"Hey Lyn!" the girl heard as Pam knocked on her door. Half dressed, Lynzirel walked towards it and opened it, her mouth dropping open the moment her eyes stared at her friend.
Pam dressed a gorgeous side split, long dress of the color of dreamy emerald with luxurious golden roses printed on it. Her fiery hair had been carefully styled in a retro way, big and open waves falling over her soft malaquite eyeshadow that decorated her eyelids contrasted with the passionate russian red painted lips, making them look plumper and, for Lyn, more desirable "How do I look?"
"You...I-I mean..."
"I get that a lot, yes" she giggled. The woman, who watched with amusement how her roommate blushed after her words, sighed after seeing her still messy and undressed figure.
"I can't believe you're still undressed! Come on, I'll help you."
"W-Wait, let me put my dress on first." Pamela tried to stop her, but Lyn closed the door before she could say anything else, her cheeks still flushed after the sight of the ginger woman.
"You can't be serious. I mean, I get you're shy and all that, but we've been living together for more than a year! How come that I still haven't see you even change your shirt?"
"Intimacy issues!" the albino yelled from her room, putting quickly on her own dress and thus covering her tattoo."Which wig should a wear?"
"Not today, hun. That dress looks like it was made for you, including your hair. I get you don't want to show your actual hair as it is easily recognizable, but since you put on wigs so much, no one will notice that's your actual hair color."
"Ha...I guess you're right." she answered from the other side of the door. She grew tired of wearings wigs from time to time, and it would be nice to actually be herself for once.
Just in a couple of hours, Harvey would celebrate a party in honor to his candidacy to Mayor in the Wayne Manor and, of course, Lynzirel and Pamela (as her companion) had been invited. Pammy wanted to be dashing and wanted her friend to look just as good, though it was proving to be a more difficult task than she anticipated as her white-haired friend was horrible with makeup and even worse at styling her hair. Pam was happy to help however, finding joy in those little tasks.
"So...h-how does it looks?" the trembling voice of Lynzirel reached the woman's ears as she opened the door again fully, showing her body. The albino girl arched a brow at the look her friend was giving to her, so similar to the one she gave her earlier. She turned to look at the mirror, but Pammy's hand held her arm, stopping her.
"Don't! Let me fix you a bit more." she said with a wide smile "I want you to see yourself when you're completely and perfectly dressed up." Lynzirel sighed as her friend sat her in a nearby chair, shrugging her shoulders.
"If that makes you happy…" she sighed, not really enthusiastic about the situation.
"It does!" Pam cheerfully responded with a brush in one hand and a makeup case in the other." Her attitude made the pale girl smile softly.
For her, Pamela was just perfect.
After an hour of happiness for Pammy and suffering for Lyn, she let go of the makeup brushes and clapped her hands with enthusiasm. She helped the girl to stand and pushed her towards the nearest mirror as she blinded her eyes with her hands.
"Ready?" the excitement in Pamela's voice caused a smirk to appear on her face, nodding her head shortly after. It took an instant for the girl's lilac eyes to process the image the mirror was showing, and when they did, Lyn could not believe the reflect given belonged to her.
Her knee-length, white lace dress with mint details was enchanting, looking elegant and youthful at the same time. The long sleeves that covered her arms looked like a part of her own skin, and the tulle skirt with the translucent tights and lavender heels made her hardened figure—due to the many years of training and recent crime fighting life- much more feminine and delicate, something she was not used to—even if after the many changes her armor had went through, the black dress was still present under her chestplate. Her face, so foreign-looking with makeup on, was decorated with a faint, silvery eyeshadow that faded into grey, accentuating the whiteness of her eyelashes while matching with the color of her eyes. Pam had decided to not apply any foundation nor blush, allowing the girl carry her own natural skin tone, only painting her lips with a nude lip gloss. As a final touch, the woman had styled her hair in a half updo, letting her natural white curls fall to her waist freely, her curly side-swept bangs covering one of her eyes.
