An idiot with a flower [Victor]

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Edward sat on the park bench in his pajamas. He didn't care. It was only three days ago since he had that meeting with the Doctor. The riddle kept popping into his mind, and even when he tried to drink it away at the lounge it kept popping up.

How do you cheat death?

He had been mulling over it for hours and hours that had turned into days. He didn't look good. It had been a while since he had taken a shower. He hadn't changed from his sweats from yesterday. He couldn't really bring himself to put on a suit. Instead he wore his green sweats and a light green tee-shirt. He would have had the totally casual outfit if his shoes weren't dress shoes, but Edward didn't own any other shoes besides dress shoes (that were bright green). He doubted anyone knew who he was though, even in his entire green assemble. He just looked like a man going through a mid life crisis or something.

The answer to the riddle of life is always death...but there had to be a way to cheat it. There had to.

His attention was only pulled away from his thoughts when he saw something flying about. His eyes caught it as it landed near a young man.

Oh great, a super hero in Gotham. It only added to his wonderful day he was having. His took her appearance in quickly, trying to determine who she was. It didn't take long because he heard the red head start to speak.

He rolled his eyes. Obviously, this was the one known as Starfire because only that powerful super hero could sound like such an idiotic kindergardener. He wondered if she even went to school.

His arms moved to the top of the bench as he leaned into it and watched. It was nice for something to take his mind off his own predicament at the moment. As he watched, he couldn't help the large smile that started to form. It was followed by laughter. He couldn't help himself. Watching this boy, whoever he was, attempt to flirt with her was too pathetic not to laugh, especially since that idiot alien girl would be an easy target. Edward had met many of her type in his youth. They were never very difficult to woe over. This kid was piece of work.

He had forgotten how good it felt to laugh. He had been so sad and so angry lately that feeling happy for once felt like a breath of air.

The alien girl said her goodbyes and left the looming poor puppy alone to watch as she walked away. His droopy face only made him shake his head as more laughter followed. Oh god, this kid needed help.

Normally, Edward wouldn't even bother himself with such a loser, but when you've been told you're going to die in a month and a half, it changes your perspective. He had to think the kid for giving him some form of entertainment during these gloomy times. He smirked and grabbed his cane. He pushed himself off of the bench and walked towards the young man on the glass field.

"Hello there," he said with a large secretive smile as he waved at him. "I'm not certain who you are, but it doesn't take a genius to see you need immense help."

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Victor was still somewhat shy around Kory. And the fact that she now knew she had already fallen for someone else didn't help matters much. He watched her leave after they said they're good byes. He Then simply stood where he was for a few minutes more. He looked around the park and found it somewhat funny that here they were once again in Robinson Park. He looked over at the pond where he first saw her. It had thawed out now.

He sighed as he ran his hand through his grey hair... Then was pulled out of his thoughts by a rather foul smell. It was a smell that most people probably wouldn't have noticed... But his sense of smell was abit stronger then the usual person.

There was a man dressed in green. He looked him over and pushed his glasses up on his nose. His eyes shifted when he heard what the man said. "I have no clue what you're talking about." He commented. Then he looked back at where Kory left. Then he sighed. "If your talking about her........ I'm not that great with talking to women." He said weakly. "But I'm not going to go out and look for help from a stranger." He said not wanting to get involved in anything that he might regret or would need money.... Also there was just something about this man that made Victor cautious.

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Edward limped towards the man. He probably didn’t currently look like a man who could woe a woman over either, but he certainly could. The multiple women of his past who still thought about him at night were evidence to that.

He smirked at his avoidance. “Lucky for you, you didn’t have to look. I’m right here,” he laughed, leaning on his cane. “I apology though for the intrusion. Watching you is just so……” he paused trying to think of a nice way to put it, but he couldn’t find the word, “pathetic. It almost makes me cringe, but I’m not one to turn down a sad puppy in the rain. I can help. I have quite the experience.”

He looked the man up and down. He could be fairly attractive if he tried. He needed fitted suit, but money could buy that. “Before you protest,” he held up his hand to stop any argument. People didn’t argue with Edward Nigma. He got what he wanted when he wanted it, and right now, he just wanted to forget about his situation for a day. He needed a break from pondering over the riddle. Maybe, if he had a break, he could come back to it fresh. “I’m dying of cancer. Only have a few weeks left, and it would be cruel to deny a dying man’s request,” he commented. Guilt was an amazing manipulator. He hadn’t told anyone about his current situation, and he probably would tell no one in the future, but he understood how great a tool that was against the average minds.

