|
|
Post by nmartin on Mar 20, 2011 1:11:51 GMT -5
There were only a precious few things that really made Natalie express any enthusiasm at all. Her research, Dr. Crane's research, and coffee. Even though she'd just finished a large cup of it, she knew she'd need more to make it through her last class of the day, after her pharmacology course. It'd be her second cup for the day, but it wouldn't be her last. Another $4.00 down the drain. So worth it in her eyes, though.
Without saying anything to him as she made her way out, she wandered outside of the hall and made her way to the parking garage. She was parked on the second floor, which was where she happened to park that morning as well. Second floor of the garage. Out a set of double doors, and it was almost an immediate right turn, followed by a long straight away. Another curve in the hall, and she was out the door and into the garage as well. Her car was at the far end, but eventually she got there, packed up all of her stuff in the back set, and got herself seated and ready to leave the garage.
Just a few moments later she was parking her car near a meter. She got out, locked the door, put some change in, and wandered into the cafe. There was no sign on Dr. Nashton yet, and she highly doubted that he beat her there. Upon walking in the cafe, she saw that there were only a few customers there, which was good. It'd be quiet, but not too quiet. Standing at the counter, she ordered herself another drink; a regular cafe mocha that cost her $4.09 all together.
Finding a seat, she sat herself down and quietly sipped at her hot beverage, waiting for Dr. Nashton to arrive.
|
|
Deleted Member
Deleted
Registered On: May 20, 2024 5:44:33 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 0
|
Last Edit: Mar 21, 2011 0:14:53 GMT -5 by Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 16:10:26 GMT -5
When he slid into the passenger seat to his dark green 2007 SSC Aero, he felt very comfortable that Natalie was nowhere in sight. He probably should buy a dumpy used car at some point so he wouldn’t worried about the attention, but nice cars like these came in handy when dealing unexpectedly with the cops. He was very particular on use of cars. His van allowed him to store many of his products while his car allowed for speed. Buying a dumpy car for cover seemed almost wasteful. He turned to face Allen who appeared too big for the car.
“We done with the youngin’s?” he asked starting up the car.
The Riddler adjusted his seat belt as he frowned. “No, you need to take me to the coffee shop that we saw right before campus. Drop me off a block away. I don’t want you giving any clues away that could help her solve the riddle,” he stated almost bored.
Allen just grunted annoyed, probably reminding himself how much he gets paid to be chauffer. The car zipped through the campus and smoothly pulled up on the sidewalk. Edward unbuckled his seat belt. (You always wear your seatbelt only morons would risk their lives by not doing a simple task). He grabbed his cane and swung open the door. “Drive around until I call you,” he said before slamming the door shut. He adjusted his tie as he glanced back to see his car back into the traffic. He read over the license plate.
1497131
He smirked. He really was a genius even in the simple things. The numbers correlated to his last name, but no one looking for it would notice. He started walking to the coffee shop and soon appeared at the front door. The bell above the door sounded as he pushed it open. It only took him a moment to find Natalie with another cup of coffee. He could now certainly state the girl never slept. Even if she tried, the reminisce of caffeine in her system would keep her awake. He walked over to her and pulled out the chair before taking his seat. After leaning his cane against the table he finally looked at the girl who held the answers he needed of Dr. Crane. “So what may I ask couldn’t be spoken in a more public area?” he said with a glint of interest in his eyes and a confident smile on his face.
|
|
|
|
Post by nmartin on Mar 20, 2011 16:27:31 GMT -5
Where the Riddler cared about practical things like the ability of his car to perhaps outrun the police in particularly hasty situations, Natalie never figured she needed to worry about that sort of thing. Her car, a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire with a good deal of miles to it's name got here where she needed to be just fine with no problems to speak of. Aside from the fact that she had to manually turn the radio off when leaving the car, since the pin in the door that normally automatically performed the task had worn out. Such a little thing didn't bother her though, especially considering that she hardly ever listened to the radio.
Waiting patiently for Dr. Nashton to arrive, Natalie gathered a few things from inside of her purse; a scrap of paper and a pen, and began to jot down a few notes. Something that she'd been doing during her behavioral analysis class. Not on the lecture material, but on something she felt was more important that was on her mind. The closest animal shelters to both the university and her house. There were plenty of places in Gotham to adopt a family pet, but she didn't need a pet. She needed subjects. Adopting ten dogs at once would be downright impossible what with peoples' sensitivities to hoarding and abuse these days. If she was going to go through with her experiment, she'd need to get a few from different shelters, or have Dr. Crane adopt a few too, and reimburse him for the difference that they might cost. The research would benefit him too, after all. If she needed the favor done, she couldn't see why he'd object.
