Grizabella Part 1 [Catwoman]

[Deleted]

The elevator doors opened to the extravagant lobby. He wasn’t wearing anything that notably screamed, ‘I’m the Riddler!’ After the attention Scarecrow had called upon him by getting the Batman and the GCPD involved he would be taking a lower profile...well not completely disappearing off the charts low, but low enough that Batman wouldn’t be knocking on his door any time soon.

Edward buttoned his dark green jacket over the question mark tee shirt he wore. He left his hat back at the apartment. He truly looked average. Still gorgeous, but average. He made his way over to the front desk and smiled at the woman behind it. He grabbed the Gotham Times as he did every morning and opened it up to the front page. He smirked when he saw a picture of Selina Kyle next to the article on Catwoman. Everything was definitely going to plan. The GCPD were attempting to contact Miss. Kyle only to be disappointed by her empty apartment. Of course, Selina would run before facing the cops. It was the wisest decision. He and her both knew she wouldn't be able to convince them of her innocence. He folded the newspaper back up, tucking it under his arm. “Good Day, Jennifer,” he said with a smile because it really was a good day. He was one step closer to figuring out who Batman was, and once he solved the most challenging riddle in Gotham he would have so much influential power that came from that knowledge.

He tried not to let the thoughts of Nina bog down his mind. He was having too good of a day to let the issue of whether or not she cared about him effect it. While he thought this, his face naturally turned to a frown. He needed to think positively. Catwoman was reacting just as he predicted. She would probably be contacting him any day now to enlist his help. Predictable. People were completely predictable. Edward stuffed his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a lollipop as he opened the glass door to the sidewalk. Allen said he would be a few minutes longer so Edward decided to enjoy the nice day. He plopped the lollipop into his mouth with a smile as the door closed behind him. The sounds of cars and people in suits flooded his senses. For some reason the pain of his leg didn't bother him. Everything that seemed overwhelmingly beautiful.

Things were looking up for Edward Nigma. Things were looking up.

(OOC: Takes place after scarecrow riddle if that wasn't obvious.)

[Avalikia]

The day wasn't nearly as 'nice' for Selina as it was for Edward. Over the past couple of days a series of articles were written about Catwoman, and subsequently about herself as well. Giving away her identity and putting her very life in danger. Maybe not in a lethal sense, but in the sense that her 'second life' was put at risk. Especially considering that she felt more like Catwoman than Selina on a daily basis. So really, her socialite status, her money, her home, all of her work.. that was the second life put at risk. Catwoman could come back from this.. Selina would have a much harder time.

There were only two people in Gotham that she knew would be able to offer at least some form of help. One was a bit too self-righteous and against criminals for her to really trust him fully. Knowing him, the only help he'd give would be to put her in cuffs and hand her over to the GCPD after reading through the articles that falsely accused her of robbing a family versus just a company as usual. Catwoman was, obviously a cat burglar.. but she wasn't a common thief, sneaking into personal homes and tearing them apart. Not unless the person really deserved it.

The other.. it was very strange of her to want to employ his help, even she would admit. But aside from Batman he was probably the smartest man on the east coast, let alone Gotham City. The man in green who went by the alias of 'The Riddler,' pretty commonly known for setting death traps for those unfortunate enough to get on his bad side. Though he was smart, she was deadly.. and if he wouldn't help her, he'd get himself scratched, and her cats would eat especially well over the next few days. The toxin was still in her blood stream, still making her thinking a little less clear than she'd like it to be, not to mention the fact that she was rightfully pissed off.

Edward Nigma was relatively easy for her to find. A few contacts in the East End led her here, to Gotham's North side. The fact that he was living well under an alter ego ticked her off even more, since she could be resting at her luxury apartment right now as well. But, no. The degenerates down at the Gotham Times with apparent death wishes had to go and mess with her decent reputation.

Although this part of time was nice, there were alleys everywhere. Alleys shadowed by the neighboring towering buildings, and hiding behind a few conveniently placed trash bins allowed the black leather-clad woman even more cover. From behind the corner she watched the door; he had to leave sometime. And when she finally saw the smug looking man exit the building, she took silent steps outward, and lashed the long bullwhip at him, aiming it toward his waist so that it'd clasp around, and she could pull him back near so she could have her little chat in private.

[Deleted]

He took in cleansing breath just as something hard wrapped around his waist. His first thought was, ‘Not again,’ followed by his second thought, ‘I really should start wearing thicker clothing,’ as he was yanked from his place and pulled into the alleyway. He managed to hold onto his crane, but he lost his paper. He hadn’t even looked at the crossword puzzle. He would have to buy another one. It was a waste of 75cents, but Edward needed his daily doze of puzzle even if he could solve it under a minute.

