Jeremiah Valeska

Behold, the face of true sanity. But looks aren't everything.

[thejokerswilde]

JEREMIAH VALESKA: Intro

Sooo... about looking like Joker:

-An important thing to note is that even though Jeremiah looks like the Joker, he is not the Joker. He did not do anything that Joker did in the comics.

Short Bio (Too long didn't read):

-Jeremiah Valeska was born in Haley’s Circus with his twin Jerome. After leaving the circus “for his own safety” as a kid, Jeremiah spends most of his life following that incident in hiding from his twin brother. Until he is found by Jerome and he transforms from the reserved person he was into something a lot more sinister.

Long Bio:

-Jeremiah grew up in Haley's Circus with his twin brother Jerome. The two of them were abused by their uncle but Jerome took the brunt of it. Often protecting his twin.

-During their time in the circus together, Jerome did a few questionable things and took out his frustrations on Jeremiah. However, Jeremiah started lying about the extent of what Jerome had been doing to him for his mother's attention. He still lies about his childhood as well as getting it mixed up and confused. The insanity spray messed with his memory and he's having a difficult time remembering what is true and what is false.

-At some point in his childhood, probably somewhere between 10-12. Jeremiah told his mother that he was in true danger and that Jerome would kill him. Believing him, his mother sent Jeremiah away to an orphanage to be re-homed in Gotham. Jeremiah was adopted by a rich family and sent away to a private school. There he got the best education possible in Gotham city and graduated early.

-Jeremiah grew more and more paranoid as he lived his life. Fearing that his twin brother would one day track him down and kill him. Jeremiah began using the alias "Xander Wilde" and became a genius engineer. Earning millions for his work.

-What did he do with all that money? Still living his life in fear of Jerome, Jeremiah built a giant underground labyrinth to live in and lived with his proxy and personal assistant Ecco, who went outside for him. For years, Jeremiah was a hermit who did not see the light of day.

-Until Jerome came for him again. Long story short, Jerome managed to get him on a stage in front of a live audience and he began telling everyone, including Jeremiah, that he was as crazy as he was. All he wanted was for Jeremiah to admit it and he refused to.

-When he was rescued and Jerome was no longer a danger to him. He returned home to find a present waiting for him in his study. Addressed to him from a dear friend. Unaware it was a trick, he opened the box and was sprayed by a gas that Jerome had the Scarecrow make for him. It was meant for Jeremiah to go completely insane and as soon as he was sprayed with it, he let out a manic laugh.

-Jeremiah has been continuing to act like Xander Wilde as he starts to change into a new person. Someone without the fear and anxiety he's always felt all his life. He's become more fearless and now ventures outside the safety of his Bunker and onto the wild and dangerous streets of Gotham. Slowly concocting a dangerous plan to out do his twin brother, Jerome.

-Ever since Jeremiah was sprayed, he's started to confuse reality from fiction. Slowly his mind has begun to pull what should be a linear thread of reality into knots and twists. He can't tell lies from truth, especially when it comes to the wild tales he spun at the circus.

[ofbalance]

The park was nigh abandoned in the dead of night. Gotham didn’t have too many parks as a general rule that came with being GOTHAM. Dick tried to recall the last time he played in the park as a kid, only to realize it never occurred. He played atop of elephants, on the top of buildings, even on chandeliers and yet monkey bars hadn’t made the list. A smile etched to his face. Oh this was so stupid. He was gonna do the stupid thing. Scaling the fence was more for fun then necessity, there were easier ways to access the park of course but Dick didn’t typically do easy. At least when it came to acrobatics. He made his way to the monkey bars and well—- he monkeyed around. Hearing a shuffle of noise, Dick looked up. "How's it hanging?" He asked, unable to resist.

[thejokerswilde]

Acting as who he used to be was like wearing a mask that was a little too loose. If he shifted his face the wrong way it might just slip right off the tip of his nose. Revealing something different... something he wasn't sure Dick would accept. So he did his best to play the part. Walking into a park felt strange. Even when he was twelve and free from the circus, Jeremiah always felt wrong walking into a childhood he never had. Each step he took onto the soft spongey flooring made him think of what it might have been like growing up someplace normal. It probably would have been the same. With their mother's many suitors, his uncle's pension for violence and Jerome's... everything. If he could feel anything but numb, he might have even been saddened by the thought.