The notes weren't really taken out of necessity, but just for something to do while she waited. Seeing Dr. Nashton enter the cafe, she tucked the piece of paper back into her purse, and kept her eyes on him until he sat down. She didn't welcome him in, didn't offer to get him anything like she might've done with other, more pleasant company. Instead, she just kept herself aware of his presence. When he asked his question, Natalie tapped her nails on the sides of her coffee cup, and glanced downward.
"Dr. Crane's research .. he steps on a lot of toes." She started off, and furrowed her brows in irritation at the very thought of the morons who didn't understand his work. "People who can't appreciate his passion to his work say that he's crazy, things like that." She stopped herself there though for a moment, trying to think of a good way to avoid too many details, but give enough to liken the chances of the award going to Dr. Crane. "Like I said earlier, he's experimenting with particular emotional responses. Fear and panic, mostly. He's developed a way to test those reactions in rats and other small animals. 'Animal abuse,' some people would call it." At the term 'animal abuse, Natalie rolls her eyes, and shakes her head. "Lab rats. It's what they're for."
|
|
Deleted Member
Deleted
Registered On: May 20, 2024 5:44:33 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 0
|
Last Edit: Mar 20, 2011 19:46:31 GMT -5 by Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 19:44:39 GMT -5
He listened carefully to her explanation, taking note to her facial expressions. The way she paused made him come to the conclusion that she was leaving something out of the story, but even without the details Edward could determine the man’s methods were more extreme then the general public. The defensive looks and tone in her voice told him this girl was just as insane. Strange that insanity seemed to attract more insanity. However, it wasn’t enough to make a connection to the man dressing as a Scarecrow.
“Animal abuse? The results must be quite impressive to cause such a reaction,” he repeated his thoughts aloud to show he didn’t care about the animal abuse but rather the conclusions. He didn’t want the girl to run away in disgust accusing him of being one of those people. Not that Edward even cared for animals, they lacked less intelligent thoughts then humans did.
He decided he should tackle this puzzle from a different angle. He needed something else to compare.
The liquid drug.
“How do you implement the fear or pain response? Is it external or internal?” he asked hoping this would lead him in the direction he needed to go. If he used a liquid drug or gas, there would be too many similarities for Crane not to be his man. The next problem would be determining how to persuade the strange Doctor into helping him.
|
|
|
Last Edit: Mar 20, 2011 20:54:30 GMT -5 by 2741953
|
Post by 2741953 on Mar 20, 2011 20:53:36 GMT -5
It was impossible to deny the benefits that the capacity of shape-shifting had for detection purposes. Adopting the form of a young Caucasian college student, the Martian Manhunter blended seamlessly into the college population. Musled, tall, and and with a gleeful face, his present appearance could have been one of hundreds of students at the university, leaving him free to conduct his work here unharrassed.
As for the nature of that work, it was focused entirely on the actions of a single individual, or more specifically, the alleged activities of a single individual. Someone was casting a long a shadow along the lower dregs of Gotham, a shadow of fear that slowly was creeping higher and higher, a shadow that whispered it would consume the city. Should this Scarecrow have his way, Gotham would tear itself apart through fear, tearing out its own heart and shattering its own soul.
It was a fate far too close to that of Mars for the Manhunter to let it pass. He had met with informants; had scanned the minds of a few who had suffered under whatever made the fear, looking for threads, connections, patterns. Slowly, a picture began to emerge, a guide that pointed to this very university. And so he was here now, scanning with he telepathic powers the minds of anyone who might know about the source of this fear. Systematically, he had covered the grounds of the university, finding nothing which warranted further investigation.
His presence at the coffee shop was, in a way, a sort of interregnum, given his love for chocolate, but he still continued his work, listen to the hundreds of stray thoughts that passed through this place as he munched on a brownie. Unnecessary for nutrition, but wonderful for simple taste.
He was about halfway through his treat when his mind caught a thought- half a thought, perhaps- an innocent, merely strange thought in and of itself, but jarring in context with his present search. A thought that joined the words fear and toxin in ways not usual to common parlance, and yet was in the mind that thought them wholly natural.
