At which cats prick up their ears after midnight

[jonathancrane]

Jonathan like others in his situation of being dependent on chemicals were suffering. There was no market to buy it from both legally or criminal. Crane was now playing a waiting game, the impending fear he was going to rain down upon the hierarchy of the city had to be postponed. The only thing he could do was catch up on reading, It was always a constant fall back in his life.

Crane was lounging on one of the arm chairs in the book store. A lean long leg rested on the other just below his knee. He was slouched slightly, his elbow rested on his thigh propping his head up in his hand. A book in the other hand, Lovecraft. A variable collection of stories from a slow spiral into madness or other worldly hordes of strange and horrific creatures that defy description. It Seemed to brighten his day to think about just how many people were left in sheer terror from the literature.

There was no happy ending in these tales, For no one. Just how it should be, Crane turned the page with his thumb, an continued the Cats of Ulthar. He knew the story well. An unnamed narrator, while gazing upon his pet cat, begins to reminisce about a law in the town of Ulthar that forbids the killing of cats and relates the story of how this law came to be. The tale begins with the introduction of an old cotter and his wife who delight in trapping and violently killing any cats who venture onto their property. The people of the town are too afraid of the couple to speak against these acts, so they instead focus their efforts on keeping their felines from approaching the cotter's house. One night a caravan of travelers from a distant land arrives and passes through the village. They bring with them a child by the name of Menes who, having lost his family to a plague, has only a small, black kitten to keep him company. After being unable to find his kitten on the third day of his stay, Menes hears the stories of the old cotter and his wife and decides to take action.

Menes spends time meditating prior to unleashing a prayer that affects the shapes and movements of the clouds in the sky. The caravan leaves Ulthar that night, shortly before the townspeople notice that all of their cats have gone missing. The townspeople suspect both the old couple and the wanderers, but the innkeeper's son Atal witnesses the felines circling the property of the cotter. The next morning, the cats have returned to their owners well-fed, but the cotter and his wife have vanished. When the townspeople explore their abandoned house, they discovered nothing more than two skeletons that have been picked clean. The local burgesses, after reviewing the evidence and stories of the townspeople, decide to pass a law that forbids the killing of cats in Ulthar

A story of vengeance, by the most unethical of terms. One of his favorites.

[birdsofprey657]

The air was smelling raunchy, the crowds and riots were getting worst. Yet Cobblepot was untouched and loved by all, or so he thought. He took a stroll down the street, some old beggar wanted money, so cobblepot gave him a dollar. It was the least he could spare, though the man wouldn't be buying a house anytime soon. Ah he was glad that the air was bad, made him think of one person in particular; Scarecrow.

Crane wasn't around much anymore, like Freeze he too was under the radar. Crane was a scientist like most of the rogues who developed an obsession and paranoia with fear and exploiting it. Sherry walked with him as he walked across the street, "You don't need gas to make someone afraid of something.. All you need is leverage." Sherry was barely paying attention, but she faintly nodded, Cobblepot wasn't hurt but he did kick her leg, she almost fell on the sidewalk, had her instincts kicked in. "OW! W'at was that for B.oss?" Cobblepot laughed, " Just a test." She was an idiot, but a deadly one. She didn't attract attention, well maybe to the buff men, but nothing really.

Oswald spotted Crane just as he passed a corner, "Mhm.. Sitting at a chair reading a book, eh? A Hahahahahrahrahra.... Crane loved reading, maybe it was time to visit him and start making deals that he had no intention of honoring.. First catwoman, now Crane... Who knows maybe Freeze and riddler will show up. Oswald walked to the near side back door of the book store. Clicking a button on his umbrella, a small point jotted up and Oswald tried and tried until the door opened. He walked in with Sherry, unnoticed because of the grey clouds and low lighting.

He grabbed a book, not even noticing what it was and sat down ever so stealthily, Sherry talked to a man getting coffee. He barely peeked and saw the title of the book, then put up his own book. " Grimey book, though I know one darker than that.."

[jonathancrane]

Crane Looked up from his Lovecraftian lore at the slight ringing of the bell of the book store, A rather out of place man stepped in. His ice blue eyes narrowed into a piercing glare that would make any man second guess their current actions.

He was indeed in a fouled mood now. No matter for now he would Ignore the man that was responsible for the second most singular hell like conditions in his life, It followed close behind his child hood.

He lowered his glare back to the pages, Statement of Randolph Carter. The first of the Dream cycle works, Crane Smirked to himself at the thought of the last word of the work.

