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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 7, 2012 2:54:12 GMT -5
Heather has always hated this time of year. The middle of winter is a lot more tedious to live through than the beginning - the holidays are always fun, even if you're stuck in Gotham for them, and more importantly they give you something to look forward to. But unless you happen to have a significant other, right around February things get downright boring. Perhaps it would have been a little bit more pleasant this year than last year since she doesn't have school bogging her down, but with the FBI continuing to drag the mood of the city into a darker and darker place it really isn't. Sure, it gives her plenty of news stories to report on, but when it's bad news every evening it's enough to make a girl depressed.
Though fortunately, Heather's not the type to dwell too much on the worst parts of life, just as she's prone to overlook the good parts. Generally speaking, that makes her moods pretty stable on any given day. Overall she's lower than she's used to being, but even that isn't so bad. And it's bound to perk up at the first sign of spring or the first sign the FBI are leaving - either would do the trick.
Though in the meantime, she's been spicing up her life by getting out of her apartment whenever she can. Even during hours when the curfew isn't in force, your average Gotham citizen seems more inclined to stay home instead of venturing out only to face struggling businesses, long lines, and frustrated people. It's a hassle, but Heather recognizes that for her at least it's better on her mentality to do that instead of hanging out at her apartment watching TV or something. At least it gives her more to do during the day than figure out her next show.
However, today she doesn't get more than a few blocks away from her apartment when her day suddenly gets a bit more interesting than she'd like: as she approaches an intersection in her car, she finds that she's just barely not going to be able to make the light and has to stop quickly. And whether the person behind her expected her to run the light or was simply not paying close enough attention, just as she's bringing her car to a stop she feels someone bump into her from behind, though fortunately not very hard.
"Seriously?" she asks the sky once her mind catches up to what just happened, before twisting in her seat to see just who hit her. Her car is a cheap piece of crap, but it's still her car. And though she's not lacking in money at the moment, it's not like she wants to spend it fixing it.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 17, 2012 13:59:33 GMT -5
Dr. Jonathan Crane had already been running late today. The night before he had made plans to have a small shipment of his new serum moved to another location besides the docks. It would be his greatest accomplishment. 'It's not perfect yet....not yet' he said to himself scanning over his own features in the rear view mirror. Gotham traffic was always the worst and the Dr.'s head was certainly focused on something else.
He remained cautious at the moment looking everywhere except in front of him. Dr. Jonathan Crane continually checked his side view and rear view mirrors for police. He couldn't be too careful with what he had done this morning. It was the first time he had really over stepped the boundaries of the law since the FBI had clean swept Gotham.
Dr. Crane formed a cynical smirk on his face as he remembered stalking that poor business man to his car from his apartment. It only took one swing of the arm from behind to have him in a head lock and in went the needle. It wasn't long before the man fell to his knees and began screaming like a mad man. The Scarecrow had taken his keys which he had conveniently dropped in his panic and proceeded to steal the mans car. 'It should keep him occupied for a long while' He said to himself as he got into the car and sped away.
What a thrill it was to be back on top. Soon Gotham would fall at his knees. The Doctor placed his glasses back into position rightly on his nose. His mask lay beside him in the passengers seat. He had better put it away for now. Dr. Crane opened the glove compartment reaching over as far as he could. The mask was placed gently inside and the compartment closed with a click. Then it happened...
In the midst of putting the mask away he had hit the breaks too late at the upcoming intersection. He may have been following the person in front of him a bit too closely. 'It's a shame..' He thought to himself 'I'm sure it scratched the paint on this nice car'. The doctor didn't panic but merely stayed in his seat and waited. He was sure that the person he ran into would exit their vehicle eventually and ask to exchange information. He would have to be very cautious about his next moves. But he already had a plan, only running a little more late. Thankfully he had brought more than one syringe....
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 17, 2012 18:32:48 GMT -5
Heather groans inwardly at the vehicle behind her. She doesn't spare the driver more than a glance, but his gender, age, and vehicle mark him as being among that demographic that just doesn't 'get' her demographic. Probably the sort of person who thinks that she should dye her hair a 'normal' color and get a 'real' job - as if hosting a radio show doesn't count or something. Or maybe she's just thinking about her parents. She sighs to herself as she grabs her purse and gets out of the car, deciding to just get all this post-accident business over with as quickly as possible so that she can get on her way.
