The big scare! Here is Scarecrow's coming out party and he's got quite a plan ready but what will he do when his favorite coworker is also at the party and she steals a glimpse of the man behind the hood. Halloween gets a just a little more frightening in Gotham this year. This will be spread between 2-3 chapters
There is going to be ALOT OF DESCRIPTION with this chapter and I would love it if you guys let me know if I sound repetitive so I can avoid it with future chapters. Also, I would like to apologize if there are spelling errors throughout the story. I type all these on my phone and sometimes predictive text can be a bit of a bitch. So please bare with me :3
Enjoy!
The day before had lingered on Nirvana's mind through the night and on to the next day. She still wasn't exactly sure what happened but in her mind it must have been Joker planned to scare her. It was Halloween after all, and from the past two years she knew that patient became very antsy on Halloween. Which is why she had decided to take the holiday off that year. It was her first real vacation since she was hired and she intended to spend it sitting at home and not worrying about Arkham for once. She had a party to attend that night and wanted to spend her day shopping and prepping, spending some time to herself.
She had woken up early and left her high rise apartment that was centered next to the Wayne building in the middle of Gotham. She hadn't intended on staying in the Narrows when she returned to Gotham. She knew she deserved better than to rot and decay. Then again, she believed no one really deserved the life most lived in Gotham City. She walked down the streets and stopped into a few shops along the way. Browsing didn't take long before she settled on a dress, shoes, and bag for the night's events ahead of her. Settling for a small lunch before going back to her apartment, she stopped at a cafe, setting her bags down at a table in the back, she headed to the front counter and stood behind a man who looked a little worse for wear. She watched gently as he struggled to find his wallet in his tailored suit, his eyes looked tired as he dug through his pockets.
"I must of left it in the car," he mumbled quietly as he sighed and looked at the cashier, "I'll be right back," he stated with a sheepish smile. Nirvana placed a gentle hand on his back and looked at the cashier.
"I've got it," she stated with a bright smile at the woman who only nodded and waited for Nirvana to order, "I'll add a black iced two, light sweetner. Also, one of the turkey clubs as well. Thank you," she stated as she pulled out her debit card and slide it through the machine quickly so she didn't get a battle with the young man she was paying for.
"You don't have to, my wallet is just in the car," the man behind her protested, embarrassed by her display of kindness. Nirvana turned to the man and smiled gently. He was attractive young man, with dark blonde hair with almost a reddish hue to it and a very strong jaw.
"Its no problem. Just pay it forward," she stated patiently, seeing the barista come back with their drinks, the man took his and held it in his hands.
"I appreciate it. If you ever need a lawyer, just give me a call," he stated, reaching into his front pocket of his suit and pulling out a plan white business card. She took it and flipped it over to read the name on the back.
"Mr. Harvey Dent. Hopefully your defense is better than your memory," she stated, tapping the business card on her chin with a smirk on her lips.
"It is, I promise you that," he laughed and made his way out of the door, "Thanks again, ma'am." And he was gone. Nirvana smiled to herself before looking up to see her sandwich being handed to her and she grabbed it from the woman and took it back to her seat. She ate her lunch quietly, absentmindedly looking through her phone.
Preparations took time and Jonathan felt like he was rushing. Everything was ready, it was all where he needed it and all how he wanted it, carefully mixed and ready but he had a hard time believing it was all ready. Or maybe that he was ready. The oxidization process maybe wasn't ready. None of it could be ready. He removed his gas mask and ran a hand over his face before rubbing his eyes before looking at everything. Glass bottles filled with orange gas sat on his table while a black flask sat next to, filled with a dark orange liquid. Next to that were a few needles. And that was his arsenal. A few bottles, a flask, and a couple needles. He breathed through his nose deeply and released it in a large sigh. He was going to get arrested for sure. He should not even do this. He huffed quietly, crossing his thin arms over his chest and looked at his arsenal with blank blue eyes.
Long black tresses were tied back in an elegant bun to the back of Nirvana's head. A few loose strands framed her delicate face while she did her own make up. Her face looked gentle and soft, her face painted to have a gentle glow to it while her eyes had a very subtle smokey eye makeup, but her eyes seemed to radiate it's green hue because of the contrast between browns and pinks to her intense green eye color. Her cheeks were dusted in light blush and her lips were left bare. When she looked in the mirror, she gave a silent nod of accomplishment. She then went to put on her dress just as the sun began to set over Gotham and Hallows Eve descended upon the city.
Her dress wasn't subtle but she also thought it was very beautiful. It was long and white, a change of pace for the usually darkly clad woman. The dress had a long neck but had a large peek-a-boo hole in the back that started at her shoulders and went down to just above her hips. It was sleeveless, which exposed her tattoos, which were usually hidden under her work clothes. She had two very small symbols on her left wrist, a black lily and a small cursive "A" next to the flower. While on her left arm, she had a large black and grey tattoo of a raven sitting on a branch. Behind the raven was a moon and a spooky looking tree. She had gotten the tattoo when she had first left Gotham because she had a passion for Edgar Allen Poe. As she finished putting on her heels, she got a phone call from her ride. She had decided to call a town car just in case she decided to drink a little bit that night. She left her apartment, throwing her small white bag over her shoulder and headed for the parking garage.
