Organizing the pieces of the puzzle [Open]

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Edward leaned over the bar and took a strand of the strawberry blond hair, twirling it around his gloved finger. “I do not think black and white is your color dear,” he said with a smirk, as his eyes locked with the bartender’s brown ones, “I do think you would look much better in green.” Red ran across her cheeks as her as darted away in flattery.

“Thank you, Mr. Nigma,” she said politely, “I’ll get you your drink.” She turned away from him to mix the apple martini, as Edward sat more comfortably in the bar stool.

It was the first time Edward had been out in public since he had gotten back to Gotham a month ago. He had spent the majority of his time tying up loose ends and strategizing for his most complicated riddle yet. He wore his signature green suit with pride as he tapped on the table waiting. The only reason he had pulled himself from his lair was for an important discussion with Ozzy, but of course the man love to flaunt his power by making him wait.

Edward, never being a patient man, was becoming irritated as he felt each second pound on like a drop from a leaking faucet that could never manage to be fixed. Edward hated unfixable things, and he hated waiting. He wasn’t some common whore that could be called on when the wife was away. His time was precious, and it was being wasted.

The bartender came back with his drink and a large smile appeared on his face. “Thank you, dear,” he said sweetly as he took a taste of the sour drink. His eyes darted to the napkin beneath and caught the sight of her number written clearly and a heart scribbled next to it. The girl, being too shy, had run off to help another customer before he could respond. He chuckled softly to himself. It all was far too easy for a man of his intelligence. Even the challenging riddle would soon become simple once he set up the pieces. People do move predictably with a few choice words.

He took another sip of his drink and glanced around the room. While it was his first time in public, he had no interest in running into any one who didn’t hold a place in his plan, and hopped to avoid them before he caught their attention.

After all, there was no reason to waste even more of his time.

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Harley was watching Edward since the moment he walked in. She could easily recognize him for she remembered the faces and body language of all her friends. Eddie was the tricky one, masking his moves until the last second so he could get the upper edge. She had to keep some distance away from him unless he was in a good mood. Her grin peeled from under the blood red sparkling lipstick that she wore as she played with the idea of toying with him. She was bored after all, and had not seen Edward in such a long time… not since Gotham’s recreation room where the inmates gathered to unwind or stir trouble, and Harley was great at stirring up trouble. She got up from her chair and walked steadily toward her target, enjoying the anticipation of getting to have a new play date as well as sneaking up on him before he can turn around. For the last few minutes she was chewing her gum rather loudly and popping it for all to hear. It was her way of saying, “Hi! I’m over here” without actually having to speak up. She knew that this drove most people crazy unless they either did not care or were avid gum-chewers themselves. But this was not all that Harley wanted to do.

As Edward turned around in his chair in order to survey the room, she snuck around behind him, placed her hand on his drink and slipped it out of his hand while another large bubble burst next to his ear. It was close enough to startle the already paranoid and she was perfectly prepared to duck and weave in case he swung his cane or a gun in her direction, for dating the abusive man known as The Joker had its advantages. To Harley, it was all a game when ever someone would swing a fist in her direction, for she was getting good at being faster than them and could even attack first after dodging the first strike. But Eddie was slower than most due to his leg and she took advantage of this. She spun around in the other direction, spilling some of his drink in the process just so she could dodge his vision again and plopped on the seat next to him.

“She’s cute Ed, but hardly has the brains to satisfy a guy of your exquisite tastes.” She sipped the martini and pulled the gum out of her mouth to stick behind her ear, then drew out the cherry that was resting in the drink and happily ate that. “Not bad, but I prefer cherry drinks to your sour apple.” She hands it back and went silent as she used her tongue to tie the cherry stem into a pretzel, then stuck out her tongue to show him what she did. She brought her tongue back in, turned her head to the side and spit the red pretzel out on the back of someone’s neck. It slid down his shirt collar and stopped some where between his shoulder blades. She turned her attention back to The Riddler as the man protested and grinned really wide.

“You planning’ on havin’ fun? I could use some.” She took the napkin that had the phone number on it and very delicately dabbed at the corner of her lips the way Ivy would, for Ivy was not only her best friend but a role model as well. She tossed the napkin over her shoulder, not caring where it landed, nor that it was possibly made out of something Ivy might throw a fit over. Eddie was the only thing on her mind at that moment for she certainly enjoyed his company. Sure he was a geek, but he was an interesting geek; especially when he was angry.

One thigh-high red boot crossed over the black, squeaking as the leather made contact during the move. She brought one shoulder forward and then the other as she began to twist from side to side while seated in her chair. Her chest was perked and facing him as she leaned toward him. Her blue eyes dazzled playfully and fun as she watched him, feasting upon any attention he might give her. Like him, she had charms too, and she fully believed that they were what convinced the fellow rogues to do as she says while being blissfully unaware that they obeyed the mad demands of her boyfriend. Upset Harley, you upset her boss.

