- Birthday -

[cranes_blood]

A single squeeze of lemon and a half-spoon of sugar went into Jonathan Crane's tea along with a clear substance from a test tube. Elise Crane stirred the concoction carefully, leaving the spoon on his saucer so she could tell the difference between the two cups

Comments

[arkhams_dr]

"Thank you, Elise," he said, as he turned from his desk. "Are you very sure you don't want me to take you to dinner tonight?"

[cranes_blood]

"I had a late lunch," she replied quietly, sitting across from him with her own cup of tea. For now, she put it aside to let it cool a bit more. "Thank you, though."

[arkhams_dr]

Stirring the tea, he took a sip. "You brewed it a bit too long. It's a tad bitter."

"Next weekend, then, we'll go into the city?"

[cranes_blood]

"Is it? I'm sorry." She took a sip of her own, even though it was made perfectly, and nodded. "You're right, I did."

Elise smiled faintly. "That would be very nice."

[arkhams_dr]

"Very well. I had something I wished to give you anyhow." He handed her a small box, neatly wrapped. "It was your grandmother's."

[cranes_blood]

Elise took the box, carefully unwrapping it. "My grandmother's? Thank you very much." Once she had the box unwrapped, she opened it, touching the necklace inside with the tips of her fingers. "It's beautiful, Father. Thank you."

[arkhams_dr]

"It's been passed down for quite some time. It's yours by rights, of course, but I thought now would be an appropriate time to give it to you." He drank more of the tea, glancing down at his papers, then back to her. "I should get you something else, but I'd hoped to do that in the city."

[cranes_blood]

Elise picked up the necklace and took care in putting it on. "It's lovely, Father. Thank you," she said again, smiling. "You don't have to get me anything else. This is more than enough."

She watched him drink, taking another sip of her own tea. She had to remain calm, give him no reason to suspect anything.

[arkhams_dr]

"We could find a dress for you. In fact, Greta could arrange for you to debut at the Opera Gala, if you choose." He set down the empty cup.

[cranes_blood]

"I don't think anything that elaborate is necessary," Elise murmured, smiling faintly. She set down her tea when it was about half finished. "Though it might be nice to go out next weekend. We could take in a show and get dinner."

[arkhams_dr]

He nodded in agreement. "Very well. Choose whatever restaurant and show you want. I'll tell Dr. Cox I'm unavailable - unless you'd like her to come along."

[cranes_blood]

For a moment, Elise's expression showed her surprise and indignation. She realized, though, that he had probably suggested that just to provoke a reaction, to remind her that she still had plenty to learn. She managed a thin smile.

"I'm sure Dr. Cox would feel rather like an intruder on a family affair such as a private birthday celebration."

[arkhams_dr]

"That's quite possible. I wonder if she's picked up on any hostility you might be showing her." Crane leaned back in his chair. "You don't have a problem with her, do you, Elise?"

[cranes_blood]

"Slight hostility shouldn't come as a surprise. After all, a child of a previous marriage, especially when that marriage ended in the death of one spouse, can hardly be expected to immediately take to someone their parent is suddenly spending quite a bit of time with," Elise murmured, frowning.

[arkhams_dr]

"You're not telling me that you miss Nadine, are you, Elise?" He had the urge to laugh - an odd impluse, and odder still, he did.

[cranes_blood]

The laugh caught her attention. She didn't dare hope the formula was starting to take effect, but she watched him. Elise shrugged.

"Miss her? No." They both knew, even if it was never said, that her mother hadn't been a suicide or an accidental drowning. "But that doesn't mean I like what could potentially be a replacement."