"Er... yes, okay, I suppose I should tell you that if you're trying to reach me I'm not here, and if you're trying to reach me because you want to do something involving pointy bits of metal or otherwise painful objects, I'm never going to be here. So sorry."
[a previously discussed, the Luggage may not have eyes, but Chilton will surely feel its wooden glare as he closes the door.
Rincewind feels out of place as soon as he steps inside, reluctant to move from the foyer. It's - very nice in here. And clean. Distracted, he eventually keys back in long enough to toe his sandals off and walk to the kitchen on socked feet.]
- Hm? Oh, well, yes. The day I'm without it is the day you'll know I've been possessed by something likely ancient and terrible, so you know. Watch out for that, will you?
[he watches Chilton with some amusement.]
I take it you've found a way to swallow past the homicide? - And you've a lovely home, I should mention that.
Turns out I have quite the tolerance for homicide.
[The Baltimore legend persists. He moved, sometimes swerved, to the cabinet with the other wine glasses. Soon Rincewind was presented with one of his own.]
We have to buy you real shoes. One day.
[Drunk or not, Chilton always had fashion advice to deliver.]
Sandals have their uses. [he leaned back against the counter with his new glass and shrugged.] Very light, aerodynamic. Dorian threatened as much the other day, you know. A shopping trip.
[although more for pants and shirts; between the two of them Rincewind could find himself with a new wardrobe. He was still on the fence about these modern clothes, personally - a robe still seemed the perfect all-weather answer.]
...Feeling all right? [he tried to keep his tone as casual as he could.]
Feeling lost. [A beat.] Lonely. [Another beat.] Less lonely now, of course.
[Chilton got about opening a bottle, serving himself first before Rincewind.]
Dorian Gray? The man's a narcissist. Malignant, bored -- the kind who'd brutalize you if it suited his fancy. [A long, long sip of wine followed.] Better hope he sincerely likes you.
Well, I know I'm a poor substitute - [something of an understatement] - but I'll do the best I can.
[and try not to think about the self-imposed pressure there, lest he anxiously overthink it. Wine will help that, of course. Rincewind eyes Chilton's pour before putting his own glass helpfully in range.]
Brutalize? [a hard blink. He fidgets in place.] I mean - yes, he's an immortal, they tend to be somewhat dangerous on the whole, but that seems a bit harsh. I mean, he introduced me to what jacuzzis are, the first night we met. We seem to get on all right.
[that's unsettling, that phrasing. Rincewind would remind his friend about his position concerning vague non-answers, but gets the feeling that with how much Chilton's had to drink his memory - and probably everything else - is rather slippery right now.]
But then I don't understand. [he glances up, searching Chilton's face for clarity.] He was your patient, you were treating him, but you... transferred him to Raina? Who isn't a psychiatrist. Only, she told me she mostly researches imPort powers and such.
Nothing could help him. He is beyond help -- he needed a diversion.
[And a use. Which Raina could provide, to her liking.]
I took on his boyfriend, Tobias, who is a far more engaging patient. Personally I am amazed someone like Tobias would find Dorian attractive, but you know the old adage. Opposites attract.
Oh. [gosh, he hadn't realized Dorian was so plagued. He takes a deep drink, shaking his head. There are still too many questions there for the wizard, but - it's also not his business. Rincewind is a poor gossip when the subject doesn't inspire loathing or perk survival-based self-interest.]
The vampire? I haven't met him yet. [perhaps unsurprisingly, given the vampirisim.] They are getting married, last I heard, so it must be working out for them.
I really hate that saying, though. Rather implies I should be courting reckless, sadistic bastards. [a beat.] Provided wizards were allowed to court, of course.
And you've said you and Raina are something alike, aren't you?
We're both physically appealing and highly intelligent, so yes, we are something alike.
[Chilton, with his nearly emptied glass, toasted to that -- then refilled, and doubled his toast.]
Opposites might attract, but that doesn't necessitate relationship survival. [A sly reference to his opinion of the upcoming nuptials.] I think you will be perfectly fine avoiding the reckless and the sadistic. Provided that you -- ah -- are allowed to court.
[That brought another juvenile smirk to his mouth. Wizards, potentially not allowed to court? No one warmed the imPorn community!]
Why? Is there someone you've got your eye on? Is she -- he? -- quite lovely?
[Rincewind matches the toast, offering an awkward smile. He also offers:]
I do think she'll come back. For what it's worth. I mean I know I tend to look on the more - [depressingly accurate] - unpleasant side of things, but I do think a better outcome is possible, in this case.
[he certainly hopes so, for Chilton's sake.
It's more than the wine inspiring a pink flush on Rincewind's ears and neck at the playful question, the joking smirk.]
No, no, I wouldn't - I mean, I mentioned that sort of thing isn't allowed to wizards anyway, but also I just haven't. Wouldn't.