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Victor looked at the man. He noticed he had a limp. He wondered what had happened to cause this limp. But he didn't push the subject. Right now he was suspicious on what possible reason this man could have to trying to help him talk to Kory.

He listened and found himself agreeing to some extent with what he said. He probably did look pathetic to some people. This guy clearly thought so. He then narrowed his eyes slightly when the man used the words 'puppy in the rain' "I look that bad?" He asked.

He was about to tell him that he wasn't going to take any help from this guy but he held up his hand. There was no harm in being polite. When the man brought up that he was dying of cancer and that he only had a few weeks left he sighed. Why did he have to be so kind hearted? "Ok fine.... I'll bite... What are you getting at?" He asked. He might as well go through with this. Besides maybe this guy will actually say something that will help... And won't go against who he was. That was something Victor wouldn't do.

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He smirked when he got the answer he expected. These people were far too easy to manipulate. He supposed that was why he sometimes enjoyed the Rogue Gallery. They were more of challenge even if they all were crazy. However, today simplicity would suffice in his entertainment. He could compare it to a King being amused by the court jester. Stupid and simple, but somehow funny.

“Perfect,” he said with a grin, that seemed far more malicious then he meant it to be, habit are hard to kill. “I want you to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with me. I’m going to teach you how to win a woman over, and trust me, it does not matter what planet they are from, all women are the same when it comes to courting them.” He brought out his free hand to introduce himself. “I go by Arthur,” he said, using one of his many aliases, but certainly his favorite one. After he shook the man’s hand he pulled out his blackberry from the pocket in his sweats. He brought it up to his ear after he dialed the number. “Henry pull the car to the entrance of the park,” he said quickly, then clicked end and dialed another number. He started walking towards the entrance as he waved the man to follow.

The phone rang and an Italian man picked up. “Hi Lenardo, I know it’s short notice, but I need to buy a new suit.” He paused as the man spoke happily in the phone, talking about a new type of material they had in for the color green. “No, no, not for me, actually. I’m bringing someone in. He’s going to need a classic blue pen stripe,” he paused and glanced at the man next to him, taking in his form, “Pink tie, white shirt. If you could have the material ready when we get there, that would be perfect.” The man on the phone said something in Italian, and Edward said his thanks. The finally made it to the entrance where a black Acura car was pulled up.

“I hope you are a good listener and a fast learner because I have little patience for stupidity,” he said, opening the door to his car and waiting for the kid to get in. Edward didn’t slide across seats. He was far too classy for that.

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Victor listened to the man, He had to think for abit... No he didn't have anything else to do for the rest of the night so he could manage. He might not enjoy it much but he could at least try... After all there was no harm in it. He winced abit when he saw the man's grin there was just something about it. He wasn't completely sure if he felt the same way about Kory as this man did about women. But it was too late now. "Victor" He said shaking the man's hand.

He followed the man to the car hesitantly. He heard the small voice on the other end of the phone. It sounded as though it was Italian. But he didn't try to follow along. Just because he had super hearing he didn't need to use it for every phone call he was around.

When he saw the car he figured that Arthur was probably not going to slide across the seats so he went around and got in on the other side. When he sat down he looked over at Arthur. "Before we do this I'll say this. There are some things I won't do." he said gesturing to him with a index finger. "Yes I want to be with her. But I don't want to change who I am." He finished. He would only go so far. No punk look, no rocker look. Nothing like that. Victor leaned back and shrugged slight. "Though I guess I could use a suit." He mused under his breath.

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He turned to the man when he set his hard line limit in. Don’t change who he is? He would have laughed, if he knew the man wouldn’t get out of the car. Gah, were there really this many pathetic genuinely good people in Gotham? It was out of place, like a flower growing in the sewers. He smirked. “Ah, so you have pride in who you are?” he said twisting the mans words, “If that is the case then you should be more confident instead of acting like a man with two thumbs and grotesques wart growing on your face,” he said his first lesson with the wave of the hand. Edward was a criminal. He was criminal who had a bad leg, and could barely make it up stairs. On those two factors, you would think that any woman would run five miles away from him. They don’t. The main reason was his confidence, though some called it arrogance.