He let out a laugh the moment he saw Dick hanging from the monkey bars. "Hello again, Dick." He said, his voice gentle as he spoke but edged with an oddness he couldn't seem to escape since the spray. "It was much harder than expected to find you.... and your rude butler was no help."

[mobqueenfishmooney]

It took her only a second to recongize him. "Ahh. The underdressed Mr. Wilde. Didn't expect to see you again so soon -- and under such idiotic circumstances." Her irritation was palpable and she didn't bother to hide it. He was costing her money and putting holes in her ceiling. She arched a brow, arms crossed over her chest. "If you kill my bartender, Xander, I'm going to move from disappointed to angry. And you won't like the consequences of that, I promise you." She snapped, and the bartender, who had been wiping down glasses this whole time, began immediately preparing her signature drink. Once she had the cocktail in hand, she took a sip, peering at Jeremiah over her glass. "He's a loyal man. And no one makes a Manhattan quite like he does." She gave him a fond smile and then waved him off, taking a seat at the bar. "Now what exactly is all this about? I thought you were a cautious man, not a reckless fool. Did you forget your good sense along with your make-up?"

[thejokerswilde]

"Nothing clears a room quite like a gun show." He drawled, "No, I suppose we can't have that. I've heard rumours about how you get when you're angry... interesting rumours. That thing you do with the butcher sounds especially entertaining... but I'm afraid I simply don't have time to witness your impeccable wrath. Maybe another night, hmn? I have an appointment I simply cannot miss." He said, taking a seat so there was a barstool between them and placing his gun on the bar top while he spoke to her. Jeremiah took out a black business card and placed it beside the gun before sliding it across the bar towards her. "My repair guy... ya'know. For the ceiling." He said pointing upwards. Fish began describing how loyal her bartender was and he placed a his chin in his hand in a near dreamy gesture, with one elbow on the bar. "Oh, I am." He finally replied, when she cited that he was cautious. "Most of your people are busy tonight, they're off picking up a shipment for you. I would have come later when the patrons were gone but like I said- I have an appointment. So I popped in a little earlier and removed all the potential prying eyes. As for the make-up... I didn't deem it necessary. I lied to you the last time we spoke, I want to be honest going forwards. So no masks, and no fake names. You can call me Jeremiah."

[mobqueenfishmooney]

Music echoed through Hypno. Fish always preferred a live band to a DJ, felt it gave the club a classier air. Nevertheless, there did appear to be some kind of disturbance happening at the bar. She strode down the stairs and glided over, nosebleed heels clacking against the floor loud enough to cut through the music. "What seems to be the problem here?" she asked, glancing from her bartender to the patron at the bar. "I don't like my atmosphere being... disrupted. So someone better start talking. Now."

[thejokerswilde]

Jeremiah lifted his gun into the air and let out a couple of shots at the ceiling. The booming sound cut through the music, interrupting the classy energy of the club. The reaction was instantaneous, most scattered at the sound of it. Headed for the door like a flock of frightened chickens, practically tripping over themselves on the way out. "Alright, everyone out. That includes you braver souls... I need to speak to the boss." He said, slowly lowering his gun towards the bartender and cocking his head. His ginger hair falling out of place and over his paper white skin. When the bartender didn't move after his demand, Jeremiah weighed his options before shrugging his shoulders. "No? ...You'd rather die than get a little fresh air? ...Alright." He said, moving his finger to the trigger. He was about to pull it when Fish Mooney finally approached. "Ah! There you are. Hi, Fish. How about a drink? We didn't get to finish our little chat last time."

[thejokerswilde]

[jestergirls]

"Hey there, Mr. Valeska. You alone, or you got Mr. Wayne with you?"

