First attempt at posting a story here...
OK so please forgive me if this doesn't turn out. I'm brand spanking new to LJ and have no idea what little things like 'LJ cuts' and such do or mean. However, I did promise to attempt writing a story for this site and I always try to keep my promises. If the link doesn't work or something feel free to explain how to do it right. Also feel free to be condescending. Anyways, since I suggested someone try a little Mad Hatter/Riddler action I figure I should take my own advice. This story is treating the Riddler as new to the Gotham crime scene, while the Mad Hatter has been there for awhile.
The Hatter's Puzzle
Jervis Tetch walked the dark streets of Gotham in an absolutely wretched mood. The Mad Hatter had discovered he had a terrible secret. He had fallen right out of love with Alice, and, worse still, doubted he had ever truly loved her. When he had recently read Lewis Carroll's text over again, especially the Mad Tea Party, he couldn't help but notice how much better the March Hare seemed to understand his...needs. Oh certainly, Alice was quite lovely with her blond locks and blue dress, but she was also a selfish and demanding little thing. The March Hare, on the other hand, he catered to the Hatter's every whim. More importantly, he was loyal, amusing and delightful company.
Sadly, Jervis had yet to meet the March Hare in person, though he tried to comfort himself by imagining what the real March Hare might look like. Of course, Jervis was not so silly as to expect the March Hare to be an actual rabbit...he was, after all, a grown man. No, he realized that the March Hare would be a man like himself, only more. He would be more dashing, more charming, more handsome. Oh yes, the March Hare would be the perfect companion for Jervis. The Mad Hatter sighed. The only problem was that he had no idea where to find his new love. He looked around the garbage strewn streets and continued thinking. The March Hare would be taller than himself and more slender. He would be both elegant and playful, a child at heart. While blue had been his favorite color for Alice, he pictured the March Hare in green. Jervis smiled slightly. In fact, not only would the March Hare wear green, why his eyes would be green too!
The sound of an explosion nearby caused Jervis to be violently torn from his thoughts. He scrambled hurriedly into an alleyway and hid behind a trash can, watching the scene unfold before him. Fire lit the sky above and he could tell that the cause couldn't have been more than a block away. Curiosity begged him to check what had happened but he stamped the feeling down. He knew only too well that explosions in Gotham inevitably brought the Jabberwocky, better known as the Batman, and if there was one thing that could make the Mad Hatter hesitate, it was the Jabberwocky. Shouts and cries for help rang through the air, but so far the street he was on remained relatively quiet and empty.
It didn't last.
Just as Jervis turned his head to glimpse further down the road, he noticed a figure step out of an alleyway further down and across the street from him. The figure glanced both ways before quickly dashing to Jervis's side of the road. As the other man unknowingly approached the Hatter's hiding spot, Jervis got a much better look at him...and felt his breath get taken away.
The other man was dressed head to foot in a dark green suit. A crisp white shirt was handsomely set off by a dark green tie with a pale purple question mark on it. The man's features were hidden by a dark green hat, another purple question mark decorating it, and an equally purple domino mask. In one hand he carried a small, black briefcase and in the other he held a gentleman's cane, the round gold handle carved with a very elegant looking question mark design. The sound of a police siren caused both men to stop and tense for a moment, but when it faded towards the other direction, they relaxed a bit. The man in green turned slightly towards the distant sound and smiled...the street light overhead suddenly revealed the most bright, beautiful, playful, whimsical smile Jervis had ever laid eyes on.
There was no doubt in Jervis's mind who this most wonderful man was: he had to be the March Hare. Suddenly Jervis felt very shy and embarassed. What if this glorious vision caught sight of him hiding behind a trash can? What a humiliating first meeting that would be! No, as badly as Jervis wanted to jump out of his hiding place and introduce himself, he made sure to stay hidden. It was absolutely imperative that he make a good first impression.
Another siren cut through the air, much closer now, and the March Hare quickly started dashing down the street. Jervis watched as the man in green disappeared into the darkness of the night. His distracted mind suddenly realized that if the police or the Batman caught him so close to the scene of a crime he would be arrested and blamed for it. Careful not to be seen Jervis hurriedly made his way back towards his hide out. His earlier depression had been erased from his mind and replaced by an overwhelming joy. Jervis was practically skipping by the time he reached the door of his hide out and he opened it with a flourish. After cheerfully flicking on lights and putting on the kettle for a cup of tea, the Mad Hatter began to dance around the room. He imagined the man in green was in his arms and smiling that most beautiful of smiles. The squeal of the kettle cut off his fantasy. As he poured a cup of tea, Jervis made a promise to himself: all time, thoughts, and effort would be devoted to wooing his new found love...
