hospital room

[onapalehorse]

They keep him under lock and key, guarded by several officers at all times, shackled to the hospital bed and pumped full of what feels like horse tranquilizers.

He bides his time. Ignores their questions. Waits.

Comments

[perplexing]

It takes quite some time for anyone to convince the authorities to let a reporter in. A long, agonizing system of string pulling and favors asked and even a little bribe and blackmail- and for all the trouble he goes into, Edward gets a chucks from the guards and a muttered 'he's not gonna talk anyway'

It's irksome, but not entirely unwarranted. Ed goes through three security checkpoints, has his recorder x-rayed and his pen confiscated before he4 finally allowed to slip into the room. He looks very prim, a dark suit, unbuttoned, blonde hair and green tie.

Edward sets the recorder on the table and clears his throat.

"Bane? Can you hear me?"

[onapalehorse]

"Obviously."

He answers, perfectly crisp and coherent, scaring the police officer into slamming back against the wall. As though he'd have opened his eyes for them.

His voice is slightly hoarse from disuse, tongue like lead in his mouth.

[perplexing]

He doesn't budge. Not quite- he's actually almost expected it.

"My name is Edward Nigma- I'm a reporter from the Gotham Tribune.". He clears his throat a little and makes a move to step in closer, but thinks better of it.

"I'd like to ask you a few questions."

[onapalehorse]

"An enigma."

Eyes crinkling immediately in amusement.

"You may ask."

And then Bane will crush your spine. His wrist twists, oh so subtly, feeling out the cuffs.

[perplexing]

"Very good."

He smiles, a little gamely.

"I'm supposed to ask about how you did this, what your motivations were, where you came from, but instead my question is this:"

He puts a finger to his lips, voice lowering a little.

"Why did you attempt to impose order on your chaos? Gotham was quickly becoming the new Lord of the Flies- and without your men shooting everyone who resisted- or putting them on the ice- you could have had a fascinating social experiment on your hands. I get that you had to make sure nobody would interfere, but policing the city you set free ruined the true freedom."

[onapalehorse]

"Anarchy is a game for children and madmen."

He dismisses, watching him closely.

"Which are you?"

[perplexing]

"How else are you to see into a man's heart?"

He shakes his head.

"Let him be anonymous, with no recourse for his action, and any man will show you his true colors. You want to prove that Gotham's one percent are corrupt, down to their core? Don't threaten them- let them think they're free. Then expose them. Otherwise, they'll play the victim to their dying day."

[onapalehorse]

"No one is playing anything."

He tells him, even less impressed with that little suggestion. And anyways, it's over.

"And there is nothing within the heart I particularly wish to see."

[perplexing]

"That's right. You're a being of darkness."

He hums, before pulling up a chair.

"Well, I suppose we ought to get down to business. I have deadlines to catch and people to impress. Now, I'm not allowed to ask you any 'interrogation' questions, so let's just start with how you're feeling right about now."

[onapalehorse]

"A tiny bit annoyed, if you'd like honesty."

He answers voice perfectly composed.

"Please, make yourself comfortable."

He'll just be testing that left cuff.

[perplexing]

"I'd prefer to stand, actually."

He keeps a little distance. Not that it will do much if Bane breaks loose but it eases his peace of mind a little.

"I won't bother you for much longer, I promise. I'm not really even here for you, to be honest. I'm just curious to see if you can bring a fact or two to light about a man who went missing during your siege on Gotham. And, well- I don't really expect you to remember every sorry soul who died, but this man must have been a particular interest of yours."

[onapalehorse]

"Who are you hunting?"

He asks, curiously. Another metallic click.

"And more to the point, why should I help you?"

[perplexing]

"Not who. What."

He reaches over to the recorder and stops it.

"What can be swallowed, but also swallows you? I'm looking for a different kind of two-faced man, and while I'm sure you're expecting me to offer you money, power, or freedom, I don't think you want any of those things, not anymore."

[onapalehorse]

"You sincerely overestimate my interest in coming to your aid."

He informs him, watching his hand on the recorder, then glancing up at his face.

"You have no reason to give me."

[perplexing]

"And you have no reason to deny me."

He takes a step forward. Mistake.

"I already solved the puzzle. I just need you to check my work."

[onapalehorse]

"Check. Elsewhere."

Last warning comes; a click click at his wrist.

Bane has a hand.

[perplexing]

And he notices, and takes a step backward, fast. The recorder drops. Edward is not stupid.

[onapalehorse]

"Scream and I'll kill you. Ask your questions, keep your voice level."

Already working the other cuff.

[perplexing]

He's not really about to scream, but- well, the impulse is there, at the sight of Bane working at his cuffs.

Edward swallows hard, before letting out a tiny, nervous smile.

"On featherless wings it makes it's flight- who sees during the day, but is blind at night?"

[onapalehorse]

"I have a better riddle. How well do you speak when I rip out your tongue?"

Because he still has absolutely no patience.

[perplexing]

"It just takes a little thought."

His back is almost up against the wall now- but he translates, boring.

"The Batman. You know who he is. I want to confirm my suspicions."

[onapalehorse]

Second wrist free. Now his feet take only seconds.

"If you know the answer, what is it?"

[perplexing]

Back fully against the wall now. His heart is pounding.

"Do you believe that Bruce Wayne, with all of his resources and technology, willingly went on a suicide run?"

[onapalehorse]

"Suicide run?"

He hasn't heard the faintest sketchings of how it ended. Was hit by Kyle's guns, woke up here.

[perplexing]

"Fuck."

They hadn't even told him that. Edward shakes his head.

"Your bomb. It exploded over the water."