Mask or Menace IC Contact

[itistolaugh]

"Harley here! Leave a message and I'll get back to you.

Or I won't.

Don't be boring."

(text, voice, video, action)

Comments

[itistolaugh]

[ She's still limp and clinging, so ... He's just gonna drag her a little bit. That's cool, right? They're cool. ]

Are you trying to mentor me?

[restingstitchface]

[He grabs her left hand, seizes her right, and peels her off with no pretense of gentleness. His grip is the tightest it's ever been as he pushes her backwards and turns his back to head into the sitting room.]

Should I be? I highly doubt you are capable of absorbing what I have to teach you.

[Hint: he hasn't actually said no.]

[itistolaugh]

[ She lets herself fall dramatically to the floor. It's for comedic effect, tragically wasted on The Man With No Humor, and she knows how to do it without injury. In fact she doesn't even bother faking pain. He wouldn't care. ]

You are! Geez oh man!

[ At first she's offended. She's been doing this forever, who does he think he is, she doesn't need any lessons! But then she realizes that if he is, it can be to her advantage just as much as his. Crane is absolutely the type to be a sucker for a teacher's pet, and if he's even considering it at all then how hard could it be to wrap him around her little finger? ]

Haha, I'm your favorite! Oh, is that why you don't want me playing around? Don't want any of the other kids touching your toy?

[restingstitchface]

[To his displeasure she's right. There are students favored over others; those who appreciate culture and the arts; those who respect his intelligence; and those who are dim enough to be useful.

He sits down with the grace of someone who's doing it because of the latter. Folds his hands in his lap and half-closes his eyes. Takes the time to be admired. He indulges in a slight smile, though it's more for himself.]

Don't try and manipulate me, Harley. [He totally doesn't.] You're being completely transparent.

[itistolaugh]

When am I ever not transparent?

[ She rises from the floor and walks right passed him into the kitchen. There's bound to be some instant hot cocoa packets left from his little return to puberty. ]

Y'want anything? Or are you back to a strict diet of plain crackers and water and no fun.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's face goes through a number of dissatisfied expressions while her back is turned. There's a quirk of a brow, the clucking of his tongue in his cheek. He doesn't stop his eyes darting to the ceiling. He breezes into the kitchen like he owns it.]

I would prefer something warm, at least. Is the food in your version of Arkham as bad as it is in mine?

[Look. He's curious!]

[itistolaugh]

[ She puts the kettle on (holy geez get a microwave already) and checks his selection. There's only one hot cocoa packet left- dibs!- and she's tempted to just give him a cup of hot water, but it's not like making tea is extra work. ]

I dunno. Probably. At least they keep Croc well fed, so he doesn't try to eat another guard. Has that happened, for you?

[restingstitchface]

[His posture becomes more rigid. The more he thinks about how his world had been in its infancy, the more he finds it strange there are few members of "the family" as Harley was fond of saying.]

I've not had the pleasure, no. [His lips curl into a wry smile. He'll have to ask what exactly she means at a later date. But for now?] I've mentioned Ra's al Ghul, but perhaps you've heard of Victor Zsasz?

[itistolaugh]

[ Harley can get along with anyone, eventually, for a generous interpretation of "getting along," but that dude? No thanks.

Her face crumples into an expression of nope. ]

Ugh, so weird. Always getting on this high horse about "liberating zombies," like, okay whatever, Hot Topic.

I dunno, good for him for really committing to the bit, I guess? But it's not very ... inspired.

[restingstitchface]

[He shrugs and pulls up a stool to sit down.]

You're saying he's cliche? I'm sure he'd be devastated.

[itistolaugh]

[ She plays with the ends of a pigtail and shrugs. ]

Mmm, no, but he's ... I mean, kind of? Mostly he's weirdo creep. I wouldn't hang with him.

[restingstitchface]

[He murmurs appreciatively and rubs his chin in a single motion.]

He does seem the type to stab you in the heart instead of the back, yes...

[itistolaugh]

Nah, he goes for the throat.-- Oh, you meant metaphorically. Well, maybe, but don't turn your back on him all the same. Metaphorically or literally.

[restingstitchface]

I am aware of the threat he poses to life and jugular, Harley.

I'll take my tea without sugar and milk, by the way.

[itistolaugh]

One plain leaf water, comin' up.

[restingstitchface]

Excellent.

[Hmn.]

Why did you become a psychiatrist, Harleen? If you're comfortable asking that question, of course.

[itistolaugh]

Why does a pretty girl do anything, Jonathan? Daddy issues.

[ A joke. Mmmostly. So, no she's not comfortable telling him that. He can drink his tea and keep his mouth shut. ]

Or maybe I was drawn to such a glamorous lifestyle.

[restingstitchface]

[He quirks a brow. Perhaps he can get inside her head with his power.

Or maybe he can wait with that.]

Because it gives you an identity and sense of self-worth? I can see that.

[He presses his lips.]

And it's Dr. Crane, if you would.

[Or professor. Or Scarecrow...]

[itistolaugh]

Sure, let's go with that.

And if you're gonna call me Harleen- [ She wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, setting her pigtails swinging. ] - then I'm gonna call you something you don't like too. It's only fair.

[restingstitchface]

[Apparently Crane doesn't like the thought of that. He, too, wrinkles his nose. Except he rolls his eyes to the ceiling, dismissing her threat in that puffed-up way he has.]

Harley. Don't act so facetiously.

[He chides soon as she's finished. It's rather intolerable, finding her childlike behavior to be... somewhat charming.]

[itistolaugh]

Professor.

[ She sing-songs it, and flutters her eyelashes at him. Just because she's decided to be compliant doesn't mean she can't still tease him a little bit. ]

[restingstitchface]

[He has enough self-awareness to keep himself from calling her Harleen again. He holds his breath, releases it, and glances over at the kettle.]

That isn't going to work on me. Haven't you finished brewing that yet?

[itistolaugh]

But, Professor Crane, I thought you liked being addressed with ... all due respect.

[ She pours his tea and slides the cup over to him. Her own drink is tragically void of marshmallows, but she'll have to cope somehow. ]

[restingstitchface]

But you didn't mean it like that, and you know it.

[He speaks in a soft, encouraging tone - like he's talking to a patient. Or a child. There's no difference here.]

Do you think I cannot tell the difference? Don't act cute with me. I really don't need it.

[itistolaugh]

[ That gets him a patented puppy-eyed pout. ]

Oh, boo. But I'm cute with everyone.