Not Quite Human

Thinking

Alternate Personality/Mask Speech

Speaking

Chapter 7: So many fans in all the wrong places

After the weird autograph incident in the arts and crafts store I moved along hoping to find my sister. I stopped and got a smoothie along the way because my mouth felt like a desert. I stopped in my tracks as I saw the most beautiful dress ever in a window display. The shade of green was perfect, my eyes were glued to the fabric. I stood there unblinking for so long people were starting to walk to the opposite sides of the walkway from me. I loved green so much. I wanted the dress. Dumping my now empty cup in a nearby trash bin I dragged myself inside and inquired about the dress in question.

"How much to own that dress in my size?" I pointed towards the green perfection glowing in the light.

"I'm sorry miss but that is well out of your price range." The employee was looking at me with a scowl on his face.

"How much?" I scowled right back.

"Miss I'm going to have to ask you to leave. If you don't I will be forced to call security." He huffed and pointed me towards the door.

"I want to buy that dress." I whined and he grabbed me by my arm and forcefully led me to the exit. He pushed me out of the store and gave me a good shove.

"Come into this store again and you will be arrested, you freak." He fixed his shirt and stormed back in. I was pissed.

"D are you alright?" My sister was at my side in an instant pushing her bags back into my arms.

"I want that dress but they won't let me buy it." I motioned to the dress and she shook her head.

"We'll get you a different one, we need to go now. I've got a date with Max and I don't want to be late."

"But the dress?" I pouted and she pulled me along behind her.

"Drop it D." She pulled me outside and into a waiting cab where I sulked the whole way home.

"You suck." I leaned against the side of the elevator while she fixed her hair.

"Oh shut up. It's just a dress, so what if it was green." Once the doors opened we walked to our apartment and I carried her bags inside to her room.

"Hey Randi how's my sexy baby doing?" Max picked her up and swung her around. I was secretly a bit jealous and stormed to my room. I sat on the edge of my bed and held my head in my hands. Ok just relax, there will be other green dresses in the future. Don't cry over one.

"Hey D I'm going with the love birds for dinner. Wanna join me?" Bernard looked bored and I gave him a glare before he shrugged and slammed the door shut. "Told you guys she wouldn't go." I heard them all stomp out into the hall and the door lock behind them. I didn't want to watch my sister and Max suck each others faces off over dinner. I wasn't in the mood to do any free running so I walked out to the living room and curled up on my couch. I must have fallen asleep because I was awoken by a loud banging on the door.

"Hold on I'm coming." I fixed my hair and flung the door open. There was no one in sight just a large box. I pulled it into the apartment and gave it a once over. It came up to my hips and was wrapped in green wrapping paper tied shut with a black bow. Golden question marks dotted the paper here and there. I pulled the bow open and jumped back as the box seemed to open itself with a shower of green sparkle bits and smoke. Looking closer each sparkle bit was in the shape of a question mark. My eyes grew three sizes as I saw the green dress of my dreams lying all nicely folded on the bottom of the box. I picked it up and held it against my frame, it was in my size and the fabric felt so soft against my skin. I snuggled into the dress before looking down at the box. There was golden writing on the bottom half of the box and I set the dress down so I could get a closer look.

At night they come without being fetched. By day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?

I pondered for a moment before the answer clicked in my head. "Stars?" I heard a click and a small black lens appeared before glowing. What looked like a picture of a man was projected against the door. His form was blurred a bit but I could make out a green hat and green eyes.

"Oh you are ever so good at these. Now don't worry about the dress little D. Its your prize from our little game. I bet you want more though. Oh I know you will. Come find me, if you can. The man smirked showing perfect white teeth. ~Lighter than what I am made of, More of me is hidden than is seen~. Solve that little riddle tonight and you'll find me. Until then ta-ta my ember beauty." The picture clicked off and I heard a popping noise as the box started smoking. The device inside must have self destructed. I pondered the riddle he left me. Who was this man? I cleaned up the mess the box made and hid the pieces in case anyone came home early. Curiosity beat at me until I slapped my head.

"Icebergs!" He must have meant the iceberg lounge. This must have been the man I was chatting up after our show. I didn't waste any time and rushed the dress to my room to get ready. I wanted answers and I wanted this dress so it would be a win-win situation. The dress clung to my curves and flared out a bit over my hips. The skirt ended at mid calf and was strapless. I put on a pair of black hose and made sure I didn't tear them. I had a pair of flats that I could wear with it and I rushed to my sister's room for makeup. I put on some green and black eye shadow and some pink lip gloss. I shoved some money and my ID into my bra before heading out.

