nexus_crossings | Remembering the Dead

Remembering the Dead

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?"

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"I could get some Sugar Skull makeup." Harley can't help herself. "Maybe I could decorate your face too!"

"Sugar skull makeup?" she repeats cluelessly. "And, ah, sure. Whatever you like." If that helps Harley honor her friend, Adia is happy to go along with it.

"Great! Let's find some makeup." Oh Adia. You just agreed to play dress up with Harley.

"Right now?" She may not be familiar with sugar skulls, but she might have an inkling of what she's gotten herself into. "Um, well... then I guess we should head to the shopping district instead?"

"We can get the supplies now. And do the makeup bit later. Whatever works for you." Harley smiles.

"I have time for both." She smiles back, tempted to share her good news now that Harley is in better spirits. "We, um... the Fleet found a new home."

She changes direction while she speaks, away from the quiet residential neighborhood and towards the Shopping District. Fortunately there is a cross street that will take them right there.

"A new home?" Harley tunes her attention to Adia for a full moment. She then hugs Adia, picking her up slightly off the ground.

"That is wonderful to learn! I am so happy for you."

Adia squeaks as she is lifted up, then laughs and returns the hug. "Thanks." She smiles brightly at her when she's set back down. "The war's over. We found a planet that's --" she laughs again, running her hands through her hair. "Gods, I don't even know how, but it's Earth. Like the one you're from. Not the one we found that was already destroyed."

All those years of hoping to find Earth, and she ended up on the one she least expected.

"The last time we talked, your words meant a lot to me. I don't think I would have been as determined otherwise."

"I hope it is a better Earth than the one where I came from. Mine had a few too many crazies running around it." Harley shrugged her shoulders.

"I inspired you? Awww gawsh Adia! You inspired me. I tried being a Doctor for a little bit. And I think I helped someone."

"No, it's, um... there are humans there, but they've only recently developed agriculture." She doesn't know much about Harley's Earth, but it's easy to make some assumptions. "We've made peace with the rebel Cylons, and, um... you know, I was always really terrified of the Centurions -- they're the robots who are still inorganic -- but I met one and it was nice? To me, anyway."

"Of course you inspired me." She grins at her friend, happy to have had the chance to tell her that. She blushes a little when Harley compliments her in turn. "That's great! The Nexus could use someone with your skills. Who'd you help?" She holds up a hand and adds quickly, "Wait, wait, never mind. Doctor-patient confidentiality, right?"

"Sounds like you picked a good time to land on Earth then. All the interesting stuff is just around the corner..."

Harley nods. "Got it in one, Adia. Can't tell you anymore than that it felt good to help someone else."

"I think at this point I'll take boring over interesting, if it means peace and quiet," she replies with a laugh. "Anyway, I still have the Nexus if I want an adventure." The possibility of trouble in the Nexus doesn't seem so scary now that she has a safe home to return to.

She gives Harley a proud smile. Good for her for sticking to her ethics. "Are you going to make that a regular thing? Goodness knows some people here could use someone to talk to."

"I am not sure... I met this other guy. The Doctor..." Harley doesn't know if Adia knows The Doctor or not. "And he sort of helped me realize, that I might want to deal with my own baggage, before trying to help too many people."

"Oh, I've met him." More than one of him, in fact, although she's thinking of her most recent encounter. "He had a lot of advice for me, too..."

She shrugs. The Doctor is not the easiest man to get to know. But if you live enough lifetimes, you probably get very secretive of your personal history.

"If you think that's best, I'll help you however I can," she says sincerely. "I don't know much psychology, but I can listen, at least."

"I wouldn't want you to worry too much about me, Adia. Let's play dress up instead."

"I'm so good at worrying about others, though," she replies with a wry grin. But she knows to let it go.

"Where should we get... sugar skull make-up? Is that what it's called? Or would just regular make-up do?" She looks around at the corner they're standing on. There is a department store, a few smaller boutiques, and one of those pop-up Halloween stores that seem to magically appear this time of year. (This one may actually have magically appeared.)

Harley is glad that Adia is willing to let it go. She really doesn't want to tell Adia about her past. Because she fears it would damage their relationship.

"Any kind of Halloween make-up will do. You just need black and white as the base, and any other colors that catch your fancy." Harley skips down the towards the pop-up Halloween store.

Harley has already told her enough about herself that it's easy for Adia to imagine how hard her past has been. No explanation necessary.

"Oh, okay." She follows Harley into the store, which is piled high with Halloween merchandise. Costumes, decorations, make-up, accessories, all on display. "Wow..." She takes a slow look around, trying not to get dizzy. "I'm glad I already picked out my costume. I think i'd get overwhelmed looking for anything in here."

Harley heads to where the make-up is stacked up, and she pulls one a set that is designed to create a Sugar Skull.

She shows Adia the picture on the kit. "This is the kind of make-up I was talking about."

"What are you dressing up for, this Halloween?"

Briefly distracted by an anatomically inaccurate skeleton spider, it takes her a moment or to catch up with Harley. She looks over the picture and smiles. It's not quite what she expected, but she likes the look of it.

"It's beautiful. I think that would look very nice on you."

Her smile turns shy and she tugs on the strap of her messenger bag. "Um... have you ever heard of Carmen Sandiego? She's a character in a video game that teaches Earth geography. She goes around the world stealing famous treasure."

Harley grins when Adia explains her costume. "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego..." she hums a little.

"She had nothing on me or my gang. But damn, that woman could hide..."

"You know the song!" she squeals, before blushing over her fangirl outburst. "Yeah, that's her," she adds more quietly. "I ended up playing her game when I was reading up on Earth. I really like her outfit."

"Are you going to be a ringmaster? That's what you're dressed as, right?"

"Yep. I thought I would bring a little circus to the Nexus."

The Nexus is already a circus, is what Adia thinks, but she doesn't want to rain on Harley's parade. "Well, it's a lovely costume. It suits you. Are you planning to go to the party at the Crossroads Café? It's always a great time."

"Oh I plan to be there." Harley grins. She is feeling in a better mood already.

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Remembering the Dead

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