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WHO: ERIDAN AMPORA and ZATANNA ZATARA and THEIR VERY UNFORTUNATE GUESTS.
WHERE: a creepy ~~rose red~~ house on the edge of the city.
WHEN: 11/5.
WARNINGS: fakemurder. gore. trauma. misery. mystery!!!
SUMMARY: since eridan spent the entirety of halloween wweepin and eating stale sugar cookies in his basement leah, he and zee throw a belated halloween party!! BAD THINGS HAPPEN.
FORMAT: ANYTHING GOES.

[the house - it's more of a miniature mansion, really, and incredibly creepy - is just far enough from the city's limits to be quiet. sprawling, dark, and eerie; it's kind of like a cross between rose red and dracula's summer home, which is at least half of the reason why it was chosen. maybe two-thirds.

inside the decorations are done up in lush reds and the occasional streaks of violet; the kitchen is full of food and refreshments, the main hall is decked out, the music is pumping, and the hosts will no doubt be more than happy to tell everyone all about how they heard a rumor from a friend of a cousin of the realtor that like a quintuple murder totally happened in the attic or something (or one of them will, at least). rooms beyond the immediate party area (a host of ground level rooms and anything upstairs, basically) haven't exactly been blocked off, but they're also visibly not as touched up and may or may not be haunted.

well, there's a definite risk. the place is creepy as hell.

doors open at eight-thirty (just to spite vriska). get in there!!

(DIRECT QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS RIGHT HURR.) ]

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[ Bradbury snorted again at that; he'd spoken to Eddie's ward all of once, and the experience wasn't enlightening. It was unpleasant seeing him at this party, knowing what he did about the kid, but in person, it was easier to see that he was still a kid. Was even younger than he is now, if Bond was telling the truth about Mitch's murder, and he didn't see why the guy would lie. No bodyguard likes admitting a fuckup.

But that was neither here nor there, and whatever his misgivings might be about the evening, it wasn't the time to bring it up. ]

Didn't realize we were supposed to be in character. [ He scratched at the beard in question, because wow, this shit itched, especially when you were clean-shaven half an hour ago. ]

Wwhat's the point, otherwwise? [The accent wasn't easy work. The "v"s eased out as "w"s, sure as Latin pronunciation was considered, but dual "w"s themselves? It wasn't easy. Eddie licked at his lips, disliking the feel.] I nevver dress up wwithout a porpoise.

[... Eddie smirked. The lead-up to the pun had been entirely unintentional, and goodness, did he have an appreciation for organic art (when he was playing the artist, of course).]

[ Dead-eyed stare. Bradbury hoped Eddie wasn't expecting to be lauded for that effort. Though he supposed failing to react one way or the other would encourage him to keep going anyway. ]

You're supposed to be a troll, right? [ He waved a hand over his head, meaning to indicate Eddie's faux horns. ] His dad, or something? [ Thumbjerk to indicate Eridan, wherever he isn't paying attention to them from elsewhere in the room. ]

The shorter version over there uses the term "ancestor", so one can assume as much. [Eddie shrugged, the motion exaggerating his cape. He gripped at it, pulling it closer to his body. Briefly, very briefly, he wondered how Batman humored such an unfortunate swath of cloth constantly.] To be honest, the details were -- wwere -- rather sparse. Hawe you ewer tried communicatin' with the natiwes -- God, this accent is an insult to language.

[ The trials and tribulations of a consummate performer in pursuit of his craft were lost on Bradbury, sadly. Whatever, Eddie totally brought this on himself, he could deal with it. ]

Some. [ He shrugged in turn, his own robe slightly easier to manage than Eddie's cloak, but only because it was theoretically an outfit designed for movement. ] They're an interesting bunch. [ To put it lightly. ]

Some of them have unfortunate insights into our more personal business. [Edward slid a glance over at the stoic Bradbury, as if anticipating some sort of visceral reaction.] You might be familiar with the phenomena, after all, you are aware of Mitchell's... Guilty pleasure.

