One of his own tools would do the job nicely, I imagine. It's not as though I've got an abundance of creative options in this scenario. Where to do it is an issue, I suppose... in front of a screaming child and a woman in labor is hardly ideal. [ A sigh. ] Putting them in the car while I dispose of him is the best I could do, though I don't particularly trust the child... [ He trailed off, clearly still thinking. He eventually spoke up again with a question, though. ] Could you be more specific about the child's age? Very young is up to interpretation. [ Really, he wanted to ask about the whole scenario involving the fourth person who was obviously meant to represent Ed himself, but he wasn't going to do that yet. He still wanted to ask about the child either way. ]
Eight? Hmmm... [ That's old enough to be a good tool of manipulation but still young enough that most people wouldn't dare to imagine the child would do anything but tell the truth in this situation. ] What if I were to search the child for weapons? I want to be sure there's nothing up his sleeve. Call it paranoia if you want. I'm also wondering if the doctor had anything of use on his person.
In this case, yes. I don't do things without a reason. I'd remove it from his possession, obviously. I can't assume that he's here of his own will even if some kind of ambush seems unlikely...
[ There was silence for a minute or so. The doctor didn't have anything useful, unfortunately. Whoever was left behind may end up in a dangerous situation. This part wasn't as easy as dealing with the doctor. Oswald liked to think that maybe he had learned something about being sacrificial on occasion, but he didn't know if he could trust himself to be that way if the situation were actually real. But if Ed was the friend, that meant he could assist the woman far more than Oswald himself could. Someone had to account for the boy, dangerous or not.
But the scenario with the "friend" really did bother him. ]
This friend of mine, what caused the distance between us? [ Maybe that was too on the nose. He quickly added more to his question: ] What I mean by that is, can we work together? Do we still have enough trust between us?
[ That minute of silence is filled with Ed humming something after half of it. Is that the Jeopardy theme? Yes, yes it is. ]
Sure, you do. They're still your friend, even if there may have been terrible actions taken out on them for no rational reason outside of selfishness and your own hubris. [ :) ]
[ Before Ed was even finished answering him, Oswald felt like he'd had the air knocked out of him. Panic set in within a matter of milliseconds. Did Ed know something? He wasn't ready for this. Surely his paranoia had sent him into an overreaction. Ed couldn't know. Unless...? No. He would have told him if he'd done that. Wouldn't he? Wouldn't he? ]
I-I see. [ He barely managed to choke the words out. The unevenness in his tone was undeniable. He cleared his throat, trying to buy himself a few more precious seconds to compose himself. It wasn't working. ] I have one final question, if I may. [ That was a lie. Now he had to try to calm himself down and think of something relevant to ask. ]
[ Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. He really did know everything, didn't he? Of course he wouldn't just say so outright. He had to make a game of it. Play mind tricks. Of course he did. Suddenly everything gave him a sensation of deju vu and he could feel the dread in the pit of his stomach. This was the fear he had been trying to keep at bay and now it was undeniable. But Oswald knew had to keep playing the game. He had to finish what they'd started. He tried to sound braver than he felt, but if anything it may have just sounded pathetic. ]
What happens when my answer doesn't suit you? Then what? We just keep playing games? Or does it end there and you never tell me what you're really up to?
Doesn't suit me? You mean... if you answer wrong? Are you going to? The game is over if you win. [ A slight hum again. ] You know what I'm up to, don't you? It's not hard to figure out. You know me better than I do, after all.
Obviously it's over if I win, Ed. I wasn't asking what happens when I win, for god's sake! [ Everything was putting him on edge. He hated every second of this. How quickly an interesting conversation can turn to one you sincerely do not want to have is astonishing. It was hard to tell what might be a dig and what might not be at this point, so Oswald opted not to comment and inhaled sharply before giving the only answer he could think of. ]
I would ask you in good faith to take the woman to the hospital in my stead. You're far better suited to do such a thing than me. I'll stay with the child and attempt to help him though I am severely suspicious and expect things may become unpleasant. [ There was a second or two of silence, his tone shifting slightly. ] I wouldn't put you in danger or expect you to come back for me. Now that you know the truth, I can't ask you to care about someone that wronged you far too many times. Please just tell me I'm wrong and how much you hate me so we can be done with this, Ed.
