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]

[ plainly, without pause this time: ]

That does not matter.

[slightlyoffchilt]

If you intend such as constructive criticism, I think he should hear it...

[heartlessglitch]

Is there a specific reason for this line of discussion, Doctor? Are you perhaps feeling self-conscious or inadequate?

[slightlyoffchilt]

On the contrary, I feel like I have a leg-up on Gideon.

Or even two.

[heartlessglitch]

Why do you feel the necessity to compare?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Abel Gideon was my most successful patient. Why wouldn't I frequently engage his person? Even without his knowledge.

[heartlessglitch]

If you continue to avoid answering my questions, then I will have little issue with terminating this conversation. I detest wasting time.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Does that imply that you're eager to see me? I can't help but doubt.

[heartlessglitch]

I am interested in making a proper assessment. But "eager" is not the word I would use to describe my mood.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Are you going to continuously sound this begrudging?

[heartlessglitch]

I am not reluctant to see you. I was sincere in my offer. But I find this antagonistic defense mechanism of yours irritating.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Why would it be a defense mechanism? What do I have to be defensive about?

[heartlessglitch]

Perhaps you would be so kind as to illuminate that for me.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I doubt it. [Doubt what?] -- Doubt that there is indeed any sort of necessity, in fact. I'm quite all right, I've recovered aptly from my experiences. There appears to be little to defend; I'm not the one on my back in a hospital bed. After all.

[heartlessglitch]

Is there some reason for you to be jealous of Dr. Gideon? Or have you not, in fact, aptly recovered and therefore continuously feel the need to retaliate verbally?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I am recovering just fine -- but it's a process. Not, ah, not all of my organs were retrievable. Necessarily.

[heartlessglitch]

You realize, of course, that being cruel to me will not restore whichever organs you are now without.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Such was not my goal.

[heartlessglitch]

Then what is your goal, Doctor? Perhaps it would be helpful to us both for you to be explicit.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I don't know what I want, Danger!

[The abrupt, burning admission. He's horrified at himself for exposing it.]

[heartlessglitch]

[ and there's silence, on her end. she doesn't answer him. instead, she lets his confession hang exposed between them. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

-- But I do want you to say something.

[heartlessglitch]

I acknowledge your uncertainty.

[slightlyoffchilt]

That isn't enough.

[heartlessglitch]

You need me. I am here. That should be sufficient.