We walked between the warehouses in silence. Gotham's docks were pretty quiet at night. The warehouses that were still used were all closed down for the night, and you could even hear the waves against the distant street noise.
"You know, the ride has a price," Edward said after a block of silence.
"Let me guess, I have to answer a riddle." I said, putting my hands into my coat pocket and shivering. I was still used to the warm Galapagos. Gotham would probably see snow pretty soon.
"I am a plate, but never touch food, a base that my folk leave and may not return to, and what a healthy heart and soul most want to make."
I sighed and started thinking it over.
A plate that never touches food... Tectonic plates? Plated armor? What does a healthy heart and soul most want to make? I shook my head and pursed my lips. The first part seems to be the most helpful. What other non-food plates are there? …
"Home. The answer is home." I said. Edward smiled.
"You're getting better! But can you stump me yet?" He smirked at me.
"I haven't had a chance to think one up yet," I said, shaking my head. "I'll give it some thought tomorrow morn-" I was cut off by Edward stiffening, and then grabbing my wrist and pulling me behind a building.
"The Bat," he hissed, signaling for me to stay quiet. He pulled me behind him, looping back towards the warehouses. He crept between them carefully, assessing each one. He finally stopped beneath a window, looking it over.
"Are we going to climb in there?" I whispered, looking worriedly at the window. The gap was plenty big to climb through, but it was surrounded by wooden boards and shattered glass. One slip and you'd get some nasty cuts and no small number of splinters.
Instead of answering my, Edward just helped me climb up and crawl through. I fell hard onto the floor on the other side, landing hard on my right and and scuffing my palms pretty badly.
"Ouch..." I mumbled as I got out of his way, rubbing my stinging arm. A few moments later, he dropped down, next to me, looking relieved.
"What was that all about?" I asked, giving him a quizzical look.
"I'm pretty sure I saw Batman up on one of the buildings ahead. I didn't want to get caught, and if you were seen with me..." He stopped, shaking his head. "You'd probably be written off as insane. Probably Stockholm Syndrome or something along those lines."
There was a rustling a moment later, and then a bright beam of light as Edward turned a flashlight on. The warehouse was almost completely empty. Besides the four walls and a few industrial vats, there was only a small pile of cardboard boxes in the corner.
"I think we're safe in here."
"Are we going to have to spend the night here?" I asked, not to pleased with the prospect.
"I'm afraid so." Edward started rooting through the pile of boxes in the corner.
"Are you going to build a fort of something?" I asked, starting to help him.
"No," He said, pulling out an enormous box. "This is good enough."
"What used to be in there?"
"What keeps your food cold?" He said without even stopping to think.
"Oh, a Fridge. Okay." Edward set the box down and crawled inside. I wordlessly followed.
"What do you think?" He asked, sitting at the far end of the box. "It'll provide a bit of insulation."
I just sat down next to him and sighed. Despite the box, I was still freezing.
"Are you cold?" Edward said, laughing slightly. "You're shaking like a leaf."
"I'm still used to warmer weather," I said sheepishly. "But I'll be alright." I closed my eyes for a minute and huddled closer in on myself. I felt something being put over my shoulders.
"Is that a bit better?" I heard Edward say after a minute. I opened my eyes and noticed he'd draped his jacket over me.
"Don't you need this? I'm really okay..." I said, biting my lip.
"No. I've survived worse," He said, smiling a little. "Last January, Arkham's heat wasn't working. It was so cold that Mr. Fries probably could have survived without his suit." I smiled, and closed my eyes again.
"I'm going to try and get some sleep. Thanks, Edward."
I woke up the next morning to the sound of machinery running and people shouting in the distance. I groggily opened my eyes and rubbed my temples.
"I see you finally decided to wake up," I heard a voice say. I started and sat up hurriedly, hitting my head on the top of the box.
"Ah..." I said, rubbing my temples. "What time is it..." I looked down at my watch. 8:14.
Edward was sitting there, fiddling with a rubix cube.
"Do you keep one of those in your pocket or something?" I asked.
"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?" He asked, smiling. "Can you solve one of these?"
"No," I said, ducking my head sheepishly. "I have one, but I've never solved it."
"Most people haven't," He said, twisting the rows faster than I could follow. "Did you sleep well?" He asked, not even looking away from the cube.
"I guess so..." I said, tapping on the sides of the box. "This is the first time I've ever slept in a cardboard box. It's not quite as bad as I was expecting." Edward hummed a little tune before tossing me the finished rubix cube.
"Two minutes and three seconds," He said smugly.
