My muse has amnesia. What would you tell them about their relationship with your’s to try and get them to remember?
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
“I’m keeping an eye out for the rogues that think he’s going to snitch on them. As for Erno, I’m going to promote his work so he gets his art career out of a rut. That way, he’s less occupied on the problems surrounding him. I do apologize that I can’t do anything for Aleks right away, though, but I will have my research team come up with something that might be able to help him walk. It will take a while, but he will receive this as a gift. Also, don’t worry about the garden,” Bruce started, “I’ve been talking to Pamela. She has a way to sustain it without draining a lot of funds.”
Edward came into the living room and sat down.
“Is Erno alright?” She asked, looking to Edward. She wanted to thank Bruce but feared he was only doing this because he felt he had to. To buy her silence.
Flower Asks
Roses: Who is your love interest?
Lilacs: Do you consider yourself beautiful and innocent?
Irises: Do you have words worth spreading? Wise words?
Gladiolus: Are you violent?
Lilies: Have you lost someone important to you?
Protea: Are you courageous?
Peony: Are you lucky?
Orchid: Are you a charming person?
Statice: What do you like to remember?
Sun flower: What brings you happiness?
Lisianthus: What do you appreciate?
Sweet pea: Are you delicate or sweet?
Tulip: Are you elegant or graceful?
Hydrangea: Have you endured/suffered for beauty?
Fresia: Who is your best friend?
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
“From what I’ve seen, Gotham changes one’s life for the better or the worst. Rarely is there an in between.”
“Bruce, Erno did what he did to stop me from doing it. I’ve done a stint in prison. He didn’t want to see me going back. And right now Edward’s in there doing what I should be doing - but couldn’t because I know I would’ve screamed at him for going off half cocked. And Edward’s probably thinking I’m only concerned about money.” Jami rubbed her face. “I’m not exactly broke but I can’t keep up everything unless I make a lot of money quickly. I didn’t know it until I fired her and I think Edward’s too busy to have noticed, my ex-manager embezzled about half my money. I’d try to get it back but I’m afraid the news might cause my boys to go off the deep end. Then there’s all the money I’ve spent on things like the garden and the album release party, plus all our medical bills…. I have to do everything I vowed I wouldn’t do. Including a freaking nude scene in a movie by a hack director. And I’m sitting here whining about my problems while Aleks might never walk again, Erno’s on the verge of being the next Riddler, and Edward has the other Rogues worried about him dropping the dime on them.”
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
Bruce nodded. “I’m sorry to hear what this has done to you and your friends; very sorry. What I want to know is what it will take for you to keep my identity secret, Jami.”
“You already did it.” Jami said. “Understand Bruce that I feel guilty and filthy for doing that. I’m probably going to have nightmares about it and it’s the one thing I can’t talk to the shrink about. All I can do is pray you’ll forgive me someday.” She sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Damn it. It was never suppose to be this way. I came to Gotham because I needed a place far away from my psycho drug addict brother. Instead I’ve got psycho super villains out to hurt the ones I love.”
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
About this time, Aleks finally decided to leave his room for the day. Hearing a knock at the door, he wheeled to answer it; with his nurse not far behind. When he answered the door, he was greeted by Bruce Wayne. “Hello, Bruce. I assume you’re here for either Jami or Edward. Please come in.”
Bruce came in, closed the door, and looked down at Aleks. “You should be resting.”
“I’ve had about all the rest I could stand for today,” Aleks replied with a smile before leading Bruce into the living room. “Jami, Bruce is here!” The Finn finally announced as they entered the room.
“Aleks, do you think you could let Jami and I talk in private?”
The young man nodded, and was soon back in the kitchen.
“If you’re here to try and convince me you’re not Batman, forget it, Bruce.” Jami said without looking up from her laptop. “You make it too damn obvious. And if you think you can get your buddy Superman aka Clark Kent to impersonate Batman while you’re around, it won’t work. Nor the Green Lantern, Nightwing, or Steel. You might as well ask Wonder Woman to do it for all the good it’ll do you. I could tell because the voice is too much alike and the vocal patterns match.”
She turned her laptop around and played two different clips. One of Batman talking, one of Bruce. The waves showed on the screen and when she clicked a button they merged together to show they were as alike as identical twins.
