Second chapter is up. It was a bit behind schedule because Barry got sick and then Cara got sick too. Which is a bit odd because they live like 2,000 miles apart. And Cara was out of it and accidentally posted the first chapter twice so here it is all second-y chapter and not first chapter-y. Some stuff on the characters was edited into the previous chapter, because we realized not everyone knows about obscure DC characters.
Warnings?: There's implied sexual stuff going on in the second half of the chapter if it makes you uncomfortable.
Shadow of the Bat: Wicked Games
Chapter Two: In which we meet the elusive Eddie Nigma.(E Nigma, get it?) and we learn why our intrepid reporter Vicki Vale is back in Gotham.
"Hold still. And stop weeping. You're making your mascara run."
"Well, if you hadn't poked me in the eye maybe it wouldn't be watering."
"Don't be a baby. You should be immune to this by now; you're a woman."
"I don't like make-up." Despite this claim Vicki closed her eyes and allowed Kate to apply some eyeshadow.
"You are such a lesbian."
"Wait, what?" Vicki's eyes shot open. Kate glared; she closed them again and Kate went back to doing the eyeshadow.
"You're totally butch. You're all like 'I'm awkward in dresses I don't wax or wear makeup, or paint my fingernails I have to be all hardcore reporter-y and not show off my awesome boobies-'"
"What?"
"You are so gay."
"I, uh," Vicki blinked. It was at least a novelty to be called gay by a lesbian. "I don't think you're supposed to say that."
"Say what?"
"Gay. You know, in an insulting way."
"Why?"
"Well, isn't it rude? Aren't you just, you know, not supposed to do it?"
"I can do whatever the hell I want, Vicki, I'm rich and a minority."
"No one really knows that though."
"Whatever. I don't care all that much. Will you let me paint your nails or not?"
"Will they be done in time?"
"It's 7:45, there will be enough time for them to dry…"
"Well, alright," Vicki began hesitantly, "But make sure it looks good with the dress."
Vicki Vale didn't really like parties; it was as simple as that. She tended to feel uncomfortable around people unless she had a pen and notebook in hand. Often at these events she had an odd fear that she would say something that made her sound dumb, which was strange given the fact she tended to be better informed on almost every current event than the majority of the self-absorbed guests at the parties she had been frequenting since her return to Gotham nearly a year ago
She wasn't used to being done up and shoved into the spotlight, so she just sat back and let Kate take care of all that. Kate did her make up; Kate did her hair. Kate picked out and purchased her outfits. Vicki just needed to stand there, look pretty, and keep Kate company when their dates got too boring.
Sometime later, nails dried and painted a light blue, she was staring at herself in a full length mirror, barefoot in her new gown.
"I look weird," were the first words out of her mouth. Kate glanced over her shoulder to appraise Vicki with her sharp green eyes.
"You look sexy." She countered, before turning back to the mirror and sliding in her expensive earrings.
"No, I just look-" Vicki Vale, current reporter for the Gotham Gazette, graduate of Gotham University with a Master's Degree in mass communication and focus in journalism, was apparently at a loss for words, because after some time of staring at her reflection in the mirror she ended up mumbling, "weird." again.
She brushed her hands down the length of the silky material and cringed. The clock read 7:55; the party was supposed to start at 8:00. She rather hoped Eddie just wouldn't show up so she didn't have to go anymore.
"What is your problem, Victoria?" Kate called back as she expertly applied her eyeliner.
"I'm sorry, Katie, I'm not used to this. You've known me for what, three years, four now? I'm used to being out in the field where the real action is. I spent most of my senior year of college in Columbia doing an honor's project on drug mules. I went to the Sudan in '05 to do a story on the aid workers risking their lives to help the displaced refugees. I've been shot at, almost stabbed, assaulted, snuck across borders, tossed in jail, detained, and, and, and, and- here I am standing in some expensive dress, that probably cost more than I made in the last two months. I'm writing fluff pieces and gossip columns for a news paper that I hate. I'm not supposed to be here, Kate."
"Where are you supposed to be then?"
"Anywhere! Anywhere other than here. Back in Iraq doing a report on the future of the Kurdish nation, trekking through Kosovo and writing on the new country's prospects, I should have been in Georgia when Russia invaded not writing about what color signifies what about which celebrities" She looked down at the floor before closing her eyes. "What am I doing here?"
"I thought the answer was obvious; you're in love with me." Kate replied as she set down her makeup and turned her attention toward her hair, making sure it was just right.
"Are you even listening? This isn't me, Katherine. I'm serious. Why am I here?"
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Kate asked as she slid on her high heels.
"No. It's not. It's really not. If you have answers I'd love to hear them because it'd be news to me. I honestly have no idea what I'm doing anymore."
Katherine Kane stood up and walked over to her friend. Placing her hands on the other woman's shoulders she spoke with a maturity that the twenty-two year old rarely displayed.