The boy in the front seat looked at the rearview mirror towards him, giving a confused look about the man. “Where to, Boss?” he asked.

“Lenardo’s,” he said, placing his elbow on the armrest of the car door. He brought his fingers to his chin as he chewed over how best to teach this idiot next to him. He certainly would be a challenge.

“Ridl…” he stopped himself of from the habitual word coming from his lips, “Why are you nervous, Victor?” he asked. He didn’t look at them as Henry started to drive. His eyes were focused out the window, but his thoughts were dancing around with solutions.

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When Arthur commented on Victor's limit, the way he went about saying what he said caused Victor to wonder how this guy could get a girl. And what could he teach him. He looked at him and nodded. "Yes I do... And you have a point." He said after considering his statement.

Then he looked at the driver and wondered what warranted such a look from the guy. Sure Victor was new. But still.

Then Arthur asked why he was so nervous. Victor noticed he almost said something else first. But didn't think anything of it. That's the million dollar question there." Victor said. He looked out the window thinking. He wondered why Lupin was being so quite suddenly. He was really talkative earlier.

He turned back to the man next to him and said. "Well......." He almost brought up his past experience with women then he realized that that wasn't the reason he was nervous. He thought for a second more then sighed [color=8888880"In all honesty I don't know. I guess I'm afraid she'll turn me away. Or that she's just using me."[/color] He said. It was funny. Talking to women was the only thing that caused him to be nervous. Most everything else he could manage rather well.

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He listened carefully as he, of course, hit the nail on the head of the root of his problem. The reason he couldn’t get the girl of his dreams was because he acted like a bubbling buffoon. It automatically placed him in the friend zone, where he would forever stay unless could change that attitude of his. The word afraid though caused him to wince, as his mind went to Jonathan. His kept his face turned to the window. Since the appointment with his Doctor, the only thing other then sadness that his mind kept bouncing to was that man, and what possible thing he was planning against him. He didn’t understand why Jonathan was so focused on his life…no, he did understand. He wanted Jonathan to admit it. Another time, another place, right now, he had a project on his hand.

He turned to face the man again and seized him up. His lips pressed together. He had potential if he wasn’t so…bland. He hoped the tie would help. A little color could do a lot for a boring personality. “Rejection? You need to remind yourself that rejection is the worse outcome. You then must understand what rejection is. Is rejection them leaving you out of there lives forever or is rejection merely saying no to your sexual advances. Will you still be allowed to communicate with her? It’s quite simple really when you come to clear logic. No girl would deny you spending time with her on a friendly matter. Even if they thought you were a hideous being, they would still spend time with you out of pity or not wanting to seem unkind by society. People’s actions are very predictable. Therefore, the worse that can come out of rejection is friendship. I personally find that a horrible outcome, but based from what I’ve gather from you that would not be a terrible outcome. In other words, it would not hurt to show advances and confidence. It could either lead to something more…physical…or at worse only stay as it is as a friendship. Nothing to lose. You getting nervous over a win-win situation is terribly stupid,” he finished, as if he were speaking to a child. The man looked close to his age though, but he obviously had lost some social guidance as a child if he had figured this out yet.

The car pulled to a stop outside a tall skyscraper, but at the bottom was an entrance to an Italian suit store, some of the most expensive in Gotham. “We’re here,” he said and got out of the car. He walked around to the sidewalk and went into the store. A small older man with graying curly black hair was near the front.

“My most favorite customer!” Leo said in enthusiasm when he walked in the door, but stopped, his brows pinching together in disgust, “What terrible thing are you wearing. Mr. Wynn, you must change this immediately.”

Edward paused and looked down at his outfit. Ah yes, he really wasn’t dressed to go out. He chuckled. “Bad week. I suppose I’ll be getting two suits then Leo,” he commented. He placed his hand with his cane on Victor’s shoulder and pushed him forward. “This is Victor, Leo. He’ll need a suit in what I described. I’m going to need a black one.”

“No green?” the man asked somewhat surprised. Leo wasn’t stupid. Edward knew he knew that he was the Riddler, but he also knew Edward paid in full for all of his products.

“Not today. I’m not feeling the mood,” he said.

