Joker chuckled at her words and motioned for Frost to put the skin back in its container. Eva watched and then crossed her arms "For fuck's sake, that's the second client you've skinned. You keep doing that and you'll be my only customer."

He reached out and placed a hand on her cheek, his thumb grazing the bruises from the other night "Mmm, there ya go, sweet talkin me."

Raising an eyebrow, she stepped back and turned away. Joker's eyes drilled into her as she went to the closet at the back of the building, and collected a mop to clean up the blood. Upon her return, Eva smirked "It's all sweet talkin, but you can't keep killing my income."

Squeezing the bloody water out into the bucket, she turned and kicked the mop bucket towards the wall. Joker stepped towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist "Ah, but I like the idea of having you to myself…"

Eva stiffened. "If it's money you're worried about…"

He rested his chin on top of her head, the next few words coming out as a graveled purr "Daddy'll take care of ya."

The tattooist somehow pull herself away, though she had no clue how she managed that. Taking a step back, she gestured to her station "Take a seat and tell me where you want everything."

The words croaked out of her, making her throat feel raw. Joker was being more affectionate than usual, something she was not use to or comfortable with. It was unpredictable, and it was making her hands shake. Raising a nonexistent eyebrow, he removed his purple leather trench coat and threw it over a nearby chair, the silver silk dress shirt followed. Eva had taken a seat and was in the process of putting on a pair of purple latex gloves. Her eyes went to Joker as he took a seat, unable to stop herself, Eva looked him over carefully. Taking in some of the scars and the muscles of his chest and torso. This did not go unnoticed by Joker, who smiled at her "Like what ya see?"

Looking at him, she kept her expression impassive. Well, she'd be lying if she said otherwise. Still, Eva wouldn't admit that out loud, and it seemed that Joker did not need any verbal verification. Swallowing, the tattooist looked away and pulled out the large "JOKER" print, flashing it at him. Smirking, Joker nodded to his navel. Eva obliged and leaned forward. Peeling the plastic off, she pressed the print to his skin and wetted it with a towel. Slowly, she pulled the paper away, leaving behind a temporary outline.

Leaning back, she looked over its placement. After getting the go ahead from Joker, she flicked the coil machine on, dipped the quill like tip into the black in and got started. He didn't move as the needles pierced his skin. Joker's lack of vocal reaction did not coincide with the light trauma that his body was going through. The paper white nature of his skin made the speckled bits of blood and red irritation stand even more. Eva smirked, it was a small confirmation of the fact Joker was still human even if his head wasn't screwed on all the way. "Somethin…. Ah, ya wanna share with the class sweets?"

Eva glanced up from her position at Joker's navel. She shrugged and turned back to her work, but she couldn't help a chuckle as a bit of blood bubbled up again. This did not satisfy him "Oh come on baby, you can tell Daddy what's on your mind."

His tone had changed a little, growing threatening. Slowly, the tattooist paused her work and muttered "You bleed…"

He cocked is head a fraction of an inch, like a predatory bird sizing up a mouse. Eva looked down "With all the grandiose declarations of being more than just human…. You still bleed like one."

The response to her observation was rather predictable, Joker threw back his head and laughed for a solid minute until his hysterics boiled down to the occasional cackle. Eva eyed him and then grumbled "Keep laughing like that and I'll fuck this up."

Joker giggled a little and winked at her "Do that toots, and Daddy'll have to punish ya."

Why did that excite her, why did that make her heart pound faster, why did it turn her face scarlet? Eva grit her teeth and spun around , bringing up a playlist on her computer. The song opened with some rhythmic clapping.

I ain't no angel,
Don't got no halo

I cut off my wings,
Made my momma scream
I'm your darkest dream.

Eva turned around and went back to work on her project, letting the music fill her mind and distract her from the hungry look that Joker was giving her.

They call me devil
My heart is empty
They call me devil
Just try and tempt me

I'll steal your soul
I'll eat you whole
Ain't no other way

Joker rolled his head back on the chair and smiled as his body embraced the trauma caused by the tattoo machine. It was a beautiful sensation, despite wearing latex gloves, little Eva had a gentle touch. The needles drove into him 3,000 times a minute, and then she would feather away the excess ink and blood with towel. "You have quite the taste in music sweetness."

She glanced up at him and paused to hear the lyrics better.

I will tell you lies
I'll crawl inside your mind

Grab hold of your eyes
I will make you mine
And I'm gonna take my time.

Ignoring the somewhat sexual overture of the lyrics, Eva continued to lay down line after line of ink. "Helps me work."

He reached down and stroked her hair, causing her to freeze

They call me Devil!

Looking at her hands, he brushed his tongue over his teeth and purred "Mmm, I like it when you've got blood on your hands….. Hehe, even when its mine."

And you should be afraid!

(Author's Note: Again, sorry for the long delay. I've been putting in some time writing my other Joker fic, "Survival is a Talent." I also had family in town for several days and was still going through the process of job interviews. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that I got a job offer…. As a bank teller. Applied on a whim because the guy at the unemployment office wouldn't shut up about it. Anyway, it pays well. I asked for 10.25 and hour and during the interview they said that was a very small amount. I figured I'd be making 12.50 an hour. But then I get the call for an offer and they're telling me I'll be raking in 14 and hour. My first day is the week after next, and then in July I go into the big city to do a couple days of teller training. The bank will pay for food, hotel, and transportation. I'm hoping this works out. I'm having this PTSD thing where I'm freaking out about being fired again.)