Getting into the Manor had been obviously easy since Jonathan had been invited to the Halloween Gala. His superiors were hoping that with their head psychologist was there that it would be better to gain more money for the renovations of the Maximum Security level of the asylum. Dr. Crane hadn't dressed much differently than he usually did. He wore the same black suit that he wore to work and had a white dress suit underneath that but instead of his usual blue tie, he wore a silk black one. His hair was pushed out of his face. Many looked on him as they passed, but he was used to this. He knew his looks were strange. Dramatic. He kept his eyes on the ground as he waited to see the man that he wanted to meet, a rich hospital executive with ties into the asylum through family or something of the sort. He held his brief case in his hand, his hand wrapped so tightly around the handle that his knuckles were white with the tension. He had somehow already snuck in the liquid into the punch. He didn't even know how he did it, it was just a blur in his mind of him tipping the flask over the bowl while he pretended to get himself a glass. He left with an empty flask and left the full glass by the bowl. His other items rested in his briefcase, wrapped in bubble wrap so nothing broke prematurely. He waited for the man he was going to meet impatiently, his foot tapping as well as his fingers against the handle of the briefcase. He wanted nothing more than to just start, he was anxious to begin. But he knew he would have to cross his t's and dot his i's that night or he'd be caught easily. He only saw her because he had lifted his head to cracking his neck but his eyes quickly caught the familiar face of his coworker. He at first could not decide if it was her or if it was a trick of his mind. But when she turned her head and saw him as well, he caught those green eyes and immediately he began to panic. Internally he screamed obscenities and cursed her idiocy. How could she do this? Was she an idiot?! What sane person goes out in Gotham on Halloween Night?! But his face stayed blank as she left the side of someone rich whoever and made her way to Jonathan's side, a slight smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth as she pulled next to him, standing side by side and looking at the party together.
"I would have never thought I would see you at a Wayne party, Dr. Crane. You must be working," she stated with her own smile pulling on her lips. He looked down at her and gave a single nod of his head before looking at out at the crowd that was beginning to fill the main hall.
"You look very nice," he commented politely, keeping his eyes away from her as he said it however. He had learned his lesson long ago about talking to beautiful women. He wouldn't be played like that again, he wouldn't allow it.
"Thank you, Jonathan. Would you like some punch?" She asked as she motioned over to the table with sweets and a large bowl of dark red punch.
"Aren't I supposed to ask you that?" He teased before Nirvana rolled her eyes and snorted a retort of 'Fight the patriarchy' before Jonathan quickly added, "besides I saw somebody spike it with something and when I went over there it smelled disgusting," he explained, his heart beating fast in his chest as lied to her.
"Of course," she sighed with a roll of her eyes before looking around and seeing someone walk by, dressed as a waiter with a tray of champagne. She quickly grabbed two glasses from the tray and had one to Jonathan, who held it but made no move to take a drink. Nirvana sipped hers, taking a generous gulp of the sparkling drink before looking back at the crowd, "Who are you supposed to be coaxing tonight?"
"His name is Thomas Elliot. He was good friends with the Wayne family and became a head in Wayne's wing in the hospital. I knew him when he was young so I'm sure everything will go fine. I have a feeling he won't show though. He doesn't like the Waynes anymore, some childish fight," he explained with a wave of his hand.
"When did you meet him?"
"When he was thirteen he was admitted for beating a peer half to death. Stress broke his mind. I was interning at Arkham and I was able to convince his idiot doctor to sign to release him. I won't say that I didn't have my motives for working for his release..." Crane explained, taking a small sip of his champagne then.
"I'm guessing it was money," Nirvana stated, no judgement was in her voice as she stated this, but she had turned her head to look at Crane then.
"Yes. I was running out of money from my scholarship for classes too soon. She offered to pay for whatever years I had left to have her son come back home," he explained coolly, no emotion in his voice as he kept his eyes from her, looking straight ahead of him.
"And you were able to do it because you are good at playing the weak minded against their own thoughts," Nirvana finished for him, again, her voice remained level. Crane gave another single nod, but stayed silent this time. She turned her head so she looked in the same direction as him. "Its interesting when I get to learn more about you, I have such a small frame for you so when I get more to expand it, it's like I'm meeting you for the first time again."
It was Crane's turn to look at her, crystal eyes taking her in, "And what do you think you know about me, Nelson?" His voice was steady but Nirvana could sense an anger bubbling in him and she answered him calmly.
"Dr. Crane, you forget what I was trained to do. I had you almost figured when I first met you. Your walls are impressive, of course. But I know why you act the way you do, your past, in vague details, and I can predict how you will react to things. I spent a lot of money learning things, don't take my abilities lightly," she explained with ease though there was a firmness behind her voice. Taking another drink of her champagne she then turned her gaze to look him directly in his eyes, though there was a smirk on her lips once again. Crane kept his eyes upon her for a moment before he turning his head away from her again and this time it was his turn to take a large drink from his own glass. Nirvana took in the momentary thoughtful look on his face before it turned back to its blank empty face, unable to be read but Nirvana knew better.
"You want me to tell you what I know," she explained, turning her eyes away from him again but taking a small step forward. She pulled out a pack of cigarettes out of her purse and nodded towards a door to outside. Her face turned to catch his eyes, a cocked eyebrow and glint in her eyes. "I'll tell you everything."
Crane felt his grip on his briefcase tighten as a reminder of he wanted to do that night. His greatest experiment yet. But felt his feet move to follow Nirvana through the dance floor to the smoking area of the Gala. He did want to know. He had to know what she really knew. About him. About his mannerisms. Did she know something she shouldn't? And if she did, what could he do?
What would he do?
I know, I know, it was so long I'm sorry! Thank you to whoever made it to this point! I had a few easter eggs in this chapter, I hope you enjoyed them!
Next chapter, the Gala continues and Crane begins his plan! But not until he is told all about himself. Can he handle hearing the truth? And what will he do when he does hear it?
Find out in the next chapter!