When he was yanked into the alleyway he was not surprised to see a woman in leather hiding in the shadows. He frowned for only a moment at the rough treatment. Sometimes her methods were too similar to the Bat pack: shadows, tying a person up, yanking them wherever you want, and intimidation. For this very reason, Edward knew Selina had more knowledge of the bat family then she really let on. He had heard rumors around the East side that Selina was seen close to Batman on a few occasions. She was also known to talk to boy blunder. Yes, Selina had information that Edward wanted, and Edward planned to get it. Nonetheless he would have preferred better treatment.

He placed his cane on the ground to straighten his form then brushed his jacket in order to smooth out the wrinkle her rough handling had caused. “Selina dear, You could have just called,” he stated causally before finally looking up at the woman in a cat suit. Even for a woman dressed as a cat, she still looked beautiful. Edward was not surprised that this woman entranced Batman.

“I’m assuming this about your current predicament. I was reading over the paper. I do say they could have taken a better picture,” he smirked then looked down at the whip still around his waist, “If you want to talk could we do this without the bondage?”

[Avalikia]

Pulling the man into the alley with the thick bullwhip, Selina had what looked to be a scowl on her face from the very beginning simply because of the crappy mood that she was in. She wasn't aiming to hurt the Riddler if he didn't deserve it. She needed his help. But she didn't particularly like what she'd heard about him, so she allowed herself clearance to be a little less than nice with him immediately.

Unwrapping the whip from his waist, Selina forced a smirk and quickly brought one of her hands up to his neck, her claws just barely scraping his skin. Enough that she could hurt him pretty severely if she wanted to, and enough that it served as a warning that she would, but for now, just to keep him in place.

"You're going to help me with that predicament, Eddie." She spoke quietly, her tone not matching that of her rough attitude at the moment. In fact, her expression went from focused and angry looking to disappointed, and kind of worried. "Someone down at the Gotham Times doesn't like me very much, spreading nasty rumors about crimes that I didn't commit." Looking him directly in the eyes, she used her free hand to remove her goggles, letting them rest on the top of her cowl. "You believe me, don't you Eddie?"

Selina never claimed to be above using the so-called 'sad kitten face.'

[Deleted]

He watched as Selina came closer to him and unwrapped the whip. There is naturally a strange mixture of emotions that stir when an attractive yet very deadly woman in touching your frame, but Edward kept his smug expression in place. His mind danced to how perfectly everything was working out. He loved when he was right.

It wasn’t until her hand was around his neck that he snapped focus on the current situation. Selina was still a rogue. She was still very dangerous…especially with those diamond strong claws. He felt one tracing down his skin and getting too close to his jugular for comfort. The instinctive part of him wanted to grab his gun, but the more logical side told him he was still in control. Selina needed him. She wouldn’t hurt him…well she at least wouldn’t kill him. He felt her move closer to him as she spoke soft words to gain his help. For a woman threatening to hurt him she still could be very seductive.

The nickname…though…

He forced himself not to cringe.

But when she pulled up her goggles and showed her worried eyes, his annoyance for the name lifted. She was putty in his hand ready to be molded in the way he wanted. Women truly were simple creatures.

He smirked at the sad face she was giving him. “Yes, that did seem a little bit messy of you,” he paused his eyes traveling skywards as he thought. Since he was unable to really move his neck he settled for running his hand through his hair. “So that leaves the riddle, if you didn’t steal those items who did?”

He smirked then looked back down at her. “That’s simple. Someone who is trying to frame you….but,” he stated, focusing on her eyes, “Why should I help you find this person?”

He frowned leaning his neck against her claws and taking a step forward. Not enough to draw blood yet….but definitely causing him slight discomfort. “If I remember correctly, Selina, the last time I saw you was when you beat me to my own heist and then left me to fend off the Bat as you slipped back into the shadows,” his words were cold because that had been an annoying event. It was a problem that had occurred to a few rogues on occasion. A new expensive item comes into town and two rogues want it….it causes unnecessary conflicts. While Edward had been annoyed it definitely wasn’t enough for him to reject Selina…especially when he planned to help her. He just couldn’t make it look like he actually wanted to help her; it would make her suspicious. He had to reject her offers until reluctantly accepting, and then he would be surrounded with Selina for a long enough period of time to determine who the Batman was.

