questionauthority | Riddle 017: The Dominoes Fall

Entry tags:

Riddle 017: The Dominoes Fall

[First, a public call, filtered from drones and the like.]

First we're told not to drink the milk. It's poison, they say. Now, apparently, we aren't to be drinking the water, either? Believe me when I say that my childhood isn't something I was particularly happy to return to. Not at all.

[He lets out a low sigh before filtering the call to Pokey Minch.]

Were you able to discover anything about the Smiths that could come in handy?

[And another filter, to Ema and Scout:]

Well, my partners-in-crime? Clear your schedules for the weekend. It's time to put our plan into action.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Considering that a good deal of the other Mayfielders that Edward usually interacted with hated him, harassed him, or threatened him on a regular basis, he'd be a fool not to admit how invaluable Ema and Scout were. They admired him. Respected him. Trusted his insight.

But in the end, Mayfield was a game of survival. And if there was one thing Edward excelled in, it was survival. Always have a good escape. He'd escaped Arkham enough times that it was second nature. He'd escaped Batman after their last encounter, making off with a fortune. He'd even escaped the threat of death, ridding himself of cancer in the Lazarus Pits.

He'd escaped Mayfield once. And he'd do it again.

Even if he planned to leave them in the dust, there was still some degree of honesty to Edward's scheme. He'd see to it that no matter what, she and Scout wouldn't be harmed. The Riddler was nonviolent by nature, and he didn't intend to leave this place with blood on his hands.]

Are you sure you're up for something this big?

[The question takes Ema by surprise. Of all the responses she expected from Mr. Nigma, concern for her was not among them.

She looks up from her notepad and gives him a long, serious look.]

Whether or not I'm sure doesn't make a bit of difference. I have to be.

We're not getting out of here unless we're armed with more--better--information. Gathering and analyzing evidence is what I know. I can't be one of the people on the front lines when things come to violence. But I can do this.

[This investigation really means a lot to her. Ema would agree that Mayfield is a game of survival... but how she knows to survive depends on information and cooperation. She honestly isn't capable of putting herself before everyone else in that regard.]

[Scout has arrived! And he's brought booze cuz that's obviously what's needed.]

Yo! What's been goin' on? Fill me in.

((Posting Order: Edward => Ema => Scout?))

Excellent! Let me take that off your hands for you.

[He places the booze on the counter, pulling out some glasses from the cabinet.]

((Works for me!))

Hey, Scout! [Waves to indicate a chair.] Have a seat.

You and Mr. Nigma are together and I'm on my own. You'll be keeping the family distracted while I take a look upstairs.

Alright, I guess I can handle that. I mean, usually I'm the intel-grabbin' guy, but I guess I got that cop job an' all, so I better use it.

The fact of the matter is, Scout, two birds are always better than one. And if Ms. Skye is to conduct a thorough, proper investigation of the second floor, it'll take two officers to keep the Smiths occupied downstairs.

[He cracks open a couple of beers and pours them out into three glasses, bringing the glasses to the table and returning to his seat opposite Ema.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Riddle 017: The Dominoes Fall

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]