You fool, Warren Is dead. He could only think about the possible of the end of the line that Harley warren had took down with him into the depths of the catacombs. It took his mind off the present company.

[birdsofprey657]

"I always find that as effect as the silent treatment is... It doesn't help things" Cobblepot still had the book up to cover his face, he turned around and saw Sherry was still flirting with some person who was probably also dumb. Then again, She did have this persuasion factor. Oswald turned back around, " If you really want to read something disturbing, I recommend Sweeney Todd or Jack the Ripper. Those tales just bring the dry feeling of death and fear." He was going to make the man uncomfortable somehow, this was all a plan. Annoy someone so that they offer something of value to you.

Crane was probably going to pick up on these clues. Though it was fun to toy with him.

[jonathancrane]

Crane simply Ignored the man. Oswald clearly knew nothing about literature an was indeed making a fool of himself. Jack is non-fiction an Sweeney Todd is Satire. Neither are classified as horror.

He would stick to his reading from the father of modern horror. The other would leave eventually.

[birdsofprey657]

Oswald had briefly met Crane on more than one occasion. Four times in his hangman outfit, which was not scary as you may think. Though Crane did possess a genius intellect, one based on beliefs, values, and psychosis. Oh yes, the doctor was a Scientist specializing in phobias; one who got too involved in his work. Oswald chucked to himself, then mumbling, " He's just another brat villian, like the rest of them." Crane wasn't a threat at all. Though Oswald had use for him, and he had an offer.

[jonathancrane]

Aw how cute, play ground threats He thought inwardly smirking to himself. Crane Was immune to such drivel It really was just showing how much of a waste of his time this was to him even bothering to work with the man that played a hand in him becoming an indestructible monster.

He stood, his long legs easily carrying him back towards the book shelves that carried the horror novels. Passing the penguin with out even so much as a glance. Now If any one wasn't a threat it was this man, Throw some cash at him, a rare bird artifact an Bam. Insta- ally. He could be bought , That made his will weak. Easily broken by a man of superior intellect such as Crane. His spindly fingers easily re shelved the book in its proper place before talking another lovecraftian horror off the shelf. He shifted his weight to one leg as he idly flipped through the body of work.

[birdsofprey657]

Oswald put his book down, and took out his umbrella, pointing it at the window to the left of Crane and firing it, the glass shattered and people started running out of the book shop. Sherry sat down next to Penguin intently listening on the conversation. Then he clicked his umbrella again and a flame ignited from his umbrella. He touched the book and it caught on fire instantly, "I always liked books when they were on fire, something about the smell the scenery always enlightened me as a boy. Though I have read many."

He was going to annoy him and badger him, then make a deal. "I think we both have a problem in this FBI area. Though I now that I could help you somehow, somewhere along the lines if you were willing." He had already predicted that Crane would use the same reaction as the Riddler would use, roll his eyes not care, say something annoying which meant "I'm smarter than you fat boy you should leave before I yawn" Then he would shoot the man's foot to make him squirm.

[jonathancrane]

Crane didn't even jump as the round passed by him. He was a man that no longer possed the tools to experince fear himself. Ironic. He wasn't going to compromise his identity in a public place such as this. Not only that but he though the penguin was a man that would rather dirty some elses hands then his own. For once in his life Crane wasn't disapointed to be wrong about something. He now knew that this so called high class has stooped down to nothing more than a low life thug.

Jonathan turned on his heel an made his way for the door ever so calmly, without so much as paying the portly man that had just fired at him any mind.

The Scarecrow would never again deal with the likes of such a moronic figure. This was most certianly out of character for the penguin to fire upon him in broad day light. He never pegged the man to be so stupid.

Crane continued to take his leave, walking calmly down the pavement.

[birdsofprey657]

Of course Crane would go away, he thought he was better than everyone and that he had nothing to fear. Oswald followed Crane out the door walking side by side with Sherry closely followed. " Doesn't it getting tiring Crane to be thwarted and thwarted day and day out by the batman and the government. Everyone has a fear even you. Now of course I'm the stupid one, the fat, greedy, no good son of a bitch who is a thug." Play to Crane's turn and he'll talk, hopefully. "Seems that you just like to ignore everyone, because you no longer care. I'm sure Freeze would agree with you by now, but your just so pathetic. You just walk away trying to come up with some dumb excuse thinking like the riddler when we all know that you don't do anything good then bring some fear gas to everyone. WHOOP-DE DOO No one gives a shit about it because you have nothing."

