Luxury was a thing Kanti couldn't always afford. Sure, she had everything she needed now due to years of saving money up for a long time now, but before then, luxury was a thing she was not acquainted with. It didn't matter now, she supposed. The only reason she was here doing this gig for one of Gotham's most notorious crime lords was for information - a reasonable payment for someone of her caliber. And the Penguin knew this very well, he was familiar with her status. In fact, when she came about, he thought she was joking when she asked to sing at the Iceberg Lounge.

However, when he heard her, he wasn't disappointed. And besides, her singing for his guests, especially by her - one of the most alluring and beautiful creatures he had ever seen, would be quite the treat for his guests that evening. He had many business deals to attend to and Kanti's voice would do well to soften some of them up.

Pushing pins into her long, smooth and thick amber hair, she stared at herself in the mirror of her dressing room. A face of beauty was reflected back gorgeously. She was light brown ochre skinned, with a warm undertone, giving her skin a nice glow. She had no flaws on her porcelain, smooth skin and it was amplified by the foundations, powders and concealers she had put on her face, giving her a doll-like sheen. Her features were soft, elegant and framed her face beautifully - with high cheekbones, a delicately small nose, sharp chin, and a broad forehead, distancing her hairline from her brows. Her eyes were upturned and almost monolid, giving her an almost flirty look by default, with the most radiant of emerald green eyes decorated carefully with long lashes, pronounced much more by the thick mascara and fake lashes she wore. Her eyebrows were thick yet well kept with a slightly darker color than her hair color. And her lips were full with a pronounced cupid's bow, again, helped much by the thick magenta lipstick.

She raised a hand up to her face and let it linger over it for a moment, continuing to stare into her reflection. She sighed after a few moments before standing up and looking over to her reflection in a larger mirror. Her choice of outfit was something she seldom wore - a cute, 1920s-esc cabaret dress that was white and grey with some black accents. It hugged her waist and bust well, lifting her breasts up to add onto her already existing cleavage, while the skirt was puffy and flared out gracefully. The dress only went down to her knees and she wore nylon fishnet tights beneath it. Her dainty feet wore a pair of black high heels. And in her hair, was a white feather attached to a hairband in her large, curly hair.

She gave a smile as she twirled gracefully, never once faulting in her steps, never once tripping over herself. She was a professional, and professionals like herself do not make mistakes. She would wow the crowd of the Iceberg tonight and give everyone who came a lasting impression. And then, she would receive her reward…


"Why are we here, Nygma?" The irritated voice of a tall, lanky yet proportioned man named Jonathan Crane asked his companion. Edward E. Nygma, better known by his moniker of the Riddler, smirked with a certain arrogance that Jonathan deeply disliked in his ally.

"Why, I've told you so before! We are here to see Penguin and strike a deal with him regarding your chemicals." Edward explained happily, though there was a certain edge to his voice. Jonathan rolled his eyes.

Edward Nygma was always a thorn in Jonathan's side. He was smart, definitely but he was also prone to stupid mistakes that often lead to his downfall. Edward was currently dressed in a fancy, and rather expensive looking black tuxedo with a green dress shirt, polished dress shoes, and a black bowler hat. The man was unmasked so his handsome and smug face was shown in full while his dirty blonde hair was hidden beneath the hat. He looked incredibly well dressed and not looking for a fight.

"I know that, but why are we sitting here in a booth, waiting in plain sight?" He further elaborated, hating how exposed he felt, especially in his own suit. Jonathan hated wearing attire like this, despite how professional and dignified it made him look, he still much rather preferred his traditional Scarecrow costume. Much like Edward, he wore a fancy black suit though instead wore a white dress shirt and a black top hat. He was unmasked as well, his less than handsome features was exposed and he wore his round glasses. He felt utterly powerless without his toxins within reach. A feeling he heavily disliked.

Edward tsked, as if Jonathan were behaving like an indignant child… kind of like how Edward saw him as currently. "Aw, Johnny, don't be such a spoil-sport! Penguin is currently conducting some other business and we have to wait. So, until then, we shall enjoy the atmosphere, eat some good food and drink a bit. Be patient." He explained and chided carelessly. He knew Batman wouldn't be coming, after all, he was preoccupied with some business with the Joker at the moment. And besides, the man did like to indulge in his more hedonistic delights.