I took a cab and the driver refused to take my money, this was getting weird. I was about to wait in line to get in before the bouncer motioned to me.

"You're on the list, welcome to the lounge miss." He ushered me in and I was overwhelmed as I stepped inside. I could feel eyes on me as I walked in behind the host. He seated me at a table back in the corner. I felt like I was shrouded in shadows as I sat down.

"Anything I can get you ma'am?" A waiter appeared out of nowhere but didn't meet my eyes.

"Water please." I felt out of place. I didn't normally jump into crowded areas unless dancing was involved.

"Right away." He was gone in moments and I was left to myself. I fiddled with the tablecloth as I looked around the room. No one seemed to give me a second glance and I relaxed against the chair. A menu was placed before me as the waiter returned with my water. He bowed and left me to search for something tasty alone. I skimmed through the selections and searched for something cheap. I didn't see anyone sit at my table and nearly jumped in surprise when I lowered the menu and saw a man sitting across from me. His face was covered with a purple diamond mask and his green hat was tipped to the side, showing off a bit of red hair. He smiled nearly dazzling me with his bright teeth.

"Oh I knew I made it too easy for you." His green suit drew my gaze as I looked him over, I could probably take him in a fight as long as he wasn't armed.

"Hello. Thank you for the dress." I really didn't know what to say. He leaned back in his chair and I saw he had a cane in one of his hands, a golden question mark twirling along his palm. I was second guessing myself and almost wished I'd stayed home. I had no idea what to do with a man once I started talking to one; I probably should hang out more with Max and Randi to get the whole talking to men thing down.

"Oh it was my pleasure. After all its not often I find a woman who can keep up with my wit." He flashed me a smile again before taking my menu and looking it over. I nervously sipped my water and my eyes darted around the room. I nearly jumped when someone jumped into a chair to my left. It was what's his name from the craft store.

"Oh fancy seeing you here. Boss loved your autograph." He had a goofy grin on his face, well at least it looked like he did under all that paint. Mr. Green lowered the menu and sent a glare at him.

"Gerald right?" His name popped into my head and his eyes lit up.

"You remembered! That's awesome. Boss wanted me to see if you'd like to dine with him tonight."

"She's with me you painted buffoon." His green eyes narrowed and a scowl graced his features.

"Well boss told me not to take no for an answer." Gerald was glaring right back at him. They got into a glaring contest and I shifted nervously in my seat.

"Well that's too bad because that is the answer you will return to that clown with." His voice dripped venom and he lifted his cane and pointed it at him. "Now take your leave before I send you off in pieces."

"Watch your ass Riddler, boss J won't like this at all. Not one bit." Gerald shot me an apologetic look before sliding away from the table and walking off.

"Don't mind him my dear, they'll let any piece of trash in now a days." He huffed before returning his gaze to me. "Now tell me a little about yourself."

The dinner went by quickly the man, Riddler, wouldn't stop talking about himself. I just turned the conversation towards him and he was off like a shot describing his genius and so on. Just before we could order dessert he pulled what looked like a pager from his belt and frowned.

"Oh I am sorry but it seems that I'm needed somewhere else. We must do this again sometime." He tipped his hat at me and limped off towards the exit, the cane looking more like his handicap then his accessory. I was sure that he loved only himself and would probably not call me out for any more dinners. I watched him leave though, the green in his suit seemed to mesmerize me, it didn't hurt that he had a nice body to boot.

I opted out of dessert and left a tip on the table, my dinner had been comped. I took a taxi home and had to climb up the building seeing as no one was home yet. I felt horrible once I got to my room, the dress had ripped and a large hole now lay across my stomach from pulling myself up the brick. I wanted to cry, hiding the dress in the very back of my closet I pulled out some dancing clothes. Slipping into the tight green leggings and purple thigh high clinging dress I made sure it clung to my curves in just the right way. I opted for a tight green almost see through elbow length shirt. Over top of it I slipped a purple vest, I only buttoned it halfway letting my ample chest strain against the fabric. I retouched my makeup and slipped into my armored boots. I was going to dance until I dropped and no one was going to stop me. I returned to the ratty little club and was let in without having to wait.

I jumped right back into the writhing pit of bodies and went full out dancing. I didn't care that everyone was giving me a wide gap to dance in, they seemed to be avoiding me at all means possible. I was glad I was so flexible as I danced; throwing my hips out and shaking what my momma gave me. Soon a body pressed up against my back again and I recognized his scent. It was the same man from before and we got right into the dancing. His arms were bare and I felt buttons against my back, probably from a vest. We got so into it that after what seemed like hours we had to pry ourselves apart, our sweat was almost fusing our clothes together. His lips were to my ear again and his hand stroked the side of my hip.

