Lilah Doute was quiet, more so than usual. She had all the reason to be, in a city like Gotham, the only fun you could have was if you had the skill and right connections to go on a crime spring without being arrested or if you had plenty of money that you could block out the crime. Hilariously, she actually had both. Looking up from the long meeting table, her soft blue eyes scanned the empty meeting room. Her house served as a meeting place for the Falcone's, that was, when they weren't sitting around in a nightclub to avoid detection. No, her house was used for the important meetings and thanks to her mother, she had no choice but to comply. Narrowing her eyes slightly she rose from the chair, pacing around the dimly lighted room, Carmine 'The Roman' Falcone married her mother, Elizabeth Doute after the death of his first wife, Louisa. As a result, Carmine or 'father' as he requested to be called, gave her and her younger brother this house to share, resulting in her becoming very familiar with numerous unsavoury people. Luckily enough, Mercious stayed clear of most things, he mostly kept to himself or a nightclub, leaving Lilah to take control of the responsibility that was thrust upon them. The house was a nightmare in itself, but that wasn't even the worst of it. As well as hosting a bunch of criminals and mobsters, Lilah had the pleasure of 'funding' and occasionally having Carmine's 'friends' stay with them in order to use the multiple laboratories and other interesting places in the basement that Lilah swore was large then the house itself.
Hearing a knock on the door, Lilah turned her gaze to the doorway, where, much to her own disdain Carmine Falcone stood, wearing his best suit, a cigar hanging out of his lips, behind him was a younger, tall man with dark hair, his pretty blue eyes were shielded by a pair of moon rimmed glasses.
"Lilah." He smiled, holding out his hands as if asking for a hug (She really hoped he wasn't). Returning a small smile, Lilah nodded a greeting,
"Carmine." Clearing his throat, Carmine Falcone gave her a small glare, one she had often seen before, "I mean... father..." She trailed off, letting her eyes fall to the red carpet underneath her feet. Clapping his hands together, Carmine stepped into the room,
"Lilah, Lilah, Lilah..." He began, the taller man following him with a smug expression, "I have someone I'd like you to meet." Clenching her jaw, Lilah stepped forward, this wasn't the first time Carmine had told her he 'had someone for her to meet'. After his own two daughters and son married off, Lilah was the last, excluding Mercious, who was mature enough and valuable enough to be married off to a rich family in order to establish more ties between the Falcone family and whatever family the tall guy came from. Glancing around the room, Lilah quickly located the closest and easiest escape routes, Carmine's weight gave her some advantage, as did her ten years of gymnastics, courtesy of her beloved mother, the tall man was a mystery, but he seemed arrogant enough to get past, "Well.. once again, I'm flattered." She began stepping closer towards the pair of them, her eyes locked onto the tall man, analysing him as she walked closer, he was nice to look at and would probably make a great little statue for Mercious to later destroy, but as for a husband, she would probably kill him in his sleep and then dump his pretty body in the lake somewhere outside of Gotham, "But... I really think maybe... we should do this another time... I mean, he looks lovely, no really he does... but I am quite busy." She smiled, looking around for some inspriation about what she could be busy with. After receiving a slight frown from both men, Carmine finally let out a loud laugh, causing Lilah to jump slightly,
"You are a funny one." He chuckled, attempting to make light of the mood, turning to the tall man, he smiled lightly, "Lilah, I would like you to meet a business partner of mine, Dr. Jonathan Crane, he works as a psychologist down at Arkham Asylum." Upon hearing the name, her heart sank, Dr. Jonathan Crane, everyone in Gotham new that name, he was renowed for his work, his honest work that was, not many new of his dishonest work, but there were plenty of false rumours around about practically everyone in the city, so she was almost certain that somewhere there were people who believed Dr. Crane was the definition of evil. Stepping forward, Dr. Crane held out his hand, the same arrogant look on his otherwise nice looking face, returning the courtesy, Lilah shook his hand, A strong handshake? No wonder Carmine agreed to do business with him.