The Hatter's Puzzle
Jervis Tetch walked the dark streets of Gotham in an absolutely wretched mood. The Mad Hatter had discovered he had a terrible secret. He had fallen right out of love with Alice, and, worse still, doubted he had ever truly loved her. When he had recently read Lewis Carroll's text over again, especially the Mad Tea Party, he couldn't help but notice how much better the March Hare seemed to understand his...needs. Oh certainly, Alice was quite lovely with her blond locks and blue dress, but she was also a selfish and demanding little thing. The March Hare, on the other hand, he catered to the Hatter's every whim. More importantly, he was loyal, amusing and delightful company.
Sadly, Jervis had yet to meet the March Hare in person, though he tried to comfort himself by imagining what the real March Hare might look like. Of course, Jervis was not so silly as to expect the March Hare to be an actual rabbit...he was, after all, a grown man. No, he realized that the March Hare would be a man like himself, only more. He would be more dashing, more charming, more handsome. Oh yes, the March Hare would be the perfect companion for Jervis. The Mad Hatter sighed. The only problem was that he had no idea where to find his new love. He looked around the garbage strewn streets and continued thinking. The March Hare would be taller than himself and more slender. He would be both elegant and playful, a child at heart. While blue had been his favorite color for Alice, he pictured the March Hare in green. Jervis smiled slightly. In fact, not only would the March Hare wear green, why his eyes would be green too!
The sound of an explosion nearby caused Jervis to be violently torn from his thoughts. He scrambled hurriedly into an alleyway and hid behind a trash can, watching the scene unfold before him. Fire lit the sky above and he could tell that the cause couldn't have been more than a block away. Curiosity begged him to check what had happened but he stamped the feeling down. He knew only too well that explosions in Gotham inevitably brought the Jabberwocky, better known as the Batman, and if there was one thing that could make the Mad Hatter hesitate, it was the Jabberwocky. Shouts and cries for help rang through the air, but so far the street he was on remained relatively quiet and empty.
It didn't last.
Just as Jervis turned his head to glimpse further down the road, he noticed a figure step out of an alleyway further down and across the street from him. The figure glanced both ways before quickly dashing to Jervis's side of the road. As the other man unknowingly approached the Hatter's hiding spot, Jervis got a much better look at him...and felt his breath get taken away.
The other man was dressed head to foot in a dark green suit. A crisp white shirt was handsomely set off by a dark green tie with a pale purple question mark on it. The man's features were hidden by a dark green hat, another purple question mark decorating it, and an equally purple domino mask. In one hand he carried a small, black briefcase and in the other he held a gentleman's cane, the round gold handle carved with a very elegant looking question mark design. The sound of a police siren caused both men to stop and tense for a moment, but when it faded towards the other direction, they relaxed a bit. The man in green turned slightly towards the distant sound and smiled...the street light overhead suddenly revealed the most bright, beautiful, playful, whimsical smile Jervis had ever laid eyes on.
There was no doubt in Jervis's mind who this most wonderful man was: he had to be the March Hare. Suddenly Jervis felt very shy and embarassed. What if this glorious vision caught sight of him hiding behind a trash can? What a humiliating first meeting that would be! No, as badly as Jervis wanted to jump out of his hiding place and introduce himself, he made sure to stay hidden. It was absolutely imperative that he make a good first impression.
Another siren cut through the air, much closer now, and the March Hare quickly started dashing down the street. Jervis watched as the man in green disappeared into the darkness of the night. His distracted mind suddenly realized that if the police or the Batman caught him so close to the scene of a crime he would be arrested and blamed for it. Careful not to be seen Jervis hurriedly made his way back towards his hide out. His earlier depression had been erased from his mind and replaced by an overwhelming joy. Jervis was practically skipping by the time he reached the door of his hide out and he opened it with a flourish. After cheerfully flicking on lights and putting on the kettle for a cup of tea, the Mad Hatter began to dance around the room. He imagined the man in green was in his arms and smiling that most beautiful of smiles. The squeal of the kettle cut off his fantasy. As he poured a cup of tea, Jervis made a promise to himself: all time, thoughts, and effort would be devoted to wooing his new found love...