maskormenace | 001 ✿ Video

001 ✿ Video

Hello, fellow imPorts.

[ A smile lights up her face -- friendly, warm, inviting. And her tone is much the same. ]

My name is Raina. As you can probably guess, I'm new to this world. But that doesn't make me any less fascinated by it. To be drawn here by forces beyond our control, given powers beyond some of our comprehension, and to have an opportunity beyond our wildest dreams to be heroes? I can't be the only one who is excited by the prospect, can I? This world is incredible. Beautiful, even.

[ Her lips purse in thought and she lowers her gaze toward her fingernails -- freshly manicured. It was one of the very first things she did since she got here, apart from buying the lovely flower dress she has on. ]

But there are things that the files and the debriefing can't explain; things that only those with experience in this world can share. And that is what I hope you'll do with me. Share.

[ Raina makes eye contact with the camera again, her smile -- still beautiful in nature -- houses something else. Something almost predatory. ]

What is it that makes you special? We were chosen for one reason or another. Perhaps you aren't aware of the reasons or perhaps you aren't comfortable sharing them over the network. I understand. We all have our secrets. But I hope at least some of you will help me understand your worlds and your lives and you, yourself. Now that we're all given a special power -- what was it that you have done with yours or what is it you will do?

I greatly look forward to meeting all of you and appreciate your time.

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[There was a paradox to that arm loop of hers; superficially, it empowered Chilton, it encouraged his physical nearness, his lead. And yet, below that mirrored layer, it was like she invaded him. The territory between them evaporated, conquered by Raina.

His own bourbon in hand, when they were well situated from the bar in the embrace of a quiet corner, Chilton then heard her questions. An eyebrow went up, as the enumerated queries trickled through.]

I'm a psychiatrist. [He opted for a first person response, seizing that charge.] And I have helped a good number in this community, through treatment and cognitive-based, structured technique. Not everyone came with your brand of resilience, some really do require aid.

[Question one remained abandoned, and question three was answered in only the vaguest of gestures.]

Is this truly information you want, this talk about me, or are you only biding your time?

[ Raina reached forward to take a sip of her drink, savoring the taste for a moment before looking back at him. Two of three questions answered. He could be modest. Maybe he didn't think Doctor Frederick Chilton was worth speaking about -- or maybe the question was too broad. But Raina tended to believe he was hiding something.

At his questions, mock surprise came over her face. ]

I'm not biding my time for anything, Doctor. This meeting is all about you.

[ She canted her head, the movement feline-esque. ]

You intrigue me. You fight questions with questions and reflect the attention away from yourself. Is it that you don't feel you're worthy of the attention, or...

[ She leaned in and a grin curved on her lips, dangerous. ]

....that you're hiding something beautiful...?

Edited (wanted to rephrase. >:O) 2015-04-10 16:04 (UTC)

[He opened, and then closed his mouth when she leaned in towards him. When she spoke. He didn't move his gaze off of her, however, he didn't flinch -- Chilton matched her interest with his own carnivorous stare.]

Beauty is highly subjective. What one considered artful, another might call... Unpalatable.

[Both a deflection and a confession. While he didn't slice his words between yes or no, his verbal dance was an admittance onto itself. It was clear by his prior statements that he thought he clever enough to understand how important the things unsaid were.

At last, he took a sip of his own drink.]

I specialize now in imPort psychoanalysis. But before? I was Chief of Staff at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

I would call that rather beautiful.

[ It was an admittance. Up until this point, her drink had been the hour glass counting down the time she was giving him to give her something useful, interesting. And there it was. Raina set her glass down on the table and looked at Chilton as though he was the only one in the world. And at the moment, he was.

Raina's hand snaked out, reaching forward to cover his -- her thumb sliding over the band of his golden, alma mater ring. She smiled her agreement in the beauty of his statement, her approval. ]

I knew there was something about you. To invest so much of yourself into your craft and rise to the top -- the danger must give you a thrill. Not many would have the stomach to put themselves in your position. Not many could appreciate the minds of those who hurt others simply for the pleasure of doing so.

