Harley woke the next morning at seven, thanks to the alarm clock she had acquired from Alfred last night. She heard everyone was usually up by now, so she figured she should be too.
Harley got up and stretched. She startled herself when she heard a loud crack ring out from her back.
"Oh jeez. Cracked that hard from just stretching? Man I'm getting old young."
Harley left her room and walked over to Cassandra's door.
"Cassie, you up?" Harley asked as she knocked on the door.
"I am. Come on in. It's not locked."
Harley let herself in and looked around. A few band and movie posters dotted the lite grey walls and most of the furnishings were colored black and yellow. The owner of the room was sitting in front of a vanity, with a comb in her hand.
"Good morning, Harley."
" Morning. By the way, you look cute with bed head."
"And you look kind of funny with yours, to be honest. "
"Ah, this is a train wreck before I wash it in the morning. I blame the years of dying it. Anyway , my dear would-be surrogate niece, I got a question for you. "
"And what would that be, 'auntie'?"
"You're good with body language but is that all you know about it? "
"I'm not following, Harley."
" I got up, stretched and my back cracked. And i was wondering if you know anything about adjustment?"
"Oh, you want me to crack you. Sure, I know a few things. We all do. Doing what we do is taxing on the body, so sometimes we need some tension relieved. So, we all know some basic chiropractic treatment techniques. "
"Ok, imma be school girl Harley later on and learn this too. So, do you mind?"
"Not at all. Lay down on my bed."
"Thanks. I'll brush your hair for you when we're done. I know a few tricks that make it super relaxin'."
"Deal."
Harley laid on her belly across the bed, her head resting on her arms. Cassandra walked over and sat on the back of Harley's legs.
"So, is it just your back or is anything else sore? I could simply give you the full body if you want."
"Tempting, but nah. It's mostly my back and a little bit in my neck."
"Alright, let's get a feel here and get you loosened up."
Cassandra began to gently knead and prod around Harley's back.
"Hmm, I feel some pretty good sized knots in your back."
" Its been a rough way to go for the past while. "
"I understand. Okay, feels like your neck has some tension too. Alright, I'm gonna start. If anything feels uncomfortable, just wiggle your legs and I'll stop."
"Ok."
Cassandra began to massage and apply pressure to various points of Harley's back.
"Oh that feels wonderful, Cass."
"Glad its helping. Hey, Harley?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why do you keep the clown motif if you're trying to live out from under Joker's shadow?"
"Well, first off, its a Harlequin motif. Sort of like a court jester in the old timey days. Anyway, it sounds more refined than just a clown. Secondly, don't know if you know this but, Joker made me take a bath in the same muck that he did way back when. This porcelain skin ain't from a lack of sun. And being the color of chalk doesn't really blend with many things, but harlequins? Oh yeah, that works real well. And finally, and most importantly, its about owning who I am. Who I was, who I want to be. All of it. It ain't easy, but its how I own up to and overcome my past."
"Sort of a daily reminder."
"Exactly. And, between us girls, I also have a wax statue of Joker back home."
"You do?"
"Yeah, as a big, fat reminder. To be better than that. Also helps to punch it in its ugly mug on stressful days."
"Oh, I can imagine that. Alright, that's your back done. Now, just relax your neck, give me control and we'll get you finished."
"Ok, just don't take me outta the game."
"I swear I won't. Okay, deep breath in and out."
Harley breathed as told and Cassandra cracked her neck to the left.
"One more."
This time Cassandra cracked to the right. Then she got up.
"Alright, so how do you feel?"
"Oh, loads better. I feel all loosey goosey. Ok, a deal's a deal. Have a seat at the vanity. I'll get ya straightened out."
As the ladies took their positions, Harley began to gently run her fingers through the younger girl's hair.
"Alright, first we gently pull any knots and tangles out."
Harley proceeded to do so. Then she grabbed a spray bottle on the vanity.
