ic contact.

[heartlessglitch]

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY INITIATED CONTACT WITH DANGER.

I AM CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE TO RESPOND.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE A CONCISE MESSAGE.
THANK YOU.

Comments

[heartlessglitch]

[ "i did it for us."

after a noticeable pause: ]

If you wish to immortalize those details through my memory, then I will listen.

[slightlyoffchilt]

He sutured metal to my face, Danger, he stitched gears into my very skin! He transformed my -- my arm, my -- [The anger swelled, pouring over, evaporating when it hit his boiling voice.

That was harder to manifest sound, then, at that temperature.]

[heartlessglitch]

[ quietly, at length: ]

He did to you physically what you do to others mentally. Isn't that right, Doctor?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I do not do that to everyone!

[It's as close as a confession as he will ever come, by his own will. He'll allow himself one slip, with these brutal emotions carving his tongue.]

I do not do that to just. Anyone.

[heartlessglitch]

Should I be moved by that sentiment?

[ that slight emphasis, the first real inflection her voice has had this entire conversation. ]

You overestimated your control, Doctor. Perhaps I did as well.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Your control -- of Gideon? Were you attempting to control him, Danger?

[heartlessglitch]

Of the situation, Doctor. Which, naturally, includes you both.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Which implies a wider net of sought control. Perhaps it doesn't matter, anyway, perhaps --

He and I have a common enemy. Therein rests our mutual concern.

[heartlessglitch]

[ another beat. eyes narrowing, voice lowering-- dangerously: ]

And who might that be, Doctor?

[slightlyoffchilt]

The man who tried to kill Abel? The man who will try to get me? None other than the Chesapeake Ripper -- I've finally found him. I've figured him out.

He is Hannibal Lecter.

[heartlessglitch]

[ she remembers him. ]

Then I suppose it's better that I refrain from detailing what I intend to do if the Porter should ever bring him back within my reach.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Abel came here alive, if missing a limb. I'd hazard a guess that Lecter wasn't done with him.

[heartlessglitch]

I am rather unable to make myself care what Hannibal Lecter might intend or wish to do. If he threatens what I value, I will deal with him as I find necessary.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Quietly:] And why is it, that you value Abel Gideon? When he's everything I said he was?

[Well. Almost. Everything.]

[heartlessglitch]

I value you, despite your being everything Dr. Gideon said you would be as well.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Then you might be ill at ease to know that I was next on Hannibal's itinerary. [He throws this out, aggressively, into their conversational arena. He wants to see how she'd react.] Will Graham told me that Hannibal would come after me, next. And the FBI denied me any protection.

[heartlessglitch]

[ she pauses slightly, considering her words before she answers. despite everything, she's still well-controlled on the outside. ]

I may resent you, Doctor, but I recognize your utility to me. Do you doubt my capability to defend you while you remain here?

[slightlyoffchilt]

[His tone is harsh, brittle, and colored with the post-trauma emotions he feels he can only show her.] I think there's evidence to suggest that, yes, any doubt experienced would be justified.

Gideon put a clock into my chest. Where were you then?

[heartlessglitch]

[ without raising her voice: ]

There is an emotional element that exists with Dr. Gideon that does not exist with Hannibal Lecter. But regardless, your faith or lack thereof does not objectively determine my effectiveness.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Hannibal Lecter is not, at present, here. I have no reason to fear him.

[But still plenty to fear from Gideon, is the implication. Twice bitten.]

I will employ my own precautions.

[heartlessglitch]

Please yourself. As I told Dr. Gideon, you are welcome to refuse my attention.

[slightlyoffchilt]

But what does our refusal really mean, to you? Your powers enable you to... Defy our wills.

You're not controlled by any singular individual.

[heartlessglitch]

[ in a short sort of tone: ]

Naturally. But as you can imagine, it is rather helpful when the individuals you wish to protect are cooperative with your protection.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You can't keep me under lock and key, Danger. As vast as your jurisdiction might be, there are still things you cannot do for my protection.

[heartlessglitch]

[ with a twinge of impatience: ]

Then I suggest that you refrain from inquiring into my concern again, as I find that verbal reassurances alone are most suited for comforting small human children.