- truth_or_dare - Discomfort - arkhams_dr -

[cranes_blood]

Elise Crane
Batman (OC)
827 words
Elise Crane turned the small peppermint over in her mouth with tongue. She held it between her teeth for a few moments, considering spitting it into the trashcan. However, it went fully back into her mouth. No reason to waste the thing.

Of course, Father was right. It was unacceptable. However, he didn't understand how

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[arkhams_dr]

"Would you like to know something about the Scarecrow?" His voice was a harsh whisper as he pressed his cheek to hers, then, abruptly, he pulled away. He walked backwards to his desk, never taking his eyes from her, and pulled out something odd, something made of burlap, something ragged with two jagged tears almost like eyes.

[cranes_blood]

Her hand flexed, and Elise had to stop herself from grabbing at him when he pulled away. She watched as he pulled the burlap from his desk, her head tilting slightly as she moved forward on the couch, closer to the edge, watching him and it intently. Something about the Scarecrow? How could she resist? Maybe it would explain a few things that she'd been thinking and dreaming about lately.

[arkhams_dr]

Stil watching her, he pulled on the mask. "Do you see, Elise? This is the Scarecrow." His eyes stared out, fixing his gaze on her through the crude mask. He'd done this before with Nadine, in the session that had taken the last of her sanity.

He reached up, pulling the burlap apart at the crown.Now, only his face was covered, and he stepped closer to her, arms spread wide. "This is the Scarecrow."

[cranes_blood]

She stared, mouth parted slightly, as the pieces fell into place. This was the Scarecrow that her mother had screamed about, had been so afraid of. Elise wondered if, even though she hadn't known this, this was the same Scarecrow she'd dreamed about.

"That's why she said I was the Scarecrow's daughter," Elise said quietly, more to herself than to him, still staring, finding it hard to catch her breath.

[arkhams_dr]

He came closer, close enough to touch, ripping away the bottom of the mask - only a hand's breadth of burlap remained, over his eyes and forehead. "This is the Scarecrow," he repeated, his voice still distant. He moved close to her again, his lips to her ear once more. "This is the Scarecrow."

[cranes_blood]

She knew she shouldn't do it. However, her hand raised and settled against the side of his face- palm on flesh, fingers on burlap. She let out a ragged breath as she struggled not to fidget. "This is the Scarecrow," she echoed. Then, quietly, "I should have known."

[arkhams_dr]

"Should you?" he whispered. "Do you understand, Elise? She did - almost." His fingertips mimicked her movements, trailing along the skin of her face.

[cranes_blood]

For a moment, Elise couldn't answer. She closed her eyes, taking in that touch, drawing in a thin breath. She found her voice after a moment. "It's-- like you said. It's inside. It's always inside."

[arkhams_dr]

"Yes, it's inside, and outside. It's the madness you can't escape. It's what you fear and what you crave. What is it you fear, Elise?"

[cranes_blood]

"Madness," she whispered. "True madness, losing my mind." She paused. "Being without you." Another pause, and she gave a quiet, short laugh. "I think I'm still a bit afraid of the Scarecrow." It was hard to think with him so close, touching her face. "I'm afraid I'll become her."

[arkhams_dr]

"And what is it you want?" he asked, ripping the last of the mask from his face. He waited for her answer, lips parted, eyes intent on her.

[cranes_blood]

She stared up at him, hesitating. This was a question she wasn't sure how to answer. What could she say? She couldn't tell him everything. She'd lose him for sure.

Slowly, she said, wary, "To be noticed. To not... not be thought of as a child." That would do. It was true. Just not entirely.

[arkhams_dr]

"Who wouldn't notice you?" Barely audible, he traced her features with both hands. "But no, not for just anyone to notice, not for just anyone to have. My creation, my triumph - not complete, of course. Not yet - and not for anyone else."

[cranes_blood]

She looked at him, taking a slow breath in as she tried to organize her thoughts. She had to make sense of all this. "I'll do whatever you want, Father. I will. I just--" she paused, trying to smile but not managing it. "I just need... to do things every so often." She paused, not sure how he would take this. "I don't mean to act out, I promise I don't, Father, but I want to try things before... before I decide they're useless." She shut her eyes, sure he would be furious. "I will fix it... whatever this is that's wrong with me. I'm sorry."

[arkhams_dr]

"What do you need to try, Elise?" The words were still whispered, but the tone had a dangerous edge. "Try with who? That boy? That man?"

His fingers pressed cruelly into her jaw, and his next words came even softer, his lips brushing hers. "No. You're mine or no-one's, Elise. Mine."

[cranes_blood]

"Try--" She cut off, trying to think. What did she want to try? "Just... spending time with others. Experience... things other girls my age do. I... don't even know." Her head was spinning.

She opened her mouth to say something else but was cut off by his actions and words. She didn't know how to respond, just staring at him.