Looking for Fear ((Scarecrow, 63))

[ragady]

Ragady stood before it now. The place where it was supposed to be. The walking Scarecrow, the creature she had heard of which was supposed to be a master of fear. She held in one hand the cowardly creature who had spotted the place, spotted this Scarecrow creature in the first place. She had been searching, listening to the rumors and whispers for weeks, and here she was at last. You would think she might hold some kind of sympathy for the homeless man shaking and fumbling by her side, she had grown up on the streets as well after all. But no, she felt nothing for the creature. If he were telling the truth about this, then she would offer him as a gift to this supposed god of fear. If he were not, then she would force feed him live maggots. She had heard the creatures could survive in stomach acid, it would be interesting to find out first hand.

"T-that's the place. T-that's where I saw 'im." the man stuttered, wringing his hands nervously. Ragady gave him a simple glance, he instinctively flinched, and she nodded, pushing him forward with her to the door. Keeping a tight grip on the man's collar, she'd knock. Why not knock, after all?
"You had certainly better be telling the truth. For your own sake." she muttered to the man, who was doing his best to keep his head down, as if he could somehow shrink away or become invisible.

Using the door, or knocking on the door, was an odd sensation for her, she much more used to finding ways to sneak into buildings. But, she didn't quite know what to expect from this fellow being of fear. Would it live up to its reputation? Or would it be a waste, something merely playing at the game of fear? Well, she would find out soon enough. She glanced down quickly, wondering if hiding her form would be a good idea, as she usually did. She pulled the tattered coat closed over the simple orange sun-dress, allowing her hair to cover her face, at least for the moment. Her bare feet still had the scares, the very bottom of her legs stitches, but most people didn't look at her feet. Now it was time at last, time to test out just how frightening this walking Scarecrow was supposed to be. She didn't dare get her hopes up, she remained with the careful and controlled calm, the blank and empty expression, giving away nothing. And that was precisely how she would stay.

((OOC: Didn't want to mod anything, so if you still want to take part, 63, feel free to post in tagging along or even just showing up, your choice. n_n ))

[cat]

Why, exactly, Ragady felt the need to seek out Scarecrow is simply beyond the cat. But then, many things that humans do are perplexing, especially Ragady. Why she felt the need to bring that man with her, for one. Surely it would have been simpler just to ask him what she wanted to know. But he's used to nobody explaining these things; usually they give up after several attempts and then don't bother trying in the future.

What he does understand is that Ragady is able to get him more and better food than he can get for himself, as well as find better places to sleep. And that's all that's required to keep him agreeing that whatever she chooses to do is a good idea. At least, that's all he needs to say that he agrees, though his tail is noticeably bristling as he crouches near the door but off to one side. He doesn't like to let Ragady go out of his sight unless he knows for certain when and where he'll be able to see her again. Not that he's not better able to track her down than any human, but it's still a lot of work. And he hates work.

His plan here is to observe where he's less likely to be noticed, though he's positioned himself near enough the door that he'll be able to dart through it and not be left outside if Ragady ends up going in. Beyond that, he has no idea what to be prepared for - and he doesn't like that one bit. Must they do something so potentially dangerous? Apparently, yes.

[jonathancrane]

Crane was lingering in his lab, he rolled his neck causing the bones to creak an pop from the long nights of just such exposure an fatigue.He stood before the chemicals brewing before him. It was only supposed to be a temporary spot, until he found a more secure location but he had learned to like the odd atmosphere that was created by the faulty electrical circuits or the overloads that caused the lights to go out at all times.

It was aggravating, but seemed to be worth the minute distractions that refreshed his mind between the moments.

The days seemed to be shorter compared to what he was used to doing during the fall seasons of teaching an a life of crime. Well others called it crime, He called it progress.

[ragady]

Ragady would turn to the cat.
"If things do not go well, which is a possibility, then I do apologize." she commented, ignoring the look the human gave her. She imagined the cat, however, could take care of itself. She'd tilt her head, and have the human give a good strong knock on the door, taking a step back so as not to be so close to it and dragging the human with her.
"I-I can go now, right?" Ragady dug the over-sized scissors into his spine to make her point.
"I have no use for a mouthy human." she reminded, and wondered if the walking scarecrow would really answer the door. A walking scarecrow, truly something interesting to see.

