baetiful | IC CONTACT POST

I'll come to you. Won't take but half an hour.

[True to his estimation, it isn't a minute over thirty when Chilton reaches Baelish's residence. He texted only to announce his arrival.]

[ Petyr's home is government issued, but solitary. He houses no roommates, no burdens. The decor is very renaissance, much like the gentlemen's club he invited Chilton to before its grand opening. An old fashioned man with old fashioned taste.

Baelish comes to the door at once, amid tying the laces of his robe. . opening the entrance for Chilton and greeting him with a sympathetic smile. His hand came out to rest on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. ]

Please, Doctor Chilton. Make yourself comfortable. I should have suggested you bring an overnight bag -- in case you do not feel like returning home. You are more than welcome to stay here as long as you need.

[ There is a bottle of Petyr's finest wine awaiting Chilton, too. ]

[Chilton glanced at that hand on his shoulder, then soon offered a crumbling smile of his own. Keeping it together had been something of a trial the past twenty-four hours, when Chilton began to accept that Raina's absence was more than brief. He had grown accustomed to depending upon her for solace and support, and now he had no defense -- emotional or otherwise. In Baltimore, Chilton had nothing like what Raina offered him; he trembled to think that he might return to such a state of mind.

So he needed a friend now. He needed a sympathetic shoulder. Moreover, he needed someone who might have the power to confirm her exit, or even anticipate her return.

Chilton stepped inside, closing the door behind him.]

Thank you, for letting me... I don't know if I could have remained in my housing. [Without her.] I ought to be doing something.

[ The hand remained on Chilton's shoulder, even as Petyr guided him within the confines of his living area. ]

You are doing something. You were wise to come to me, Doctor Chilton.

[ He led him to the couch and gently eased him onto the cushions, lingering close all the while as he sat beside him. Petyr reached out and poured Chilton a glass of wine from a crystal decanter before offering it into his hands. ]

I do not know if you are familiar with her grace. Queen Lucy Pevensie. But yesterday, she was abducted by one of our fellow imPorts. It is possible the same man may have taken your beloved. And if he has, I will know soon. My network has spread itself out far and wide to keep tabs on the situation. It is why I was not in attendance at the Swear In the day before.

[The news of her kidnapping shocked him -- Chilton had yet to hear a word of that, and it took effort to fathom why anyone would subject sweet Lucy to such a traumatic experience.]

I know Lucy, yes. We were diplomats together, a few months back. The summit meeting in Paris. [A beat. Minor correction:] Ah -- Queen Lucy... Pevensie.

[Chilton wasn't so convinced that whoever this imPort-stealing imPort was had also captured Raina, but evidently Baelish had a remarkable network of intelligence. If anyone could determine what Chilton really needed, what he knew he needed and just could not bring himself to acknowledge, it would be him.

Given how imPorts kept their power cards so close to the chest, however, it would be tricky. Anyone with the power to predict if an exported imPort would ever return would be in tragically high demand.]

Terribly sorry to hear about it. I -- must assume you are close with her?

[ Petyr poured himself a glass of wine as well so Chilton didn't have to drink alone, drawing in a sip as he nodded. ]

Ah, yes. She is one of my closest and most valuable of companions in this world. She may not rule in the traditional sense of the word, but she has the power to win over the hearts of many -- as I'm sure you noticed on your diplomatic mission. Her safety is of utmost importance to me.

[ He held out his hand, displaying the bird hunting pin made of fine jewels. ]

She gave this to me. A gift from her home in Narnia. I have become a trusted adviser to her grace. I suppose it was a natural union -- a Lord being drawn toward royalty.

Exquisite.

[He said, upon inspection. Baelish must have been equally important to her, if Lucy was willing to part with something so dear and scarce, as it was from her birth world. Or "Narnia", whatever.]

Is there -- I wonder. Given how extensive your network is. [He held his glass with two hands, looking into it.] Any way for you to determine if there exists an imPort with predictive capability?

[ Petyr regarded Chilton for a moment. Well. He assumed Lucifer probably could do such a thing given the rundown of the abilities Rincewind gave him. But he didn't necessarily want to go asking the devil for favors. Favors asked meant favors owed. ]

I have heard rumors of an imPort with clairvoyance. But I am afraid I do not know who it is. I could try to find them for you.

[ He crossed one leg over the next. ]

There are imPorts with tracking abilities. I saw a few out themselves over the network back when imPorts were kidnapped. I believe that was a few months ago.

