THE THINGS I CAN'T CONTROL / open, joiner

[impiety]

[align=center]RIDDLE ME THIS!

Edward had a warm coat over him, and he had black dress pants, not exactly the warmest thing, but he hadn't found anything else to wear. Warm fur boots loose over his feet and scraping them sorely helped him to at least travel through the snow without getting frostbite. He had a scarf wrapped around his face, and a backpack with food and a stolen shotgun. This wasn't exactly the look he liked for himself, but it was the look of survival. Trudging through the thick snow, probably not as thick as it could be considering it was summer, he'd find it easy in the cold. It was an environment he was used to, having grown up with his family in a cabin in the freezing woods. He preferred the cold, if anything. It was safe as far as he was concerned, it kept unexpected visitors out when they weren't prepared for the biting cold or hard blizzards.

But he wasn't here because it brought back sentimental memory of family. In fact, that cabin had been anything but family. Just a shelter with distant people he could refer to as biological parents. He was here at Flintlock Lodge for the man here known as Scarecrow. A killer, a wolf, corrupted and twisted, similar to him. They had their own styles, if that's what it could be called, but really, the farmer's death was more for his gain than anything. He liked to play with most of his victims - though, Scarecrow seemed more interested in testing them, twisting them for his own education. It was intriguing.

He wanted to know more. That was why he'd asked for instructions - some warned him of the cold, how horrid the winters had been, and some told him how wondrous it was. He pried information out of them for the location, and now, he was going to learn from the source itself. He stopped, taking in the approaching small town, growing bigger and bigger the closer he got, and he halted as he checked behind him to make sure the shotgun he's taken from the farmer when he met the Scarecrow fellow was still there. Check. Now, to wait.

---

[Jonathan Crow]

[impiety]

[align=center]RIDDLE ME THIS!

Oh, there he was. Scarecrow was hard to miss, he was like a fire in a prairie during the night. Though the full features were difficult to take in, the general shape and colors stuck out like a sore thumb. The other was approaching him, closer and closer, and then he was there, with a greeting, brief, but still appreciated that the other remembered his name in the first place. A good memory, but Edward had analyzed that the other was smart enough, and Edward wasn't exactly a forgettable person, especially considering how they met. Scarecrow wasn't forgettable, either.

"Good afternoon, Scarecrow." He greeted, tilting his head. Why he was here? The other seemed curious, even just slightly. He smirked, just a tad bit. "Why I'm here? I'm hungry and leery and pester the human mind, what am I?" He asked, deciding to dance around the question with one out of two answers. However, he could be easy for his second reason. "Also, I want to join." He added with ease, seeming confident in his request as he shuffled his hands in his pockets. He wondered if the other could answer his riddle. He'd rate it medium difficulty, but maybe that was because he already knew the answer.

"It's good to see you again." He added, despite the last time they met being mildly or even outright threatening. However, the two were alike, two peas in a pod, cruel and calculating, and as far as Edward was concerned, he should linger near those that were just as cruel and cold. And should Scarecrow be a threat, the saying was keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Considering he didn't really have any friends, it should be an easy task, but he wasn't sure how close Edward could keep Scarecrow if he was an enemy that wanted to kill him. Either way, he was musing on and on about this too much in his head.

---

[Jonathan Crow]

[impiety]

[align=center]RIDDLE ME THIS!

The other guessed the riddle, and Edward bounced on his heels a tad. "Correct!" He smiled satisfied by the other's ease in guessing it, in a way, being around someone with a brain that was smart and even twisted felt nice. Hence his answer to Scarecrow's inquiry, lips tugged up. "The most exciting company I've had in awhile at least. Prefer to have it again." He responded, clarifying that yes, it's good to see him again. Edward was introverted, but he didn't like isolation - and admittedly, he had desired to chat with Scarecrow again, to learn more about him. He wasn't sure if it was a sick curiosity or generally enjoying his company, but it was enough to bring him back.

"In charge?" He echoed. A dangerous man with a dangerous amount of authority. "You didn't tell me much about this place. What an interesting surprise." He mused, before cocking his head. "And what are the people here like? From what I gathered from others I didn't take this as a place Spooky would be leading." Perhaps he had other intents with the group. Only time could tell - but he was sure a village full of people could be of use.

"Only the one previously made. I'll be happy to walk with you though." Was his smooth answer, observing the smirk on his face. Clearly proud to boast that he lead Flintlock, or maybe it was something else. Either way, he offered a smile in return, hands shuffled in his pockets.

---

[Jonathan Crow]

[impiety]

[div style=" background-color: white; border: 2px solid black; width: 400px; min-height: 500px; font-family: georgia; line-height: 110%; text-align: justify; color: black; padding: 20px"][align=center]RIDDLE ME THIS!