[ She lifted his hand and held it between both of her own, never breaking eye contact. ]

Beauty is highly subjective, you said. If I casually told you I killed many just to see how the human body could withstand certain conditions -- would you still find me beautiful or would you think I'm a monster? Or are the two interchangeable in your mind?

Edited 2015-04-11 12:54 (UTC)

[Typically Chilton did not appreciate when others analyzed him (to include his motivations); it was unnerving when Will did it (or when Chilton thought Will was doing it), it had been irritating when Karla put his name to a label or two. But Raina hadn't invoked either of those emotions -- Chilton resonated with her analysis. He found himself in agreement. He liked when she ran her hand over his, nearly shivered when her thumb touched his ring.

She was flattering without being overt, she was proactive without making him defensive: she was dangerous. But that wouldn't prevent Chilton in wanting to prolong this tingling encounter, in wanting to please her. The approval she had already granted proved intoxicating.]

Did you?

[Chilton asked in a breathless way, with his eyes drifting over her face. Yes, he found that hypothetical circumstance both beautiful and monstrous. Yes, he couldn't peel himself away from her -- even if he wanted to. Raina was an ensnaring, blossoming vine. She was solanum dulcamara. Nightshade.]

Because -- if so. I could hardly fault you for such an exquisite. Curiosity.

[He leaned half an inch closer, a bold movement that was most certainly subconsciously committed.]

[ The way she smiled was answer enough to his questions. Yes, she had. And she had done far worse. ....maybe not to the extremes he was used to, but her hands -- the ones that were so appreciatively massaging his -- were hardly clean.

She finally broke eye contact just to look down at his lips when he spoke, as he drew near. And then her gaze drifted to his hand in hers. ]

Some would call me a heartless murderer.

[ She flicked her attention back up to his eyes. ]

I like the way you phrase it more. You have a way with words, Doctor Chilton. You really know the way to a girl's heart.

[ Raina took his hand and guided it closer, laying it against her chest so he could feel the rapid, excited beat of her heart. And after a few seconds, she released his hand from its temporary prison between her own, leaving it up to Chilton how long he kept it pressed against her breast. ]

Edited 2015-04-11 17:40 (UTC)

Then some would misinterpret your -- greater -- qualities.

[His speech swerved as she took his hand and rested it on her chest. His pulse pumped and frayed, before soon intoning Raina's heartbeat. Chilton stared at her hand over his, his hand touching her, until she pulled away her fingers. His palm was still against her flesh for five seconds, eight, then ten --]

Never heartless. [The evidence thumped beneath his hand.] They just wouldn't understand that passion is always heartfelt, even if they disagree with that passion. Especially then.

[Reluctantly, he withdrew his hand, its presence on her now too stark to ignore, too bold to simply speak over. He swallowed and ran that hand through his hair, his thumb pressing at the base of his brain stem.]

You are undoubtedly a passionate woman, Raina.

[ She watched his hand retract and followed its movement with her eyes when it went to his hair. She looked down, modest. Then up, grateful. ]

And from what I gather, it's a trait we both share, Doctor. To what extent? Well, it's too soon in our relationship to tell, and I won't pry too much into your more....unpalatable traits. Even if those are the ones I'm sure I'll find most attractive. Perhaps one day, you'll see it fit to show me.

[ Her hand snaked around her glass, cradling the bulb in her palm as she lifted it in his direction -- a silent toast in his honor. She, then, took a sip and offered him a few precious moments of silence. Not that she wasn't drinking in him, watching his every movement, during that time. Far too much could be read from the unspoken. And after a few minutes, she set her glass down and with a sudden and fluid movement, she leaned forward as much as she could across the table, lowering her voice to barely a whisper -- a huge secret plan just for them. ]

You should accompany me to the Swearing In ceremony. I'd like it a lot if you did.

[ A man of power and prestige there while she decorated his arm, Raina couldn't think of a better strategy -- mingling with the people, new and old as Chilton's date. He must have been well-known here as a psychiatrist. Maybe she would even get better insight into some of the minds he treated.