[ Petyr browsed old network posts in his spare time. It became something of a hobby. ]

One with whom I am familiar. I could sing this song to him and get his aid, surely. If you think that approach would be faster.

Ah. Yes. [The Clairvoyant. Who was, of course, Raina -- she was the imPort best equipped to find herself, which left Chilton without any leads.] I suppose the more prophetic gifts are rare, even among our numbers.

He can only track her if she is still in this world. [Quietly:] He will not find her.

I'll simply have to. Hope for the best.

Drink, my friend.

[ Petyr urged, placing his hand around Chilton's in order to help guide the glass to his lips. ]

People leave this world all the time. But the more a person seems to be invested, the more likely they are to return. I have noticed a pattern, people disappearing off the network for quite a while only to have this followed up by a friend of theirs informing the world that they have been sent home. It is my belief that as long as an imPort is invested or engaging somehow, they will not simply vanish for good.

There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. But perhaps you cam also be the exception in allowing love to triumph.

[Chilton didn't protest Baelish's physical guidance, he barely even registered it. Much easier was it to fall into the movement, to allow his squirming grief be distracted by the other man's presence and words. Surrender seemed second nature, if only for this moment.

He couldn't bear the idea of Raina's absence, he felt awash to sea. It was Chilton's subdued survivalist nature that gravitated towards Petyr Baelish's offered lifeboat.]

Yes.

[Nodding, with a few swallows of wine now drowned, Chilton agreed.]

That -- that is true, yes. I just -- [He didn't want to be alone.] Dislike feeling helpless.

You are not alone in that sentiment. I believe there are many of us who dislike being at the mercy of the porter.

[ It was too unpredictable of an element. Even studying it as he had, though admittedly not extensively, only gave Petyr theories. Nothing definitive. ]

But I would bet all my odds on her return. [ Being the optimistic voice through Chilton's sorrow would grant Baelish more favor than being the realistic voice of uncertainty. ] And in the meantime, you can stay here for as long as you need. There is no reason for you to face this alone, Doctor Chilton.

It may be better for you to be nearby anyway. We can put our minds together and come up with that plan to liberate Rincewind.

Have you worked things out with him?

[Chilton didn't remark upon the invitation -- he hadn't decided what to do about that. He realized he couldn't stay at their duplex, not with all those reminders of Raina. That was a broiled agony, and he wouldn't subject himself to more misery. But where else could he have gone? His office?

Petyr Baelish, he realized, was his only refuge.]

I understand there had been some tension.

Well enough.

[ It was spoken with a hint of dismissal, a subject he didn't think worthy of addressing. Whether he and Rincewind got along or not wouldn't change his role in all of this. Petyr got up from his spot beside Chilton, opening up the window and looking out into the darkness. ]

You know, it may be forward of me to offer -- but I could gift you with the company of a beautiful woman this evening or any evening, for that matter. My gentleman's club is doing quite well for itself, and the girls I have working for me are of the highest quality. How best do we forget our woes, but through distraction?

Petyr, I just -- I just lost her.

[Chilton looked at his company, his surprise unvarnished. He could barely bring himself to acknowledge that he may never again see her, much less fathom the company of another woman this night.]

Truthfully. I would much prefer your company.

[Both an accurate and (he thought) graceful statement. Chilton knew what Littlefinger intended to do, how he intended to comfort, the generosity of a brothel keeper, so to speak -- but Raina had become more than a bedfellow. It was companionship that festered into Chilton's ego. He needed to mourn, he needed to think it through.]

Edited 2016-05-25 03:04 (UTC)

[ Etched on Petyr's face was the faintest trace of....empathy? Petyr was often a cold man. One who was good at playing emotions, but they never truly reached his eyes. He hid behind a honeyed tongue, and often that was enough for people not to notice. But Chilton was something of a mirror in this moment. Petyr, too, had many times denied the company of his beautiful whores merely out of devotion for Catelyn Stark.

Though the stark difference here was that Chilton actually got the woman he loved, even if he wasn't married to her. Littlefinger didn't quite grasp the concept of modern day courting. ]

My company. I take that to mean my companionship and not as a bedroom partner.

[ Spoken with the briefest of smiles. ]

[A doubletake, and Chilton surrendered a flickered grin. Levity in time of crisis was appreciated for its momentary distraction.]

I ought to be specific in my phrasing.

[Careful around the brothel man.]