[He was, of course, referring to comics books. Specifically the comic books that featured Gothamites, but it was all part of a grander narrative.]

People born to this universe have the uncanny ability to mirror that access of knowledge. Somehow.

[ If Bradbury was impassive, it was probably because he was taking a moment to figure out what the hell Eddie was actually talking about. He might have been at City Hall for nearly two months now, but the ex-supervillain (hah) wasn't getting any easier to understand. ]

No one's come up trying to blackmail me yet, so I guess I'm just lucky. [ Or, as his shrug seemed to indicate, just inconsequential. He was reminded, suddenly, of a phrase, and his lips twitched in fleeting, private amusement before he quoted: ]

"Infinity theory seems to be shrinking." Maybe that's the explanation you're looking for.

Edited 2012-11-08 16:21 (UTC)

[That wins a grin, sharp and bold against his purpled high collar. His eyes dance over Bradbury's face.] Is that it then? You're looking for what might satisfy me rather than what could engage you?

Why, Bradbury, I ought to be flattered. You're trying so hard to impress me, aren't you? [Not necessarily true, but Eddie knew such words would have some irking weight to them. Getting under Bradbury's skin was an increasingly appealing goal, if only because of those recent events where the bodyguard had saved Eddie's own.

It was hard for Eddie to forgive kindness, even kindness wrought from duty.]

[ Predictably, the baiting shut down any trace of amusement. The scowl that Bradbury leveled at Eddie was slightly more ridiculous than usual thanks to the bristling beard and the costume. He really should just learn to stop rising to the bait, but that was easier said than done. ]

Like what I say matters. [ Hedging. ] You like the sound of your own voice enough that you say whatever you want anyway.

Edited 2012-11-10 03:56 (UTC)

Well, that isn't incorrect. [Eddie shot a wink, one coy and highly inappropriate for the context of their discussion. But it was clear that he enjoyed Bradbury's assertion, and even more clear that Bradbury was not incorrect -- at least, not incorrect about Eddie.

The deputy mayor, suddenly inspired, looped an arm around the other man's shoulders. His cape fluttered with the motion, cloaking the body guard.]

Let's not pretend you're not somewhat fascinated, Mr. Bradbury.

[ The flamboyance, the coyness - on any other man, it would have been enough for Bradbury to peg him as a flaming queen. But he hasn't been around City Hall for nearly two months and not learned some things about Edward Nygma, and besides the love of his own voice, one thing was apparent: there was nothing he wouldn't do to get a rise out of someone.

Bradbury's shoulders stiffened when the arm came around his shoulders, but his jaw set, stubborn. If Eddie expected him to shake it off, he was going to be sorely disappointed, because Bradbury didn't plan on moving either way. ]

Yeah, I'm fascinated how you talk so much and still get enough oxygen for your brain. [ Pointedly: ] Did you need something? 'Cause I don't see you bleeding or blind drunk, so...

[Eddie leaned in closer, to whisper through his smirk:]

Well. Who's to say that the great mariner Dualscar can't enjoy a bit of non-medical attention from his -- [A theatrical glance up and down Bradbury's form, as if Eddie was judging the man for a specific purpose.] -- glorified cabin boy?

[A slap on Bradbury's back followed suit. A slap on his lower back. It was true that Bradbury's stoicism defied Eddie's want to see his effect on the other man, so the deputy mayor upped the ante.]

Aren't you having fun?

[ Even Bradbury could understand what was being implied here, and his expression warred between affront and disbelief -- teetering right over into shock at the slap on his back, which had the satisfying effect of having him jerk in surprise, stumbling forward half a step.

He turned to level an outraged glare at the Deputy Mayor. It wasn't that Bradbury was averse to physical contact in the way Mitch was, but he wasn't comfortable around Eddie to begin with, so sudden liberties taken with his person were well outside his comfort zone.