He had something.
Mere moments elapsed before he located the thinker, senses both physical and mental primed to hear the remaining conversation.
(OOC: Tell me if I've messed something up. He'll listen for a little while and act if something warrants it.)
|
|
|
Last Edit: Mar 20, 2011 21:59:31 GMT -5 by 2741953
|
Post by nmartin on Mar 20, 2011 21:56:17 GMT -5
If one were to even insinuate that Natalie wasn't as sane as they come, it might offend her just a little bit. Of course she was sane. She was a psychiatry student, for crying out loud. The mind was her playing field. She understood what went on in every lobe, what every neurotransmitter was responsible for. And with that knowledge also came the knowledge of how to destroy certain things within the brain. How to make people angry, how to make them sad, and how to panic until they were within inches of their lives. The latter was what she had started to enjoy most.
"Of course they're impressive." Natalie practically interrupted Dr. Nashton; did he forget who was conducting the experiments? "Dr. Crane's research has no real flaws." She stated confidently, and she really did believe that. The only flaw she could honestly think of was that it was 'unethical' or 'inhumane' to conduct them in class. Didn't stop him all the time, but she couldn't blame him for not showing the entire class everything. He did have his career to consider, after all.
The second question resulted in her taking in a deep breath, and exhaling calmly, smirking just a bit. "It can be both." She said flatly. The gas was implemented externally, while the new liquid serum was injected; internally. "Of course to keep his research protected I can't divulge too much information about it, you'll understand. It's not my research."
As far as the other entity within the cafe, he didn't bother Natalie in the least. Although she did cast an eye his way and gave him a cold sort of look, as if warning him not to intrude on their conversation.
|
|
Deleted Member
Deleted
Registered On: May 20, 2024 5:44:33 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 0
|
Last Edit: Mar 20, 2011 22:48:53 GMT -5 by Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 22:44:32 GMT -5
He frowned in irritation. Her vagueness had gone from expected to just annoying. He needed to dig pass it, but she continued to dance along the surface similarly to how an ice skater glides across ice. The only thing he could be sure of was the high pedestal this child put her professor on. He would love when that fragile image of Crane was destroyed, but even if it was by her finally realizing he was the Scarecrow he was certain the girl would follow the man like Harley did the Joker. Why were women so pathetic?
His eyes narrowed. “Yes, I can understand having to mooch off other’s work does limit your ability to divulge it. I was just hoping to better compare Crane’s experiment with his fellow competitors. You see they have actually managed to create a liquid to directly effect the person’s brain, but I guess I couldn’t expect that from a” he paused in towards the end of his speech. He felt like he was being watched…very closely. It was a feeling he had come to trust especially with the amount of time he spent running from the law. He turned his head away from the girl and searched through the café.
There were four other people not including the two employees. One was a girl who was obviously a smoker. He noticed the fidget of her hand to her mouth that seemed recurring. Two were a couple obviously fighting over something. The last one was a man causally eating a brownie and appeared trapped in his own thoughts.
He wondered if that was the look he gave when he had one of his break through plans. He had to say he was suspicious of everyone, but nothing seemed too unusual. He was certain someone was watching. He glanced around the room in search of any cameras that were not security. He found none. He looked out the windows to see if anyone was in a car. No, nothing. His eyebrows furrowed together. This was quite a riddle. The feeling felt strangely familiar….like the GCPD had a wire tap somewhere….or…
No, he must be overreacting. He turned back to face Natalie. It didn’t matter if someone was watching. He wasn’t wearing his usual costume and there was nothing to hint to his true identity. Still…he would keep alert. He would not let an unsolved riddle be the end of him.
“I apologize. As I was saying, I don’t expect much from a man who couldn’t get pass the academic field,” he stated hoping the insult would force her to defend the man she worshipped.
|
|
|
|
Post by nmartin on Mar 20, 2011 23:21:52 GMT -5
Dr. Nashton's frown didn't phase her much either. She didn't particularly care for him from the beginning just because he was an outsider who took her from her class, but upon talking with him further, she could hardly stand sitting in the cafe with him. At least she had her coffee. Taking another sip of it, she grinned at the comment about her mooching off of Dr. Crane's work, and even chuckled quietly, setting her cup down.
