The sound of long legs being crossed and uncrossed, that subtle friction of green fabric, broke the brief breath of silence following Harvey's admittedly fair question. Edward had a plan, of course; he always had a plan. He was the epitome of preparedness, in many ways, always thinking ahead and examining the situation from every imaginable perspective or angle. All pieces of a puzzle being fit together, all clues to a greater crime. All of it within Edward's control.
He thrived on it. Needed control--especially cerebral control--like alcoholics need that last vodka.
Humoring Dent with a thin smile and a slightly doleful look, the very same a mentor would give his usually prized pupil who had made a mistake, Edward then shook his head. Eddie wasn't keen on forking over all his answers, not when it seemed so unnecessary, but Dent required the illusion of domination. Edward could sacrifice that much, maybe.
"If you really must know," drawled out the smooth, smug tone. "It is a therapeutic experiment that may seem counter-intuitive at first; we're going to set you in situations where you have to either choose an outcome, or let him--I mean the coin--configure that conclusion for you. If the latter occurs more, you will understand how that aspect of your psyche works." Eddie leaned in, his brow furrowed deeply with concern. Wrinkles formed, as if attempting to speak of Eddie's sincerity on his behalf.
"It won't be easy, but you need to understand your problem before you can solve it. I'm a name of many names, Harv, but I've always been known as a thinker. You have to learn how to outsmart your learned compulsion."
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-02-14 04:56 am (UTC)He thrived on it. Needed control--especially cerebral control--like alcoholics need that last vodka.
Humoring Dent with a thin smile and a slightly doleful look, the very same a mentor would give his usually prized pupil who had made a mistake, Edward then shook his head. Eddie wasn't keen on forking over all his answers, not when it seemed so unnecessary, but Dent required the illusion of domination. Edward could sacrifice that much, maybe.
"If you really must know," drawled out the smooth, smug tone. "It is a therapeutic experiment that may seem counter-intuitive at first; we're going to set you in situations where you have to either choose an outcome, or let him--I mean the coin--configure that conclusion for you. If the latter occurs more, you will understand how that aspect of your psyche works." Eddie leaned in, his brow furrowed deeply with concern. Wrinkles formed, as if attempting to speak of Eddie's sincerity on his behalf.
"It won't be easy, but you need to understand your problem before you can solve it. I'm a name of many names, Harv, but I've always been known as a thinker. You have to learn how to outsmart your learned compulsion."
Or fall prey to it. Utterly.