FREAKS || Jerome Valeska¹

33 || The Clean Election

The siblings stood far from the crowd back at the mansion. It was nearly time to announce the winner. An anxious glance was shared. It'd be disappointing if Oswald heard of their plan beforehand. Butch was nowhere to be found in the group of campaign members, and it was keeping them on edge.

Reese didn't necessarily regret what they did. So many people loved Oswald. They wanted him. It wasn't hard to see that.

"You can feel the tension in the room, huh?" They turned to see a man, about forty, stopping right in front of them. Smiles were given to him, but it was confusing to see someone want to talk to them.

Reese chuckled, "Oh, you can cut it with a knife."

The man hid a mischievous smirk, "You know, when the board members said Miss Reese Nygma was on Cobblepot's team, I was surprised." This made the siblings tense. They didn't think anyone would approach them with this conversation. Everyone seemed too preoccupied with the campaign for that. "It isn't every day a beautiful criminal escapee like yourself supports politics."

Edward narrowed his eyes, now noticing that the man's gaze was everywhere except her face. It was on her collarbone and trailing down toward the minuscule cleavage of her dress.

His sister raised an eyebrow, noticing his tone - Indecent. Is he serious?

"This pig is really flirting with us right now."

She internally shuddered with disgust. After clearing her throat, she chuckled nervously, "Ex-criminal escapee, actually. I was deemed sane recently." The smile that arose was now genuine - It was still surreal to know Oswald had done that for her. She would never be able to repay him.

"Wow, that's amazing." He grinned and positioned a hand over the creeped-out teenager's shoulder. "I happen to find bad girls rather intriguing, not scary. I'm sure they're capable of really great things." The siblings tried hard to maintain their composure, swallowing back their puke. Edward wanted to murder the dirty bastard; he'd already killed him inside his head a thousand times. One more time wouldn't matter.

I'm going to vomit!, Reese thought, disgusted. She side-eyed her brother before chuckling, "Uh, interesti -"

"How old even are you?"

Edward removed the man's hand from Reese's shoulder, "Sir -"

"Too young." Reese smiled sassily and turned to face her brother, "I'm going to have a drink while we wait for Oswald. Do you want one, Ed?"

He shook his head - no - and gave her a tight smile, watching as she walked away. She was relieved. Disgusted, Edward glared at the man, who was still reveling in his little sister's beauty. He cleared his throat loudly, "I really wouldn't mess with her. Her older brother is quite scary when he gets angry."

The man turned to Edward, clueless, "Brother? She has a brother?"

"Came out of Arkham himself." He nodded with a smirk, "He used acid to disintegrate one of his victim's body and left just bones. I dread to think what he would do to you."

The man chuckled, hiding his fear, and shook his head. His eyes remained upon the eighteen-year-old girl, who was sipping a glass of champagne. "Screw her brother." He scoffed cockily. Edward glared harder; his hands curled into tight fists at his side. Blood boiled. "I want to know if she's as crazy in bed as she is in general."

"I will murder him." Ed's alter ego growled. His nose wrinkled with contempt. He did not want to imagine or hear those disturbing things about his sister.

"Here I am talking about my fantasies, and I have yet to introduce myself." The imprudent old man laughed and stretched out his hand, "Joseph Florence. Member of the Election Board."