Riddle 029: Where is the Father?

[questionauthority]

{First, a public phone call, filtered from drones.]

Hello again, Mayfield. I've been noticing plenty of new faces around town as of late. Plenty of people with plenty of questions.

Every question has an answer, friends---I can guarantee you that. And I, Edward Nigma, can help you find all of these answers. And more. Now, I'm sure I can already predict the next question that's on your minds right now. "What's the catch?" Answer: I I'll be needing your help with a little summer project of mine. Here's your first clue as to what it might be.

“I cannot be seen and I weigh nothing,
But when put into a barrel, I make it lighter.”

What am I?

[It's just after finishing up with this little phone call that he gets his first good look at the calendar. Father's Day. Not exactly Edward's favorite day by any means, given his own relationship with his old man. Needless to say, his mood's been a little bit soured.

Throughout the rest of this lovely day, you're likely to run into the Riddler...

A: In the Backyard of 726 Anderson, sketching something out into a notebook.

B: Out for a drive in the Riddler-Mobile, to try and relax.

C: At Jonathan's Tools, loading up plenty of tools and building supplies into the back of his car.

Wherever he goes, he'll likely be sulking. Cheer him up? Help him out? He's all yours, ladies.]

Comments

C.

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

[Those Liebert kids just have a habit of appearing next to you from seemingly nowhere, don't they, Eddie?]

That won't all fit.

And I know you know better than to try and dig a hole out of here, so I'm wondering what exactly is behind all of this.

[She frowns.]

You didn't tell me it was Susan you went after, either.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Seriously, he needs to put some kind of tracker on you guys.]

My plan isn't nearly that idiotic.

...you know Susan?

1/2

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

So what is your plan? I might be willing to help if I knew what exactly you're doing.

She's a friend of a friend. I like her. I didn't know she lived with you. I -- [Nina stops. Then she sighs and shakes her head.] No, I'm sorry. It's not really any of my business. I shouldn't have said anything.

[Nina sounds a little disturbed by herself. Even under the influence of the town today, she doesn't really particularly like to think of her brother rubbing off on her.]

2/2

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

It does seem like you're in a really bad mood every time I see you, though. Are cranky by nature or do you just not like me?

[There, Eddie. Have a tiny smile and sort-of joke.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

She's my assigned wife, yes. [His body tenses up when she begins to speak about her, but he manages to relax slightly when she drops the subject.] It's fine. Don't worry about it.

[Eddie drops his supplies to the ground and leans back against the car.]

This town makes it difficult not to be in a bad mood. It's nothing personal. [Though he still has plenty of issues with a certain twin brother of hers...]

You'd be willing to help? You mean that?

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

No, you aren't. Just apologize to her, if you haven't already, and mean it. I don't think she's the type to dwell on things, if she knows how you really feel. [So much for not saying anything, but the words are pouring out now.] And don't tell me you're "fine." I saw you at Port West. You weren't fine.

Sometimes I think these riddles of yours are just how you hide from yourself and everyone else. You can't lie outright, so you don't tell the truth outright, either.

[She crosses her arms lightly as he leans against the car, staring at him.]

Yes, I mean it. If you tell me what all this is for. It's nothing personal for me either, but blindly following around someone who once tried to recruit me for his supervillain team isn't really my style, and I don't want to do anything Johan wouldn't approve of, either.

[That last one wouldn't normally be a concern. Typically, Nina doesn't make her decisions based on what Johan would or would not want. But it seems important today, for some reason.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Wow, Anna. You really hit the nail right on the head, didn't you?]

I've already apologized to her. The rest is in her hands, now.

[There's a moment of quiet before he continues.]

As for my plan, I suppose you could say I was looking to build a new summer home for my Legion. A place where we could operate in secrecy, safety, and privacy.

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

Please tell me you aren't trying to build some kind of underground lair.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[This face.]

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

[Groan.]

How is that any less dumb than just trying to dig out of Mayfield?!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

It isn't dumb. It's merely the first step towards our freedom.

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

[This face.]

Wha... how?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

We'll be monitoring Mayfield. Right under their noses.

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

By digging a hole in your backyard.

[...]

I can't believe you're still going ahead with this! Give me one good reason you think this is actually goin to work!