Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick

[exceptfebruary]

WHO: The Calendar Guy and the Fear Guy
WHERE: Scarecrow’s Hideout, Governor’s Island.
WHEN: Today!
WARNINGS: None yet, but - two Gotham villains. Will edit if necessary.
SUMMARY: It’s Scarecrow’s birthday! And of course Calendar Man has remembered. He brought a present.
FORMAT: Action!



[ Julian had called ahead, although he hadn’t mentioned why he wanted a meeting. That was a surprise. Isn’t that what birthdays are about? Surprises.

The gift was chosen and wrapped. It wasn’t fancy wrapping. Brown paper. He hadn’t the funds yet to buy a present and wrapping. Still, it would do.

He knocked. ]

Comments

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

[that was certainly strange. Most of the people who squatted here didn't bother knocking--and they certainly didn't try to come near him at all, if they could help it. He'd put the fear of god into the local populace, and for the last week he'd been intensely busy with blueprints and maps and bubbling chemicals, the results of which were spread out across half the room, on the straw his packing crates had come with.

He really didn't like thinking about what day it was - another year of a completely wasted, hateful adult life, no friends, no family (well, a few were still on his to-kill list), nobody to keep him company.

Just the work, and the clamors and whispers in his head.]

Come in, it's unlocked.

[exceptfebruary]

[ Julian took his time entering. You could never be too careful. He eyes the room in a detached sort of way, taking mental notes. Working. Unsurprising, they were all always working. ]

Jonathan. You seem busy.

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

I have time enough for you. [he closed a book with a little red ribbon bookmark, snapping the switch of a Bunsen burner to off, and then gesturing to a beaten up armchair.] Have a seat... To what do I owe the pleasure, Julian?

[exceptfebruary]

[ Julian sits down softly, keeping the vaguely medium-sized package on his lap. ]

Have you forgotten what today is?

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

..oh. [well this is awkward] How did you--[nevermind he's the Goddamn Calendar Man.]

You didn't have to get me anything.

[exceptfebruary]

I did anyway. [ He holds out the package. ] Happy birthday.

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

[Nobody has acknowledged it since granny said it was sinful to have things to celebrate the day his momma gave birth to him (and they were poor anyway so fuck it).

Part of him wants to decline the package, not play into this nonsense. Part of him knows angering a Gothamite--any Gothamite like himself, of the murderous, specializing variety--is not something to be done flippantly. And a third final, tiny part of him, an inner child he's buried deep under piles and piles of anger and pain, is warmed to be thought of at all.]

...Yes, well... I've had worse ones. [Still wary, a little, he opens it.]

[exceptfebruary]

[ In the package are two calendars. The first is a replica of a French Republican Calendar, Year II (1794), during the Terror. There is also a small modern calendar for 2012, with illustrations by Edward Gorey. Julian has helpfully circled each of the three Friday the Thirteenths coming up next year, in black pen.

Julian says nothing as he watches him open it. ]

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

[Jonathan is silent for a long minute, the softest exhalation of pleasure--the ghost of a chuckle at the apropos Revolution calendar, skimming through it with evident pleasure. Then he sets it down on his workstation--carefully--and examines the other one. The morbid pictures, and the note taken of the three noted dates] Friggatriskaidekaphobia.

That's very thoughtful. [and he's amazed that his own voice is without sarcasm, without anger, without snippy irritation that characterises so many of his interactions.] When is yours?

[exceptfebruary]

You are welcome. February 24. [ It comes out smoothly, as if it was always his birthday. ]

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

I'll have to remember. [yeah he's gonna get a pen and mark it on his 2012 one]

It must be important to you. Remembering.

[exceptfebruary]

[ He watches, a little pleased. ]

There is no value in forgetting.

[formidophobia.livejournal.com]

There are certain pains that ought to be put to rest. [a little smile] Vengeance is a good way to see that done.

[exceptfebruary]

Vengeance, yes. That is less forgetting, and more moving on.