“I’m not wanted or anything, That means we can do whatever we want and the cops won‘t bother us. I‘ve been real good.” Real good at not being caught. She thought. She pulled the gum out from behind her ear once she remembered it and held it out to her green friend. “Want some?” Her voice was cheerful and full of kindness… for now. She knew the answer was no, but that would not stop her from asking. She shrugged and popped the gum back in her mouth then adjusted her fingerless black sleeve that trailed up her arm, then pulled down on her red and black corset before adjusting her girls. She didn’t care who she did this in front of because she knew that for what ever reason, everyone loved and respected her, giving her complete freedom to do as she pleased. She batted her long black eyelashes with the red tips three times at Eddie and flashed him another smile.

“What’re we gonna do? Watch a movie? Play a game? Ooh! I like Twister! But you’re probably more of a Boggle guy, aren’t you? I like shaking the dice and making a lot of noise. Bud and Lou don’t like it but they have sensitive hearing, ya know?” She pointed at her ears as she spoke, and tilted her head to the side. Her pig tails bounced with each movement and swayed back and forth as she straightened her posture and neck.

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What a joy this was. It felt like it had been years since she'd been to the Iceberg. Even with the new girl at the front in some sort of bird-themed costume, she'd still been treated as a regular. Not that a whole bunch of cat-themed women clad completely in leather would have to be asked who they were, but still. She'd swapped her standard purple leather get-up for something a bit more demure; the same costume but entirely in black. Head to toe; from the tip of her black, thigh high boot, to the tip of her cat-earred cowl. She could feel the hush that washed over the tables when she'd stepped to her table, a corner booth, of course, and winked at the server, and the bartender when minutes after she'd been seated a drink had been placed before her.

Ozwald did have great service. Especially for her. Maybe she'd go shopping and find something for him to fence. It didn't hurt she still had a decent sized tab, so she was able to drink for free, save for the tip. And she always tipped. So on this evening, if one could call it that after midnight, she enjoyed the people watching, and the refreshments. Maybe later she'd order something to eat, but for now, the scenery was enough to chew. Especially when a certain someone came walking, not limping through the door. So while her dear Edward waltzed through the door, toying with the other bartender, she watched, just like a cat on the prowl.

It wasn't her place to speak, and she wasn't going to talk to him, either. But Nina had been correct. He wasn't limping. And normally, blondes weren't his type. Nor was Harley. Curious.

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He went to bring his glass to his lips only to find his hand empty. It was shortly followed by a loud POP. His jaw locked in utter annoyance. It didn’t take a genius to know that he had run into Harley Quinn. Who else chews gum so obnoxiously loud? He knew Harley was smarter then she act, and purposefully attempted to get under people’s skin for the humor of it. While he knew that was her goal, it didn’t make it less annoying. He forced a smile as he turned to face her, watching as her lips took in his drink, leaving a pressed mark stain of lipstick on the glass.

He did a quick take of the room to make certain the clown was not in their near presence. For a man who abused his girlfriend like an unwanted mutt, he certainly was the jealous type and Edward had no interest in being pulled into that argument again. Once he confirmed that there was no purple or white painted clown anywhere in sight, his shoulders relaxed. He took the drink from her as she handed it back. “I don’t need a woman to speak to get what a desire from the puzzle,” he smirked and took a sip of his drink as his eyes continued to dart around the room. It had become habit to match his constant thoughts that seemed to be pounding into his mind. He knew the answers, he saw the plan, he just needed to execute it, and these ‘distractions’ did not lead to what he needed to prove. The lack of pain caused so much clarity it was almost maddening.

Then again…the Penguin had still yet to grace him with his presence, so he might as well challenge himself in the process. Challenge. Could Harley be seen as a challenge? He chuckled to himself at the ridiculous thought, but played it off like he was laughing at the man who was wiggling like a fool trying to figure out what went down his shirt.

He was about to answers Harley’s question when he saw the napkin get used and tossed. His eyes narrowed. It helped to have a photographic memory, but it was the principal that ticked him off. However, it was replaced by slight curiosity as Harley very obviously gave him eyeful of her cleavage and tight outfit. Was she flirting with him? He couldn’t be surprised. He was undeniably handsome, but Harley flirting was usually innocent and playful….that…he thought in reference to her breast…was anything but innocent.

“I highly doubt you’re not wanted,” he smirked, “Do you not notice the way the men in the room look at you? Full of desire.” It was a stretch. While some men probably thought Harley very attractive, none would dare look or face wrath of the Joker.

His smirk fell off his face into a look of disgust as Harley offered her gum. How many germs could be planted on that growing and moving? His mind started calculating the possible diseases of it sitting out in the open air in such a way. “I much rather share salvia in a different way,” he noted, not flirting, just stating a fact that he would never share gum with anyone.

The child like woman started ranting him questions, which in his mind he kept answering no, no, and no, but he let her continue on until she was finished. “Now dear, while I enjoy a good game of Boggle and Scramble, which of course, I would win, I am actually here on business,” he said and took another drink, glancing to see if the Penguin had appeared, but of course he hadn’t. Was he purposefully being shunned for the incident with the Joker? Or for handling the Scarecrow’s debt? He hardly thinks he deserve blame for either.

