maskormenacelogs | now my heart returns --

Despite the wild differences in their choice of career, Bela could recognise someone with affluent tastes and a penchant for intelligent conversation - traits that she herself felt lucky to have. Aside from that, Chilton was connected with people that Bela had also made connections with in her time here: Jeff (in a literal sense too) and then of course, Raina.

This social engagement was not really about anyone other than the two of them. Bela was keen to learn more about Frederick and she was certain he'd want to do the same with her; though how much truth Bela would give to him was at her discretion.

She breezes into the coffee shop, smartly dressed and hair perfectly coiffed. Bela made it look effortless but it did take quite a bit of preparation. Upon spotting Chilton, she walks over to him with a confidence in her step and a smile on her lips.

"Good afternoon, Frederick." Her attention was on him for the moment, she could look around afterwards.

"And good afternoon to you," he said, his tone appropriately impressed with her presentation. Bela was formidable on that front, and he expected nothing less than her immaculate style. The psychiatrist rose from his chair, greeting her in a somewhat formal manner, awaiting her to take a seat before he assumed his own once more.

"Don't you look enchanting?"

Rhetorical question, of course. They both knew such a statement went without saying, but wasn't it better when spoken aloud? Chilton allowed himself one more flicker of the eyes before he eased back from the visual impression.

"I hope the location is tasteful. There is a market for sophistication, even in Heropa."

How delightful. Bela even has him standing up for her and waiting for her to take a seat first; which she does quite quickly, not wishing for the man to be standing for too long. In all of the times that Bela has been out with Jeff, she's fairly certain that he hasn't done something like it. But she could let that slide.

Her lips curve up into a wider smile at his statement and she doesn't need to say a thing about it except appreciate the words. If Raina hadn't snatched him up when she did, Bela might have considered pursuing some kind of arrangement - without commitment of course.

"The location is perfect. I never knew somewhere like this existed." It certainly put Heropa at the top of her list as a new city to live in, but Bela was still far off from making her dreams a reality.

"I'm sure you know all of the best places to visit. I've yet to see everything that Heropa has to offer."

"One certainly has to search for it," he said, somewhat begrudgingly within a few toned notes of affection -- he spoke like a tart red wine. Florida in general was quite a different outcome to his typical haunt of Baltimore -- not even Maryland proper, given Chilton's need for recognition, but rather just its urban centerpiece and corresponding suburban. Given this southern state's vastness and variance, Chilton appreciated the statistical probability of finding something more aligned to his tastes. It was lucky for Chilton that a good many establishments that mirrored his specific preferences could be found in Heropa. Were the city located closer to the Georgian state line, he believed, he simply would have been forced to move.

"I could always give you the tour," he offered. "I've had the time to seek them out, after all. But I imagine I'd need to fit that into your schedule -- I've heard your antiques store mentioned, you know, among certain elites of the local population. That's quite the milestone."

With a smile, he glanced at the menu again, but it was clear his attention was more on Bela than not.

Living in New York had spoiled Bela. There was always some kind of art exhibition or launch party happening in which the rich schmoozed and mingled, talking about their vacation in the Bahamas or the home in the Hamptons. She grew up in a life of privilege and while her childhood and teenage years weren't the most pleasant experiences of Bela's life, she wanted for nothing. When she was old enough Bela carved out a career for herself in the occult black market and earned every single penny, amassing quite a tidy sum. The lifestyle she had was expensive, and a regular job wouldn't have cut it for Bela; not only because of the money, but she lived off the excitement and risk that came along with her chosen path.

Heropa was better than Maurtia Falls. Nothing else would change her opinion on that.

"I think I have managed to make antiques and antique stores in general more appealing." Partly due to herself of course. Bela knows she's got the looks as well as the charm and intelligence. "People seem to have this misconception that they're for those with odd interests or just odd individuals. That isn't the case with my store, so that's probably why you have heard about it."

She decided to be a little modest and almost brush it off as nothing, but it was clear from her expression that Bela was beyond pleased at what he had said. "Thank you, Frederick. For both the offer of a tour and the praise for my shop. I've put a lot of effort into making it incredible."

Bela picked up the menu, giving it a brief but thorough look to decide what she wanted to order. Satisfied, she placed it down again.

"I am looking to take a short holiday at some point as I haven't had more than a day off at any time." Though she didn't show any signs of exhaustion. "Of course I'll arrange for someone to look in on the store now and again."

Someone other than Jeff - she doesn't know if she could trust him around antiques.

"Naturally, I imagine the market was a challenge you took by the horns."

A selling point, really. Testimony to Bela's capabilities and aptitude. Chilton inclined his head, looking over her once more -- she was certainly the type that Hannibal would have liked to collect. Elegance and charm was to Hannibal like chewing gum might be to your average individual; worth momentary commitment. As far as Chilton was aware, it was only Will Graham who Doctor Lecter had pursued at a cost. Everyone else, no matter how beautiful and polite, served as casual amusements or distractions.

