[CENTER][COLOR=GRAY][SUB][sub][h3][I]We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.[/I][/h3][/sub][/SUB][/COLOR]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/vtNDce0.jpg?1[/img][/CENTER]
[COLOR=black][indent][sub][B]Location:[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Old Gotham[/I] - [I]Bleake Island, Gotham City[/I][/COLOR][/sub][sup][right][b]Welcome to the Masquerade #1.04:[/b] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Down the Rabbit Hole[/I][/COLOR][/right][/sup][/indent][/color][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][color=black][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]None[/I][/COLOR][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4890979][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Meet Cute[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color]
[INDENT][color=#808080]The small room was dark save for the inconsistent lighting of one dim lamp hung directly in the center of the ceiling. The loosely fitted bulb buzzed loudly as it threatened to short at any second. Brief flashes of bright light cut through the darkness illuminating a lone figure in a wolf mask sitting restrained in an old wooden chair. Around the man’s mouth was a tightly pulled gag while a blindfold had been used to restrict his vision. Both the man’s shoes and his socks had been removed which left his bare feet to sitting in the shallow pool of water currently situated beneath his chair.[/color]

[color=#808080]An unexpected noise echoed through the room as the latch on the door clicked loudly causing the startling the bound man. Struggling against his restraints, the man’s futile efforts were interrupted by the scraping creaks of the door’s hinges as it was swung open. The slapping of several hard heeled shoes against the cement floor echoed from the hallway and into the room. Amidst the sound of the heavy footsteps came the squeaking of four wheels as a heavy cart was pushed into the tight space.[/color]

“Right this way, Mr. Tetch,”[color=#808080] A deep voice instructed as the first pair of footsteps entered the room. The sound of the cart stopped somewhere in front of the bound man as the footsteps echoed one last time before they too ceased to be heard within the confines of the room.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“Can we get some light in here?”[/color][color=#808080] Demanded a strange sounding voice, the identity of the speaker unfamiliar to the man in the chair. There was an accent to the stranger’s words, obnoxious yet melodic, like something out of a children’s cartoon.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“Whatever you need, Mr. Tetch.”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Came a smooth baritone reply. The bound Wolf recognized the second voice immediately as his employer.[/color]

[color=#808080]The Black Mask himself.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“Doctor,”[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“What’d you say?”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of his finely tailored suit.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“It’s Doctor,”[/color][color=#808080] Jervis replied,[/color][color=#38761d] “Not [i]Mister[/i].”[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“My apologies then, [i]Doctor[/i].”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask replied, his voice lacking any form of sincerity as a leather gloved hand adjusted the ebony skull-like mask which came to the notorious crime lord his namesake.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“Did you need anything?”[/color][/b][color=#808080] He repeated, the voice unhindered nor was it filtered as the mask’s jaw remained hauntingly still while he spoke.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“I just need to ensure my payment is in order, is everything properly arranged?”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch asked as the Black Mask reached into the pocket of his pinstripe jacket and held out a square photograph towards the smaller man.[/color]

[color=#808080]Raising his chin to get a look at the photo, Tetch took it from Black Mask’s hand as his face twitched with a disinterested look.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“She’s [i]older[/i] than I requested.”[/color][color=#808080] He grumbled as a finger traced the girl’s golden hair before he tucked inside his lapelled jacket. [/color][color=#38761d]“But she’ll do, I suppose.”[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“Good,”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask replied as he approached the Wolf, removing the blindfold and the mask as the Wolf looked towards his employer.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“You cost me a lot of money,”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask stated, his tone full of disdain as he continued. [/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“Thankfully the sale of your [i]daughter[/i] to Mr. Tetch here goes a long way to repaying that debt,”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Pulling a cigar from within his jacket, the Black Mask forced it between the teeth of his mask before cutting the end off and lighting it. Taking a long drag on the thick Cuban, he blew a ring of smoke towards the Wolf before speaking.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“And your wife has, well [i]agreed[/i] to dance at the [i]Alibi[/i] to pay the remainder of the debt.”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask chuckled darkly. [/color][b][color=#134f5c]“‘Course I did [i]have[/i] to give your body to science as part of my deal with Mr. Tetch.”[/color][/b]

