Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain.
Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up."
Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor...Pagliacci is not the name of a character. It is the Italian word for clowns and refers to all the major characters in the Italian opera of that name. Your thinking of Canio who plays the stock character Pagliaccio within that opera."
The streets were stained with blood... his blood. The comedian was dead. Edward Blake. an old friend, was reduced to nothing more than a memory, blasted in the headlines. Many people had wanted him dead, that was certain. The list would be exhausting, but at least I had a lead, I had the kid.
There was always a chance they were lying to me, trying to save their skin. But I'd witnessed Eddie mow down a pregnant woman in his anger, there was no way they could have taken him, not alone at least. I'd be looking at a very different blood stain if that was the case.
I adjusted my trench coat, pulling it closer to my body. As I lept down from the roof, I heard some footsteps in the ally behind me. But I knew those footsteps anywhere, his costume was distinct in both look and sound. Nite Owl.
"What are you doing here Rorschach?" Dan's voice came out distorted behind his mask.
"Assuring we arent next on the hit list. You may have moved on, but despite his faults, Eddie deserves better."
"There was no foul play."
"You don't know that. Leave me to do what needs to be done Daniel, I won't ask you again."
Daniel sighed heavily.
"At least tell me why you're watching some girl's apartment."
I groaned, my eye twitching behind my mask, before finally turning to address my friend.
"They are not, 'some girl' Nite Owl, they are integral to my investigation."
"Well do they know this?"
"Yes, I- we have a date."
"Surprised you a get a date when you never take off that mask." He jeered.
"You know what I meant. They have the information I need, I decided to get it the none-lethal way this time. No point in snuffing out a flame that has potential."
"So she's a flame now?"
I groaned once more. Why is it that he always took pleasure in misinterpreting my words?
"And what about Silk Spectre? Is she just a flame to you?" I dodged his question with my own.
"It's not like that."
"Have fun explaining that to Dr Mannhatten. You know how reasonable he is." I dared.
He shifted awkwardly. I looked back up toward the apartment. It was in a bad spot of town, though I suppose there weren't many good places left to live in this city. Their light was now on in the window. Up on the tenth floor, foolishly thinking they're hidden from any wandering eyes.
They were changing, we could both see it clear as day... well, night. But luckily it was only in silhouette. I had the wear with all to look away, but it seems Dan needed a gentle reminder in privity. I slapped him across the face, gaining his attention.
"I do hope you treat Spectre with more care than that." I scolded.
He chuckled awkwardly.
"Always the gentleman."
An inside joke, The kind you only get when you spend years hanging around the same miscreants. Nite Owl began to walk away but gave one closing statement.
"Let me know how your loose end ties up."
I made my way up several flights of stairs. I had to do this the proper way, callous and quick methods were not proper protocol in this instance. I took a breath before knocking on their door.
"Just a minute!" They called.
I adjusted my collar, as well as fixed my mask. I heard several bolts unlock.
"Smart," I thought.
They opened the door with haste, their hair dropped lazily in front of their face, blocking half of it from view.
"Your early,"
It seemed less of a question.
"Early is on-time in my line of work."
A small smirk broke on their face, as they brushed the hair from their eyes finally.
"Please, come in"
They stepped aside, allowing me to enter. They quickly shut the door, locking each bolt behind us. I watched as they walked into their kitchen.
"Tea? Water?"
I smirked under my mask. How charming. But I could see through their rouse.
"You aren't going to see my face if that's what you're after. Very few people who have are still breathing."
“That wasn’t what I- forget it. I’ll drop the hospitality bit. Photos and tapes are on the table. Anything else I can fill you in verbally from what I remember.”
It was curious, they had no interest in knowing who I was, unlike so many people before them. They poured some tea for themselves and came to stand beside the couch. I watched them carefully.
“This is everything?”
“Yeah, couldn’t get any close ups obviously. Can’t afford the best equipment either.”
I frowned. It was good work for what they had to work with. I couldn’t definitely use these.
“Look, I’m glad you came to me Kid.”
“Correction, you came to me, if we’re talking technicalities. And I thought we agreed you’d stop calling me that.”