It was horrible, realized Chilton, that he was in the habit of considering what Hannibal would think of his company. And not only did he obsess over a matter of opinion, but also what Hannibal might chose to do with Bela. Would he attempt to seduce her, like he had successfully enraptured Alana Bloom? Would she be savvier to those fangs behind his smile?

Chilton hoped so.

"You've already networked employment options? Mind, there are not many I would trust in my office. The two imPorts I secured had been vigorously vetted."

Reggie Mantle and Matthew Lin. The herald of an apocalypse and a demon.

"They cannot function as psychiatrists, of course. My holidays consist of a lot of rescheduling," he concluded.

"But beyond that -- who would you consider? Or more amusingly, who would you not consider responsible? I wouldn't mind a little gossip."

If Bela hadn't risen to the challenge then she would have a failing business and no good source of income to keep herself in a reasonable state of comfort. Nor would she have money set aside for her planned move to a better city. No one said that it would be easy to get what she wanted, but it was difficult when things were pretty smooth for Bela back home.

As for Hannibal, the name hadn't come up in any conversations Bela had with anyone who knew him. Perhaps if she did have some forewarning she would be better prepared but if not, then all Bela could do is remain on her guard like she did with everyone she met.

"Oh, I'm not hiring. I just need someone to make sure the shop hasn't been broken into or damaged." Heaven forbid what would happen to the person if they didn't look after her store. "But I wouldn't rule it out for the future."

In case Bela considered to partially retire from running the business or even take an extended trip somewhere else. That decision was far down the line because she needed some more security and money before feeling confident enough with it.

"There is man here by the name of Owen Burnett. He has an understanding of finances and business acumen so he has offered me some very useful tips ever since the shop opened. He's someone I would consider." She laughed lightly at the request for gossip, wondering if she should indulge Chilton's curiosity.

"No children or teenagers. I can't trust them."

"Cautious of you," said Chilton, his words mired in evident approval. Of course, he hadn't considered Reggie Mantle much of a teenager -- technically speaking, the young man was. But something had corrupted what would have been a typical, lackadaisical perspective in Mantle. Something horrifying. Chilton had yet to illuminated that factor -- but he was confident that he would. In time.

The boundary between staff and project was all but nonexistent for Chilton. Little wonder why he hired Abduxel along with Reggie.

"Owen Burnett. I've seen him on the Network."

Chilton inclined his head, his lips pursued. Such was the expression of judgement forthcoming.

"He appears organized. Meticulous. Trustworthy, if perhaps lacking some overt charm."

And speaking of...

"Speaking of Jeff," he said, well aware that no one had mentioned Jeff's name. "Am I to understand that he really moved in with Will Graham and April Ludgate? Had you thrown him out?"

"Charm isn't necessary to look after a shop if the other three attributes you listed are present." Is she defending Owen? It seemed likely. "Owen is more reserved than some people but he is quite intelligent."

She had learned to not judge people so quickly in her time here, nor take them at face value. The majority of them had hidden depths and their own agendas; it seemed logical to think that Chilton was among that group. Bela would even put herself into it as well.

Ah. The 'J' word. Bela shouldn't be surprised that he would come up at some point in their conversation.

The menu received another cursory glance from her before she looked up at him. "Interesting leap to make, Frederick. From Owen to Jeff." Bela sounded faintly amused by what he had said.

"In answer to your question, Jeff did move in with Will and April. What I don't understand is how you thought we were in some form of living arrangement together. Aside from the fact that I'm his landlady and he's renting an office above my antique store. Nothing domestic about that."

It was hard for Bela to imagine living with someone else when she found it difficult sharing with a few people already. She loved having her own space.

"Jeff and I are- how did he put it one time - 'fuck buddies'. I suppose friends with benefits is a more eloquent way to phrase it but the meaning is the same. I like him. He's fun, smart, cocky and knows his scotch. But it won't become anything more than what I described."

"I certainly meant no sour discourse upon your honor," said Chilton, quick to mitigate. "But rather -- well, while Jeff certainly claims to be the tomcat immune to domestication, I might wager that he wouldn't have struggled with many qualms, had you wanted to set that tone."

It boiled down to Bela. Perhaps it was only his corroborating memory and the promise of retrospect insight, but hadn't Jeff seemed a little despondent the past few weeks? Perhaps he had hoped for what Chilton anticipated as inevitable: a domestic scene. But Bela was a woman of other plans, other desires. It seemed very evident to Chilton in that moment that she would do precisely what she chose to do, especially if that grained against expectation.

"Crude language, isn't it? Seems rather trademark to the man."

