Paranoia [Heather & Jonathan]

[Deleted]

Edward tapped his finger against the armrest on the passenger side door. He stared out the window at the warehouse in the distance. As always, it was never difficult to find someone's location. He valued himself on being informed and his deductive skills made that task quite easy. He had been quite busy. The meeting with the Penguin had gone as expected. He still needed to find this Ivy woman, but that could be concluded after he spoke with him. He needed to leave a warning, after all. He couldn't just send the Penguin after him without offering him a warning. He didn't deserve a warning, but...it was a riddle. He had to give it.

He stared at the warehouse. He hadn't seen Jonathan since that night. He felt throat closing in a way, and an uncomfortable feeling rising. He couldn't bring himself to leave the car immediately. He rolled his cane in his other hand. Hmm...

"Boss, I thought you were heading in. You look a little...star struck," a young twenty something boy in the driver's seat commented. He had hired him fairly recently. He actually possessed a college degree, but had some idealistic vision of the criminal life style. He wouldn't last long, but he didn't quite annoy Edward as others. He still needed to get another henchmen with a bit more beef in his physique, but that could be handled later.

"I'm fine," he muttered and opened the door to the car. "Thirty minutes, ram the car in the side of the building." He smirked at the image, but it was a back up plan none the less. He fixed his cane in his hand and brushed off his suit. He then headed to the small door to the warehouse. He knocked and straightened his chest as he waited for Jonathan. This wouldn't be terrible. He merely was saying hello and introducing himself to.....his girlfriend.

The thought made him purse his lips, but he wiped it away. He didn't understand why Jonathan was making it his goal to catch his attention: showing those files, kidnapping a radio host on a radio show...he knew something was up.

He had already solved that riddle...because obviously Jonathan wouldn't be solving his.

He knocked again.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Dr. Crane was focused deep within his work. Sitting in one of his many lab chairs he looked over the many research papers he was trying to find flaws in. Bringing his arm up from his lap he rested his elbow on the table running his hand through his hair. It looked like nothing could lift him from his work right now.

His mind was lost in the various ways he was trying to perfect The Scarebeast. Of course he never wrote any of the main formulas down, but the modifiers were scattered all over the table. It was becoming frustrating that he wasn’t having much luck lately. There was a lot on his mind, The Scarebeast was just one of many things.

His eyes were so focused on his work he didn’t notice Heather approach him. She had been with him for a decent amount of time now, he expected it to have already flooded the Professional Criminal world. Thankfully Dr. Crane never cared much for the thoughts of others, especially when they had no idea what they were talking about. He felt a finger run across his back and his eyes jumped back from lifelessly staring at research. Turning his head slightly, to acknowledge she was behind him, at first he said nothing. It couldn’t be said that he was completely use to her touching him, but she was certainly around more than anyone else.

Feeling her arm slide onto his shoulder she popped her chin over her arm to lean on him overlooking his work. Resting her head into the curl of it she sighed showing that she was looking for entertainment. Dr. Crane lifted slightly straightening up in his chair. His hand went to his glasses to adjust them on the bridge of his nose. Opening his mouth to speak he was stopped abruptly by an unexpected knock at the door.

VerMillions arm and rested head slipped off of him as he stood up. Visitors were actually expected, though none Dr. Crane wanted to be here. There was no denying that his debts were going to catch up with him eventually, but he believed he was prepared. Adjusting himself he casually walked to the door. Only turning back for a moment to raise his hand to Heather motioning for her to stay where she was. Carefully he placed his thumb into the security sensor beside the door and it unlatched for him to open it. Dr. Crane only opened it slightly before he realized who it was.

His eyes locked with Edward’s trying to pry out of him mentally exactly why he was here. It had been a while since they last saw each other…in fact. He shook the thought away, going again back to the point of the matter. Why was he here now? “Edward Nigma…” Dr. Crane greeted him and opened the door a bit more so he could lean into its frame. Scanning over him he pondered over the thought of actually letting him inside for a moment. Taking into consideration exactly what could benefit Edward if he had. After a moment his fingers wrapped around the edge of the door and pulled it back with him stepping back as he opened it for Edward to enter. Normally he would be asking how Edward knew where he lived in the first place, but he always found out somehow. It wasn’t surprising to Dr. Crane anymore.