"I am a student still, Dr. Nashton. I have to learn somehow." She replied calmly, although she was pondering what sort of reaction he would have to some of Dr. Crane's formulas. What was he afraid of? She thought it over while she had the chance, as he seemed distracted by the others in the cafe as well for a moment. Much more than she had been. Almost paranoid, in a way. She would've asked if he was alright had she cared at all about his well being, but instead she just let out a huff of breath and tapped her nails against the cup again.
The last comment of his did bug her, however. Just as he'd expected it to. He could insult her all he wanted. She didn't have much of a reputation to uphold yet. But Natalie did feel the need to at least minimally defend Dr. Crane. He had enough people talking bad about him plainly at the university, and that in itself was unwarranted. Her eyes narrowed, and she scoffed again. "You do realize that he's one of the top psychiatrists at Arkham Asylum, don't you? That and his theoretical work alone makes him much more valuable than someone like you. Have you come up with any new psychological theories lately? Or at all?" She didn't expect he did. Probably just some lowly office clerk that an otherwise respectable association sent out to do it's grunt work.
|
|
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
|
|
Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Mar 21, 2011 0:04:58 GMT -5
Crane casually walked out of his lab, securely locking it behind him. He was in a good mood. A damn good mood! Although the was tired, his fatigue didn’t outweigh the joy of sweet success. He had taken down who he suspected to be the infamous Catwoman, as well as Robin! Both fell to his fear inducing liquid, and provided no fight. Furthermore, his new liquid wouldn’t kill humans at a high dosage, and would eventually leave their system. He could not be happier!
He walked outside of Gotham University, grabbing a newspaper on his way. Clearly some people could suspect Crane, but honestly, no one would care to look into him with other maniacs running about the city.
A bus turned around the corner, right as Crane was a couple feet from the bus stop. The large hunk of metal stopped in front of him. The doors shot open, and immediately he boarded and sat at the nearest available seat. He spread the newspaper out, and scanned the articles. He was surprised to see that he didn’t make front page! instead there was an article about a man named “the Riddler” Formerly known as Edward Nigma, a man of genius intellect, and mischief to match. He’s made efforts to contact the Joker, and he even had Batman on his tail for triggering an economical crisis. Crane was almost insulted this man made front page instead of him. But no big deal. The front page offered a shot from a security camera. He wore a funny looking hat and always walked with a cane. There was a sub article covering a leg injury the man had occurred one day while running, and was forced to use the cane to move about.
It wasnt until the second page he found his article. It had in detail that he was the first one to completely immobilize Robin, as well as breaking into a high security luxury condominium complex. It was even said, had he not left citing “ an experiment” he could have beaten Batman as well. The article ended with the caption “Looks like the Dark Knight has a different type of fight on his hands now, and we all have something to fear..” He almost felt like a celebrity. Reduced the Boy Wonder to a cowering infant.
The bus stopped down the street from a cafe. Crane had remembered seeing Natalie carrying one of their cups before. Come to think about it, he hadn’t seen her all day. If memory served him correctly, which it usually did, she would be in class right now.
He stepped off the bus and walked down the street further. He started to walk in front of a cafe when he saw her talking to a man. Crane stopped and observed him. He seemed familiar. He was dressed nicely, completely with a... Cane....? Images of the article he literally just read flashed through his head. Could it be? No! He wasn’t sure until he saw a green car take a left turn in front of the cafe. He read the lisence plate.
1497151
He folded the paper over, and wrote out the alphabet. He began to number each letter.
“A, D, I, G, A, E, A”
He frowned and scratched the side of his head.. That made no sense at all! He decided to try something else “N, I, G, A, E, A”
It wasn’t completely there, but now for sure he got the hint. An obvious riddle in disguise. A weakness of Edward Nigma. He cant keep himself from anything, even the riddles he shouldn’t be asking! He had messed with the wrong genius mind. What would he want of Natalie? Maybe he was trying to get to Crane through her! He had to hurry before Natalie told him too much. He probably came up with a convincing story to turn her mind.
Crane folded the newspaper and through it to the side on the street. He walked into the cafe, pretending to not notice them. He shoved his hand into his pockets and pretended he was viewing the drink menu. Very casually he turned his head over to look at Natalie. He quickly approached the table
“Well if it isn’t my favorite student!” He patted her on the shoulder.
He turned to Nigma, had a slight smile and pointed a finger at him
“And you must be?...”
Before he had a chance to respond, Crane shot back in.
“Im professor Crane!”
