No more pencils

[restingstitchface]

WHO: Callaghan and Crane.
WHERE: De Chima.
WHEN: Thursday 7th July.
WHAT: A personal conversation.
WARNINGS: None currently.

[Crane holds his breath and slowly releases it. It's been so long since he's visited someone to just talk.

And despite his contempt for people, a part of him relishes talking to them. To be assured of his own superiority more than anything, but still.

He looks at all the scientific tools on the shelves. He doesn't say anything. And as he considers doing that, he eyes all those books; smaller, intelligent academic periodicals, of course. He nods, and for half a second it seems like he's given his approval.

Something that hasn't been possible to offer till now?]

Comments

gonna have plenty o' teachers' dirty looks tho

[pushtheboundaries]

[it's a bad idea- at least, that's what he'd have told himself a month ago. now...well. now it's more of a risk as opposed to outright bad, and while he may have messed up an opportunity like that before...there's precautions. he's in his proverbial element; he knows everything on the shelves, past the periodicals and books and what looks like nothing so much as scrap metal. he knows what inventions he's kept, and what he could get together in moments if need be.

but he doesn't know Crane. he knows what he's portraying, he knows it could be a trick. but...he also knows there's always that chance. always that 'hope'.

so it's neutral enough, inviting him here. worst case scenario is - what? that it is the very same man? if that's the case then he knows, for certain, and can adapt to it. best case - it isn't. simple as that.

so he's quite pleasant when Crane steps in the workshop, makeshift as it is. a polite smile of greeting, a proffered hand to shake.] There you are. I hope it wasn't too hard to find?

[restingstitchface]

Not at all. I guide people into taking all kinds of unfamiliar directions in their lives; what sort of psychiatrist would I be if I couldn't take my own advice?

[He shakes Callaghan's hand; a flash of skin to skin contact before his mind starts questioning the firmness of his grip. He isn't a strong man and he's cautious of that. He's also wary of giving contact in general. Probably a socially awkward thing.]

[pushtheboundaries]

[it's a politely firm grip - aside from the fact that there's the briefest of squeezes. not that Callaghan needs to do that...but it's mostly to stabilize himself as he pulls without pulling

because it's always a bit disorientating when he does that
a sudden awareness of something new
that has its own inexplicable feeling and taste
in this case it almost reminds him of nails on chalkboard
or somehow a feather that's been coated in rust

and just for a moment, he rubs the tip of his tongue over his teeth as if trying to get rid of an unpleasant taste. his expression doesn't falter, and he lets go before the grip becomes long enough to be awkward.]

First time in a workshop, huh?

[there's a part of him that wonders if he needs more practice. but does he want to be able to take another's powers in stride?...at least this time, it's for a good reason.

pity he doesn't get any memories with them just by themselves. it'd answer his real question. and yet...he may already have one answered.]

The books are harmless, if you wanted a look, but it's probably better to avoid everything else. It's all secure, but...better safe than sorry.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane doesn't answer immediately; his eyes are darting back and forth over Robert's book collection. What little he'd seen of Robert's body language is a puzzle to solve, but for the moment he crosses his arms and holds himself back from taking some books down. Not that it was particularly difficult. Physics was not his preferred subject. He would rather have something about chemistry, and then weaponize it.]

Of course. We don't want you thinking I have something to hide.

[He glances back at Robert at that. He knows he is deceptively young-looking, and he is happy to abuse that fact. He gets the feeling of having another look closer, into Robert's mind. Except... he isn't firing on all cylinders. Strange. He retains his composure through the doubt and rage and doesn't let any of it out.]

[pushtheboundaries]

Of course not.

[there's probably some chemistry mixed in there; mostly the sort that can be utilized for mechanical applications. for now, Robert leans back against a desk, seemingly at perfect ease]

So. What do you make of it all, so far? I can only imagine you're a bit frustrated with everyone's reactions, and I have to admit I'm one of those a little dubious, but...

[look at him. willing to give you a chance. ]

[restingstitchface]

[That chemistry book doesn't pull him nearly as much as Robert expects; he hasn't indulged himself in those passions in a long time. He turns around properly, looking put together and blandly inoffensive. Demure. Couldn't hurt a fly because he lacks physical weight.]

Oh. I think everyone's reactions are understandable. I'm glad. It means they're sensible.

[pushtheboundaries]

[more's the pity. if only 'Scarecrow' was interested in the science for science's sake, and not for what he fobs off as an excuse.

he makes a wry sound in his throat, maybe a short-lived chuckle. that - 'taste' - still lingers, not foul so much as lingering, clinging, present and unable to be forgotten. not that they aren't all like this one, but this one...

it's oppressive, in a sense. and he knows - or is pretty sure, at least - that it isn't what the other one(s) feel, themselves, maybe it's just his mind trying to process it all, but he wonders what it'd do to him to hold on to these for too long. if anything. the longest he'd ever held any were Hiro's...]

It could take them years to trust you, you know.

[restingstitchface]

[He shrugs. Patience is one of the few things from his old life; what little of it remains. Why, he isn't sure, considering he's given up that life utterly in favor of this one. Though to his credit, he doesn't try running from the issue. He tilts his head at Robert's little sound. Then he speaks with the patience of a pacifist.]

I don't think that's any trouble. I treated hardened criminals who shall reveal no signs of improvement till it suits them. [The irony isn't lost on him.] That's the one thing I have more than anything.

[pushtheboundaries]

[it'd be calming and reassuring...if it wasn't giving Robert a sense of deja vu. he wants to believe this isn't a facade, he honestly does. but he remembers believing before, and where that got him. and while, yes, this could be true, could all be real...

he reaches him for another taste, something venomous even if it's spoken with calm clarity]

Other than things in common with those criminals. You really think they won't see you for the madman you are?

[crack the facade, see what's underneath - that's the only way to be sure.]

[restingstitchface]

[Crane starts looking at books again. Some people, when they begin feeling hot and bothered, divert their attention. He runs his fingers along a few spines, cracks his neck, then turns his head back. It's true, too, that some people store their rage to unleash it later. He is the mental image of calm and fortitude.]

People see what is easiest to accept. It's painful to see me for the man I am; so they call me mad. [Shrug.] I've heard it all before, professor.

i am the slowest tagger. it is me. /face in hands

[pushtheboundaries]

Enough to believe it yourself?

[Say a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. The saying comes to mind only after the question comes from his lips, and he presses them together in a deep frown.

If nothing else, where the words went- unfortunately confirms things. How...disappointing.]

boo hiss hdu

[restingstitchface]

That depends on you, doesn't it?

[Tell a lie to create the truth? That's exactly what he's doing, here. His hands clap behind him. His shoulders pin back in readyness for confrontation. He speaks in a calm, low tone.]

What do you want?

[pushtheboundaries]

[It is, isn't it. And while Crane steels himself, Callaghan watches him for a moment...then rolls his shoulders, as if stretching]

How would you say you know me?

[restingstitchface]

[There's an odd look behind Crane's eyes for a moment; the spark of something that's not quite pleasant. He inhales a little, then keeps unblinking eye contact.]

As a patient, to an extent.

[pushtheboundaries]

You went in to my head for how many months? [sorry, were you looking for anything but the tone of a teacher who knows the student is being difficult? 'cause you got it.]

[restingstitchface]

[It's more that he's right, you're wrong - and that the opposite is unthinkable. Because it would mean admitting he chose poorly.]

Several, I believe. Should I remember?

[Yes, he knows. Hiro being difficult has nothing on this asshole.]