“I see your in better shape this time showing up at my door…”

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

As Heather wakes up from a nap, and immediately frowns to herself. Ugh, not this again! She's gotten quite familiar with how it feels when the brave toxin starts to wear off, and she doesn't like any part of the process one bit. It starts with this nagging feeling in the back of her head that something bad is about to happen. And then, she starts worrying about stuff - and now that she's come to recognize the symptom, that worry is usually centered around the fact that she's about to feel like crap for awhile if Jon decides not to give her more brave toxin - this is the stage she's in now.

Let's see, after this she starts to worry about all the stuff that she did recently, and then that gradually expands on both ends until she's worried about everything that she's ever done in her entire life to everything that could possibly happen to her in the future. And then comes that sinking feeling that she probably ought to be very concerned about all of this. That concern gradually grows into outright fear that makes her want to crawl into a corner and just hide from the whole world for awhile. And then that just kind of fades out until she feels 'normal', which she supposes is supposed to be a good thing but is always a lot more uncomfortable than being on the brave toxin.

So, the only thing that's really on her mind right now is that she'd very much like some more brave toxin. And if she can't have it, she'd like nothing more than for someone to hold her and make her feel safe until it's all over. Fat chance of that happening though since it's Jon that she lives with - better to just hope that he'll give her the toxin and spare her that. Otherwise the best she can hope for is that he'll find something else to try to keep her mind off of it, but that's only so helpful. So after she leaves her room she makes a beeline for the lab since he'll probably be there and, seeing him, walks up behind him and runs a finger across his back, before sighing as she rests her arm and head on his shoulder. "It's wearing off," she announces after she does that, knowing that she need not say more.

Sadly, whatever answer she's going to get to that gets interrupted by a knock on the door. Her eyebrows raise in surprise at that - visitors aren't a normal thing around here. But she still has too much brave toxin in her system for that to be a big concern. Hence, she doesn't see the point of staying put when he motions for her to do so. On the other hand, perhaps if she's good he's more likely to give her more brave toxin?

So she stays put, though it's easier to contain the impulse to go see for herself when Jon says the name of the person at the door. Her previous experience reporting the news comes in handy - Edward Nigma would be the Riddler. In fact she remembers that apparently he escaped with Jon from the asylum - she can't remember why that incident was so important to her at the time, but she remembers what details the media got hold of quite clearly - so it's no shocker that the two are acquainted in some form. She just hopes that whatever he's doing here will either be brief or won't interrupt her attempts to convince Jon to give her more brave toxin.

[Deleted]

Edward tapped his finger against the top of his cane as he waited. His eyes darted along the door waiting for it to open. Edward was never a patient man. This strange mixture of feeling settling in his gut was only making the attribute that much worse. He felt like a sick kid on a sugar high. How long did it take to open a door? His other hand went to his pocket and rolled the stick of the lollipop. He debated about pulling it out to settle his nerves, but he decided he was being illogical. He had a plan. Everything would go his way as it always did because Edward was a genius.

He smirked knowingly. He then heard a click at the door. Ah, Jonathan had increased his security. He really was playing things close to the chest this time. His mind danced over his notes he had wrote before he had determined his own plan. He couldn’t figure out what exactly Jonathan’s plan was. He knew the radio host had something to do with fear and Gotham. What plan of Jonathan’s didn’t have to do with fear and Gotham? But riddles kept popping into his mind.

He had purposefully made it clear to Edward that he was kidnapping this girl’s files. Was it to catch his attention? And then the live show of Heather’s capture….He didn’t have to capture her on live broadcast. He could have kidnapped her at a different time…but he wanted people to know. Why? Why was he taunting her with this girl? His jaw clenched at the thought, but he wore a force smirk as the door opened.