He extended his hand out.
|
|
Deleted Member
Deleted
Registered On: May 20, 2024 5:44:33 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 0
|
Last Edit: Mar 21, 2011 0:58:37 GMT -5 by Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 0:44:23 GMT -5
Natalie’s outburst was a bit more extreme then he had expected. It was like watching a mother bear protect her cub from the evil hunter. It also unfortunately provided…nothing! To top it off, she insulted him. Him! He was the Riddler, and she suggested some ordinary Doctor held some higher standing then him! His hand turned into a fist for a mere moment before he quickly reached into his pocket for his pain reliever candy. She didn’t know who he was, he reminded himself. She was too intellectually slow to even realize who he was. There was no reason to take offense to her outlandish remarks.
He was so distracted by his fury he didn’t hear the bell announcing the entrance of a new customer. He unwrapped the lollipop as he forced a smile. “Dear, you highly underestimate my success, but as I told you before we are not hear to discuss me but…” he was interrupted by a man coming over in their direction. The man was tall and appeared rather lanky. He hadn’t been in the café before when he did his once over for any clues. Was this man the reason for his paranoid feeling? He glanced over his professional, but slightly old fashion suit. A professor…ah. What a coincidence…
He had only seen a small photo next to one of the published academic articles, but he could still easily deduce this was Doctor Crane. To think the almost impossible to contact Doctor would appear at a café the very time he was quizzing his TA about him. It almost seemed too perfect, yet the protective pat on the shoulder showed Edward there was a small bit of worry and this wasn’t planned. Why would he be worried?
Two Options: One, he truly was in love with this pathetic lowly girl and actually thought Edward was coming in on his territory. (This thought almost laughable to Edward) Two, he had something to hide and Natalie knew the secret.
What is it you have to hide, Crane? Is there a Scarecrow in your closet? He wondered thoughtfully as the man quickly introduced himself.
Edward plopped his sixth lollipop of the day in his mouth before getting his cane to stand up. He was a gentleman, after all, and had manners most of the human race chose to forget. He held grabbed the held out hand and gave a firm handshake. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. Crane. I’m Dr. Nashton. I was discussing something of Natalie’s future,” he stated glancing at the girl hoping that she would take it that they could not discuss the award in front of Dr. Crane. It wasn’t a lie per say. They were discussing Natalie’s future it just pertained more to Crane then to her, but she would still perceive it in the future. A lie cannot be a lie if you give the clues to the truth. “Would you like to join?” he asked pointing to their table. The girl wouldn’t give him any decent clues, but hopefully observing the man in person would confirm his suspicions. He only wished that annoying being watched feeling would go away.
|
|
|
|
Post by nmartin on Mar 21, 2011 1:19:35 GMT -5
Natalie wasn't very well known throughout the university. A few people knew here name and a few more people associated her with Professor Crane, but otherwise she kept a pretty low profile. Because of this, her personality was even less known. She'd never been one to have an aggressive personality, or even passive aggressive. Most of the time she just let stuff that bothered her slide, or it'd at least seem that way. For some reason though, Dr. Nashton just grated on her nerves. It was his arrogance, his ego, and his rudeness all combined that made her want to pour scalding hot coffee on that nice suit of his, ruining the suit and harming him in the process.
Keeping her eyes on Nashton, it was the bell that he failed to hear that caused her to look up, and sink back into her seat just a bit, as if Professor Crane wouldn't approve of her leaning forward to defend his research and character or something. Really, she hoped that he wouldn't notice her, but there were so few people in the cafe that ultimately, he most likely would. Again, she took a drink of the coffee, though this time it was a much needed swig instead of just a sip. She sat the cup down a little more firmly than she had previously, almost completely in time with when Dr. Crane gave her a pat on the shoulder.
"Good morning, Dr. Crane." She said quietly, and smiled as much as she could before glaring back at Dr. Nashton. Obviously, she couldn't mention anything about the award to Dr. Crane. That much she knew from the very nature of awards, but also due to Nashton's white lie.
