Eleven | a monster without a name

[strike_you_out]

[Phone | unfiltered]

Mr. Liebert, you have a book for me?


[Action |  726 Anderson Lane.  After the call has been made, Slugger awaits the arrival of his schoolteacher, much to the soon-to-be-dismay of Edward.

[Also action |  That evening, there comes a knock on the door at 1451 Mitchell Road. If no one should answer, Slugger will do the honorable thing and invite himself in by stepping right through the front door.]

Comments

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[The door opens and Slugger quietly steps to the side. A nod of greeting is given but nothing is said.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[Walks in with a nod. He's carrying a book.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward crosses in from the living room.]

Slugger, who's that at the do---

[And he cuts off immediately as soon as he sees Johan. Standing there with his not!son. Oh dear god, why.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Closing the door, he turns to spot the horror in Edward's eyes and answers with an eerie look of amusement.]

My teacher.

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[Have an amused smile.]

Hello Edward.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

((Do you mind? Feel free to carry on thread order without me. Susan will be scarce.))

Who is it . . . ? Mr. Liebert, isn't it?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

((Not at all!))

[Edward starts a little bit at Susan's sudden appearance, looking from her to Johan, and from him to Slugger. So he's Slugger's teacher?! How well do the two know each other? ...how much has Johan told Slugger?! And how much has Slugger told him?! In any case, he's going to try his best not to make Susan suspicious, so Edward puts on his best shit-eating grin and chuckles a bit awkwardly.]

Yes! Yes, Mister Liebert! Hopefully Slugger hasn't been causing you too much trouble.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

. . .

[Susan doesn't need to be exceptionally perceptive to recognize that there's something wrong about this situation. She is, either way. Edward, for one, had a terrible poker face, and it was quite obvious that his cheerfulness was extremely forced.]

If you needed to speak with Slugger, you're welcome to speak in the den. Please sit.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Whether or not he knows secrets on both sides, not a word is spilled. Slugger continues to regard his "father" with the same amused look that seems to imply he knows just how awkward this must be for you, Eddie.]

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[He nods with a smile]

Thank you. I was just bringing over a book from home he expressed interest in.

[He nods to Slugger.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward guffaws. So much forced friendliness.]

By all means!

[He contemplates asking Susan into the other room for a chat, but at the same time, he has no idea what Slugger OR Johan will say in his absence. Ultimately fearing for the worst, he decides to go with the former.]

Susan. Dearest. A word, please?

[He jerks his head in the direction of the kitchen.]

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[Almost simultaneously, Susan had opened her mouth to speak.]

Come help me prepare some refreshments in the kitchen for our guest, Edward.

[That worked out well. Nodding, she sweeps out of the hallway, glancing at Slugger and noting his expression as he does so.]

Behave, Slugger.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[The expression doesn't change.] Yes, Miss Susan.

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[Johan looks over at Slugger.]

Would you like to see the book now then?

[Because that was all totally normal.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Turning to Johan, he nods and leads him into the den as Susan suggested.]

It's about a monster?

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[He sits down and pulls the book out.]

A monster without a name.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Slugger sits as well, momentarily distracted by what Edward might be saying in the other room beyond his range of hearing. But as Johan shows him the book, his attention refocuses with an almost child-like curiosity.]

Is it your favorite?

[hungry-monster.livejournal.com]

[It's a childlike book. A picture book to be exact.]

No.

It was read many times to me when I was younger.

[He looks at the book.]

Would you like to hear it?

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Peering at the book as well, he shifts into a position where he can see the pictures when the book is opened.]

Yes.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward makes a straight-up beeline for the kitchen. As soon as the two of them are out of earshot, Edward pulls Susan into the kitchen, giving her a very solemn look.]

Look. You remember Christmas? How I told you that I had to take action to defend myself?

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[Susan considers this for only a few moments before coming to the logical conclusion.]

You killed him?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...yes.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[Susan crosses her arms at that and thinks, throwing out a comment as she does so.]

I hope you apologized, at least.

. . .

Is this my cue to leave the house to let you squabble?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Of course I---

[Wait. Leave?!]

No! No, no, no, no, no. Stay. Please. You can't just expect me to stay here with them!

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[To this, Susan presents an open expression of surprise. Riddler wasn't simply being childish as he was wont to be -- He was afraid. Extremely so, by the looks of it. Resisting the urge to make a witty quip, she narrows her eyes a bit and thinks some more. The answer comes to her slowly. But precisely.]

You've already had out that squabble, haven't you? That day when I changed all those sheets. I'd thought Slugger had been peeved about something or other. Add that to your initial urge to confront him under the influence of those presents of yours, and innocent Mr. Leibert isn't quite a nice of a man as I always thought he was.

Hmph. And I'm the only one who didn't know about this. Not the very usual state of affairs.