#here u go Kara I tried to keep rereading it and seeing any mistakes or flkajwekrj

[selkymaiden]

First meetings 😳 

"Please don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Stare at me."

I'm actually astonished he even noticed, although I keep my face controlled enough to look mildly interested. Raising an eyebrow I swivel my head so that I'm actually looking him in the face. He stares back in a very cool- Alright, cold manner.

The fact is I wasn't even using my peripheral vision, or side-eyeing him at all. I was using the reflection on a piece of Silver displayed in his office to study him as he talked with a subordinate.

"I can look if I please."

"Why are you here? I know you're not like the other patrons, you're different. You're one of..." He trails off, making some sort of sour face. It's comical how expressive he is actually. "Black Mask's flunkies." I hold my tongue, those words actually make me bristle and I stare at Oswald Cobblepot in contempt. What's worse is he knows he's gotten a reaction out of me for it. I feel like we're playing some sort of fencing game and he's struck a point already.

"I was just headhunting bar keeps and was told this place was back open again. So I decided to take a look myself." I decide to be honest, it's easier this way because it was truly what I was doing. "Nice lie. Why are you really here?" Typical, paranoid crime lord. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and instead; I gaze back almost piercingly- something I know my eyes are very good at. Yet the fact is he holds my stare and doubles down with his own. It sort of works for him, with his mismatched eyes, one being in a monocle. Except he's more sarcastic about it. I watch his jaw tighten even before he relaxes and suddenly looks more accommodating, that sickly sweet charm people put on when they want information. He even waves his subordinates away so it's just us.

"Well?"

"I told you the truth. I'm here on my own accord to be nosey and take staff if it so pleases me and they agree to it."

"You know who I am, right?"

"Who you were, you mean?"

I take a point this time. I'd like to think I strike him across the cheek for that one, I even let it show on my features by giving an innocent smile. He seethes. But controls his temper all around, which I have to hand it to him- He's no Black Mask, thankfully, but from what I've heard about him and how he did things... I'm just waiting for a temper tantrum I suppose. I'm almost disappointed.

"You're very funny. Haha."

That actually makes me smile genuinely. It's sort of goofy how he said it, maybe I'm not used to dealing with people like him because he's different from other people in this line of business. Perhaps that's why he's stayed alive for so long?

"Listen, I don't care if you're some lackey of this 'Black Mask', what you're doin-"

I cut him off. Men hate that. He's no exception, although now it's him that looks astonished I'd even have the gall to do something like cut The Penguin off.

"I'm sorry Mr... Penguin. I don't know how you want me to address you. Anyways, this is not the same Gotham as when you left it, which I know you're fully aware of. I think it's been... 10 years now? You were in Blackgate for a while and power has shifted. I know you have some still loyal to you, obviously, when you got out of prison you had a driver ready for you. Very sweet. But there are a lot more players on the Chessboard now."

"Oswald."

Huh? I look taken aback by his simple reply.

"You can address me by my first name, Oswald."

This feels like a trap and I'm quiet as I study him, again we just look at each other. It's almost maddening. I've never felt so riled up by anyone except maybe Roman, but that was a given because of who Black Mask was and how we've had past. But this... This new guy... The Penguin was different.

"No... Anger because I cut you off?"

"It was rude but what you lack in manners doesn't deter me."

That's a point for him but I don't mind because the way he responds is hilarious to me now. What a funny little man.

"You're sort of cute." I respond.

My words are so out of the blue I think I actually stump him. In fact, I think I can see something like color on his pale cheeks and nose, but mostly I can see something not-so-nice lurking in his expression now. How exciting.

"Miss...?"

"Sophie."

"Miss. Sophie, I'm sure this has been entertaining for you, but I'm not above-"

"Killing me?"

"Stop interrupting me!"

That actually gets a physical reaction- He pounded his fist once on his desk, while his facial features sort of do an interesting twitch. He's holding back desperately I think, maybe he's had anger management or maybe he's just trying to be a gentleman for now.

"Maybe I should just get rid of you right now so I don't have to worry about the future? Hm? I'm sure Black Mask won't cause a whole war over one of his little lackeys dying."

"You're wrong."

"What?"

"First of all you make the mistake I'm easy to kill off, insulting. Second of all you really don't know who or what I mean to Roman Sionis. Actually what anybody does. I could be his driver and if you off'd me he'd simply start something- He's... He's sort of spoiled. He doesn't like his things to be toyed with or destroyed, and no offense, you aren't exactly in a whole lot of power like you used to be. So you're sort of a sitting duck... Er, Penguin."

I'm not being mocking, I'm not even being antagonizing now. I lean back in the chair across from him as he takes in what I said because I'm all honest and open at this point.

He doesn't answer right away and instead, I can see the gears in his head turning. The mental gymnastics of this man must be a gold medal winner I'd like to think, because it's true he defiantly does not have the Empire like he used to. But in the short amount of time he's been released from Blackgate he's done enough to garner attention from several big players. Black Mask is one of them.

"So what, are you warning me? Were you sent here as a message?"

"You're not listening. I came here on my own, nobody knows, and I did it because I felt like it. However, sure, yes, you could take what I said to you as a warning about how Black Mask works. Well, just one of the ways he works. It's free information for you because I think you're cute."

His jaw tightens and a flash of warning is in his eyes at my last comment. But otherwise, he keeps himself in check before looking away; he glances away and towards a large outside-facing window. The view his office has is actually very nice, Gotham's skyline is illuminated by an almost full moon tonight.

"Alright, Miss. Sophie-"

"Just call me Sophie."

"Sophie. Exactly who are you?"

Something drops in the pit of my stomach. I think he's won the fencing game and turned this into a Chess game now. Something I've never wanted to be a part of, have always avoided, but now unintentionally became a pawn by just coming here tonight. The Chessboard and game that is Gotham were made for big players: Black Mask, The Penguin, up comers even like this 'Two-Face' Harvey Dent, and not to mention the Mafia families and the different secret societies. I've been lucky, or unlucky, enough to fall under Black Mask and just be tasked with taking out the garbage for him long as I'm loyal. But I think I messed up by speaking with The Penguin.

Do I be honest?

"I'm a bar owner over in Black Mask's territory; it's called The Temple. It's Greek themed but modern, I do good revenue."

The way he studies me is annoying, it's annoying even more how I feel affected by him. I've been around long enough to learn to never let anyone get to me, even Roman. Yet here is this stupid... Slightly round, pale, man getting on my nerves.

"You know what?" His voice is like a clear bell, but the bell that tolls when someone has died. "I think it's very nice to meet you."

I see tonight might be long.