I chuckled slightly. They really were odd. Most people were terrified in my presence. I shrugged. They sipped they’re tea carefully.
“I think he knew he was going to die.” They spoke softly, almost like they were scared to say it to loud.
“What do you mean?”
They sighed, finally sitting on the couch next to me:
“I’ve been following him for weeks. But that day, at the dinner, he acted different. He was still a dick, but he actually apologised to the waitress that day. He sold a bunch of shit at the pawn shop down the street. He didn’t even bother to lock the door when he want home. Whoever attacked him, he knew they were coming.”
They had keen observation skills. More than I gave them credit for. I heard a strangled breath leave their throat.
“God, I should have stopped it. All the sighs were there I just didn’t want to read them. He’d still be alive if I just-“
I cut them off, placing my hand over their mouth. A little harsh, but I wasn’t the best at calming people down.
“This wasn’t your fault. Edward made a lot of enemies, it was bound to happen eventually… to any of us.”
“But it is fair Rory, none of this is fair.”
“Rory?” I questioned.
They pulled back, looking embarrassed.
“Sorry, your full names kind of a mouthful.”
“Nobodies ever given me a nickname before. You know, other than the usual Psycho, Crazy Dick…”
They laughed, a bright and cheerful laugh. No sign of pity in it. It sounded nice. Like the only source of joy in this cold, stoic place. They couldn’t see me smile, and I don’t know if I was half about that or not. I couldn’t risk being vulnerable, not now, not ever.
“I don’t think I stated it, but I really am sorry for your loss. I may have hated the guy, so did half the world; but he was your friend. Asshole it not he didn’t deserve to go out the way he did.”
It was cute really, their attempt to comfort me. I patted their back lightly.
“Thanks.”
Suddenly the phone ring, and I swore I saw them jump out of their skin. Some hot tea spilt onto their thigh and they hissed. I watched them stumble over thee couch and run toward the phone.
“Hello?” They asked.
Whoever was on the other line must not have been very friendly, because their face palmed significantly.
“Put it on speak.” I demanded lowly.
I couldn’t help my tone. I wasn’t upset with them, of course not, but whoever was calling had no right to make them this scared.
“I wanted those photos on my desk yesterday.”
“I know sir! There’s been a de-“
“Don’t interrupt me you little bitch. When I ask for something, it gets done. And now your over 24 hours late. Do you wanna know what happens when I don’t get what I want?”
“You throw a tantrum.” They said, just above a whisper.
“What was that?”
“Nothing!”
“I’d keep your mouth shut and eyes open if I were you little girl. I’ll get my hand on those photos, one way or another. Nobody betrays me and gets away with it!”
Then the line went dead. They dropped the phone and backed up until their spine hit the counter. The sound was harsh against the abrupt silence, I knew it had to have hurt. They started hyperventilating. I was no good with this shit.
I took a step forward, but stopped when they flinched.
“I shouldn’t have taken that job. I should have just kept my head down, like my father said.”
“You didn’t know.”
“Nobody who’s doing something legal pays that much for photos! Not even rich assholes like him. This is my fault.”
“He would’ve paid someone else to get those photos. You’re boss is the crook, not you.”
I took another step forward and they didn’t flinch this time. I took that as a sign.
“I should have at least called the the cops. But I-“
“Stop.”
“Edward was a dead man, despite your efforts. There was nothing you could do. But these photos, your memories, are gonna help me find who did this. To find justice.”
“There is no justice Rorschach, not in life, and certainly not in death!“
This seemed almost personal now. Like they were talking about something else, someone else.
“I should have seen the signs Rory. My boss, his Initials, that insignia, they were all that were left the day my father disappeared. Now I know what happened to him.”
“Why would he want your father dead?”
Insensitive, I know. But I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“He was a Hero too. But like Edward, he made mistakes in life. He pissed of the wrong people.”
There was a knock at the door, and they jump again, this time letting out a yelp in surprise. I shushed them, telling them to stay put. As I made my way over to the door, something was shoved through the mail slot.
I picked up the envelope slowly, inspecting it. It could be laced with anthrax, but my mask could protect me from that. I heard footsteps approach from behind. I put my hand back, telling them to stop again.