Jonathan scowled at the nickname and scooched further from the riddling man. Honestly, the only reason he put up with this humiliation was because they had to be as inconspicuous as possible. Who knew if there were any people working for the Batman at the Lounge that night. He exhaled as he closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. "Fine. I'll play along. For now."

Edward grinned happily. "There's the spirit!" As he said that, the lights began to dim as only the stage spotlights remained on. The two found this to be curious since usually there wasn't much of a performer for the Lounge.

A woman walked onto the stage. A generic looking black haired woman coated in make-up and dressed in a cold themed dress. Jonathan found himself utterly bored already, finding women like her to be dull, boring and brainless. However, when she spoke, he realized that she would not be the one performing tonight. She was but an announcer.

"Mr. Oswald Cobblepot would like to thank all of our guests for coming this evening. But tonight, we have an extra special treat for you. A singer, new to our city, is performing tonight. Give it up for the Emerald Siren and welcome her with hospitality!" The lady announced before applause rang through the lounge and the lady stepped off. Jonathan smirked briefly, thanking whatever force out there that the woman was off the stage.

The lights on the stage dimmed as a silhouette appeared out of the blackness. And then a spotlight shined on her. The mic was in front of her and her face and most of her form was concealed by the shadows. Jonathan raised his brow, finding this to be so needlessly dramatic.

And then she sang. Softly yet gingerly.

"The French are glad to die for love…

They delight in fighting duals…

But I prefer a man who lives

And gives expensive jewels…"

The bombastic music then came up, and all the spotlights turned on and hit her, showing her full, smirking confidently self. And the only way Jonathan could describe her was absolutely gorgeous. She then proceeded to stalk down the stage, carrying the mic with her as she went, swaying her hips.

"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental,

But diamonds are a girl's best friend."

She continued on, looking incredibly alluring and enchanting the entire way and that voice…

"A kiss may be grand, but it won't pay the rental

On your humble flat, or help you feed your pompous cat.~"

...that voice was incredible. Jonathan found himself following her like with his eyes consistently. Only stopping to blink before immediately returning to her.

"Men grow cold as girls grow old,

And we all lose our charms in the end.

But square-cut or pear-shaped,

These rocks don't lose their shape.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!"

Laughing once, she then got off the stage and started to sway around the Lounge, occasionally stroking the chins or faces of some very entranced men. She then giggled as she sat on the table of a few patrons and turned to face them and got in the face of a practically drooling man, still singing.

"'Cause we are living in a material world

And I am a material girl~"

She blew a kiss before jumping off and walking away quickly towards the next fawning men.

"There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer

But Diamonds are a girl's best friend!"

She leaned in to a couple of men's faces, switching between different people as she sang.

"There may come a time when a hard-boiled employer thinks you're...

Awful nice!

But get that ice or else no dice!"

Smirking, she gave a fake yelp before walking away, continuing with her swaying and subtle touches to herself, occasionally caressing her body sensually. Some background singers started to sing as the lead singer just went around, giving flirty eyes to anyone she saw. Until her eyes met Jonathan's by accident.

"He's your guy when stocks are high

But beware when they start to descend

Ooooh! Diamonds are a girl's best-

Diamonds are a girl's best-

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!"

The singer paused when she looked at him, before without seemingly a second thought, she started to approach the table where Jonathan and Edward sat. Her expression almost teasing. And then the music paused as she came to them, leaning forward to get close to Jonathan.

"I like to have a man for breakfast each day"

The song was now different, the music was slow and the tempo was different. Jonathan had to lean back slightly as she came way too close for comfort.

"I'm very social and I like it that way"

Her voice was very much slanted towards the sensual side as she slid around the table and sat in front of Jonathan practically. The tension he felt as she gave him the most desperate and lustful look he had ever seen was dreadful yet enticing.

