Mask or Menace IC contact

[crassidy]

"Probably out gettin' shit faced! I'll get back to yez."

Comments

[slightlyoffchilt]

You were literally just threatening him in return. Violently. To me. His employer.

[crassidy]

Yeah, well, you're doin' a shite job of keepin' him under thumb, man.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A pause -- brief, tense.]

He came back different. Can you tell me anything about that?

[crassidy]

[The energy from him is almost opposite, a snorting laugh following the question.]

Different? Y'mean other than the giant feckin' knob end noggin?

[slightlyoffchilt]

You know he can get that healed here? Why hasn't he already?

[Inquires the man who remains in this world with one kidney, significantly less intestines, one good eye, and a bullet-shot jaw.]

And no, I do not mean physically. Psychologically he is... He had a restraint. He had focus, he's fraying. And he seems to blame you in part, why is that?

[crassidy]

I'unno. [A very obvious shrug in those words. Playing dumb is far easier than exploring the reasoning of his enemies.]

Y'both think I got all the answers when I can't even remember me own name most days. Ask him yourself, doc, I thought your type was meant to be good at talkin' through unresolved issues.

[slightlyoffchilt]

All of his answers lead back to you. It's unhealthy.

[crassidy]

Easy target. It's not me he wants, it's me mate, but Padre's not here soooo...

[slightlyoffchilt]

He cannot blame himself for his failures with your friend. So he blames you.

[Chilton, now overtly using Cassidy as a sounding board, felt a rush of his own pulse. Rejection, projection. Starr's sudden threadbare ego.

Interesting.]

[crassidy]

Seems like. Back home it's a pissin' content he can't win. Gotta take that impotent rage out somewhere, eh? Fella just needs some tranqs in him, lot easier to be high than angry.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Easy doesn't appeal to Herr Starr. But I can think of something else.

-- And in the meanwhile. How are you faring?

[crassidy]

["Something else", gross, he doesn't even want to know.]

Damn sight better than you, I reckon. He hurt you, doc?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I can take a surprising lot, Cassidy.

[crassidy]

Yeah, well, so can I. Don't mean it doesn't hurt though.

You really drew him away for me? I appreciate it, mate, I really do. [And he sounds genuine in that.]

You're a good bloke. Not many would stick their neck out like that.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You and I, we're friends.

Aren't we?

[crassidy]

Haven't sealed it with the official passin' of the sacred joint, but sure, close enough.

You spilled blood for me, that means somethin'. Or at least got a bruise. Intent's still there. [He's not exactly sure what went down, naturally.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

[And Chilton's not about to clarify.]

I like that we're friends, Cassidy.

[crassidy]

[A slow sigh down the phone.]

Yeah. Well. Subject to change. You barely bleedin' know me, doc.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Why do you think you'll disappoint me?

[He sniffs that out quickly.]

[crassidy]

Runnin' theme. Look, like I said doc, you're a good bloke for doin' what you did, but I'm not here for all this manipulative shite, right? All these... questions and that, it's not right.

[Asking him about his feelings! It's disgusting.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

All these questions... You mean therapy?

[crassidy]

Whatever way you wanna spin it, man, it's still a buncha questions. Got better shite to talk about than disappointin' everyone.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Tell me what you want to talk about, then. I'm open to suggestions.

[crassidy]

What about you, fella? Don't know much 'bout you beyond being a doctor for crazy folk.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You'll have to be more specific. What about me do you want to discuss?