Riddle 039: Same Time, Same Bat-Channel

[questionauthority]

[ACTION - AROUND MAYFIELD

Well, that past couple of weeks sure was hell. But now that the Riddler's got his memories back and his brain in proper working order, he's going to be swinging around town---around the school, around the hospital, even door-to-door---to check up on certain people.

For some, he might stay to talk. For others? There may be no sign that Edward was even here, apart from an envelope on their doorstep. What do they say? Who are they for? Now that's a riddle, isn't it?

Knock knock.

ACTION - 726 ANDERSON LANE | THE HALL OF DOOM

And now that all that's taken care of, it's time to settle into his underground headquarters for a bit of contingency planning. If this place has the power to take his memories away again, then time is of the essence. He can't get distracted by---

Huh. This definitely isn't how the atrium of his headquarters looked earlier this afternoon. He's momentarily concerned about how all this junk got down here, and whether or not the Mailman tampered with anything in his supposedly secret HQ, but the suspicion is fleeting. Apart from the new decor, nothing appears to have been broken, stolen, tampered with, or otherwise touched. He really should be more worried about his security system, but that can be taken care of later on this evening. Right now, he's just recovered a blast from his colorful past, the set to something he's not seen in ages.]

Now, how did that old intro go again...? [He clears his throat, trying to remember.] Ladies and gentlemen...

[He glances around the seemingly empty Hall before twirling his cane and adopting the voice of something resembling a game show announcer, his tone suave, showy, and saccharine. As he continues with this incredibly self-indulgent introduction, it's easy to tell that he's really getting into it.]

Ladies and gentlemen, we're now only moments away from midnight... the Hour of Uncertainty. The time when all stands revealed, naked in the face of complexity. Ladies and gentlemen, The Riddle Factory is proud to present...

"Riddle Me This!" With your host... the man of questions, intrigue, and style... the lean, mean, green machine... the Riddler!

[He chuckles to himself, nostalgic at glory days long gone, before poking his head around his evil lair-turned-television set.]

Comments

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger raises his head just enough to peek up at Edward from beneath his cap, revealing some slightly telling stress lines below his eyes. Perhaps thinking in too literal terms, he hopes his presence here alone will answer that question. He's here and lucid, waiting in silent uncertainty for Edward to go on.]

[questionauthority]

[Now here comes the hard part. Acknowledging what's happened.]

Fortunately, I've been feeling considerably more like myself lately, now that things are less hectic. ...I wasn't exactly the most composed when it came to that business with the bank.

[strike_you_out]

[Here it comes. He swallows and stares at a part of the game show set. He'd rather avoid looking too guilty if there's any chance Edward might not recall exactly what happened that night after stepping out of the bank in a crazed state.]

So... your memory is all back?

[questionauthority]

For the most part.

[Even now, he's keeping it vague. He certainly doesn't want to think about it, and he's sure Slugger doesn't want to either.]

Though, for all I know, there could still be a few missing pieces.

[strike_you_out]

[Missing pieces that he wanted to find out from Slugger, no doubt. His fingers twitch slightly around his bat due to an uncomfortable moisture that has condensed between his hand and the bat's grip. Who knew phantasms could sweat?

Reluctant to get to the real point of this conversation, Slugger doesn't say a word, just continues to stand stiffly in place.]

[questionauthority]

[For a moment, Edward's almost unreadable. Then he takes a step forward and places a hand somewhat gingerly on Slugger's shoulder.]

Thank you. [Brief silence.] For taking me home.

[strike_you_out]

[He looks almost startled, not at the touch but at the thanks. It wasn't something he'd expected to hear nor is it something he feels he did anything to merit.]

It's okay. It wasn't anything.

[Honestly, when Edward approached him like that, Slugger had no idea how to help or what to do. He didn't exactly approve of letting Edward wander off so clueless but he couldn't force him to stay at the house, either.]

I didn't know what to do. [And he didn't want to say too much...]

[questionauthority]

All the same, you did what needed to be done. [It's not entirely clear if Edward's referring to caring for his amnesia or for what surely must have happened at the bank. Regardless...] You made the right choice.

[strike_you_out]

[So that was it. It was over. He could nod his head and walk away and everything would be fine the way it was. He would never know for sure if Edward knows what happened that night or how it really affected him. Slugger turns to dismiss himself but he doesn't get far. He pauses. It's as if there's a weight inside of him tethering him in place.]

...Are you afraid of me?

[questionauthority]

Slugger...

[It's a simple question but a very challenging question all the same. Slugger's a monster. He's demonstrated the capability of being a very fierce, vicious, and downright terrifying one. But at the end of the day, this monster is still a boy. Even as a member of this makeshift family Edward's found himself in, Slugger still intimidates him. All the same, Slugger's shown himself capable of compassion, as well as a strong sense of loyalty to his friends and... dedication to his family.]

I don't want to be.

[Slugger might scare the Riddler, but what he says is true. He doesn't want to be afraid of him anymore.]

[strike_you_out]

Most humans are.

[A thoughtful look on his face, Slugger moves to the edge of the stage nearby and sits. Fear was an integral part of what he was; it was only natural for humans to fear him. Because humans fear what they're unable to understand or control. Slugger understands fear but he doesn't always understand humans.]

Sometimes I'm afraid of humans, of what they can do to one another. [Here, he turns to peer up at Edward over his shoulder.] Are you afraid of what the Major can do?

[questionauthority]

Him? [Edward snorts.] Why should I be?

[Edward beat him, after all. ...but even during his brief amnesia spell, there was something the Major had said to him that caught Edward's attention.

"I know you, Edward, because you are the single biggest failure in town. Always reaching too far and too high in your ambitions than you can actually grasp.

And I"m going to punish you for it, Edward."

...should he be afraid of the Major?]

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger won't answer that. He figures it's something Edward should decide on his own. Instead he turns around again and rests his elbows upon his knees, arms folded.]

Last week I attacked him. If he comes for revenge, I'll deal with him. It was my fault.

[questionauthority]

You attacked him last week...? [Edward's not entirely sure why he's that surprised, but he can't keep his lips from curling.] Well, you aren't the only one who may have done so.

[strike_you_out]

I was destroying things, like Jack Smith said. He was in the way.

[He looks up at Edward from where he sits at the edge of the stage.]

Luke? I know.

[questionauthority]

I wasn't referring to Luke.

[There's a smirk on his face that's entirely too self-satisfied.]

[strike_you_out]

You fought him? Why?

[questionauthority]

That imbecile started it. So I finished it.

[strike_you_out]

What happened?

[questionauthority]

I had the displeasure of bumping into him while he was on patrol. Of course, having no idea who he was, I was attacked. But of course, even though I wasn't at one hundred percent, he was foolish enough to underestimate my wiles. I was able to overpower him in an instant.

[Never mind the fact that they're both pretty awful at hand-to-hand combat and it's not really a matter of "who's better" so much as it is one of "who's worse."]

He must have had a very lousy week, wouldn't you agree?

[strike_you_out]

Yeah. [He smirks a little. All three of them running into and humiliating the Major at different times in one week? It was kind of funny.] A really bad week.

[questionauthority]

The fool. He really should learn to pick his battles more carefully.

[Look who's talking...]

[strike_you_out]

He didn't pick all of them...

[Is that a hint?]

[questionauthority]

Perhaps not. But that's his own fault for getting in your way.

[Swing and a miss.]

[strike_you_out]

[Not exactly a miss. Slugger had been mostly referring to his own confrontation with the Major.]

He screamed. [This is something he's a little proud of and thinks Edward would be interested in.]