Afterward, she went silent. She didn't have much more to say to Nashton since Crane could defend himself if he chose to attack the professor anymore with him being right there. Instead, she stifled a yawn and looked back at the wall behind her, glancing at the time. She still would've been in class now, and she was half tempted to excuse herself from the situation now that she wasn't really needed anymore. But, Nashton did move the conversation to her. A cue to stay, probably. Turning back to face the two of them, she looked from one to the other, and then back down at the table, quiet.
|
|
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
|
|
Post by Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow on Mar 21, 2011 1:34:07 GMT -5
Dr Nashton. An obvious alias of the Riddler. However, Crane would not call him out on it in a public place. For all he know, the riddler could have the place rigged with a bomb, an extermination squad waiting, or even a weapon on him. If anything happened to Natalie, he wouldn’t forgive himself. Dr. Nashton shook his hand firmly. He spoke the lie that Crane easily saw through. His cover was blown long ago. He decided it would be best to continue playing along, and waiting to expose him after he left.
“Dr. Nashton.. I actually read an article about you.. But I cant for the life of me get anymore specific.”
He gave off a ton, a vibe, that surely someone of the Riddlers quality would pick up on. He had to know at this point by Cranes body language, and facial expressions he knew something was up.
“But I was also reading something else on the way over here..”
He said quickly changing the tone of the conversation
“A freak who’s managed to do what I have not even came close to accomplishing.. He was able to create something to induce fear hallucinations. I even hear one of the victims is in a coma.”
He pulled out a seat in between Nashton and Natalie, and rudely rested his elbows on the table
“Its quite fascinating really. I had a theory of how it could be accomplished, but no success. This man had to have gotten something like this over seas. Maybe some research from the former Soviet Union?.. Perhaps the Japanese or Chinese managed to beat me on my research. None the less, I feel I have competition. I’d like to get my hands on a sample, maybe I could find a way to neutralize the toxins it left in that poor woman’s system.”
He made his efforts to try and make himself seem less of a suspect. Surely a genius like Edward Nigma would see straight through him. Crane could be convincing when he tried though. After his mini speech, he turned to Natalie.
“Discussing her future? This is a woman with a bright light at the end of her tunnel. She definitely has a job at Arkham after her degree is finalized . I will see to that.”
|
|
Deleted Member
Deleted
Registered On: May 20, 2024 5:44:33 GMT -5 ~
Posts: 0
|
Last Edit: Mar 21, 2011 2:15:46 GMT -5 by Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 2:13:54 GMT -5
Interesting…very interesting. Edward took in every shift of the man’s hand and every change of pitch in his voice as he communicated. The particular words he chose were clues in themselves. The Doctor knew Edward's true identity…or he thought he knew his true identity? Edward knew for sure that his alias of Doctor Nashton had been compromised. He knew for a fact there wasn’t an article written by any Nashton, so the chances of him reading one would be zero. Crane's confidence in his statement informed Edward though that he had indeed read an article on him. The puzzle pieces clicked in his mind with the thought. There was an article on him, front page article actually. Of course, some one as professional as Crane would read the paper religiously, and if he remembered correctly the article was accompanied by a photo. Edward had only glanced at it in annoyance because it went into his past once again. He doubted any Gotham citizen deserved to know the reasons behind his life, yet the paper printed them all and made their own false speculations on the reason he became the Riddler. It was quite degrading really. However, photo and article could give large clues to who he actually was even in his black suit.
But what puzzled Edward more was not the fact that he knew, but the fact he choose to stay and have a discussion with him. Any normal citizen when realizing this piece of news would scatter for their life. They would not play along with the façade and take a seat across from a supposed murderer. He smirked. Only another criminal would feel comfortable seating across from a criminal. To think only a short interaction with the man would confirm his answer. He almost thought the man was giving him these clues on purpose….as if challenging him. He had to respect the Doctor’s own intelligence, but it would never surpass his own.
Dr. Crane was Scarecrow.
His next rant only verified the conclusion. There was no reason to bring up the man dressed as a Scarecrow then purposefully distance yourself from…better yet brag about the Scarecrow’s accomplishments. He remembered himself doing something similar when the GCPD questioned him about the Riddler.
“The man appears to be a genius that unfortunately I can’t even compete. I'm delighted you would compare him to me though.”
Yes, it was the very same tactic he had used, so not only was the man Scarecrow but he had an arrogance to match his own. He almost laughed…oh who was kidding, he did laugh.
The only thing that caught him as odd was his protective nature of the girl. Crane actually did have some sort of feelings for her, even if they were only paternal. Strange…
Hmm. Well this situation had drastically changed in a matter of moments. He knew the man was Scarecrow, but how would he convince the Doctor to open up his work to him and more thoroughly give him part of his product?
