nexus_crossings | Both The Joker and The Queen

One definitely can say that when Harley Quinn has a mission in mind, she puts all her passion and dedication into it, and gets things achieved that seemed impossible.

Take today for example. In the last few hours, in the middle of the plaza, Harley has been setting up several different poles, and securing them. She whistles to herself as she sets up a mini stage underneath where the poles sit. And then even climbs the poles to secure aerial silks to the top of each one.

There is a moment of connecting a sturdy interconnecting chain link between the poles, that might attract people to what is about to happen on the stage before.

For those who have never seen her do one before -- Harley Quinn is going to perform an aerial silk dance.

Right in the middle of the plaza.

Once everything is set up and secured, and a safety check is done. Harley sets up some lights, and some music, to attract even more people to the mini stage.

And then after a quick little costume change, into a silky white garment, Harley takes to the center of the stage. And for the next 30 minutes performs a breath-taking aerial piece, with plenty of twists and turns in the silks, with jumps that send her across from one silk to another, and drops that have her so close to the stage itself that people gasp with wonder if she would catch herself in time.

Harley always does. Each graceful move, every twist and turn on the silks, is done with purpose. It is poetic and speaks to an emotional state of Harley's mind that some might never see again.

And when she is done, she sits on the stage, wiping her sweat away, with another little happy whistle.

She glances up over the structure, that she will soon tear down, and glances over to someone close by.

"You would think as a hired mercenary one gets used to death. I never think about it myself, when I am on a mission. Until I get home and I realize who didn't make it back. Ya' think my tribute to the fallen is a little over the top?"

"Do you think they would appreciate it?"

[OOC: musical inspiration -- "The Joker and The Queen"]

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They put their hand over their heart, and sweep that hand out toward Harley, a silent thank you for her praise.

There's not much to clean up, but they do their best to help put things back in order, the silks waiting for their next dancer to come along. Probably Harley, since they are hers, after all. But it's a show of respect for her, as well as a thanks for letting them give it a try.

I know I've lost people too. I don't remember them very well.

The fact that the creature puts the silks back into their proper spot, does make Harley smile. They get it. A proper thank you to the silks, after all.

"It happens a lot. When you run with a group called the Suicide Squad."

They tilt their head a little, looking at her. A vague memory tickles in the back of their mind, and they mull it over, before finally latching onto the phrase they want.

Nominative determinism? Or was your squad sent to die?

"Both. For a few of us, who make it make on a constant basis, it is a nominative determinism. Proving ourselves to be more than our name."

"But the government does sent us into missions that should kill us." She shrugs.

Did you choose this life?

A deceptively simple question, but Volt has a feeling that Harley will understand it's deeper than that. Anyone who fights any kind of battle would, after all.

"That is another yes and no answer. At first, I didn't choose the fact I was chosen for the Suicide Squad." Harley pauses, and grabs a piece of gum.

"But fighting for those who need me... and using my skills to protect other people... it has become what I have wanted for myself."

"I adore my team mates. And mourn them when they do not make it back."

"But I know the sacrifices we make... do keep the world safe."

This time their commentary is more immediate, the words scrolling as fast as Harley can read them. Fighting with honor, instead of what your masters wanted. It's not phrased as a question.

"It is honor for us. But also we are a selfish bunch." Harley admits.

"Most of the crew just want to be done with being their contract killers."

It's not selfish to want to be free. This answer comes quickly too, and they wiggle their fingers a little as they think about how to best get their thoughts across, with this limited way to communicate.

I fought a war against golden masters once. They enslaved others and took away their free will.

"And you freed yourself?"

Their head jerks back in obvious surprise, forgetting for a moment to use their words. Their crested head shakes vehemently.

The Tenno were bound by honor, not by force. The Orokin couldn't control us like they did the Dax, or abuse us like they did the Ostrons. They feared us. We proved they were right to be afraid.

"Now there is a story to be proud of. Proving that someone should be afraid of you..." Harley winks.

Volt nods in emphatic agreement. We toppled an empire. It didn't solve all the system's problems, but it let people have a say in their own fates.

"That is what we need to do... topple the government that put us in these missions."

Volt thinks about then, then draws their sword again with a flourish, laying it across their palms as they hold it out to her in a ceremonial offering. With their hands occupied, they can't speak to her as they have been, but this is clearly an offer of some importance to them.

"Are you offering your assistance? Your blade?" Harley guesses by the gesture. She does not want to take the sword from him, until clarifying that this is what they meant.

Volt nods to both, keeping their arms extended to her patiently. Whichever she accepts, they're willing to offer. If she only wants the sword, they're willing to part with it. If she wants a Tenno to come with it, all the better.

Harley places her hands on the sword. And smiles. "Your blade is appreciated. I am glad you feel you wish to offer it. And I know that you are best to wield it... when it is needed in the future."

They know a rejection when they hear it, and the slight sag to their shoulders speaks of a disappointment. But her answer is accepted with a nod, and they sheath their sword again.

Its name is Pangolin. When we took down the Orokin empire, this is the sword that I used.

It wasn't a rejection. For Harley, it was her telling the creature that she thinks the sword is best fit in its own warriors hands. And if there is a fight where the sword and the fighter is needed, she will call upon them.

"You have defeated many with it. More will fall."

"Is there a way I can contact you?"

They nod, bolstered by her assurance. Not a complete rejection, then - a delay. For how long, who knows? They've had their fair share of patient hunts, waiting for the right moment to strike.

I can receive typed messages. Do you have a device?

"I do." Harley hands over a very glitter-covered PINpoint to the creature.

They look down at it, clearly curious. It's so sparkly... They turn it over a few times, just investigating like a child would with a new toy. After their curiosity is sated, they flick their wrist, producing a small thin blade that projects from their wrist. They carefully line it up with a port on Harley's PINpoint, inserting the tip of the blade, gentle sparks flaring up where they touch.

Volt hands it back to her, retracting their blade again, and raising their hand. Test?

Inside her PINpoint's contacts, she'll find Volt listed, and when she texts them, her message appears in holographic letters above their hand.

Harley smiles when the test message is successful. "Great! It was nice meeting you. I will be in touch."

Both The Joker and The Queen

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