- 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]

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?]

[fortunefail]

[Oh, he dares. He's rather curious what he's supposedly done for this man.]

Have I, really?

[batmobilethief]

You've entertained, for one thing. [Riddler is very easily entertained. Yuan may have noticed this.] You've answered my riddles, spoken with me, been ever so pleasant to look at...

[Sharp as a thorn, but as beautiful as the rose, as well.]

[fortunefail]

[Oh. Urk. Calling Yuan things like "gorgeous" and "adorable" is one thing, but actually taking pleasure in looking at him? That is... disgusting.]

I assure you, that last thing was not voluntary.

[batmobilethief]

[Riddler bursts into giggles, spreading his hands voluntarily.] And yet I can't help but enjoy it, my friend.

[With a grin, he throws out another riddle.]

I can be given and I can be taken;
I can be stolen and I can be broken;
I can ache and I can sink;
I can burst and I can flutter.

[fortunefail]

[That one is almost too easy, but Yuan doesn't particularly like the answer. It comes out as a rather weary response.]

... The heart.

[batmobilethief]

You've got it.

["It" being both the riddle's answer and the Riddler's heart.]

[fortunefail]

[Yuan will hope beyond hope that the Riddler is only referring to the riddle, here.]

... Right.

[batmobilethief]

[He laughs, lightly, and makes to step closer to Yuan once again.] In any case! I am terribly curious about this place, and I can hardly look around if I'm standing here with you~ so I hope you don't mind if I take my leave of you, my friend!

[fortunefail]

[Yuan takes a step back to match again, but once the Riddler announces his departure, he breathes a sigh of relief. Excellent, he'll be rid of this guy without have to step down himself.]

I don't mind at all. Good luck making your way through the chaos.

[batmobilethief]

[He grins, and darts forward, pressing a kiss to Yuan's cheek before dashing off, leaving his laughter ringing behind him.]

Farewell, gorgeous!

[fortunefail]

[... What.

Just.

Happened.

Ugh. UUUUUGHHHHHHH. That is so vile and disgusting and arghh. Yuan should shoot that guy for his insolence and-

Oh, he's already gone.

Next time, Riddler. Next tiiime!]