She had to admit it. She felt beautiful, and feeling beautiful once in a while couldn't hurt, she thought.
"Wait. There's two little things more…"
Lynzirel's eyes widen as she saw how her friend pinned up on the left side of her head an accessory with the shape of small and delicate white and violet lilacs, changing slightly her hairstyle.
"I saw them on a shop today and...I couldn't resist!" she said as she looked at their reflections.
"Oh? So they're not to, I don't know, compensate me for basically being your guinea pig in your little experiments?" the shorter woman said, looking at the other with a hand on her hip.
"Well...maybe…" after staring at Lyn's growing smile, she groaned "Oh, come on! They were just little and harmless vaccines! You should thank me, by now you should be immune to pretty much every natural poison."
"That, or I'm already sterile and developing a mortal disease…"
"Aaanyway, returning to the gorgeous thing I bought for you and just for you!" she said with a forceful smile "Lilacs just represent you perfectly. Small and delicate, but still noticeable. Pure, but not afraid to bloom even in the hardest times.
"Am I delicate and pure?" she responded with a wide smile, provoking her friends to pinch her sides.
"You are!" still laughing, she opened a nearby drawer and let out a surprised sound "Shey, what are you doing here!?Come on, get out!" at the sound of her words, a green viper slid down the piece of furniture, running away from the angry after, Pamela grabbed the thing she wanted to reach for and hugged Lynzirel from behind, making her cheeks go red for an instant. She slid her hands through the younger woman's waist, leaving a violet trace behind.
"Pam-?"
"You're finally done!" the ginger woman said and, after lifting her arm, Lynzirel found out what Pamela was doing: tying down an amethyst sash on her waist. Turning her body around a bit, Lyn saw how her friend had created a graceful bow instead of a normal tie. "Purple...is really your color." she finished with a smile.
The girl nodded with a sigh while she stared at her reflection, agreeing with Pam. They both stared at the mirror, enjoying the sight of each other.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" words slipped through her lips like an unstoppable sigh, and from the bottom of her heart Lyn wished Pamela didn't notice the ache the albino girl was starting to feel towards her.
"The things you say." she giggled. The gorgeous woman wrapped her arms around Lyn's, embracing her, but backed off an instant after. "Wow Lyn, have you been working out?" she said as she grabbed her upper arm and touched her biceps "You're strong as hell!"
"Yes...the company offered me a self-defense course in case if uh, you know, a fan turned crazy or something like that." Pamela let an "oh" sound escape and nodded.
"Oh, I almost forgot." From the same drawer, she grabbed a golden pair of earrings and necklace and started to put it on in front of the mirror "Are you not going to wear any jewelry?"
"I'm already wearing a piece." she responded, pulling from under the collar of her dress a small, ghostly chain with a white, old skeleton key attached to it. Holding the chain in between two fingers, the key glistened as it hanged in the air.
"You know...you never told me what this opens." her friend said in almost a whisper as her fingers caressed the object.
"It would spoil the mystery! So, shall we go?" without giving the other time to answer, she took her by the hand and leaded her to the door. Pamela giggled at Lyn's attempt to evade the question, but said no more.
The Wayne Manor was crowded—more crowded than usual, that is— and full of life. The walls were covered with banners of Harvey's candidature, showing Bruce's support for his campaign. She would never say it to Harv, but if it wasn't for her insistence, Bruce would not have helped Harvey with his candidature. Bruce was his best friend, but he tended to be to too carefree and, at times, a bit childish. He didn't really cared about politics, and if not for Lyn, he would not have go under all this trouble to support Harvey.
Now parties was something he could handle.
The two women walked towards the house, passing by the vast gardens that surrounded the buildings. In there, small groups of people gossipped in half whispers and empty giggles. Their voices would stop just for a second to look at the strange couple walk by, only to return to their lifeless conversations.
"You take me to strange places, Lynzirel." Pam said clearly not comfortable with the snob ambient the whole situation exudated.