Leo nodded, “We will need to get his measurements then. Come now, boy.” Leo grabbed the kid’s arm and pulled him in front of three mirrors. He pulled out his measuring tape.

Edward followed and watched the kid that seemed so out of place. “You have potential, but it truly lies on your confidence issue. You want to know what every girl thinks when she sees you now? “ he paused, merely for dramatics, but not looking for an answer. “He will make a great friend! The best of friends!” Edward said, making his voice high and girly. He then straightened his posture and rolled his eyes, “You need to change that.”

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Victor heard the man talking about rejection and as he heard it he found his mind drifting back to his encounter with... What was his name? Oh right Scarecrow. It really was something that worried him. Not worry it was a flat out fear of his. He would have kept thinking about it if Arthur hadn't gone on to talk about sexual advances. At that point Victor snapped back to the present with a startled cough. "Um.... I don't think we're on the same page." He said shifting around in his seat. "Though I think I have an idea on what you're saying." He said. Then he noticed the car had stopped and figured that they were at this "Leonardo's" place.

He got out and followed the other man into the store. He listened to their exchange and noticed the color green was once again brought up again. But he didn't think much of it at the time. He figured that at the moment there was something else to worry about now.

He followed Leonardo over to the mirrors. If you could call it following. He looked at his reflection and brushed his hair abit for no real apparent reason. He listened to Arthur as he was being fitted by the Italian.
Okaaay." He said slightly trying to follow along with what he was saying while being prodded by the guy who worked here. This was just weird for Victor. He had never been in a place like this before. He had also figured out why Lupin was so quite. He didn't need to talk, this guy was doing all his talking for him.

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Edward took a seat as Leo pulled and prodded the boy. The kid really didn’t say much. Edward knew that he liked to talk, but still when he talked to someone he liked the conversation to go both ways.

He lounged out in his sweats as he took the boy in. He really was a piece of work. He could see him being single for the rest of his life if he continued to act this way. It really amazed him how truly pathetic people could be. He snapped his finger, trying to draw his focus back on him. “Are you listening to me, kid? I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall. I admit those with lower intelligence just seem to blank out all words that cause to much confliction, but if I’m going to drop ten thousand dollars on a suit for you, I need you to focus,” he commented.

Leo’s daughter came out with Edward’s suit. She had long curly black hair and curves that match the Italian stereotype. She was about Victor’s age. She smiled at Edward shyly. “It’s nice to have you back, Mr. Wynne,” she said quietly, holding out his suit.

Perfect. Watching might help.

He pushed himself up using his cane and gave her a smirk. “It’s nice to be back, Silvia. I think the outrageous prices your father charges me are not for his suits, but rather to have a glimpse at you,” he spoke smoothly as he leaned in closely to take his suit, his hand barely brushing against hers. He heard the quick breath and caught the light blush on her cheek. He smirked and lingered there a moment longer, knowing the closeness made her flustered before pulling away all together. “I have to change. Victor, do you think you can entertain Silvia while I’m away. She only gets her father all day every day, we must provide a break for her,” he commented as he headed to the dressing room. Leo rolled his eyes at him, but he say the slight chuckle as he kept the sewing needles tightly pressed in his lips.

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The reason Victor wasn't talking much was because he had a strong feeling that he had made a mistake agreeing to come along with this guy. And the guys reaction to him not talking didn't help matters.

As Arthur made the crack about 'lesser intelligence' Victor closed his eyes and then looked over at him. "I didn't want to interrupt you." He said calmly.

Then he saw the attractive woman enter the room he looked her over abit. More out of reaction then anything else. He also started trying to remember what he once knew. He was bilingual, not that great though. There were a few languages he knew well. Others he didn't.

He rolled his eyes at hearing what this guy said when the woman.. Silvia gave him the suit. He looked at Leo and found himself agreeing to his rolling eyes.

When he was told to keep her 'entertained' Victor looked at the woman and wondered what he had in mind. But instead of fretting he said."Ciao è un piacere conoscerla" In somewhat halting Italian. He hoped it was a step forward in 'entertaining' her. Yes he thought she was very attractive... But he wasn't all that used to effectively talking to women he found attractive. That and Italian was one of those languages he didn't know a whole lot of. "I suppose you know I'm Victor by now." He said switching back to English.