“However, since he is hiding in his birdhouse, I suppose we could entertain ourselves somehow. I have some good riddles,” he grinned always liking a good riddle. “What’s white and black and red all over?” he asked, his eyes once again darting across the room. He felt like he was being watched since he had walked in, and had blamed it on Ozzy’s cameras, but they finally landed on the corner booth and saw familiar woman’s figure.

“Actually dear, I have a better game,” he turned to Harley and brought his lips to her ear. “Let’s play telephone,” he whispered the children’s game where you tell someone a sentence and they pass it to the next person. “I’m going to start.” He paused, pressing his cheek to Harley as he spoke and placing his hand on her wrist to make certain she didn’t go anywhere until she got his full sentence. “The sphinx sees all, including a kitten digging too deep into their curiosity,” he whispered against her skin and then pulled away. “Since we can’t play telephone with just two of us, Selina should be next in line,” he nodded his head to the corner booth. “She is right over there.” He smirked, and took another sip of his drink.

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Harley’s eyes returned to Eddie as she bit her lower lip and grinned for she loved toying with Eddie. Her eyes sparkled in delight over each reaction he fed her. He was cute when he was angry, but even she knew better than to push Edward Nigma too far. After all, he was one of her close favorites, right up there with Ivy. Or was it because he wore green and purple just like the Joker? No, it was definitely the way he was. Always so precise in how he dressed and acted until he lost his cool, but even then he managed to save some grace like Ivy. …Why did all her favorite friends wear green and why hadn’t she noticed this until now? Well, almost all of her favorites. She would have to buy Crane a green tie later, a green bolo tie for Victor, a green….

She pursed her lips and glanced in the direction Edward’s eyes moved, as if he had seen something or someone she was unaware of. It could have just been paranoia; or Eddie really was expecting someone to walk in at any given moment. He usually worked alone, except for a few minions, so who would walk in? Did he have a friend who could solve his riddles and be close to? She couldn’t think of anyone who loved riddles or puzzles more than the Riddler. Batman was always good at solving them but he wouldn’t just walk into a bar and order a drink beside Eddie. Or would he? She narrowed her brow and looked off and to the right to try and imagine old Bats sitting all hunched over and clutching his drink while Eddie practically did the same. Neither of them would give the other any eye contact but there would be a lot of intensity in both of their voices until they proved to be excellent drinking buddies. Both drunk off of watered down swill and singing drinking songs together. She shook her head to clear the thought from her mind. There was no way they’d every do that. Eddie was too proud and Bats… well, she doubted he even knew how to have fun.

As she came out of her daydream, Harley spotted Selina sitting at the table and waved. She wasn’t really interested in the woman, but it never hurt to spread awareness for those who may or may not have noticed Miss Kyle’s presence. That and Harley loved drawing attention to herself, without caring if it was even wanted. “Eesh, who stepped on her tail?” Harley asked while staring back at Selina. The woman didn’t appear to be there to socialize and she had been watching the two of them for a while now. But Eddie was right, Selina wasn't the only ones staring. She casually glanced around the bar and shrugged uncaring after Riddler had mentioned others finding her attractive, for none of them ever really interested her unless she recognized them from her past or after getting to know them while living in Arkham Asylum. “Yeah but none of them are as interesting as you, Riddlecakes.” She spun around on her chair with her feet and legs momentarily stretched out, then just as quickly pulled them before she could knock Edward out of his chair. However, that would have been funny. She stretched out her finger and touched the end of his nose. “Boop.” She giggled and found this highly amusing. For Harley was a carefree soul while Nigs was more serious. Besides, how often did she get to see him when she wasn’t running around town blowing things up with her Puddin’? Or in Arkham. Or running from the Batman.

When Eddie showed his brief anger over the tossed napkin, Harley placed her finger upon her lower lip and batted her eyes at him. Her left arm was locked at the elbow and her hand rest on the seat between her thighs to give off the innocent little girl look who knows she had done something bad, and was attempting to win over whomever who was not pleased with her. Her lipid blues were full of a playful mischief that could not be denied. “It wasn’t the right shade for you.” She referred to the lipstick mark she had left on the napkin and grinned at her own joke, then mock-frowned when he did not seem amused. “Aw c’mon Eddie. If she’s really into you she’d give ya another napkin or tell ya when her shift ends. But you’ve probably already figured that out by now.” She mussed up his hair and plucked up his bowler hat. “And who wouldn’t be interested? Ya got both brains and looks!” The bowler hat was placed between her pigtails and knocked his cane over toward her by use of her left foot. She struck a pose by pursing her lips, bringing her left shoulder in close to her chin and tilting her head downward for glamor photos. Of course there weren’t any cameras near by but that didn’t stop her from imagining them.

“I bet you expectin’ a date even as we speak!” She listened carefully for when he asked the riddle, although this was one she had already answered a while ago. “Can I be the answer?” She pointed to herself and tilt her head while questioning, thus causing the hat to slide off. She stretched out the cane to catch the hat and did just that, then shook the cane in circles to spin the hat around on top. “After all, I’m wearin’ all three colors!”