"Stick with me long enough, and this will be nothing." she smirked,sounding more flirtatious than she intended.
"Show off!" the other giggled, wrapping her hands around her hand. Her contact felt warm against Lyn's skin "I just don't know how you are a friend of Bruce you know the awful things he does to the ecosystems just to make his company bigger and richer? It makes me want to vomit.
"Well, that's why you're here to begin with, isn't it true?" she responded with optimism "I'm sure he'll listen to your advise. I've already told him about you."
They finally reached the main door and, before they could get inside the main hall, a certain butler stopped them.
"Alfred" Lyn cheerfully said, hugging the man with a little too much strength, making the man cough.
"Mistress Lynzirel, a pleasure to see you, as always." he spoke after the girl let go of him, adjusting his bow-tie "Shall I assume the beautiful lady at your side is your companion?"
"Pamela Isley. A pleasure" the ginger woman said, bowing her head a bit in a greeting.
"Please, come inside." the butler said as he extended a hand towards the inside of the manor. Both women entered into the luminous hall, luxuriously decorated with golden lamps and marble floors as the sweet melodies of violins and cellos flooded their ears, already encouraging their bodies to dance to their alluring tune. Not far away from them, a group of ladies giggled and talked seductively. It was no surprise for Lyn to find Bruce in the middle of that group, obviously happy for all the attention he was receiving. However, as soon as his eyes drifted towards the couple, he ignored every other girl and approached them with a big smile all over his face among the sounds of disgust and protest from the female group.
"Lynzirel!" the woman readied herself to be hugged as the man came closer, his arms already stretched out. The warm feeling of his embrace created a smile on her face.
"Bruce, you'll ruin my dress!" she giggled, earning a small apologise from the man. Taking his hand, she placed her hand on Pam's shoulder "This is-"
"Dr. Pamela Isley, yes? A pleasure to meet you, at last."
"Likewise." the ginger responded, her icy tone of voice not passing unnoticed to Lyn.
"I believe you wanted to discuss some matters with me, miss Isley. I'll be more than pleased to hear them."
"Is that so?...I have to admit it Mr Wayne, I didn't think you would be so...willing." she said, genuinely surprised and pleased by his reaction.
"Well, if you would've heard the things Lyn says about you, you wouldn't" he chuckled, provoking Lynzirel's face to go red.
"Good things, I hope." she said, winking at her friend
"I-uh…"
"Oh, 'good' stays short, Ms Isley."
"I'm right here, you know!" both of them chuckled, making the girl sigh in to change the topic, her eyes looked one of her best friends "Where's Harvey?"
"Right there." he replied, pointing at a certain spot with his chin "But I wouldn't bother him right now. He is with...well, he's occupied."
Lyn arched a brow in confusion, but as soon as her eyes gazed the man, she understood Bruce's words. He was talking with a beautiful woman, and they were both laughing and seemingly having a good time. The surprise in her face quickly faded to contentment, a sweet grin appearing on her face.
Everything was going incredibly well for Harvey, and she couldn't be more happy with it. He deserved every ounce of joy he could get.
For Pamela, watching Lynzirel dance was a new discovered and secretly delight.
She have been living with her for more than a year now, thus having plenty of time to know her. At first, Lyn has striked her to be a quiet and rather reserved girl. In fact, if someone would've told her that they would become such good friends, she would've laughed seemed to break her stranger carcass.
Then, Pamela went to her first concert.
She almost had to force the albino to tell her the location of her performance. It was a shady place, a pub full of the worst kind of people. Pam could almost still smell the heavy blend of smoke, beer and cheap cologne that impregnated the place. She remembered how the girl arrived to the stage with a guitar hanging on her shoulder, the people in the bar laughing at her for being in that kind of place. Pamela had to admit the young woman looked almost ridiculous qith her pink wig and her body covered in dark, baggy clothes, making her look even smaller.
