Riddle 015: Even More Puzzling...

[questionauthority]

[First, a public call, filtered from drones/Grady/Mayor/Postman/etc.]

Riddle me this. When you have it, you'll want to share it, but if you share it, you'll no longer have it.

It's a secret, ladies and gentlemen, and it seems as though the Mailman's incapable of keeping one. I know others have said it before, but come now. Surely we're all smart enough not to victimize one another. Many have their reasons for wanting to return home, but I'm sure others have their reasons for wanting to stay here as well. Strange as that may be.

...though that is rather curious. Why would one decide to stay in a place like Mayfield?

[Then, a private call, filtered to Officer Grady.]

This is Edward Nigma. Are you in, Boss?

[Then, an action, for his housemates and whoever else happens to visit. It looks like Edward's been fortunate enough to get back one of his old outfits in the mail, along with his good ol' cane. Believe it or not, it's actually surprisingly comfy and warm. Almost like long-johns. Feel free to walk in on him and comment on his god-awful fashion sense.]

Comments

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Eddie takes that as his cue to leave these two lovebirds alone, crossing into the living room and pulling out the paper.]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Huh?

When the heck was she Batgirl? .....I thought there was only one of those!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

There's more than--- Right. I'd forgotten you weren't from the same time as I.

[Or the same universe, for that matter, but he doesn't realize this quite yet.]

There's been several Batgirls by now. Different Robins, as well. A different Batman, even.

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

......




What?


[She's...actually been givin' this some thought]


.....um Eddie? Do you remember ....why you became a criminal?

[miss-enma-ai.livejournal.com]

[Watches him leave. Before turning to look at Slugger.]

People were getting things back. I was curious if you had anything yet.

[Also, she's really bored.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Well, I have my theories as to who it is, but it certainly isn't the one you or I know.

[He pauses.]

...that's an odd question to ask. [He decides on the short version.] I was a child prodigy, though my father never thought so, and I wanted to prove to him and everyone else that I was a genius.

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

.....

No. I mean the real reason.

Like. How Crane was trying to ruin his old university an' Ivy was tryn' ta kill Harvey....an Jervis had that Alice girl.

[She knows how you became a criminal but she's ...getting suspicious.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...what on earth are you talking about?

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

My bat. Did y--

[Suddenly aware that Eddie is most likely still in earshot and that Ai might want to keep her regain a secret. He also doesn't realize that what he's about to ask her could ttly be taken the wrong way.]

Did you want to go upstairs?

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

....

I'm talk'n about our pasts.

What were you doing before Batman started chasin' you!

Ivy worked at a perfume company an' she tried to kill Harvey, before he was Two-Face for killin' a bunch of plants! And Crane was kicked out of University for stuff and then tried to get revenge!

And you worked with games but one of your bosses ripped you off and you wanted revenge on them...

[Getting freaked out. People found it easy to talk to her, so she'd heard pretty much everyone's story. Why don't you know this.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

A game company?

...well, I had a game show at one point, but I never worked for a game company.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He suddenly glances over the paper at them. Did Slugger just ask...?]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

......

Yes you did.


[Okay, who the hell are you.]

Do you remember the time we took over Arkham? We got Jervis to use his cards...and put Batman on trial?...

[miss-enma-ai.livejournal.com]

Alright.

[Someone has got to mention to these two, what normal is.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...that's not how it happened. Joker had taken hostages and staged something, yes, but he never put Batman on trial.

From what I'd heard, one of the doctors there had gone insane and thought Batman was some kind of... demon?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Maybe they're desperate, or just don't have any place better to go.

Only reasons I could see wanting to stay here.

[He won't mention that he falls into both of those categories, of course.]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

.....No.

We got Jervis to use his cards on the guards and we kidnapped some lawyer who hated Batman, an' Batman. And then we made her defend batman in our court! You were there! In the jury with me, an Ivy an Crane...and Mr. J was the judge!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...Harley, that never happened.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

That could very well be the case.

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Yes it did!

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Clueless, he turns and starts back up the stairs again. To take a girl. Into his room.]

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Though, at the same time? I've met at least two people who voted no specifically to stay and fight these people?

Which by this point? I don't mind. I'd rather figure out what's going on then anything.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[And Edward shoots out of the seat. The last thing he needs is Susan yelling at him about Slugger having strange girls in his room.]

Hold on one second. What do you think you're doing?!

[miss-enma-ai.livejournal.com]

[Hey Eddie, you liked Sluggers creepy stares? Have one from a small girl with red eyes.

What.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

It seems the only way we might get answers, at any rate.