She held perfectly still when he was close to her, for anyone getting that close by choice usually meant something bad would happen. However, when he mentioned a game instead of a riddle, she excitedly squealed and clapped her hands. “I love this game!” She twist the upper half of her torso from side to side out of eagerness and then listened closely. She nodded when she heard the words and knew at once he was up to something. It was a threat as clear as day although she didn’t know what he held against Catwoman.

With the cane and hat still in her grasp, she flicked her finger against the side of the hat and swung the cane around; accidentally hitting someone in the back of their head. She continued onward as if not knowing what she had done, then paused in front of Selina’s booth and placed one hand on the table with the cane jutting out and behind her. The end of the cane had bumped the back of a waitress carrying beer on a tray. Whether or not it was done on purpose was uncertain.

“I got something’ to pass along from Mr. Green over there.” She knew better than to get too close to Selina, so she spun around and sat on the table with one leg draped over the other. She pushed the hat forward so it covered her brow and pressed her chin close to her chest. She spoke and then slowly raised her eyes the way she had seen Eddie do in the past. “The stinks sees all, including a kitten digging too deep into their curiosity.”

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Nursing her drink, Selina took note of the rest of the Lounge for the evening. It wasn't too busy, nor too slow. A good night for a drink, maybe dinner in the other area. Oswald was running a tight ship, but a prosperous one. Maybe, just maybe she'd have something for him to fence sooner, rather than later. Sipping her liquor, her eyes once again went to the clown and the bowler hat, a smile lingering at the edge of her lips. Curiosity was too bland a word now for what was going on, and as she saw the stormy look cross Edward's face, and the show Harley was putting on, she had to laugh to herself.

Harley was good fun. It was too bad Joker tended to monopolize her time. At least Ivy had a bit of time with her. Either way, Selina procured her own napkin, writing a short note on it before the black and white and red clothed woman sauntered over to her, poising herself quite artfully on her table. Nodding, Selina raised her glass to the blonde, toasting her. "Quite good, Harley. Bring this back to him, please?" She said sweetly, procuring the folded napkin between forefinger and middle, and offering it to the woman. "And no worries, Kitty won't be biting tonight. Not you..."

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He grinned when Harley was actually correct. The answer was Harley, herself. He enjoyed twisting simple riddles into something under the surface.

He watched Harley squealed with excitement like a child about to go to the amusement park. His grin slowly turned to a look of confusion, when did she get a hold of his cane of hat? The color drastically clashed with her reds and blacks, but the hat stayed planted between who pig tails, as if it had been made to fit there.

His hand reached out to grab the item, but it slipped into air as Harley’s body moved off the stool and to the ground. Shit, his cane. He watched as Harley swung it around like inexperienced ninja, but it provided the perfect opportunity to get it back. He leaned out of his chair as the cane swung back to him. He almost had it until BOP.

He sucked in a sharp breath as the cane hit him straight in the face. His hand jumped to his nose as he snapped back straight into his seat. He grumbled nonsense to himself, checking to make certain his nose wasn’t broken. He swore people like Harley would be the death of him.

An inkling of a headache appeared at the edge of his mind which naturally made him very moody. He shot back the rest of his drink, hoping to have the alcohol numb it before it could get worse. He ordered another, and then turned to see what was occurring. He watched the childlike woman sit in the seat, likely saying the complete opposite of what he wanted to be said.

It was a threat. He had heard the rumors spreading around town after his absence and return. It didn’t take that much investigation to conclude that most started with Selina. Her visit to his apartment had somehow started an absolute terrible rumor that he was gay and sleeping with Crane. How would Crane staying at his apartment lead to that conclusion?!? Naturally the first should be that Edward sold the apartment to him. The next should be that Jonathan just took it. Not that they are having some secret relationship! His mind completely avoiding the truth that he had indeed slept with the man, but that was hardly the point! Edward Nigma was not gay. He was a man who knew what he wanted and always got what he wanted.

And then there was the other rumor. Edward Nigma, the Riddler, had somehow fixed his leg! He knew the source of the rumor began with the person he did not speak of anymore, and Selina was one of the few people to actually go visit her. After that visit, it seemed to become the gossip of the underground. It was for that very reason Edward Nigma was stuck in his seat as he waited to get his cane back. He would not confirm the rumor by walking without it. He would sit here, and drink. He ordered another one, as his eyes watched Selina give her a napkin.

He knew whatever was written on the napkin was a ploy to lower his boundaries, but she would have to do better than a flimsy bit of trash.

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Harley lowered her brow for this wasn’t how the game worked. But, if there was one thing that Harley was used to, it was change. She plucked the napkin out of Selina’s hand and sauntered back over to Edward and thrust out her hand to him in a flourish to give him the napkin. Once that was accomplished, she sat down in her own chair and noticed that some unknown guy was taking the seat to her right whereas before it was unoccupied. Harley froze in place, not liking the idea of having to talk to anyone other than Eddie at that moment. Her back was straight and her chin was raised just enough to look out of the corner of her eye at the intruder. She had reverted back to high school days where a loser had just joined the popular’s table uninvited. When the man either didn’t notice her body language or didn’t care to, Harley raised her right foot and kicked the guy off the stool; sending him to the floor. “That seat’s taken!”

