// I still have two drafts to complete, tornbutterflies and I think I have one for hunteralexaria. They are both detailed and difficult replies that will require a lot of attention so I can’t just spit them out easily.
Thank you guys for being so patient, I’ll try to complete those tomorrow. It is 2 o clock in the morning where I am and I have to be at work at 11am, so I am going to stop drafting and get some sleep. I’ll be around tomorrow evening.
Thank you so much everyone.
The god half-turned, baring shoulder blade to both his hall and the mortal simultaneously, while brown eyes checked that he should follow. Lost in the deep coffee brown lay the slightest glimmer of amusement, like a star near-engulfed in the depths of space, and the man’s timid honesty. Much to his better nature, Baldr could not help but think on the maiden’s who sought for his attentions.
But, then again, Loki had seen something of interest in this one, and that kept the god firmly on his toes. Anyone who should so come to Asgard in a dream state, or have enjoyed his brother’s somewhat… distinctive company, was not one so normal as Johnathan might have thought.
”You need not called me majesty,” Baldr mentioned as they fell into step together. The hall’s threshold flared as they passed, the silver walls of the corridor suddenly turned glaringly bright, as always they would if any other than himself entered. A gentle hand ran along the near-blinding surface, much like a child would with fingers touching a fence, as the Sooth-Sayer ignored the light completely. It brightened, briefly, as if welcoming him back, then gradually dimmed to die. A house of light for it’s god, and Baldr threw an apologetic look to Crane because of it.
”I may be a prince,” he continued as he gestured for the man to enter one of the rooms leading from the white-carpeted hallway, into an equally silver-walled living room.
White bear hide lay scattered about the floors, covering up the marble beneath, a the crystal glass table holding only an empty goblet and a complete chess piece, minus a black knight that had fallen to the board, were the sparse furniture. About the hearth, a mantlepiece of oak from which silver leaves seemed to fall, frozen in time, to create the gaping maw where the fire crackled and roared, three armchairs, plush white, formed a semi-circle about the fireplace. Sitting himself down and relaxing, crossing a leg over the other in a sign of comfort, Baldr chose to keep his back to the far end of the room where no wall lay. Instead, it led straight to the forest, open to the elements, where only a foundation made to look like a prancing stag was the only unnatural thing amid the trees.
Baldr, of course, barely blinked an eye at most of it, the hall having been his home many a time.
”But I hold no claim to the throne, not in this lifetime.” He carried on speaking, watching Johnathan’s reaction to his simple hall, with so little grandeur compared to the Asgardian palace itself. ”I am only truly a royal in blood so, please, do not worry about titles here.”
Jonathan followed the Soothsayer eagerly, the kindness of the god-prince and the promise of a warm fire both had raised his spirits. He walked calmly next to him, though a couple of steps behind at times to make sure he knew where they were going.
“All right. My apologies for not having better knowledge of your land and customs. How would you prefer to be addressed by me?” he asked honestly, looking at the other man.
He was soon distracted by the splendor and brightness of the hall or home they had entered. He instinctively raised his arm and hand up to shield his eyes from the light at first, and even so, his eyes watered. It was holy and pure light the likes of which he had never seen anywhere else.
The surroundings inside were so lavish and beautiful, his eyes flickered about behind his eyeglasses as he tried to absorb every detail and every gorgeous thing inside of the hall so that he might always remember it. It was truly a sight beyond any realm of verbal description afforded to him.
He nodded as the prince spoke, and once they reached the fire, he was relieved in a way that he had never been. When Baldr sat down, he also took a seat, in the chair to the left of the deity, as carefully as he could. He exhaled pleasantly at how comfortable the chair was, and he smiled.
“This is very lovely. Everything here is so beautiful. Thank you for inviting me to share the fire with you. I am truly at a point where I am lost for words.” he said hesitantly, turning a little to regard the god better.
“Suppose you make a fair point, genius after all. And there aren’t exactly that many people that can go toe to toe with me.” He flashed Crane a small grin. “Though, people do tend to forget actually, unless they’re in the field. My reputation involves mainly weapons manufacturing and Iron Man now.”
He made his move, smile still playing on his lips. He forgot how much he enjoyed the game. Even in the cave, and in god awful conditions, it was enjoyable. Not to mention it brought back memories of MIT he held on to during the more terrible nights of his captivity.
“Your coffee’s surprisingly good.” He commented as he glanced over at the now practically empty cup. He was surprised really, having been dubbed a terrible snob when it came to just how he liked his beans roasted. He’d have to give the man kudos.
Jonathan smirked back at the grin he received from the engineer and nodded. His fingers were still steepled in front of him and he leaned his mouth and face against them as he thought.
He had not been expecting a visitor of this calibre, nor to be enjoying an excellent game of backgammon. It was quite rare to find anyone that even knew the game anymore, much less played it and played well. Stark was great at the game and he had settled into it rather easily. It was comfortable for him. That suited the doctor rather well.
“I must confess I don’t know much about you other than what I’ve read in TIME and things like that. But you know, I really enjoy having a random Tuesday backgammon opponent that is actually good, however.” he told him quietly, without looking at him.
He rolled the dice and moved his pieces, noting the changes in expression and mood that Tony seemed to be having. His clinical mind and his natural mind were both sufficiently engaged.
