04 ⚜ Video

[restingstitchface]

[Pristine is how Crane appears when he flicks on the video feed; it's a lovely display of smoke and mirrors that he's pulling off, after the events of the last three days. He has a clean, elegant, ascetic appearance - and enough calm professionalism to mask his excitement.]

You're all handling this outbreak remarkably well. It seems you're all keeping to the boundaries of the law, as the Major-General expects you to. That's a good thing, mind. It would be terrible news to hear people have been shot for breaking quarantine.

Anyway, I am here to help if this event has caused you psychological distress. I am a doctor, after all.

[A pause, and he tucks in his chin and folds his hands in his lap. He half-closes his eyes.]

Fears and phobias are my specialty, and there is much to fear in this situation.

[His head comes back up. He's staring at the lens.]

Be that as it may, fear is something everybody needs. It keeps you safe and keeps you on your toes. It will do you all well to remember that. That it's good to know we must always feel a little scared. It's good to see that most of you haven't submitted to bravado and dagger-tongued bragging.

[The corners of his lips lift in a boyish smile. He tilts his head slightly. His voice is disarmingly gentle. His soft inflection on 'most of you' is meant for one person in particular.]

And I wouldn't like to think that those with guts would put everyone in danger. I trust everyone to make the best decisions for each other in combating this disease.

It would be terrifying to think we couldn't trust each other. Wouldn't it?

[He crosses his right leg and rests his hands over his knee. His graceful fingers smooth his trousers, and he waits for his audience to speak.]

Comments

[restingstitchface]

[Crane smiles back. No, he's not smirking. This is more infuriating.

Oh, but he'd very much like to shoot Matthew. Or gas him. Could he do both, perhaps?]

If you're a member of that bunch of apple-eaters, then yes. You are correct.

Though I know you're neither. And I point you to the fact some vain men find sin a little glamorous.

[Is that a dig at your horn-hiding spell? Yes. Yes it is.]

[abduxel]

"Apple eaters," I like that. But wouldn't it better describe heretics, who know good and evil outside of God's will? Don't you fear God, Doctor?

As for glamour, that really is in the eye of the beholder.

[your glamorous blue eyes, that is]

[restingstitchface]

[No, Crane doesn't fear God. He's an atheist. He tried talking to him once, and found the sky empty.

He doesn't submit himself to anybody, either.

But still. He loves eating apples.]

I suppose so.

[Can you hear his skepticism? He really doesn't care.]

You put a lot of value in beauty, then?

[abduxel]

I never used to believe in God, either. But I've seen things that tell me it must be a given. [Lucifer. Equal and opposite. Sort of.]

[As for beauty. Casually,] Not any more than the next guy. Yes, in other words.

[restingstitchface]

[A pause, and Crane's expression is unnervingly still.

What the hell is this presumption about his beliefs? Get out.]

That doesn't surprise me.

[He appreciates beauty when it's useful; make himself clean, make himself presentable. Make his patients scared that he can be so monstrous. He can appreciate... attractiveness... too. But only as far as it concerns his research.]

Does it frighten you to consider you might not be attractive to people?

[And is that another dig at his glamor? Yep.]

[abduxel]

Good, it shouldn't.

[His smile creases his eyes a little as he considers Crane's question.] I've never really had that concern, Doctor. Are you calling me ugly?

[restingstitchface]

No.

I would ask if you consider yourself revolting, but I don't feel the need.

[You are revolting, Matthew. Go away.]

[abduxel]

Well, I don't. And I've yet to meet someone who does, lucky for me.

What about you, Doctor Crane? How's your self esteem?

[restingstitchface]

I don't see how my self-esteem is relevant to this conversation. Does it matter to you?

[abduxel]

Why, what's relevant, then? It does matter to me.

[restingstitchface]

Nothing and nobody, to you.

[Except himself - but that's in lieu of his work.]

And since we don't have time for lollygagging, I must return to work.

[abduxel]

Alright, Dr. Crane. I hope you're working very hard.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane gives the camera the best, most honest shit-staring face he can muster, then cuts the feed.

Please. Come to his office and he'll give you a demonstration.]