Being the Go-Between

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

When Kip Blackwell was a college football player at Gotham University, he played wide receiver and receiver on special teams, so the concept of blocking is not lost on him. Even now, completely blind as he was from the Joker's acid assault, his love of football and his tendency for using football analogies remains. So when Nightwing asks him to meet with the Riddler - or the former Riddler, Edward Nygma - he understands it's to run interference for Oracle, someone he loves and admires wholeheartedly...even if he cannot remember some of the time they spent together.

So, back on Earth from his typical stay at the Watchtower as Oracle's hands-on computer guru, Kip first attends Mass with his Aunt Justine (along with the requisite Sunday meal) before heading to Nygma's agency first thing Monday morning.

His smile and manner are, as always, sunny, far more so than the rainstorm pelting Gotham outside.

Comments

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

Nygma opens the door, raising an eyebrow as he takes in the figure before him.

"Hello, there. You're the technological resource, I presume?"

His tone indicates some degree of uncertainty or doubt - probably the blindness, throwing off his expectations.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Kip's head turns a bit, like a dog listening, and says as he extends his hand, "Yes, sir, Kip Blackwell. Mr. Grayson told me you needed a hand with something."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

There's a pause, then the Riddler takes the man's hand, shaking firmly.

"You're not quite what I expected, Mr. Blackwell, but I will be needing your help. I'm working on gathering some data that's sure to be encrypted and likely to be booby-trapped with all manner of viruses and countermeasures."

He steps back.

"Do come in. There's a chair about ten feet ahead of you, and slightly to your right."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

He grins and follows Nygma's directions, finding the chair easily as he answers, "I know, sir, but black people've been using computers for years, you know," and unshoulders the computer gear in his backpack. "Now what can I help you with?"

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"Ha. Not quite what I meant."

Nygma moves to his desk, taking a seat. There's a bit more silence as he studies the young man in his office, before he answers.

"I've only started scratching the surface, so there's not a lot for you to analyze yet, but soon there may be more data than you can keep up with. I take it you're familiar with Lex Luthor?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

"Sir, he was President. Of course I am.". Kip naturally knows a lot more as the JLA's computer go-to man, but he remains pleasant as he begins unpacking gear. "Why, sir?"

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"I'm investigating the man. Some of his underhanded dealings and thought processes leading up to his recent disappearance. Anything of his I can lay hands on is bound to be hard to decode, and I am no computer expert - but you, on the other hand, come highly recommended."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Kip has some very high-tech gear, including a portable Braille monitor. "Sir," he says quietly, "this is legal, I hope? Mr. Luthor has Secret Service security too."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"It's a bit of a grey area, to be honest - but my private detective's license gives me some leeway to investigate, and I can promise you that I intend no theft. I'm certain that if you're any good at hacking, you've done things more dubious than what you'll need to do for this."

He leans back a little.

"I'm not looking for Lexcorp trade secrets, I'm trying to find Luthor's personal journals and research. I believe the former President may have committed a crime, and there's little evidence to go around."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

This is something the young man has done before, setting up a remote office fast. His movements, once he has ascertained the work area's size, are quick and sure.

"I gotcha, sir. Besides, I don't think Mr. Grayson would want to get me in trouble. So you need me to find Mr. Luthor's personal files? Hrm. Bet they're nowhere obvious."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"That's correct. And I agree - I don't doubt that Lex is the sort of person who conceals his most important materials completely offline from any external network. But you can find some things. Breadcrumbs. Clues that might let me pinpoint which rock he's buried his dirty laundry under."

Nygma tents his fingers as he thinks.

"Any data that has to be physically procured on-site, I can handle with a colleague, and bring back to you for analysis."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

The blind man's hands dance across the keyboard as he nods to what Nygma is saying. "I'll see what I can find, sir.". For a moment Kip does nothing more than work, the laptop churning away, before he states more quietly, "Mr. Nygma? Just want to say it's an honor to be working with you."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

Well, that certainly catches him off-guard, judging by the interval of silence. Then he chuckles, shaking his head.

"Forgive me, that's the first time I've heard someone use that phrase with regards to me since I reformed. It's a novel experience. Is there a reason in particular that you relish the prospect of working with me?"

Genuine, unabashed curiosity in his voice.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Kip sounds surprised. "I grew up in the area, sir. You were one of Gotham's most successful and notorious criminals. To help you now that you're on the side of the angels...shoot, that's a huge honor. Answer to a prayer, really. If you reformed, sir, I have hope for everyone."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"Well. Thank you, Mr. Blackwell - I appreciate your faith."

Something's ringing a bell, now - a distant memory of a newspaper story, coupled with Kip's acknowledgement of growing up in Gotham, and those scars..

"The Joker did that to you, didn't he?"

The question is spoken plainly, without his usual mischievous inflection.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Kip pauses in his typing for a few heartbeats. "You know, sir, I always heard you were the brightest of the Gotham crowd. Good memory,sir. But could you do me a favor and call me Kip? Mr. Blackwell was my father, God keep him." And he crosses himself before resuming his work.

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"Kip, then. My apologies."

Whether the apology applies to the formality, or to the bringing up of a tender subject, that's an open question.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

"Sir, you have to work a lot harder to do something that needs an apology to me," says Kip while pausing to make a note. "What made you ask about my eyes? I mean, you're right. Just surprised you knew."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

Nygma clears his throat - actually slightly uncomfortable. That's a first.

