( Social Call - a_carrion_crow, arkhams_dr )

[heaven_helps]

Helena had to admit that coming here was not kind to her nerves. She tensed as she mounted the old steps of the Crane house. It hadn't been easy to find, but she'd wanted to see the place. The house was certainly impressive, almost reminiscent of Wayne Manor

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[arkhams_dr]

Unfortunately for her, Dr. Crane was definitely at home. At the sound of the doorbell, he hissed in displeasure, knowing Joshua would certainly be too preoccupied to answer.
He opened the door, adjusting his glasses. "Hello?"

[heaven_helps]

Helena kept her first instinct in line. She was coming here as Helena Kyle, not as the Huntress. She managed a shaky smile.

"Hello, Dr. Crane. Is Joshua in?"

[arkhams_dr]

"I believe he is, yes." Crane scrutinized her with his cold gaze. "Is he expecting you, Miss...?"

[heaven_helps]

"Oh, I'm sorry. Helena Kyle." She offered her hand, letting out a nervous chuckle. "No, I don't think he's expecting me, but he's helped me with a couple of projects at the Lance Center. I was planning to go out for lunch, so I thought I'd invite him to come with me as a way to thank him for all he's done."

[arkhams_dr]

"Oh, yes." He looked at her hand before taking it. "You're that girl. He's upstairs at the moment."

He held her hand just a moment too long, staring into her eyes as he did so.

[heaven_helps]

Helena managed to keep her smile, but she let it falter slightly. As soon as he did let go, she pulled her hand away.

Any normal girl would be scared out of her mind to be alone with the Scarecrow, and that was what she needed people to believe she was-- a normal girl. "Sorry if I disturbed you, Dr. Crane. I wasn't sure if anyone would be home."

[arkhams_dr]

"It's all right. I blame my son. After all, he should have been expecting you if you called." Tilting his head, still examining her, he continued, "You did call, didn't you?"

[heaven_helps]

She shifted slightly. "Er... I didn't, actually. I was in my car when I got the idea, so I thought I'd just... drop by and see if he was up for it."

[arkhams_dr]

"Really." Crane let the word hang for an uncomfortable few moments, then stepped aside. "Well, come in. You may certainly see if he's willing to interrupt whatever it is he's up to."

[heaven_helps]

"Thank you, Dr. Crane," she replied, stepping into the house when he moved. She felt wired, every sense alert, but she tried not to show it. "You said he was upstairs...?"

[arkhams_dr]

"Yes." He led the way to a large staircase. "He's at the end of the hall, on the second floor. You'll have to pardon me - I'm in the middle of something I ought to attend to."

[heaven_helps]

"Oh, of course. Thank you, sir," she managed, watching him for a few moments before hurrying up the stairs. She let out a breath at the top of the staircase and followed the hall down. At finding the right door, she knocked.

"Joshua?" she said. If he didn't answer, she told herself, she'd just quietly leave. She didn't want to pull him away from anything.

[a_carrion_crow]

There wasn't an immediate answer, and then he called out "Hello?"

[heaven_helps]

"Sorry to drop by unannounced," she replied. "It's Helena. Your... your dad let me in."

[a_carrion_crow]

Joshua yanked the door open, after pulling a sweater on over his t-shirt, only adding to his disheveled appearance. "Oh - sorry about that. About him. You should have called."

[heaven_helps]

"Yeah, I should have," she admitted. "I was already in the car when I thought I'd drop by, see if you wanted to get lunch. But you're probably busy, which is why I should have called..."