There's no need to yell. [ It's said with the slightest tone of mock surprise, followed by yet another pause while he waits for the actual answer.
Once it comes, there's a few seconds of absolute silence followed by the sound of Ed drawing out a long somewhat disappointed sigh. ]
That's incorrect, Oswald. She's already giving birth. What you're supposed to do is lend an extra hand to help with a swift, probably messy, delivery. Then, you drive her and the infant to the hospital in a less stressful situation. Far safer during the pouring rain, as she'll now be tired and not screaming. I deal with the child, as they clearly hadn't tried to do anything in that entire time and don't consider me a threat. Then you come back and I get to go home. Honestly...
[ How obviously correct that was now that he was being told really didn't serve to help his mood. Ed wouldn't have to listen too closely to hear something hitting the floor and presumably breaking. Oswald pinched the bridge of his nose, the rate of his breathing a bit faster. ]
Okay, Ed. You're right, I'm wrong. I get it. Now what? What are you trying to say?
What? [ To say this conversation was giving him whiplash was an enormous understatement. How could he be acting so domestic just like that? He had to be faking. If Oswald was behind, there was no chance Ed wouldn't use that to his advantage. He was probably scrambling his brain on purpose. ] Ed. [ He sounded a strange mix of frustrated and defeated. ] I killed Isabelle and I tried to kill you. We both know that you despise me so stop playing around.
Yes, I'm aware you did that. Thank you for that reminder. You also froze me and damaged my brain, you loathsome piteously foolish menace.
[ But then Ed is performing a balancing act between sounding somewhat amused he has an upper hand and tired...just tired. ] But then I suppose I shot you at some point. Justifiably. I'm still not entirely clear on your river survival techniques.... And blah blah blah, hate hate hate... [ Cheerfully: ] Hating you is stupid. I moved on to something better.
[ He involuntarily flinched at the insult. It was well deserved, but it stung all the same. Genessia had been the last place where they had a chance of being happy together, after all. Now not even that was left. His mind reached for something to say but he came up short. Everything coming out of Ed's mouth was starting to sound like a blur, but that last bit did manage to somehow break through. He hated how even in the middle of things like this Ed could say things that made him hopeful despite knowing there was nothing to be hopeful about. ] What's that supposed to mean? [ It came out more of a whisper than anything. He was tired too. ]
This will be so much easier once you've had whatever catharsis you eventually reach while I'm preoccupied. You're still frozen on this viewpoint, unfortunately. [ Nobody can see this grin. Bluntly: ]
Oswald, we're above fighting each other. You know this.
[ Oswald couldn't help but squint at the comment. What kind of catharsis could he come to in Arkham Asylum, enduring the misery of being locked away while knowing Martin would never be truly safe? He wanted to scoff. He wanted to argue everything Ed was saying. Maybe if he argued enough he'd wake up and none of this would be real after all.
No, that was ridiculous. It was incredibly real, and Ed's words once again cutting through his thoughts reminded him of that. He was right. They were so much better as allies than enemies, but could they really be that now that there was no more hiding the truth? ]
I know. [ He was still incredibly quiet. ] And I regret fighting you, I truly do. I don't know if you can forgive me this time, but I am more sorry than I can properly tell you. [ He hesitated. Talking about this was so hard. Too hard, almost. He was unsure if sharing his heart was the right move to make, but he wanted it to be. ] The truth is, Ed, for all my bravado I never could have killed you. I just didn't want to admit the truth that no matter what came between us, I couldn't dismiss how I really feel about you. [ The more Oswald talked, the more pained he sounded. His next sentence, however, came with a hint of fear: ] I don't know what you feel about me after all I've done, but... if it's different, I won't blame you.
[ Arkham is kind to no one. But Oswald wasn't there nearly as long as he was and seemed twice as cracked. It was probably everything piling on top of the trip. The weight of feeling betrayed by everyone and everything (BEEN THERE). Haven't tried the parental concern though. That's new. It must be exhausting. ]
Of course, it's different! [ Oswald has been sounding increasingly pained. Ed on the other hand sounds like he's having a completely different conversation. It's too calm. Too chipper. Like everything is so obvious. Why wouldn't it be different? He's realized so much. He's changed. There's a completely different person steering this machine. All thanks to Oswald. Better off, in his opinion. He should have never fought it. ]
What is worth a billion dollars but comes to you for free?