All the frustration over what Jonathan backhanded plan went to the side as his eyes locked with Jonathan’s deep blue ones. His smirk became natural immediately. He almost forgot why he was here….but then thoughts popped into his mind as his eyes moved from his eyes and went down Jonathan’s body that was leaning against the door frame. He held back the wince as the thought came and he aggressively forced it out of his mind. He decided to focus instead on Jonathan’s words.

He chuckled softly at the note to the past. How long ago had that occurred? He had certainly had his conflicts with this man across from him. As he opened the door he walked in and stopped right when he was next to Jonathan. “It looks like your neck is in better shape then the last time I saw you,” he smirked with a taunting look in his eyes. He took the door from Jonathan’s grip and shut it for him. As always, Jonathan’s homes were dark, so as soon as the door was closed it felt like Edward was absorbed in the darkness. He stood there for a moment: his hand on the door, a mere foot away from Jonathan, his eyes locked with the man’s. What was he doing? He pulled his hand away from the door and tapped it on Jonathan’s nose with a smirk before walking away from him completely and deeper into his home.

“This place seems more….quaint then the last one. You still don’t have taste though…Jonathan,” his eyes scanning the room for search of anything that could give him a clue. He was happy to note that whoever this girl was hadn’t come into view.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

It had been some time since he had seen Edward last. Dr. Crane had done a lot since that night. Everything up to now from the Arkham had gone perfectly according to plan, well….almost everything. Edward being here now just proved how much his curiosity would one day be the death of him.

Dr. Crane offered him nothing in response as the taunting remark about his neck was made. His jaw clenched for a moment making the skin pull in his neck slightly. At least it had cleared up for the most part, flashbacks of that night hit him and he removed his frame from the doorway. Edward stepped up and followed him in taking the door behind him. He let him shut it and took a few steps in watching Edward carefully.

Was he here to taunt him? Or was the anxiety from what he was plotting getting to him? Did he think he would accomplish something by coming here? His thoughts were pulled from it as Edward raised his hand to him and tapped him on the nose. Dr. Crane didn’t move a muscle, only met Edward with a cold stare. When Edward turned from him Dr. Cranes gaze followed keeping a close eye on him. Of course he had something to say about his home. “The view is beautiful I assure you….” He commented while stepping up beside Edward examining his lab.

“VerMillion…” Dr. Crane spoke out into the lab. “It’s alright.” Outwardly he didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned that Heather and Edward were in the same room. It was all part of his plan and although this wasn’t exactly planned….well….plans do change. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know that she was here somewhere, might as well get introductions out of the way.

Turning his gaze from the dark back to Edward beside him he wanted to catch every emotion. He wondered just how badly all of this was effecting him, how far it was going to push him. It was like a perfect experiment. Dr. Crane suddenly remembered that Heather had bugged him just before the knock on the door that she was coming down from the toxin. If she decided to approach them both this could get interesting. For the moment he shoved the thought aside and focused on his visitor.

“Why have you come?” He asked Edward simply. It looked like Edward had been well since they last saw each other. Probably doing better than he was at the moment after that night.....He shook the thought from his mind waiting for a response. Right now he wanted to focus on his work, and his beautiful plan.

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Though she managed to keep herself from following Jon immediately, Heather's impatience continues to grow as she hears what probably passes for small talk being exchanged. It's somewhat of a relief when Jon tells her it's alright to come. Well, of course it's alright - who could have possibly come to the door that wouldn't be alright? Then again, her mind's a bit slippery on retaining certain basic facts when she's under the influence of brave toxin. And even if she did remember who could come to the door who would be a problem, it would seem more of a hassle rather than something that truly needed to be worried about.

