Crane laughs, softly and mocking, and rather than take another step towards Dorothea, instead slides to the right, beginning to circle her. He can see her attempting to deny the fear that gnaws at her.
"How quaint. You almost sounded like you believed that. But...if that were true my dear, why do you insist upon wearing that mask?" He gestures towards her face. Reading people, intuiting their weaknesses, and weaponizing them was a skill Crane had cultivated over the years, and Dorothea has provided material to work with. He wouldn't be very good at what he did if he relied entirely on his toxin to do all the work for him.
"You wear it well. Clearly you've worn it a long time. But when faced with oblivion, you welcomed its embrace. Welcomed your end."
He continues to circle. "I can imagine why. It must be so exhausting, to keep up the facade, day after day after day. To not let people see what lies beneath that persona you have so carefully crafted." He cocks his head to one side. "Tell me, do you even let it slip when you are alone?" There's a cruel light in Crane's eyes; yes, he is absolutely enjoying this.
"Or are you so afraid of what you'll see in the mirror if you do? You have conquered nothing, Miss Arnault. I see your fear clinging to you like perfume. You welcome the darkness because you know, deep down, that death is the only way you shall ever free yourself of it."
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"How quaint. You almost sounded like you believed that. But...if that were true my dear, why do you insist upon wearing that mask?" He gestures towards her face. Reading people, intuiting their weaknesses, and weaponizing them was a skill Crane had cultivated over the years, and Dorothea has provided material to work with. He wouldn't be very good at what he did if he relied entirely on his toxin to do all the work for him.
"You wear it well. Clearly you've worn it a long time. But when faced with oblivion, you welcomed its embrace. Welcomed your end."
He continues to circle. "I can imagine why. It must be so exhausting, to keep up the facade, day after day after day. To not let people see what lies beneath that persona you have so carefully crafted." He cocks his head to one side. "Tell me, do you even let it slip when you are alone?" There's a cruel light in Crane's eyes; yes, he is absolutely enjoying this.
"Or are you so afraid of what you'll see in the mirror if you do? You have conquered nothing, Miss Arnault. I see your fear clinging to you like perfume. You welcome the darkness because you know, deep down, that death is the only way you shall ever free yourself of it."