[ The way Ed's voice carried that distinctive enthusiastic tone was a strange sort of disorienting in contrast to what Oswald could only perceive as a living nightmare. For someone he claimed again and again to know so well, current circumstances had him beginning to severely question that train of thought. How could different be a good thing? Different is what had torn them apart to begin with. Different thoughts, different emotions, different desires.
But, even among the uncertain, there would always be a riddle. And just like the lovesick emotional fool he was and always would be, he desperately wanted love to be the answer. A breathy laugh escaped, but he wasn't sure what he was laughing about. What was more funny: the idea of letting his blind heart lead him to his downfall yet again, or the possibility of that riddle actually having an answer anywhere close to what he was hoping for it to be? ]
Ed, I... [ It would have been so easy to say he didn't know and save himself the humiliation of being wrong. But he couldn't live with that. He couldn't live with uncertainty about them anymore. Right or wrong, a trick or the truth, he had to know. ] Love. It's love.
[ Silence on the other end. Just perhaps the sound of his quiet breathing - though at one point he might have started holding it. Oswald was going to answer the riddle. He'd get it correct because he usually has the answers. He knows them. He knows him. And he knows him back. Genessia allowed them to slip a step in that hadn't existed otherwise - a pre-established context. Every interaction back home is slightly askew yet given further clarity. New meaning. There's a deeper connection that can't be severed so easily. An extra rope latching them together while most had got cut at one point or another. And Ed knows. He has all the trust. He's the only one with it. Ed is also ahead. He has the elements of surprise now.
He knows Oswald is focusing deeply on the riddle itself - likely debating its context and any and all implications that follow it. So focused on it that he slipped right into the room and behind him, watching the very deliberation before he finally just says it. Inching up. Up. Closer. Closer. Kneeling just enough to be right next to his the ear that currently lacks a phone against it and- ]
[ Blowing it it first. ] That's right. [ Boo. ] Did you miss me?
[ The silence was so stifling and terrifying that Oswald had almost regretted his words the very millisecond after he had spoken them. The sudden sensation and sounds of someone so intimately close shook him from that thought quickly, however. He immediately yelped in surprise, unable to stop himself from jolting harshly enough that he nearly fell right out of his chair. His instinctive reaction was to grab his cane in defense, but when he finally turned and registered just who he was about to assault he froze on the spot. There was no way to describe the way he was staring other than stupidly.
After an awkward few moments it seemed like he wasn't going to speak at all, but in typical fashion he was quickly right back to yelling, his cane discarded with a thump on the floor as he stood. ] For the love of god, Ed! Is sneaking in here and giving me a heart attack your idea of payback?! Did you want me to bludgeon you to death?! [ He gestured at the cane dramatically. ] I swear, if you ever pull that kind of stunt again I'll -- I'll -- [ He groaned loudly and threw his hands up as if that was threat enough. Oswald leaned back in his chair once again, hands running down his face in attempt to calm his overactive emotions. ] Listen, Ed, I don't know what you're trying to prove but -- [ He paused again, full implications finally hitting him. His eyebrows were furrowed, apprehension written all over his face. After all that had happened, how could Ed...? ] ... I was right?
[ His hands had shot up, entire body leaning back. Looking at him with one eye pinched closed and a smile that went incredibly tight to brace for some sort of impact. He honestly thought Oswald might have fully grabbed and hit him with that cane before he realized Ed was the one invading his personal space. He knows he's a lot quicker than he looks. Luckily, he froze (HA HA.). ]
Oh dear. Not really, no. I'd prefer getting impaled by you. [ There's nervous laughter following that remark. He waits until the other is done dramatically yelling at him and falling flat on a threat before moving back towards him. Standing behind the chair and putting his hands on his shoulders, rubbing at them. An intimate gesture of calm down. ]
[ He pauses, sighs and leans forward more to put his chin on the top of his head. ]
The amount of surprise in your tone says wonders about your level of confidence in us.