But no, this is just the Riddler, who doesn't seem to currently be blowing anything up so everything's just fine. She pauses in the doorway to the lab, giving the puzzle man the barest of glances. "Jon?" she asks, her attention on him instead, and her voice a mixture of hopeful and anxious. If everything is alright, then that means that there's no reason to delay in giving her some more brave toxin is there? It would only take, what, half a minute? Surely that can be taken care of before whatever it is the Riddler came here for! Or at least she's going to ask and hope that's the case.

If not, or he decides not to give her any this time... Well, she has a little bit of time before the side effects start to get really nasty, but obviously she'd rather not have to deal with that at all. After being blissfully fear free for awhile, even this slight anxiety relating to the side effects she'll experience soon should she not get brave toxin is rather unpleasant.

[Deleted]

Nothing seemed abnormal in the apartment, and for Jonathan’s standards a lab already set up was fairly normal. His eyes jumped over the equipment for anything unusual, but he was immediately disappointed. He heard Jonathan’s steps behind him. For some reason, he had acute awareness to where the man was located. He wasn’t paranoid. No, he certainly wasn’t. Edward merely wanted to know where the man was at all time…call it intelligent suspicion.

The comment caused him to glance back at Jonathan. Beautiful view? In east Gotham? Doubtful. As always, Jonathan’s words held a double meaning, and Edward found himself analyzing them as soon as they left his mouth. Beautiful…what in this shady warehouse he called home could be considered beautiful? He supposed Jonathan always saw his research beautiful, but the man had always had his research with him no matter where he lived and he had never used that description before. What did he have now that wasn’t there before?

A name left Jonathan’s lips, and Edward inwardly cringed. Ah, yes…the girl. He kept his thoughtful expression in place, but his eyes went darker for a moment as they immediately turned from Jonathan’s prying gaze back to the equipment. Did he really find a child beautiful? Wasn’t she a little young for him? Was he really in a relationship with the girl as he was desperately trying to convince the world? Edward was almost certain it was an act. It had to be an act. He couldn’t actually be interested in her especially….after that night.

He found himself rolling his hand over his cane to try to control any outburst he was tempted to make. He would not let Jonathan manipulate him this way. Edward was the player in this chess game. Jonathan was piece on the board.

The question he asked was quickly interrupted by a higher feminine voice calling out his name. Good thing Edward’s eyes were locked on the vials across the table and not Jonathan or the girl because his lip pursed out in an annoyed frown. Jon…she called him Jon. The man who was so persistent about his title was letting a child call him by his name….not even that, he was letting her call him by a shorter version of his name. Who was this girl and who in the world did she think she was?

His eyes turned to see a small frame woman with attention seeking orange hair. Yes, very young. He had already known her appearance. He never cared to look into her when she was a radio host, but when he became suspicious over whatever Jonathan was planning, he did his background research. His eyes scanned her carefully and calculative as he measured up her possible potential, but just as before he came to a blank. All she offered was some talking experience, which to Edward, was an easy thing to acquire.

Nonetheless, he smiled at her politely. Edward was still a charmer with those he was never particularly fond of. He walked over and nonchalantly took her hand in his and bent down kissing the back of it with his lips. “It’s pleasure to meet the girl who has supposedly stolen my ‘friend’s’ heart,” he said with a smirk before straightening up and letting her hand go.

His eyes locked with Jonathan’s for a moment, trying to gage a reaction to his words. “Though I am quite surprise,” he commented offhandedly, “How can such a young beautiful woman be interested in a man of his age?” He reached up to Jonathan, taking the barest of steps closer and grabbed a piece of his hair between his fingertips. “I mean look at his hair. It’s almost graying,” he chuckled softly as he rolled the piece in his fingers, letting it linger there for a moment before letting go. He gave Jonathan a knowing look as another smirk came across his face. Words didn’t have to be said. They both knew Edward was merely mocking him and his choice.

Edward then turned away and walked towards the lab as if studying it. “I won’t be here long,” he stated with a wave of his hand, “I merely stopped by for a chat and then I will be on my way. I wouldn’t want to….interrupt something.”

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Dr. Crane waited for an answer to his question that didn’t come immediately, not that he really expected an answer. He had a few lingering ideas as to why Edward was here, something inside him stirred a bit about the thought.

