"Did ya hear 'bout tha new goil?"
"Ya mean tha one that got inta a fight with 'er visitor?"
"I heard she broke the glass and clobbered him?"
It was amazing how fast gossip got around in such a boring place like Arkham, but it could be a good thing. People no longer ignored Eva; some were even scared of her. She had to admit, liking the feeling of fear she caused, she understood the scarecrow a little better. Not just him, she realized most of the rouges she shared a block with had a reason for their crimes.
Harley did hers for love, and although Eva didn't approve of her beau, she could understand love. Jervis also did his for love, a love that, sadly, he couldn't have. Ivy protected plants, Scarecrow was tortured as a child, and even The Riddler was cheated out of money that was rightfully his. She could justify almost all the things they did. Almost. The one she didn't accept was the Joker's. Even if she did believe the story about the chemicals he fell into, she saw the times he was aware of his actions.
The point was that she understood them and she was one of them. Well… almost one of them. There was still one thing she needed to do, a sort of rite of passage. She needed to break out, and some of the rouges thought it was the about time.
Eva sat in the recreation room reading a fashion magazine and scoffing at some of the ridiculous outfits people would wear. At that time The Riddler took the moment to give the newbie a little hint about tonight. He was told not to say anything, but he wasn't specified not to give a riddle, besides he loved to watch her struggle to find an answer. Normally he wouldn't take a second look at someone not clever enough to solve his riddles, but she was… interesting.
"Hello Miss Torrez would you like the honor of answering one of my riddles," he asked with a smirk.
"No thank you, Edward," she spat his name out like it was a dirty word. She only called people she didn't like by their real of full name.
"Oh come on, this won't take long.'
'I bet he's used that one before' Eva thought laughing to herself. She was actually in a good mood today… well as good as it could get in Arkham. She decided to humor him.
"How's this? If you answer my riddle I'll answer yours," she offered.
"Alright," The Riddler said, he knew the riddle Eva came up with wouldn't be that difficult.
"Okay ..." Eva pretended to think about it, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" He stared at her is disbelief. Surely she can't be telling him to answer the most well known joke of all time. She looked at him seriously.
"To get to the other side," he answered almost laughing at her simplicity.
"Nope- he turned, surprised- to get away from the butcher on the other side."
He actually chuckled at that. "Funny, Miss Torrez, very funny. Now, it's my turn."
"You got it wrong, so I don't have to hear yours."
"On the contrary, you said I had to answer yours, you said nothing about getting it right."
Eva sat in her seat getting annoyed at his twist on her words. This guy was worst than a genie. Then again, she should be more carefully about what she said to him.
"Okay, just go ahead," she said defeated.
"I cause wars and rebellions. I am wanted by all and denied by many. I taunt those that cannot have me. I am found in history, but my opposite is found even more. What am I?"
"Umm… that's freedom?"
"Ah, for once you've found the answer, it's a clue about tonight," he said with a wink, before walking away.
"What about tonight," she called after him. He continued on his way, not even stopping at her words. That was weird. Edward was always painfully secretive, but whenever she asked for an answer he'd give it to her, even if it were only to rub it in her face. But what did he mean about tonight?"