Open Post 001

[2020mod]

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[enigmaestro]

He hadn't caught on as quick as he'd like. Edward knew that the dictator (totalitarian -- Katurian, loved and admired hero) that he would have Eddie followed. Edward was sure (was paranoid) that something was wrong (nothing was wrong), that somehow Katurian (devil) knew. He hadn't caught onto Piper as quick as he'd like. He was surprised by the choice, too surprised. It wrenched his nerves raw.

There's a reason why the established held Piper as a prize. The man had always had more power than he let on.

He sidestepped away from the stronghold (secret) into another alleyway, forcing himself thinly against the dirty brick wall. Casual eyes waited for Piper to catch up, waited for him to pass.

But he wouldn't pass, Eddie wouldn't allow that.

"Nice evening. Isn't it."

[snidepiper]

Piper froze as he hit the mouth of the alley, at the moment weighing what was more unpleasant: the immediate threat or the threat of no I'm sorry he slipped his tail, I don't know where he went. to his employers.

Then he ducked into the alley, quick, hopefully before he garnered undue attention from any curious civilians.

With anyone else he'd try the innocent tack first, but bluffing with the Riddler was higher stakes than he cared to wager, yet.

"I told them they should pick someone who you didn't know."

The quietest confession.

[enigmaestro]

"Indeed, it was an odd tactic. They should have heeded you." His arms were folded, casual like. But that hid his fingers, which was a great cause for concern. Fingers that could coax out a switchblade, if not the gun in his inner jacket.

He didn't react to the confession, visibly. He didn't react to his fear confirmed.

"If it's any consolation, the choice couldn't have been middle management. Almost flattering, isn't it?"

[snidepiper]

"I hope they don't know--" and he lifted a hand to pretend to rub his nose, the better to obscure his lips (he was never too paranoid, these days), "--our old association. That you mean a lot to me."

Lowering his hand again. He didn't know what had happened to Eddie exactly, though rumors circulated that likely couldn't top the truth, and for weeks he'd tossed and turned in the least enjoyable self-condemnation for not seeing a way out of it, that his ...(what could he call Nygma), his old friend..? had been ground under the treads of this machine that he was a part of.

And Piper was a coward and a hypocrite every waking second. "...Can I buy you a coffee?" Instead of being well-deservedly shanked in an alley.

[enigmaestro]

"Coffee?" The word was met with a skeptical look. Edward eased away from the brick wall he had so pressed himself into, looking past Piper. Stilling the horns of thought, for a moment. The typical flares of trap he saw, yes, but those he always saw.

Yes, he said, his lips moving through the numbness. All right, yes.

Why Piper? He wondered again, the question gnawing. His legs moved stiffly. Why choose Piper? That you men a lot to me he had said.

"You're -- what, under Administration?"

Wheedling. Knowing that Piper would know that Eddie was under Katurian's thumb.

[snidepiper]

"That's right. I've kept out of trouble. Tried not to upset anybody." And yet he still got assignments like this. At the direct implication, though, he flinched a little. Katurian was, in Piper's estimation, a seriously creepy fucker, and he didn't want anything to do with him.

"My loyalty's not in question." He paused at the door, pushing it open, looking back at Eddie. Darting gaze. Then away again.

It was, it was in question, every minute of every day he thought about stepping in front of the tank. Like a big damn hero. But he knew the tank wouldn't stop, and he was afraid, he was so afraid of dying here.

He ignored the looks of the people inside the cafe as he held the door open for Eddie, breath tight and heart clanging against his ribs.

[enigmaestro]

"But mine is, you're saying." A flicker from his eyes, as he passed Piper through the door. He chose a small table for two in the back, away from the stares. As away as one could manage, at any rate.

Edward kept his eyes on Piper, drilling with pupils. Even as they assumed their respective seats, he didn't humor a glance away. Even as their waiter came and gone.

"That's why you're here, following me. Trailing." Eddie offered a smile, one warm and deep and deceitful. "Isn't that right?"

[snidepiper]

"It could be worse." The reminder fell flat, as he knew Eddie knew that already. It wasn't easy, trying to be the bad cop, when all Piper wanted to do was run like hell and drag Eddie along with.

"I just do what I'm told."

He put his chin on one fist, to hide the trembling in his hand, met again that intense look of Eddie's with reluctance.

"I'm not going to find anything, am I." That could mean a number of things.