"You're back here because you saw a story in this messed up little town you used to call home during your collegiate years. Gotham's hero became a villain and weird crimes and criminals, started sprouting up all over the place. You're here, Victoria, because you know when there is a story and you won't stop until you get it. You're going to find out who the man behind that mask is. I know you will."
"It's been eleven months. And I'm nowhere closer than I was when I first got here."
"It's just a matter of time. You know that." Vicki nodded slowly before glancing up at the clock. Kate followed her gaze. 8:08
"Your Prince Charming isn't here yet." Kate said, the sarcasm was clear in her voice, but it softened when she continued, "Want me to escort you to the ball?" Kate would never know what Vicki's response would have been, because by the time the other woman opened her mouth to speak the doorbell rang. And Vicki's Prince Charming was standing there in a brilliantly tailored suit with a green tie and a charming smile, flowers in hand.
"I'm dreadfully sorry, but I lost track of time. You look positively breathtaking…" Edward apologized as he handed the bouquet to a blushing Vicki. After setting them in water and making a bit of small talk while she found her coat and put on her shoes, the two were ready to leave.
Ten minutes after Eddie's arrival Kate's "Prince Charming" showed up, chatting on his cellphone, and called her by the wrong name. It would be a very interesting night, to say the least.
Edward Nashton loved parties; it was as simple as that. He loved watching the interaction amongst the attendees. It was so gleefully exciting to be around people faking their smiles and niceties. He loved more than that watching the masks melt away under the pressure and the heat of the party. But, most of all he loved the attention. He loved having a pretty girl(or boy) or two, or three, fawning over him. But most of all, he loved the group hanging on his every word. He was like a conductor really, with just a line or two he could illicit laughs, or gasps, or outraged cries. It was so much fun; people were really too easy.
Eddie looked dashing tonight and he knew it. The only problem the man ever had when getting ready was often he would get distracted by his reflection and spend ten minutes or more admiring himself. Today he was running a bit late, so he kept the admiring down to a three minute contemplation about whether he should shave or not. He decided ultimately that the stubble simply added to his charm so he exited the bathroom, walked down the hallway, and went back into his bedroom. He passed by his alarm clock; it read 7:35.
"Eddie!" a voice called from his bed. He went straight toward his closet and ignored it.
"Eddie, baby, come back to bed."
He was debating between a black silk tie with subtle raised slanted lines running from the left to the right or a black silk tie with subtle raised slanted lines running from the right to the left. Of course there was always his favorite, his dark forest green tie, which brought out his eyes and emphasized the red in his hair. Tonight was a black tie event, so naturally he picked the green.
Windsor, half-Windsor, or shell knot? Windsor, of course.
"Eddie, why you getting all dressed up?"
When he finished the knot in his tie he glanced behind him and looked at the brunette spread naked across his dark green silk sheets.
"Oh," Eddie said glancing down at the woman with a slight look of displeasure flashing across his otherwise handsome features, "you are still here."
"Of course I am silly. Now, come back to bed."
"Sorry, but I am going out." Eddie moved to his dresser and opened a box on top of it and removed the custom made platinum question mark cufflinks from it.
"Oh. Where are we going?" She asked with a giggle as she rolled on to her stomach. She smiled up at him. He could see her in the reflection of the mirror that hung above his dresser. The clock was visible behind her reflecting a backwards 7:42. Mirrors were fun, classic really. Next time he should think about incorporating them into one of his little 'games.' He was sure the players would appreciate it.
"I m going out on a date; I do not know where you're going." Cufflinks now in place he slid on his black dinner jacket and looked down at the woman. She really couldn't have been more than nineteen, maybe twenty.
"But, you drove me. How, uh how am I supposed to get home?" Her voice was growing weaker and strained.
He took his wallet off of the top of the dresser and pulled out a few bills. He tossed the money down on the bed next to her.
"Take a taxi or something."
"Eddie," she whispered her large eyes filling with tears, "Eddie. You, you, you can't be serious."
He just stared at her, his face impassive.
"Eddie. Eddie, please."
The tears spilled forth and her mascara began to run. She picked up the money as she slid on her rumpled dress. She looked so pathetic it was really starting to get to Eddie...
He smiled.
Well, he could always be a little late. It's not like he had to get all the way undressed. Hopefully she wouldn't get any of her makeup on the pillows. He planned on brining that reporter back here tonight.
When her friends saw the bruises and scratches later that night she just smiled awkwardly, looked a tad bit uncomfortable, and didn't know what to say. Things were easier for Eddie; he just cleaned the blood out from under his fingernails before he showed up to Vicki's friend's door with flowers in hand and an apology on his handsome lips because he was running ever so late.
Well, that was chapter two. Chapter 3 will be up as soon as we finish it. Edward and Bruce shall meet and we finally get to see that swanky party. Please review! Kthnx~!
