage while maintaining a high public opinion.

[slightlyoffchilt]

It is difficult to tell, isn't it? To know his sincerity. I would like to believe him, but... I know better than to do that. I know better than to suffer the same betrayal.

[A slow exhale. But he took comfort in Baelish's closeness.]

Is that not a kind of betrayal? What you are suggesting?

[baetiful]

It is. If you find out about it. Or if you suspect that is what the relationship is built upon.

[ And the seeds have already been planted. Chilton is suspicious of David's motives. He won't be easy to trust any offered friendship. ]

Is there anything of value he can offer to you? If there is not, then you did the right thing in severing your ties. If there is, then you could always play the game back -- use him for what he is useful for and toss him aside when you are done. You are the one who deserves to gain the most, my friend.

[slightlyoffchilt]

At the moment, I cannot claim that he offers me more than the trouble he brings is worth. But -- [A significant glance at Baelish now, the way a pupil looks at his mentor.] In the event that changes. Perhaps he would be salivating for an olive branch?