[cat]

At Ragady's words, the cat's ears flick back a little and he says nothing. Whether he actually says the words or not, it's clear that he thinks that this is a terrible idea, but not terrible enough for him to actually try to argue her out of it. If this doesn't go well then it will likely go worst for her, after all, and he'll be able to escape while nobody's looking. No, what he mostly stands to lose here are his free meals. But then, that's exactly the position that he was in when he first met Ragady, so that's not too big of a price to pay.

Still, it's an annoyance having that put on the line because of a whim of Ragady's and even worse is his own need to be here to see what happens. This all seems like so much work!

[jonathancrane]

Jonathan paused looking up from his work, had someone really knocked on the door?

He set down one of the containers an placed the lid next to it before he walked over to the adjacent dinged wall to retrieve his scythe.

Crane grasped the handle an spun it to hang the blade across the back of his neck. He could feel the cool razor steel blade against his flesh an felt not a pang of fear from the proximity of the razor blade.

But such was life to him.

Crane cut the lights to the hall off an continued towards the door. Opening it, "Can I help you?" He spoke from the Darkness in a equally rasping tone.

[ragady]

She couldn't see the form, but she appreciated the effort. Remain hidden, question the new creature approaching you, keep an atmosphere about you to keep them alert. She had done it, she did it, it was her usual response to something new. Just ask 63. Seeing this other creature implement such familiar tactics made her smile. Her own hair, for the most part acted to hide her face for the moment, no need to appear too gruesome at first sighting.

She spoke with a child-like lilt to her voice, an unsettling quality coming from an adult form such as hers.
"Hallo, Ich bin Ragady. I have heard of something, ein living Scarecrow wandering around, supposed to be quite frightening." her accent was slipping into her speech, but she ignored it for the moment. She tilted her head to the side with a sickening crack before saying the next, a single green eye peaking through the veil of hair.
"Have I come to the right place, as this human suggests?" the human by her side gave a desperate whimper at her mentioning him, and she quickly twisted the scissors against his flesh to shut him up.

Ragady was actually doing her best not to be too terribly frightening, it would not even be a stretch to say she was trying to be friendly. Unfortunately, those were two things she was not particularly good at. The lilt to her voice was her attempt to speak lightly, but even that was unsettling. The eye peaking through the hair held interest, but any interest she showed also gave away the pure sinister nature she carried. It was like when she smiled, no matter how much she might try to make it purely friendly, it seemed to only make people uncomfortable. Oh well.

[cat]

The darkness hides little from the eyes of a cat, and this one twists his neck to get a good view of the man in the doorway. Most cats would probably flee or retreat a bit at this point simply because of a simple fear of the unknown, but this cat has a much greater understanding of the situation than any normal cat.

The scythe, though a weapon, doesn't bother him much. Not only is he very fast, he's a small target. A small target who'll likely be ignored until he does something humans would mark as odd even for a cat - listening to people talk with a look of a little too much understanding is a common trait for his species. But then, worst case scenario, he's far enough away to be out of the Scarecrow's reach at the moment.

Actually what's far more disturbing to the cat about this situation is the scents coming through the doorway. Though every lab smells differently depending on the exact nature of the work being done there, it still has that familiar chemical tang that reminds him of the lab he was born in. He hates that lab, and by extension any other lab to a slightly lesser degree. And this one reeks of fear and death on top of that. It puts the cat even more on edge.

Though when Ragady speaks his attention twists back over to her. He's gotten used to her mannerisms, for the most part, but she's acting differently now and he wonders at that. He hasn't actually seen much of normal human interaction since he escaped from the lab, so he knows too little about what would be considered odd and what wouldn't. As far as he knows Ragady is simply a normal variation on humankind so he's not the least bit bothered by her, especially since he knows she wouldn't harm him.

The Scarecrow, on the other hand, is a different matter. The cat quickly turns his attention back to him in order to not miss any sudden moves.

[jonathancrane]

Jonathan Continued to stay in the shadows even though the voice was clearly to mislead people. He saw through most guises, Her hair was hiding something, He couldn't tell what but nor did he really care. He leaned his head back slightly, noticing the feline's movements, almost like the creature was listening. He knew the damage that a small creature could do all to well.