But also, she enjoyed his company. He was a man who understood that sometimes hands needed to get dirty if things were to move forward toward the greater good. He wrote her killing off as passion -- he saw things through the lens of what they were and not what was right. Doctor Frederick Chilton was a little taste of home and a testament to all the great minds she had worked with. This was only the beginning of a wonderful alliance. ]

Edited 2015-04-11 19:50 (UTC)

As... Your date?

[The disbelief wasn't just in his voice, but in the way the corners of his mouth widened, in the soft crease of his brow. Chilton blinked, recovering quickly, but the damage done was undeniable: he had just revealed that he thought Raina wasn't within his grasp. But she had just asked him to accompany her, just now, to the Swearing In. To her Swearing In. He transcribed monumental significance to the request, given the context of her newly arrived state, and --

But, oh. Newly arrived did not necessitate vulnerable. Chilton, with his initial reactions and expressive facial features, knew that he revealed depths to her. And he thought that Raina was clever, and likely she understood what his responses betrayed.

Chilton was wooed by her coyness, her beauty, her speech. He felt control slip through his fingertips, and he couldn't even care to watch it trickle away. His eyes were too busy watching Raina.]

I -- would be honored.

[She had emphasized the word relationship.]

And I imagine you'd like to meet a few of my contacts. [The wealthy, powerful ones.] Tony Stark always pays his social grace, I'm sure he'll be there.

[Tony Stark, occasional patient and one-time romantic rival for Karla, was an enviable figure to Chilton. While Chilton resented the man's wealth and upper tier ease, he nevertheless appreciated the weird, reasonable acquaintance they shared.

He thought of what she had said, about anticipating his unpalatable traits. About finding those dark things about him attractive.

Chilton rested one hand on her shoulder, glancing between his hand and her eyes, and cautiously -- carefully -- leaned in for a kiss.]

[ Raina's expression was entirely warm -- even throughout Chilton's vulnerability, his expressions so clear she could practically taste his thoughts. But the look on her face spoke numbers. She didn't mind. For the moment and for as long as they sat there, she was his and his alone. He was her world, her universe -- and when he agreed to go with her to the ceremony, she smiled her relief, as though she thought he might say 'no.'

She obviously knew better, but that didn't make the act any less convincing. ]

Thank you. I don't know what I would do without your kindness.

[ And as he continued on and started to talk about contacts, Raina certainly didn't expect to hear that familiar name roll off his tongue. The pleasant expression crumbled -- not because of Tony Stark himself. She highly doubted he even knew she existed, but what it implied. There was an Avenger here. There could be multiple Avengers here. And that all led back to SHIELD.

When Chilton's face came near, hers drew back and she stared at him with genuine, doe-like fear. ]

Who else? Do you know of anyone else from that world? From my world? SHIELD. Are they here, too?

[He froze, his mouth already curled to kiss, his green eyes wide and horrified. She had pulled away. She had pulled away from his first proactive action. His attempted kiss. His body language shifted immediately: his shoulders pulled back, his spine straightened, his jaw clenched. Chilton's hand swiftly went for his abandoned bourbon glass.]

Your world specifically? I can't say I know the details, Raina, I barely know you. [There was that guard, closing down. But he wasn't about to be cruel, even if turned skittish.] It's true that many people here know Tony Stark, either by reputation or personally. Not everyone who knows him is from his exact world, of course, but I don't really have the numbered breakdown on hand.

[She was obviously upset about the possibility of people she knew lurking here. He could understand that, she presented it with such clarity -- but still, his ego was bruised. He kept his body language closed in, even as his mouth continued to talk. To reassure with information.]

I have heard of SHIELD. But the only man I ever knew associated with the organization has been long gone -- months now, he's been gone. Grant Ward, if that name means anything to you.

Edited 2015-04-11 22:38 (UTC)

Ward...