...Baelish seems to think I ought to discuss it with you. [Rincewind's mouth screws around his next drink, muttering:] Of course the bloody brothel keeper would think so.
[And he did. It was the sort of hope that Chilton was too frightened to voice himself.]
He -- ah, oh yes. [A quiet pinkening around Chilton's ears.] I do remember Petyr mentioning his prior occupation. Once or twice. I wouldn't think too much of it, he probably tends to understand people through their desires. Physical desires. And if you have... None... It likely flummoxes him.
- And it's not that I don't, I'm not a virgin or anything. [quickly defensive.] I mean... all right, I probably don't think about it as much as other people, but I tend to have all my focus taken by the various people who want to hurt me.
[and noticing those pink ears:]
Does it bother you too when he brings it up? That little occupation of his.
[Chilton cleared his throat, looking into the wine puddle he left in his glass.]
A vestige of his former world, I imagine. It is... Unfortunate. But he is learning about modern propriety.
[More like Baelish didn't use his more unsavory implications to insult Chilton, unlike with Rincewind.]
I certainly hope fewer people are trying to kill you here than in your old world. Maybe that statistic alone would allow you to breathe a little easier? I daresay no one ought to deny you the happiness of coupling, should you want to pursue such a thing.
Oh, yes. Whatever else, Lord Baelish is a quick study.
[and don't mind Rincewind, he'll just break the seal on this pizza box; the smell teased him the whole way over here.]
Mmm, not kill, no. ...I don't think. [he gives a philosophical wave of his pizza slice, follows it with another drink of wine.] I mean, I did get chased onto a roof by a demon last week, gods knows what could have happened there, but mostly this world has been a whole mess of other dangers. I also suppose I've some dubious protection now, at least where death's concerned.
So, you know. Perhaps. [he swipes his sleeve over his mouth, swallowing another bite.] Jeff has convinced himself he's going to set me on some sort of date. I don't suppose I can hide here if he sends some monstrous thug to my door for a laugh?
[Some dubious protection now. Of course, Chilton thought Lucifer initially -- but a moment later, he realized that it was quite possible that Rincewind was speaking of the psychiatrist. Given their interactions as of late, at least.
More reason to underscore dubious.]
I doubt that Winger would even speak to a monstrous thug, much less play matchmaker to one. [Said Chilton, after a thoughtful poke at the pizza. He frowned at it, as if contemplating grabbing a knife and fork.
He decided against it.]
Anticipate your date to be at least moderately attractive.
[The wizard's still convinced this is going to be some gigantic prank against him, of course, but narrowing the avenues of how is helpful.
(And he may be surreptitiously watching Chilton to make sure the man doesn't hate the pizza he got him. Just to make sure.)]
I didn't get his name. Saw some terribly magical rune on his arm, he preferred we talk about my noticing it and I preferred we not, I ran, he chased me, then we ended up on a roof and had a bit of a chat before the Luggage came. Rather tame, all things considered.
...Is the pizza all right? [unable to keep from asking.] I told them not to put meat on half for you.
Oh -- yes, yes. I just. [A beat.] My hands are so clean.
[Something Frederick Chilton so rarely got to say, surely he could savor this moment. But, perhaps begrudgingly, he picked up a non-meaty slice at the crust and pinched it between two fingers.]
Rather tame, you say. But what if there's some reprisal? I know you've already thought of that.
[Rincewind only smiles, just pleased that he hasn't failed Chilton in some massive way, like having them put a mushroom he's allergic to on there or something.]
He teleported away before the Luggage could maim him, so there isn't exactly much to reprise against. [looking back, he's still not sure exactly how all that happened, or what Dean thought he knew.] The Luggage will deal with him if he somehow finds me and tries something.
Why is it you don't eat meat? [abrupt, but it's a question he's had since Raina explained vegetarianism to him.] Do you really not like it?
[Ripe for innuendo, thank goodness Jeff wasn't invited.]
But I can't digest animal proteins to the same capacity as I could, previously. I... had a kidney removed. Involuntary. Along with some intestinal tract.
[Chilton stuck out his tongue, guiding the tip of the pizza towards it.]
[luckily Rincewind has already finished his first slice, because he doubts he'll be able to get another down now. He's torn between watching Chilton eat like a man who has never held food before and processing the outrageous, distressing claim the man just made regarding the state of his innards.]
In- Involuntary? Someone really - ?
[oh gods. Oh gods. Rincewind's features squirm in a nauseated expression, trying dearly not to imagine it.]
In my world. [He tactfully decided to gloss over the fact that Abel Gideon had gotten his hands on Chilton twice, once in Baltimore and once in Heropa. The latter didn't involve organ removal, however.
Gideon had surgically cut off bits of Chilton's face and replaced it with metal cogs. Like wind-up clockwork.]