The man cursed and slowly got to his feet, now looking down at the bar stool. He mentioned not seeing a name or person sitting on the chair and began to brush himself off. His type were a dime a dozen, not fully knowing his surroundings our the people near him. That was just fine with Harley for she could work with that. She turned her head to face the man and pointed at the seat. Harley took this opportunity to reach into her purse, pick up a pen and draws a stick figure of a man with his tongue lolling out. “Nuh-uh. Mr. Smiggles is sitting right there! You could have crushed him!” Harley said matter-of-factly and gave him a look that came across as “duh.”-Of course there was nothing there but who wants to argue with a crazy person unless they were either crazy themselves or enjoyed it? She lift her head up and smirked when the guy simply called her a crazy broad and went to find a different seat.

Harley now turned to look at Eddie and noticed how irritated he looked. Did something happen while she was visiting Selina? Did someone offend him? She looked around the area but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, unkowning that it was she who had caused the gloom. In deciding to cheer him up, she placed the cane back where she had found it and reached into her purse. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure that the Riddler was not seeing what she was up to. Not just yet.

At last, Harley turned to face the bar in front of her and brought her right arm around to pose between she and Nigma. Her arm was raised at the elbow with her wrist at eye level to Edward. A Riddler sock puppet adorned her hand with it’s green bowler hat sewed onto the top of the puppet’s head, a purple ribbon glued to the base of the hat, and a black question mark up front and in the middle. A purple mask was glued under the hat with two, red button eyes sewn on top of it. The puppet’s body was green and had a purple tie hanging down the front. The puppet stared forward then suddenly turned to face the man beside him. It was most likely unnerving to have something look right at you with red soulless eyes just staring. “Hey buddy, do you plan on finishing that apple martini?” Harley tried her best to imitate Nigma’s voice. The sock puppet did a double take as if recognizing Edward. “Say, don’t I know you from some where? Were we roommates in college? No, that’s not it. Where you at the genius’s convention last year? No, that’s not where I’ve seen ya. Hey I know, how about a something to work your brain?” Harley pretended that the puppet had just cleared it’s throat before beginning. “How many caped crusaders does it take to change a light bulb?”

She brought her other hand around, showing a red sock with black diamonds colored on it. The face was white with a black mask with two robin’s egg eye buttons sewn on top. A jester’s hat and collar completed Harley’s miniature sock puppet version of herself except that instead of pompoms on the end of her hat, they were white bells that jingled when ever she moved her hand. “I know! I know! Pick me! Pick me!” Harley made her hand jump up and down behind the Riddler puppet as if trying to catch his attention. The green sock turned toward the red as if annoyed by her presence. “The answer is none! Because they like the dark.” Harley’s puppet replied.

“You were supposed to let him answer.” The Riddler’s puppet motioned toward Eddie, shook it’s head and turned to face Nigma again. It opened it’s mouth to speak but the Harley puppet had spoken first.

“I gotta joke! Poison Ivy and I decided to rob a bank together. ‘Now, remember the plan, Harl.’ Ivy tells me. ‘Yeah, yeah. No problem Red.’ I said and walked into the bank. Ivy waited as time passed. Five minutes… ten… Ivy starts getting worried. Suddenly I come rushing out of the bank, dragging a safe behind me all tied up with a rope covered in whipping cream, while fighting off a security guard. Ivy groans. “Harley you idiot! I said to tie up the GUARD and cream him!”

The green puppet just stared at the Harley puppet until it finally said. “That joke wasn’t even clever.“ He turned to face the real Riddler and asked, “Riddle me this! Why is a quarrel, like a bargain?”

Harley chimed in before Edward could answer, “Because it takes two to make one!”

The green puppet turned it’s head to the side as if annoyed. “It wasn’t even your turn to answer!” He barked at the red sock and looked up at Edward again. “The more you take away from it, the larger it grows. What is it?”

The Harley puppet turned her head up and to the right as if to think, then answered with, “A hole!”

“I’d put a hole in your head only I doubt that it would be very effective, other than giving the air in it a chance to escape! Now, let the man answer!” Green sock turned to Edward and inhaled deeply while moving his head slightly to the sides, as if to regain it’s dignity. “When is a person like a stupid relative?”

The Harley puppet waited patiently, but before the real Edward could answer, she replied with, “A man-a-kin!”

The green puppet’s mouth opened wide as it released a guttural annoyance and charged after the red puppet. “Eeek!” Shrieked the red sock and bounced in the opposite direction as the green sock puppet followed pursuit. She placed her foot on the bar stand to slowly move her in a half circle as the puppets “ran” in place while her body turned on the chair. When she wound up facing Edward, her Harley puppet reached out and kissed his nose. “Mwah!” She smiled with eyes lit up in merriment, obviously proud of herself for coming up with an impromptu skit and it was all for him.

[Deleted]

It was with keen eyes she watched Edward easily deflate, and get agitated. But Harley was another story. If only the jester wasn't doing her job so dedicated, and the two women could chat sometime; well, that time would clearly not be now as the blonde went about delivering her message to the Riddler, and then pulling out all her tricks; this time a personalized puppet show. Well, that wasn't going to get her any closer to what she wanted, so she paid a bit of attention to the groupies. The wannabes. The..whatever they were called.