Edward gave a proud smirk. His company wasn't bad at all. It felt almost comforting to hear that, it wasn't something he heard every day. But he'd try not to let it get to his head - after all, complimenting others can be used to manipulate, it was a tactic Edward knew all too well. He was sure a fellow snake in the grass would use it in the blink of an eye. Though, Edward supposed he was holding it too high in his head - he tended to do that. So his smile grew smaller, and he gave himself a mental pat on the back as he was reminded not to get too thoughtful about a few couple words.

Edward shoved his hands in his pockets, amused at his nickname, and the amusement was only doubled by passive. In fact, he even gave a little laugh. "That should be interesting, for them and me alike." Was his ominous response. He doubted they'd like him, and he already knew the feeling was mutual. It should be a tedious atmosphere, what with Scarecrow leading, and now Edward joining the likely fray. Or perhaps it was just gloomy, like a dark cloud was closing in on the territory.

His gaze snapped to a sudden noise, a crow, when Scarecrow instructed him. Oftentimes he liked to avoid listening to instructions, but this time he was following like it was second nature, though his mind did briefly ponder that he was being told what to do, and that Scarecrow was authority. He decided to just look around instead of making it a hassle for the other, gaze flicking analytically through the small little village. Aw, how cute. But he instantly tilted his head at the offer of his cabin. "Sure. I'd appreciate it." Was his easy answer. It should be an interesting experience, that was for sure.

Edward was nodding along, keeping in mind the shops. Could be easy to steal if someone realized how organized it sounded, but at the same time, it could prove to be complicated with how spread apart stores probably were. However, his attention was grasped by something. Fuzzy, black and white, and excited. He was instantly engrossed, his jaw spreading wide in a smile as he squat down to look at the little husky.

"Hey little guy!" Edward breathed, his usually piercing green eyes soft, and he didn't seem aware of Scarecrow for a moment, though that was the opposite of true. He was holding his hand out for the pup to sniff at, his eyes studying it. As the other spoke of adoption, he was quick to mumble. "Don't mind if I do." His smile was more genuine, less forced or less smug.

---

[Jonathan Crow]

[impiety]

[align=center]RIDDLE ME THIS!

Edward seemed occupied with the puppy, just content squatted down cupping the pup's ear in his hand, finger rubbing into the crook of it which brought the puppy to tilt his head further into his hand in content. Grinning, he finally lifted himself a couple moments before Scarecrow's words, who was already moving on before he answered. He'd come back for that puppy. Or maybe another. Edward either way had to eventually move on, feeling almost guilty as he walked away from the puppy.

So guilty in fact, that he carried the husky puppy along the way. Stroking through the fur as he studied where a lodge was said to be, and he gave a nod as he pondered. A rabbit farm. That was likely a major food source. If someone destroyed that they'd have to rely on the dogs hunting, and also their own hunting. He was sure it'd do some damage. However, as he pondered that the other spoke of the mines, and slipped in a compliment. How peculiar. Suspiciously studying Scarecrow, he tried to brush it off. "I'll be careful not to fall into a mine." Was his answer, seeming to avoid acknowledging the compliment. He didn't think Scarecrow would say that, but he had. His toes curled just slightly at the thought that they seemed to be getting along well. Like friends. He focused his nervous energy onto the husky puppy cradled to his chest, fingers digging to the fur and lightly petting it.

As they reached a cabin, Edward lifted his head to observe it. "This is mine. Ours, actually." This should be an interesting experience. The last time he slept under the same roof of a live human being, it was his parents. He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of being just footsteps away from another killer asleep, but he was generally a light sleeper, so should something happen he'd be alerted hopefully. He didn't miss a beat as Scarecrow took a key from under the stone, and he gave a wordless nod as though assuring he saw it.

Stepping inside, he was instantly met with an order. His eyes narrowed a little, opening his mouth to sneer that Scarecrow could do so himself, when a crow, clearly inside, made a great deal of noise. What? He looked around curiously to take in his surroundings, and also find the crow, as the door shut rather softly behind him, a deliberate movement considering his hatred for unnecessary racket. He looked surprised as Scarecrow called for something, before it came into view. A... Pet crow? How odd. He'd never seen such a thing, but he never really was around much animals.

"A pet crow?" He wasn't hesitant to question it, following after Scarecrow into the living room. He was relaxed, not concerned the way he was a little while ago when the two were in the same house. Though watchful, he didn't try and veer out of Scarecrow's way, instead moving after it. Still holding the puppy, he nodded at the introduction having already gathered her name by Scarecrow calling her to him. He decided swiftly that bites wouldn't terribly upset him, holding the puppy in his arms angled in a comfortable manner. "I'll be careful with her." He assured, before his free hand reached out to try and pet the crow with a finger on her head. "Hi Icky." He whispered gently.

---

[Jonathan Crow]