Then Lynzirel started to sing a song unknown to her, one that she would later know was called Dream On, by Aerosmith. And everyone, as if by magic, went silent. Lynzirel became one with the song, almost as if her voice came from her very soul as her fingers sweetly but roughly caressed her guitar.
When she thought she couldn't be more surprised by the girl, now she got to watch her dance. And dammit,she danced incredibly good.
She had overheard that Lyn used to do ballet when she was young, though the girl preferred to avoid the topic. Now, as she watched her spin and flow at the current song's rhythm with Bruce's company, she realized just how much importance music had in her friend's life. It was almost pleasurable watch her body move, the gracefulness and elegance with which she moved puzzling everyone in the room. Her exotic emerald orbs connected with the stormy violet of the other, both hearts skipping a beat at the same time.
Damn, she wanted to ask her for a dance too.
"You know" Bruce said, catching Lyn's attention as they continued to dance "Harvey was head over heels for you. I'm sure you can still have a go with him if you asked him."
"What are you talking about?" she scoffed "Harvey is like a brother to me. Just like you!"
"Well, he certainly didn't see you as a sister…Come on Lyn, not even you can be that naive." She averted her gaze and said nothing. Lynzirel would lie if she said she didn't notice the furtive stares and the slight caresses, but she never thought too much about it.
"Why are you telling me this now, Bruce?" the girl muttered more angrily than she intended.
"Because I want you to be happy, Lyn. Since that incident with the...clown…" he whispered "you've been...drifting away." as their bodies started to move slowly, he placed his hand on her cheek. "I'm worried about you."
"...I'm fine, Bruce. I can take it." her gaze toured the room with vehemence until it hit unexpectedly with Harvey's hazel eyes,who after a second, smiled at her. It was a warm smile, full of emotion and satisfaction at her very sight. Without even realizing it, she placed a hand on the key that was currently dangling on her chest "In another life, perhaps… we could've been happy."
The music stopped, meaning that the song was already over. Bruce and Lynzirel gave a slight bow to each other and, before any of them could do something about it, Bruce was already being dragged by other woman for a dance with her. Lyn could not help but giggle as the women literally fought for Bruce's attention, something that clearly pleased the man.
With a sigh, the young woman started to walk towards Pamela, who was boringly listening to an old couple. Her expression made the girl grin, a grin that would fade instantly when a robotic sound reached her ears. Turning her head, she discovered a group of men turning in an old radio, catching a low signal.
"-It appears it was due to the medical negligence of his new doctor, Harleen Quinzel, that the Joker was able to escape from Arkham Asylum. His location for now stays unknown, but the police is doing everything they can to-"
Lynzirel accelerated her steps.
They had to get out of there.
She did not make it however, as for the second before she could reach her hand and her Pamela's face twisted into confusion, the windows' glasses shattered into millions of pieces as men with clown makeup on irrupted in the place, armed to their teeth. Shouts and screams flooded the place as fear and confusion reigned in the manor, the smell of gunpowder quickly filling the place
Pamela had only a second to react as she was suddenly being dragged by her roommate, her feet moving as a reflection. Before the goons could even see them escaping they were already out of the main hall, running through a long corridor.
"Pam." she said with a cold voice "You have to hide here."
The ginger's eyes stared into an ancient wardrobe. Lyn opened its doors, revealing an empty space.
"Me? W-What about you?" she tried to say as she was already being pushed into the object.
"I need to go back, try to help Bruce and Harv."
"Are you nuts!? What help are you going to be against that lunatic!"
"This is my home, Pammy. It has secret hidings and paths. If I can reach them, then I can lead them to a safe place."
"But Bruce also knows-"
"Pamela!" Lyn shut her as she held her hand "I have to go. I have to try."
Five seconds of silence passed. Pam watched in her eyes the resolution and determination, the fearlessly attitude...and knew she couldn't stop her.
"Please..." she begged as she helplessly placed both hands on her face "Please come back."
A quick nod was her answer before closing the wardrobe's doors.
Now, where was that damn passage?