[plxntbasedbitch]

Pam glanced over at him as he turned away from her, now more convinced than ever that there was something odd about him. Not that she was one to talk, of course. A skin condition as a child, which her father had used as an excuse to keep her indoors -- followed by a gift in the form of a terrible accident, one that had transformed her into someone truly extraordinary. She knew better than most that the face one offered the world was only akin to the true self by sheer force of will, if not active delusion. Whatever mysteries lurked behind the young man’s eyes were his own to tangle with. Although…she had the distinct feeling that they were birds of a feather, despite her tendency to eschew human company. Would he, too, gladly watch the inhabitants of Gotham, of the world, burn if it meant he had achieved his heart’s desire? 

“Your proxy?” she repeated, arching an eyebrow as she took a sip of her drink. She wondered why he didn’t attend to business himself -- and why he lived in a bunker of all places. As much as Gotham resembled the Wild West on methamphetamines, it wasn’t so inherently dangerous that one really needed to live underground like a mole for protection. Unless, of course, there was a more specific reason to hide, to send a proxy to take care of business instead of simply attending. What was he hiding from? Or -- more likely -- who? And why? She sat up a little straighter at his questions. “Advanced botanical biochemistry,” she said, and smiled faintly. “My research focuses on accelerating the growth and increasing the longevity of plant life.” Which was true. Years ago.

[thejokerswilde]

She asked about his proxy and he glanced at her with a blank expression. Wondering if it really was all that odd to have a proxy attend business. He supposed he was at the very least, the only one in his industry who had one. Ecco had become so normalized to him that he dropped her name and position casually in conversations all the time. First with the detectives and then now with her. The woman he randomly started drinking with. He never would have dropped this much information about himself before but then again... he wouldn't have even left his bunker before. Something changed in him. Something fundamental. "My proxy. She's here. Perhaps I can introduce you to her later." He offered. Not bothering to look around for Ecco now. His full attention was still on her. There was a pull of a connection between them. A sort of... kindred spirit. She had a fire in her eyes, matching the colour of her hair. One that might burn as hot as his own.

"Interesting." He told her, leaning in a little. "Gotham has such a small public park. There should really be more green in this city... don't you agree?" Jeremiah asked. There was a lot of things he'd change in this city. There were too many people. Too much noice. He wanted it to look more like his bunker. With twists and turns and endless walls... his vision could include quite a bit of green too. Now that he was having a vision at all. Sure... there might be bloodshed and bombings in the meantime but it would be all to reach a goal... he could tear it all down and start anew. She could be an asset when rebuilding it all in his image. He could practically see it all now. The beautiful chaos of burning streets littered with bodies and severed limbs and the exquisite labyrinth it could become. Now... How do you ask someone to get on board with mass murder all for a better world? "Perhaps we could help each other after all... could I get your number, Miss?"

[stepfordisabella]

starter for @thejokerswilde

Her colleagues at the Gotham City Library had all moved on, but it had been surprisingly easy for Isabella to get her old job back on a part-time basis. She hadn't even needed to explain the two year gap in her resume. It was a relief to start to first shift. The library was familiar, and the scent of the place instantly took her back two years, as if no time had passed at all. She was sorting through the disorganised card catalogue when a young bespectacled man approached the desk. She turned to give him a friendly smile. "What can I do for you?"

[thejokerswilde]

The silence of the library came as a relief. The city streets were alive with sound just outside the safety of the Library walls. He could hear voices still bouncing around his skull, left over from the outside world. Merely whispers now. He thought the party had been a little much but there was something worse about the day light. How the sun was just a little too bright and the drivers were much too happy to honk their horns. Of course, he knew there would be an adjustment but this was practically insane. He wandered further into the library to get away from it all just to happen upon a desk. "What?" He muttered after someone spoke to him. It took him a moment to recognize she was a worker. "Do you have a study room available?"

[butlermate]

Valeska. Of course, Alfred had recognised the lad, but it was still chilling to hear it. He felt a sense of automatic protectiveness, for Bruce, and Tim, and even Dick, who had come by recently. Before he could say anything, the boy kept talking. He said he took offence to the fact Alfred saw Jerome in him, even though they were each other's spitting image. He smiled when he said it, and Alfred knew at once he was talking bollocks. He sounded sincere, but there was something about him Alfred didn't like. It made the alarm bells ring in his head, the ones the service had trained him to always listen to.