"It's nice to meet you. I've heard quite a bit about you." He said, clearly no more then fake politeness. Raising her eyebrow, she nodded once,
"Yes, I'm sure." She smiled sarcastically, which, much to her surprise considering Falcone's usual company, he picked up on, returning a snide expression. "And what is the purpose of this introduction?" She asked, turning her attention to Carmine,
"Dr. Crane and I have begun business together. Classified business." He added. Lilah rolled her eyes, biting her tongue in restraint, "For research purposes and other purposes, he will be residing here."
"Does he not have a house?" Lilah asked, dumbfounded at the idea of a citizen of Gotham living with her, usually her 'guests' were from out of town or needed to hide from someone.
"Yes. I have a house." Dr. Crane muttered, pursing his lips and arches his eyebrow at her, "However, it has been agreed that seeing as how many of my experiments are conducted at Arkham Asylum, it would be much easier to be in an environment where disruptions aren't an issue." He said in a matter-of-factly tone of voice. Lilah grinned lightly,
"You haven't met my brother, Mercious then?" She asked, receiving a dirty look from Dr. Crane. So far, this wasn't going well for anyone and now that she thought about it, she new she was going to regret her decision of 'screwing everything up' as Carmine often put it.
"Lilah." Carmine's tone was demanding and a clear indicator that she should stop, "I would highly suggest that you make Dr. Crane comfortable while here and-"
"Under no circumstances disturb me while I conduct my research." Dr. Crane finished.
"How cute." Lilah smirked, "Finishing each other's sentences." Receiving yet another glare from both men, Lilah gave in, giving a small nod, "Alright, fine, you'll have your peace and whatever else pretty boys like you need." She added, tilting his head in frustration, Dr. Crane raised both his eyebrows,
"Have you finished?" He asked. Lilah's brow furrowed in contemplation,
"Hmmm... Yeah, I think that's it." After a brief moment of silence, in which Lilah and Dr. Crane locked eyes, each staring the other down, Carmine spoke,
"You have everything you need then. I do hope you inform our friend that I have been more than happy to provide you with what you need for the operation. Dr. Crane, remained still, his blue eyes still locked onto Lilah before shifting to Carmine, the corners of his lips curving upward in a small smile that looked to much like a smirk for Lilah's liking.
"Indeed..." Looking between them, Dr. Crane nodded, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make myself familiar with this... place." He finished, his eyes distastefully shifting around the room.
"Oh yeah, you do that. Try not to trip, I wouldn't like you to ruin that nice suit of yours." Lilah spat bitterly. The more she spoke to this man, the more she disliked him and who knew how long she would be forced to endure his clearly unpleasant company. Without another word, Dr. Crane shot her a smug smile before turning on his heel and disappearing from the room, leaving her and her stepfather alone.
"How dare you try an embarrass me in front of guests." Carmine growled in a low voice, pointing his finger accusingly at her. Taking a small breath, Lilah smiled,
"You brought him here. I don't care about the business you have with him. I know his reputation and quite frankly, it's pretty clear he knows it too." She argued, "I didn't sign up to be your babysitter, be grateful I haven't already shot him." Carmine raised his fist, causing Lilah to flinch before he slowly let it drop back down to his side, his expression was nothing short of pure rage, "You're lucky I married your mother or else-"
"Or else what?" After another short pause, Carmine gave out a small chuckle,
"You've got fire. I like that. You know I do, Li." He grinned as if nothing was wrong, "But look after Dr. Crane, this business with him is very important." After yet another pause, Lilah gave in, giving a reluctant nod, Carmine Falcone was terrifying, even to her, she would be stupid to cross him, or anyone else he had relations with, including Dr. Crane. "Very good." Carmine exclaimed, clapping her on the shoulder and removing the cigar from his mouth, holding it between two chubby fingers, "I shall return in a weeks time to check in." He said, taking a puff on the cigar and blowing the smoke out.
"I thoroughly look forward to that." Lilah smiled, she was thankful that Dr. Crane wasn't here seeing as how he was the first person she had come across who was able to pick up on her obvious sarcasm. Giving her another grin, Carmine gave his final goodbyes before following in Crane's footsteps and leaving her alone in her large, unwanted house with her unwanted guest.