[ Raina repeated. So Chilton knew of him -- he knew some of her world. And he associated with Grant Ward. When Chilton called Tony Stark a colleague, Raina became concerned Chilton was somehow on their side. But to know Grant Ward, a man who severed his ties with SHIELD so severely -- well she would like to hope it counted for something.

But more than that, she damaged what they were building here. She noticed the way Chilton folded into himself, the way he acted as though the rejection had been a personal slight, his retreat to his drink. The only way to rein him back in was to sacrifice details about herself. ]

I know Ward, yes. We worked on the same side for a period of time, following a man named John Garrett until his madness consumed him. But we both had a common enemy -- SHIELD. Ward betrayed them and worked for the opposing group of HYDRA, but I was always SHIELD's enemy. I didn't choose to become their enemy, however. They simply kept interfering in the things I did and in a sense chose me. They're a very meddlesome group, Doctor Chilton...

[ Raina reached out to him so she could take his hand again, and she looked at him with need. ]

If they were here now, I wouldn't be able to taste this freedom. I wouldn't be able to be with you. Even though I've done no harm to anyone here, they wouldn't rest until they've clipped my wings and locked me in a cage, never letting me fly free.

[ She took his palm and pressed it against her cheek, closing her eyes and nuzzling into it. ]

Hearing Tony Stark's name threw me off guard. He's so closely associated with SHIELD that it frightened me. But he doesn't know me. Not personally. I could meet him as your date and he would think nothing of it. You could protect me...

[ Her eyes opened and returned to his, veering to his lips and back up -- trying to entice him to try again. Her voice dropped to soft, whispered words -- meant to erase any doubt and to put him on the pedestal, the one in control of her and this whole situation. ]

I need you, Doctor Chilton.

You may call me -- it's fine to call me Frederick.

[HYDRA. He had heard that acronym before, but from where? Grant Ward, yes. But then there was someone else, a doctor -- a biochemist. What was her name? Doctor something, Doctor--]

Simmons. Doctor Jemma Simmons. She's mentioned HYDRA to me, she expressed her disdain for the organization quite ferociously. Warned me against them. And there was a woman who took immediate offense to Ward's arrival here. In September, I believe, or perhaps August -- a woman named Skye. Ward had expressed nuance to his disappointment in her reaction.

[The dominoes began to fall. Names associated with names, circuits of information lighting up -- but Chilton didn't run in those circles, despite the professional and polite interaction he had with Simmons. He didn't know Skye at all. Grant Ward had been his closest company, something of a ephemeral lieutenant. It was Grant Ward who had been so eager to align himself with someone he perceived as powerful and well-connected.

He looked at Raina, with her cheek in his hand.]

Ward was a patient. [Sort of. Loyal, protective Ward. The man had been broken before Chilton ever got to him.] He was under the impression John Garrett cared deeply for him. The mechanisms of that psychic driving was rather... Exposed. [So Raina aligned herself with dangerous people, and evidently survived the experience. Chilton didn't know of Ward's fate, but he had put an expiration date on the man shortly after their first session. It took something more brutal to outlive the manipulative and heinous.

But hadn't Raina already told Chilton as much?]

I believe Simmons has also ported out. I don't know if she ever worked for SHIELD, just that she knew of HYDRA. And that concludes what I know about your people of interest.

[Her investment of information had paid off; Chilton was ripping skeletons from the closet. But bones weren't infinite in resource, picked or otherwise.]

My turn.

[Chilton leaned closer to her again, his face still guarded -- but, inquisitive. One brow was arched.]

Raina, Raina. Why would SHIELD want to contain you? [There was a difference between a murderer and a mass murderer. The latter attracted federal attention, and SHIELD appeared to be federally funded. Superhero FBI, that's what Chilton considered it to be. His free hand, the one she hadn't captured, stroked back a wisp of hair behind her ear. His fingers trailed down that cheek, gently, and only briefly did he consider sedating her.

But that would have been rude.]

You weren't working alone, were you?

[The difference between a mass murderer and a radical splinter cell operative wasn't a body count. What was Raina doing, and with whom, that SHIELD needed to prevent?]