The boy kept talking, explaining that he knew Dick from before Dick was orphaned. Said he went into hiding because Jerome had threatened to kill him. From what Alfred knew of Jerome, that was likely, but he couldn't muster up any sympathy. The alarm bells were still ringing. When the boy had finally finished talking, ending by asking for Dick's new address, Alfred replied. "I'm afraid I don't have it. He didn't leave a forwarding address. Left in a bit of a hurry, y'see."

It was the truth, but even if it wasn't Alfred wouldn't have given this boy Dick's address. He met his gaze steadily. "I didn't mean to offend you, Mister Valeska," he said, trying to keep his tone polite. "When Dick comes by, I'll let him know you were looking for him. Would you like to leave your number? I'll see to it that he gets it."

[thejokerswilde]

The butler was beginning to agitate him. In the same way a pestering fly might buzz in his ear. "You must not be all that close then." He responded easily. "Especially considering he left in a hurry." Jeremiah let out a sigh, "Is Bruce Wayne home? I'd love to speak with Bruce. I'm sure he'll have a clue where his ward ran off to." Jeremiah asked, glancing around the old man at the door to peer into the rest of the home. Wayne Manor was huge. It stretched out endlessly and seemed to be decked out like a medieval castle. He whistled, a sharp sudden note.

"When we were kids, it was a new city every week... but the same ol' fair grounds." He said, pulling back a bit and standing up straight. Placing his hands behind his back in a mocking position. Meeting Alfred's eyes as well as his pose. "Even with a dozen tents, trailers and giant cages for the elephants, you tend to feel like your world's a little small. I'm glad Dick ended up somewhere... bigger... And so regal and fancy. Now why would someone run away from a place like this?" He posed the question thoughtfully.

"Consider me offended." Jeremiah replied after a moment, "I understand the stares. I do... but Jerome slaughtered police on live television. He's a lunatic... and I will not be compared to him. You're not giving me much of a chance and we both know if I gave you my number, you would not forward it along to my friend. Could you take out your phone, Mr. Pennyworth? Surely you have Dick's number... you can just airdrop me the contact. It's either this, or I come in and wait however long I need to; to speak with Bruce."

[fearraven]

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @thejokerswilde

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Jonathan asked, slipping past Jeremiah's smaller stature. He moved towards the desk that he had set up in the corner of the warehouse space. It had become his makeshift laboratory for the time being and he had grown rather fond of the isolation it provided, most of the time that was. "I'm sure you have a good reason for breaking in without so much as sending your sidekick ahead of time. What was her name, again?" He asked, setting down his briefcase on the worn chair and removing his coat to hang over the back of it. "Ecco, wasn't it? A mere shadow of you. The projection of your own voice."

[thejokerswilde]

"Took you long enough. I was beginning to think you stood me up." Jeremiah joked, well aware that Jonathan Crane had no prior knowledge of their little date. Especially considering he broke in without so much as informing the supposed super villain he was visiting. He sipped the whiskey he stole from the Scarecrow's cabinet and let out a surprised hum, like he forgot he was supposed to mention why he was there to begin with. "Hmn! You do your homework, don't you? I have Ecco on other errands." He said before walking closer to his desk after Jonathan. "Besides, I wanted to meet the famous Scarecrow myself. I'm a fan." Jeremiah took a seat on the desk and plopped a clear plastic bag on it with him. Inside of it sat a jack in the box, with a clown sprung already. "I know you're an expert in chemicals and toxins. If you can identify the components of the residue on this clown, I'll make it worth your while."

[endiness]

jeremiah + light & shadow

[jestergirls]

It took Ecco a moment to realise the book Jeremiah had grabbed. It didn't like a non-fiction book, the sort of thing he would usually read. It looked like a child's book, or a diary. Jeremiah stroked the cover, and she wanted to get up and take it from him. There was something in the way he was looking down at it. He was quiet for a beat too long, before he called Paris the city of love, and she smiled tightly. "Yes, it is." That hadn't been why she had mentioned it, and she was glad she'd clarified. He called her a girl after his own heart, and it was such a strange thing for him to say that she just blinked for a second. It was still odd to hear him talk like that, in his calm, lilting, voice. Was he teasing her?

