Batman: The Killing Joke

Kirill stood on the dank streets of Gotham. The embers of his cigarette lit up his dark honey eyes as he took another deep drag. Breathing out the smoke he watched it curl lazily up until the night air disapated it. He watched as the crowds moved in front of the building. Arkham Asylum normally seemed like a place to avoid, like most buildings of its character were, and yet in Gotham very few gave it a second glance. Stubbing out his cigarette Kiril tipped his hat once again in front of his face and walked into the crowded street. It had been only a few weeks after the death of the beloved district attorney, Harvey Dent and the aprehension of the henious criminal known only as Joker. A criminal that had, just before his arrest, ordered a large amount of poisoned gases from Kirill. Was the poison master bitter? Only slightly, but then business came and went like that in Gotham, espically with the Bat running around. Kirill hunched his shoulders as he entered the more crowded shopping area, didn't want to attract too much attention. He was an honest dealer, but you never knew if a rat would come and tell on you, spoiling the joke. Sighing with releif when he reached his shop Kirill quickly opened the door and relocked it, afterall none would come calling in these dark hours of the night. Kirill unbuttoned his coat as he walked threw the marionette shop, and had it off before he reached the stairs to his apartment above it. As he walked the winding stair case his shirt became unbuttoned as well as his pants, so that by the time he was in his room they easily fell to the floor. Giving out a light grunt he removed his other clothing and stepped gingerly into the shower. Hot water poured on his skin running down the tightness of his arms, legs, chest and washing his stress down the drain.

"Goodnight, Louis."
Salem called back over her shoulder and waved at the young man behind the bar. Yawning, she looked down at her watch and was surprised to see that it was well past midnight.
"Augh, this is ridiculous." She muttered to herself and she hastened to button her coat against the cold wind that whipped around her and played with her hair. Vowing to talk to Thomas about getting her better playing hours, she darted to the corner where a bus was stopped to pick up passengers.
Taking a seat in the back, she eyed the rest of the passengers with a wary stare.
Looked like your usual after-midnight riders, thugs with tattoos, piercings and loose clothes, a possible drunk homeless man and a man with a prostitute.
Salem slumped down in her seat and sighed quietly, cursing herself for not leaving the restaurant sooner.
But it wasn't like she had much of a choice. Ever since a month before when her manager, Thomas, tried to seduce her one late night and she turned him down, he had been giving her all of the crappy hours.
She hated playing piano during the night shift, because it was customary to play until the last customer left, and tonight Bruce Wayne himself was there, so of course everyone stayed extra long.
Salem was to intent on watching everyone around her, she almost forgot to get off at her stop, and she had to quickly use her telepathy to force the door to stay open for another few seconds as she leaped through.
With a frown, she walked halfway down the block and up the stone steps where she let herself into the hallway quietly.
Her apartment was the last door on the right, and when she opened the door, she was greeted by a pair of "meow"s .
"Hi Humphrey, Hello Smitty." She said with a chuckle as she threw her bags on the couch.
She stopped only to pour some food into their bowls and headed right into the bathroom for a hot and steamy shower..

Malach looked at the paper on the table before him, his hand shook as he signed his name. He couldn't believe it, he was signing over his soul. Not literally of course, the lawyer in front of him was certainly not the devil but as far as Malach was concerned it was the worst day of his life. When he'd first come to Gotham City he'd come to play his music, to show the world what he could be, but he'd hit a hard spot and got stuck between a rock and a hard place. So, he'd come to the resturant, played them some of his songs and they'd wanted him. '350 a night' they'd told him 'and he'd be working with a partner on occassion.' Malach wasn't worried of course he'd had his band Bad Luck until his bass guitarist and best friend Peter had been killed in a hit and run, after that Malach and Robbie the piano player hadn't gotten along and the group had split. Malach was jarred from his dark thoughts but the man swipping the contract. "You start tonight, your partner will be here in an hour get warmed up you start the show at ten..." Malach nodded and went in the back he fingered his gutair before plugging it into his hip amp he began to strumm a bit and sing out the occasional melody.

