There were so many people, she didn't know where to start, Sofia eagerly scanned the room. She spotted him from across the way and pressed through the crowd.

"Excuse me, pardon me, sorry," she whispered

The auctioneer stood up to the podium, the music stopped, "Welcome ladies and gentlemen to this evening art auction."

Everyone turned to look up at the speaker, Sofia slowed her pace and quietly made her way through. She managed to get a few feet towards Vallentino before he was called up to the stage.


"And now a few words from our gracious host Vallentino Belomi."

Sofia jumped over and grabbed his hand, "Val the –

He turned and patted her hand, "One moment love, we could discuss after," he whispered

"But the Joker," she replied anxiously

He nodded, clearly not hearing her words through the crowd's claps and cheering.

"Wait for me here Sofie," he said before turning and walking onto the stage.

She groaned and glanced back to the door, there was no sign of him…yet. She hastily made her way back to the gallery area, heading for the security up front. The Joker was known as a reckless businessman, he had his own club along with a few other minor establishments throughout the city. Although he kept plenty of mixed company with him, there was always trouble wherever he went.

She walked over to a security guard standing near the entrance, "Notify the GCPD, god knows what the hell he might do. And make sure he doesn't break anything," she ordered

The guards nodded in response and carried out their task. Sofia turned back around walking for the entrance to the auction. She stared at Vallentino finish his speech and welcome Bruce Wayne to the stage.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Bellomi for inviting me to such a beautiful event. I hope everyone is enjoying themselves for the rest of the evening and I promise I'll try to get to each and every one of you before the nights over," Wayne began

Sofia leaned against the wall and continued to listen to the muffled voices, her mind clearly on the gangster right outside the studio. She turned her head, she let out a breath and spotted him, he wore a white blouse with a purple vest, black pants and matching purple shoes. She glanced back to see Francis walking past, she quickly grabbed his collar and pulled him into the corner of the room.

"Hey! Watch it! This is Gucci," he hissed, patting down the now made wrinkles on his black shirt

She turned his head to the front entrance, Francis spotted him and opened his mouth in awe.

"What is he doing here?" he asked

Sofia shook her head, "I don't know."

He turned to the stage, seeing Vallentino walk down the steps and shake hands with other aristocrats in the room.

Francis looked back at Sasha, "I'll go let him know."

Sofia nodded and watched Francis swiftly make his way to the older man. She was about to follow when she heard his words.

"Well hello there."

She turned her head to meet his green eyes, he grinned at her, his neon green hair slicked back and plenty of tattoos peeking out from his clothing. He wore thick gold chains and held a cane with a jester skull at the end of it. He had two other women behind him, gawking at her with their chins up in the air. She paid them no mind.

She couldn't move, or speak, his presence was just as much intimidating in person as it was on tv.

He stared at her, walking closer to her, she took a step back until her back was pressed up against the wall. He looked down at her small necklace, lifting his hand and picking it up. He ran his thumb over the locket and glanced back up to her green eyes.

"Joker, I was wondering when you'd make an entrance," Maroni spoke

Sofia and the Joker turned their heads, he grinned, "How could I refuse such a delicious offer Sal."

He turned to Sofia and placed his hand on the small of her back, "Sofia dear, Belomi is looking for you."

The Joker watched Maroni usher Sofia towards the other room, he stared at the tattoo on her back. His eyes didn't leave it until she disappeared inside the crowd.


"Sofie! Come meet the editor and chief of Gotham Gazette," Vallentino exclaimed

Sofia forced a smile and shook the man's hand, greeting him. She turned to Vallentino, "Val, can we please talk now," she whispered

Vallentino stared at her and smiled, excusing himself and Sofia from the group. They walked down a gallery hall, "you're wondering why I invited the Joker."

She gave a confused look, "What were you thinking Val? You know he's not stable enough to be surrounded by," she pointed to the elegant priceless artwork.

Val sighed, "Sofie darling, Bruce Wayne is not the only funding I receive for the gallery."

"Val, why do you do this? That money is soaked in nothing but blood and drugs."

"We're a lot better than that."

He frowned, "You didn't meet him face to face, did you?"

Sofia quirked her head, "why?"

Vallentino let out a breath and glanced around, he pressed on her back and led her into a room with portraits that hung from the ceiling. A sort of maze walk through the different eras of Gotham's history.

"Sofie, you need to go home now," he urged

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Wait what, what's going on?"

He looked around, but before he could say anything he heard loud footsteps head in their direction. Sofia looked down to the opening of the portraits to see purple shoes saunter slowly through the maze. Vallentino looked up to her and swallowed nervously, pushing her lightly behind him.

"I've gotta' admit Belli, you are quite the host!" Joker said

They watched as his form finally appeared from behind the 1920s portrait of Gotham's streets, his white grin gleamed in the low lighting.

Vallentino smiled, "Joker my friend, I do hope you find everything to your liking?"

The Joker gave a quick glance to Sofia before raising his nonexistent brows, "You mean to say all this, was for muah?" he placed his gloved hand on his chest.

Vallentino chuckled, "well not everything, but you are a main part of this event even taking place."

Sofia watched as the Joker's mouth twitched, he clearly did not like Val's answer. Even the lightest amount of attention that was taken away from him, it upset him. He took a long breath and smiled once more, turning his attention to Sofia.

"Now why on God's beautiful earth, would you hide something as precious as this?" he asked, pointing to the young woman

Vallentino shifted his eyes to Sofia, she could tell he wish she weren't there, "Now why would she be of any interest to you Joker," he joked, "you have plenty of women fishing for your attention."

The Joker frowned, almost insulted at his words, "Is she busy?"

Vallentino gave a look of confusion, wondering why he was asking him when she was right next to him. Sofia glanced at him before looking back up to the clown, "Actually I was just about to leave," she smiled

The Joker feigned shock, "oh really for what? Everything's closed at this time, where are you going that requires you to be in a hurry?"

Sofia held her breath, "I just have to go home," she turned to Vallentino and placed a hand on his shoulder, she could feel the Joker's eyes on her, "Goodnight Val."

The older man smiled and kissed her cheek, "your ride will be waiting outside," he whispered

She nodded and walked past the two men, Joker's gaze watching her leave.

"No kiss for your uncle J?" he smirked

Sofia inwardly rolled her eyes and glared at him, he seemed amused at how much of a rise he would get out of her. She continued walking, after turning the corner, Joker slowly looked back to Vallentino.