Course his anger would only deepen eventually to the point where he would say something. Oswald continued walking noticing the police cars stopping by the shop. But they were already around the corner. "You know I'm not like you, I'm fat, I'm greedy, and most of all I'm lousy. Though one thing that you take for granted is psychology in general. You seem to think that you know everything and that your mind is immune. We've all had that kool-aid before, you'll grow out of it, or you'll become the next bub like the Riddler who is an arrogant prick."

[jonathancrane]

Jonathan Crane was a rock once he set his mind to something an that was the end of it. He would not be swayed. Even in the face of death, unable to fear such things gave him a hardened diamond edge over other humans. He would continue to ignore the man, who claimed to be the penguin. But acted nothing like him, Oswald was a manwho never degraded himself. Oddly enough he was doing it now. It showed that he was indeed desperate for Crane's attetion, but he would not give the man an ounce of it. Until something was shown that made intrest but even that would be over looked. Nothing penguin had could possibly have any intrest to Scarecrow.

Besides Crane had a respectable job as a college professor of psychologly. Batman may have twarted his plans but had never caught him. Which was more than the penguin could say. Unlike crane he was a convicted felon

Besides trying to anger Crane was not the brighest move for the wise or the wicked.

[birdsofprey657]

Then it hit Oswald with a clutter of rocks. Crane didn't have a plan for the FBI. Crane wasn't at all concerned about the FBI, nor was Crane probably thinking about it. "It's been quite a long time since you did something Jonathan. And I don't think it's age that is stopping you, I think you've lost the interest in doing something with fear against the government."

See Crane was a man who did things carefully and precisely, all this plots involved fear, or something else, as did Freeze's plots with ice. Riddler's involved riddles and Joker's and Penguin's were well unpredictable, though Penguin usually had his birds with him in any scheme. Though Crane was a proud man, so proud and arrogant that he had nothing to fear which makes him stubborn or lousy. Though he would squirm eventually, not now not in a few years though when the gov starts knocking he'll be locked up tightly. Oswald had made enemies with Rogues. The rogues he wanted to see imprisoned were: Riddler, Crane, Bane, and Strange. All of those people irritated him to a degree that if it weren't for his manners they would be dead or mortally injured.

"You know Johnathan, One way or another the FBI is going to arrest you, now I'm sure they'll have nightmares before they reach you but in all respect, you're running on loose rope. Someone is going to cut it and lock you away in a drawer while the Joker blows up half the city. Though I don't think it means anything to you to be apart of the Rogue Gallery."

The final thing that made Crane such a weak villian, was that he used fear gas, toxin darts, or whatever to spread fear. Everyone has fears, though some villians in particular use fear in a much different way. If Crane was like Freddy Krueger than maybe he'd get results, then again Crane would say "I am not a figment of your imagination, I am a professor at a collefe specializing in fear... Blah BLah Blah I'm better than you you fat incompetant idiot... Go to your birdies and fly away- type response. Of course Crane was an idiot with a degree, there are many villians like that: Riddler to be example who like Crane doesn't care for anything but himself and his "tools" Yada Yada Yadah You won't ever be as smart as me so don't even try- speech. That was the moment that Penguin would shoot his leg or hurt his neck with his judo speed fighting.

"Crane your 1 in what 15 dangerous villians, yet you haven't been involved. Maybe that's your plan but even the abstained get their hands dirty." Cobblepot stopped, letting him walk away. Sherry was behind him, "He seems like an ass boss" Sherry was dumb but her taste was very keen to her eyes and ears. "He's just a grouchy oaf who doesn't care about anything, He probably won't respond because he doesn't care. But he knows that message rings hollow in that simple brain of his.. It's only a matter of time of when he'll make his entrance." Cobblepot had Sherry call the car, and they got in speeding away to Cobblepot's home.

[jonathancrane]

Jonathan let a visible smirk cross his face when he heard the penguin leave. It was about damned time too. The man was only going no where fast. Unlike the other rouges Crane had been oh so careful to cover his trail. He was able to seperate himself from his costume. Total contorl over his mind allowed for such perfection, however he knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be caught, but it would be by the batman not the federal goverment.

Right now there was no profitable reason to risk his skin just becausethe goverment thought they knew what would work best for the city. An cobblepot trying to goad him in to attacking wasn't going to happen.

Though if he was no longer veiwed as a so called threat then this played to his strengths greatly. He was one for mental combat over physical, but only a fool would asume that he was incapable of using his lanky form to his advantage.

Penguin was just such a fool, Along with a few others. He continued to ponder such thoughts as he walked towards where his car was parked.