maskormenacelogs | now what? what? we're taking control

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now what? what? we're taking control

WHO: HARVEY DENT and LIL CRAWLEY
WHERE: House #2
WHEN: 1/22
WHAT: Two hot-tempered roommates come head to head.
WARNINGS: TBD.

[ Harvey wasn't intentionally hiding, nor trying to avoid notice; no, he merely saw little reason to leave the house or his room shortly after getting settled, preferring to sulk in the descending indecisive gloom that was a prolonged depressive phase. He spent his time sulking on his bed, arms crossed so that he could glare out the window at the birds outside or at his bedroom door where occasionally he could hear voices through.

He couldn't enjoy his freedom like this. And part of him barely knew what to do with it anyway.

Around midday on the 22nd he ventures out of his room, scowl firmly set on his face as he decides to venture his way downstairs to see what the house has in way of... well, anything. Part of him's hungry, but he's also curious what might be hidden around here that'd be of use. Books worth reading, maybe. Or knives in the kitchen.

Hands in his pockets, one wrapped tightly around his coin, he descends down the stairs. ]

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[ if lillian crawley was high strung, it was undoubtedly somehow frank castle's fault. their current rooming situation swung wildly from pleasing her in small ways to pissing her off in big ways -- which had, most likely, become something of a nuisance for their roommates, since lil was rarely the type of woman to be angry quietly.

still, it seems the house is enjoying some relative peace at the moment.

lil is preoccupied in the kitchen, making herself a sandwich at the counter. only the sound of footsteps distracts her, causing her to lean so that her line of vision could extend to the stairs. ah. the elusive roommate. ]

Was startin' t'think you'd died up there or somethin'.

[ Harvey lurks in the doorway, slouched with his arms dangling at his sides, hands freed from his pockets once he heard the sound of Lil's voice. It's a defensive measure, automatic; he has to stare for a moment before he realizes they're alone at the moment. She's talking to him and also blocking his way. ]

Company's better up there. [ His gaze remains fixed as he carefully skulks into the kitchen. ] The others are out? Just the two of us here?

Seems like it. Either that, or they're holed up in their damn rooms like you always are.

[ her answer is nonchalant enough, more habitually mocking than honestly mean. with harvey now in the kitchen, she turns her attention back to preparing her sandwich, tucking in a piece of cheese and lettuce before setting the second slice of bread on top. ]

Y'want somethin' t'eat? Better speak up before I start puttin' things away.

Whatever it takes to get some peace and quiet. I'm not picky.

[ He stops, standing in the middle of the room looking from her to the food in her hands. Back to her. His good eye narrows curiously as his coin rolls over to his thumb for flipping. It slaps back down on his hand and he looks at the upward-facing side.

Harvey turns on his heels, sitting down at the table and putting up his feet, shoes and all, on the chair opposite. ]

Sure. I could eat. What do you got over there? Just leave the cutting to me unless you got a ruler handy.

Turkey, cheddar, lettuce, an' tomatoes.

[ she lists off the ingredients she has spread out on the counter, not really waiting for any further permission before getting to work on a second sandwich. she puts everything together on a fresh plate before carrying both their sandwiches over to the table, setting his down in front of him.

nonchalantly, she nudges his feet off the opposite chair before sitting in it. ]

Look, hon, I dunno what your deal is, but I'm gonna be straight with you. I'm invulnerable an' at least a head taller than you, so unless you plan on tryin' t'drown me in the sink, I'd say gettin' along's a better bet. [ it's not unfriendly when she goes on mildly: ] Y'can call me Lil.

[ His feet slide off, hitting the floor with an even thud. He shoots her a look of irritation -- mild, though -- before he gets up, silently, to fetch a knife.

Still silently he sits back down, but he puts the knife's edge to his sandwich, tracing careful crisscrossing lines into the bread. He mutters: ]

Harvey.