“Oh! Thank you. It’s from Betty’s. I don’t know if you know it.. it’s the best diner in Gotham. Betty’s House of Pies. They roast their own breakfast blend and I like to buy some when I can. You should go there, some time. Help yourself to some more coffee, if you want.” Jonathan told him, smiling a bit. Politeness and kindness were in short supply in Gotham, so he was grateful and appreciative.
[Text]: Ahoy? …
[Text]: Arrr, me sides be splittin’ with laughter , or I not be a pirate.
A bit awkwardly, Bane lowered himself onto the loveseat. He wasn’t entirely certain that the chair would hold his weight, and so he had assumed it would be better to play it safe and save himself the potential for humiliation…. And the risk of owing Jonathan a new armchair.
“You don’t say? I…. If he hadn’t been wearing the mask… He just seemed…” He shrugged his massive shoulders. ”Almost childlike…. But…. Mature…. If that makes any sense at all….” He paused. ”I suppose that could potentially indicate psychosis, but… He did not seem all that dangerous to me… Just… Cuddly.”
Jonathan was actually very comforted by Bane sitting nearer to him on the loveseat than further away on the chair. He relaxed a bit, not as on edge as before now. He exhaled calmly; Bane’s voice had a momentary calming effect, and it was very soothing to him.
He cleared his throat and smiled weakly at the large man, nodding.
“I think I know exactly what you mean. I’m quite sorry, as I’ve said, for that occurring in your presence. I know he is unsettling and unpleasant to be around. ” he replies, and took a few moments to ponder what the other man said. He chuckled a little.
“No one has ever told me he was cuddly before, perhaps he’s fond of you. However, he is very dangerous and violent most of the time from what I’ve gathered.” he added, helping himself to some more water from the water bottle.
“I told you what I think,” Joker replied, tossing the paper onto the table with their empty mugs. He leaned back against the sofa, snugly fitting himself into a small, person-shaped dent in the cushion. “My schedule is very flexible. You’re the one trying to be an upstanding citizen. If y’wanna figure it out, bring your stuff. If y’don’t…” He shrugged. “I’m fine either way.”
There was a brief moment of silence, both men staring at each other as if trying to find a way to finish the conversation. Joker clicked his tongue and added, “Get the research and come back.”
The doctor nodded, listening, as he retrieved the paper containing the notes, and he shifted there listening to their breathing and then his friend’s words before he was standing, putting his coat back on, and whatnot.
“Thank you for everything, as usual. …” came the polite reply as he put the notes in his coat pocket. He smiled at the Joker warmly.
“I’m off, then, to get everything I need from my apartment, and I’ll see you back here in a couple of hours. I’ll get the research. ..That was really good cocoa. I appreciate it.” he adds in a moment, licking his lips.
Jonathan headed for the front door of the warehouse and left hurriedly, to gather everything and return. He knew if they worked together, they could figure everything out.
Mello winced a bit while Crane stitched him up, but otherwise made no fuss about it. When that was done he took the antiseptic, and antibiotics before going to the bathroom. He applied it to the necessary areas and washed his hands. He came out and stood awkwardly in Crane’s living room. “Thanks….For uh, everything…”
The doctor waited patiently for the young man to finish taking care of whatever other wounds he had in the bathroom. He was wondering just how in the world he was always getting caught in these sorts of bizarre situations, when Mello emerged again.
He already looked like he was feeling and doing better. Crane nodded, smiling a little bit to try and reassure the teen that there was no need to feel awkward.
“You’re welcome..” he began to say, and then thought about something. “Do you need something to wear when you go back out there? You’re.. mostly naked. I think I might have a couple of things that would fit you, if you like.”
// Doing all of my 9 drafts today, first day off in a while. Thank you so much everyone, for your patience. I love you all very dearly. I’ve got the swing of things now so I’ll be back on regularly starting today. Thank you so much, again, everyone.
Loki: I replied last time I was off work, also I love you.
Jaybird: we need to plot ( and you already know I love you )
The big man shrugged his massive shoulders. ”I do not mind discussing it…. I would not have brought it up, were it a problem.” He took a sip of his water and dug into his pocket. ”Excuse me for just a moment, won’t you?”
He pulled a pill from his pocket and swallowed it down with a sip of water. ”I apologize…. It was nearly time for another dose…. Regardless, what would you like to know? I can answer anything you would like.”
“I’m so pleased to hear you say that. Perhaps..I can help in some way, if it isn’t too bold of me to say.” the doctor responds, and tries not to watch while Bane takes his pill. He knew it was going to be time for his medications soon, and he realized that the both of them depended heavily on substances to keep their demons away; keep them hushed and hidden.
“Just let me know if we will need to leave, I don’t wish you to endure physical pain or discomfort by keeping you out without your breathing apparatus too long. .. Now.. this chiroptophobia… when did it start?” he inquires eagerly, watching Bane’s face with an expression of delighted interest.
Thank you! :D
Thank you so much. :)
// I’m sorry for my lack of appearance on here over the last week or so. I’ve started a new job and they’ve been giving me a ridiculous amount of hours, so by the time I get home I’m exhausted and brain dead. I have some days off coming up and plan to get to replies and finish them and hang around on Tumblr during the majority of that time. Thank you everyone, for your patience and your kind attention.