Suddenly, he stopped smiling, and she realised she must have said the wrong thing. Again, it was such an unfamiliar sensation, to feel as if she could say the wrong thing. Of course, he had always been her boss, but she'd never felt uncomfortable or unsafe in his presence. She did now. The silence went on for a few moments longer, and at last, Jeremiah spoke. He said he'd seen Jerome, that he didn't seem dead.

Ecco knew she shouldn't have been surprised, even in her muted way, by Jeremiah's lack of fear. He'd made it clear he wasn't afraid of his brother. But it was still so unlike him that it was startling. She didn't let her surprise show, and decided to just speak to him in the matter-of-fact way she always did. "No, he doesn't," she agreed. "I saw him outside the party. I was going to tell you, but I was waiting for the right moment. I'm sorry I didn't." She studied him for a few seconds.

"I can take care of it, sir," she said, in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. She leaned forwards a little, resting her elbows on her knees and staring at him. "I understand that he is your brother, and you might have conflicted feelings about harming him, but this is part of the reason why you hired me. To protect you from him." She paused, considering her words carefully. "If you want me to deal with him, just say the word. I will."

[thejokerswilde]

There was a pause between them after she acknowledged it was the city of love. There was no indication from her... but there never was. He was being the most brazen he'd ever been lately. Pushing and pushing to see if she'd react without a single reaction in sight. He wanted to grab her with both hands and hold her tight. He wanted to shake the truth out of her. To get the answer to his one question but if she were to tell him no... He wasn't sure how he'd feel about that. Or if it might break the calm spell he'd been under for so many days on end.

Ecco mentioned that she saw Jerome and neglected to mention it to him and he glanced up to her with a near shocked expression on his face. If it had been only a few weeks ago, that would have been an unforgivable offence. If he was outside, wandering Gotham City with Jerome loose and on the streets? Only for the one person who's meant to protect him, not to tell him... He bristled a little. Glancing over her. Deciding if this was a punishable offence or not. Like a flip of the coin, Jeremiah brushed past it with a simple. "You should have mentioned it sooner."

She continued. Telling him that she could take care of it. He glanced slowly up and away from her. Letting his eyes wander into space. Staring into nothing as he brought up one hand to his lips in thought. Sure. Ecco could handle him. She had before... but then again... it wouldn't be very personal, would it? "No," He said finally. Snapping Jerome's diary shut and tossing it aside onto the coffee table in front of him. "He can't hurt me. He tried already and he failed." He admitted coldly.

Getting up from his couch to walk a little closer to hers. Jeremiah took a seat on hers right next to her. "The night he died for the third time, I went home and discovered a gift in my office. It was addressed to me in your handwriting, so I trusted it enough to open it. It was a Jack-in-the-Box. Not exactly a gift you would have given me but it went off without needing to crank it. There was a clown's face that popped out of the box and some kind of gas sprayed from it's mouth and onto my face," He gestured with one hand to his face before reaching up to remove his glasses from his face. Tucking them into his jacket pocket and gracefully removing a small packet of moist towelettes from behind the glasses. He opened it up and pulled out a sheet. "I suppose from the note, Jerome intended it to be an insanity spray. Obviously, it did nothing to my mind. Instead it merely caused some... cosmetic effects."

He took the sheet to his face and slowly dragged it down his skin. Revealing the stark white underneath all the make up. Before glancing down, and dropping the sheet on his lap. He used one hand to keep his eye open while the other reached up and fumbled with before removing the contact on the same side. Lifting his head to look back at her and letting Ecco get a good look at his face. "Tada." He said, without an ounce of emotion. "The point is... Jerome caught me off guard and this is the worst he could do. Whatever he tries next... I'll outfox it. I've always been vastly more intelligent."

