Bibliophilia (also, bibliokleptomania)

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[Dr Crane has returned to the Plane. This time, with a library.]

[a four-floor private library]

[stolen, of course]

As promised. I'm afraid I didn't have an opportunity to get to it until recently, but here it is to stay.

[This is now Jonathan's favourite heist ever]

[ooc: The library will not be given back to its rightful owner ever, because Scarecrow refuses. The library, like the bar and the kitchen, will replace removed items if these items are not returned. As with the bar and the kitchen, the book you get as a replacement very likely won't be the book you took away]

Comments

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Dr Arkham, I would here like to mention the Joker and Harley Quinn.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

Professor, I would here like to return to my previous statement, specifically the word healthy that preceded sense of humor.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Hate to disappoint you, Jerry, but it's not that healthy at all.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

Perhaps not, Jonathan. Even I can be mistaken from time to time.

But if I can, I would like to revisit something we discussed earlier. You previously mentioned something about mergers. I would like to get that taken care of as quickly as possible so this business of my asylum going unattended can be remedied. How does one begin this merging process?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell, it simply happens.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

There must be something we can do to actively speed along the process.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

All I know is that emotional bonds create it.

[turns a page]

I won't hold your hand.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

I am absolutely crushed.

Although, you do bring up a very interesting topic. You seem quite adverse to physical intimacy of any kind. This is quite unhealthy, to say the least.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

When in doubt, Dr Arkham, 'traumatic childhood.'

This isn't related to the subject of mergers and, accordingly, has nothing to do with you once again regaining control of your asylum.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

Therapy involves a certain amount of intimacy and emotional bonding, which is required for mergers. And you yourself brought up the subject of hand holding, which segued nicely onto this topic.

Can you tell me the last time you did have any sort of affectionate intimacy with another? Something as simple as hand holding or a hug. And before you attempt to answer this, I will say that anything in the name of science does not qualify as an answer.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Name the three things one must never discuss in polite company.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

I believe by now we are acquainted well enough that we have moved beyond the constraints of polite company, don't you Jonathan?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

No.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

No? How disappointing. I had come to believe after the third or fourth threat of death or fates worse we had grown to that point.

Still, the question had nothing to do with sexuality. A hand held, an embrace, the comfort of another human does not always need to be sexualized. Although by your statement you seem to somehow believe the very opposite. How very Freudian of you, Jonathan. I must admit some surprise.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

I don't follow Freud. He's outdated.

[he's trying to ignore Jeremiah as he reads, now]

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

I would have to agree. Yet you still somehow subscribe to his ideas on sexuality it seems. Again, I cannot overemphasize my surprise.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[Jonathan is just going to read now]

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

And returning once again to the solace of books when confronted with an inability you do not feel like addressing. This is very concerning Jonathan, I will not lie.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[not even listening; the years in the rec room have trained him well]

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

No matter. We will have plenty of time to discuss in the future I'm sure. In the meantime, enjoy your book and your new library. I'm sure you will be spending a good deal of time here in the future.

[and drops]

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[Crane's book snaps shut; he sets it down, goes to one of his hiding places on the Plane where he switches his suit for his Scarecrow clothing, and returns to Gotham]

[one epic adventure, a lot of explaining, and no small amount of violence later, Crane, somewhat bruised and still angry, walks into Jeremiah's office unguarded and unattended]

I saved your asylum. You can say 'thank you' now.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

[looks up from the file he was reading]

Jonathan, how unexpected. Have we grown tired of our library so soon?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

The Bat says 'hello,' by the way.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

[any "pleasantness" fades]

Tell me he is not in my asylum.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Can anyone ever really tell where the Bat-Man is until he's right there in front of you? He is the night, Dr Arkham.