Fortunately, the red light at this intersection is a long one, so they should have a couple of minutes before they have to start worrying about traffic going past. She gives a half-hearted smile to the driver in the next car over to show the woman that she's okay. She doesn't pay much attention to the other driver as she walks back, stopping to inspect the damage to her rear bumper. It's not that bad on her end, actually - most of the damage seems to be confined to the bumper itself, so hopefully it won't be that expensive. Still, she grimaces slightly, thinking about the money. Hopefully this guy doesn't try to claim it was her fault and has good insurance.
It isn't until she's given the damage a good long look that she starts to pay more attention to what the man is doing.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 17, 2012 21:02:15 GMT -5
Dr. Crane's expression turned so suddenly as he saw the young woman exit her car. She was quite beautiful, so young. He wondered what made her skin crawl with fear. Snapping back into reality he looked to his left and right. They were on a busy street, and this was a problem. The Doctor was not without an escape plan however. If he was going to begin to do this right he would need to get off the main street. She was very short and very thin, it would only take a little of his serum for her to succumb to fear and silence her from even remembering the incident. He wondered however if he could do that without it.
While he had her attention yet still far enough for her to probably not recognize him he rolled down his window. His hand slipped out slowly and waved it for a moment. He offered a smile though he wasn't sure if she would see the gesture. Just to make sure he wanted to seem harmless. He was waving for her to make a right turn and follow him onto the less busy, opposing street. It was a perfectly normal suggestion, after all, they were on a busy street and blocking traffic at the light. Slowly he shifted the stolen car into reverse and then pulled around her and forward. Slyly he lifted his hand as he passed her again trying to signal her to the street next to them, covering part of his face as he passed, so he would hope. There was no telling whether she would recognize him or not but, he was no stranger to the Gotham news except of late.
Pulling around the car he drove slow down the street and stopped about half way down the block. The street was clear for the most part. All he could hope now was that she wouldn't call the police while she was pulling around, not that they had anything better to do than settle fender-bender disputes in Gotham City. While he had a moment he padded himself and made sure he had a syringe in his left coat pocket along with some surgical cord. 'It may come in handy' He thought to himself as he waited for her to pull around and meet him. Under a normal circumstance he would have simply sped off. Being in a stolen car however Dr. Crane was too smart for that. He knew that the moment he sped away she would call the GCP and it would be a chase he didn't want.
The Doctor was eerily calm for the current situation he was in. 'Who knows it may work out in your favor' He said to himself with a cynical smile to follow. His eyes fixated on the rear view mirror, would she follow him?
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 17, 2012 22:21:30 GMT -5
When she looks up, Heather sees the hand waving toward the other street. She nods, figuring that it's probably safer to go there where they won't have to worry about the traffic moving once the light changes. And it's not like either car isn't drivable or anything. She heads back to her car and gets in, suppressing the urge to curse under her breath. This certainly isn't want she wants to be having to deal with today. Of course, if she'd gotten a solid look at the guy who hit her she'd know that's the least of her worries.
She follows the man around the corner in her car, parking it behind his a few moments later. She grabs her purse again as she gets out, sighing to herself and muttering something about idiots that need to learn to drive so that she doesn't have to waste her time dealing with this crap. At least she hadn't planned on doing anything this afternoon before she goes to work so this isn't making her late to go somewhere.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 17, 2012 22:49:10 GMT -5
She had followed him. This overjoyed the doctor laughing a bit to himself as she pulled up closely behind him. She had gotten out of her car but did not walk up to his window. 'Smart girl..' He thought allowed. If she had he would have simply hit her as hard as he could with the car door. It would have made it easier for him to inject her with the serum if she was barreled over in pain or knocked out completely. He would have to get out of the car, perhaps his charm could get him through this one. Or perhaps pure intimidation if necessary.
