Gotham's Finest Pageant Round 3: Formal Opheliac

Cici had come a long way from where she had been. It seemed like it was decades ago not just a few short years. The changes had been drastic and had only occurred because she had finally decided, while confined within the walls of Gotham's Mental Hospital, that she would take control of her life. Or, more so, what was left of it..

And it had been beautiful.

It had been her intention from the beginning to seek out Joker. She had had nothing. She was nobody. But Joker? He could get anything or anyone he wanted with the snap of his fingers. Cici was envious of that power and had intended to do what was necessary to gain access to that very power. She had big plans. People needed to be punished, but none more than the very Mayor of Gotham at that time. Her father...Joker was not easy to persuade. But in the end, it happened.

"Do you remember your first?" Cici asked aloud. She was sitting on a blue cushioned lounger before a large mirror to the right of Diableret. The tone she used was light and a smile fixed onto her lips. She was admiring her reflection and shifted her gaze so that she could look at Diableret through the mirror.

The question was vague. So Cici decided to expand upon it,

"Y'know, that first soul you took from the world?" She was playing with strands of her hair, curling them into place atop her head. Her orange glove really stood out against her dark brown hair. "Was it memorable," Cici wondered. Diableret looked to be a woman who could do some damage on those who asked for it. " Or maybe it was just something thought of last minute? Something 'eh' that needed more POP."

Her first. Cici's first soul taken was traumatizing and heartbreaking. She had been young and she had destroyed the only person who had given a damn about her. Everything spiraled down from there. Killing now was nothing. Now she had the choice. It was her own decision.

A young, thin girl holding a clipboard walked between the two women and smiled at Cici. It was a nervous smile. The poor dear, surrounded by the baddies of Gotham's Underground and scared out of her witts.

"If you're all set, Miss Cici, the stage is yours."

"Oh? Well, that was quick. Sorry Didi. Nice chat, thanks for sharing. But, i've gotta dash." Cici kissed her fingertips and blew the kiss in Di's direction as she stood. Her dress swished about her legs and Cici made her way in the direction of the stage.

The blinding lights had become familiar by this point and Cici kept a serious expression as she pranced down the catwalk. Her hands played in her crazy mess of hair before dropping to her hips near the end, where she struck a pose, eyed the judges and then turned back.

Soon. Things would tumble together soon. Joker would make his move and show this damn city and Batman that they could do nothing to stop him from doing whatever he wanted. So far the citizens have had a lovely little pageant to occupy themselves with. Well, when pageants welcomed rogues what did they really expect to happen?

Chaos..Pure and simple.

Cici turned back around, hands on hips and feet planted firmly below her. Her stance was strong and powerful for a woman of her size and she gazed out into the many faceless people in the crowd.

The crowning ceremony would have them all up and out of their seats.

Cici nodded to the audience, her hair bounced about her face and she exited the stage. She settled in the waiting area on a plush couch with a drink in hand across from the monitor that was playing live feed of the pageant. Who was to follow her?

Grimm Reaper. That woman had it together, Cici could see that. But why run the streets of Gotham with a man like the Bat? Perhaps it all came back to something Joker constantly said.

One. Bad. Day.

That's all it took to send someone off the rocker. Now, at that point someone makes a decision. Go left or go right. Batman, he chose to fight for justice and end crime in Gotham. Joker, well...anyone could take a look at him and see what he chose.

Maybe it was the same for Grimm. One bad day. Cici smiled at this thought and sipped from her glass of colorful liquid. It was sweet and went down without complaint.


------------------


Okay, so this round was a tad easier for me to dive right into. Formal. Sure, I can do that. I was incredibly inspired after I happened to watch Sweeny Tood. Love that movie and I LOVE the dresses, especially the dress Mrs. Lovett's wears on the pier during her seaside singing number.

Not to mention Mrs. Lovett's hair reminded me so much of my dear Cici. Perfect clash.

I want to give a big THANK YOU to those of you who voted me into this round and offer an ever larger GOOD LUCK to the remaining contestants. You guys are awesome.

This has been a blast.

Done in watercolors and inks.

For contest.

Cici belongs to me! <3