Fuck buddies, indeed. But Chilton considered that crudeness to cover something softer, something Jeff feared to expose.

"Do you yearn for anything more? More than what you had just described, I mean." More than Jeff Winger. "Or is that only secondary to your grander agenda?"

Whatever that might be.

It was Bela who pursued Jeff in the first place (not that he particularly objected) and she believed that she had a hold over him, an element of control. More often than not, she instigated things between them and also allowed herself the freedom to pursue others if she desired. Jeff had that freedom of course - Bela never asked about anyone he might have been meeting with other than her.

"My main focus while I'm here is to make sure my shop doesn't fail and that I make enough money to live a comfortable life. That takes a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of commitment. Which I'm sure is something that many people would understand."

Bela let that hang there for a few moments, giving herself time to think about what she was going to follow up with.

"Anything else is just an added bonus. I don't think I'm missing out by not yearning for something more." A beat. "If anyone thinks any less of me for that, then they can kindly fuck off."

Jeff wasn't the only person who relied on crude language.

"I wasn't implying that," said Chilton, a bit defensive. While he wasn't a stranger to provoking the disdain (and sometimes, even wrath) of others, he nevertheless stiffened his spine at the sheer possibility that he could be confused for such a culprit. Quick to clear his own name (if slower to illuminate the innocence of others), Chilton raised both palms up, as if to demonstrate how unsmeared his hands were.

"I just find it something of a pity -- if only for the sake of our communal couple activities, I mean. Raina likes to have dinner parties."

And they did do a double-date once, with Doctor Watson and his wife. It had been pleasant, if not particularly remarkable -- or so Chilton thought. Little did he know that Doctor Watson's wife was the chimera he once hunted.

"But I think we would both in agreement if I were to say that you do deserve more."

Well now. Bela had never seen his hackles rise like that before. It was actually kind of fun, and she took some pleasure out of it. But she wasn't a stranger to pissing people off with a carefully placed word or comment, meant to be an insult - just ask Dean Winchester to confirm. In this instance however, Bela doesn't say anything, feeling that it it wouldn't make much of a difference.

"Unlike Raina, I'm not accustomed to entertaining people for dinner." Which suited her just fine. "Jeff and I aren't exactly a couple either." Which Bela just explained mere minutes ago.

"I do deserve more." Whatever that was, Bela isn't going to disagree with him. "I deserve the best."

She glanced down at the menu in her hands, going back on her original choice. "Are you ready to order? Because I am."

Well, no one could claim that Chilton hadn't tried on Jeff's behalf -- even though Mr. Winger had not encouraged nor inquired for Chilton's attempt at forging something that simply was not there. That's the story of his investment, anyway, that he was doing this for Jeff. More realistically, however, it was for Raina. Chilton could tell she wanted a mirrored companion set, a parallel to enact her more domestic fantasies with. While John and Mary Watson had been a pleasant outlet for a brief time, Chilton had thought there was something a little... Off. That wouldn't become a reoccurring thing.

And moreover, Raina liked Bela so much. It seemed so logistically perfect -- except for the detail of a mismatched pairing. Oh well.

"Carrot Osso Buco." Chilton closed the menu, his mouth wryly twisted. "It isn't really fun, you know. My dietary requirements. But sometimes what is best remains controlled by the environment."

Probably an unsubtle hint.

She didn't exactly fit the mould when it came to whatever society expected a woman at her age to be. At least, not on the inside. Bela could fit into any kind of role she wanted, be whomever she wanted - depending on the situation of course. She had the skills to pretend and play along with the fantasy if it meant that she would benefit greatly from it. Sometimes, people were there to be used.

There was no stopping anyone else from using Bela either. She just mightn't always be aware of it.

"Oh no, that doesn't sound fun at all." The rest of his sentence gives her some pause though, wondering if he was implying something more with his choice of diet. Despite what Bela knew about him already, Chilton remained a bit of a mystery to her.

"I'll go for the grilled chicken salad. Nothing too heavy." Like him, she stuck to a particular diet. With the occasional treat of course.

"Regardless of the paucity of fun, it isn't something I can easily brush off," he replied, his spine leaning back in his chair. Chilton positioned his elbow to rest on the smooth backing, giving his posture something of a jaunty exhibition. With a roll of his eyes, he exhaled -- it had every appearance of a belabored exertion. The preamble to his story, one that he was secretly keen to expound upon; but a little bit of theatrics wasn't beyond the pale, was it?

"My kidney was taken from me. By a former patient."

His lips linger over the rim of his glass, his eyes on Bela.

"My kidney, and then some. He was quite the talented surgeon, you understand, and I have a tendency to orbit very dangerous people," he said. Chilton's gaze licked over her image once more.

"I wonder if you would fit that description, as well."