"You're good at puzzles. I get it," I said, rolling my eyes. I handed him the cube before climbing out of the box and into the warehouse. It was fairly dark except for the shafts of light that shone in through the boarded up windows.
"Leaving already?" He asked, poking his head out. "I was having great fun."
"I actually have things I need to do today," I said, shaking my head. Edward crawled out and put his suit jacket back on.
"I thought you didn't have to go to Harley's until two." He said.
"Wait... how did you find out?" I asked. "That was between Jonathan and I."
Edward held up the recording device and tossed it to me.
"Hey! That was in my pocket!" I said, catching it. "And that didn't answer my question."
"When you and Jonathan left, I noticed a receiver of an Arkham recording device sitting on the crate. From there, I deduced what you were doing and turned on your side of the contraption. However, I couldn't just use the radio playback with Jervis there, so I recorded it and waited until I could hear the conversation."
"Breach of privacy much?" I said, glaring at him.
"You pretty much challenged me to find out with your secrecy," He said. "And you know I can't resist a puzzle."
"Tch. Alright, whatever."
"I am curious about what Jonathan meant by your 'voice problem'."
"You'll find out later today," I said pointedly, crossing my arms. "Anyways, I'll just take the bus home."
"And I think I'll stay here. This isn't really a bad hideout," Edward said, looking around the large building. "It really just needs a few touch ups."
"What is it with you rouges and abandoned warehouses?" I asked, laughing a little. "They seem to be all the rage."
"They are large and open, which is good for henchmen and contraptions and the like, and there are just so many in this area that there is practically impossible to trace anyone in here."
"Oh... I see," I said, looking around the area. "Do you think this one has a light switch. It's broad daylight, and it still looks dark in here.
"Even if the electrical equipment still works, it's best not to use it. It makes the warehouse stand out," Edward said.
"So... what are you even planning to do in here?" I asked.
"I'll just keep it in mind for now. It makes a pretty good little hiding spot."
"Well, I'll see you later, Edward," I said, making my way toward the door.
"Hello? Harley?" I called into the warehouse. The recording device was on and in my pocket, completely safe. The only thing missing was my 'therapist'. "Haaarley?" I called again, looking up at the ceiling. It was littered with catwalks and shadows. Easy hiding places.
"Hiya Sable!" Harley called from door near the back. She ran up, hugging me tightly.
"Hi Harley," I said, patting her on the back uncomfortably. I wasn't much of a cuddly person.
"Ooh! Sable! You should meet Red!" She said, suddenly grabbing me by the arm and pulling me back into the room where she came from.
Inside was another woman with bright red hair and bright green eyes.
"Hello," she said nodding to me. "You're... Sable, Right? Harley's mentioned you a couple times."
"Poison Ivy, right?" I said, smiling a little.
"Who else?" She stood up, looking me over. "So you're the one who helped get me out of Arkham. Thanks," she said, bemused. "Well, Harl. I'd better get back to my greenhouse. I'm sure the hydrangeas would like some water. Besides, Sable probably came with a purpose."
"It was very nice to meet you," I said quietly, waving uncomfortably. I wasn't sure what Poison Ivy thought of me. She seemed to think me tolerable, at least.
"Well, umm... Harley? I was wondering if I could get a bit of help from you. You remember what I told you about my voice and going to see Jonathan? Well, he suggested that I get some therapy from you."
"Really? Johnny suggested me?" Harley asked, smiling. "I'd love to help ya Sable! I probably owe it to you." She gestured for me to sit where Poison Ivy had been and sat down in a chair facing it.
"Thanks Harley," I said as I sat down.
"Alright then. Now start by telling me everything you know about it..."
Harley and I sat there for about an hour, talking through my voice problem. It was helpful for my personal use, but nothing helpful to our investigation had occurred. I don't know what Jonathan was expecting, but nothing useful had reached me.
"Thank you so much Harley," I said, a little disappointment reaching my voice.
"Is something wrong?" She asked quickly, looking worried.
"Sorry. I'm just tired," I said, giving her a smile. "How is The Joker doing?" I asked. That might be useful information.
"Mistah J is doing great! He's in the other room over there planning somethin' big!" Harley said, her face glowing as she said his name.
"That sounds exciting. Do you know what he's planning?" I asked.
"No... not really. All I know is that he was looking for a paper all day yesterday. He said it was important."
"Did he find it?"
"Rick brought in some papers yesterday that seemed to make Puddin' happy." She said. "I suspect that was it."
"Alright then. Thank you very much," I said. Harley reached out and hugged me again.
"See you later, Sable!"
Author's Note: Heyo! Another chapter! Thanks again to Lord Grise for lending me their riddle-making skills!