Seeing him not in a state of distress put a smile on her own face, glad that he wasn’t in as bad of shape as she had feared. Hopefully, whatever was bothering him had somewhat lessened on the short walk from the lab to her room, or at least, he seemed to carry himself in such a way.
“You’re not disturbing me at all and–We’re not in a meeting. Kristen is fine. But–no. No, I think I’ve just about gotten everything done. Just doing a few more pulls before the next round of deliveries.”
Scurrying around the space, she moved on to the next cabinet, checking her list before glancing back over at him. “I’m happy to see that you’re in a better mood. I was worried about you.”
And with those words, Ed’s mood lifted further. Usually offering a chipper smile, this time it was practically bouncing off of his face.
“Wonderful! Sorry, I keep forgetting — Kristen. Afterwards, would you like to grab something to eat?”
He was absolutely SWEATING as he asked the question, but having gotten to know her proved quite helpful for his confidence. Though he hovered a bit, not unlike he usually did, Edward leaned a little easier against the filing cabinets. His other voice was NOWHERE to be heard.
Even though she’d expected him to arrive, she’d busied herself with work, trying to get through a few of the things on her to-do list before he would come knocking. Not that she couldn’t get a few more things done with him in the space but if he was seriously in such a low state, she didn’t want to make him feel ignored, knowing that to be the last thing that people needed when they were desperate for some sort of distraction. Balancing professionalism with non-work related interactions was a tricky business.
When the knock came, she jumped just a bit, having been so hyper-focused on her pulling that the sound had startled her. Quickly grasping the last file she’d been searching for, she placed it in her outbox, turning to smile at him as he entered inside.
“Mr. Nygma, it’s–please, come in. I was just finishing up some pulls and…” She looked around, finding the space rather lacking in hospitable places to offer him. “Uhm…feel free to use my chair. I know if I sit down I lose steam but…it’s yours if you’d like.”
Seeing her and hearing her voice had an immediately soothing effect. Edward smiled wide and quirky, very much like his usual self, as he shut the door behind him.
“I’m sorry to disturb you. Do you need some help? Suddenly things are looking up quite a bit.”
He’d meant to bring something: a riddle, one of his fresh baked cupcakes, or even some soppy bunch of flowers, but he’d simply forgotten. If she were to accept a ride home tonight, Ed made a mental note to stop some place nice for dinner with her.
stumbling drunks weren’t a RARE sight in the sirens. in fact SOBRIETY stood out like the sore thumb. but a man like him, being PENGUIN’S sweater vest wearing sidekick tottering around drunk off his ass? now THAT was a sight. it was ALMOST amusing enough to stifle her irritation. ❝ do me a favor? don’t do it here. LIABILITY is a real bitch. just .. - ❞ hands against his chest, she nudged him back on to a bar stool, eyes narrowed as she studied him. his fainting theory seemed LIKELY. she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she spoke, ❝ why don’t i call someone to come get you? better than ending up on the FLOOR. ❞
Despite feeling decidedly sloshed, Edward laughed and reached for Tabitha’s arms to steady himself when she pushed him back onto a stool.
“But Miss Galavan! I-I came here specifically to speak with you! Your wooon-derful bartender over there was kind enough to offer drinks on your account.”
And though his speech was extra sing-songy and sloppy, he hadn’t felt this LIBERATED in a long time. It was quite pleasant.
“That is strictly confidential, Edward, but what I can
say is it should be good as new in as little as a week. Until then…” it
was time to work those baby blues. He looked down, then back up at Ed
using his lashes and cerulean eyes at full capacity. “I’m at my wits
end. I spent a good amount of money on those ~very~ expensive tickets
for us… I have nowhere to go…” his brows knit together, his full lips in
a soft pout. “I wouldn’t want to be a burden to anyone, I just wish I
had a friend willing to help me in these trying times, possibly by
giving me a place to stay~”
Oh he was good, and though Edward was clever enough to see through the act, he had an unusual urge to go along with it.
“A generous, brilliant friend like me, perhaps? If only I had an extra bed. As it is, I live in a TINY space. Very little room to move around in, only a lumpy sofa to sit in aside from the bed. It’s appalling, really.”
How did this end up happening? The very same place, just a different night, and Ed’s hands going decidedly wrong places as he tried to talk his rather inebriated self out of it. To no avail. A hand travelled over the curve of the Joker’s ass and it was the end.
“Oh dear, it seems that I’ve had a slip of the hand,” he giggled ever so delightedly.
After pressing SEND, Edward stared at the phone in his hand and then shook his head at himself. Why had he felt the need to reach out like that? Of course Miss Kringle always made him feel better just by her mere presence, and they had been talking much more of late, but…
“Maybe you’re hoping she’ll actually try to comfort you. Wouldn’t that be so SWEET?”
Edward gnashed his teeth together and ignored the small voice that had begun to get louder and more niggling lately. Standing up a little taller and pep-talking himself under his breath, he headed towards the Records Annex and knocked to announce his presence before entering with a soft, “Miss Kringle?”
There was something about this MAN that made Oswald want to reach up, put his hands around his neck and then squeeze until he went blue. He wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe it was that strange, eternal smugness. Like he was always SATISFIED with himself some how. The big wide grin he wore.
