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]

He figured that would be her reaction, which is why he didn't let her go entirely. He offers a fond smirk.

"Me too."

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley holds him again for a moment. She bites her lip.

"You know that ol' tale, about if two people are running away from a cheetah, and the one tells the other 'I don't have to out-run it, I just have to out-run you'?" She looks up at him. "I would rather him catch me, than you."

[not_the_question]

He offers an amused sounding huff.

"That may be, but you'd have to fight me to be the one who gets caught. Like I said, I have an ability that makes me... resilient."

Just let him do it, okay? He has to be him and he can't be himself if everyone else is trying to be brave and stupid.

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley wants to protest that she can't lose him too. But he reminds her of his ability. And she knows he can be stubborn.

She blows a strand of hair out of her face. Then leans in to place a friendly kiss on his cheek. "If you do that to protect me, honey, I won't let you down. I won't get hurt by him."

[not_the_question]

The kiss catches him off-guard. Though it really shouldn't Bill did that fairly often, though usually when one or both of them were about to die. He finally gets out of himself enough to over a small nod with an even smaller smile.

"I can't ask for anything else."

It would be worth it. There's always some human around who makes it worth it.

[sweetcandygirl]

"Thanks. For all the advice. And the truth."

[not_the_question]

"Lying about this sort of thing doesn't do anyone any favours."

[sweetcandygirl]

"You are right there."

[not_the_question]

"So what are you going to do next?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"Very next? Go to a Halloween party." Harley gives him a real smile.

[not_the_question]

"I meant more in general, but that might do you some good."

That's what kids did, right? partied?

[sweetcandygirl]

"Ya wanna come with me, Doctor? It might do you some good."

[not_the_question]

"Oh, no... You don't want me around. I'm the opposite of what you call 'life of the party."

Unless he's jammin'. Then sometimes it turns out okay.

[sweetcandygirl]

She smiles again. He just gave her too good of an opening. And her Brooklyn accent drops just a little, because she is being honest from the heart.

"I always want you around. You are my 'life of the party' Doctor."

"Don't worry. I won't ask you to dance. You can just watch, if you like..."

[not_the_question]

"No, no, no... Don't do that. Don't sentimentalise me."

He sounds positively disgusted to be the life of anyone's party.

"Better not. But if everyone is on their very best behaviour, I might play."

[sweetcandygirl]

"You play?" Harley beams a bright smile. "Then you have to come. Play me a song."

[not_the_question]

He rolls his eyes.

"I don't have to come. I don't have to play."

He goes quiet.

"But, I will come and I might play, if everyone behaves themselves."

[sweetcandygirl]

"I will try really hard to do that. But I can't control any of the others." She can have fun, without getting wild.

[not_the_question]

"Well, then we'll just have to wait and see how it goes."

He debates what to do next and after a moment he offers her his arm. He can be a gentleman sometimes.

[sweetcandygirl]

"Live for the moment." Harley accepts his offer. And leads the gentleman to the Halloween party