Baltimore is, apparently, an unusually violent place. I've been comparing data between mine and this one regarding serial killers -- while they exist in both, mine seemed to have more psychopaths diffused into the populace.
[A light shrug followed.]
If, ah, if it had happened here. The damage isn't necessarily permanent. Between healers and the homeworld default.
But every time I export back home and return, I will have my kidney missing again. Bit traumatic, actually.
I'll avoid any visits then. [and he can't help but think again that Chilton would have less issues if he weren't so keen on treating psychopaths. Rincewind guesses there's at least a sixty percent chance the person who took the liberty of liberating his organs was a patient.
But those aren't helpful thoughts - certainly not for the man who's gone through something so horrific.]
A bit traumatic? That's a bit of an understatement, isn't it? I don't think I'd ever leave my room again if I'd gone through something like that. So you - you haven't had it healed since coming back then? That or your, well, your other injury? The one from the assault you mentioned?
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Rincewind feels out of place as soon as he steps inside, reluctant to move from the foyer. It's - very nice in here. And clean. Distracted, he eventually keys back in long enough to toe his sandals off and walk to the kitchen on socked feet.]
- Hm? Oh, well, yes. The day I'm without it is the day you'll know I've been possessed by something likely ancient and terrible, so you know. Watch out for that, will you?
[he watches Chilton with some amusement.]
I take it you've found a way to swallow past the homicide? - And you've a lovely home, I should mention that.
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[The Baltimore legend persists. He moved, sometimes swerved, to the cabinet with the other wine glasses. Soon Rincewind was presented with one of his own.]
We have to buy you real shoes. One day.
[Drunk or not, Chilton always had fashion advice to deliver.]
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[although more for pants and shirts; between the two of them Rincewind could find himself with a new wardrobe. He was still on the fence about these modern clothes, personally - a robe still seemed the perfect all-weather answer.]
...Feeling all right? [he tried to keep his tone as casual as he could.]
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[Chilton got about opening a bottle, serving himself first before Rincewind.]
Dorian Gray? The man's a narcissist. Malignant, bored -- the kind who'd brutalize you if it suited his fancy. [A long, long sip of wine followed.] Better hope he sincerely likes you.
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[and try not to think about the self-imposed pressure there, lest he anxiously overthink it. Wine will help that, of course. Rincewind eyes Chilton's pour before putting his own glass helpfully in range.]
Brutalize? [a hard blink. He fidgets in place.] I mean - yes, he's an immortal, they tend to be somewhat dangerous on the whole, but that seems a bit harsh. I mean, he introduced me to what jacuzzis are, the first night we met. We seem to get on all right.
How do you know him?
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[Gave him. Like one might a piece of meat.]
Like most socially adequate narcissists, Dorian knows how to put on a nice face. Just isn't his real one.
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- Raina's a psychiatrist as well?
[or... perhaps was, given current circumstances.]
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[Chilton smirked, thinking himself so funny, before indulging in an enigmatic sip.]
More wine?
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[that's unsettling, that phrasing. Rincewind would remind his friend about his position concerning vague non-answers, but gets the feeling that with how much Chilton's had to drink his memory - and probably everything else - is rather slippery right now.]
But then I don't understand. [he glances up, searching Chilton's face for clarity.] He was your patient, you were treating him, but you... transferred him to Raina? Who isn't a psychiatrist. Only, she told me she mostly researches imPort powers and such.
How would that help him?
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[And a use. Which Raina could provide, to her liking.]
I took on his boyfriend, Tobias, who is a far more engaging patient. Personally I am amazed someone like Tobias would find Dorian attractive, but you know the old adage. Opposites attract.
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The vampire? I haven't met him yet. [perhaps unsurprisingly, given the vampirisim.] They are getting married, last I heard, so it must be working out for them.
I really hate that saying, though. Rather implies I should be courting reckless, sadistic bastards. [a beat.] Provided wizards were allowed to court, of course.
And you've said you and Raina are something alike, aren't you?
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[Chilton, with his nearly emptied glass, toasted to that -- then refilled, and doubled his toast.]
Opposites might attract, but that doesn't necessitate relationship survival. [A sly reference to his opinion of the upcoming nuptials.] I think you will be perfectly fine avoiding the reckless and the sadistic. Provided that you -- ah -- are allowed to court.
[That brought another juvenile smirk to his mouth. Wizards, potentially not allowed to court? No one warmed the imPorn community!]
Why? Is there someone you've got your eye on? Is she -- he? -- quite lovely?
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I do think she'll come back. For what it's worth. I mean I know I tend to look on the more - [depressingly accurate] - unpleasant side of things, but I do think a better outcome is possible, in this case.
[he certainly hopes so, for Chilton's sake.
It's more than the wine inspiring a pink flush on Rincewind's ears and neck at the playful question, the joking smirk.]