"Gilda, stay behind me." Harvey said to the woman as he put his body in front of hers, acting as a shield. When finally all confusion vanished only for dread and fear to settle in, two of the henchmen went towards the main door and opened it in an almost ceremonial way. A tall and slender figure entered the manor, it's terrifying laugh already resonating in the walls of the place.
"Good evening, ladies and gentleman!" the man said as soon as he stepped into the light, finally revealing himself as the Joker "Sorry to interrupt this loovely party, but I'm in dire need of a, uh, fundraising, you could say." he said before he giggled in a childish way "So, what better place to get a fundraising than the wealthiest place in the entire city, eh?"
After his words, one of his goons stopped in front of each people with a sack on his hands, awaiting for them to put all their money and jewelry on it.
"I now what you're thinking. I really do! 'But Mr. Joker, what are you going to give us in return'?" he continued with his high pitched voice "I know you rich people, always thinking in money. Money money and more money" the Joker boringly said, pointing the gun at his head "But know this. By paying me right now, you'll be ensuring my, er, activities, for a veery long time! Isn't that worth it?"
Harvey clenched his teeth. How dared this freak to collapse into his party? Into his best friend's house!?
He needed to be punished for this.
"Harvey?" the soft voice of Gilda awoke him from the trance, not realizing that he was squishing Gilda's hand all this time. He breathed in deeply and quietly, slowly soothing himself.
"I'm OK." he said turning his head to the woman with a forced smile. He was not ready however for what he saw when he looked again to the front, Joker's face just a few inches away from his. He gulped as his eyes widened in surprise.
"Who do we have here? If it isn't the main attraction of this party!" the criminal laughed as he hugged the man by the shoulders, aiming his gun to his head, making Gilda squeal "How about we do some fireworks to cheer up this party?"
"Come on, gentlemen. I'm sure we can find a pacific way to solve this." Bruce's seductive voice echoed in the room, provoking the two men to turn around. Joker tilted his head to the side, his grin slowly fading as he approached "If it is money what you want, Mr...Joker, I'd be more than willing to-"
The green-haired man did not hesitate to aim his weapon to Wayne's forehead, who shut up tight.
"Care to tell me then, Bruce Wayne…" his grin appeared again, this time more vicious and dreadful than before. "...where would be the fun in that? Killing a man who has escaped death once, however…" The raven-haired man gasped as he heard how the Joker readied his gun "...now that...that is funny."
Just about he was going to pull the trigger however, a small object fell from the ceiling. The Joker arched a brow as he saw the little metallic ball slide towards him.
"What the-"
Smoke was released like an eruption from the device, blurring everyone's sight and thus forcing Joker to put his arms over his eyes. Bruce did not waste a second and got out of his in an instant, quickly getting lost in the mist.
The man coughed and looked up as he could with his gun ready. He shot at the ceiling once, inoculating fear in the guests so no one would move. The tilting light of the hanging chandelier suddenly darkened, making the Joker to remove his arm off his face and look up.
He saw blackness and dark wings stretched out. He saw the figure coming closer and closer, the distant gaps and shrieks of terror from the wealthy scum announcing the arrival of the hellish monster.
His beautiful demon has arrived.
The smile in his face didn't get to form, as he was pushed to the ground by Crow's strong kick, disarming him. She did not waste any time with him however, as she threw the gun out of his reach and proceeded to attack the goons with her sword in hand, who didn't stand a chance against her fast and evasive technique.
As soon as the last of them fell, she covered herself with her feathered cloak and seeked for the clown with the heat sight of her blindfold. The people were already exiting the manor and, if she didn't catch the criminal soon, he could mix with the other guests and disappear.
That is, if he wanted to disappear. When Crow felt the hit on her head, her idea about his plans turned out to be false.
Before the Joker could hit her again, she jostled him and pushed him backwards.
With the smoke already dispersed, the two of them stood alone in the dance floor, looking at each other with such tension that it could be cut with a knife.
"Crowsy. My dear Crowsy." he started, as if tasting her name "We meet again."
