THE HOUSE OF ARKHAM
By Pandora.
PROLOGUE
"There's only one thing you need to know, Poppet," he said, tightening his grasp on the little girl perched upon his knee.
"What's that Daddy?" she asked in a bell-like voice. He grinned.
"If you have to explain the joke, it ain't funny."
CHAPTER ONE
It was the night of the Gotham City Lifetime Achievement Ball, the cream of the city's elite had swarmed together and the night was alive with buzzing chatter and the smell of champagne. Most had come to pay respects to the guest of honour, Bruce Wayne, Gotham's largest single charity donor. He had aged gracefully, still debonair even beside the handsome Richard Grayson, previously his young ward now all grown up and filling his benefactor's impressive shoes in the nearby city of Bludhaven. With them had come Barbara Gordon, beautiful and elegant as ever despite being confined to a wheelchair, and Bruce's adopted son, Timothy Drake.
It was a night for the glam and pampered aristocrats of Gotham, much to the dismay of young Thorne Isely. This was a world he had not been born into, his presence was entirely owing to the fact that his mother had left him her research notes, laboratory and millions of dollars in cash. Thorne had bought the botanical sciences department of Gotham University and, after much dispute and public outrage, named it Isely Gardens. Tonight, he would bestow a certificate of appreciation to Bruce Wayne and Wayne Enterprises for the generous funding provided. Thorne did not begrudge the pomp of the ball, because Bruce Wayne had been one of the few who supported the naming of the labs after his infamous mother. Dick Grayson approached Thorne casually. He couldn't help but notice the glint of vigilant curiousity in the eyes of Grayson. Something about it set his entire being into ringing alarms.
"Dr Isely, right?" Grayson asked, extending his hand. Thorne cautiously took it and nodded with a polite smile. Grayson shook twice heartily before drawing away his hand.
"Name's Grayson, Dick Grayson. How astounding!" he remarked in amazement. Thorne noted the intense way Dick stared at him. It made him uncomfortable and somewhat irritated. He knew enough about Dick Grayson to regard him with contempt. Thorne had never admired the orphan acrobat turned wealthy ward of Bruce Wayne like most of Gotham City did. All Thorne saw was a common class brat with an adopted blue-blood attitude problem.
"What's so astounding, Mr Grayson?" Thorne asked smoothly, narrowing his eyes to match the unwavering gaze of Grayson. He saw Dick flinch slightly, as though some kind of deeper, darker recognition had occurred to him.
"I...I'm sorry Dr Isely, for a second there...well you reminded me of an old Gotham official I once knew. Funny, I was about to remark that you looked so much like the late Dr Isely, if only you had her red hair," he exclaimed. Thorne felt a pang of panic at Grayson's comment and one of hurt, his mother's death was still raw to him. But he was not thrown enough to give Grayson what he hunted for, Gotham City had been pestering him for years as to who his father had been. Thorne would never tell.
"She was my mother after all, Mr Grayson," he said proudly, "and I thank you for your remark, which I take humbly as a compliment."
Thorne suddenly realised that another person stood near to them, a nosy woman with silver hair wound in a cone atop her head and fur draped greedily around her shoulders. Like most aristocrats did, she had taken the liberty of inviting herself into the conversation. Thorne felt the piercing stare of her eyes on his face.
"Mother? Ha! Pamela Isely was incapable of any natural conception. She was an abomination of nature," the woman spat. Thorne clenched his fists, anger rising in him with fierce speed. He felt for a moment that he might even raise his hand to this pompous woman in violence, this woman who dared to insult his beloved mother. How dare she! A hand fell on his shoulder. He looked to his right, it was Bruce Wayne.
"Dr Isely was a pioneer of her field, madam, whatever social faults she may have had. She will be remembered for her devotion to her science and the invaluable discoveries she made, not to mention her generousity in feeding Gotham during the No Man's Land," he informed in that low, suave tone he was famous for, "and evidently, a son she certainly has."
The woman glanced from Thorne to Bruce and back to Thorne quickly, where her stare lingered hatefully for a moment, before turning up her nose and storming away. Thorne turned to Bruce and extended his hand warmly, which Mr Wayne accepted keenly.
"Thank you, Mr Wayne, it is no easy task being the son of such a controversial figure as Pamela Isely, and tonight of all nights!" Thorne jested, the relief evident in his voice. Bruce smiled with a subtle nod of his head, still shaking Thorne's hand. The resemblance was truly remarkable, Bruce thought with a sad sigh, no wonder Dick had recoiled when Thorne gave that same dignified look with the same squared jaw-line. Thorne was as handsome and proud as his father had been.
"Think nothing of it Thorne. Your mother paid her debt to society during the No Man's Land, and well into the years beyond, her harvests and plant toxins have saved thousands upon thousands of lives. You ought to be proud, young man."
"I am," Thorne answered with certainty, "don't doubt it, I am."
That was when he saw her. The doors swung open and she stood there, draped in white satin with black lace trimming and pale purple ribbon in her hair, like a creature from another realm. Her milky white skin was flawless, a frame of shortly cropped golden curls framing her face and illuminating the most untamed eyes of amber green Thorne had ever seen. Her steps were subtle, but dramatic, as she waltzed towards them. He was in awe, completely aware that the whole room stared with dropped jaws, gasps turning to whispers of shock. Bruce Wayne stepped forward, a frown tainting his still handsome face. Dick Grayson held tightly to Barbara's shoulders - Barbara Gordon, who looked as though she might leap from her chair and walk again from sheer fury. Tim Drake simply turned away, pale and slightly embarrassed. Who was this young lady who had so horrified them all, who everyone seemed to know something about that Thorne had missed?
"Miss Quinzel, I didn't expect to see you in Gotham again," Bruce stated, reaching out a hand to her. The young lady took it and smiled, something that provoked a further gasp from those gathered around. Her eyes shot daggers suddenly. She was no stranger to this, it seemed, she would not have their judgement. Bruce was cautious and calculative as he placed a single kiss on her hand.
"Mr Wayne, how lovely to see you again," she chimed in a voice that was like rain on a pond in summertime, "I have come to see my father before he dies. Would any here in Gotham begrudge me that? Surely it is an event long awaited for!" she asked, looking around her. Murmurs and whispers met her, but no one dared protest. Her eyes fell back on Bruce Wayne. He locked gaze with her and nodded.
"No, Miss Quinzel, I don't think any would begrudge you that right."
As Bruce Wayne led the mysterious Miss Quinzel away, Thorne turned to Dick Grayson, still silently consoling Barbara. He needed to know.
"Mr Grayson, who is she?" Thorne asked. Dick Grayson looked into Thorne's eyes. Bruce had given him strict instructions that Thorne and Quinzel were never to meet, though as usual he had been scarce on the details as to why. Psychologically, Bruce had been certain that Thorne Isely was no threat to society, following his mother's obsession only as far as her science. Quinzel had been another matter, and Dick had enough experience to fill in the gaps left by his mentor – evil begets evil, but also leads the good astray. He sighed. Curiousity would only prompt Thorne Isely to pursue her for answers.
"She is Jay-Jayay Poppet Quinzel, the daughter of Harleen Quinzel," Dick said in a low voice. His eyes stayed locked on Thorne, watching the thoughts develop, the coin drop.
"Harley Quinn's daughter, the daughter of my mother's dearest friend...the daughter of..."
"The Joker," Dick finished.