RIDDLER? MORE LIKE RUDELER.

[deciphering]

Feeling the pressure already, kiddo? Utterly unsurprising, but I can’t really blame you. God forbid if our positions were reversed, this would be the point where I’d start squirming, too.

Guess this answers what an irritating child has in common with a skeleton – neither of you have any guts. Try hitting me up when you get some, then we’ll talk shop.

[edward nigma: dick for hire, ladies and gentlemen.]

Comments

[deciphering]

Do you really want me running around dressed like him? Keep in mind I'd have to mimic that ostentatious growl he calls a voice, too. Consider that carefully before you answer.

Have it your way, I just don't want to deal with another murder case. It's not like I don't have a stack of those to deal with every morning. Do you know how cramped my hand gets? [the only crime worse than murder is paperwork, jsyk.]

[escarabajo]

[Jaime snorts.] Don't hurt your throat there, dude.

Paperwork will be the least of your problems if the Scarab goes nuts. Which it won't. But, uh, why do you have to do paperwork? I haven't had to do any of that. [Nor does he ever WANT to. Homework is enough.] Are you working with the police, or something?

[deciphering]

How else am I supposed to convey my inner anguish? [sheesh.]

They benefit from my services, yes, but I'm primarily freelance.

[escarabajo]

You can perch on rooftops and jump through skylights! Or you can write sad poetry or something, which might be way less dangerous.

So a consulting detective kinda thing, huh. [Wow. Never thought he'd be comparing the Riddler to Sherlock Holmes, but here he is.]

...Er, I'm sorry about the villain thing, by the way--there's a lot of, y'know, us to keep track of.

[deciphering]

And much more stupid. I agree. [still, the idea of learning parkour is pretty appealing. note to self: look into classes.]

…Yeah, there is. Like I said, I’ve stopped keeping track. [and although he doesn’t want to admit it, he can’t help but feel a surge of pride –real pride, tinged not with arrogance but honest-to-god enthusiasm – at the way Jaime says that: us. even if it’s not quite what the kid has in mind, Eddie likes the implication it’s bringing all the same, the sense of belonging.] Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first person who’s had a hard time believing it, and I’m positive you won’t be the last.

[but he doesn’t sound at all bent out of shape about it. he shrugs, raising his palms.]

Doesn’t matter. The only thing better than having all the answers is defying expectations.

[escarabajo]

I know now, though; I won't forget.

[he smiles a little, relieved that Eddie's not offended; he, of all people, doesn't want to be the one to judge. everybody deserves a second chance, after all.]

I get that, too. You can't pick your lot in life, but you do get to pick what you do with it, right?