His focused turned from Edward again further into the room. VerMillion had stepped into the light and closer to them calling out his name. His eyes fell to her as she approached them. He knew that the fact that she had called him Jon might bother Edward slightly. It took a long time for him to even tolerate Edward calling him Jonathan, and even then it was just tolerated. For the moment, outwardly he couldn’t see anything but him scanning over the various vials in the room searching for something.

If he was looking for some kind of clue to what he was doing he wouldn’t find it here. VerMillion’s machine was towards the back and the upper floor held some important key factor as well, but he wasn’t going to let him just waltz up there.

Dr. Crane stayed took a casual step towards them both as Edward advanced to VerMillion to take her hand. Always as charming as ever, but he knew that she was after something rather than conversation. He stood there awkwardly waiting for the moment to pass. No reason to object to Edward meeting her. He couldn’t say he agreed much with the ‘stolen heart’…Taking another step forward he relaxed his muscles seeing Edward turn back and lock eyes with him. Of course the insults came shortly after. They often did this dance together, when they weren’t at each other’s throats or playing a less than friendly game of chess.

VerMillion was indeed young but she wasn’t a minor, and Dr. Crane didn’t consider himself that old to begin with. Dr. Crane was 29 only 6 years apart from her. He shook his head from the thought all together. What did it matter? Dr. Crane didn’t move as Edward lifted a hand into his hair. Feeling the strains moving between his fingers his eyes pierced through him. It seemed like for a moment the air was sucked out of the room, as Dr. Crane considered doing several things with his fingers lingering in his hair. ..

Just as he found a tempting idea Edward gave him that mocking smirk and slipped away. Dr. Crane watched as Edward went to examine the room again. He had answered the question asked previously but not exactly in the way he wanted. “I know you won’t be staying long…” He commented knowing now that Edward had to be here for a specific reason. Maybe he wasn’t outwardly saying it because they were in front of VerMillion. ….Business was better talked about in private anyway. “What is it you wanted to say?..” Dr. Crane asked turning his head slightly. “ …Is it better said in private?” He looked to VerMillion for a moment knowing she would understand but probably be slightly annoyed by it. After all she was still after something that he hadn’t given her.

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Having not been paying the least bit of attention to the other man in the room, Heather is caught slightly off guard when he takes her hand and kisses it. She gives the Riddler a somewhat startled look and frown at his first comment. "I have?" she asks, somewhat confused. Mostly because that has nothing at all to do with what's on her mind at the moment, and she's rather focused on her current problem. Anything else she can she can worry about later. Right now what's far more significant is the fact that Jon doesn't seem to be paying much attention to her problem.

Hence, she takes the Riddler's next question as rhetorical, whether he meant it to be or not. She's also largely oblivious to any tension in the room, given that she can't feel it. So, as the Riddler proceeds to insult Jon, Heather ignores all that and instead steps to Jon's side and wraps an arm around his back, resting her hand on his opposite shoulder - quite the reach given their height difference. Then she rests her head against his side as she sighs and says, "Can you take care of me first? It wouldn't even take a minute." No, she definitely doesn't like the idea of having to wait out a private conversation with the issue of the brave toxin still up in the air.

And she certainly doesn't think that Jon looks old at all. Actually, she thinks that he looks a bit younger than his actual age, but that could just be her. If anything, any oddness about their apparent ages is because she looks young, dresses young, is short, and often even acts young. But she's fully 23 - she's been 'legal' for quite some time now, even if she doesn't always seem to be. Something that she doesn't mind in the least, actually, given that it's always better when people think that you're younger than you are when you do what she does - if people can mistake you for a teen, it increases the number of real teenagers who think that you're not too old to be cool.

[Deleted]

Edward brought his hand to one of Jonathan’s lab desk. His purple gloved finger dragged across it, checking for dust or substance merely out of habit. He knew he would find nothing here, but he had no desire to look at the girl. He merely listened to Jonathan’s comments behind him. He chuckled softly at the comment.

