baetiful | IC CONTACT POST

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.

But you returned. At least proving my theory that those who are invested in this world -- those who build ground here are the ones who likely stay. Your Raina has surely done that, has she not? I imagine you to be a man who appreciates equal parts ambition and pro-activity.

[ Since Chilton had declined the offer for food, Petyr came back to settle beside him once more with no intention of leaving his side. At least not until the bottle ran dry. He was already topping off Chilton's glass before reaching for his own to take a sip. ]

Tell me, when is the last time you remember someone porting out who was largely involved with this world at the time? Someone who was right in the middle of projects and actively building relationships with others? Someone who hadn't seemed to disappear for a time and left you to wonder where they had gone?

I know that Cobblepot had invested a lot in his businesses in Maurtia Falls. I didn't really know the man personally, we -- ah -- ran in different circles. [Chilton took a sip.] I so rarely associated myself with common criminals.

[Oh no, no, he preferred the uncommon criminals by far.]

The name still lurks around that city, Oswald Cobblepot. But your point is made, he might be the exception to the rule. It is comforting to think about.

[ He nodded. Of course his point was made. Though it did cause a frown to cross his lips -- the mention of Oswald Cobblepot. ]

I had every intention of buying out the Iceberg Lounge, you know? Once its most recent owner vanished. Unfortunately, she had left writing in place that bound the building to two imPorts who could co-own it jointly. A waste, if you ask me. Though I have every intention of opening up a Lounge of my own, as soon as my Gentleman's Club has gotten its wings off the ground, so to speak. One that will rival and hopefully put the Iceberg out of business.

[ A beat. ]

When we cannot obtain that which we seek, we merely have to come up with other ways to ensure those others who have obtained it face a fate less fortunate than us.

[ Petyr Baelish was a petty and spiteful man. Maybe something Chilton would recognize and feel drawn toward as another petty and spiteful man. ]

You seem to have suffered little from the loss.

[A cheerful observation, if nothing else. Chilton could certainly sympathize, and he felt it best to mitigate whatever bitterness he could with flattery.]

Few possess your aptitude, I imagine. And Maurtia Falls, for all its moral bleakness, does have a lot to offer. Your club will not falter.

[Tacitly walking around the gentleman's part of it.]

[ He smiled -- appreciative of Chilton's compliments. A hand moved out, resting on the psychiatrist's knee to give it a light squeeze. ]

Your faith does mean a great deal to me, Doctor Chilton.

[ And he removed his hand in order to reach out for his glass, taking a sip. ]

Take my bed this evening. You deserve the utmost comfort in your sorrow and you should not be alone in your home while you are in such a state. We are roughly the same size, if you need a dressing gown to sleep in, I can allow you to borrow one of mine.

Edited 2016-05-30 05:22 (UTC)

That is exceedingly kind of you, Lord Baelish.

[The doctor couldn't help but be touched with the gesture; offering his own warm bed so that Chilton wouldn't have to suffer the more physical reminders of Raina's absence was tranquilizing.]

Are you certain you won't be too uncomfortable? [On the couch, he presumed.] I have -- well. I have something to help you sleep, if you need it.

If you don't mind it.

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