"The Joker - he keeps a scrapbook. He likes to pass it around at Arkham. I recall seeing the account of your attack."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

For a second time, Kip actually stops working, this time for far longer. His hands hang between his knees, his head bows, and he takes a few deep breaths, as if trying to keep his composure. Eventually he straightens and resumes working, though at a less breakneck pace, saying neutrally, "I didn't know that, sir."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"He's a deeply disturbed man. I know that's no comfort to you, but it's true. I spent so much time in Arkham near him that I've learned exactly what I need to stay on his good side. It doesn't mean I approve of what he does."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Again the typing stops. Granted, the fact that the system is churning out data may indicate that the time is ripe for a rest, but the young man's disquiet suggests distraction, too. "Homicidal sociopath," he remarks quietly. "That's the technical term, I think. I don't talk much about what happened that night, sir, for a lot of reasons. Friend died. My life....changed, but I don't want pity, you know? But thing is? Most people wouldn't understand because they haven't met the Joker. And until you meet him face to face, you just can't understand."

Kip turns toward Nygma, even if he can't see the man, as the laptop keeps whirring through information. "You know him. You know what I mean, right? I don't know how to feel about him showing people things about what he did like he's proud of it when I don't even know why it happened."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"I do know what you mean. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it, but .."

The truth is, providing answers is part of his psychological conditions. He's just able to be less cryptic these days.

"I think you shouldn't really ascribe normal feelings like pride to the Joker. He has no central self, existing only to provoke. If you dosed him with truth serum and asked HIM why it happened, I doubt he could tell you."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Kip nods in agreement, expression thoughtful, as is his soft baritone. "See, sir, I try to understand people, figure why they do things. With him, there's no figuring. No rhyme or reason. I try praying for the man, but it's hard. My faith says that it's God's will that I'm here now, like this, but it's hard. Maybe...maybe he can get help sometime. I hope so. You did. How...if you don't mind me asking, sir, how did you manage to reform after everything?"

He sounds genuinely interested in Eddie's answer.

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

Ah, himself. That's a much more comfortable subject.

"It's a cliche, but the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I recognized my.. obsessive tendencies. Second, I finally achieved a masterstroke in my criminal career that allowed me to move on with some closure."

Eddie leans back in his chair.

"My psychiatrist says that I have an inferiority complex that drives me to prove my superior intellectual capabilities. Having done so to my satisfaction in a life of crime, I was ready for a new challenge - proving my intellectual superiority while staying within the bounds of the law."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

More silence. The young man seems to be digesting that bit of information, too, although he does not speculate. "Sounds like you're blessed to have a good psychiatrist, sir."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"Dr. Arkham is eminently qualified." He agrees.

"I don't wish to make it sound as if I have no remorse at all for my life of crime. I never enjoyed hurting people, and I enjoy it even less in retrospect. I like the life of legitimacy."

One gloved finger taps the desktop thoughtfully.

"Truth be told, I was never as disturbed as most of Arkham's inmates. Severe atypical obsessive compulsive disorder, and moderate bipolar disorder. Therapy and medicines have helped even out the mood swings. Beyond that - I discovered sanity is simply a matter of asking yourself the right questions. And if there's one area in which I excel.."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

The attention given to that response further confirms Kip's interest in hearing how The Riddler turned from crime. He smiles at the last bit before a hand grazes the Braille+printed results. The smile fades.

"This might take a while, sir. Hope that's all right.". He begins issuing more queries, hands once again at blazing speed, while adding, "Batman has to...no, I guess he's not proud. Is he?"

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"We have time. I'll be working on some other cases as well. I don't expect results in a week."

He tents his fingers, pondering the latter question.

"Batman? No, there's no pride there. He's almost like the Joker, in a way. More like a force of nature than a person. Barely any real personality at all. Angry at injustice. All the time."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

"I can see that," agrees the young hacker. "He's pretty scary in his own right. But you know, maybe he's just afraid you'll disappoint him. Everyone's afraid of something, sir. Even him."

Kip smiles, then, as he admits, "Me, I'm afraid of failure. Not making mistakes but failing the people I love. Oh, and bees and wasps."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"Or maybe his Messiah Complex already has its quota of disciples."

The Riddler chuckles.

"Before he revealed himself to be a fraud, I shared this office with the supposedly-reformed Jonathan Crane. That's his desk, there. I got to hear quite a bit about fear, from the expert. He'd agree with you about Batman."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

"That name sounds familiar," Kip observes. "That's the Scarecrow, sir?"

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"It is. Another one of Gotham's ill-favored sons. He has a fine intellect, but his obsession with terror precludes his rehabilitation."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

"Well, I'll keep him in my prayers anyways, sir. Where there's life, there's hope."

[eddie-nygma.livejournal.com]

"You know, for a resident of Gotham City, you have an unusually positive outlook. It's .. rather refreshing. I seem to mainly keep company with cynics."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

That elicits a broad grin from the young man working at the elaborate computer setup. "Sir, when I think about this city of ours, I think of potential. I thank the good Lord I'm here where so much work's around to be done."

He pauses, then whispers conspiratorially, "Though I'd like some parts of it to smell better."