[jamesgcrdon]

Jim gave an awkward little chuckle as Jeremiah spoke, tucking his hands into the pockets of his work slacks. He wasn’t really comfortable with how much attention some of his cases garnered, but there wasn’t like he could do much about it. The best he could hope for was that the reports would at least be factual. “Oh, well, the news,” he said, with a faint smile. “They probably exaggerate.” He didn’t seek out the bizarre cases that seemed to fall in his lap, nor did he really seek out heroism. He just wanted to prove to the people of Gotham that there were people on the GCPD who really wanted to help them. To protect them, to do the right thing. It just so happened that his particular windmill included people like Penguin and the Riddler, who wouldn’t know an average crime scene -- or subtlety, for that matter -- if it smacked them upside the head. 

His own gaze scanned their surroundings, not finding anything amiss. “Of course you can,” he said softly, looking at the younger man again. “Everyone can be helped.” Until they couldn’t, of course -- until they crossed a line they couldn’t cross over again, or until their lives were stolen from them by a monster wearing man’s clothing. Or a whole myriad of tragedies in between. But until then, Jim wasn’t just going to let this kid feel like he was alone and unprotected. He nodded as Jeremiah asked him if he could walk him to his car. “Yeah, no problem,” he said, putting a protective hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “Where are you parked?”

[thejokerswilde]

"They don't need to," He argued. "We live in Gotham. This city is strange enough that no one needs to exaggerate a story." Of course there was always going to be bad reporters, but that wasn't the point he was trying to make. He wanted Jim to think he saw him just as most good little citizens had. As a hero. The truth was that he hadn't. He made that little situation with Jerome a little worse by being there. He failed to protect him or anyone else his twin brought up on that stage. Yet he just kept trying. Didn't he?

He opened his mouth and then promptly closed it when Jim suggested that he could be helped. "I um-" He got out, recalling the way his eyes stung and his skin burned and itched from the gas. How his body had shaken with uncontrollable laughter and that strange sense of freedom that came with it all. Not entirely sure why the memory assaulted him so suddenly or what it had to do with the subject at hand. He blinked a few times and then turned his gaze from Jim. He easily fell into the topic of his brother instead. "I don't want to disagree with your lovely sentiment... but I do beg to differ. I couldn't help Jerome when we were kids and no one could help him in Arkham either. Despite it being one of the only things Arkham promises. Mental Health care." He said with a sigh. "I think some people are beyond help... and let's face it. I've lived underground for 6 years without breaching the surface. I may never be ready to venture off on my own. I think I'll just go back home and forget this little excursion ever happened."

"Thank you, Mr. Gordon. You're very kind." He said with a dip of his head, "Not far from here." He said, gesturing to the direction he parked his car. "Are you on duty right now?"

[jestergirls]

Jeremiah said that no harm had been done, and Ecco smiled a little, but other than that, did not respond. She made a mental note that he preferred his real name now, so she wouldn't make the same mistake twice. But it was uncharacteristically difficult for her to concentrate, with him standing so close. She could only recall one or two times he had been this close to her, and she had been focused on training him, and he pushed away how unusual it had felt to be this near to him. He was her boss, after all. Any unprofessional feelings she had needed to be suppressed, and were likely simply the result of the close quarters in which they had lived, underground. It hadn't meant anything. At least, that was what she had told herself at the time.

And now? She had drunk a little. And she was still getting used to seeing him above ground, among other people. She felt her heartbeat increase at his closeness, and when he smiled and said atta girl, she wanted to smile back, to lean in closer to him. She wasn't stupid. She understood what she was feeling, and it was completely inappropriate and unprofessional. If he knew, he probably would have fired her right then, instead of drawing it out, she reasoned, out of nostalgia for the way things used to be. That was the only logical explanation for why he was keeping her around, even though he obviously had no need for her anymore.

So, she pulled away and suggested getting another drink, to put them back on firmer ground. Jeremiah drank the rest of what he had in one gulp, and offered his arm to her, speaking in that gentle, lilting, drawl he had adopted lately, though only around her. Ecco did not allow herself to pause. She linked her arm with his, and stoically stared straight ahead, ignoring how she felt, more intensely that she had in a long while. She rarely felt things deeply, but being this close to him made her heart race.