Salem walked in the back door of the restaurant with hung her stuff up on the coat rack, taking only her sheet music.
"Whats up, Louis. Can I get my water?" She asked as she leaned against the backside of the bar. It was an hour before the dinner crowd and the place was pretty much empty. Louis handed her her water and raised an eyebrow. "What's the look for?" Salem asked as she took a drink. "What do you think of him?" Louis asked, in a tone that made her feel like she should know what he was talking about.
"Think of who?" She asked curiously, setting her water down on the bar.
Flashing her a look like she was crazy, Louis nodded to the door that went into the backroom where the bands usually warmed up. "Your partner."
"My what?" Salem hissed. She turned swiftly and walked over to the door and swung it open, where she was greeted with the sound of a guitar and a deep, smooth voice. "Who are you? And where the hell is Thomas?" She asked, keeping her tone level and as polite as she could. Mentally, she was cursing and yelling, but her face was calm.

Malach looked up from his guitar to see the girl. Putting the Lady Gay (his guitar) down he placed his gloved hands in his pockets. "My name is Malach Delaney, Miss." Malach ran a hand threw his hair and chuckled "I take it Mr. Thomas wasn't much telling ya about me. Which is why he's in his office taking a kip as it were." Malach looked at her and noticed she was seething under her calm face. This made his grin broaden. "I take it your to be playing the piano for when I use me pipes and the good Lady Gay here...Mind are ya any good?"

Salem crossed her arms and chewed on her bottom lip, waiting a moment before replying.
When she opened her mouth to speak, she felt calmer than before. "No, Thomas didn't mention you. I wish he did, though." Her posture straightened a bit with pride. "And yes, I do happen to be good, I suppose. I'm here, aren't I?" She felt her anger sizzle out almost entirely, and she hated that feeling. It made her feel powerless almost. "I'm sorry I was rude. Thomas has been giving me trouble lately, and to be honest, I've never played with someone else before." Her tone was softer now, and she was fiddling with her sheet music, feeling more and more awkward. "How did you come across this place?" She asked, trying to ignore that widening grin on his face.
Mentally, she was kicking herself for not being more forceful. It wasn't something she could actually control, he had her when he opened his mouth the first time.
She had a thing for accents.

At her words Malach narrowed his eyes "A bit of trouble eh? Well dontcha be worrying about that anymore I'll be watchen over ya...What are partners for after all..." Malach picked up the lady and gestured that they should head stage side, all the while fiddling with her sheet music. "How is it that ye've never played with a partner? And I don't mean to offend but, its daft woman to only play with yourself...Music should be the combining of souls, if your souls alone what d'ya got to live for aye?" Giving her a quick smile Malch set the Lady down and took a seat at the piano bench and began to play a light melody. His fingers were light and eager on the keys, as the notes he played seemed to be filled with an energy all their own. "I was born here, in Gotham but me parents are Irish so we moved back to the heavenly land when I was a wee tiny one..." The tone of the music changed to a light and cheerful tune, where his fast fingers glided over the keys like water. "I came back to play music, of course one such as me who loves the cards a bit too much I got meself in quite a pinch and hand to sell me soul to this place just to keep food in this belly and a food over me poor Irish head..." he smiled and slowed into a sweet tune, caressing as a lovers touch. "And yerself miss? How is it ye've always played alone, and that you came to be plunking keys for a bit of shine every night?"

Salem felt herself smiled as she listened to him play. When she had walked into the music room she had expected a jerk, someone Thomas had handpicked just to annoy her, but this boy was the exact opposite.
"Sold your soul, hm?" She asked, walking over to stand next to the piano. "Naw, this place isn't so bad. Louis over at the bar is sweet, and he gets us our drinks for free. And when Mr. Wayne comes in, he actually comes over and chats for a while."
Her fingers tingled as she listened to him play, and she longed to sit next to him and play.
"I don't know why I've always played alone. I'm an only child, and my adoptive mother taught me to play. We never did duets, and I didn't have any friends that played any instruments." She decided not to add on that she didn't actually have a lot of friends. Period.
"I moved out of my parent's house six months ago, and found the add this place posted. They were looking for a pianist. Nothing too exciting." She shrugged.
She glanced at the clock and saw that they only have half of an hour until they went out to play, so she forced past her shyness and sat down on the bench next to him.
Her fingers touched the familiar keys and she started to play along with him, following his hands with her eyes and adding in sounds of her own.