What did he want to say? He doubted Jonathan realized how loaded that question truly was for Edward. He wanted to say many things to him….all of them questions, or as Edward liked to call them, riddles. The first being why did you let me….

He pushed the thought from his mind. He knew the answer to that, but he almost was certain that another answer laid lingering under the surface. If only Jonathan would admit it. It would explain Jonathan’s new obsession with taunting him. The next question though caught his interest. Private? Jonathan wanted to be alone with him…how interesting. The man had never taken in Edward’s conformability level before. If Edward had something important to say, he would pry it from him even if Edward had no desire to state it there. After all, the man got some strange kick out of watching other people struggle through uncomfortable or awkward situations. The fact that Jonathan was not only trying to be considerate, but also suggesting privacy caught far more interest to Edward then it probably should. Had his proximity actually managed to affect Jonathan? He smirked at the idea, enjoying it like a kid torturing an ant. Why not torture the man more and keep him from it?

He opened his mouth to respond as he turned to face him, but his mouth closed immediately as he watched the girl hands attach onto him like a leach. Edward’s face carried many expressions naturally, so if he did not have time to think about it, there was no chance he had at hiding it. His lip pouted out and his eyes narrowed in distaste at the girl’s request. Take care of her first? Before the Riddler? He knew the girl had been drugged with Brave Toxin based on the public live show Jonathan had given the world. It was just further proof that such a chemical made you an idiot. To think someone would want more of it, disgusted him.

“Why don’t you help your girlfriend, Jonathan,” he commented in an annoyed tone, “I will have no problem entertaining myself.” While he was furious that anyone could possibly distract someone from focusing on what he wanted when he wanted it, the last statement was true. He could very easily entertain himself. In other words, explore Jonathan’s home in search of hidden clues. He could even leave a few riddles of his own before he leaves. Yes, go help your little girlfriend, Dr. Crane, he thought evilly to himself as a smirk slowly formed on his face once more.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Dr. Crane kept a close eye on Edward becoming more and more suspicious of exactly what he was doing here. Watching his hand grace the lab table, he wondered if he was trying to catch sight of any of his research notes. Out of any Professional Criminal, Edward was the top of the list for those that he knew would be able to understand them. The math was quite complicated, the chemistry was advanced, but he was sure Edward had his share in its knowledge.

His attention was pulled away by a pressure around his back and shoulder. The doctor looked down as VerMillion rested her head on his side and proceeded to plead with him. His hands rose slightly from his sides as she held him, obviously not too comfortable with it. His reaction were far better than how he usually was with touch that wasn’t initiated by himself.

She wanted more Brave Toxin, and if it was any other time he might have gladly given it to her. Of course he did want her to be off of it some, so he could slowly get her use to the idea of being here with or without it. So far it seemed to be working just fine. The problem was that she was being persistent about him giving it to her this moment. Right now he was busy with something else…

His hands moved up to hers pulling them together and back down in front of him. He stared her in the eyes taking his attention fully off of Edward for a moment. He needed to make sure the point would get across. Dr. Cranes cold stare fell into her eyes as his fingers wrapped around her hands giving them back to her. “Edward said he wasn’t staying long, I think you can manage until then…” His voice didn’t sound angry, but it was stern with her. Whether she would get the point or just continue to cling to him was yet to be seen.

Dr. Cranes attention focused back on Edward who he now noticed was facing them. He couldn’t have enjoyed the display, how could he? If all attention wasn’t focused on him there was always a problem. The mention of VerMillion being his girlfriend made his hand twitch slightly. He knew this was to be expected from his fellow Professional Criminals. They were bound to eventually suspect something; again Dr. Crane put very little merit in what others said, But Edward…. He shook his head as the thought of him entertaining himself entered into his mind. He didn’t trust him enough for that. “She can wait..” He said motioning back to her for a brief moment. “Now back to the subject of what you wanted to say?” He asked curiously again his eyes meeting with Edward's showing him he wasn't going to let him out of his sight.