This time it seemed to be a younger woman, and her male friend. Her rather attractive, male friend. One who wanted to purchase her another drink, to which she agreed. Once the trio got talking about the specifics of a fine leather catsuit, Selina shifted smoothly from her seat in the booth, to sitting on the table, one knee crossed over the other, the man looking at her boot. She could almost feel the daggers shot into her back by several other patrons. Winking at them, Selina made her way to where her two contemporaries were ..sitting. Smiling, she placed a gentle hand on Harley's shoulder, her green eyes glittering with laughter. "Mind if I take over act two, hon? You sure did a fantastic job, I doubt I'll be able to follow with such a good gig..." She murmured, her eyes flicking to Edward. "But I can try, no?" She stated, A gloved, clawed hand shifting to grab said purple tie and sift it through her fingers. It's not that she wanted to beg for his attention, but since he was only now being social after being in town, she'd just love to talk with him.

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His finger tapped on the bar with haste. He had come into the Iceberg Lounge in a fairly bright mood. His first public appearance, taking a step closer in his plan, and having one of the Iceberg’s finest drinks against his lips, it only had the opportunity to be a great night. Instead he was left waiting and ignored. He saw Harley scurrying back to his side, thankfully with his cane, plopping herself down on the chair. He was about to open his mouth to ask for his cane back, but her hand with a piece of paper was pushed into his face. He leaned back not wanting to get accidentally hit again, but slowly pulled the napkin to his view.

He recognized Selina’s elegant scrawl on the thin paper. His lips pursed as he read her message. He quickly crunched the napkin into a ball in his hand. He wasn’t her toy that could be called and jumped when she said jumped. If she wanted to see him, she could come to him. He stuffed the note into his already finished glass to be taken away by the bartender. The bartender took it and came back with another.

A loud thud made him snap his head back in Harley’s direction to see a large bulky man getting up from the ground. He didn’t quite understand why Harley had decided to interact with him, but he was even more confused why the man was even saying anything to Harley at all. Did he really not know who she was? If the childish personality didn’t tell you, the obsession with red black and white would be the last light bulb. Edward had forgotten how truly stupid people were, but the man quickly went on his way.

Edward ran his hand through his hair to calm his anger. He should just say his goodbye, and go and knock on Ozzy’s door himself. But he needed his….cane, which Harley, somehow reading his mind, just handed to him. He finally smirked. Perfect.

“Harley…” he went to say, but saw that Harley had created a misshape barrier with her body to hide something particularly from Edward’s vision. His brow rose, needing to see what she was hiding. What was she hiding? A question that needed answering. “Harley dear, what do you have there?” his head tilted over trying to see through her arms. It wasn’t working though. He supposed he could tickle her, and then her arms are going to be flinging everywhere….and possibly hit him in the face. He chewed over the pros and cons of that plan before Harley just turned around with a sock puppet.

His brows furrowed as she started moving it about and speaking in a different tone voice that he knew was supposed to be his. How in the world did Harley make that only a few second? His eyes glanced at her purse. How much did that purse actually fit? And then another puppet appeared! Harley should look into babysitting. She could play a great Mary Poppins. He then chased the thought away thinking about how many babies would be accidentally thrown out the window.

At the riddle, he opened his mouth, but was interrupted between the squabbling. He huffed slightly irritated, but then after listening to Harley’s ‘joke’ and his mimic’s response, he couldn’t help the small smile that slowly appeared on his lips. But once again at the riddle, he went to answer and was interrupted. It happened again and again.

“You know I’m more than capable of solving my own riddles,” he bit out, and then realized he was talking to a sock puppet, but as the puppets started to fight, he started to smiles again because that was truly what Edward was on the verge to doing to Harley. It was so ridiculous, and so stupid, but for some reason, it was funny.

The puppet kissed his nose, and he wiggled it slightly and rubbed his hand across it to wipe off any possible germs that were on that sock. After all, he had no idea where it came from or what else was in that purse.

“I’m glad you portrayed my intelligence, but I look much more put together than that sock. May I suggest buying Armani next time? It might actually help with your own outfits,” he smirked, as he teased her, “Though you are the only person I know that can pull off clown and still look attractive doing it. Riddle me this, what’s bright, fun, and slightly sociopathic?” He chuckled, “Only teasing.” He bopped her nose as she had been doing to him all night.

He then turned to the bar and took one last sip of his drink. “But while I enjoyed the performance, I’m afraid I have to ask a bird what he does if he can’t fly,” he went to get up, but another beautiful woman and in just as much leather was standing in front of him. How did he always get himself into these situations? His eyes flew to Selina’s giving her a puzzled look as his tie was actively taken into her soft grip. She had gotten very close to him in a short time, and always she had this talent of making a man want her with a single look. However, Edward’s was too focus on his growing pride to notice how close or seductive Selina looked in her Catwoman costume. He merely smirked.