When she began to play with him Malach smiled and began to sing the Irish song that went along with the tune. A song about a sailor leaving his dear sweet lass alone on the shores. It was a beautiful peice, and it always made him tear a bit. When he finished he looked up to see people coming in to be seated. Squeezing her hand Malach stood. "Alright now, you play your tune and I'll strum along and sing a bit, we'll see how we do eh?" Getting up the mike Malach smiled a winning smile. "Hallo, welcome tonight. It'll be myself Mr. Delany and the young Miss Salem giving youa good show..." Then he gave Salem a wink meaning for her to start.

With butterflies in her stomach, Salem started to play the first song that came to her frantic mind, and she almost choked and giggled when she realized what she was playing.
With a deep blush, she bit her lip to keep from laughing as she played, "The Wild Rover".
Leave it to you to play the first irish song you can think of just because of his accent.! She thought shamefully as she threw him an apologetic look, hoping she didn't offend him.

Malach grinned wide and began to sing, except instead of english he sang in sweet, sweet celtic the language of the gods. Without missing a beat he pulled the Lady Gay up and had her soft tone intermingling with those of the piano, with his voice singing straight and clear. When the song ended, those who were not preoccupied with food applauded. Malach took an exagerated bow and waved to them. Then putting the Lady down he took a penny whistle from his pocket and launched into a happy jig, knowing that Salem could follow along easily, even if she didn't know the song.

Salem was grinned broadly by the time the song finished, and was quite happy to be led right into the next jig.
Together, they played slow songs, fast songs, sad songs and happy songs, until Salem thought her fingers would fall off.
"That was great. You were amazing!" She crowed happily after the last table left. She closed the lid of the piano softly and began to gather her music together and finished drinking her last glass of water.
"I think we'll be partners for a long time, because there is no way Thomas couldn't love that!" She said decidedly.
"Thank you for being so easy-going, tonight. I thought I was in for a nightmare when I first got here." She laughed awkwardly. "So what else do you play?"

Malach finished the last of his drink, a sweet little mix of gin for they thought he was 21 bless their hearts. "Oh aye, it was a grand night and Thomas will certainly see both our value." Malach packed the Lady away and then gave Salem a great smile, one to warm any woman's britches. "Well the guitar and paino and me penny whistle you know, I also play violin, the organ a bit badly perhaps but then again me church couldn't afford one. I play the harp, the flute, saxophone, cello o'course and percussian..." Malach put the guitar over his shoulder "Music is my soul, everything I am...when I see something I want I get it...and music is something I desperately want..." He had gotten ever closer to her his eyes twinkling "Mind if I escort you out miss? There's many a rouge in the city that'd take a snap at something as fine as you."

Salem blushed at his warm smile and twinkling eyes. "Well, I plan I hearing you play every single one of those now." She said with a grin. "It sounds like you won't be left wanting by the time you're done in this world. You'll be able to play every instrument there is!" She chuckled as they made their way to the back room where their coats were hanging.
"If you walk me home, who will make sure you get to your home safely?" She teased as she buttoned her coat up. "You can't be a day over seventeen. I don't care if Louis thinks you're twenty-one." Her eyes twinkled as she laughed and waited to see if he would deny it.

"Aye miss you caught me." Malach says with a forlorn look on his face. "And I know you to be not but a year older than I." he grinned and latched an arm with hers. "But I wouldn't be saying things like that, a less proper gentelmen than myself might consider that an invitation into your home and into your bed." He gave her a cool stare and kept his arm in hers. "A young woman shouldn't wander alone where a young man certainly has a better chance..." And there was the fact that he Malach had the ability to expel energy explosively that brought him up a bit higher on the scale. Also because of this he could never get drunk because of his metabolism, though most took it for an irish liver...

Salem blushed a crimson color and her fingers were still fumbled with her buttons when he latched his arm in hers. "I-I... I didn't mean it like that." She stuttered; suddenly very embarrassed.
As she allowed herself to be led out the door, she was grateful he couldn't see the look on her face.
Idiot! Idiot! You never think before you speak. Her mind reprimanded.
Hastily, she changed the subject slightly. "I'm pretty sure I could handle myself alright." She said softly.
She was sure that she could protect herself better than he could, in fact.
"But thank you for walking me, anyway." She smiled playfully as they approached the bus stop. As they chatted, she decided that she would follow him home after he dropped her off, just so she didn't have to worry.