He was cold. She could feel it, even through the material of his blazer. It felt as if he had just walked in from a freezing night. He was giving off no heat at all. She turned to look at him, and almost opened her mouth to ask. Why are you so cold? But then, as she turned, she recalled something that Fish used to tell her. Not to ask questions if she didn't want the answers. Which translated to, not to ask questions at all. Previously, Ecco would have asked Jeremiah almost anything, as long as it was pertinent to work, and professional. But these days? The way he looked at her? His odd mannerisms? She wasn't dealing with Jeremiah anymore. At least, not the same Jeremiah she had known before.

So she turned away from him and fixed her gaze on the bar, keeping her expression as shuttered as always. Yet her arm linked with his forced her to remember, as they stared walking across the room, that he had changed completely. After a few moments of silence, she said, "I could have gotten it for you." She almost said that she would have before, though before what, she could not say. "I know what you like. Even from the poor offerings they have here."

[thejokerswilde]

"And what fun would that be?" He said. Ecco was right up next to him with her arm linked with his and he had to wonder if she'd been doing it out of obligation. He'd offered his arm after all, and he was her boss. She wasn't exactly known for denying him. Not while he held her job security in the palm of his hand. How much of their friendship had ever truly been real? And how much was her following orders? The question had plagued him long before his sudden change. It came from their earlier days... when he'd first asked her to stay a few nights with him.

Initially, it had been from his nerves. He simply didn't want to be alone after Jerome escaped from Arkham. He could remember her getting up to leave him like she always had. How she'd gone about it so cautiously. He'd understood it like she didn't want to leave him but how could he ever be sure? When she didn't tell him a thing about her feelings? It quickly shifted from needing to be with her to wanting to be. For a few extra nights- even after he felt fine and a little foolish for requesting her to stay; he began asking her to stay simply because he wanted her there. Then came movie nights and weekend dinners together... he never knew if she only ever did it because he was her boss and he'd asked. Or if it mattered either way.

Jeremiah glanced her over with observant eyes. Watching curiously for any reaction. Had she noticed his chill? She didn't seem to have much of a reaction at first but he did notice how she turned to look at him quizzically. Yes? He thought. Willing her to ask him a question but it was left unsaid. She wasn't asking. It was either she didn't care enough to ask or thought better of it. Somedays, this power dynamic truly wasn't in his favour. It was something he'd have to keep to himself for now. As strangely disappointing as that realization was. It was a little too public for this conversation anyway. There was a strange, silent part of him that had just been screaming for her attention. He wanted her to take notice of his change. To question it. To like it... but he was left with nothing instead.

Fine. You'll notice eventually. It doesn't have to be today.

"Your poker face is very good, you know." He teased her lightly. "Perhaps you should consider gambling." They reached the bar after what felt like ages and he gestured for his proxy to order first when the bartender approached. Asking what they would like. He knew what he served her in the bunker but it was something he had to learn overtime through trial and error. He was an open book but she was grateful for most things he gave her. He looked at her eagerly. Curious to see what she typically ordered for herself.

[kiraprompts]

DEATH NOTE SENTENCE STARTERS. CHAPTER VII: TARGET.

change the pronouns / edit the sentences as needed. do not add to this list.

"Going on a date?"

"It's no fun if I know what's going to happen."

"Well in that case, sit back and enjoy the show."

"Sorry, am I late?"

"Plus I get you all to myself today..."

"This is going to work out perfectly."

"Tell 'em what's happening."

"You hear that? Now listen to this!"

"Don't it's too dangerous."

"We can talk if we keep our voices down."

"I don't mean to be rude..."

"Guess I have no choice..."

"You want proof? Here..."

"Okay, I trust you."

"So you'll take care of it if something happens?"

"How long you been there?!"

"Everybody get down!"

"Pretty impressive how he put it all together..."

"Open the damn door!!"

"Exactly 11.45. Right on time."

