- 88 [Action]

[fortunefail]

[With all these newcomers about, Yuan simply isn't comfortable staying at home. Against all better judgment, he ventures out into the village to have a look. Catch him anywhere, any time!

Later, he'll return to house #8 to find it ravaged, after Kratos had a little 'argument' with Lord Kvar. Wonderfully foreboding. What other surprises may lie in wait here?]

Comments

[fortunefail]

[Oh, he minds. He minds terribly. Is that an indignant blush on his face? Why yes. Yes, it is.]

D-don't be preposterous! [A guy just called him gorgeous, uarrghhhh.]

[batmobilethief]

[Yuan is blushing? Oh, Riddler's never seen something so adorable in his life!]

Ah, would you prefer I change it? [He takes a step towards Yuan, tapping a finger thoughtfully against his cheek.] Perhaps "Handsome" will do? "Delight", "Beautiful", "Irresistable"--

[If Yuan's let him advance without retreating, he'll be attempting to sweep Yuan's hand up in his to kiss the back of it.]

[fortunefail]

[Good chance the blushing has happened before in Mafia, though whenever the blushing would happen, it would soon be followed by a punch to Riddler's face.

And he's not about to let that approach happen so easily. Once Riddler's too close for Yuan's liking, he'll take a step back to match.]

That's ridiculous! You will call me nothing of the sort!

[And while Yuan had taken a step back, he isn't quite out of Riddler's reach. So yes, that hand will be sweeped up and brought to Riddler's mouth, only to be yanked back immediately after.]

Stop that! [Last warning, Riddler. Touch him again and he will punch you.]

[batmobilethief]

[He grins as he sighs, ever so put upon. Oh, Yuan, whatever shall he do with you?]

If that's what you want, my dear friend! Though I'll submit the idea that they suit you as well as Yuan does. [Wink!]

[fortunefail]

[A part of him is becoming convinced that he should just leave. Yet, that'd be the same as running away. He can't let this guy have the satisfaction of chasing him off. He needs to stand his ground.]

You will call me Yuan and nothing else, do you understand?

[batmobilethief]

Very well, Yuan. [He smirks a little.] You may call me whatever you like.

[His smirk edges wider, and he chirps, brightly,] Riddle me this: What does your friend use more than you do?

[fortunefail]

[Figures. A guy who calls himself the Riddler is presenting him with a riddle. Usually, he'd put actual thought into this, but the situation is just so ridiculous that he won't bother.]

I haven't the faintest idea.

[batmobilethief]

[There's a flash of disappointment on the Riddler's face, but it's gone almost as soon as it appears, leaving him shaking his head and tsking at Yuan.] Really! Giving up so quickly? And when the answer is something we'd just been speaking of!

[fortunefail]

[Sorry, Riddler. If you weren't a total stranger who just started flirting with him, he would've tried. Really. Either way, it clicks soon enough.]

My name. Yes. ... Witty.

[batmobilethief]

[Whatever you think of the Riddler, he's practically glowing with delight as you answer the riddle.]

Heeheeheeheeheeeee! Exactly, my friend! I knew you'd get it. [Ooooh, Mr. Yuan, ooh~]

[fortunefail]

[Oh Riddler, you basically spelled it out for him after his initial rejection. Did you really expect there to be a challenge after that?]

I'm not your friend. I told you, I don't even know you.

[batmobilethief]

[No, but the fact he answered at all pleases Riddler. <3]

Mmmm, but I do know you! And you are most certainly my friend, and I am yours, even though you don't know it yet.

[fortunefail]

I can't see myself being friends with someone like you.

[Then again, that's what he said about Usagi. And Zoisite. And Sheena. And Raine. ... Err.]

[batmobilethief]

[He grins.]

A riddle, my friend:

You can have me but cannot hold me;
Gain me and quickly lose me.
If treated with care I can be great,
And if betrayed I will break.

1/2

[fortunefail]

[Oh, fine, he'll play along. He's not going to make himself look stupid in front of this guy.

Hm... Have me but cannot hold me... It's something symbolical. Like an emotion, perhaps. Broken if betrayed... The heart? No, no. It can be gained and lost. ... Oh.]

2/2

[fortunefail]

Trust.

[batmobilethief]

[♡]

And I hope I can gain yours again, whatever you think of the likelihood of it right now.

[The smile he's giving you is soft and sincere-- or as soft as his smiles ever gets.]

[fortunefail]

[Oh. Riddler must be a bit of a masochist if he's this insistent on making friends with him, despite how badly Yuan's treating him. And apparently has been treating him before, considering he's been called "obnoxious".]

... Right.

[batmobilethief]

[Oh, he's far more than just a "bit" of one, dear Yuan.]

[His smile lingers for a moment longer before he bursts into giggles.]

Ah, you're always so adorable when you're being grumpy, my friend!

[fortunefail]

G-grumpy? I'm being grumpy?!

[A grown man just called him grumpy and adorable. In the same sentence. He can't even begin to fathom how wrong that is.]

[batmobilethief]

[Oh, the giggles Riddler giggles.]

What other name would you call it?

[fortunefail]

[Good lord, man, stop giggling.]

What do you mean, what other name would I call it? I just don't have any intention of being friendly with complete strangers. [Yes, you're still a stranger.]

[batmobilethief]

That sounds like the very definition of a grump, to me! But perhaps you'd prefer tetchy, or shirty? A rose by any other name has just as sharp a thorn.

[Stop giggling? But he's only just started!]

[fortunefail]

[Just as sharp a thorn, hm?]

Look, I'm sorry, but there's really nothing I can do for you.

[batmobilethief]

Ah, but you've already done so much!

[He's grinning rather mischievously. Dare Yuan ask what he's done?]