But fuck if he was gonna let Eddie get everything his way, so he rallied himself enough to snap out a response, although the tip of his head away and the cross of his arms was almost, well, catty. ]

I dunno, I get the feeling that the great mariner Dualscar might be needing some medical attention pretty soon. [ Teeth bared in something that could have been a smile, forced cheer, before dropping back into his usual deadpan. Flatly: ] Guess you gave up on the accent, huh?

Oh, for you, Bradbury dearest? I'm going to give it my most personal touches. [He did, indeed, step off -- the implied physical threat was enough to induce a reassessment. But he nevertheless waggled the fingers of his offending hand in front of Bradbury (both a hello and a goodbye -- switching from one tactic to another), as if waving a well-earned trophy before his conquest.]

Besides, I know you so deeply prefer the actual me. Affecting another's disposition can be so, ah, insincere. [He gave a quick scan for viable exits, in case Bradbury was inclined to make good on his implicated threats regardless of Eddie's physical proximity retreat.] And we all know how you aren't comfortable with insincerity, don't we?

[ This Bradbury could deal with just fine, and he lets his fists unclench (when had they tightened in the first place?), fingernails leaving crescent welts fading on his palm. Trying to get one over Eddie was a constant losing battle he wasn't interested in getting drawn into. Still, it was good to let the Deputy Mayor know that if Bradbury ever hit the limit of how much of Eddie's bullshit he could stand... well.

He figured Mitch would give him shit for it, but it wasn't like he wasn't going to punch Eddie in the face, or fail to patch him up after. Maybe somewhere that wasn't completely necessary, but still annoying, like breaking a finger or something. Imagined violence was considerably cheering, so much so that his response to Eddie's next words was almost pleasant. ]

Everybody lies.

Some just have a better taste for it than others. [Eddie sweetly pursued this line of logic, his syllables growing honeyed. It was an overcompensating tactic, as Bradbury's fresh manner had been duly noted.] Some are just better at it than others. Some do it out of necessity. Some out of enjoyment.

[And then, idly:]

Where would you say Mitchell falls?

[ He tipped his head, giving the question all appearance of serious thought, but his mind was already racing through possible answers. Was there anything he could say that wouldn't be taken the wrong way, or used against him somehow? Probably not. He could lie, but he wasn't good at it, and Eddie would know no matter what. Finally, careful to modify the phrase: ]

I'd say he's right where he's always been.

[ Copping out, with a shrug, but at the same time hoping the reference to shared history - unknown history, to Eddie - would be enough to derail this line of thought. ]

And you know very well where he's always been? [He lowers his voice.] Don't you? [It seems so much more sinister, when it's whispered like that. A fleeting, ethereal implication, a questioning of Bradbury's Mitchell authority. It was like a light slap, a cheeked chastisement over Bradbury's own cop-out answer.]

I simply can't help but find your mutual history fascinating. [Eddie shrugged.] You probably find mine with Mitchell just as entrancing. [And Edward smirked, his eyes narrowing lazily.]

[ Bradbury's own eyes narrowed, but his expression stayed otherwise impassive. He was missing years of Mitch's life - not just the years spent in the City, but the years Mitch had on him in their future back home. When he had time to think about it, the missing knowledge irked him, conscious of its absence.

The one good thing about not having much of an imagination, though, was that he wasn't actively filling that dearth of knowledge with too many of his own assumptions or wild suppositions. ]

I've never asked. [ He shrugged. ] It's none of my business.

[ Mitch would say the same, if Bradbury ever bothered to ask him. But he already knew what the answer was, so why waste the breath? But it wasn't like Mitch was the only source of information on Eddie around. ]

[Eddie's smirk quirked higher. He glanced about the room again, his body language easing into something more dominant.]

What a lovely, rehearsed answer. Perfect obedience. Mitchell would be so proud. [Eddie flipped back his cape, a dramatic flourish wholly unnecessary in its device.] I'd love to know how he's been training you.

[ Bradbury snorted, shaking his head. ]

The dog jokes stop getting witty after a while, you know.

But to say that you had to admit they were witty to begin with. [Hands on his hips, he puffed out his chest.] I'm satisfied by such an acknowledgment.

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