It isn't that I want to consider what would happen. If she does not return. I have lost people before, such is the nature of this universe. It is a bitter breed of parting.

[Because their lives continue, without memory of you. Unless they're already dead, of course.]

No doubt you'll come to feel the same about someone. Or someones.

Within this world?

[ His eyes lingered on the window for a few moments before he turned toward Chilton. ]

I realize the stakes of building relationships here. The instability. The chaos. It would pain me were you to return to your home after we've only just become acquainted after all, my dear friend.

[ As he said this, he headed over to Chilton and came to settle beside him, placing his hand on his shoulder. Menial comforts. Physical contact. No doubt his 'significant other' did these things for him. ]

But I am used to losing those I love. I envy you, Frederick. [ Dropping the titles to worm his way into more familiar ground. ] To have found that stable happiness with the woman you love. It was all I could wish for, all of my life. But my world is cruel. I saved myself for her, for many years. You would think a brothel keeper would indulge quite frequently, but I often declined their advances. She married. Twice. Both to members of the same family. The Stark family. [ He sneered at the mention of them, the same expression that crossed his face when Tony Stark was brought up some time ago. ] And in the end, I could never obtain the one thing I truly wanted.

[ A beat. ]

My wife's sister.

[The name Stark drew raised eyebrows -- of course, Chilton was more familiar with another bearer of the name, someone isolated from Baelish's context. But it was a curious thing, wasn't it? Not that such coincidence distracted Chilton from the brunt of Baelish's confession: a testimony of love. Chilton hadn't taken the man to be so sentimental. But it was reassuring in its own way, just as Baelish's hand on his shoulder was reassuring, just as his loneliness was being slowly eroded away.

It was a compelling sense of sympathy. And so rarely did Chilton sense sympathy in others.]

I can imagine that was difficult. Having to settle.

[But keeping it in the family, so to speak.]

Rare is the sort of love that compels one to such lengths.

[Love, or obsession. But who was Chilton to judge.]

Rare indeed. And once you find that one, no matter how you try -- no one will be able to replace her. So I understand your plight all too well.

[ His thumb traced the line of Chilton's shoulder as his hand remained firmly in place. ]

Is it not funny? How you and I mirror one another? Only our backgrounds differ. I wonder if I would have chosen a psychiatric path were I to have lived in your Baltimore. I wonder if we would have been as good of friends in your world as we are in this one.

[His smile was brief, a flicker, and bittersweet. Chilton thought how fortunate he was to have Petyr Baelish for a friend -- someone who understood his personal pain, at least on some level.

Someone who cared about his misery.]

You might do well in Baltimore, actually. I could see you as a doctor, or perhaps even a politician. I daresay the Baltimore City Council would have benefited.

You are most kind, Doctor Chilton. I may have enjoyed your world. If for no other reason, to have you as my friend.

[ Petyr got up briefly, leaving Chilton's side in order to head into a closet. And from that closet, he pulled out a blanket. Moving back over toward Chilton, he rested that blanket on his shoulders -- equal parts friendly and paternal with a hint of pseudo intimacy. He was far too used to caring for his girls after a particularly terrible client left them in a state. ]

Do you want something to eat? I'm afraid I do not cook. So I only have frozen meals, some leftovers from work, and some fresh fruit.

I'm fine, thank you.

[Chilton subconsciously drew the blanket around his shoulders and across his chest, as if invoking the safety it implied. It was undoubtedly the association that Baelish wanted him to make, and Chilton did so without question.]

Quite honestly, I'm too anxious to eat. I keep thinking about her -- predictably. And it isn't that I want to stop, I just... [An exhale.] It happens to everyone, nearly. Everyone gets exported, but not everyone returns. And sometimes, when they do -- well. These other worlds can be so cruel.

[ Everyone gets exported. Chilton said that as though it was an inevitability -- as though Petyr, too, would eventually face such a thing. And he supposed he had little doubt. His time back home was far from done. But the whole thing did seem a bit jarring to know he could face it at any time. ]

Have you ever been exported, Doctor Chilton?

[ He had been here since the beginning. And if he said 'everyone' will get exported, that must have included him at some point in time. ]

A few times, yes. Most recently in -- well, what was February. Mere months ago.

[Immunity was not an option.]

We return home without memory of this place, we live our lives, and sometimes when we come back our abilities have altered. There appears to be little rhyme or reason to it, actually.

IC CONTACT POST

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)