Turning it back around she went back to looking for trainers.
“I’ve already got a doctor for all of us. Like I promised. I’m trying now to get trainers to teach us all how to fight and defend ourselves with and without weapons. Especially any that could help Aleks combine fighting with his physical therapy. Did you know he might never walk again? This is what the Rogues have done. Driven us all to the edge of insanity. Nearly made a super villain out of my best friend. And it’s all my fault because I had to go and ask the Riddler on a date. If I had just left my unrequited crush remain that they wouldn’t be worried he’ll reveal their secrets and Aleks would be fine, Erno would be sane, I’d still be a virgin that the world thinks is a whore, but hey, you can’t miss what you never had, right?”
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
“I see. Well, if you want to get in contact with Pamela, just ask. I have my ways,” he started. “I’m going to check on Erno. He was so wracked with guilt earlier. I don’t like the idea of him being alone.” With that, Edward turned to go check on Erno; who was, at that time, still staring at the ceiling.”
Guilt showed on Jami’s face, but also the fact she knew if she went to Erno now she’d do nothing but yell at him and make things worse. So while Edward was doing what she should’ve been doing, she began to send e-mails and make phone calls. Losing herself in finding those she needed and making arrangements to make the money to pay them. She didn’t want to tell Edward but she was very close to being broke for a super star. She had spent so much money recently that a few of her credit cards were maxed out. The movie role would clear them up and give her a comfortable cushion to be able to pay for everything they’d all need. The shrink, the trainers, and so forth. But if she was to keep everyone safe and comfortable she needed more.
She had to do this, for her family.
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
“With Erno’s recent breakdown, I couldn’t agree more. That being said, would you like to talk to him?”
“No. I’m too angry to talk to him in a reasonable way. God, I just freaking blackmailed Batman. I feel so dirty. Bruce is probably not ever going to want to work with me again.”
“I used to blackmail Batman all the time. It’s second nature. If anything, you could just tell Bruce it was my idea.”
Jami began to pace. “I don’t think that’ll work, Edward. I was too emotional. He’ll know it was me. And then there’s other things. I might be rich but my money isn’t endless. I’m going to have to market the hell out of La Phantasha. Make wise investments. I’ll even have to do what I dread and put my name on a perfume. Maybe Pamela will help make something I actually like the smell of. I always hated vanilla and musk scents, I must prefer flowers with delicate scents.” She sighed. “I got a movie offer I was going to turn down because it meant a nude sex scene. But it’s 30 million dollars for a month’s work. And it’s filming here in Gotham. It will be enough time that Aleks will be ready for a tour.”
Duplex Corset, ca. 1885
Illustrated metamorphic trade card depicting two women standing outside of a bedroom, one peeping through the keyhole of the closed door. The open flap shows a woman, “Mrs. Brown,” attired in a corset and undergarments looking at her reflection in a mirror.
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
“With Erno’s recent breakdown, I couldn’t agree more. That being said, would you like to talk to him?”
“No. I’m too angry to talk to him in a reasonable way. God, I just freaking blackmailed Batman. I feel so dirty. Bruce is probably not ever going to want to work with me again.”
Neo-Riddler? [DC-AU]
“Save the tow fee. I’ll drive it home and you can talk to Erno privately in the car.” Jami said, taking Erno’s keys. “I need a little alone time anyway to clear the rage out of my head.”
Edward nodded as he and Erno got into the car. On the way home, they discussed why Erno had done this. They also agreed that Aleks would not be told about this until he was fully healed, along with other things concerning the day’s events. Finally, they talked about how to handle Jami when she finally got home.
The artist went straight to his room as soon as they got inside. He awaited his dear friend with dread. Erno didn’t think things through properly, and he feared the near future. Edward waited for Jami in the living room, where he would try to talk her down before calling Erno into the conversation.
As soon as she entered Jami looked to Edward. “Tomorrow I’m bringing in a psychologist to help all of us. I think we’ve all got some sort of form of PTSD. I’m also getting those trainers to teach Erno how to fight in hopes he’ll realize how hard this is and focus his energies elsewhere. But we’re all taking the training so we can learn to defend ourselves.”