Casually the tall, handsome Dr. Crane exited the stolen vehicle. He walked with a bit of a strut in his step almost as if he was enjoying every moment of this. Maybe he was. The Scarecrow had been at rest for so long he had almost forgotten the thrill of seeing fear in his victims. He walked to her placing himself in front of her while keeping a comfortable distance. One that a normal person would have with another. “I'm so sorry about this....I didn't scare you did I?” The Doctor said with a friendly, almost menacing if looked to far into, grin. How could he resist?
It would be the defining moment. She would either recognize him or not. He had a plan for both outcomes however. Would his first victim be in broad daylight? He couldn't wait to find out. She was fairly small compared to him, he didn't doubt his ability to overpower her if necessary. The damage was not very substantial to her car. If she did not recognize him he could probably buy her out with cash.
It had been a long time since he had last taken a life. It would be a last resort with this one. He would rather watch her suffer as she gave into her greatest fears.
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 17, 2012 23:26:47 GMT -5
Heather may not have been born in a big city, but since moving here years ago she developed a certain amount natural of street smarts. Especially since she's pretty much as defenseless as she looks. So though she doesn't recognize the fact that she waits for the man to exit his car rather than approaching his window as a form or self-protection, she does on some instinctive level recognize that it's a bit safer talking to a stranger if they're outside of their car rather than in their car and you're having to talk to them through the window - for several reasons actually.
And her instinct proves to be right when she finally gets a good look at the man as he walks toward her. She doesn't react immediately, because at first she's merely certain that she's seen that face before and she can't place it. It isn't until he asks her if he scared her with that grin on his face that she really recognizes him. And when she does, her eyes go wide and show an emotion that he's all too familiar with: fear.
Now, since she's instantly aware that she hasn't a prayer of fighting him off, she has about two different options at this point: she can either simply turn and run and hope that he doesn't chase her down, or she can attempt to get into her car and flee that way. Given how fast she can run, she immediately makes a break for her car, attempting to get into it before he can stop her.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 18, 2012 0:53:50 GMT -5
The endorphins of the Doctor's disturbed mind poured in as he watched the expression of fear come to her face. It had been such a long time since he had seen it last, especially at his hand. He remembered all of the patients rooms he had lined up one after another as he watched them through the windows, slowly lose their minds to fear. She had recognized him, of this he was quite positive now. He had a few options from this point but he would try the easiest first. It was inevitable that if he didn't kill her, she would eventually reach the police. How soon she could reach the police would make all of the deference for Dr. Crane. Why didn't he take off when he had the chance? Maybe because it was time to be feared again. He 'wanted' to be feared again.
“Let's not make this harder than it has to be...” was all he was able to say before she made a break for her vehicle. This much he expected staying on her heels as she ran to her car. He would count on the fact that she was too afraid to be thinking straight. Amazing what a little fear can do isn't it, Just the few simple steps it takes to get a car started become a chore. She was closer to her car than him making it believable that she would at least get the car door open. Dr. Crane made it to her side mirror before slamming his hand on the top of the rim to the door. He hoped it would be enough force to keep her from opening it.
It became clear to him that he didn't quite want to kill this perfect subject. Her reactions were far to beautiful to let it go to waste in blood. Besides, if she was dead who would be around to tell? Letting her off easily however was another matter. “I think we can settle this a different way... Are you sure you're not hurt? I am a doctor you know...” Dr. Crane attempted to reason with her.
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 18, 2012 1:33:39 GMT -5
Indeed, the fact that she recognizes him is undoubtedly in his favor. Heather's problem is that she knows a little bit too much about him. She knows exactly what he does to people - the state many of his victims get left in. And on top of that, she knows that even Batman doesn't win every encounter with the guy - and she's a normal person. No, actually she's a small and physically weak person - what chance does she have? She may have fended off the Ventriloquist a few weeks ago, but she'd had friends to help her at the time and it's not like he's very tough when he doesn't have Scarface with him. Running into Scarecrow by herself on a completely different level than that.
Though she moves as quickly as she can, her car door slams shuts even as she tries to open it, and with that possible escape thwarted, she finds herself backing away from him instead. She doesn't try to run - she knows just how pointless that would be. She was always the slowest kid in her class all throughout her school years, and she didn't get any faster since. Probably comes from being as short as she is.
