[22] - Voice

[doctor_j_crane]

I have a specimen that I think has lived in a bucket for a little too long. I would like a proper enclosure for it. Admiral, it can be plastic if you don't think I can be trusted with glass. [Crane sounds thoroughly unimpressed by this. He's referring to a non poisonous huntsman spider, that appeared in a Rom Com cupboard with Eddie and himself.]

[Crane pauses before continuing.] I'm rather surprised that the murder in the garden was handled so well. Was it because the culprit was reasonably obvious or due to actual police work?

[Private - Rose]

The garden is less quiet than I would have expected. I trust that you weren't affected by the recent events?

[Private - Hayley]

I want to show you some instructions. I need to know if you're capable of performing them.

Comments

[Spam] - Victor is so offended by Rose's dress, all the way down in this room. c:

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane walked up the last few steps to the deck. He'd been up here more often lately, and that was beginning to reduce the impact of some rather poor memories that it held. He caught sight of Rose, and started to walk over to her.]

[Spam] - He should be!

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She looked over to him and just leaned back against the railing, giving him a bit of a smile. She was in a rare mood at the moment, as not much had happened to really put her down, so the schoolteacher sought to preserve it.]

Jonathan.

[Spam] - impotent rage abounds. c:

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane approached her, stopping a small distance from the rail. It reminded him a little too much of the time where he had attempted to child over it.]

Rose. [Crane looked up at empty outer space.] I never quite get used to it.

[Spam] - Oh Victor....

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She ran her fingers through her hair and reached a hand out towards him.] Come see closer, then.

[Spam] - Oh Victor....

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane moved closer, but didn't take Rose's hand. He edged over to the railing, looking over it rather gingerly.] You like it here?

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She nodded once.] I've lived and worked on an island with beautiful, though dangerous cliffs. I know how to be careful. [And, that said, she hopped up on the railing easily, as if she had done it a million times before.]

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane didn't have time to show his surprise.] Get down from there!

[He didn't want to move closer, for fear of unbalancing her.] Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She seemed startled by his outburst, but she didn't move from the railing.]

And if I do fall?

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

This isn't funny. Get down from there. [Crane recalled all to clearly the time he tried to climb over himself, only to be dragged back by Jack.]

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She wrinkled her nose at him and shrugged once.] Jonathan, you worry too much. Either join me or force me down, though your words aren't going to change my mind.

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane looked at Rose for a moment. He didn't like people trying to force his hand.] Perhaps you're right. I should worry less.

[With that, Crane turned around and started walking to the other side of the deck. Hopefully taking a third option would have some results.]

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She laughed as he walked off and slid off of the railing, just as he asked. But it was on her terms. At least...that's what she was going to let herself believe.]

Jonathan...

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane did stop, turning around to look at Rose. Managing to keep a slight smile of victory off his face.] Should we have a look at the rest of the deck?

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She nodded, moving along to walk beside him.]

What else is there to see?

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

An awful lot of deck. I'd say the pool, but I'm reasonably sure that we need warden permission. [Sigh. All the exciting parts of the barge, where chemicals could be found, were always locked off.]

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[Rose shook her head.] The pool? Hmm...perhaps I can convince Desmond.

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I noticed that he's stayed, somewhat against precedent. [Crane shrugs slightly, as if to say that he'll be gone soon enough.]

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Which is why I need to make use of him while he's here. [She stepped closer to him, reaching up to brush her hair from her face. She really did miss the countryside sometimes.]

Your warden seems unusually quiet.

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

So you should. Do you have any particular goals in mind? [A willing warden was always a great help in any potential plans.]

And my warden has been very quiet. I suspect that it may be the after effects of the port.

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

At the moment, I'm simply testing what he will allow. [She shrugged.] So far, he has denied me nothing. But I have yet to try anything but harmless items and trips to the CES.

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

Perhaps your next request should be for an object to defend yourself, such as a tazer. Although that may be pushing him too far. [After mentioning that, Crane looked around the deck quickly, confirming no one else was present.]

[Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[Rose gave him a genuinely confused look, as she had no idea what that was. She was from a mid 1970s island in the middle of nowhere, Scotland. There were some things still that baffled her.]

What is that?

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane looked at her in surprised, but explained.] It's a device. When you press a button and aim it at someone, it releases an electric shock that ought to briefly paralyze them. It's not permanent or fatal. I had one used on me, one memorable time.

Re: [Spam]

[preachyrose.livejournal.com]

[She shook her head.] No thank you. I would rather not inflict that on anyone. [Then, a pause.]

What did you do to deserve it?

[Spam]

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

[Crane frowned at the mention of 'deserving' it.] The tazer is generally seen as a defensive weapon, reasonably non violent. [He pauses.]

I'm afraid that's at the end of a very long story.