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[herrstory]

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

Comments

[exceptionalthief]

Because you clearly instigated it.

[Here, have a link to the public part of this exchange as a helpful reminder.]

It's looking very much to me as though you purposely set me up.

[herrstory]

I have no reason to do that. Look. Dr. Chilton enjoys flaunting what he knows. He enjoys getting a rise out of people and that is clearly why he went to you. I did not inspire it. What purpose would it serve me? But he regularly puts me through 'tests' much like this.

All you needed to do was banter back at him, make some lewd remark about him liking what he saw and asking if he wanted a try. Instead, you threatened to have him investigated. Why?

[exceptionalthief]

I tried that, it didn't work.

[A little belatedly, but still.]

To get him to back off. I don't especially enjoy being called on the carpet like a naughty little boy, likely as a prelude for being fired.

But no matter. I have another recourse.

[herrstory]

From what he has said to me, he does not seem to have intentions of firing you. But he is suspicious of your intentions. So charm him. You are far better at it than I. It may take a bit of time. Doctor Chilton is...sensitive in that he is used to people standing against him rather than with him. And he will not simply murder people who betray him as you and I are prone to do.

[ This is the very obstacle Starr is having trouble overcoming when it comes to convincing Chilton to stand as a Messiah! ]

Perhaps play to his sensitivities...explain to him that you were defensive. You thought you were to be fired and thought this entire thing was a coups against you because you are no stranger to betrayal. Explain to him that our German sensibilities make us a bit harsher than we should be to perceived threats. If you even wanted to, you could allude to feeling betrayed by me and play up to having some emotional investment in our affair. If Doctor Chilton feels the attack was a defense mechanism rather than something personal, he is more likely to relent.

[exceptionalthief]

[There's a pause while he considers all of that, sitting back a little from the screen and drumming his fingers on his desk.]

You know, when it comes down to it, this is an awfully lot of trouble to go to for a secretarial position. Even if it should become something more—a sudden opening in HR management, for example—it still barely seems worth it if one is to be subjected to petty little tests on a regular basis because the person in charge has a paranoid fear of persecution. And given his apparently obsessive need for control, I'm beginning to doubt he would actually let me do the job, at least as far as hiring and firing goes, which is traditionally a very big part of it.

I am curious however, why a man such as yourself puts up with it all. You don't strike me as the type who would. Why should I?

[herrstory]

You are correct in that I normally would not tolerate such behavior. But I do believe Doctor Chilton could potentially be a part in something larger. I've already mentioned to you that I believe the work here will change the world. And if it takes a bit of bending over to get there, well I am willing to do just that. There are things far larger than my ego to stroke.

[ A pause. ]

I do not mean his cock, either.

[exceptionalthief]

Yes, I recall.

[Although he hadn't taken it seriously, unlike Starr it would seem.]

Change the world in what way?

[Chilton only barely striking him as competent, let alone visionary at all—

...and then he gets it, even though the very idea seems ludicrous.]

Not... the messiah?

[herrstory]

A potential one. Joshua has been the one I've rallied behind the most. The actual clone of Christ. But Doctor Chilton does have potential.

[ Potential that will drastically increase as soon as Chilton returns with his new power. ]

[exceptionalthief]

A potential one.

[What]

Forgive my ignorance on the subject, but doesn't God traditionally decide that?

[herrstory]

God is missing in my own world. And here? What? Am I to leave it to those teenagers who claim to be gods? They advocate chaos. Madness. The world is already steeped in those sins. What it needs is order.

[exceptionalthief]

[God is missing from every world as far as Hans is concerned, although that doesn't mean he's looking for Him, not actually being a believer himself. He doesn't say as much however, getting the feeling that might incite some antagonism from Starr. Best to keep those views under his hat for now.]

Order. [A mildly skeptical eyebrow lift.] Via porter powers?

[herrstory]

Via influence first. Powers can play a part in that, of course. But power alone cannot bring the world where it needs to be. If it could, it would already be there at the arrival of imPorts.

[exceptionalthief]

I can't help but think that someone on the political stage would be more suited. More potential for exerting influence than the director of an imPort psychiatric hospital.

[Not that he wants a messiah at all, mind you.]

[herrstory]

And who would you suggest? All of our imPort politicians are morons.

[exceptionalthief]

[Mildly-] Mayor Baelish hardly strikes me as a moron.

[herrstory]

Maybe. But I was thinking more along the lines of ambassadors. They are the ones with the greatest reach as imPorts.

[exceptionalthief]

Still. It might be preferable to someone who's inclined to act like a petty little power-tripping bitch.

[herrstory]

What does it matter? Do you intend to rally behind my chosen messiah? You've always been more of an atheist. I do not imagine my presence in your life will change your beliefs.

[exceptionalthief]

Whatever rallying I do, it will not be based on religious beliefs, no. But that does not mean I'm unwilling to offer support for... other reasons. But not unconditionally.

[herrstory]

"Other reasons" being your overwhelming, maddening desire for me?

[exceptionalthief]

You are welcome to think that if you like.

[herrstory]

Much though I might possibly like to think such a thing, I imagine you are quite simply bored and that alone serves as your motivation.

[exceptionalthief]

Clearly, there's no fooling you.

[herrstory]

I do not mind having you on board with my goals, of course. I find your company pleasant, and your capabilities valuable. But you do understand my aims are not a joke. I will not tolerate it if the same boredom that led you to work with me also inspires you to interfere.

[exceptionalthief]

For the record, it is highly unlikely I'll be working with you much longer, there being only so long I can tolerate our esteemed employer's penchant for paranoid pettiness. While you may have sufficient motivation to put up with it, I do not. Quite frankly, I don't need this job. I accepted the offer on a whim, more or less; the chance it might open up new avenues that lead elsewhere. So far, the annoyances outweigh any potential prospects.

[After that fairly serious and direct remark, he smiles slightly, his eyes still hard.]

And what do you think my capabilities are?