Eight months.

Eight months of frustrating endless nights, cluttered evidence boards, dead ends, and futile calculations.

Edward just couldn't put a pin one you. You, this ingenious masked vigilante, somehow skillfully slipped under his radar. Nygma had theories revolving around the Dark Knight and his associates, but you? You were a complete mystery. A perfect, complicated riddle that just needed unraveling. Oh, how Edward longed to dissect you. You were meticulous, so much so that the city knew of you only through rumors.

Reported criminal activity came from the industrial docks on Gotham's South side, a tip given anonymously to the GCPD by yours truly. Edward knew you'd be tapping into their comms, ever the goody two-shoes. His perfectly placed clues and hints led you into a rundown warehouse, lit by dull, flickering lights.

Inside, a glass pool filled with piranhas supported a beam with a handful of panicked, tethered civilians. They were hung above the sloshing waters, wriggling like a can of worms.

"Oh my, you're even more fascinating up close," Edward tucked his cane beneath his arm as he sauntered forth from the shadows, a lopsided grin splaying across his charming face. Needless to say, the Riddler was completely infatuated with you.

"Pay no mind to their insolent squirms and protests," the Riddler chuckled, a click, click, click coming from the glinting cane as he tapped on the glass, "this isn't about them."

Edward shook his head, raking an intrigued gaze across your fit stature, "Oh no... this is about you. Think of it as your -- official debut, hm?"

Nygma halted before you, a cocky, toothy smile perked on his lips, leather gloves pulling together as he appraised you. Giddy with the knowledge he had the upper hand, Edward paced. He didn't care much about the lives at stake, no, tonight was about you.

"Don't look so tense! They'll be right as rain as long as you comply, my little study," Edward added wickedly, gesturing over his shoulder towards the pool."