On the bus Malach kept his eyes on the other coves on the bus. Did she not notice the way they were looking at her sleek little body? He certainly didn't, he didn't miss the looks he was getting either, the look that wolves give to a caught fox. 'Well mates, this fox has got more up his sleeve than you'd guess, best to be sure of that...' They reached Salem's stop and Malach got out of the bus with her. "Come, I'll walk ya to yer door Miss." Malach again took Salem's hand feeling her embarassment radiate from her as well as something hidden in her, a mischevousness. It caused Malach to look at her with a puzzled eye, wondering what she was up too. They reached the door and he bid her good night with a wave of his hand and a boyish smile, before taking off down the road. Malach followed the street for a bit and then turned down a seedier alleyway. Ducking into a bar he was immediatley pushed against a wall. The sour breathe caused the hairs in his nose to burn. "Bin inta the gin I see Master O'Toole." The man released him before taking a swig of the vile drink. "And whatcha be wantin her young Mr. Delaney." The man was more scottish than Irish and Malach gave him a calm smile, all the while wiping scots from his jacket. "I came ta pay me first installment as it were..." O'Toole nodded and led Malach to the back of the bar where he was fisked and all his coin taken before being roughly placed back on the streets.
Malach rubbed his sore carcass and set off again only to be again man handled this time by a less seedy bunch than the Irish Mafia. "Ah whatcha lads be wantin'? I give all my coin ta the boyou's in there. Surely I don't have much on me now worth your precious time." Ah his mouth, it nearly broke against the fists, and surely a few teeth were loosened and his lips bloodied. Picking himself up from the ground Malach cricked his neck and pulled out his cards. "Fancy a game me boys?" Taking out a card he charged it so it glowed a faint yellow and simply smiled, but this smile was cold.

Salem tip-toed along the roof tops as she trailed along behind Malach. It seemed like she had lost him for a few minutes when he went into some sort of pub, but she heard a loud crash in the alleyway and saw him standing and brushing himself off.
If she wasn't taking extra care to be quiet, she might have giggled. She thought he had been thrown out because of his age.
With half of a smile, she started to follow him out of the alley, but suddenly out of nowhere a group of young men sauntered up to him, and the apparent leader hit Malach so hard that Salem heard the impact from two stories above.
She watched Malach wipe the blood from his lip and exchange a few words with the man, and the man hit him again, this time a few thugs from his group joined in.
Salem growled under her breath and began to dart down the side of the building, but stopped short when Malach stood up slowly, holding a deck of cards.
Not sure what he had up his sleeve, she paused and watched.
Before her eyes, the cards started to glow slowly, pulsing weakly but quickly becoming stronger until soon they were a vibrant yellow.
She stood there on the side of the building, watching in amazement; too preoccupied to realize that the cold in her bones wasn't from the bitter wind, it was from a sudden fear that left her trembling.

"Ye see this is why I got in good with me kinship inside that very bar." Malach continued to smile the cold smile and passed the card from finger to finger. "What does that do?" One of the boys asked, for he was very young compared the the men that had been hitting him. Malach turned his feirce lavender eyes on him "Ye see laddie this here card once I let it go, is gonna explode...the brighter the color the more of a boom." Malach turned back to the others and fanned the cards so all fifty two were in his hand, glowing a hot, toxic yellow. "What's a young boy like you doing in a gang anyway? You can't be more than fifteen, run home to your mother." Malach blew the younger boy off and turned the cold eyes on the others. "Now who wants a bit of an irish brawl?" The main flunkies came at him and Malach without hesitant threw the cards, except right before he released them from his hands he took almost all the energy from them, not that any could tell. When they reached the targets they let out loud bangs and when the the smoke cleared the two were laying on the ground moaning in agony. Malach laughed, "Any more or shall I be on my merry way..." It was then that he felt her, nearby...Salem. Keeping his eyes trained on the boys he cursed himself for not standing watch on her, like she was trying to do for him, silly female.