[ Carefully he cuts into the bread, making sure both sandwich halves are entirely even. When he's done, his eye darts upward to look at her again. Matter-of-fact: ]

You think I'd kill you where I live? I don't got half a brain, sis. It'd make more sense just to knock you out and get out of here if I didn't want you bothering me.

[ she idly watches him as he goes through the precise ritual of neatly cutting his sandwich, taking a few bites of hers in the meantime. she's mid-chewing when he goes on in that matter-of-fact tone, but she only pauses a little to give him a bit of a look, arching a skeptical eyebrow at him before swallowing to answer: ]

How the hell am I suppose t'know? You're just the weird guy that stays in his room all day. I ain't sittin' around wonderin' how y'like to kill folks.

[ she seems a lot less perturbed by the idea than a person should be. maybe that's just how she is -- hard to ruffle over that kind of thing. or just confident in her ability to protect herself. still, her tone is more conversational than confrontational when she continues: ]

'Sides, I ain't gonna make y'any more sandwiches if y'try to knock me out. Break your damn nose, more like, an' that's the last thing you need.

[ He takes a bite from one half, chewing in silence, and then alternates to the other half. His good eye flicks down and up, though his bad one stares sightlessly forward at Lil. ]

If I wanted someone to make sandwiches for me I'd go to a restaurant. Isn't like we're married. [ He takes another bite and chews slowly. His left hand holds onto the knife still, but there's nothing threatening about his body language. ] Who else was here before? Few days ago. I heard voices.

I'm already somebody's wife. I was tryin' t'be friendly.

[ she answers pointedly, unintimidated by either the current company or the casual way he continues to hold on to a sharp object. instead, she just has a nother bite of her sandwich, taking her time in replying: ]

I had a friend over. But I got pissed at Frank an' left. Maybe Renee stayed a while after I went out. She's a cop an' a tough gal, so it ain't like Frank would've scared her off.

[ Harvey's just about ready to tune out whatever comes after I had a friend over and take another two bites from his sandwich(es), but then Lil says a magic word. The magic word. Renee.

His sandwich drops down onto his plate and he stares at Lil intently. ]

Renee? Renee Montoya? My Renee?

[ Both palms on the table, he leans over it as if he's going to grab Lil by the collar -- but he doesn't. ]

She's your friend and she was here and I didn't know?

[ lil's expression can best be described as somewhere between judgmental annoyance and skeptical confusion. her eyebrows pull together as he leans across the table, her lips pursing as she stares back at him, as if daring him to try and lay hands on her. ]

Am I supposed t'tell you when I invite a friend over? Weren't we just sayin' somethin' about me not bein' your wife?

[ but wait. ]

An' what the hell's that mean, your Renee?

[ He glowers in response, hands curling into fists against the surface of the table before he sits back heavily in his chair, the weight causing it to creak unsteadily for a moment. The snarl that perpetually overtakes the left side of his face has also spread to the right side now. ]

Renee Montoya. [ Like she hadn't heard him clearly. His expression (the right side) and the tone of his voice then soften. ] Never mind that. She...

How do you know her?

I told you, we're friends. I met her in a bar an' we kinda just hit it off. That's it.

[ her tone sounds more impatient than anything -- mostly because she still isn't really sure how this suddenly escalated or what renee's exactly relationship with her coin-flipping roommate is. ]

What's it to you?

That's it?

[ His tone is accusatory in a possibly obscure way -- he knows very well about what kind of company Renee keeps. Needless to say, he considers his skepticism warranted; he looks Lil over, judging her appearance. ]

I have a right to know who she fraternizes with. You don't know her like I do. She and I-- [ He pauses, frowning slightly. It hurts him to think about, her disgust with him. Her hatred. His feelings haven't changed but it's hard for them not to waver knowing Renee refuses to understand them. ] ... We're like soulmates.

Yeah, that's it. That's what I goddamn said, ain't it? What the hell else is it supposed t'be?