[ Seeing Ed bracing himself for a hit certainly didn't make Oswald feel any better about himself. The whole point is that he was supposed to stop hurting him, not keep doing it. But as usual, his penchant to yell and throw tantrums had temporarily overwritten his softer emotions.
At the first sign of Ed's touch he felt himself flinch, but it only took seconds for his body to relax into it. That sensation had always been one of comfort, and despite everything Oswald imagined it always would be. He sighed quietly, silently soaking in their moment of intimacy. Eventually, though, they had to keep talking. There was more to say. He turned and gently took Ed's hands in his own, subconsciously circling his skin with soft strokes of his thumbs. ]
Ed, you don't know what it felt like for me to wake up here knowing that what became of us was something so painful. I didn't know if we could ever come back from it. I'll admit, I was afraid. I was terrified, actually. [ His voice wavered slightly. Even then, there was a bit of fear in him. ] But... while I don't know what you saw or lived, from now on I'm making a promise to trust that what you said is true. That we're alright. I can't keep making these mistakes with you, Ed. I love you far too much to squander the chance I have now. And... and if you feel the same right here and now, then there's nothing more I could ask for. Gotham be damned.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice;
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Eight.
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The doctor would have his tools, of course. His wallet.
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[ There was silence for a minute or so. The doctor didn't have anything useful, unfortunately. Whoever was left behind may end up in a dangerous situation. This part wasn't as easy as dealing with the doctor. Oswald liked to think that maybe he had learned something about being sacrificial on occasion, but he didn't know if he could trust himself to be that way if the situation were actually real. But if Ed was the friend, that meant he could assist the woman far more than Oswald himself could. Someone had to account for the boy, dangerous or not.
But the scenario with the "friend" really did bother him. ]
This friend of mine, what caused the distance between us? [ Maybe that was too on the nose. He quickly added more to his question: ] What I mean by that is, can we work together? Do we still have enough trust between us?
voice;
[ That minute of silence is filled with Ed humming something after half of it. Is that the Jeopardy theme? Yes, yes it is. ]
Sure, you do. They're still your friend, even if there may have been terrible actions taken out on them for no rational reason outside of selfishness and your own hubris. [ :) ]
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I-I see. [ He barely managed to choke the words out. The unevenness in his tone was undeniable. He cleared his throat, trying to buy himself a few more precious seconds to compose himself. It wasn't working. ] I have one final question, if I may. [ That was a lie. Now he had to try to calm himself down and think of something relevant to ask. ]
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Ask away.
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What happens when my answer doesn't suit you? Then what? We just keep playing games? Or does it end there and you never tell me what you're really up to?
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I would ask you in good faith to take the woman to the hospital in my stead. You're far better suited to do such a thing than me. I'll stay with the child and attempt to help him though I am severely suspicious and expect things may become unpleasant. [ There was a second or two of silence, his tone shifting slightly. ] I wouldn't put you in danger or expect you to come back for me. Now that you know the truth, I can't ask you to care about someone that wronged you far too many times. Please just tell me I'm wrong and how much you hate me so we can be done with this, Ed.
voice;
Once it comes, there's a few seconds of absolute silence followed by the sound of Ed drawing out a long somewhat disappointed sigh. ]
That's incorrect, Oswald. She's already giving birth. What you're supposed to do is lend an extra hand to help with a swift, probably messy, delivery. Then, you drive her and the infant to the hospital in a less stressful situation. Far safer during the pouring rain, as she'll now be tired and not screaming. I deal with the child, as they clearly hadn't tried to do anything in that entire time and don't consider me a threat. Then you come back and I get to go home. Honestly...
voice;
Okay, Ed. You're right, I'm wrong. I get it. Now what? What are you trying to say?