Instead she reverts to trying to talk herself out of the situation as she continues to back away. Only problem is, she's already too scared out of her wits to come up with anything to say that she would actually have to think about, so instead she finds herself begging in almost a whimper, "Please, no! Please, no!" Though even as she says that, what little part of her mind that's still able to think rationally at this point is guessing that her reaction is only encouraging him.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 18, 2012 3:11:44 GMT -5
The grin on his face showed that the sanity in the man was unstable to say the least. Foiling her attempt at escape was only the bottom of the iceberg compared to what he had planned for this one. His palm stung with the force that he slammed the door with. Dr. Crane made a quick fist and released it to try and release the pins and needles feeling. Calmer now he took a step towards her for every step she took back.
A plan was forming in his mind that he wanted to use the timid creature before him. She had broken so easily and without a breath of toxin. He was ready for more, it was time for Gotham to know he was back and after all, she had made him late to his appointment. “I Don't think I have to remind you what happens to those that do not obey fear.” He growled out while flashing her a glimpse of the needle that was tucked neatly inside his suit.
“Your keys and your cell” The doctor demanded of her with a voice that dared to be talked back to. He reached out his arm and smiled at her expecting her to comply quickly. It would only be a matter of time before she reached the police, if she dared to at all at this point. That would be her choice, regardless Crane knew that word of this assault would most likely get around. Without the use of her car or her cell phone would certainly slow down the process, it was quite a run to the GCPD building.
Everything was going swimmingly and with no sign of The Batman. It would be the perfect opportunity to kidnap her. Something made him decide against it for now. Something about this one, he liked.
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 18, 2012 5:13:29 GMT -5
Normally Heather wouldn't be described as timid. She can actually have quite the bold personality at times. Though this time, she's been caught in a situation that's terrible and she can't see any way out of it, and she just can't cope with that realization very well. Either running or fighting would probably be useless, and she just can't seem to figure out a third option. Pity she's too caught up in the situation to realize the irony of just how many times she's griped on her radio show about Batman not being there or arriving too late for people - that would at least have given her something to be amused about in this situation.
Instead her mind is too busy trying to come up with something, anything that would get her out of this, but it's drawing a complete blank on that problem. His statement about obeying him is pointless, however - she's very much aware of that. It's why she's not screaming. The slow backing away is more of a reflex due to just how much she does not want to be anywhere within needle range of him and not a conscious attempt on her part to disobey. In fact, she's not actually quite aware that she's doing it.
When he flashes the needle, her eyes lock onto it instantly and the fearful expression on her face goes up a notch. Yep, that's definitely what she's afraid of! And when he asks for her keys and cell phone, she reaches to take them out of her small purse, but she finds herself unable to concentrate on removing those particular items, so after a moment of fumbling she just hands over her purse. At last she gets a stray hopeful thought that maybe that's enough to satisfy him? Maybe he just wants that and she can get out of this both physically and mentally intact? Okay, so it's a small hope, but it's better than nothing.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 18, 2012 18:32:18 GMT -5
After all this time his research could finally continue. This time there would be no one to stop him, of this her would make sure. All he would have to do is recruit a little muscle, recruit a bit of help, and of course find some 'willing' patients. He didn't need the office or the lab that he once did, this time he would do it on his own terms without the restrictions of his peers.
The Doctor chuckled as she fumbled with her purse and attempted to hand it to him. He grabbed it from her hand and threw it to the side. He would come back for it in a moment. Her purse was almost more than he needed. He would have easily been able to find out everything about her life from her phone if she owned one. Now he had her whole life in one container. He shook his head and lifted his hand as he continued to stride towards her. “I could kill you now and have you not become a problem later. Or I could tell you to turn around and run as fast as you can to wherever your little legs want to take you. To the police perhaps? I can only assume that you'd want to see me again after the stunt you pulled back at your car and who am I to deny you your greatest fears?” The Doctor paused and swallowed for a moment, they were quickly approaching the end of the street.