[ her attitude is starting to rise in her voice with her impatience as she sits back in her chair, frowning at him and crossing her legs in an irritably brisk, distracted change of posture. ]

What d'you even mean, "soulmates?" Y'like her boyfriend or somethin', 'cause she never mentioned you t'me before.

You got that right.

[ "Or something." He leans back in his chair, causing it to creak again under his bulk, and rubs his coin between two of his fingers in momentary quiet contemplation. ]

We've been... things have been on hold. Our relationship is our business -- we don't owe you any details. I sure don't.

[ lil squints at him from across the table, giving him the blatant weight of her judgment as she looks at him in this new context for the first time. she's trying to imagine it -- the two of them together -- and it makes for a strange, almost jarring mental image. she tilts her head to the left, then slowly back to the right, eyes narrowed and lips pursed.

finally: ]

No. I guess y'don't own me nothin'. [ a beat. then maybe, with a surprising hint of sympathy, as her expression softens slightly: ] Y'sound like y'care about her a lot anyway. Y'tried workin' things out yet? Bein' on hold's rough.

[ Harvey's singular gaze slides back up to meet hers, his good eye wide and alert, acknowledging. He looks down after another moment, staring at his hands.

Maybe Lil could help him here with Renee. He's not sure he remembers how long it's been since last the two of them spoke; Renee made it clear that she didn't want to see him after he killed Kate Kane, and locked away he'd not been in any position to convince her to change her mind. Things were different now. ]

She doesn't want anything to do with me. [ He looks at her again, slumped sulkily in his chair. ] Maybe if you talked to her.

[ that suggestion makes lil's eyebrows lift in surprise, then furrow skeptically. ]

What the hell d'you want me t'say exactly? If she don't want anythin' t'do with you -- [ she exhales, making an erasing gesture in the air with her hand. she's a stubborn woman herself, and she knows what it's like to crave someone's attention when they can hardly stand to look at you. but still, her loyalty lies with renee. she needs to understand this better. ] Did y'hurt her?

[ He looks offended by the insinuation, eye narrowing and the right side of his mouth drawing into a snarl that matches the left. ]

I wouldn't hurt her. I love her. All I've ever done was try to make things better for her. And us. Whatever it takes to protect that -- I'll hurt anyone that tries to get in the way.

[ Very romance wow. ]

Just tell her to give me another chance.

[ but it is romantic to lil -- maybe that's the sad part. it's probably because she's crazy. birds of a feather or something like that. her face certainly softens with sympathy. ]

Yeah, alright. I get it. [ she does. ] Y'want me t'say somethin' t'her, I will. But I ain't promisin' she's gonna listen t'me. Gal keeps this kinda thing close t'her chest.

[ That calms him down, just that: I get it. She does understand. He understands, too, that no miracles will be performed here. Renee may always be angry at him, but it doesn't mean she'll stay mad enough not to talk to him. Maybe in time she'll forgive him, even, and then--

He recognizes he's getting ahead of himself again. ]

I can't promise she's going to listen to you either. But sometimes when a person's mad they make themselves stop listening, 'gainst all better judgement. But they'll listen to their friends.

Maybe. I ain't a very good listener when I'm pissed off, personally.

[ but her anger's always been special -- especially crazy and aggressive, anyway. she doesn't imagine that renee deals with these kinds of things the same way that she does. but then again, renee rarely discusses her feelings. it's a though lil dwells on, something that conjures up a vague feeling of annoyance. ]

Y'gonna tell me what actually happened between you an' her, or am I jus' supposed t'be the mouth piece here?

[ Harvey sits back again, his weight making the chair thunk heavily on its back legs. ]

That doesn't matter. Complicated. I'm not askin' you to convince her to forgive me, just talk to me. I'll do the rest.

[ He goes quiet again, taking another two bites of his sandwich halves. Then he adds: ]

Don't let that Kate Kane woman interfere, she'll make it worse.