“What is it?”
“Just some mail.”
“The mail man doesn’t come this time of night.” They said suspiciously.
“I know.”
I opened it carefully, no white powder. But that didn’t mean it was safe. There was no address on it, which means it was hand delivered. Someone wanted them to get this message. There were photos inside. I got so caught up In reviewing the photos that I didn’t hear them approach until it was too late. They let out a scream.
The photos were gory, that was sure. The man isn’t he photo was missing most of his fingers, his jaw ripped clean off, and both eyes cut out. He had long gashes scattered across his flesh. His arms were bent at an unusual angle, caught up in the ropes he was tied to the ceiling by. It looked like his foot had been smashed beyond repair. But there was something even more unsettling about this.
Each photo he was moved slightly. He was still alive when these were taken. I turned to see them on the floor, sobbing violently. I cringed as they began to dry heave. I set the photos down on the coffee table and knelt beside them, holding their hair out of the way as they puked. I rubbed gentle circles on their back. I didn’t know what to say.
“I’m sorry.” I finally decided upon. It was simple, but honest.
“Why are you apologising, you didn’t do this. They did!” They spat harshly.
They pushed me off them, and got up off the floor. Their legs were a little shaky but they caught themselves on the wall.
“I should have never made this deal with you!” They screamed.
I bit my lip. I’d never seen someone display such raw emotion in front of me. It didn’t feel nice to witness. I never wanted to feel the way they did right now.
“Do you really think anything would have changed?” I sighed.
“What?”
“The people you’re working for, you said it yourself, they aren’t good people. They were just waiting-“
“For me to fuck up! Which I did! If I had known my father was alive this whole time. I wouldn’t have given up, I would have kept searching every inch of this God Damn city until it killed me! I would have done anything to bring him home. Then maybe my mother wouldn’t have killed herself! Maybe I wouldn’t be the useless orphan I am right now!”
“You’re not useless”
“Yeah, tell that to your dead comrade! Go ask my father! Oh wait, you can’t. Because they’re both dead and I’m still here, fucking things up for everyone else. You know what? Maybe you should leave, cause you’re probably next. Everyone I interact with winds up dead.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. I couldn’t leave them. Not in this state, not when they could do something they might regret. Guilt was a powerful emotion, one I’d witnessed many of my team mates exhibit. It could eat you alive if you weren’t carful. I stepped toward them once more, but this time their step back was more deliberate, like a warning.
“I’m serious Rorschach, I’m not good for you!”
“I can protect myself… I can’t protect you.”
“And why would you do that? Huh? Did you fucking hit your head on your way here? You didn’t even know who I was 36 hours ago. And now you’re making promises you can’t fucking keep. I mean nothing to you, you got what you came here for, now get the fuck out of my apartment.”
I took another step.
“Get out!” They screamed, the sound tearing through their throat.
Another step.
Their wasn’t much further for them to go. I wrapped my arms around them, watching as they thrashed around struggling. I ignored the little hits and kicks they landed on me. There was power behind them, they would surly bruise but I could handle it.
“Put me down!” They begged.
I just held them tighter, not saying anything. After a few minutes they settled in my arms.
“You done throwing your little tantrum now?”
They huffed.
“You really know how to make someone feel cared for, Jackass.” They jeered.
“I’m new to this. Just like you’re new to my world. But now, you’re unfortunately stuck in it. These people aren’t gonna stop until you’re dead, and the everyone’s of my friends death goes away with you.”
“Then what do you propose?”
They turned in my arms, now facing toward me. Our faces were so close, I could feel the fan of their heated breath on my mask.
“We do this together. For Eddie, for your father.”
“Together?” They raised a brow at me.
I nodded, finally letting them go. The distance felt lonely now. But I welcomed it, it’s what I deserved. Someone like them didn’t belong with someone like me. We’d part ways when this mission was over, when they were safe.
“Lets kill those sons of bitches!” They declared.
AN: Tell me why I loved making Nite Owl seem mood villainous in this. Like, imagine he's on Ozmantium's side! Also awe, Rorschach melted my heart in this. I’ll for sure write a part 3 when I have time. I’m really enjoying this!