[Avalikia]

The smug attitude of Edward's was one of the things that she knew to expect from him, both from research done on the man that she'd at least half-completed before demanding his help and from encounters with him in the past. One that included beating him to his own planned heist, taking the loot for herself and letting him fend off Batman for once. That was a good day. Remembering it, she had to suppress a smirk that'd otherwise kind of blow her whole 'I'm innocent, help me' look.

Tightening her grip around the man's neck when he dared to lean forward, her eyes narrowed on him. She intended to make it very clear that he was going to help her, because he had no choice in the matter. True enough that she was the one who needed him, but.. well, claws. Claws hurt. She could severely hurt him and still get his help, so long as she left his vitals and his voicebox alone.

"I don't make sloppy mistakes like that." She commented, sounding irritated already. The fact that they'd insult not only Selina's, but Catwoman's reputation by saying she'd left a crumbled piece of paper with her name on it at the scene of a crime was downright embarrassing.

'Why should I help you find this person?[/i]'

Chuckling quietly, Selina's eyes wandered down to the ground for a minute, until she shoved Edward back against the wall of the alley, and a scowl formed, clearly not in the mood for his hypothetical threats. Pushing the claws into his skin a little further, she glared right into his eyes and leaned some of her own weight into him so that a part of her forearm was against his neck also, helping to cut off at least a little air.

"Because if you don't, I'll cut you into little pieces and feed you to my cats. The poor things will be going hungry now that I can't even go home safely."

[Deleted]

The chuckling caused him to raise an eyebrow until he was aggressively shoved, falling back and not stopping until his back painfully hit the bricks on the wall. He frowned as the grip tightened on his throat and his airway slowly closing a bit. He felt the slight prick of pain meaning she broke skin. Great….just great…the blood was going to stain his shirt. Her fierce glare had no effect on him. It only caused his own eyes to narrow in irritation.

Most people would never complain about having a woman in tight leather rubbing against their form, but Edward couldn’t pay attention to the physical aspect of it because he was too focused on the woman’s bossy attitude. People didn’t boss the Riddler around. He was a genius. This woman was just a manipulative pawn. There seriously was something wrong with the women in Gotham. Why did every one of them get some type of thrill out of taunting him?

He listened to her threat with mild interest. He knew it was a bluff. Not only did she need him, but also Catwoman wasn’t known for killing people…at least not purposefully. “Selina, I’m very opened for trying new things, but this is a little to rough for my taste,” he said through the limited air she gave as he shifted his body causing his chest press up against hers. Of course, he wasn’t purposefully trying to make this more physical. He just needed to get….his…hand…there…

He pulled out his gun and pointed it right at her stomach pressing it against her side. “Riddle me this, can you feed your cats before I pull the trigger?” he asked with a smirk knowing that she could easily cut her throat, but she wouldn’t. It was a bluff just as he was bluffing. It felt like he was playing a game of poker except lives were on the line.

“Dear, like any man I can’t complain about our current position, but I don’t appreciate the threats. Have you ever considered asking nicely?” he said with a playful smile trying to lighten the tension.

[Avalikia]

Normal people didn't get to boss Riddler around. But Selina wasn't exactly the definition of 'normal' either. Her bossy nature and her deadliness gave her all the right in the world to boss him around however she pleased. Right now, she had the upper hand. Riddler was in her claws and with very little effort she could have his throat slit and leave him to bleed out in the crummy alley next to his grandiose apartment building.

While the man continued to struggle against her; sort of.. it wasn't necessarily struggling so much as it was moving when she didn't want him to, Selina's claws continued to tighten around his neck until she could see a few blood droplets finally gaining enough volume that gravity forced them to fall down his neck, and she grinned at that. Of course, just as she grinned, the gun was pressed against her side. Awkward timing, but she kept her grin since she still wasn't feeling all that threatened. She was Catwoman, she'd dealt with guns before.

"Are you even going to pull the trigger?" She asked in a lower tone of voice, her expression softening as her grip on his neck loosened, running her claws carefully down his neck and then using her index claw to perk his chin up a little, leaning forward a bit as well. She could ask nice.. she just wanted to vent a little before she had to act like a good little pet.

"Don't kid yourself, Eddie. You're not like other men. You're so much smarter than they are." She purred, still grinning. "That's why I came to you for your help. You're the only one who I could think of." This was a lie. A little white lie.. but those never hurt anyone too much.

