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

[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.

[slightlyoffchilt]

It would be ill-advised to hide, even in small ways. Breeds a pattern.

[heartlessglitch]

By my own assessment, your physical capacity has been lowered and you are emotionally compromised. I would consider it strategic to take time to recuperate.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh, I am emotionally compromised? Me?

-- The loss of organ isn't going to get better, I'm afraid, there's nothing to do about physical capacity.

[heartlessglitch]

Perhaps I should clarify that, despite the way you have treated me since the day we met, I making an effort to be helpful to you. And I am not the one who attempted to take your life.

I might suggest you reserve your hostility for someone else, unless you have decided that you do not wish to see me after all.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Are you angry because I'm angry? We are cycling anger, is that what we're doing?

[heartlessglitch]

I am irritable because you are irritating. I find the situation as a whole rather aggravating, though I continue to attempt to manage these circumstances with some semblance of logic.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Would you describe yourself as... Emotionally compromised?

[heartlessglitch]

I am emotionally invested. Despite all better reason.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Describe it to me. Your feelings.