“Oh don’t be modest, everyone remembers their first time,” he stated with a smirk, “and has all right to brag. It’s quite unfortunate Selina was caught in the cross fire though.” He completely ignored Crane’s comment about Natalie. He couldn’t bring himself to care about the dull quite irritating girl. He had found his man, and soon he would find Batman’s identity. He also mentally checked the gun in the waist band of his pants. This man was the Scarecrow meaning dangerous. He would not be caught unprepared, which reminded him that someone was still watching them. He would have to careful with the exact wording of his statements.
|
|
|
|
Post by nmartin on Mar 21, 2011 16:29:22 GMT -5
Whether or not she was in the company of two serious criminals, Natalie wasn't sure, nor would she have cared even if she was positive. At the moment her life wasn't in any danger, and there wasn't any real reason for her to be frightened anyway. Taking a better glance at Nashton, Natalie could notice the similarities between this so-called Dr. Nashton and the Riddler, a criminal that she never could quite 'get.' Such a strange thing to have an obsession with; riddles. Though she did understand the philosophy that everything in life was a riddle essentially. That didn't mean she agreed with it, though.
Leaving the talking to Dr. Nashton and Dr. Crane, Natalie kept to herself, but listened to what each one said. Particularly the professor. He started to talk about someone who'd managed to create something that created fear hallucinations, which immediately caught her strict attention. She knew for a fact that Dr. Crane had in fact created something of that sort, so why he wasn't taking the credit for it, but in fact playing like he was irritated that someone else did it made her give him an odd look. Then the words 'victim' and 'coma' sunk in, and she placed the pieces together as well. Natalie knew Dr. Crane's work too thoroughly for her own good, and there couldn't have been more than two people in Gotham City who were interested in weaponizing fear.
Rather than be horrified or even slightly off-put that her professor and mentor was among the ranks of masked criminals in the city, Natalie seemed.. apathetic. She didn't have much of a reaction to her own realization. In part that was due to the circumstances of where they were; in the company of another criminal and out in broad daylight where a few too many words could end up with him not teaching at the university anymore, and that was probably the last thing that she'd want to happen.
Crane's comment about her being intelligent and getting a job at Arkham only got a small grin out of her, all the sudden getting an overwhelming feeling of nervousness that she didn't really care for. To cope with it, she took another drink of the coffee, and kept her eyes on the table instead of either one of them. It wasn't as if she could say anything, really. Dr. Crane could defend himself and his research, she didn't have to add in her own opinions on anything. There was yet another nagging feeling that she should get her things and take the rest of the day off.. but that could be considered suspicious behavior on her part. Then again, she didn't want to just leave Dr. Crane with who she felt more and more to be the Riddler, either.
Instead, she didn't do anything. For once, she didn't thank Dr. Crane for his comment. She didn't say anything to Nashton, either. Instead she just thought the situation over a few times in her head, and wished the clock would reach 12:00pm so she could have an excuse to leave.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2741953 on Mar 21, 2011 19:01:57 GMT -5
The conversation was interesting, to say the least. Guarded, certainly. A discussion of the work of one Dr. Crane. It was too much to hope the two were discussing exactly the same topic the Manhunter himself had come to investigate; nevertheless, he continued listening. The conversation lasted only few minutes when who should arrive but the good doctor himself.
Suspicion washed over the martian. It was too big a coincidence that Dr. Crane should appear at the moment he himself was a major topic of conversation. No, what was happening here was far from normal, far from right. What this group was formed to discuss he was far from certain, but one thing was clear to him: it was far from right. It was time to act.
Rising, he swallowed the last bite of his brownie, and walked over to the cluster of three individuals.
“Dr. Crane!” he exclaimed, his voice the ordinary one of a young human male, not the reverberating warble that martian throats produced, “It's so good to see you here! I just wanted to say you last lecture on Jungian archetypes was the most enlightening thing I've heard in a long time.”
Not that J'onn had attended that lecture, but Crane had, and that was enough for the manhunter. His entrance into the situation, casual as it might appear, was far from random; it was instead a calculated move to interject himself at precisely the right moment to break up what was occurring, to shake up what was planned for this meeting, and to judge from their reactions what, exactly, was up.
Though there still existed the outside chance it was all innocent, every passing word increased J'onn's doubt of the fact. The proof was by no means entirely rigorous, but he was quite sure of one thing: whether or not one of these three was who he was looking for, all of them were up to no good.
And that is where heroes intervene.
|
|