[ The names were flying out now, the information coming faster than Raina could process it. Agent Simmons was here once. Ward was once Chilton's patient. And Skye. Skye. Her blood ran cold at the thought of the young woman who went through the change with her and came out the other side still beautiful. Chilton said nothing of Skye's fate. Was she still here?

Raina looked up at Chilton with widened eyes, eyes that would portray nothing but innocence if it was anyone other than her. ]

There are many layers to this, Doc-- [ She stopped herself short, corrected herself as though she didn't feel herself worthy of calling him by his first name. ] Frederick. Are you sure you want those answers?

[ She closed her eyes as he touched her hair, purring the words. ]

Of course you do. You are a man who thirsts for knowledge and understanding. A brilliant, intelligent man who wants to tear me apart and leave me exposed.

[ Raina looked at him again, darkly amused. She didn't mind. If anything, her expression invited him to do so. She leaned in to match his closeness, lips nearly touching as she whispered this little tidbit: ]

SHIELD would contain me because they're afraid of me -- of what I can do and what I become.

Edited 2015-04-12 00:57 (UTC)

[It worked -- it worked on him, that line of commentary and that degree of tantalizing pressure. Complimenting his mind, etching out his designs. It worked.

His eyes flickered down her face, from her eyes to her lips. She was so close to him, again. She was so beautiful. His impulses ached to kiss her.]

I can protect you. [Promises, promises.] From them. From those others who would hold you captive. But I have to know -- [A twitch, and his lips nearly touched hers, his hands found her hips.] What is it. That I'm protecting.

What it is that you become.

[And Chilton caved to those gnawing impulses, pressing his mouth for a kiss.]

[ Raina listened to his words and they were music to her ears -- a protective promise from an intelligent man. And it brought with it Chilton's status, his power, and maybe even his cooperation for the things she wanted to do with her research. Her eyes gleamed with unending gratitude, and she watched as he drew near, lowering her eyes to his lips. When they finally captured her own, a soft, startled breath caught in her throat and it turned into a light sound of appreciation. Raina tipped her chin and returned it, kissing him back with the sweetness of a first kiss and the danger of it being with her.

Her palm moved up to rest on the center of his chest and she lingered as long as he did, allowed Chilton to control how long their kiss lasted because it was the least she could do for denying him the first time. ]

[It was a long, hungry kiss. Tongue and wet lip and a bit of teeth. He hadn't been with anyone since Karla had ported out, and in that time Chilton had developed a taste for intimacy. Company. It had been easier to justify isolation back in Baltimore, when Chilton's decades-built career eclipsed anything else in his life, and when loved ones could be used against you -- didn't Will Graham prove that rule time and time again?

But Chilton wanted this heated, tingling moment. He wanted the emotional risk. Chilton wanted Raina.]

Ah -- all right. [He smiled, having broken the kiss as Raina had allowed him to do. He paused awkwardly, unsure where to tread. Business seemed most reasonable.] It isn't only SHIELD loyalists you'll have to watch out for. But I do wonder: are you in fact in pursuit of those other dangers?

[ Raina drew back when he did, breathless and heavy-lidded. ]

Wow, Frederick.

[ She escaped to her drink, taking a sip. Only a quarter left. ]

I knew I made the right call in meeting up with you this evening.

[ A faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips before she moistened them with her tongue -- itching to go reapply her lipstick. His question earned him a curious head tilt before she shook her head. ]

At the moment? No. At the moment, all I wish to do is find out more about this world and the people within it. I wish to study them, take samples and research what exactly these nanites are and if it's possible to deactivate them -- and what would happen if I did.

Frederick, I was dropped into the middle of a playground with so many new and fascinating toys to play with. Special toys.

[ She shrugged nonchalantly. ]

And if one gets broken in the process, there will always be more to take its place.

[ She whirled around on the stool to face him with her full body. ]

Isn't it exciting? With you by my side...

