Reputation (a Nygma Story)

Gorgeous

Whisky on ice, Sunset and Vine

You've ruined my life, by not being mine

Green. All I can see is green. A few months ago, I lost myself to a silly feeling that didn't gave me anything back. The only good thing that came out of it is that this terrible situation ended up with my weak counterparty completly distroyed, which made me the stronger, confident self I am now.

I have been restoring my old reputation, as it should be. Newspapers have been reporting about my mischief behaviour ever since the day she left. Gotham is afraid of the Riddler once again.
Penguin and I have a new aliance, I can't say I'm surprised he recieve me with open arms. We all know. Maybe Ed didn't, but I'm having too much fun to worry about him.

He isn't even around to make sad remarks about all the things I'm doing. He tried, again, to go back to be a Good person, whatever that means, but having me with him, I can't understand why he didn't realized that was not an option. I will never die, while he lives. About her, I won't even care to mention her name again in my life. She didn't appreciate my efforts. I was the only one in this world who could see her fully as she was. She wasn't even capable of  see it herself. We could've been perfect together. Gotham would've been ours. Ruling the world together. Her lost.

§ § § 

Right now, I'm at a fancy party. I love parties, chaos and everything that comes within. Tonight I'm supposed to run a report about this place. It's one of the fancy remaining clubs in Gotham. Not for so long, after we come back tomorrow, they will be lucky if someting is left behind.

I get in and inmediatly the energy of the people makes me feel thirsty. I take mental notes about every entry, windows, even the tables... Our theory is that this place also serves as a trade place for some of the ilegal gun traffic in the city. Tomorrow there should be a reunion, and we want to show up, to make a generous offer. Probably the involved individuals won't be happy about it, but that's up to them.

There is really good environment for me. I could take a drink and see the place a little longer.
I sit at the bar, looking at the people. You could be surprised of all the stories you can come up with when you see someone. I like to figure them out. Think who they are, how they would react in certain situations, how would they scream...

I keep drinking.

For a moment I get the urgence to dance... don't ask me why.

This seems like no ordinary party. I hear some people talking about being in time for the event. Aparently, someone important is supposed to show up tonight. What am I doing here? The guy's name is Benjamin Tickle. What kind of name is that? The club is trying to emerge from the ashes, bringing celebrities and showmans. Lame. They don't know what is coming.

A little after, a man asks for the dance floor to be cleared up. Benjamin Tickles's company is about to come out. Company? What kind of company?

Music starts playing. The dancers start to get in position. There are a few woman, in shorts and hoodies, kind of generic outfits, but one of them is particularly familiar to me. She looks up. In a moment, I feel sick: Ocean blue eyes looking in mine. I feel like I might sink and drown and die.

I just figure you out, Nygma. You brought us here tonight. You put ideas on Penguin's mind, and convince him to make the move as soon as possible, making me coming tonight to this club. You, smart dog... - I had to. I had to make sure she is fine. - I'll tell you how fine she is. She left. She is happy without us. - Don't you mean she is happy without you? - Since you don't have any sense of self respect, I'm taking us out of here. You get back to your hole.