“Now you can turn around and run from me. Be sure to let everyone know what fear has done for you today. If you do, I am sure we will meet again. Are you sure you can live without it?” Dr. Crane said as he came to a halt no longer following the girl. It was clear that he was talking about himself embodying fear. Nothing pleased him more than to see her cower before fear itself. He watched her to see what she would do next. She was no match for him clearly. A perfect subject for the predator to prey upon today and in daylight no less. It would be his first in what he knew would be the beginning of a beautiful relationship with fear.
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 18, 2012 19:51:40 GMT -5
Heather's immediate fear shifts into a state of anxiety as the Scarecrow lists off his two options - anxiety is the exact same thing as fear, except that it's longer term. She definitely doesn't like either of the options that he lists - what about just letting her go and forgetting any of this ever happened so that she never has to see him again? Why can't that be an option?!
But then the last bit of what he says causes her eyebrows to furrow in confusion as she tries to understand what he's saying. Perhaps if she wasn't so terrified it would make more sense, but she's having a hard time keeping her thoughts straight at the moment. "D-do you not want me to say anything?" she manages to stutter out, and she slows to a stop herself once she's a more comfortable few yards away - not much of a margin of safety still, but enough to make her feel like he's not right in her face. But if that's what he means she's all too happy to not say anything if she doesn't have to meet him again.
Or really, she'd take pretty much any third option she could get. Though if the things he said before are her only two choices, she supposes that running now and having to meet him again is a better option than getting killed now. If only by a little bit. Though that it's only a little better is why she's willing to risk sticking around for just a moment longer to make sure she doesn't have any better options.
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Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow
"and at the end of fear...Oblivion"
Player: Jon ~
Registered On: Feb 15, 2012 20:39:14 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 941
~ Relationship Status: Won't Say I'm In Love
~ Partner: Fear
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Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Feb 18, 2012 21:19:24 GMT -5
Dr. Crane kept his composure as she was backing further away from him. He slipped his left hand into his suit pocket comfortably. He was showing her no sign of being the slightest bit worried about what she would do next, and he wasn't. In the end everything was going to work out in his favor. He had dealt with her type before, manipulated the emotions of many patients before her. This incident would certainly leave her with some form of high anxiety, even PTSD.
It would not be the end, of this he was certain. He had everything he needed in the little purse to find out exactly who she was. He laughed and shook his head the young girl obviously confused and disoriented on exactly what she wanted to do. He was fascinated that she actually stopped backing away from him. “Do whatever your fear drives you to do child..” He said with a cynical smile She could tell the police but they had nothing on him at the moment, nor did they know where he was hiding out. The doctor expected her to run at this point, unless she felt some need to stay..
This was only the first step with the inevitable as his rise to be the arbiter of fear continued. It was fortunate for him that most of Gotham was ignorant and sociably unbearable- at least to him. He could walk among most people without his mask and be generally unnoticed as long as he didn't draw attention to himself.'The only thing to fear..is fear itself' He thought to himself as his plans unfolded. The first thing he would need is a crew. Now to find some 'willing' followers.
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Post by Heather Glass - VerMillion on Feb 19, 2012 1:53:03 GMT -5
Well, that greatly simplifies her confused thoughts! Heather only hesitates for a moment longer before she suddenly turns and bolts, not looking back. And though she's hardly a fast runner, she can manage some stamina when she has enough adrenaline going through her system so she'll probably not stop or slow for a couple of blocks, and then only after she takes a long look behind her and verifies that she sees no sign that he's changed his mind and is coming after her.
She is somewhat surprised to see that the street that they'd turned off of is so close now, not really remembering having backed away so far, but she'll eventually point out to herself that he wouldn't likely chase her down such a well-traveled street in the middle of the day anyways. Not with the FBI around especially - just as she knows exactly what the Scarecrow does to people, she's got a much better understanding of what the FBI are doing with their criminals than most people and it isn't pretty.
Which is why she won't be going to the police with her story about what happened, she'll be telling the FBI. While like any citizen of Gotham she hates having them in the city, their current zero tolerance and heavy handed style is probably the better organization to be putting her trust in.
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