Bela was hoping for a good story. And by good she meant interesting. Judging by the way Frederick seemed to be building it up she felt like she was in for a treat. Hopefully anyway. For all Bela knew he could be bluffing.

"Oh my God." A look of shock flickered across her face after Chilton dropped that bombshell. "That's- I- damn." There could have been a swear word but Bela managed to hold it back as her expression became neutral again. "Rest assured I am not in the business of taking organs from people, Frederick. Or any body part for that matter."

Sure there was a market for those kinds of things back home but it was too...grisly for Bela's tastes.

"That doesn't mean I'm not dangerous. If I feel like I am being threatened, I won't take it lightly and respond in a way I see fit."

"I trust you have yet to feel threatened in my company?"

If he took any pleasure in her shock, he masked the sentiment away. Chilton was quite used to the tragedy inherent to his personal stories -- an outcome indirectly associated with knowing Will Graham. His life wasn't always full of macabre and horror, but certain luminary individuals in his social orbit made it so. Even in Heropa, Chilton easily found himself the subject of torture. He had a surprisingly chipper, if wry, attitude about his sequence of ordeal; survival afforded fame, after all.

With a flick of his eyes, he glanced around the room.

"I doubt you would feel threatened in this environment. I'm sure you've already sized up everyone dining in this vicinity, haven't you?"

"I don't feel threatened in your company, Frederick. But I'm not a complete moron. I rarely let my guard down around someone."

Even if he didn't intimidate her, he was intelligent and knew it. There was no stopping him from sussing out a weakness of Bela's and using it against her; given half the chance she would do the same to Chilton. She was no stranger to horrors in her own world, but they were more of an actual monster variety and not people who removed organs for fun.

His line of questioning amused her. It felt like she was being assessed somehow, not having a conversation with a (potential) friend.

"It pays to be observant, darling." Which was her roundabout way of saying yes. "I've also noted the best places to make a swift exit, the habits of the employees. Any little detail around me, I do my best to remember it. Might come in handy."

"I wonder if this is why Raina has become so fond of you," he said, slyly, invoking his girlfriend's favor. With another glance over Bela's facial features, he inclined his head. "Well -- one of a few other reasons, I'm sure."

Raina did like pretty things.

"But if we're to focus on your uncanny survival skills, I wonder, has she at all made mention of her enemies to you?" For enemies was a softer word than predators. And who among them was the apex predator if not Lucifer himself? Chilton wouldn't drop the name so readily, of course, in the event that his girlfriend had kept her blacklist to a mere whisper. Still -- were he a wagering man -- he figured she might grant some detail to Bela. After all, it helped to have friends who knew all the exits.

Pretty and deadly things.

Bela made no comment about he said about Raina in relation to her. She knew that she and the lovely Raina had a few things in common: interests, traits, shared strategies. They also used their looks to their advantage, but more often than not it was their intelligence that saw them through.

"She maybe have mentioned one or two to me." Lucifer was Bela's enemy as well, even when they had come to some form of agreement. Invoking the wrath of the Prince of Lies wasn't on her to-do list, which was why Bela had failed to say that Lucifer was actually from her world and that he owned her soul.

"Sounds like you're concerned for her safety."

Two facts that Chilton was ignorant of: that Bela was from Lucifer's world, and that he owned her soul. Two facts that would have dramatically altered his methodology, two facts that could have easily isolated her from Raina. So instead of a far more offensive tactic, the psychiatrist smiled, his head inclined lightly.

"Who wouldn't be? While Raina is perfectly capable of taking care of herself -- I wouldn't dispute it -- I cannot help but fear for her own well-being sometimes. She has made it clear how willing she is to sacrifice for my benefit." A flattering notion in of itself. "A nice thought, certainly, but I don't ever want reality to come to that."

Chilton leaned forward, his eyebrows raised and gaze intense.

"She won't always allow me to keep an eye on her. You have more versatility in that way."

Something that crossed her mind while Chilton spoke was would he be willing to sacrifice himself for Raina, like she did for him? Or did he have a strong sense of self-preservation instead? Bela wouldn't fault Chilton for wanting to look out for himself because she would do the same, like she always did.

"I do." Bela replied steadily, meeting his gaze. "Raina doesn't have to know that I'm looking out for her whenever we spend time together."

Their friendship was important to Bela, even if she didn't really admit it that much.

"I'll keep an eye on her."

"I appreciate it, Bela. I really do."

That assurance alone influenced his demeanor; Chilton lost the gravity of the moment, easing back into his usual smirk. He thought he could do right by Raina -- but only when working behind the curtain, and consequently behind her back. He knew she wouldn't find his little mechanisms anything other than condescending, and he didn't want that complication.

All he wanted was Raina to be safe, and ideally made safe by capable hands. Bela was an ideal contact to make for such a reason.

now my heart returns --

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