Even from a story above his head, Salem could sense a strong power rising up from Malach. It didn't take a power to feel the damage he could do, and it didn't take much convincing to get her to back away slowly, rising higher and higher up the building.
When she felt the edge of the roof under her heels, she faltered for a moment.
As frightened as she was, she was morbidly curious to see what else those cards could do, so she promptly let the gravity whoosh beneath her feet and she landed on the ledge smoothly on her butt with barely a sound to show for it.
For a small sense of protection, she dragged the mace from her pocket that she always keeps there and kept it floating behind her, ready to use if need be; though she doubted its success against Malach if the need arose...

They were already running, the cowards. Clicking his tongue Malach promptly de-energized the cards and put them back where they belonged, his butt pocket. Glancing up he nodded at Salem and gave a her a curt salute before leaving the alley. He was jazzed up now and all he could do was...what he always did. Coat billowing behind him Malach started running at a fast jog but moved on to his full blown stride, running at break neck speed. As always when he ran the extra energy contained in his body gave him more speed and when it was released sent dust-like yellow particles out from his feet, almost as if gold rose with every step he took. He didn't run home though, no he was running back to Salem's apartment, because he wanted to catch her. This was a race between he and her, because he wanted answers as Malach was sure she did as well. Giving a gay whoop he sped faster down the streets, his heart barely even pounding.

Did he just... see me?! Her mind yelped frantically as she leaped to her feet with a tiny yell of surprise. Turning as fast as she could, she started to run full speed back the way she came, leaping over alleys and hopping from one rooftop to the next with a frantic style of grace only adrenaline could muster. As she reached the building just before hers, she closed her eyes and put all of her strength into the gravity around her and she hurdled off the side of the building towards the ground.
As she struggled to force the gravity to move the way she imagined it, something flicked just past her field of vision and her head snapped up in distraction just as her feet hit the ground. A pain shot up through her arches into her legs and she swore she even felt it in her arms. She struggled to remain standing, and she cursed herself for getting distracted and failing to manipulate the gravity on time beneath her feet.
Ignoring the sharp pains that was now in her legs as well, she darted towards the stairs of her apartment building, when suddenly she stopped and gasped a little when she saw what had distracted her.
Her living room light was on.

"Fast but not fast enough..." Malach said to himsel taking out a glass and pouring himself some water. Then he went into the living room to wait for her. As she walked in warily, her mase at the ready he held up his hands in defeat. "You've got me partner, now what say we have a little conversation about not following your good partner aye?" He held out the glass he'd gotten for her and stood up from his very comfortable position on her couch. Malach's eyes hardened noticably "You could have been killed Salem, ye would not have seen it coming espically with those boys...And if anyone but me would've known you were there you'd have a hit out on ya..." At her puzzled looked his sighed "The bar I was in Miss Gotta-Prove-Me Worth is where the Irish mob works..."

Salem took the cup from him but set it down on the counter and crossed her arms.
"Mafia? What the hell were you doing there?" She snapped crankily. "And don't assume that you know me, kid. I followed you because I had no effing clue you were special. I just wanted to be sure you got home safe; If I had had any idea that you were going to visit your badass criminal buddies I would have skipped out on the idea." She snarled as she began to sit down on the floor and pull her high heels of gingerly. "I've had just about enough of your condescending attitude, by the way." The words were flowing out of her mouth before she even thought about them now. That happened when she was tired, and her feet and hurt pride at being caught weren't helping. "Oh, and another thing, how the hell did you get in here?!" She paused. "You know what, I don't want to know." On her feet again, she walked over to the door and rested her hand on the knob. "Please just leave. I won't tell anyone about your little card trick." She huffed.

"Don't get cranky now..." Malach said finishing his water. He stretched languidly and scratched his head. "I went to the Irish Mafia when I needed a quick buck, as they're always looking to help a poor fellow straight from the island...but I'm useless with a rifle and as a spy so I needed to pay my debts, ergo my job with you." Dropping to his knees Malach went up to her and smiled at her before putting on big kitty eyes. "It's not just a card trick...I can do it with anything I want...Your whole apartment if I had the mind too...but I don't!" Malach said quickly and gingerly laid hands on her shoulders and began to massage them. "To get in is easy I simply energize the lock, don't worry I fixed it as soon as the door swung open....and I didn't let your cats out..." He whispered in her ear give a low chuckle...