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[herrstory]

Leave a message. If I find it convenient to get back to you, I will.

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[slightlyoffchilt]

[An array of emotions to follow: Starr's overt use of him for muted orgasm, the realization that physical threats pacified him, and the knowledge of a terrible (and yet impossible) thing to destroy souls for pharmaceutical use. Anger, curiosity, horror.]

That would be impossible here. This world isn't guaranteed to have souls -- who would you be using?

[herrstory]

It is not a matter of choice. There are things beyond us that make souls compatible together. You may hate me and yet still, our souls could be a 98% match. Not that I am in need of such medications. I am perfectly stable and sane.

[ A sniff. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

You are clinically neither. [But Chilton won't elaborate -- he's taken by Starr's assertion. A realization dawns.]

This is real to you. Righting wrongs -- albeit through dark and questionable ways -- that means something to you. You want to improve the world.

[herrstory]

Of course I do. You called my motivations into question?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Wiping away the psychopathic will not fix the world to your liking.

[herrstory]

They are not the only ones who need to be wiped.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Who else, Herr Starr?

[herrstory]

[ Starr could have given Chilton a list. A list of celebrities or imPorts or lesbians or something equally ridiculous. But instead, he opts to give him a serious answer. After all, Chilton did FINALLY call him Herr Starr. ]

When I served on Germany's Anti-Terrorism Unit, I was with a team on a mission. And this mission was to stop a plane of hijackers. We charged in and effectively shot down all of these men. There was, however, one casualty. A little girl who got her face blown off. My men and my superiors celebrated this as a victory. We defeated these hijackers and there was only a single casualty. In their eyes, it could have been far worse. In their eyes, they were the heroes. But I saw things differently. The world did not have to be this way.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Chilton remained quiet for some time, mulling over this insight.]

You couldn't believe in a world that would allow a child to be sacrificed. You couldn't believe in a god who would allow that.

So you are making your own.

[herrstory]

Not quite so.

[ A pause. ]

I could not believe in a world that lacks so much order whereupon something like this would be considered acceptable. I would sacrifice a million little girls if it would bring the world to the order it so severely needs. I will clear whoever it takes to see my plans to fruition.

But you are correct in assuming I will make my own Messiah, one I deem worthy.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Solemnly, and with a voice barely above a whisper:] That is madness, Klaus. By proclaiming a new order, by anointing a new god, you are asserting yourself as something beyond humanity.

I have become gravely concerned for you.

[herrstory]

Such concern would be deeply misplaced and wasted. Especially since I see similar traits within you. You crave order.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Mine is not the same as yours. Mine is -- [Precise chaos. An order of its own.] I make inroads regarding matters of the mind. Comprehension of human sadism.

[herrstory]

I do not mean what you do. But how you are. The way you run your hospital, for example. There is a certain order there -- a regimen and routine. You want to stick to your strict authority and you expect your employees and patients to fall into line. When they fail, you will force them into submission through your sedatives.

Or your bondage.

[slightlyoffchilt]

That is different.

[herrstory]

Is it?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Yes. My behavior remarks upon the everyday mechanisms of human want for logic and order. It isn't the same impulse as global interference. World domination.

[herrstory]

But given the opportunity to have the world on its knees before you, mouths wide open in awe -- would you truly refuse? If you knew you could be the one to save the world from itself with your psychological prowess, would you simply stand back and allow things to continue as they are?

[slightlyoffchilt]

So you're saying that the only difference between you and me is that you have the ability to manifest what you want. You can make the masses kneel before you? You don't find that to be megalomaniac in the least?

[herrstory]

I cannot make the masses kneel before me, no. I have never wanted to be the Messiah. But I am suggesting perhaps you could.

[slightlyoffchilt]

... Are you serious?

[Chilton, unbridled in his surprise, can't hide his own skepticism.]

[herrstory]

Have you ever known me to make a joke?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I thought you had that boy, the one you escort around. Joshua.

[herrstory]

He is a logical choice. A purebred clone of Christ himself. Flawed, but not as much as the current Christ Child the Grail plans on placing in the position. He has potential. But he does not want it.

You, on the other hand, are attractive, charismatic, commanding, persuasive. You could change the world if you put yourself up to the task.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Flattery. It would always work on Chilton, starving as he was for the approval of others. He stalled whatever he was going to say and took a moment to soak in the glorification.]

And you are the man who would be my guiding hand.

[This wasn't a question framed with skepticism. This wasn't a question at all.]