And in a crazy turn of events, I had time to write this morning. If you're celebrating, Happy Christmas Eve! Thank you FuschiaGrasshopper and Persephoniii for reviews.
Grady knew she couldn't pass Oswald off as a Burrow born boy, but she had to make some sort of effort.
"Yes, definitely wear the wool jacket. Wool is very Burrow-ish," she instructed as Oswald pulled on the long grey coat. "And a proper tie."
"There's nothing wrong with my tie," Oswald said weakly, somewhat offended.
"Trust me, it's not Burrow fashion."
"I put a lot of effort into my clothing choices. You on the other hand, usually have motor oil and grease on your sweaters," he said grumpily.
"I look like a mechanic which is what I am. You, I'm trying to dress as a Burrow boy which is what you are soon to be. Get it?" she waved a finger in his face.
"Fine. Just this once," he grumbled as he changed ties.
Grady whacked some dust off a flat, short brimmed hat. "Here, they love wearing these."
Oswald waved her away. "No, thank you. I don't like hats."
"Don't like hats?" Grady grabbed Fionn's the dog's hairy face and lamented. "He doesn't like hats...he's going to drive me to drink." Fionn whined and Grady rounded on Oswald. "What's wrong with hats exactly?"
"I see no point to them. I carry an umbrella in bad weather and then of course, you can't wear them indoors."
"You can wear hats indoors in the Burrow, it's not high society," Grady snorted.
"I couldn't possibly," Oswald stammered, shocked at the idea of such bad manners.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're a strange one?" Grady sighed.
"That's all anyone seems to tell me," Oswald coughed uncomfortably.
They spent an awkward minute avoiding each other's eyes. Then Grady popped the cap on Oswald's head.
"There," she said. "We're even indoors and look, you're still standing and the world hasn't ended."
"Well no, but I feel very rude," he said.
"He looks darling, doesn't he Fionn."
Fionn wagged his tail as if he agreed.
"Grady, I wanted to apologize for last night," Oswald blurted out.
"What about last night?" she asked, puzzled.
"I feel perhaps I was very forward." He pulled the offending hat off his head, twisting it in his hands. "I'm not quite sure what came over me and I thought that maybe you'd - well I thought maybe you'd also want...even if it was just the once..."
"Oh that. No worries, it's forgotten." Grady looked at his pink ears with some surprise.
"I know I acted out of turn," he untwisted the now mangled hat. "Truly though, you looked lovely."
"Well you know..." Grady took the hat from him and placed her own hands around his instead. "It's not like I don't want to."
"I don't understand," Oswald stammered. "You mean you want to..."
"To sleep with you," Grady finished, mainly to watch his face glow again.
"Well I..." he gaped at her, not sure what to say and scratched his head instead.
"I just don't think it's a good idea," Grady said quietly. "With us working together and all."
"Well, you're right of course," Oswald said with a twitching shrug. He cleared his throat. "You really want me to wear that hat?" he added.
"You've sort of squashed it," Grady pointed out. "I'll have to get you a new one."
He didn't pretend to be disappointed.
"Are you nervous?" she asked.
"A little, yes," he said. "You can dress me up however you like, but that doesn't make me a Burrow Boy. I have the feeling this won't be easy..."
"Probably not," Grady agreed. "But we'll get there. I know how the boys work..."
"I hope you're prepared. I'm counting on using you to gain their sympathy."
"I know," she huffed. "I'm not really looking forward to this either."
"You need to look sad," Oswald said. "I hope you practiced a sympathetic 'Hannigan framed my father' expression. That's important."
Grady frowned in concentration. Then pouted her lip with a horribly overdone tremble. Oswald snorted with laughter.
"This is hopeless," Grady groaned. "Sometimes I'm very afraid I'm in the wrong line of work."
Oswald knew the Burrow Boys were rough and in a large group they were almost frightening. He wasn't exactly afraid, having dealt with his share of thugs, many more cold, clever and dangerous than this lot. But, there was an element to the Burrow Boys that was wild and unpredictable like Grady. They milled around Hannigan's old office, restless, impatient, and noisy. But this was proof of what Grady said, they were undisciplined and would crumble without someone to tell them what to do. Oswald leaned on Hannigan's desk, trying to ignore the stares. Grady was perched on top of the desk.
"Hey Grady," called out a big man over the noise. "What are we doing here?"
"It's not right!" quavered an old man. "We're meant to be mournin' Hannigan."
Grady gave Oswald a nudge. He cleared his throat. "Excuse me gentlemen," he tried, but there was little effect except for a voice that crowed "and ladies!" from somewhere in the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen then," he corrected.