[ Her palm rested on his leg and slowly started to slide inward. ]

...is there any limit to what we can do? [ The hand stopped just short of reaching its jackpot, and Raina pulled it up to lift her glass and finish it off. ]

[Her exclaimed enjoyment nearly made him blush -- Chilton wasn't used to such public fanfare, but he decided that he rather liked it. He was just about to answer her question -- Isn't it exciting? -- when he felt her fingers smooth along his leg. Up his thigh.]

Ah -- I, ah -- [He took a sharp breath, and her hand was then helping her conclude the remainder of that drink.] I would hesitate to identify any limits at this time, you're right.

[A sensible, if elongated sentence. It bought him time to calm his... Excitement.]

Your address to the Network, then. It was a cattle call, wasn't it? [He naturally excluded himself from that colloquial, as Chilton rarely ever considered himself to be part of the masses. He watched her a moment more, resuming a sip of his own drink.]

You're picking out test subjects. Hand-picking. You went for a varied sample size, and the best way to encourage that is survey outreach.

[ She smiled. Caught. But somehow that made her smile grow all the more because he was the one to catch her. ]

Oh, you're good. I knew you would be from the moment you opened your mouth.

[ Her fingertip stirred little circles along the countertop and she chewed on her lower lip with a nod. ]

Mmm, some of them are just too easy. Others are doing a silly little song and dance. And there are only two others I spoke to apart from you who seem worth my time and attention.

[ She craned her head toward Chilton before so boldly leaning it against his shoulder -- another personal space invasion. This one was almost affectionate if it weren't accompanied by what she said next. ]

Is it wrong to want to slit the throat of the one who claims true immortality just to see if he's lying? I don't think too many would be remiss about losing him. He is rather arrogant.

Dorian Gray is my patient. [It wasn't hard to deduce what arrogant immortal she referred to, though Chilton hadn't thoroughly perused the entire flesh-and-blood stock that she had attracted. He had left shortly after his own conversational hiatus, in order to get ready to meet Raina in person. Still -- Dorian habitually discussed his immortality. The man was drunk off his own eternal youth, he was bound to attract antagonists.]

Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder -- both topped with anti-social tendencies. Severe impulse control issues. We meet Thursdays.

[He glanced downwards at her lovely head, careful to keep his shoulder as still and comfortable as possible.]

He's died once already. His lover betrayed him. Murdered him, if you want linguistic precision, Dorian was murdered by his own boyfriend. But if Dorian is to die again, I would prefer that the event align with my own treatment for him.

[Chilton confessing to his own agenda, with regards to Dorian Gray. Specifics wouldn't be forthcoming, but Raina had already proven how adept she was at comprehending the unspoken. Besides, the gritty details of Dorian's torrid existence made for good gossip -- Chilton was a fount of personal information. Patient-doctor confidentiality was never more than a blip on the psychiatrist's radar, especially when his patients were well out of earshot. And Chilton trusted that Raina wouldn't confide in Dorian immediately after this discussion -- it wasn't as if she hadn't put herself at informational risk, too.

They had mutual liability, these two.]

Who else?

Edited 2015-04-12 05:22 (UTC)

[ Raina tilted her chin up at him so she could make eye contact when he not only went on to tell her Dorian Gray was his patient, but also disclosed a few of those intimate and personal tidbits -- including the fact that he got murdered. That was interesting and not something Dorian himself had included in his little bragging fit.

But the second part -- the part about her plans coinciding with Chilton's treatment caused her to beam ear to ear. So he was willing to help her, and at the same time, he was doing his own set of experiments on the human mind. Raina focused mainly on the body with subtle manipulations to coax individuals into going along with it, but Chilton reigned supreme over the minds. Everything about this meeting wove together so perfectly. Raina could only attribute it to destiny. This was where she was meant to be. This place was what her grandmother was talking about when she told stories of Raina's great future. This man was going to help her pave her path here without a single look back.

Raina was so pleased she could kiss him. So she did. Her head popped up and she suddenly pressed her lips to his -- not long and lingering like the last one, but short and sweet and intensely satisfied. ]

I knew we would work well together.

