"Partial genocide? How charitable of you," he said. He moved fluidly, not even momentarily balking at Eridan's turn of phrase. Aside from the fact that Edward was a man deeply used to this sort of rhetoric from the younger fellow, there was also the question of his easy morals: the Riddler wasn't about to clutch at oyster waste just to take a high showhorse. The hypocrisy would be too much.

Eridan deserved better than a shallow understanding, Eddie had concluded. He deserved authenticity.

"Ready and willing," he said -- a halfway smile delivered the sentence. The irony in his words, upon later reflection, would be unbearable.

"But if we could?" His tone took on a more solemn gravel, thoughtful pebbles rumbling along his vocal chords. They were out the door, down the street, headed to Eddie's car -- soon to be speeding to Eridan's place.

"We ought to discuss your future options again. Perhaps for the sake of artful editing."