"By late mid-morning I need something to munch

So I ask over 2 men for lunch"

Then she turned to Edward, breaking the careful tension. Jonathan had to sigh slightly as he looked at her, doing a similar thing to Edward, though he seemed to be far more into it. Jonathan couldn't help but feel a tad envious of her proximity to Nygma.

"And men are mad about my afternoon teas

They're quite informal I just do it to please!"

She looked back at Jonathan seemingly sensing his emotions and smirked as she stroking Edward's jawline, giving him bedroom eyes while occasionally glancing at Jonathan. He scoffed at her, realizing she was doing this on purpose.

"Those triple sandwiches are my favorite ones

I'm also very partial to buns"

But then she pulled away and crawled on all fours towards Jonathan (still on the table), smiling coyly as his eyes searched her entire form. He felt incredibly uncomfortable yet intrigued at her antics. She smirked.

"My healthy appetite gets strongest at night

My at home dinners are my men friends delight"

With a pause, she leaned forward to him and lifted her hand, stroking his face sensually, giving him her most desirable look yet. Her mouth was at his ear as she sang softly.

"When I invite the fellas over to dine

They all come early, in bed by nine…~"

Then she quickly slid back and stood up on the floor, walking away from them, as if nothing had just happened between the duo. And then the music returned back to the original song as the crescendo played.

"'Cause that's when those louses go back to their spouses!"

As she sang this, she got back up on the stage and finished her song, throwing her arms up to the sides.

"Diamonds... are a... girl's... best... friend!"

She finished with all of her vocal prowess as the music came to a climactic stop. And she dramatically bowed quickly. Silence for a moment before the loudest applause Jonathan had ever heard rang throughout the Lounge. He had to take a moment to process just what the hell had happened. Looking to Edward, he saw the other supervillain clapping wildly while whistling.

He paused before clapping slightly as well, his eyes trailing back to the mistress on the stage, finding that she wasn't looking at him and instead was glancing around, looking quite happy and relaxed to be there. "Thank you, gentlemen and ladies. Thank you." She thanked.

It was almost surreal watching her step off the stage and walk away and into the back, the applause dying slowly as she descended. As soon as it began, it was over and everyone was busy chatting amongst themselves. Edward slid over and smirked suggestively at Jonathan. "So, you're clearly hooked." He teased. Jonathan looked indignant at such a comment as he scoffed.

"Nygma, what kind of fool do you take me for? I am the Master of Fear, the Lord of Despair! I do not get 'hooked' onto anyone or anything. Especially not some singing prostitute." Jonathan insulted and Edward grinned.

"Nah, you're in denial. Let me know when you start to have wet dreams." He teased. Jonathan's face lit up in red blush as he glared daggers at Edward. The taller man laughed as Jonathan scowled at him.

He gave up, deciding that dealing with Edward's childishness would have to wait. "I'm going to get a drink." He stated calmly. Edward smirked.

"Get me something while you're at it!" He requested. Jonathan shot him a look and Edward smiled as he rolled his eyes amused. Walking over to the bar, he thought about Nygma's words. He was most definitely not attracted to a person like her. She was everything he absolutely hated in women. And that little stunt she pulled on him at the table with Edward made him dislike her even more. How dare she attempt to tease the Master of Fear?! He was, quite frankly, insulted.

As he sat down at the bar table, he thought for a moment about what he would order, noticing that the bartender was busy with another customer. He thought for a moment before sighing. Penguin should be finishing up anytime now. After ordered his drink (and Nygma's, knowing the Riddler would certainly harass him for it) he walked back to the booth and sat down again, handing Nygma his drink.

"Thanks, Jon." He thanked. Jonathan exhaled and nodded.

"You're welcome."

"Ah! Riddler, Scarecrow! A pleasure!" A new masculine voice came into the picture. The duo looked to see a short, stocky man walking over, carrying an inconspicuous looking umbrella. They both immediately realized it was the one and only Penguin, aka Oswald Cobblepot. The Penguin sat down, with two bodyguards at his side, his gaze lingering on the duo in an almost dangerous fashion, as if taunting them to make a wrong move in his turf.

"So, you boys ready to do business?"