[color=#38761d]“Enough monologuing, Mr. Mask”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch called as he nodded towards the two burly men who had been flanking him this entire time. [/color][color=#38761d]“Brothers, if you please, release our friend here.”[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“I’ll let you off this time, Tetch”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask growled as he stepped back from the restrained man and took a position against the wall alongside the door. [/color][b][color=#134f5c]“But if you ever interrupt me again, it’s a bullet.”[/color][/b]

[color=#38761d]“But where would you be without me?”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch retorted towards Black Mask before holding up a mask as he carefully examined it.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“On his knees please, Tweeds.”[/color][color=#808080] The doctor ordered as the two men picked the wolf up from his chair before pressing a foot against either calf as he was lowered towards the ground, his head now eye level with Tetch himself.[/color]

[color=#808080]Removing the wolf mask from his victim’s face, Tetch tossed it aside before firmly placing a small silver band atop the man’s brow. His wide eyes protested, but there was nothing he could do as one of the Tweed brothers wrapped a large hand over the base of his skull and held him steady.[/color]

[color=#808080]And then suddenly, the fear was gone.[/color]

[color=#808080]Tetch smiled in satisfaction as the man’s body relaxed the moment the mask was activated. Behind him, Black Mask took several steps forward as he peered towards his former employee watching the effects of Tetch’s device. [/color]

[color=#38761d]“Remove his gag, please.”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch stated as the other brother ripped it off of the Wolf’s face. Walking over to his cart, Tetch picked up a similar band, placing it atop of his own head before flipping a switch on the equipment in front of him.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“Please state your name.”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch ordered as the man replied promptly.[/color]

“Richard J. Cunningham.”

[color=#38761d]“And your wife’s name?”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch asked as Black Mask crossed his arms in satisfaction.[/color]

“Lori Beth Cunningham.”

[color=#38761d]“And your daughter’s name please?”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch replied.[/color]

“Chelsea Alice Cunningham.”[color=#808080] Richard stated without any sign of reluctance. [/color]

[color=#38761d]“What happened last night Mr. Cunningham?” [/color][color=#808080]Tetch inquired as Black Mask took several steps towards Richard, studying his facial expressions as he replied willingly again.[/color]

“The deal went South when the Batman appeared. I hid behind the truck and waited for my opportunity to escape while the others fought back. They lost, and I escaped while the Bat was distracted.”

[b][color=#134f5c]“So you’re a damn coward!”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask snarled, but Richard didn’t respond causing the crime lord to lash out. Delivering a firm blow to the man’s stomach, Black Mask watched in astonishment as Richard barely reacted, not even audibly acknowledging that he had been struck.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“What’s the limits of your device?”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask inquired as he turned back towards Tetch.[/color]

[color=#38761d]“He’ll do whatever I ask him to.”[/color][color=#808080] Tetch stated as Black Mask marched forward and lifted the circlet from the small man’s head before fitting it over his own. [/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“Pick up those pliers!”[/color][/b][color=#808080] The crime lord ordered, pointing Richard towards the nearby tool. Complying, the other man picked up the pliers and held them at the ready as Black Mask spoke again.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“Rip out a tooth.”[/color][/b]

[color=#808080]Without a moment of hesitation, Richard opened the pliers before using them to take hold of one of his front teeth. Clamping the pliers closed, he tugged them downwards as a subtle wince of pain appeared in the corner of his eyes, blood spilling out over his lips as the tooth fell to the floor.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“This is fuckin’ great, Tetch!”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask exclaimed. Banging on the door to the room, the Crime Lord watched it open as two people wearing masks modelled after his own answered.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“The doctor held up his part of the deal, get him the girl and send him on his merry way.”[/color][/b][color=#808080] Black Mask ordered before turning back towards Cunningham.[/color]

[b][color=#134f5c]“I have my own fun to attend to.”[/color][/b][/INDENT][/INDENT][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][COLOR=BLACK][sub][COLOR=#2c2c2c]Placeholder[/color][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Next Issue:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4895310][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Curiouser and Curiouser[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color][/INDENT]