maskormenacelogs | THERE IS A CRACK IN EVERYTHING

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THERE IS A CRACK IN EVERYTHING

WHO: ImPorts! But especially the NONAH AMBASSADOR CANDIDATES!
WHERE: The Dolley Madison Library in Nonah, North Carolina.
WHEN: Evening, Sunday November 13th.
WHAT: The Nonah Town Hall for an evening of rigorous debate about the issues that matter!
WARNINGS: N/A.

The Dolley Madison Library is a two story structure brimming with books and neoclassical architecture. Clearly a well-funded facility, this library is a bright, warm, and welcoming environment for polite (if political) conversation this evening. The main floor, near the back of the building and behind rows and rows of looming bookshelves is the slightly risen stage destined for tonight's event. It is but a darkly painted plateau nearly a foot off the ground, a little stage intended for reading events and author interviews. Nine simple wooden chairs are set upon the stage, and a microphone greets them all.

The audience portion is complete with organized, open seating and a table of non-alcoholic refreshments. There are muffins and cookies, too, for those of you who have come hungry for both IDEAS and SNACKS.

EACH CANDIDATE gets a time slot to speak about tonight's theme: THE ROLE OF IMPORTS IN RELATION TO METAHUMANS IN A HISTORICALLY NON-POWERED COMMUNITY.

Candidate imPorts may address their solutions and visions, or even drudge up more complications, in response to the thematic prompt. You can be a candidate of hope, or of fear -- it all depends on your perspective. Concerned imPort citizens are allowed to speak with the candidates about their answers, and debate them if necessary. ImPorts are also allowed to debate among each other after the candidates have all spoken.

The event begins at 7PM EST, but may last well into the night.

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So you would consider him to be -- what, your protege?

[Chilton was fishing. He knew Baelish would recognize the technique, hard and fast as it was, but couldn't bring himself to care. This was a crucial distinction he was about to make.]

No.

[ The answer was short and terse, unappreciative of Chilton's almost accusatory approach. ]

And why the fixation on him in particular? This is the largest election to date. There are many other candidates. Sam stands a good chance. But he will not win. In the same way Lucy Pevensie took De Chima by a landslide -- Miles Vorkosigan will do the same. Nepotism will serve him well as the one with the largest group of individuals from his universe.

Ah, yes, Lucy. Given her abject rejection of your vision... Well, I thought you would be in the market for a fresh protege. Merlotte is certainly easier to influence.

[Or he would be, if Baelish were more feminine.]

I'm only thinking of you.

I highly doubt that to be your motivation, Doctor Chilton. I can think of two reasons for your investment. One far more insulting than the other. But let's not pretend this interest has anything to do with me.

[ There was a small upturn of his lips -- a brief and almost petty smile. ]

You are only thinking of you.

Oh, Petyr. [His hand went to his heart, as if there was an insult strung to sting him right in the chest.] What a thing to say!

[It wasn't much of a thing to say, not with Chilton; he barely found true smearing in the merit of self-preservation. What he addressed was much more Petyr's tone. That brief smile.]

However shall I cope?

By continuing to set fire to your bridges until you have nothing left but ash, I suppose.

[ Said with a careless shrug. ]

You do have quite the talent for it.

You are still angry. [He gave a hard look.] About our disagreement?

Are you really one to forgive and forget insult so easily? You, a man so similar to myself. You, who came to me asking whether a man you so thoroughly despise would be my protege? That insinuates you think the worst of me, even if it was not your intention.

You did not accept my apology previously. [Clearly Baelish was thinner in skin than Chilton assumed.] Well -- I suppose there isn't much else to say.

What game are you playing at? You are the one who approached me here. Right now. In this moment. With insult. We are not even speaking of our prior argument.

What game am I playing at? Well -- I suppose that is the question you will have to savor for the moment, isn't it?

[ Petyr glanced away from Chilton, the irritation fading and becoming a softened, weary disappointment. He could easily threaten to regain control of the situation, claim he would cut off his hospital's funds. But that would start things off on a bad foot right in the very first month. So it was easier to try to appeal to their rocky friendship. ]

What has become of us? This is not how our relationship should be. I suppose I have not yet lowered my guards after our last disagreement and am reacting defensively. But I cannot help but feel you are trying to push something. Is it that you want Merlotte to win and for me to try and control his actions or is it that you believe I am in support of the man, and therefore standing against what you believe in?

