"Why...so...serious? YAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The Joker's haunting cackle echoed through the large once abandon warehouse. The building was located near the pier, so old fishing equipment and netting was left behind along with sealed crates that more then likely had old forgotten boat parts inside. Standing behind the Joker was a group of masked henchmen. All looking rather hauntingly festive themselves with their clown masks hiding their true identities. Joker, along with his group of men were all starring down at a slender framed figure laying on the ground before them. Stripped of his shirt and left wearing a pair of boxers, the boy shivered against the cold ground. The boxers weren't the only article of clothing he was allowed to keep. A mask stayed fit across his eyes. Anyone in Gotham who hasn't been living under a rock would instantly recognize this teen as the boy wonder, Robin. The Joker wanted to leave Robin's mask on. Knowing his identity would just make his never ending game against Batman easier, and he wouldn't want that. Robin's arms were tied tightly together with thick rope that cut against his skin by even the slightest movements or struggle.

Still giggling, the Joker hoped around the boy, flapping his arms as he did so.

"Come now Robin, Fly! Fly! YAHAHAHAHA! FLY!"

Robin spat between shivers. His spit not making it far, only landing on the ground in front of him. It was nearly winter, and being near the ocean's edge in a freezing warehouse half naked isn't exactly the warmest place to be. The cold had already weakened him in itself. Not to mention the struggle he had to put up against the Joker's crew of goons. Scattered across Robin's body were bruises of a few different shades. Most of them a lightened brown color, but a few tinted a most painful looking blue and purple. The Joker knelt down besides the boy. He chattered his own teeth as he bobbed his head casually side to side; a thinking mannerisms of his. A way for him to let others know he's in thought, pondering, scheming.

"You know...Robin, I wouldn't take these bruises to personal..."

Noticing the Joker take out an apple peeler from his inner coat pocket, Robin flinched. It was common knowledge to know how dangerous the Joker was with a knife at hand, or anything mildly sharp for that matter. Seeing Robin's flinch the Joker hushed him as a Mother would hush a frightened child.

"ShhShhShh..." He stroked Robin's shoulder with two fingers that weren't gripping the apple peeler before putting the metal of the tool against one of the most sensitive looking bruises.

"In my opinion."

Robin tried to squirm to avoid the coldness of the apple peeler, but the Joker held him stiff with by the shoulder with his other hand.

"Shh...Shh...Ahem, In my opinion...these..'beauty marks', only make you more attractive." Examining the injuries the Joker nodded and brought his eyes back to the confused stare looking at him from behind the mask. Robin knew the Joker was the king of jokes and liked to say weird things, but he still felt awkward by his words.

"Am I right?"

"You're an ass."
The Joker looked rather surprised at how easily the shivering bird was able to get those words out. So casual too. There wasn't a hint of anger in his voice, which was surprising by the amount of it that could be seen building up in his glaring eyes and gritted teeth.

"Tsk...tsktsktsk...I think the Birdie needs his wings clipped."

From behind the Joker his minions nodded and laughed to his words. They were there for a reason. They still had a purpose. Robin knew they did. The Joker never kept his minions around for long, and if this group was still alive, then that would mean the Joker still had more work for them to do. Would they kill him?

"He'll come for me." Robin whispered in a monotone voice as he tried to curl up once more, only to be shoved again until he was forced to look the Joker in the eyes. His makeup was messy looking. A red mouth painted over hideous scars, black eye make-up only intensing his know-it-all stare, all these over a white ghostly layer of paint that makes the Joker what he is. Creepy.

"He'll come for you? Batman? Of course he'll come for you!" Joker ruffled his hair harshly. "You're his birdieee! He HAS to come for you!"

Flipping a few wild pieces of his own hair out of his face the Joker stood back up on his feet.

"Of course, we set up a little game for him to play on his own. It will probably take a while, so until then, why don't you play with my boys here?"

The clowns behind him stepped forward, eyes hidden by the masks, but Robin could feel them starring hungrily.

"They've been so patient till now. But all little doggies should be let off their chains at some point, and my doggies love eating up little birdies like you."

Stepping away from the scene, Robin, along with the Joker's goons watched as the madman took a front row seat on a large crate and clapped his hands loudly.

"On with the show! YAHAHAHAHA!"