“I see you have been missing me, Miss. Kyle,” he said, taking a step forward and invading her own space, “If you want you can take a picture of me and keep it close, but as I was telling Harley, I can’t stay. If you would rather an autograph than a picture I can easily accomplish that as well.” He smirked, and pulled out his pen from his pocket. “Where would you like me to sign? Here,” he pointed the pen right underneath her collar bone and just above her expose cleavage. Was he being a dick? Yes, but it served her right for how much talk was around town about him. Of course, he enjoyed people talking about him, especially if it was about how great he was. He just didn’t appreciate talk that portrayed him in a false light.

He uncapped the pen with his teeth, and acted like he was about to sign her skin.

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Harley’s eyes lit up with joy when Edward talked to the puppet and not to her directly. She loved it when people would get into her acts or use their imagination with her. She would glance up at Eddie every now and then to see if she needed to switch to something else but his eventual smile let her know she was doing well. At the end of her act, she looked over the sock and pondered Eddie’s suggestion of getting Armani. It’s not that she wouldn’t mind doing that, but she had already grown to love the Riddler sock she had already made. And all the other pre-made puppets had grown to like him too. There was the Crane puppet with the noose for a tie and toy gas mask and hoodie, then the puppet that was an actual penguin puppet with the name Sir Reginald Featherbottom the Third printed out on it’s tag. She also had a Dr. Arkham puppet but it was rare to find anyone who actually liked the thing, let alone the man himself. And of course she had the Joker puppet as well but she liked to keep that one to herself for when she missed him or needed encouragement with her faux beau.

Harley watched as Eddie stood up. Was playtime over between them? Her eyes changed instantly from delight to a sad wonder if he might leave. Didn’t she say that she was up for some fun? But then again her Puddin’ was always requesting personal time when it came down to business and she had learned to respect that. And yet….

She stood up and placed the puppet in between Nigma and Miss Kyle, then bumped Selina back even further with one swing of her hip. “Ooh! Sign my puppet! Right along the side.” She turned her head toward the manager’s office. “I should get Ozzie to sign his puppet pal too!” What a great idea! The next time she faced Crane and Arkham, she’d have to get them to sign her puppets too! She could already see it, Crane just standing there staring down at the puppet in silence and slowly turning away, but Harley would pop back up in front of him with her best hopeful grin. He’d have no choice but to sign! And if not, she’d follow him around until he gave in. As for Arkham, she’d have to trade in some secrets with him. A signature for some hearsay. Already she was looking forward to this new game of hers.

[Deleted]

Harley was being cute. And she was a bit hurt there was no Catwoman puppet, the briefest of frowns tainting her lips. Edward was being a dick, and they both knew it, but if the word on the street, and in the bar was correct, he wasn't too fond of her little visit to Jon. Nor of what she had been saying, either. If anything, this was a wise move to know who hadn't kept their mouths shut. It was moments to make a mental list of those who had not taken discretion with her words, and she's have to make a visit to each and everyone one of them.

As the clown bumped her aside, she let the movement jostle her hand, and in turn, his tie, tugging on it before she released the silky fabric. "Armani is a good brand, Harley. And if he's going to sign your puppet, you better sign me, as well. Fair is fair!" She quiped happily, playing the game. "Even though it hurts that you don't have a Catwoman puppet." Pouting, she used a claw to point about an inch farther than where Edward had his pen poised. "Eddie, I know you're busy, and it seems your hands are a bit full right now, so can I get that photo later? Your signiture would be, dare I say it, purrfect, right there instead. Maybe there are a few other places you could ink, too? Maybe a personal riddle, just for me. It's been so long since I've heard a decent one. No one around for any meaningful conversation, you know." She teased him, a faint longing in her voice. As mad as she was, she had also missed the man beind the wit, and the mask. If she could just get him alone for more than a few minutes, possibly they could chat.

"And I think Ozzie is busy with Duckie, or whoever that new server is. It might be a while before you're in to see him..."

[Deleted]

Edward’s eyes widened as Harley appeared in front of him with the puppet. She certainly had the activity of a sugar dosed five year old child, bouncing off the wall and the ability to be anywhere at any time. He looked down at the puppet and then up Harley’s innocent face that he knew wasn't so innocent. It was hard to say no to her though when she spoke with such excitement. “Your “Puddin” not going to be mad that you have a signed item from me, correct?” he asked, still with the pen cap in his mouth as he brought the pen to the puppet. He then quickly wrote his signature, which had a large elegant E followed by beautiful cursive that looked like something from the eighteen hundreds.

He glanced at Selina with a suspicious look when she argued to be sign as well. Was she serious? No, she was taunting him. He smirked and capped the pen, tapping it on his chin as he thought about her suggestion. “A few other places? That would require you to strip off the leather, and I do say Selina, it has gotten quite tight on you recently. Too many dairy products? Do you think you can get it off?” he said casually hooking the pen into the zipper of the outfit. “Or do you need help?” he pulled the pen slowly down, moving the zipper lower and lower revealing more skin. He stepped closer and leaned his lips against her ear. “Riddle me this, what happened to the curious cat?” he whispered and then pulled away, pocketing his pen.