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[ But then Ed is performing a balancing act between sounding somewhat amused he has an upper hand and
tired...just tired. ] But then I suppose I shot you at some point. Justifiably. I'm still not entirely clear on your river survival techniques.... And blah blah blah, hate hate hate... [ Cheerfully: ] Hating you is stupid. I moved on to something better.
voice;
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Oswald, we're above fighting each other. You know this.
voice;
No, that was ridiculous. It was incredibly real, and Ed's words once again cutting through his thoughts reminded him of that. He was right. They were so much better as allies than enemies, but could they really be that now that there was no more hiding the truth? ]
I know. [ He was still incredibly quiet. ] And I regret fighting you, I truly do. I don't know if you can forgive me this time, but I am more sorry than I can properly tell you. [ He hesitated. Talking about this was so hard. Too hard, almost. He was unsure if sharing his heart was the right move to make, but he wanted it to be. ] The truth is, Ed, for all my bravado I never could have killed you. I just didn't want to admit the truth that no matter what came between us, I couldn't dismiss how I really feel about you. [ The more Oswald talked, the more pained he sounded. His next sentence, however, came with a hint of fear: ] I don't know what you feel about me after all I've done, but... if it's different, I won't blame you.
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Of course, it's different! [ Oswald has been sounding increasingly pained. Ed on the other hand sounds like he's having a completely different conversation. It's too calm. Too chipper. Like everything is so obvious. Why wouldn't it be different? He's realized so much. He's changed. There's a completely different person steering this machine. All thanks to Oswald. Better off, in his opinion. He should have never fought it. ]
What is worth a billion dollars but comes to you for free?
voice;
But, even among the uncertain, there would always be a riddle. And just like the lovesick emotional fool he was and always would be, he desperately wanted love to be the answer. A breathy laugh escaped, but he wasn't sure what he was laughing about. What was more funny: the idea of letting his blind heart lead him to his downfall yet again, or the possibility of that riddle actually having an answer anywhere close to what he was hoping for it to be? ]
Ed, I... [ It would have been so easy to say he didn't know and save himself the humiliation of being wrong. But he couldn't live with that. He couldn't live with uncertainty about them anymore. Right or wrong, a trick or the truth, he had to know. ] Love. It's love.
action;
He knows Oswald is focusing deeply on the riddle itself - likely debating its context and any and all implications that follow it. So focused on it that he slipped right into the room and behind him, watching the very deliberation before he finally just says it. Inching up. Up. Closer. Closer. Kneeling just enough to be right next to his the ear that currently lacks a phone against it and- ]
[ Blowing it it first. ] That's right. [ Boo. ] Did you miss me?
action;
After an awkward few moments it seemed like he wasn't going to speak at all, but in typical fashion he was quickly right back to yelling, his cane discarded with a thump on the floor as he stood. ] For the love of god, Ed! Is sneaking in here and giving me a heart attack your idea of payback?! Did you want me to bludgeon you to death?! [ He gestured at the cane dramatically. ] I swear, if you ever pull that kind of stunt again I'll -- I'll -- [ He groaned loudly and threw his hands up as if that was threat enough. Oswald leaned back in his chair once again, hands running down his face in attempt to calm his overactive emotions. ] Listen, Ed, I don't know what you're trying to prove but -- [ He paused again, full implications finally hitting him. His eyebrows were furrowed, apprehension written all over his face. After all that had happened, how could Ed...? ] ... I was right?
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Oh dear. Not really, no. I'd prefer getting impaled by you. [ There's nervous laughter following that remark. He waits until the other is done dramatically yelling at him and falling flat on a threat before moving back towards him. Standing behind the chair and putting his hands on his shoulders, rubbing at them. An intimate gesture of calm down. ]
[ He pauses, sighs and leans forward more to put his chin on the top of his head. ]
The amount of surprise in your tone says wonders about your level of confidence in us.
action;
At the first sign of Ed's touch he felt himself flinch, but it only took seconds for his body to relax into it. That sensation had always been one of comfort, and despite everything Oswald imagined it always would be. He sighed quietly, silently soaking in their moment of intimacy. Eventually, though, they had to keep talking. There was more to say. He turned and gently took Ed's hands in his own, subconsciously circling his skin with soft strokes of his thumbs. ]
Ed, you don't know what it felt like for me to wake up here knowing that what became of us was something so painful. I didn't know if we could ever come back from it. I'll admit, I was afraid. I was terrified, actually. [ His voice wavered slightly. Even then, there was a bit of fear in him. ] But... while I don't know what you saw or lived, from now on I'm making a promise to trust that what you said is true. That we're alright. I can't keep making these mistakes with you, Ed. I love you far too much to squander the chance I have now. And... and if you feel the same right here and now, then there's nothing more I could ask for. Gotham be damned.
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