[thejokerswilde]

@thedetectiverobin @supesclark @riddlesman

[butlermate]

The lad wasn't Jerome Valeska -- that much was obvious -- but he looked exactly like Valeska, before the boy had lost his bloody face. They had to be twins, didn't they? It was the only explanation. Alfred kept the door half closed, and looked the lad straight in the eyes. There was something in his tone. It wasn't particularly nice.. It sounded entitled. Like he was used to ordering people around.

"Alright, well, Master Grayson isn't here, I'm afraid," he replied bluntly. "I don't know where you got your information, sir, but he no longer lives at Wayne Manor. Now --" he looked the lad up and down. "I tend to keep track of Master Bruce's ward's acquaintances, but I confess, you're not familiar. Can I ask what you want with Master Grayson, Mister...?" He trailed off, waiting for the young man to fill in the blank.

[thejokerswilde]

"Oh, that's a shame." Jeremiah said, unable to keep the disappointment from his tone. The man in front of him was immediately on guard and it made him think that he knew Jerome somehow. Why else would he be staring at him like that? Or talking to him in that rough and tough tone of voice. He glanced him up and down and he lifted his chin in response. Letting him know that his clear judgement of him and his character had no effect on him.

"Valeska." He said plainly. "But you knew that. Didn't you?" He dipped his head a bit, staring at him over the frames of his glasses, unblinking. "You look at me and you see that lunatic. Jerome. I must say, as much as I take great offence, I do understand. I'm his spitting image. Or maybe he's mine." Jeremiah said with a bit of a smile. "Dick's not just my acquaintance. He's my dear friend. We met when we were children, back when we both lived in Haley's Circus. You don't know me because after I fled the circus in fear of my brother murdering me, I directly went into hiding. Regretfully, I didn't have it in me until now to check back up on Dick. I'd like to get close to him again. Perhaps you could give me his new address?"

[jamesgcrdon]

@thejokerswilde -- from here

Jim glanced back at the younger man, thinking that he seemed rather…put out. He was used to people being less than grateful, to put it mildly, but this was different. It made him think of all the kids he’d caught back when he was a beat cop -- rocks or bricks held high in their hands, primed for a shop window, or with cans of spray paint aimed at a brick wall. He’d spoiled their fun. But it wasn’t like Jeremiah was the one who had been about to commit a crime. He had almost been the victim of one. It probably was just the face that threw him. Jerome’s face -- or, rather, Jerome’s face as it had been, before…well, honestly, Jim had lost track of everything that had happened to Jerome Valeska’s face at this point. 

He offered a brief smile. “I’m not that intimidating,” he cracked, although he supposed there were some younger officers who may disagree. “I arrested him earlier this week.” For the exact same crime he’d just stopped him from committing, come to think of it. He smiled again and shrugged. “Not a problem,” he said. “I bet.” He paused, looking him over again. “Is there anything I can do to help you?” He had the feeling the answer was probably no -- Jeremiah was undoubtedly used to shutting most people out, except his strange assistant, and getting on with it himself. But Jim felt compelled to ask nonetheless.

[thejokerswilde]

He almost let his mask slip. Which wasn't something he wanted to do around James Gordon yet. No... he'd rather announce who he really was to him in a much more theatric way. So until then, he'd play a different part. "I find that hard to believe, detective. I'm always seeing your name on the news." Jeremiah told him, keeping his voice quiet. He quickly had a glance around them. Making sure to check behind the two of them for any more danger. "I don't know that I can be helped, Mr. Gordon." He told him, sounding more earnest than he probably was. "I shouldn't have left the bunker. At least, not without Ecco. I just thought... since he's dead-"

He never would have even dreamed of leaving his Bunker before a few weeks ago. He spent years surrounded by those tall grey walls. Safe within his maze where no one could possibly reach him. Two of those years, he hadn't even met his proxy in person. Some days he could feel his mind slipping from the isolation... with thoughts that twisted and turned just like the walls of his maze. He used to cover his mirrors so he wouldn't have to see Jerome's face looking back at him and now he didn't seem to feel nearly as paranoid. It was as though it washed away with the ocean tide. Leaving him with a confidence he'd never felt before now. "Would you walk me back to my car? It's not safe here. I should just go home."