There never was much trust between the two of them, as it should be. In certain….situations, there was a certain amount of personal trust, but it was on an entirely different level. They were both agreed that at any moment either of them were just as likely to kill one another as to tolerate each other. Of course Dr. Crane knew Edward wasn’t a murderer, so whatever he was up to wouldn’t end in the welcoming embrace of oblivion.

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Jon's stare is responded to with a frustrated frown. "But helping me would take even less time," she says somewhat sourly, "And I don't want to 'manage'." But the lack of any real strength in those words indicates that she's giving up the argument. She's gotten used to his habit of making completely illogical decisions and refusing to deviate from them even when she knows that she's completely correct. So even though she has a very time-sensitive problem that could quickly and easily be solved, she realizes that if he's going to insist on talking to the Riddler first then there isn't much that she can do about it. But that does not mean that she'll be happy about the delay.

And she's totally oblivious to the reasons that Jon has to want to finish with the Riddler first. She certainly doesn't see why leaving the man alone would be a problem. Nor is she aware that her own behavior could be causing Jon any sort of difficulty. And of course she doesn't realize that annoying the Riddler is something to be avoided. Because for one, she's still more under the influence of the toxin than not, and for two her only concern is staying under its influence.

Especially since she can already feel her general sense of worry increasing. So even though she's not going to continue to argue her case, she stays right next to him and finds herself still holding on to Jon's left arm and hoping that he'll tolerate that contact. She can't help it, really. The gradually increasing anxiety, only made worse by the fact that she was completely free of it for a long while before the drug started to wear off, is not at all like her experience with fear toxin. That was a lot worse, but the fact that it provided hallucinations for the fear to focus upon may actually have helped a bit. This general worrying with absolutely no focus is nerve-wracking in it's own right. It helps to have someone to hang onto, especially Jon who tends to act calm at all times.

[Deleted]

Edward’s eyes danced across the scene in front of him. He already concluded that he did not particularly like this child, but if Jonathan was so attentive of paying attention to her, he could at least gain something on his end. It was like leaving a cookie jar and kid unattended in the same room. Edward merely hummed to himself as if trying to give the ‘couple’ some privacy…though his eyes were still glued to it.

He would never admit allowed or to himself that when Jonathan freed himself from the girl’s cold grip, he felt happy and smug. A smirk appeared on his face as he looked at the girl. He kept hopping back and forth between to answers. Either the girl was merely a tool that Jonathan was using to taunt him…or he actually enjoyed the child’s company. Either one bothered Edward, but his thoughts only stayed on it for a moment because then Jonathan said his name.

Not Nigma…

Or Riddler.

Jonathan had called him Edward.

His humming stopped as his mouth dropped open in astonishment. Thankfully the man was looking at the girl again. His expressions kept giving away, but luckily, Jonathan kept missing them. As Dent stated, fate was on his side today. Edward closed his mouth and swallowed uncomfortably. His mind became a clutter as questions popped up. Why? Why was he still calling him by his first name? Had he been…affected by it as well.

Focus, Nigma, he inwardly scolded himself. He was on a time limit. He could sit down and think it over at a later date. He smirked when the content of Jonathan’s statement finally came into focus of his mind. Ah, Jonathan still didn’t trust him. The man knew him far too well.

His eyes locked with Jonathan’s when he brought that deep gaze back to him. His dismissal of the girl beside of him almost made him smile…but he didn’t. Edward always came first. He always did. Edward was a man who never got second in anything he wanted, and right now, he wanted Jonathan’s attention.

He won.

He always won.

The girl’s hands flew back to Jonathan’s arm, and her pathetic response made something clench in his chest. His eyes pulled away from Jonathan’s immediately and turning his narrow gaze on her. She was still trying to beat him? Did she not understand who she was competing with? Of course not, because she was an idiot.