"Its getting late you should head home. I'll always be here if you need me." I felt him leave and the club suddenly felt colder. I wish I knew who the hell the man was. Once again I was alone in the gap of dancing bodies and I pushed my damp hair from my face. I got another bottle of water to go and headed home. My feet ached and I was dragging by the time I pulled myself through my window again. I left my clothes in a pile as I headed to the shower and scrubbed the day from my flesh. I wanted coffee but the call of sleep was too much and I just curled up under the sheets naked as the day I was born.

"Someone had a good night." Randi was sitting on the side of my bed fanning me with a large envelope. I groaned and pulled the covers back up to hide my body from her. "Oh relax we're sisters its not like I'm going to post naked pics of you on the internet."

"Thanks I feel so much better." I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Who's the mail for?

"You silly. It came with a box of horror movies, not the good ones though a bunch of dubbed asian extreme ones." She huffed and dropped the letter on my lap.

"Oh don't hate, those are the best ones. They actually still have horror movies there, not some campy gore fests with boobs." I looked at the envelope as she walked out of my room.

"Hey Randi is D gonna want some coffee?" Bernard's voice rang out near my door.

"Not right now Bennie she's naked." My sister was laughing and I heard Bernard choke on his beverage. I rolled my eyes and wondered who this letter was from.

The writing wasn't in golden script like the others I'd been getting, it was written with red ink almost the color of blood. The letters were small and neat but held no fancy loops or designs. I opened the letter and pulled a single sheet of paper from inside. I recognized the scent on the paper instantly and took a big sniff. It was from the man I danced with at the club. The ink on the paper was red as well and held no riddles for me to solve.

"Your nightly activities have left you nice and limber my little demon girl. Enjoy some horror on me and scream extra loud."

"This is certainly unique." I sniffed the paper again before stumbling out of bed and adding it to my underwear drawer. I pulled out some underwear and then dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and slipped my glasses on. I heard there would be coffee so I was going to raid the kitchen.

"Morning princess." Max was sitting on the couch with my sister on his lap. They were watching cartoons and I rolled my eyes.

"Morning." It was probably more towards dinner time but I wasn't about to say anything.

"Since when did you start sleeping naked?" Bernard was sitting at the table reading the paper. A mug of coffee was shaking softly in his hand.

"Since when did you care what I sleep in?" I got myself some coffee then made some toast. Slathering it with a thick layer of peanut butter I sat down across from him.

"I don't." He kept his eyes on the newsprint but his cheeks were pink. He was acting really strange lately but I pushed it off on stress and having to deal with me.

"Good. Now that we've got that settled where are we playing our next gig again?"

"Our gig is in three days and you can't remember where?" He looked up at me and set his coffee down.

"Nope not to save my life." I sipped my coffee to pry some peanut butter off the roof of my mouth.

"We're playing at Maroni's and Randi is going to take lead vocals. If you can't remember your music don't bother joining us."

"What's the theme?"

"Formal attire, you won't get to wear your outfit. Poor you." He pushed himself away from the table and threw his half full cup of coffee into the sink before storming off.

"The hell bit you on the ass?" I growled at him but he just flipped me off and kept walking.

"Relax sis. I've got a dress you can borrow and I'll make you look nice." Randi giggled from the couch and I pulled the paper over to me to start reading it.

"I'm gonna feel naked without my demon skin." I whined and flipped to the front page.

"You look naked in your demon skin, this is a family restaurant styled club. No nudity."

"Yea, yea. But that won't stop you from singing about sex now will it?" I shoved more toast into my mouth and groaned as it glued my teeth together.

"It never does." She turned back towards the TV and I chugged more coffee. I nearly choked when I saw the headline and picture on the front page.

'Riddler back in Arkham! Streets a little safer thanks to Batman.' There was a picture of Batman holding a broken and bloody Riddler while the police held a car open for him. I had heard of Arkham, it was an insane asylum. The Riddler seemed self absorbed when I talked to him and maybe a little obsessed with riddles but he didn't come off as insane. I looked back down at the picture and frowned. Riddler was bleeding from a head wound and his nose looked broken. His suit was torn and his cane was no where to be seen. He looked like he was barely holding onto consciousness.

"I guess he won't make the show then." I spoke quietly to myself. I didn't bother to read the article but folded the paper up and carried it off to my room. I ripped the picture out and slipped it into the riddle card he'd sent me. I felt even worse about ruining my dress now. I sat on the edge of my bed and sulked until the coffee was gone. I was kind of glad I wouldn't be lead vocals for the next gig, I was going to be mopey for awhile.