"Why do you have this?"
"Damien has a cat named Pennyworth. It sometimes comes in here and coughs up hair balls for some reason. I got it to ward it off."
"Ah, I see. Well, imma use it to wet your hair slightly."
"Um, ok."
Harley sprayed Cassandra's hair until it was just a little bit wet.
"There. This makes the next bit go smoother."
Harley began gently run her fingers along and lightly scratch Cassandra's scalp.
"Oh, what are you doing? I felt a strange tingling run down the from the top of my head just now."
"That feeling is called ASMR, short for autonomous sensory meridian response. Basically, it's a fancy way of saying that tingly feeling you get from certain sights, sounds or physical contacts. You should look into it. It's all over the net. It's really nice to listen to some videos in bed at night. Get a nice, relaxing tingle going, let it flow through you and lull you to sleep. And one of the most popular ASMR triggers is the scalp massage, which is what I'm doing to you. Now, sit back and relax. Auntie's got ya, baby girl."
Cassandra leaned back against Harley's stomach and let her work her magic. Harley couldn't help but crack a big grin from when she looked at Cassandra's reflection in the vanity mirror. The look of contentment in her face was priceless. However, a thought struck Harley. She tried to resist asking but her curiosity was killing her. It eventually won out.
"Cassie, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
" Well, don't feel obligated to answer this but, how come you know so much about body language? All I know is you learned it young. But, how young is young? "
Cassandra was silent.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I can tell it's personal. You can just forget I asked."
" No, it's ok. If you really want to join this team, this family, then you're bound to hear it eventually. Better to hear it directly from me. So, to answer your question of how young is young, try practically since birth. "
"What?"
"My biological father was David Cain, a high level assassin."
" Never heard of him. But I guess that would be sort of the point. "
"Right. But I bet you have heard of my mother. She goes by Lady Shiva."
"That badass lady is your mom?"
"Yes, but I couldn't really call them proper parents. They wanted to make a perfect assassin. Cold, calculating, quiet. Able to read an opponent's moves as easily as one two three. Guess they figured that the best way was to raise that assassin from birth to be that way. So, I grew up never hearing words, only watching body language and getting trained to be a cold blooded killer. I didn't actually learn to speak for real until much later in life."
"Cassandra... "
"I owe Bruce and the boys a ton. They not only gave me a real home and family, they gave me my humanity and a proper reason to live. And all they ask for in return is to help fight the good fight and be a daughter and sister? I'd be crazy not to accept."
Cassandra felt wet drops hit the top of her head.
"Harley?"
Cassandra looked up to see Harley crying over her. Harley then hugged Cassie's neck for all she was worth.
"You poor thing. Oh baby girl, I am so sorry. We were both made to be tools, but at least my stupid self chose to be one. Oh you deserve every hug and kiss I can give." Harley said, rapidly giving Cassandra pecks on the cheek.
Cassandra couldn't help but smile at the older woman's show of concern.
"Thank you, Harley."
"Cassie, listen. If you ever feel like you need a hug, you come to me right away. Auntie will always be waiting with open arms."
"Got it. And I'm here for you too, auntie."
"Good. Now, let's turn the asmr back on." Harley said while drying her eyes.
Harley spritzed Cassandra's hair a bit more and dove back in to the scalp massage. She mixed lite touches with her finger tips with slow circular scratches. She enjoyed watching and even feeling Cassie shiver as the tingles ran down her. She then started doing lite tapping on the girl's scalp to a certain beat. She felt a large shiver go through the girl.
'So, shave and a hair cut is the magic trick for her. Cute. ' Harley thought to herself.
"Harley..." Cassandra said quietly.
"Yes dear?"
"Where did you learn how to do this?"
"From watching those asmr videos and practicing on Red."
"You gave Ivy massages like these?"
"Amongst other things..." Harley said, blushing.
Cassandra cracked a smile because she could hear the embarrassment in Harley's voice.
