Remembering the Dead

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley Quinn is seated on a large rock in the Nexus today. She seems to already to be in the Halloween spirit, as the colorful young woman is dressed as a circus ringmaster. But despite her colorful costume, her usual energetic spirit seems to be missing today.

She has a bouquet of flowers in her hand. And takes one of the flowers, then slowly removes the petals of the flower one-by-one, scattering them underneath her.

"This year is going to be the first time that I am not in Arkham, during a death-a-versary. And I am not really sure what I should do?" She bites her bottom lip for a moment. "How do you remember those who are gone, without letting the memories overwhelm you?"

Comments

[not_the_question]

"It's possible. They might've done. Depends if time passes differently for them than it does for you."

Of course, she's talking to someone who has practised 'moving on' for longer than most people can count.

[sweetcandygirl]

"You are such a big comfort, Doctor." Harley sits on the ground. Picking up her scattered rose petals.

[not_the_question]

"You're not upset with me. But yo don't like my answer. You know why that's good? Because it means it is the right answer. A part of you knows it, but doesn't want to admit it."

He's not going to back down from his own coping mechanism, sorry.

[sweetcandygirl]

"You do enjoy being right. Should I stroke your ego and confirm it?" Harley raises an eyebrow at him.

[not_the_question]

"Stroking isn't needed. And I wouldn't say I enjoy it all the time. There are times it's rubbish to be right."

Like when he found out he was right about the Ninth Legion of Rome being killed.

[sweetcandygirl]

"So, you got tips on moving on?" Harley looks up at him, curious. "Or is that too close to sharing?"

[not_the_question]

"Ever been to a city for a vacation and enjoyed it so much, it felt like home, but you still had to leave at the end of the trip?"

He doesn't really wait for her to reply. He offers a small shrug.

"It's a bit like that."

[sweetcandygirl]

"The Nexus has been like a vacation for me." Harley smiles slightly. "And it is starting to feel like home. With people I care about."

Her eyes widen. "I am going to have to let go of this too, ain't I?"

[not_the_question]

"If you ever reach a point where you can't return here, yes."

Would she rather he lie to her? Because she's asking the wrong person these questions if she wants lies.

[sweetcandygirl]

She hates that he is so honest with her. But it is also refreshing to have someone cut through the bull with her. To treat her like an intelligent.

"Well that just opens a whole new can of worms, don't it?"

[not_the_question]

"Perhaps. But that's why moving on works so well. It's versatile. Can be used in practically any situation at all."

Look there, he's sharing without sharing. Talented, isn't he?

[sweetcandygirl]

"Guess I just should enjoy the friends I have, while I have them. Like you!"

[not_the_question]

"Live in the present. It's a good way to live. Also makes moving on easier."

Well, that's what he tells himself, anyway.

[sweetcandygirl]

"Don't other people usually consider someone selfish, if they live in the moment?" Harley laughs slightly.

[not_the_question]

"Like anything, it's only selfish if you use it in a selfish manner."

Though he's confused by her laughter.

[sweetcandygirl]

She has learned that sometimes it is better to hide her pain, by laughing.

"How does one live in the moment in an unselfish manner?"

[not_the_question]

Well, he's an alien and that might be a bit subtle for him at this point.

"You focus on the needs of everyone and everything else. And then, you let that moment pass. Because the next moment, there are new people and things in your life who need your focus."

[sweetcandygirl]

"Focus." Harley pauses for a moment. And laughs softly again. "Geez Doctor, you do like to give me challenges to live up ta, dontcha?"

[not_the_question]

"Right, and here's another: stop laughing. This is serious and there's nothing I despise more than fake laughter."

He shrugs.

"You asked how I would do it. That's how. If you don't like it, you're welcome to find your own way."

[sweetcandygirl]

She glares at him for a moment. Then looks away. "That would be harder to accomplish without a little support and guidance. Doctor."

"Unless you are offering to help me work through the issues that make me laugh, when I get nervous. Or when I want to cry."

[not_the_question]

He spreads his arms.

"I'm here. Listening to you and answering your questions. What more do you want?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"I didn't say I didn't appreciate your answers."

Harley looks up at him. A little hurt. "I learned to laugh, so I wouldn't get hurt. I don't know how to stop. I wish I did."

[not_the_question]

"And does it do that? Does laughing stop the hurt?"

The Doctor is pretty sure it doesn't.

[sweetcandygirl]

"It did when it mattered." But she is trying to move on from her past. And the man who hurt her so much. She knows that she should not feel that need to laugh to protect herself. But she was treated like Pavlov's dog. Trained. Conditioned.

"It is hard to fight those compulsions."

[not_the_question]

"How? How did it help? Give me details. Be specific."

Because he's still not buying it.