"Right," Grady sighed and stood up on the desk. "Hey, you bastards!" she shouted and the room immediately settled down. "That's better...I know you're angry about Hannigan," she began. "Well so am I! This goes deeper than you all know. You might think you're lost without him, but the time to act is now, not later. My ol' Da had a vision for the Burrow. Squawking around like a bunch of chickens wasn't it! I need you to listen to Mr. Cobblepot here. Because he's a smart man and he knows how you lot can make money. More money than you ever had before."
She bounced down from the desk. "Go on then," she muttered.
"Friends, my name is Oswald Cobblepot. I am also known as The Penguin," he began. "I may not be one of you, but I see your strength. And I understand your anger at Don Falcone and his treachery. Isn't it time the likes of him took you seriously? Something has been holding you back. And while I know it's disrespectful to make these accusations so soon after his death, you deserve the truth about Pat Hannigan. All of you know Grady. Many of you have known her since she was born."
He gestured at Grady and thankfully she wasn't making the clearly fake sad face, but had settled for a steely expression which could have been hurt but looked more angry. A look that came much more naturally to her.
"And sure you remember Grady's father Tim," he continued. "I've been told the Burrow doesn't forget. Grady hasn't. And Mr. Hannigan, he didn't forget either. He nearly killed Grady last week because he has been waiting for years to eliminate the last remaining O'Grady. He framed Tim O'Grady years ago and Grady has kept silent rather than revealing him, weakening you, betraying her neighborhood. Until he tried to accuse her of his own crime. Can you blame her for protecting herself? For avenging her father?"
The silence was shattered as everyone began talking and muttering all at once. Grady's eye was still a fresh purple and she had bandaged an arm for effect.
"It's a lie!" a voice shouted. "Grady's using us!"
"You may well think that," Oswald raised his own voice and this time everyone quieted. "But if that were the case, why did she bring me to you with an offer for the Burrow that Hannigan could never have given you. You have two choices my friends... you can believe Grady your loyal neighbor for years, has betrayed you and hold on to old grudges. Or you can side with Grady and her heritage and respect for your people."
The faces still looked suspicious, rebellious, but there were also many that were curious. He glanced at Grady and she gave him a slight nod. It had come across as they rehearsed. Everything banked on the outcome of his next statement. Grady's reckless plan could have been for nothing and they risked exposing themselves. But if it worked... they would progress by leaps and bounds.
"We believe the strength of the Burrow...with some patience and careful planning...can be used to overtake Don Maroni. If you're interested, stay and learn what you're capable of. If you aren't..." He gave a shrug. "Best of luck...Gotham is an unforgiving city. But there is strength in numbers."
He held his breath while they started to move. Shuffling feet and whispering to one another. Grady had her arms crossed, foot jiggling nervously. Some people left immediately out the back doors but...yes... a majority were staying where they were. Either lured by the promise of wealth or out of loyalty to the O'Gradys. It didn't matter. They had their numbers. Grady nodded and sidled up beside Oswald. "I know the faces," she said under her breath. "These are the ones we need. The others that left, they'll come around after a bit."
No sooner than she said this than the old man that had spoken up marched up to Grady and gave her a cold stare. Just inches from her face.
"I know you Grady. You're a crafty, unnatural thing. A liar. You shame the memory of your father," he growled. "I don't believe a word of your trickery and I'll be damned if I let these fools follow you blindly."
Grady's fists clenched, her eyes flashing. Unseen, Oswald gripped her elbow in warning.
"I'm sorry you feel that way sir," he said. "But no one is forcing you or any of these good people to take part."
"Just you wait," the man sneered and took one last glance at the room as if he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Then he departed.
"We'll take care of him later," Oswald muttered and released her elbow, but she still looked furious. The truth can hurt, but he certainly knew better than to point that out to Grady.
"Grady, who is this then?" asked a curly haired man with the type of cap Oswald had neglected to wear. He gave Oswald a glare. "He's not from the Burrow...don't even think he's Irish."
There was a chorus of agreement with this. Grady winced. "Alright..." she said. "Alright, it's true, the lad may not be Irish. But we can't blame him for that. It's not his fault he isn't Irish and he's missed out on our many positive qualities..."
This at least, got some laughs.
"But spend enough time in the Burrow and he'll learn. The point is, he can offer something no one else can. Trust me on this, Oswald knows what he's on about. Nobody else can do for us what he can. So if you'd give the man your undivided attention, he'll tell you the plan."
It went better than he could have hoped for. And while the Burrow Boys were a powerful asset, he was not yet convinced they were reliable. Or that they would follow a leader who wasn't Burrow born. But he and Grady had rolled the dice and there was no quitting the game now.