[ Blue eyes drifted to the psychiatrist after a moment, his gaze softening to seem almost apologetic. ]

You are my dear friend, in spite of everything. And it is Anastasya Griffin, who has my support, if that helps to put your mind at ease on this matter.

Am I?

[His glance drifted from Petyr Baelish, a frown on his lips. While he did not fully appreciate the sheer depth of Baelish's hatred for him, Chilton knew something was off. Much of that knowledge could be classified as the two men possessing distinct personalities, yes, but there was still... Something. Even the language Baelish was so warm to use reeled over in his mind again and again:

Acquaintance? Factually so. Business partners? Yes, with regards to the hospital. Friend? Chilton hoped to believe.

But dear friend?]

Well, I do hope she does well. I would much prefer her to Merlotte or Rathaway. Dear god. Imagine all the fresh regulations that Nonah would have to deal with.

[ Anastasya won't win. Baelish knew this. So he gave a soft laugh in response to Chilton's remark about the policies and nothing more. It was far more important to address the subtle doubt in Chilton's tone when he questioned their friendship status. ]

You are a dear friend.

[ He said with conviction, looking up to meet Chilton's gaze even as the man pried it away in search of the crowd. ]

No arguments or disagreements can take away the fact that you, as a person, do mean a great deal to me. [ His hand came up, resting gently upon the psychiatrist's shoulder. ] I admire you. And so rare is it that I admire anyone. I hold you in such high regard, and that is why it hurts when you assume the worst of me or as is the case here, remind me of my shortcomings. Lucy was, unfortunately for me, a bad investment on my part.

[Chilton glanced at the hand on his shoulder and then back at Littlefinger once he said that, his brow knitted.]

Oh, no. There is a miscommunication, see: I believe Merlotte will run a tight race, if not win Nonah altogether. For whatever my personal conflict with him, he is popular, people see him as a leader. I had simply assumed you moved on from Lucy and chose a fresh, more capable protege -- perhaps his success would be suitable to rub in her face all the more. A sweeter kind of revenge, would it not be? But -- [Another look at that hand on his shoulder.] My assumption was incorrect.

It was not an insult, but rather testament to your political skill.

[More than that assumption was incorrect; he couldn't know that Baelish had shortly ago stopped admiring him. He couldn't know that the man next to him had so sincerely hated him -- but Chilton knew that their conversations at late had been testy, and that pattern would mean something. Chilton knew that. But what he had underestimated was the depth and passion, things that Baelish submerged and hid so well.]

You must have a different game at play.

[A smile came with that pleasant suggestion, with Chilton still delivering the benefit of the doubt.]

[ Petyr Baelish, so skilled and adept at reading people had gotten something wrong. But perhaps more surprising for him was the fact that his mind had automatically assumed Chilton meant the worst -- that Chilton himself had turned against him. And that seemed to be so far off the mark. There was genuine surprise on his face, his hand lowering from Chilton's shoulder. And Petyr, no stranger to lowering himself before another party had no qualms about apologizing. ]

So often must I assume people mean insult, so often must I assume people mean to bring my shortcomings to light and mean them as a display of my incapability that I took your words and perverted their true meaning. For that, you have my sincerest apologies. Truly rare is it that I have anyone who does believe in what I can accomplish, given my status as a lesser lord back home. You've supported me all the while, and I fear all I've shown you is how flawed I can be as a friend. I fear I am so used to rejection that I've almost come to expect it, even in this new world.

Ah, well. [It was a direct confession, the sort that might catch Chilton unbalanced. He nodded, sagely, pondering over what Baelish had just uttered.] For what it is worth, I have found this world to be far more forgiving than even my own -- which does mirror this one similarly enough, and yet...

[Another grin flashed. Chilton felt so secure in this world -- perhaps too secure.]

But miscommunications happen. Think nothing of it.

You've had years to find your footing. I only hope that I will be lucky enough to find the same during my time here.

[ He canted his head toward the doctor with a smile. ]

I am glad for your understanding, my friend.

[Chilton surrendered his own smile, partially a subconscious mirroring of Baelish's projected demeanor.]

I owe that at least, don't I? As part of any friendship?

[Mostly rhetorical.]

Best of luck, I hope we both are satisfied with the election's outcome -- assuming Merlotte doesn't ban me from Nonah, I mean, it would be difficult to find severe disappointment. [A beat. To clarify:] Joking, of course.

I will see you around, I'm sure, Ambassador Baelish.

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THERE IS A CRACK IN EVERYTHING

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