[ the look on lil's face is still skeptical -- she doesn't like not knowing the full story. but then again, she's the kind of woman that has trouble understanding (or caring, maybe) where people's boundaries are. she looks like she's thinking about pushing him to tell her, to force the truth by leveraging her friendship with renee --

but she doesn't. instead, after a beat or two, she lets it go. ]

What's your problem with Kate Kane?

My problem with Kate Kane is that she the reason Renee won't talk to me. She filled Renee's head with lies to turn her against me. Like she has the right!

[ The anger flares and suddenly, making him sit up and clench his fists tightly enough that the knuckles on his unscarred hand stand out starkly white. His teeth grind. ]

She'd only get in the way like she always does.

[ she knows kane kane -- not well, but enough that the name immediately conjures up an image of a pretty, pale redhead. the woman didn't seem particularly malicious -- but truthfully, she doesn't know what to believe. but harvey's anger seems genuine enough. she knows what it's like to have someone stand between you and the person you love.

maybe empathizing right now isn't a good idea. but no one ever accused lil of having good ideas. ]

Yeah, alright. I hear you. I said I'd talk t'her, didn't I? That means I'm gonna talk t'her.

I'm taking you at your word. If you can't keep it I'll know.

[ It's not really a threat, just an expectation that something might go awry in the process. Lil will change her mind. Or Kate will intervene. Or, most likely, Renee will simply shut out conversation. He settles down, leaning his elbows over the table and staring down at his plate. He looks at his sandwich, lifting one half but not taking a bite yet. ]

Anyway. Thanks for the sandwich. It's not so bad.

I ain't nothin' if I ain't stubborn. Y'can trust me or don't, but it's gonna happen, one way or another. Can't guarantee much more than that, but I'll do what I said I'm gonna do.

[ she says that with a kind of self-certainty, as if she already considers the task done. she's such a hardheaded woman, this one, and her emotions sway her into feeling a strange, vague sort of kinship with this man that makes her determined to follow through with her promise. she doesn't know how renee will respond. but she will talk to her.

at length, almost as a second thought: ]

You're welcome. You an' me, we can get along, alright?

[ "Get along." That phrase is somehow absurd to Harvey these days. He has no use for it; inevitably he drives everyone away, and he's used to that. Maybe even likes it that way. He has no use for friends as Two-Face.

He doesn't answer immediately. Gaze still fixed downward, he finishes his sandwich and wipes his hands off with a napkin before he looks at Lil to respond. ]

Stay on my good side and I don't see why not.

[ He smiles like he made a joke, then folds his hands in a gesture almost self-conscious. ]

You'll tell me what she says, right?

[ it's a dangerous thing to invite lil's friendship, even in small ways. it means giving her permission, consciously or otherwise, to push your personal boundaries. saying "no" would have been a safer bet, especially with two people as mercurial as they are. who knows how things will go from here. ]

Sure, I'll tell you. But y'can't get upset if it ain't what y'wanna hear.

[ she wags what's left of her sandwich at him as she says that. ]

What's that even mean anyway, stay on your good side? Y'gonna tell me how a gal gets on your bad side?

[ He'll get upset regardless; it's what he does. Mercurial, bipolar, perfect calm and perfect anger: Harvey is one extreme or he's the other. ]

No point getting into it. There's no right answer. Don't make me mad, it's simple. Don't bother me and my business unless I give you permission.

[ At least he's honest. ]

[ refusing to be intimidated, she takes a bite of her sandwich and enjoys it thoroughly before responding: ]

I'll tell y'what. You play nice with me, an' I'll play nice with you. 'Cause I'm lettin' y'know upfront, I ain't fun t'deal with when I'm pissed off.

[ that seems fair enough to her, anyway -- not that it's exactly agreement to these particular terms. she's a nosy woman by nature, though it's generally out of caring, and the brash nature of her personality is bound to make someone around here mad eventually.

a disaster of some kind is almost always unavoidable where lil crawley is involved. ]

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now what? what? we're taking control

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