[ Raina was appeased so she found no harm in mentioning the two individuals who entered her radar. ]

One is Loki of Asgard. He isn't the one I know from home, but that doesn't make him any less terrifying and dangerous and wonderful. Some refer to the people of Asgard as Gods, but really they're just a humanoid alien race of supreme beings -- more powerful and hardy than the average mortal and in Loki's case, more clever. A man like that is far better on your side than not.

And the other is an unusual man who spoke of monsters. He was playing a game of verbal cat and mouse, and try as I might, I couldn't figure out his angle. He implied he was a monster, and if that is true, I want to see just how much of a monster he is.

[The second kiss came suddenly, surprisingly. He still had his lips parted when she broke that honeyed kiss. He could, in that moment, only breathe out:]

I like working with you.

[Which wasn't a very controlled, composed statement -- but Raina could do that to him. Having cleared his throat (with a final sip of bourbon), Chilton nodded as she spoke.]

Loki will text at you. In -- what do you call it, textspeak. Fair warning. [Chilton had the pleasure of an onslaught of emoticons some time back, and he still recalled it quite vividly. He thought it was a distraction technique; there was certainly no value in taking only the face of the interaction. But that only meant that Loki could be most nefarious with the most innocent of overtures. Textspeak didn't exactly command villainous monologue -- and that's why it made Chilton wary.]

As for your unusual man of a monster -- [Chilton pulled out his communicator, glancing at the names attached to her Network address. His eyes lingered on Doctor Jonathan Crane.]

His angle is not so dissimilar to yours, although the data you want to possess undoubtedly is. [He knew he wouldn't personally have to worry if she investigated Crane, studied him. Whatever implications Chilton had made to the man about his own sins were subtextual, and Raina wouldn't flinch regardless.] Monsters often want to wield fear as a form of control. For control of themselves, or others... That motivation might be variant. But the need to dominant remains. It's a fairly common quality.

-- But you. [He smiled -- warmly, this time, his awkward uncertainty shed.] I wouldn't call you common.

[ Raina rolled her eyes. ]

Yes, I already got treated to 'YOLO.' Twice.

[ But she would be willing to put up with it because it was Loki. You either put up with his bizarre sense of humor, or you died. But as Chilton looked over the network and checked to see who it was she had talked to, she had to smile. It was cute that he was invested in giving her the answers. She imagined he would check her post even when they parted, looking for hints about what she would be doing -- how she would move, maybe even her thoughts on him. Analyzing her as much as she intended to analyze him. Old recordings, new recordings, previous conversations. Raina was thirsty for any knowledge she could get about the closed-lipped Dr. Chilton. ]

Just like that, you can guess who it is? What if I was having private conversations? [ Raina teased, but she knew he knew. He had guessed. The whole topic of fear proved just that. ] Fear is a way to control, yes. But to be feared means to be lonely. Alone. It might be exciting to get close to a monster...

[ She looked over as the bartender cleared her glass before she rested her chin on her palm, sliding her gaze back in his direction. ]

But you're the only monster I want to invite into my bed at night.

[ Raina allowed her eyes to linger on him for a few moments too long before she pushed herself off the stool, collecting her purse. ]

Well, I had better get back. I promised one of my roommates a dinner, as much as I would love to get swept away in this moment. This whole thing has been incredibly enlightening. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you at the Swearing In Ceremony, Frederick.

[He was about to argue the point -- that she had already expressed distrust of people from her homeworld, and who else would initiate with a private conversation if not someone who already knew her? And she had probably already figured out the minds of those back home, how could that still be fascinating?

But sometimes, while it was rare, sometimes Chilton knew when to keep his argumentative tongue trapped behind a pretty smile. Women didn't find pedantic arguing attractive, he had been told. Multiple times.

And then she said that thing.]

Going -- already? [It was a strangled plea in his throat. The teased invitation for intimacy, for that kind of intimacy still rang in his ears.] But I -- [A beat. Chilton swallowed, blinking a couple of times.] I certainly would not want you to break your promise, of course.

It was an absolutely delight, Raina. I hope we can rendezvous a good many nights to come.

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