He pressed his lips tightly together as he chewed over his options. When he first entered, he had only planned to be here for five minutes. Give Jonathan his riddle and leave…but this kid…

His OCD nature made it difficult to brush off a condescending action. He had to prove to everyone that he was amazing because if everyone was honest, they would certainly admit that Edward Nigma was amazing.

Challenge accepted, kid.

“Ah yes,” he remarked to Jonathan’s question, his eyes still squarely focused on the orange hair mess of a female, “You were saying something about privacy?” He smirked and gave Jonathan a glance, knowing he did not have to expand further on what he wanted. If Jonathan wanted his riddle, he would have to detach the girl and lock her up in the children’s playpen that probably around here somewhere.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Dr. Crane had brushed off her immediate comments after he told her to wait. She was going to protest and he accepted that. What he did want to accept was the fact that she kept grabbing him without warning. Feeling her arms wrap around his left arm he never lifted his stare from Edward. Remaining collected he let her hang there, figuring he would get the opportunity to fix it in a moment. His body shifted ever so slightly, as if outwardly saying he wasn’t use to the touch or the cling, but overall he kept his composure.

He couldn’t help but notice Edward’s stare at VerMillion, it was obvious he didn’t like her. Good…It was all a part of his plan. Just one small piece of it of course, which could change at any moment. That reason only wasn’t the only reason he had her… He was fully prepared for either outcome. That was the beauty of his flawless plan, No matter what…He still came out with the answer he desired.

Edward’s eyes were still fixated on Heather as he began to speak. Dr. Crane swallowed slowly as he spoke about them being in a more private setting. Things never did go well when they were alone together, of course by Dr. Cranes standards it was glorious. Still he wanted to know what all of this was about, he hadn’t bothered to come and find him for nothing.

Carefully the doctor tried to slip his arm out of VerMillion’s grip, unsuccessful at first, she had quite a hold on him. Finally he raised his right hand to her chin turning toward her and feeling her grip loosen. Holding her chin gently he moved the other hand to grace her cheek. “VerMillion we have to speak in private…If you can go back to your room or your station…” He stared into her eyes caressing her cheek as he spoke to calmly and softly to her. “When it’s over I’ll give you what you want..” The last statement came out with a sinister smile playing upon his lips. He turned his face toward Edward as he spoke the final statement and let go of her.

Hopefully she would just do as he asked, with the promise of more toxin, but there was no guarantee. He had been quite gentle with her which was unusual for Dr. Crane, but he had an exterior motive in mind, as always.

“We’ll speak in there then..” He motioned toward a door to the side of them and across the way from his lab. It was his bedroom so to speak although all it had was a small desk, a computer, and a couch. That was really all he needed since he rarely slept at all. They could have stayed in this room, but it was large and it echoed. If they truly wanted to speak privately he expected it to be someplace...a bit more private.

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Completely oblivious to the Riddler's reactions to her, Heather's attention is fully on Jon. She may be aware that the other man is in the room, but he's completely external to anything relevant to her. When Jon tries to take his arm away from her, Heather reflexively holds on tighter, not wanting to let it go. Well, if he'd actually tried hard she would have, but she really would rather keep that contact. Especially since she's feeling rather ignored and that does not mix well with the slowly increasing anxiety spreading through her.

Then again, that gentle touch on her chin seems to prove that emotion wrong. She looks up at Jon somewhat expectantly, though his first words cause a somewhat anxious frown. "I don't want to be alone right now," she murmurs quietly. On the other hand, relief crosses her features when he says that he'll give her the brave toxin when they're finished - that's definitely comforting.

So much, in fact, that she forces herself to hold back further protests, even though she has plenty of those, and do as he asks. She doesn't want to risk having him change his mind after all. "Okay," she says, only hesitating a moment more to decide where to go. Her room, she decides - while some people may find the red lit room to be creepy, she's never thought of it that way. Perhaps because she was under the influence of the brave toxin when she was introduced to it. Rather, she actually finds the dark room to be comforting and if she can't be by Jon that's what she wants right now.