etrayalogs | down pale corridors of routine

WHO: Crane and You
WHEN: June & July
WHERE: Arkham Asylum
WHAT: Investigating
WARNINGS: Psychological Abuse

[Hidden amongst the urban sprawl covering the harbour from one end to the other, visible only from the correct vantage point, stands the utilitarian and unadorned psychiatric hospital that is Arkham Asylum.

The interior is cold in atmosphere and appearance, with dim corridors and exposed bricks and stones, reflecting its stark and monolithic design. Public access is restricted to designated administrative and visitation areas. Outpatient wards are accessible to those willing to remove keys from reception. Access to patient rooms, staff offices and laboratories is restricted to those with proper clearance - or the equipment and skills to break inside. But they will discover any evidence of illegal dealings has been cleared from the site.

The old hydrotherapy room beneath the asylum has been repurposed by Jonathan Crane into a research laboratory. This restricted area is part of a labyrinthine basement that is extremely tough to navigate. The basement runs beneath the asylum and is connected to the water mains that run throughout Nova City.

Crane is working inside his office one day, categorising notes and organising them into folders. Come the afternoon, he is sorting chemicals inside a laboratory on one of the upper floors. Come the evening, he is descending a stairwell and heading into the basement.

His routine becomes persistent, repetitive, predictable. The pattern draws people deeper into the web that is his asylum. Let them come. Let them get tangled. It might make life here more interesting. Certainly such a dangerous life would be more fascinating than attending the beach or camp and making friends and singing songs around the fire.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Crane is crossing the landing at the top of a grand and gothic staircase, reading from a patient sheet, when he hears the opening of the front door. The heavy weight that tells him he is no longer alone. He looks up from his work at his latest visitor.]

Dr Langstrom. This is rather unexpected.

[Or not. Arkham has a habit of snaring people.]

[Kirk calmly looks back at Crane through his red sunglasses. His hands remain visible to show he doesn't intend to be hostile]

My apologies for startling you, Dr. Crane. I noticed this building and was curious about it.

[Gentle body language. A lack of hostiliy. But Crane remains curious and continues studying. He knows neither mean a lack of hostile intention. Because he has been on the receiving end and dealt it out in turn.

His notes are gently closed.]

Ah, this is Arkham. [A beat.] I thought I might as well keep myself busy by catching up on work while I'm stuck here.

It's a little surprising this would come to Etraya. I didn't recognize it as Arkham as it looks different from the one from my home.

[It looks bigger for one thing...]

Siblings look dissimilar yet originate from the same source. Unless identical, of course.

[He observes, sliding his flat file beneath his arm.]

True. This is just applied on a multiuniversal scale. How closely did the bots recreate this Arkham?

[Asked out of curiosity as the bots also bought in the Tower of Justice but unfortunately didn't bring along all of the security features]

It seem accurate. But I'm still exploring, of course.

[Crane could come downstairs. He doesn't. He feels more secure on high ground. But he knows that is an illusion.]

I suppose you're expecting a tour? I'm afraid I'm a little too busy to accomodate you right now...

It's fine. I was the one who dropped by unexpected.

[A well practiced activity frankly]

What are you working on?

[The question is asked in casual curiosity than of suspicion. There doesn't seem to be patients here?]

Ah, I'm just catching up on homework. Updating patient files, devising treatment plans. We have enough downtime between missions that I'm starting to grow restless.

[Fortunately, it is the truth. He does like the order and control he feels in assigning people into categories.]

I'm not a sentimental man but Gotham does have an effect on you...

It does, for better or for worse.

[Gotham was where Kirk got a fresh start and expanded his horizons more than his small rural hometown full of narrow-minded people ever could. But Gotham was also where he became a vampire and saw how deep the city's corruption is. It's a mixed blessing]

It leaves a long lasting impression.

Home always does.

[Crane stares at Kirk with an focused and attentive manner. Everything about his face lacks emotion. But there is notably a lack of malice and intent. So what provoked it?

Home.]

[Kirk sees how focused Crane is. They're talking about his work and home. It feels natural that would happen]

Missing it?

Greatly.

[Everything about that is true. He misses the order, longs for his old routine, those people underneath his thumb. That feeling of security.]

How would you feel? Being separated from your work?

[He offers gentle emphasis on that one word.]

[It's a surprisingly complicated question for Kirk. His work is usually largely tied to his access to blood. It wasn't very long ago that the Justice League decided they weren't going to kill anymore]

It depends if I can replace that time I use for work with something else. Otherwise, I suppose I would feel listless.

[Listless. Restless. Two sides of the same coin.]

That's to the detriment of your mind.

[He recognises a good mind when he sees it.]

I'm certain you understand why this place is important, then.

Some level of normal routine and a sense of productivity and control after a very sudden relocation. I understand the appeal.

[Kirk himself is still spending most of his time in his lab. It's almost a comfort for him at this point]

[He understands? Good. That makes this easier.]

Don't forget a sense of wonder. We do like to explore.

[Perhaps he can create something new here while his work occurs elsewhere. Keep his mind free of boredom.]

True. A population as unusual and diverse as Etraya's could lead to some enlightening knowledge and rare learning opportunities.

[The very nature of being in a multi-universal hub has to have some upsides]

[His mind is already theorising fear is a constant no matter the universe. His tongue momentarily wets his lips as his thoughts turn towards how it can be weaponised against those from other worlds.

Fascinating.]

And some critics. You know how it is when there's knowledge outside the norm.

A fear of the unknown is natural. How that fear is handled is what directs the conversation. Some ways are more productive than others.

[Sometimes, it's just a matter of transparency. Other times, maybe the fear was warranted...]

[Kirk speaks of productive like emotionally or mentally productive. Is he a bad man for connecting productive with receiving data? Cause that's what he wants.]

Correct. In any case, we cannot stand around talking forever. Is there something I can do for you?

[Man's gotta work but hey you came here to ~~spy~~ explore.]

Just a simple stop-by to sate curiosity. It continues to be unusual how much of Gotham is here.

[Honestly!]

down pale corridors of routine

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject