The room swam as my eyes fluttered from face to face, the angry, nervous expressions stared back at me, but then there was Oswald. I was scared of him, certainly, terrified in fact, but his lined face watched me with such fascination and calm I found him soothing in a way. I swallowed nervously and, keeping my gaze fixed upon him tried to explain,
"Mr Cobblepot, I am...so sorry...I wasn't thinking, I was just standing away from the cold...I saw your men...I just, I didn't think-" He held up a pudgy hand to silence me and I obeyed.
"Now, now my dear, we will discuss that in due time, but right now I have a request for you" He smiled in a way I could only describe as warm, though it sent a cold stab through my chest. A request? I panicked. What had I got myself into? I saw images of gunshots and jail cells flash before my eyes. Could I really let myself get tied up in all this? But what if I refused?
As I sat rigid, silently contemplating whether it was wiser to wait it out or throw them all from the building and escape, when Oswald pulled a crumpled hunk of steel from his pocket and held it purposely before me,
"I have been told this was your doing, but a sweet young woman like yourself couldn't have done this...surely?" I gazed hard at the clump of metal and recognized the gun that had been pointed to my skull only a short while ago. I didn't know what to say, did I just come clean? I had been an idiot not to think they would tell him what I had done. Oswald seemed to notice my pensive frown,
"Would you be so kind as to restore it?" His voice was quiet but I caught every word. I became more aware of the cool metal still pressed against my temple, soothing against my burning face, the blood rushing furiously up my neck. I stared at the crumpled gun. Was this his request? It didn't seem unreasonable, but I didn't like the thought of putting a gun straight into his grip. Yet I felt strangely secure. It was the first time anyone had spoke to me so politely and I found myself compelled to listen.
I focused my mind and as easily as it had been destroyed, there it sat in all it's former glory. The henchmen shuffled nervously at this, but Oswald wrapped his strong fingers around the newly formed weapon and raised it slowly before his hooked nose. For a few minutes there was silence as he inspected it. I watched him carefully, preparing myself to snap my bonds and fight my way out if events turned sour.
It seemed like an eternity as he looked, fascinated, at the gun, then at me, then back to the gun, but, finally, his face twisted into a deep joyous smile, and he began to laugh, a boisterous, victorious laugh that squawked like a flustered bird,
"The most incredible thing!" He announced turning his head to one of his men before looking back at me with wide, sparkling eyes. I couldn't help but smile in relief. He seemed so genuine, so enthralled at my power, not frightened, not judgmental, just amazed. I could feel my cheeks flush red as he continued to stare at me as though I was the most valuable person in the room. For a brief moment he glanced towards the man beside me and nodded. I felt the gun move slowly from my skull as the henchman pulled out a switch blade and flicked it open sharply. I recoiled slightly in habit and surprise, but he simply slipped the knife over my wrists and freed my hands. I clutched them to my chest instinctively and ran my fingers over the groves that had formed,
"Merely a safety precaution, you understand I'm sure"
"Yes Mr. Cobblepot" I mumbled respectively. I supposed it made sense, perhaps they really did fear me more than I feared them,
"Not that they could have stopped you" He laughed. I couldn't help but laugh too,
"No Mr Cobblepot" I chuckled. He smiled towards his men again,
"Bring her a drink" He snapped. One of the men marched quickly from the room, returning shortly after holding two tall glasses of sparkling clear wine, one he gave to Oswald, the other to me. I looked deep into the glass, my suspicions beginning to raise. Were they trying to drug me? I became angry with myself, Mr. Cobblepot had been nothing but welcoming and understanding to me and there I was judging him with unfounded suspicions,
"The finest in Gotham" I snapped my head up, surprised at the silence broken and saw he had been watching my skeptical expression. I blushed at my rudeness and sipped from the glass. It was bitter, almost acidic, the bubbles stung my nose and made my eyes water. Oswald drank deeply himself and I grew frustrated with myself again, I felt common and dirty in his presence, not even refined enough to enjoy his generosity,
"It's wonderful" I lied, unwilling to appear unappreciative, he smiled at my praise and sank deeply into his chair,
"So," he drank again, "Tell me your story - Miss..?"
"Banks Sir, Emily Banks" the name felt more natural this time,
"Miss Banks, a beautiful name" I blushed deeply, "I want to hear everything about you" I looked deep into his eyes and saw an honest intrigue burning back at me. Giddy with the knowledge of his admiration I considered my story. I guessed there was no harm in telling him. He seemed sincere and I couldn't help but feel warm and safe in the presence of the first person to show me real respect. I could just cut out a few details, dodge around a few uncomfortable facts, maybe he could even help me, though I didn't want to get my hopes up yet.
So I began. I rushed over most of my childhood, giving vague ramblings about the labs, claiming I didn't remember much, which wasn't completely untrue. I told him of all my travels, the fear, the exhaustion, the sleepless nights. I told him about my isolation, hiding myself from people, becoming terrified of any of them turning against me. All the time he watched in respectful silence, nodding gently as I chattered on. I told him of the attacks, the threats, the disgusting people of Gotham who were crushing the last fragile hopes I had left and how I wished I had never come here, never, never, never. My voice grew shrill and I clamped my lips and eyes closed to try and calm myself, listening to the blood swirl around my brain like the tide. I felt a hand rest gently on my knee and my eyes snapped open to see Oswald holding a handkerchief towards me. I raised my hand to my cheek and touched the warm tears that streamed towards my chin, I hadn't even realized I was crying. I accepted the handkerchief gratefully,
"Thank you" My voice shook as I dabbed my eyes and became painfully aware of the grime still on my face that I had unintentionally smeared upon the cloth,
"You poor thing" He murmured sympathetically, "Such a sweet young woman shouldn't have to endure such atrocities" I smiled sadly at his compliment and felt strangely elated at having finally told someone all I had been through. Suddenly, he stood up sharply making me jump and recoil in surprise, "Then it's settled" He turned to his henchmen and began barking orders, "Have a room made up at once, arrange for fresh clothes and bring up something to eat, Miss Banks is now our most honored guest" I stood up quickly in shock and stared at him as he turned back to me,
"Oh, Mr Cobblepot...I, I couldn't, you...do you really..?" He held up his hand again to my stammered protests and I fell silent, unable and unwilling to argue.
The next few hours were a whirl of confusion and joy, I couldn't believe my look as I was escorted around the beautiful mansion, offered beautiful clothes, rich warming foods, and shelter for as long as I required. I could have kissed Mr. Cobblepot, it was all I could do to stop myself, I feared my heart would burst at the wondrous, though confusing and disorientating series of events.
As the night rolled into early morning I was left within an enormous, stunning bedroom, with silk sheets on the bed and velvet curtains over the window. I had been locked inside as I needed to "develop our trust" as Mr. Cobblepot put it, which I had been all too willing to accept. I would have been overjoyed if they had let me sleep in the kitchen, the locked door was a small price to pay. I stood by the tall window and stared out towards the rooftops of Gotham, my heart pounding with joy at the thought of not having to find a place to sleep tonight and as I watched the flickering lights I caught sight of my reflection and almost didn't recognize the girl staring back. Her face was clean and beautiful, her eyes sparkled, her hair shone, her slender body appeared graceful rather than hunched and sick. I admired myself for a while, I felt vain and vaguely embarrassed, but I had never seen myself in such a way and I couldn't stop. When I finally pulled myself away I lay on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. I thought back to that first night in Gotham in that dusty hotel and compared my luck. In that moment I knew I adored Mr. Cobblepot. I felt I would walk to the end of the earth for him for what he had done for me, I wished there was a way I could thank him. As I contemplated this I felt my eyes droop, and, promising myself I would think of something, I allowed myself to sleep, happier, healthier and more at peace then I had felt my entire life.
I was awoken by a sharp knock on the door. The room was bathed in a golden wave of the morning sun and as I sat up rubbing my eyes, mildly confused in my sleepy state as to where I was, the door clicked and swung open as one of the men from last night stood in the doorway, not fully entering and watching me under furrowed brows,
"The Penguin asks you to come to breakfast" He muttered grudgingly, which confused me even more as I tried to register what was happening,
"A penguin wants breakfast?" I mumbled sleepily. He snorted, amused, and closed the door again. I swung my feet over the side of the bed, and ran my fingers through my hair. Penguin? Did he mean Mr. Cobblepot? It was such an odd thing to call him, but then, I thought, as I picked through my new clothes to choose something to wear, he did look awfully like a penguin now that I really considered it. I pulled on a green silk shirt which swamped me comically. Perhaps it was a nickname between friends, I wondered pulling on my old shoes, now clean though still beaten. It was probably best I didn't call him that until I was certain, and it seemed so disrespectful to make such a nickname for who I considered a great man. I mustn't judge, I thought, slipping my legs into my newly laundered skirt, I didn't know why he had called Mr. Cobblepot such a name, but I was sure there was some kind of story behind it.
Catching sight of my reflection in the window stopped my thoughts and I sighed sadly. I looked like a child in clothes too big and odd shoes, I knew I still looked more lovely then I had in years, but it wasn't good enough for Mr. Cobblepot, not that there was much I could do.
I knocked on the door and the henchman let me out, leading me to breakfast in silence. I walked into a beautiful dining room with carved oak furniture and bright clean windows that shone upon Oswald, who sat at the top of a tall table, and bathed him in a deep golden glow. He stood as I entered and smiled as though he had been waiting for me for hours,
"Good morning my dear, did you sleep well?" He pulled out a chair for me beside him and I gratefully took my place,
"Wonderfully, thank you Mr. Cobblepot"
"You look lovely if I may say" I blushed and beamed at him, I couldn't help myself, everything just seemed so surreal to me. We talked for hours, about everything, I told him tales of my travels and the things I had seen, he told me of his education and love for birds, it all felt so wonderfully natural and with each passing moment I felt my respect and intrigue in him grow deeper and firmer. As our chatter began to lull he looked at me earnestly and then leaned in so close I could feel his hot breath on my face,
"Such lovely company, but now perhaps we could talk more seriously I wonder" I searched his face for a hint at his meaning, but his stony expression was impossible to read,
"Of course Mr. Cobblepot" He frowned slightly as though trying to find his words before staring straight into my eyes,
"I would like to offer you a job"
"A...a job?"
"Now I don't want you to fret, I know you're perfectly aware of the sort of...business I partake in, but I have many positions within my empire available, and a woman with your...talents, could make a valuable asset" I stared down into my lap avoiding his gaze, but listening intensely, "I apologize for being so direct, but when a woman such as yourself comes along " He touched my shoulder gently "A gentleman should do everything to keep her" I looked back into his eyes and felt my heart leap in excitement and fear. He wanted my ability, certainly, but could I really blame him? It would be a great asset to him, even I knew that.
I considered the proposition, I felt safe with Oswald, I didn't want to leave him, it had only been one night and I felt completely dependent on him. Would it really be so bad to work for him? If he requested anything of me I couldn't bring myself to do there was no way he could force me to do it, and it wasn't like he could stop me leaving if I really wanted. I knew there was nothing to consider, I hated this city, and I hated the people, what did it matter if I helped Mr. Cobblepot take from them? They had taken everything from me.
Who was I kidding, that didn't matter, nothing mattered, all that mattered was Oswald. He was everything to me now and I wanted to be loyal, I wanted to help him,
"Thank you Mr. Cobblepot," I smiled at him, "I would be honored"
His smile made me secure in my decision and as he raised his glass to me, claiming a toast to my beauty, I raised my glass in return and thanked him, terrified but thrilled to work with such a great man.