Harley decided to wrap things up with fast finger tip tapping on the former batgirl's scalp. This earned one more large shiver from the raven haired girl. Harley then grabbed the nearest comb and straightened up Cassandra's hair.
"There you go, baby girl."
"That was wonderful, Auntie. Thanks."
"Thank you too. Say, isn't Timmy supposed to be here today?"
"Yeah, and knowing him, he'll be here in a few hours."
"Okay, better hit the showers then. See ya at breakfast. Later."
"Later."
A couple hours later, Tim Drake arrived.
"Welcome back, Master Tim. How are you?"
"Doing just fine, Alfred. How are you?"
"I am good as well. Thank you for asking."
"So, I saw Cass walking Ace outside, Bruce waved hello from his office and I heard Dick and Damien in the gym. Where's Quinn?"
"Dr. Quinzel is right behind you, sir."
Tim wheeled around to find himself face to face with Harley.
"Wha! When did you..."
"About thirty seconds ago. Ninjaed my way behind you while you were talking to Alfred. Oh, speaking of, Al, if its not too much trouble, could I ask for some tea? I'm a bit thirsty."
"Of course, Dr. Quinzel. Chamomile as before?"
"Actually, I'm feeling adventurous. Got anything exotic?"
"Well, we do have a green tea imported from Japan with a cherry blossom infusion."
"Oh, a sakura infusion?! You're speakin' to the otaku in me now. Please, make it happen."
"Right away, Dr. Quinzel."
"Arigato, Alfred-san. Bet ya didn't know I love Japanese culture, huh, Timmy?"
"No, I can't say I did. But, there's nothing wrong with that. I personally enjoy reading about the folklore."
"Oh, yeah, I know what ya mean. The oni, the tengu, kappa, Tsuchigumo. Oh, and of course, kuchisake-onna. Boy, with an origin like hers, she'd fit right in with other crazies of Gotham. "
"Present company included?"
"Hey, now, that hurts. Not necessarily wrong but still hurtful. I'll have you know,. R.R, that I am not only on but regularly take strong medications. I am also working on healthy coping mechanisms, such as mediation and exercise. Speaking of, note to self, check out manor's gym after breakfast."
"And speaking of that, we will be having buttermilk pancakes with fresh fruit this morning." Alfred said as he brought Harley her cup of tea.
"Thanks, Alfredo. Oh, and can I ask for maple syrup on my stack?"
"Of course. Butter as well?"
"Yes, please. And some strawberry jam if you have it. "
"Not a problem, Dr. Quinzel."
"Thanks, Al. You're the best. And this tea is delicious. Can we make this my regular?"
"As you wish, Dr. Quinzel."
"Harley..." Tim said .
"Oh, sorry. Got distracted. Anyway, look Timmy. I know you have a lot of questions and I will be happy to answer them. But I think I should tell you what I have already told the others. I'm here for you as much as you are for me. You wanna get something off your chest, just come to me. I only used to listen to problems professionally after all."
"Giving Tim the aunt Harley speech?"
The group turned to see Cassandra entering into the room.
"Yeah, pretty much. But, I do mean it."
"I know you do, and in time, Tim will too. I believe you can show him, Auntie."
" Thanks, Cass. I love you too. "
Tim shook his head.
'What kind of magic did Harley pull to get in good with Cassandra like that?' He thought.I
Just then, Bruce entered the room.
"Welcome back, Tim."
" Thanks, Bruce. "
"Harley, after breakfast, we're going down to the bat cave. If you really want to join this team, then you should have proper equipment. We'll manufacture it today."
"Gee, thanks, Bruce. Oh, and maybe you could pass a few cases my way? I don't care if you want to partner me up with someone, I just wanna earn my keep."
"As a matter of fact, I do have a case ideal for you tackle tonight. Red Robin will be your backup."
"Great! Looking forward to working with ya, Timmy!"
"Oh, joy. "