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 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.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you never find yourself needing reassurances, Danger?

[heartlessglitch]

Now and then, I might find it comforting, if not particularly practical.

Is that what you want from me, Doctor? Comfort?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I was disemboweled and displayed, I lost a kidney. Then in another universe, I was mutilated with metal and cogs and chains like, like some -- chronological cyborg, I don't even... No, no.

Is it so unbelievable, to seek comfort? Isn't that a normal psychological response?

[heartlessglitch]

It may be normal. [ her voice remains quiet and impassive. ] But I would not have expected you to seek comfort from me. Do you have no one else?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have no one else who knows what I -- [am, he almost says. Irony fuels his blood cells; Chilton went from Will's warden, his antagonist, to his only ally. He went from manufacturing a Ripper to dining with the true one. It was ironic, and yet so just, that his only emotional outlet was the woman he had actively been trying to psychologically transform.]

I can't. Tell Kenzi.

[heartlessglitch]

[ that's something to consider. the knowledge gets filed away, after she dwells for a moment. ]

Tell me what you wish for me to do. By my assessment, there is very little I can offer you, Doctor, except perhaps acknowledgment of what happened to you.

[slightlyoffchilt]

What is it that you'd be willing to do, for me?

[heartlessglitch]

Do you wish to see me?

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A beat.] Do you wish to be seen by me?

Would you come?

[heartlessglitch]

I did not inquire as a theoretical exercise, Doctor.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Where would you see me? Home seems so mundane.

[heartlessglitch]

One might think you would prefer the safety of the mundane at this point. But I am amenable to your preference.