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]

[ 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?

[baetiful]

[ There was the faintest smirk on his face. Subtle, but clearly appraising Chilton's comment as Baelish nods in approval. ]

Of course he would. You are a highly valuable member of our community. And you can wield that power to your advantage -- picking and choosing your allies. Your friends. Do not feel powerless, Doctor Chilton. And do not allow anyone to let you feel powerless. Certainly not David Klein.

Lawyers do not have a good track record in this world, after all.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You speak from the experience of acquaintance? [Chilton remembered Jeff Winger, of whom he had been fond of -- on a personal level. But not on a professional level.] And, yes. You are right.

Of course you are right.

[baetiful]

Jeff Winger and Dio Brando. Both services I used, and both who ultimately vanished. I had also briefly connected with Saul Goodman as well, before he, too, disappeared. I no longer trust imPort lawyers to stay in this world long enough to truly benefit me. It leaves behind an unnecessary paper trail that could fall easily into the wrong hands at the wrong time.

[ Especially when there are things someone is doing that aren't quite above the board. Fortunately, Baelish had been able to acquire his own documents because he had helped ALL of those lawyers obtain an office in Maurtia Falls and therefore had access, but imagine if someone got there first?

He leans forward, grabbing his glass and taking a drink. ]

But I digress....while you shouldn't allow those people to make you feel powerless, there is an advantage in making them believe you are powerless. You will always have the upperhand if they believe they have dominance over you.