It wasn’t all bad he supposed… No there was also SOMETHING about him that was fascinating and captivating and maybe the conflict was that it had all rolled its self into one, especially now. He’d thought about Ed a lot after their last encounter. PONDERING. Now it seemed there really was more to the odd man and Oswald had always been a very curious creature. Whatever it was, he wanted to learn about it. Especially if it had to do with JIM.
Another one of his tight smiles as he spoke. He’d already come up with theories as to why Ed was playing this game with him. Maybe he wanted ❛ in❜ somehow and that wouldn’t have been UNUSUAL. Someone like himself would have been advantageous too. A man so close to the GCPD and all its knowledge… Oswald could have realFUN with that.
❝ Alright, friend. Absolutely. I have recently came into ownership of a nightclub, so, perhaps you’d like to pop by? I’m flexible; any time that suits you will be fine. Oswald’s, in the middle of the theater district with the bright blue umbrella. You can’t miss it. ❞
Slightly more of a demand than a suggestion but if Oswald was going to meet with astrange fellow he wasn’t entirely sure the true intentions of he wanted it to at least be on his TURF and club was the best place for that.
Merely offering a nod, Ed passed by the other man and muttered to himself:
“Well that was much too easy.”
He had a little time before the day was over, so amidst all of the paperwork and sneaking into the autopsy bay, his mind rolled over their future meeting that evening. WHAT would he even say to start with? He knew why he was going, but in the end, was it really wise to ruffle THIS particular criminal’s feathers?
Before long, it came time to leave and he got changed at his small studio apartment as quickly as possible. Who gave a damn what some forensic nerd wore — so he was off with his loose suit jacket and bow tie, easily finding the club and slipping inside to seek out the illustrious new owner.
“Mister Cobblepot, please,” Ed requested at the end of the bar, his eyes always just roving to ensure his personal safety. You never knew in a place like THIS.
Of all the ways this day could start out, Edward hadn’t planned on waking up at 3 in the morning to odd sounding thumps on his studio door. Even through the thick metal, he could make out the uneven raps that sounded almost like knocks.
Pulling on a thick flannel robe to shield against the COLD of the late autumn air, he dragged open the door a few inches to see what was making the racket. And in that moment, s h o c k ran down his spine and tingled at his fingertips, inciting a whole new numbness to run through his body. But this was —
“…Mister Joker?” he questioned softly, already reaching out to steady the figure that looked more out of sorts than usual.
The notorious mad clown had been MISSING for months, and now out of thin air, he shows up on Ed’s doorstep? This reminded him of another well-known criminal who once searched for safe haven, covered in tar and feathers — the memory made him cringe and he decided there and then to get to the bottom of this.
“Please come in. I’ll make you a cup of something hot — you need it.”
What a bother. The apology had done LITTLE to console him as he’d already began the mental process of putting this encounter behind him as well as his heated outburst. He’d righted himself, stood tall as possible for a man of his stature and then FINALLY he replied, dismissively as ever. More so now for the fact he wasn’t sure what else to say after that. Perhaps Edward Nygma hadn’t been trying to make any enemyof himself but Oswald still wasn’t entirely sure where he STOOD on this.
Just like their last encounter he was left with far more questions than he was answers.
❝ Right. Well, this has been pleasant but I really must bid you adieu.Untilnext time then. ❞
He quipped, unable to withhold the sarcasm in his tone as he turned and began a waddle away, HOPING to find Jim. He didn’t of course. When he got to the detectives desk he bitterly found no sign of him and so he couldn’t help but feel somewhatthe fool. Looking back down over the bustling station it wasn’t hard to pick out the tall man again. He seemed to be SEARCHING through one of the filing cabinets and suddenly Oswald had time on his hands. It might have been embarrassing to come wandering back so soon, but, nothing had ever stopped this Ed from popping up and bugging him.
It didn’t take long for Oswald to find himself standing RIGHT behind Ed, giving him an intense an eye as ever. He didn’t even wait for the man to turn around before he spoke. Nagging curiosity and a tremendous let-down had certainly gotten the better of him.
❝ What is it you know about Jim? …. Seems he’s out. Working a case, I suppose. Looks like my schedule is free.❞
His tight smile was the only goodbye he offered the other man, but Ed knew that at some point, the NAGGING doubt would creep in and he’d eventually give in to curiosity. That was one of Edward’s many gifts: seek out another’s insecurities and weaknesses and use them to his advantage. Whether that would be for their own GOOD or not… that was another matter entirely.
Getting back to work was easy enough, even though he found his mind out of usual sorts after the last encounter. Filing away reports and picking up new ones requiring forensic review felt unusually mind-numbing this time around. And then the soft footsteps that he barely made out, followed by a familiar voice, prompted another of Ed’s l a r g e smiles.
“Mr Cobblepot,” he said without turning around; instead, he opened a file, letting the other man stand there without an answer for a few beats. Plant the bait, watch them bite, and then… reel them in.
The file in hand shut with a SNAP ! and he finally faced Oswald Cobblepot.
“My knowledge and time are valuable, so I would like to suggest we discuss this in a less, shall we say, conspicuous location at a more suitable time? I’m quite certain that you know plenty of places like that, correct?”
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