“I suppose I will not wait for Ozzy to finish then,” he turned to Harley and offered his arm for her to grab onto, “Harley dear, I have a new game. It’s called fraternity hazing, and Ozzy’s our pledge. I do say, I don't think pledges are allowed to wet their whistles without permission from us. The riddle is how will we stop the bird from singing?”

[Deleted]

“I’ll get around to making one.“ Harley replied to Selina, however, her eyes were too fixated on the pen Edward held in hopes that he would actually follow through with her current fascination of him. Current, meaning he was there, at the same time she was and he was doing an excellent job at entertaining her.

The jester shrugged upon being questioned whether or not the Joker would be upset if she had a keepsake item. Even if the green-haired clown did throw a fit, Harley would distract him with her charm and put on a puppet show for him until he saw the fun behind having Gotham villain hand puppets. If not, then she would certainly fight for them for she spent a lot of time working on them, making everything perfect, and going out of her way to get them signed. There was no way she would give them up without a fight. Uh-uh, no siree!

She placed her chin on Eddie’s shoulder as he made his signature along the sock material and grinned out of amusement. There was no way she would allow Bud and Lou near her signed and treasured toy. It meant too much to her to become a hyena’s chew toy. And even then, it wasn’t as good as the real Edward Nigma, but it would have to do in time of his absence or if she was bored. Having a smaller version of Nigma or any of her favorite friends meant cutting down on boredom as well as feeling alone. Such things came in handy while resting in her cell at Arkham Asylum.

Once the puppet had been signed, she held her prized possession out in front of her with arms extended and twirled around once. She brings the puppet in close to her, mock kissed it for fear of getting lipstick on it and then drew it in against her chest for a squeeze hug. “It’s perfect Eddie! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She giggled and showed Selina the masterpiece, even though Catwoman had witnessed the entire signing. She placed the puppet back into her purse, looking in on it to make sure it was “comfortable” and then blew it a kiss. She became distracted once Eddie extends his arm out to her, in which she more than gladly linked hers around his.

“Singing about what Eddie?” Harley’s tone suggested that she truly had no idea what was going on all the while she was excited to learn about a secret. “I got a secret for ya!” She looked around to make sure that others were not listening in before she whispered in the Riddler’s ear. “I’m your only friend. I’m not your only friend but I’m a little glowing friend, but I’m not actually your friend but I am. Not to put too fine a point on it, say I’m the only bee in your bonnet. Make a little birdhouse in your soul.” The song seemed appropriate enough to share her friendly feelings toward Eddie, although she was not suggesting that he only had her as a friend. She liked songs and relating them to certain situations, and not only where they in the Penguin's Lounge, she was indeed with a good friend and felt more than happy to express it. However, in order to answer his question, she removed the Riddler’s hat once again, and pulled out a pencil and penguin puppet from her purse.

The second puppet had a monocle in it’s right eye and wore a top hat. Harley placed the puppet on her hand and imitated Oswald’s voice. “My, what a lovely day to view my practical palace of paradisiacal development.” Harley made the puppet look around wondrously at the Iceberg Lounge. She twist her arm from side-to-side to make a waddling motion with the puppet. The movement caused the puppet’s flippers to raise with each twist of the arm. “But what’s this? A problematic scheme to make my skin pallescent upon the mere sight of this obstruction! What pre-eminent fool would believe that I would fall for such a ludicrous trap?” Harley made the puppet touch the base of the pencil and then back up quickly, thus causing the hat to lower itself like the plastic cup in the game Mouse Trap. As the penguin puppet backed up, Harley placed the hat upon her head and withdrew a lace handkerchief from her pocket and set that behind the penguin puppet. As he had backed away from the hat trap, he entered onto the lace and Harley pulled her hand out of the doll to wrap the kerchief around him and raised him up. “Argh! This treatment is most foul!” Harley added and grinned at Eddie in hopes he understood where she was going with this. To build a trap within the Penguin’s habitat, aka the lounge, and build a second trap to ensnare him in front of his staff and guests if Eddie could get away with it.

“The proud penguin prances upon public propriety and popular approval. If we embarrass him in front of everyone, he’ll have to take you serious.” She tossed the puppet into the air, caught it, spun around and placed it on her hand to show Edward that the penguin was not pleased with the idea by folding it’s little flippers across its chest, turned it’s back on him and made a “humph!” sound with the help of Harley. “Or we could just give him a swirly in the men’s room.” She grinned.

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She laughed at him. He was taking her bait, and being an ass, too. Had she gained weight? No. But he certainly liked to take the most offensive routes that usually offended most women. So simple. Winking, Selina tapped on his nose with an extended claw, as if he were a child. "Help might be nice, but I don't know if you have the strength, Eddie." She retorted as he went about slipping the zipper more south. As he pulled close against her, whispering into her ear, she smiled,grabbing his arm before he pulled away. "Why don't you tell me, Riddler, what the cat gets if she is so curious..." Releasing him before he went to play with Harley even more. It took no time for her to zip herself back up to a more respectable look, and wave good-bye to the two of them, and head for the exit.