"So it seems." he icy tone send shivers through his spine. His Cheshire grin became wider as he tilted moved one of his fingers in a 'no' motion.
"Tsk tsk, Birds. Is that a way for a lady to behave?"
"I'm not a lady, Joker. Not for you"
"Then what are you? A fucking lizard!?" he childly laughed, just to become deadly serious a second after "I hate lizards."
He had no time to even put his finger on the trigger however, as Crow threw her sword skillfully towards his gun, stabbing it and forcing the man to drop it.
"I'm the one that's going to stop you." she coldly said, sprinting to him. Their arms clashed together, Crow showing her teeth with ferocity as the other did the same with joy. He acted faster than her, kicking her guts strongly and making her cough.
"Can I at least get a dance with you, my oh so beautiful Crowsy?" he said, readying his fists.
"There is no music. The party is over." she responded, doing the same thing. Instead of clenching her hands into fists, she curled her fingers into deadly claws.
"Isn't the sound of broken bones, spilled blood and muffled screams of pain a song enough alluring for you? My dear Crow, if you haven't noticed by now...we are the party."
"I love it when you're-ugh-this rough. I kinda wanna get use to this."
"Enough, Joker. I'm tired of your talking" she replied seriously as he grabbed him by the handcuffs, dragging him closer to the Asylum's door.
"Well then, break my jaw and I'll be silent forever! Ha!"
"Keep talking and I'll consider it for real."
When they passed through the irony gates, the GCPD was already there. Gordon, who was talking with one of the doctors, nodded at her in a greeting as soon as he saw her. She did the same in reply, both entering into the main building together.
Without much consideration, she threw Joker's body to the ground, in front of the perplexed stares of the asylum's staff. When she was starting to turn around, a certain panting made her stare back at the group of people. Among them, a young, blonde woman was breaking through everyone else, trying to reach the door.
"Where is he!?" she desperately asked. When she managed to get to the door, under Crow's surprised gaze, kneeled and grabbed Joker's wounded body, who faintly smiled at her.
Harleen's eyes started to tear up, but she had to be strong. She couldn't show a type of concern further than what a doctor would have for their patient.
She had to be strong for him.
"Thank you for your service Crow, but you have already done…" her voice died in her throat as she stared up at the vigilante, her mouth widening "...enough."
Harleen Quinzel felt as if with only the Crow's shadow her mind could be eaten and carried to a world full of darkness and despair. She had mentally prepared for this encounter, but the monster she faced was more, much more than what she anticipated.
It was something about the way her hidden eyes looked down at her, something about the threatening aura she gave off.
"Dr. Quinzel." her voice, however, was much more melodic than what Harleen thought "I would advise you against getting too close with him."
"I-I'm a qualified doctor, Crow. I know how to-"
"He will be the death of you, Harleen." her words pierced her heart like an arrow. Her jaw dropped open as she tried to find the words while the man under him giggled at Crow's words "And yet I know that, by now, that doesn't change a thing."
The hooded woman gave them her back. Gordon approached her with a concerned voice.
"Should I advise the board of directors to dismiss her? She seems too...attached to the clown. She's even being investigated for his escape."
"It won't matter, Comissioner. He already have her." the darkness of her voice surprised Gordon, a person that was already used to her iciness "But do so."
"How do you know that?" he asked in almost a whisper.
She turned her head slightly. Her eyes drifted from the doctor,who was embracing the man to the giggling clown, who even with all the attention he was receiving from Harleen, only had eyes for his vigilante.. Joker's eyes met yet once again with Crow's, her figure delineated by the moonlight giving her an ethereal appearance, almost as if she was a dream. The moment lasted an eternal instant, Joker' heart skipping a beat at her barely sight.
"Because I am a woman too, Gordon. And you wouldn't imagine the things we do for love."
His acid eyes glistened as his pupils stretched.
"So you understand." he said, his voice slowly turning into laughter. A laugh that filled everyone's heart with fear.
I do.