herrstory | IC CONTACT

I am still waiting for you to make good on your promise to show me. Something we agreed to in the terms of my hiring. I've operated on good faith so far, but I do hope you were not merely lying to me.

[ He glanced over at Chilton briefly and then looked back to the road. They were heading out of the city, toward the more rural outskirts. Starr merged onto the highway that would take them there with one hand on the wheel and the other firmly palming Chilton's stick shift. ]

Oh god.

[Whimpered Chilton -- an outright whimper. That hand proved to be relentless.] I wasn't lying. [He lied, but he conjured it in his mind as a self-defense fibbing.] But even you have to agree that this is not the time.

Why not? You can seize control of the vehicle at any time. Should we be headed toward danger, you can keep us safe.

[ With a squeeze. ]

I remember what you did when we first met in person.

[ 'First met.' As though the ordeal wasn't a kidnapping. ]

It's not something you use often, is it? Not as much as your sedative touch. You prefer a more hands on approach, don't you? You could use your sedation for a hypnotic effect, could you not? Something put people directly under your control. Would that not make you feel powerful...?

[ The very word 'powerful' was accompanied by Starr's fingers burrowing into Chilton's pants, penetrating the layers to fondle him...to give a sexual emphasis to the word -- to create a reward response. At least it was Starr's intention. But brilliant psychiatrist Frederick Chilton could very well see straight through the tactic. ]

Mmhhn. [An unusual sound, leaking from Chilton's mouth. Something of a muffled moan.]

I have more precision with my sedative, yes. More than what any pharmacy could cough up. It could influence intimately -- what you're getting at, yes.

[He stared at Starr, who seemed so nonplussed at the multitasking achieved. That was a man with a composure that merited psychopathic analysis.]

And you want me to influence in such a manner.

Think of how many lives you could change. Think of how many you could save from themselves if you did. This ability is right at the cusp of your power, and yet you have only used it to its base potential -- to protect yourself. Are you not tired of being just another imPort?

[ Starr maintained his grasp on Chilton up until they reached their exit, which caused him to put both hands back on the wheel to turn off. He drove a little while through a scenic route of trees before they reached an old, abandoned church -- dilapidated in its current state, but once it had been beautiful. The remnants of faded stained glass were only one remaining sign of the building's former splendor. ]

We are here. Take a moment. Take a deep breath and collect yourself. Probably zip up your pants...because you are about to see your true potential when we walk through those doors.

[Grimacing, he zipped himself up. It was less the act and necessity and more the fact that Starr had ordered him to do so -- but Chilton had already forfeited a lot of authority since stepping into that vehicle. He was only now coming to realize that.]

You are being quite mysterious.

[Said Chilton, as he followed Starr in step. He was looking at the church, analyzing its meaning.]

True potential. It is flattering to hear you say, as if you see something within me.

[Something Hannibal never could, thought Chilton -- just a touch smugly.]

I do, of course. But it is meaningless if you do not see it for yourself.

[ Starr reached the door, giving a glance toward Chilton as he pushed it open. For as run down as the appearance on the outside, the church was not empty. There was incense burning and around twenty people milling about -- twenty people who stopped what they were doing as soon as Starr entered, twenty people who saw Chilton and immediately had a visceral reaction. Some burst into tears, others dropped to their knees, some expressed their abject admiration, praising Chilton and calling him their salvation.

This had been his former clone's work. And these people were Chilton's inheritance -- to take with him and do as he pleased. ]

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have delivered on my promise and brought you your Messiah.

[ Starr gestured reverently toward Chilton before dropping to a single knee next to him, the message being that even Starr would bow to him. ]

Messiah. You stand before the broken, you stand before the lost. These people are your people -- looking to you for their deliverance and salvation. Please. Say a few words. They have waited patiently for so very long to hear your message.

[ He handed the control to Chilton simply to see how much work Chilton needed before he could step into this role -- if he would be too flustered to speak or if he could embrace this immediately. ]

[Chilton stared at Starr, a quiver of horror evident on his lips. He knew who these were, how they were his people -- that imposter that so many had loved so dearly. It remained a sore spot for Chilton, who felt undermined by someone (something) wearing his face. His voice, his powers warped.

And now he stood before the remnants of it.]

You -- you've all been freed. Long ago. Months ago. You are all liberated.

[Chilton stepped towards Starr, leaning to hiss in his ear:] They aren't here for me. [His glare remained significant.]

They are here for you.

[ Starr looked up at Chilton from his place on the floor and he chose not to rise -- not until Chilton gave him express permission. What sort of example would it set for the rest of these people if he stood before the Messiah told him to? ]

All of their lives, they have been searching for meaning. Your clone started them on the right path -- but he was never the one they truly wanted. He was never real. His message did not lead them to freedom. It only led them to pain and emptiness. You are the one they've been waiting for. You are the one who has earned their loyalty without the use of intoxication or sedatives.

[ Starr gestured to the men and women with a nod of his head. ]

They are free, Messiah. And they have freely chosen to kneel before you.

Are they? Are they here for me? [A pointed question, and one he asked with raised eyebrow. Much of this seemed to be as equally for Starr as it was for Chilton, and he wasn't sure where that line divided -- if it did, at all. That was where Jesse Custer and Frederick Chilton departed; the former too easily bought into his glorious impact, and the latter knew a manipulator when he was stroked by one. But Chilton couldn't blame Starr for seeking influence and power through a vessel, there was unrealized benefit in being the man behind the curtain, so to speak.

Chilton's question, ultimately rhetorical, did not hold his attention for long. Chilton scanned the crowd, profiling each and every participant.]

You have experience in playing this game, Starr.

[And Chilton, in contrast, felt woefully unprepared.]

I will need to be taught. How to be an emblem of hope.

You have it in you. I would not be standing beside you if you did not.

[ It was honest, at least. Starr would not be wasting his time if he did not see potential in Chilton. But it was also going to be a longer process since he did not immediately accept his 'flock.' Standing slowly, Starr placed a hand on Chilton's shoulder. ]

We will return here when you are ready. They will wait for you.

[In the fragile moment, as Starr rested a hand on his shoulder and Chilton turned his head towards him, his body tense and uncertain, did then Chilton bring a hand up to meet Starr's own. Resting on top of Starr's own. Willing, but hesitant. Ambitious, but fearful. Frederick Chilton was a project to be worked upon, someone who would want this power -- but he didn't know how to command it.]

We're going back?

[He gave Starr's hand a hopeful squeeze.]

We are. Perhaps it would be best to take smaller steps. And when you are ready...

[ Starr gave an easy gesture toward the former cult members -- there to be whatever Chilton wished. ]

I am here to support your endeavors. You may draw strength from my presence knowing that I stand behind you completely.

[ His other hand came up to rest on Chilton's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Starr was an efficient killing machine. But he was not so socially unaware that he didn't know when he needed to be gentle. When it came to delicate matters like the Messiah, even his world's ingrate Messiah, Starr could toss away his tougher exterior to better manipulate them into what he wanted. ]

Now then. Let us get you back for your afternoon appointments.

Right -- of course. [He spoke in that dazed, distant kind of way that a man swallowed by an emotional sea would speak in. Starr had a certain forceful effect, and when he coupled his steel demeanor with more gentle weaponry, he was a force that could not be denied.

Chilton, guided from behind, put forth no complaints as Starr steered him out.]

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