001 > TEXT.

[hydraated]

[Ward's throat still feels like shit and a half, but he's managed to process the following. He's no longer in jail (that's a plus), he's got super powers (he's unsure if that's a plus or minus) but he arrived and avoided the network for a few days out of fear of breaking the damn thing. He's decided long since then that he can't let Skye intimidate him.

She's here. And she's been here for awhile. She has home team advantage.

The only problem is they have a record of him. This whole registering thing was crap - what was the point of being given a second chance if he really couldn't leave Grant Ward behind? For the first time he wants to.

So time to test the waters. He's been to the ceremony, he's been sworn in, he's had a dramatic reunion with the woman he'd thought he cared about.]

New arrival here. Roomba salesman and repairman. Anybody else get a completely shit job? I know nothing about Roomba's.

Assuming Roombas here are the vaccuum robots. Y/N?

Also feel like shooting myself in the foot here, but is there some kind of a "so now you have super abilities" support group? Any help or advice appreciated.

[Reading over it two or three times he nods, satisfied that it's not incriminating, that it's blaise enough that even if people decide to ask him questions he can think up enough to talk about without screwing up.

He'd been in worse situations.

His roommates might have noticed that his doorknob on the outside was significantly bent and someone has been closing doors in their apartment very, very quietly.]

Comments

[hydraated]

[For appearances.]

In a week?

[For appearances. As shaken as he is he's confident he can weather this.]

And you should subtly put out that you're looking for people.

[slightlyoffchilt]

A week works just fine. And -- I'll do my bit as you do yours.

[As much of a negotiation that's bound to occur, at least in this moment.]

[hydraated]

[He stands, easy and fluid. He resembles a cat then, the way he moves, his attitude. That smug sense of superiority.]

You'll have to keep me posted. I'm trying to change my day job and until your gig kicks in I'll be trying to keep something going as a cover.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[The flicker of a smile follows -- Grant Ward would do just fine. There was that ambition, that focus, which Chilton could work with. Especially in a system with such government regulation.]

I'll speak with the current Administrator about organizing. [Current. Administrator. He preferred to say it like that, as if hinged on the idea that one day there would would another Administrator. Preferably him.]

And I will let you know who is interested.

[hydraated]

[Oh ward catches that. He catches that very quickly. He frowns.]

You saw that network post. I'd like to avoid that in the future. In exchange ...

[He nods] Truthfully. you scratch my back doctor. And I'll scratch yours.

Because you're supposed to ... [His smile is thin] "Help" me. Because I want to get better.

[Although there's something distant in his gaze, something a little lost. Just a flicker of it before it's gone]

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Chilton observes that -- the distant look. It locked onto something transient, something nontransferable. For that moment, Grant Ward was caught in the spiderweb woven from his own mind.

And Chilton kept watch.]

Of course. [The psychiatrist responded quietly; Grant's look had com and gone quickly.] I have little doubt that your sessions with me will be quite the beneficial experience.

[But to whom?]

[hydraated]

[Exactly.]

...If you can try and avoid contacting me via the network, no details about anything you'd want me to do.

You seem like the kind of man who understands that descretion is the better part of valor. Doctor.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Valor, which pales before results.

[Chilton, needless to say, finds that agreeable enough.]

All right, Mr. Ward. Until next time.