"what of it?" He Felt no need to revealed himself as being what she was looking for just yet, In fact he was a bit fixated on the fear in the human that was being tormented with a pair of scissors.

Crane pulled himself back to focus at the subject at hand as a whole not just the whimpered cries of fear. "What is this so called Living Scarecrow to you?"

[ragady]

The form remained hidden, guarded. She wasn't entirely surprised. It did not answer her question, which annoyed her a little, but she kept her voice pleasant all the same. She decided if he were going to give her such short guarded answers, she may as well do the same.
"I hear where the walking scarecrow goes, screams are sure to follow." she answered simply. Her head tilted to the side, allowing the hair to part just enough for him to glimpse a stitched and scared smile stretching from her lips.

"I had thought this human might make a nice gift, but if we've come for nothing I'll just have to take it home with me." this was obviously news to the man, who was now glancing desperately between the woman holding him captive and the open doorway as she spoke to him.
"I've been breeding maggots in one of the rats 63 killed, and heard they can live in stomachs. You'll help me find out, won't you? As my brother used to say, Für Wissenschaft!" She spoke as if they were going to go play a game, nothing dangerous or traumatizing going on, really! Of course, if the human resisted too much, she could always cut its throat and leave it to bleed out, but she would prefer not to make such a mess on someone else's door step. That would be downright rude of her, wouldn't it?

[cat]

Well, nobody is attacking anybody yet, so that's a good sign. The cat's become all too familiar with the people around this sector of Gotham, and knows that when they decide to come to blows it isn't pretty. And it isn't a good idea to be anywhere nearby. So careful introductions in their fashion is certainly nice. He'll sit out of them - for now, anyway. People can get a bit funny when they find out he can talk through his collar, which is well-hidden by his thick fur. It's certainly not something he just goes around doing for no reason. At least, not when he can help it. Then again, if Ragady, in her human-level wisdom, decides to reveal it for him then he's not about to protest.

No, he's too busy watching the Scarecrow, though his ears flick back in annoyance when Ragady mentions the rat. He's still not quite sure how she managed to talk him out of it - rats are hard and mean. At least, Gotham rats are. Mice are better, but beggars can't be choosers and he's very possessive about what's his. Then again, that might have been one of the times she found him some chicken... mmm...

[jonathancrane]

"rumors, take them else where, I have work to do. " Crane cared not to know that he had people curious about what he did. Nor was it their business to know that he indeed did it. Nor was he one to be bribed by damaged goods, or a god to be offered a sacrifice. It would be hypocritical of him to think such things anyways.

[ragady]

"Ah. So sorry to waste your time then." Ragady shrugged, but smiled cruelly at the human as she drew a bit of wire from her pocket, a wooden post on each end for her to hold.
"You lied to me." she wrapped it quickly around the man's neck before he could run and begun to drag him off.
"Well, have a pleasant evening then." she tossed the statement over her shoulder, heading off on her way. She knew there was at least something off with the human in the doorway, it was obvious in his lack of fear towards her, or towards the situation. His lack of sympathy for the human at her side now didn't help deter her suspicions. But, no matter. Besides, she imagined if this walking scarecrow creature did exist, she'd probably run into it in time.

She would turn to the cat when they were out of ear shot with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll give you an extra something tasty for being such a good sport about the rat." she smiled down at it. She almost would have said she had grown somewhat fond of the creature, if she didn't know any better. At least it wasn't a filthy human.

[cat]

Not wanting to make himself look too conspicuous to the guy in the doorway, the cat heads off in the opposite direction, only to double back once he's found some cover to slip behind. That puts him no more than a moment behind Ragady, and he easily catches up with her since she's slowed by the man. She may be disappointed by this outcome, but he's just glad that they're walking away unscathed - the odors from that doorway were enough to make his fur stand on end.

When Ragady talks to him, the cat's ears turn towards her but he doesn't reply immediately. A part of him is certain that no reward can make up for not only being good about the rat but about this entire venture. "I told you this was a stupid idea," he comments. Not completely accurate; though he asked her repeatedly if she was certain that she wanted to, he never once actually made any direct statements about his opinion of the plan. If he had and it worked out well then he'd look quite foolish, after all.