[Deleted]

Selina grinned at him in a way that reminded him of the Cheshire Cat from the Alice in Wonderland tale. Of course, the Cheshire Cat was one of the most manipulative creatures in the story, so it only made Edward suspicious. Until he felt the grip around his throat loosen.

He rolled his jaw and moved his neck at the new found freedom, but immediately stopped as her claw traveled up his neck and under his chin. He kept his gun pressed against her stomach. She was calling him on his bluff. He only smirked in response to the question. He could easily pull the trigger, but having Selina paralyzed for weeks did not benefit him in anyway. Before he had any more time to contemplate over it she continued in almost a purr.

As her smooth words landed softly on his face, he found the smirk turning into a more and more arrogant expression. He also felt himself loosening the pressure on her side as he pulled the gun away.

He was much smarter then any other man. It was nice that finally a woman was admitting to it. He pulled the gun completely away putting it in his waistband. “I’ve never heard such truer words. Well if you need me, I am too much of a gentleman to turn down a pleading woman,” he stated confidently. While the words sounded rude, he genuinely meant them.

“If you want me to solve this we will have to meet at the crime scene. I assume you want to start as soon as possible. Tonight then. Midnight on the roof at the History Museum,” he stated thinking over the way he already planned to shut down the security system. After his conclusion he realized she was still trapping him against the wall. He looked at her then at the wall then back at her. “Selina, while I enjoy this you’re going to have to let me go.”

[Avalikia]

Keeping her claw pointed against his chin, Catwoman again moved her hand so that her palm rested on his cheek instead, her fingers lifted up so that her claws were sure not to hurt him this time. She ran her hand down his cheek until she sort of pinched his chin softly between her thumb and the side of her index finger, and gave his head a little shake, chuckling softly to herself.

"That's what I like to hear, Edward." She said, using the name that he seemed to prefer this time instead. No sense in continuing to use the nickname that he didn't like when she'd gotten what she came for from him. An agreement to help. That's all she was after.

"Sounds like a date. I'll see you tonight then, Edward." Leaning forward, she closed her eyes and planted a long, drawn out kiss on his lips just to seal the deal. She didn't enjoy it at all, since.. nothing would change the fact that it was the Riddler that she was kissing. All a means to an end, though.

Letting him go, she pulled her goggles back over her eyes, and began to walk in the opposite direction down the alleyway, for a clear escape route.

[Deleted]

His face furrowed together when she gave his head a little shake. The way she was talking to him was too similar to how an adult talked to a child. But before he could even protest the annoying treatment, he heard his name.

His actual name.

The annoyed look dissipated to a sincere one. She was actually trying to be pleasant unlike other rogues. Maybe, Edward was okay with Selina…as long as she didn’t do anything to mess up his plans. Maybe..he could have an ally...well probably not. He would have mulled over a possible friendshi…no acquaintance longer if she hadn’t started to lean in.

Wait…hold on a second…what’s happening?

He had been so stuck in his thoughts that he hadn’t realized she had her palm along his cheek or how close she had gotten to his body. Her lips touched his and for a second there he stayed stiff, eyes wide, and confused. He knew he was an attractive man, and women were drawn to him like bees to flowers, but all of his research told him Catwoman had a relationship with Batman. This logical side would have held ground if the kiss had been short, but it continued. And like any man he started to notice how close their bodies really were, about a few inches. He started to notice that a very attractive and elusive woman was kissing him. His eyes ended up closing as well and his hands almost went to her waist, but before he could even touch her she had already pulled away.

He watched with sort of a blank stare as she pulled down her goggles and disappeared down the alley. Edward stayed planted to the wall for a few more moments as he collected his thoughts. Catwoman was with Batman….why would she kiss him? If she wasn’t with Batman then this entire plan would be a waste. No, not necessarily. She had been with Batman and is just not anymore. Yes, that was possible, but still why kiss him? Well he was a gorgeous looking genius who wouldn’t want to? He smirked to himself at that thought as he pushed himself off the wall. He brushed the dust off his jacket. It probably was just out of thanks. Catwoman was already a bit more physical…he touched his neck cringing at the blood…it shouldn’t surprise him that she kissed people as thanks. He pulled out his lapel wiping it on his neck to stop the bleeding.

Still Catwoman kissed him.

How many men wished that happen to them? He smirked arrogantly as he headed out of the alley to the street. Hopefully, Allen would be there with his car. He had to get things from the warehouse and make sure he could get through the security system again. As he stepped out into the busy sidewalk a thought hit him like a truck.

What am I suppose to tell Nina?

(OOC I'll start the new thread later tonight.)