If I have it, I don’t share it. If I share it, I don’t have it. (WCB R4)

[ainigmatos]

[The planning Edward had done before -- after the last trial, it had been... well, stupid ramblings of a sleep deprived mind, if he was going to be very honest about it. Nothing much of real value, for the most part, except perhaps the idea to use the birds.

There had been a clarity, though, despite the sheer mania of sleep deprivation and the reality of the situation sinking in more with every passing day, week, death. What they were doing wasn't working. Just hoping for the best and investigating whatever new part of town unlocked wasn't stopping anything. Four deaths.

There were just eleven of them left. How much more was that number going to dwindle? While he just sits here and only puts his brain to work after the matter?

No.

He has to do something.

So, he does. He sits and thinks and plots...

And during one evening, Oswald is going to get a visit from one of his ravens, holding a message again. As is becoming commonplace, now, of course...]

Comments

[cephalopterus]

[Oswald happens to be in his room at the moment with the window open--and he blinks when Desdemona shows up with a message. He's not too surprised, naturally, reaching out to take it]

Alright, Des, whatcha got for me now?

[ainigmatos]

[It's a simple message, in handwriting that should be familiar by now, if the choice of bird hadn't given things away yet.]

I need you to ask the Mayor what happens to people's bodies after we leave for trial.

[...?]

[cephalopterus]

[....Nygma wtf]

Any particular reason?

[ainigmatos]

I'll tell you later.

Don't let on that I wanted to know. Don't tell anyone else, either.

This stays on paper.

[cephalopterus]

Alright, paper only. But this time, that "later" better mean you're actually going to tell me and not just avoid me so you don't have to tell me.

[ainigmatos]

[He won't get a reply back for now... Sorry, Oswald.

Later.]

later that evening

[cephalopterus]

Alright, I got an answer, kinda.

[ainigmatos]

"Kinda."

No specifics, then. I suppose I should have expected as much.

Do you have a timeline?

[cephalopterus]

Maybe. You gonna tell me what this is about?

[ainigmatos]

Soon. This is important, Cobblepot. Communication needs to be kept to a minimum. I have a plan, but it's risky.

I just need you to bear with me for a little bit longer. And... to trust me.

Do you still have Loid Forger's ID?

[cephalopterus]

[he does not like the sound of "risky". So this reply comes a bit late.

There's a couple things that are starting to be written that are crossed and scribbled out before:]

Fine.

Mayorsie was vague on exacts but it sounds like he's not in a hurry. Guess he's more focused on the trial or something.

Yeah, I have it.

1/2

[ainigmatos]

[And... that's it, for a time. No other messages will arrive today.

Gotta just wait for it now, Oswald.]

2/2

[ainigmatos]

[But the next day, right after the motive is announced...]

Things keep escalating. We need to act this week.

We need to break the system.

[cephalopterus]

[It's funny, he's almost expecting the raven this time. When he takes the note to read it the first time through, he's freezing, something in him running cold at what he reads first--

--but then the words blur and change and become what they are and Oswald shakes his head, swallowing past a tight throat and the dread that he's now trying to shake off so he can grab his notebook and a pen and write back]

Whatever plan you've got, I'm in.

1/2 i swear this is not the cw it seems to be

[ainigmatos]

Perfect.

I just need you to end my life.

2/2

[ainigmatos]

Not really, to be clear. Don't lose your mind reading this.

I just need it to look as if you have.

[cephalopterus]

[to say that Oswald has a heart attack when he reads that first bit is not quite accurate, but it's a close thing.

yeah give him a minute jfc Nygma]

Richard. [written in a way that makes it clear that wasn't what he MEANT to write but y'know, censorship]

You could've just lead with the second bit. And how do you plan to make that happen?

1/2

[ainigmatos]

Very mature.

Anyway, we'll fake my demise together. We'll make it look real, real enough that people will make assumptions. Some fake blood, a seemingly planned out attempt on my life. And my own invention to slow down my brain enough that, with any luck, it will be enough to fool even the Mayor.

We'll make him break his own rules.

[ainigmatos]

Why is there glitter on these.

1/2

[cephalopterus]

I was testing the EBS with Babs and she got glitter on Des and Des has been shedding glitter ever since.

2/2

[cephalopterus]

Alright, good summary, but what happens with the trial?

1/3

[ainigmatos]

The trial should proceed as normal, theoretically. But I'll need time to wake up and put the rest of the plan in motion.

I'll need you to stall.

2/3

[ainigmatos]

...If things don't proceed according to plan, I won't be able to put a stop to your punishment. So I'm asking you to trust that I will be there in time.

Which I know is a lot to ask.

I'm essentially asking you to put your life in my hands. If you would prefer to back out, I will understand.

3/3

[ainigmatos]

P.S. Please wash the poor bird, she looks like she just came home from a rave.

1/3

[cephalopterus]

[...yeah boy that sure is...asking a lot. But he's kind of annoyed at the wording--]

You're being stupid again. Trust isn't a question.

2/3

[cephalopterus]

[this one takes a bit longer, with scribbles and a couple inkblots where he wasn't sure how to phrase this or even sure if he should]

just promise that you're going to try and get both of us out alive

3/3

[cephalopterus]

P.S. I've tried giving her a bath in the sink, but she's being stubborn! She hates water. You try it.

1/2

[ainigmatos]

[Later on, a freshly washed Des will come back to Oswald. Look at her preen.]

I will do my best. This plan is a risk to us both, but the alternative is simply waiting for something to happen.

And I can't sit around and wait for it to be Tempo next. Or Zoe. Or Renamon.

Any of them...

2/2

[ainigmatos]

P.S. You just need to show her the water isn't something to be afraid of.

1/3

[cephalopterus]

[Oh hey, fresh birb. Oswald blinks--but then he huffs]

I dunno why I'm surprised that he managed to convince you to take a bath. You all are soft on him.

[he sounds rueful, and...well. Maybe something else. But anyway, going to accept those notes, reading through, before sitting down to reply]

2/3

[cephalopterus]

In that case, I'll take whatever risk I need to take. I'm done losing.

So what exactly do you need me to do?

3/3

[cephalopterus]

P.S. I tried that. I plugged the drain and made sure the water was warm and even threw some toys in there!

1/2

[ainigmatos]

You've received some blood capsules, yes? Send some of those over. If I mix them together with the right substances, I should be able to replicate the smell of the real thing. Hopefully that will be enough to fool Renamon's nose.

I will need you to investigate my "body", of course. I can't have anyone checking for a heartbeat.

After that...

2/2

[ainigmatos]

[And he proceeds to lay out the plan.

Thusly.]