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

[pimp-my-legend.livejournal.com]

Are there books about my legend?

[iamachurch.livejournal.com]

[Orel stares for a moment before grinning, as always, because he is constantly happy.]

Wow.

[This is currently all he has to say. He's never seen a library this big, okay.]

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[this is unusual]

I should call Cobblepot and tell him his walking stick has walked away.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

[stealing an entire library! Who does he think he is, Carmen Sandiego???]

You've stolen a library. My only surprise is that it's taken you this long.

Tell me though, how have you managed to do that while you were meant to be keeping tabs on the asylum in my absence?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[rather pleased with himself]

You can borrow from it what you like, of course.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[happily]

Don't be afraid, Dr Arkham. It's part of the plan.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

[calmly and pleasantly]

How reassuring, Jonathan. Would you care to fill me in on what part of the plan involves stealing a library?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

My very favourite part, Jeremiah.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

Unsurprisingly.

I should have been more precise in my question, my apologies. How does stealing a library aid you in keeping an eye on my asylum?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Stealing a book would win me the Gotham PD. Stealing an entire library without a trace will earn me a Bat.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

You're not allowing that lunatic any say over my asylum!

[calmer]

What use is Batman in any of this?

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

You're very emotional, Jeremiah. I made a little something to induce complacency and reduce stress. It was to help with the first week of your absence, but Jervis's hats were even more useful than I had hoped. If you want, you can have some of the drug. It comes as a gas, injection, and pill. I've been working on developing a powdered form to disperse through food, but it has a very distinct taste as a solid and I didn't have the time.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[Where there are books, Reinette is sure to follow. She is perusing the shelves, looking for what might spark her interest]

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[Jonathan doesn't interrupt her, even if he's curious; one must never interrupt someone who is looking at books. It's simply not right]

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

I am perfectly fine, but I do thank you for your concern.

I still fail to see the use for Batman. Capture by the Gotham PD would still ensure your return to our asylum.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

And when the Bat came to visit me to ask where you've gone - my escape means he'd come looking for clues at the asylum, and he would find the hints of what I've done to cover up for you there - all of Arkham would hear it through the vents. Better a private discussion with Bat-Man to keep your secret safe.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

What exactly do you plan on telling him?

[iamachurch.livejournal.com]

I'll make sure to return them right after I'm done reading them, Professor.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[as if he didn't hear the question]

Some say that no one has quite mastered theatrics or disguise as the Bat has. I am, at times, inclined to agree.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Orel. None of these are irreplaceable, but I'd prefer not to lose them, regardless.

[measureslunacy.livejournal.com]

Professor.

[lamb_of_gold]

[Oooh. Not as big as the one in Sanctuary, but hey a library is a library.]

[iamachurch.livejournal.com]

[He nods.] I know what you mean, kind of. A lot of my books can be replaced, but they're all special for different reasons, and I couldn't just replace them.

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

[an approving nod]

No book is truly replaceable.

[some would say that about people]

[Crane would not]

[handfulofstraw.livejournal.com]

Doctor?