No, no, I wouldn't - I mean, I mentioned that sort of thing isn't allowed to wizards anyway, but also I just haven't. Wouldn't.
...Baelish seems to think I ought to discuss it with you. [Rincewind's mouth screws around his next drink, muttering:] Of course the bloody brothel keeper would think so.
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[And he did. It was the sort of hope that Chilton was too frightened to voice himself.]
He -- ah, oh yes. [A quiet pinkening around Chilton's ears.] I do remember Petyr mentioning his prior occupation. Once or twice. I wouldn't think too much of it, he probably tends to understand people through their desires. Physical desires. And if you have... None... It likely flummoxes him.
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[flatly stated and punctuated with a drink.]
- And it's not that I don't, I'm not a virgin or anything. [quickly defensive.] I mean... all right, I probably don't think about it as much as other people, but I tend to have all my focus taken by the various people who want to hurt me.
[and noticing those pink ears:]
Does it bother you too when he brings it up? That little occupation of his.
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A vestige of his former world, I imagine. It is... Unfortunate. But he is learning about modern propriety.
[More like Baelish didn't use his more unsavory implications to insult Chilton, unlike with Rincewind.]
I certainly hope fewer people are trying to kill you here than in your old world. Maybe that statistic alone would allow you to breathe a little easier? I daresay no one ought to deny you the happiness of coupling, should you want to pursue such a thing.
Not even Lucifer.
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[and don't mind Rincewind, he'll just break the seal on this pizza box; the smell teased him the whole way over here.]
Mmm, not kill, no. ...I don't think. [he gives a philosophical wave of his pizza slice, follows it with another drink of wine.] I mean, I did get chased onto a roof by a demon last week, gods knows what could have happened there, but mostly this world has been a whole mess of other dangers. I also suppose I've some dubious protection now, at least where death's concerned.
So, you know. Perhaps. [he swipes his sleeve over his mouth, swallowing another bite.] Jeff has convinced himself he's going to set me on some sort of date. I don't suppose I can hide here if he sends some monstrous thug to my door for a laugh?
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More reason to underscore dubious.]
I doubt that Winger would even speak to a monstrous thug, much less play matchmaker to one. [Said Chilton, after a thoughtful poke at the pizza. He frowned at it, as if contemplating grabbing a knife and fork.
He decided against it.]
Anticipate your date to be at least moderately attractive.
[A beat.]
What was that about a demon?
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[The wizard's still convinced this is going to be some gigantic prank against him, of course, but narrowing the avenues of how is helpful.
(And he may be surreptitiously watching Chilton to make sure the man doesn't hate the pizza he got him. Just to make sure.)]
I didn't get his name. Saw some terribly magical rune on his arm, he preferred we talk about my noticing it and I preferred we not, I ran, he chased me, then we ended up on a roof and had a bit of a chat before the Luggage came. Rather tame, all things considered.
...Is the pizza all right? [unable to keep from asking.] I told them not to put meat on half for you.
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[Something Frederick Chilton so rarely got to say, surely he could savor this moment. But, perhaps begrudgingly, he picked up a non-meaty slice at the crust and pinched it between two fingers.]
Rather tame, you say. But what if there's some reprisal? I know you've already thought of that.
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He teleported away before the Luggage could maim him, so there isn't exactly much to reprise against. [looking back, he's still not sure exactly how all that happened, or what Dean thought he knew.] The Luggage will deal with him if he somehow finds me and tries something.
Why is it you don't eat meat? [abrupt, but it's a question he's had since Raina explained vegetarianism to him.] Do you really not like it?
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[Ripe for innuendo, thank goodness Jeff wasn't invited.]
But I can't digest animal proteins to the same capacity as I could, previously. I... had a kidney removed. Involuntary. Along with some intestinal tract.
[Chilton stuck out his tongue, guiding the tip of the pizza towards it.]
They were taken from me.
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In- Involuntary? Someone really - ?
[oh gods. Oh gods. Rincewind's features squirm in a nauseated expression, trying dearly not to imagine it.]
Was it... here? Or in your world?
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Gideon had surgically cut off bits of Chilton's face and replaced it with metal cogs. Like wind-up clockwork.]
Baltimore is, apparently, an unusually violent place. I've been comparing data between mine and this one regarding serial killers -- while they exist in both, mine seemed to have more psychopaths diffused into the populace.
[A light shrug followed.]
If, ah, if it had happened here. The damage isn't necessarily permanent. Between healers and the homeworld default.
But every time I export back home and return, I will have my kidney missing again. Bit traumatic, actually.
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But those aren't helpful thoughts - certainly not for the man who's gone through something so horrific.]
A bit traumatic? That's a bit of an understatement, isn't it? I don't think I'd ever leave my room again if I'd gone through something like that. So you - you haven't had it healed since coming back then? That or your, well, your other injury? The one from the assault you mentioned?
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