Wow. W-o-w. Whoa. W-h-o-a. There are lots of you - aka four of you, but to me that's a lot okay? - that actually liked the one shot? I can't believe that, I got four reviews, man. I gotta up my game! Gotta get my get my head in the game, you gotta get your, get your, get your, get your head.
Sorry, HSM used to be my life okay? Don't judge me. Anyways, not much to comment on this, since this is the same as the first chapter? Well, the dialogue and the scene is the same. I decided to put it into a third person Joker POV. Honestly, my POV's get kinda weird sometimes, so bear with me. So, after the disclaimer, you'd want to read my interpretation of Joker's thoughts during that scene right? Right.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Batman franchise or anything associated with this story that is not mine. The characters and back stories belong to DC, not me. The only character that I own is my OC, Chace, and the plot(s) involving her.
It was a cold night; raining.
He'd just been in-tro-ducing himself to some of his new... buddies, when his buddies decided that it would be funny to send some guards after him. Don't get him wrong, he was all for jokes, but not that one. That one. Wasn't. Funny. It wasn't his joke either, which made it less funny. The goon - he decided to call biscuit - decided that it would be funny to make a gun go bang.
He just fixed that bang with a smile. A real one. He even said that biscuit was the first cookie to crumble.
Ha hE HO HA H HA HA HO HE he hoo
Oh, he just cracked himself u-p sometimes. Biscuit didn't feel the same, what a shame it is. To have people on this football - that some people call Earth - that don't even have a sense. Of. Humour. He could tell you one person that did though. Their name rhymes with mat. No, no, not the Cat, that blasted Cat. Always stealing his jokes... Not really, he just didn't like her.
No, it's the Bat. He sure knows how to work up an audience, like him. Except, he did it with more... pizazz. The Bat did it so... boringly. Funny how his last thoughts are going to be about a Bat and a Cat, but they aren't. Why? Because he just found his stairway to Heaven, only a fire escape. There has to be some sorry little piggie looking to be slaughtered, or just an empty apartment that he could break into to fix himself u-p.
He preferred the former.
Now, which little piggie came home, hmm? Is it tha-t one? No-pe, that's a guy popping some girl's cherry. Loudly. He'd hate to be the reason that a guy missed his score night. He cackled at the idea and continued up the stairs, finding himself to be clutching at his side. Who was after biscuit? Oh yes! Salty. Now, he was the one that- No, he didn't taste like salt. He was the one who shouted Dalton.
Don't get it? Dalton, Dalty, Salty. You should come to Gotham, so that he, himself, can give you a sense of humour. You seem to be la-cking. The Joker found himself clenching his jaw, cursing his slight pickiness with apartments, so he decided that this one would do. It seemed like no one was home; a shame. He'd just have to tell himself his own jokes now; pity. They are just oh, so funny.
The window was hard to open, even harder to close. This person was definitely a care-ful one; not one for alarms though. He would've laughed but he decided that he'd rather not get even more attention than he already did. Biscuit did quite a number on him, he must've been a spry little cookie. Walking over to the couch, Joker carefully sat down, hissing and clutching harder at his wound. He wished that biscuit could come back to life, so he could give him an even bigger smile.
His teeth bared, he laid his head back against the cushion of the chair. How was he going to get up again? He almost growled at himself for even thinking of sitting down. Almost. Not before he heard a creak.
A creak that he instantly reacted to.
There was... a child, he couldn't decide if they were a boy or girl; the shadows blocked - hid - too much. They seemed curious, if a little scared. A grin tugged at
his lips, to which they gave him a confused look; made his grin even bigger. "Have a uh, bad dream?" They didn't reply for a while, just tilted their head, which made him annoyed. They weren't about to ig-nore them, were they? "Hmm?" His voice was a lot gruffer than the first time he talked; his anger coming through in his voice.
He even stopped grinning at them.
They tilted their head in the other direction. A confused pout forming. "No, I didn't." It made him smile, still annoyed though; how didn't he realise it was a girl
straight away? Her voice was a dead give away. He pondered killing her, but she was a child. He only killed women, men and babies; not children. He hoped that this... girl liked dead baby jokes, he'd heard a good one before. Not a joke though; a riddle. It was a good riddle.
Joker licked his bottom lip. "How un-for-tun-ate." It only made the girl even more confused; frustrated maybe. She stumbled back into the room that she came out of (bedroom?) to which he made an amused sound. Clearly, she had no sense of humour. He might just fix it. Yes, he'd de-fin-ite-ly fix i-t. She'd appreciate it; she better appreciate it.
Leaning forward, he prepared himself for the pain in getting up. It started around the wound, then quickly moved around his body like fire. Now, he loved the fire; lived for it. He wanted to live for it, so feeling on fire was. Not. Helping. There was another creak; that girl. What did she want this time? He decided he wanted to humour her and sat back down on the couch with a grunt, oh, how he loved not being able to get u-p. One of the many joys in life that people never. Find. Out. About.
He watched her, giving her all of the anger and annoyance that he was feeling. She looked like she really didn't appreciate it, but still took a - hesitant - step
forward, frowning. His shoulders hunched, slightly; subconciously. "D-Do you need help?" Another step, more of a hunch; brave girl.
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Hard-ly." Funny girl too; thought she knew something about tending to wounds. Must be why she's considered a child.
Her frown turned to the beginnings of a scowl, except not. It was a confused scowl; she looked like a puppy. "But you're-"
"Fine." He pressed on, not liking how the girl was still here. "I'm just peachy."
Her shoulders slouched, defeated. "C'mon, please?" Not as defeated as he liked, but she was get-ting there. She even took another step and his shoulders were as high as they were going to get - he was getting defensive around a girl, he almost laughed at himself. Not quite though.
He settled for grinning at that stupid dumbfounded expression on the girl's face. "You're asking to uh, help me?" He couldn't keep the high-pitched giggle down, it seemed to bubble up his throat, like a sneeze or cough that just needed to happen. His giggles were so much more en-ter-tain-ing than a sneeze or cough though, especially for him.
The girl huffed and crossed her arms at him; even did the most childish thing known to man - or to him - she stomped her foot. It wasn't a huge stomp, quite small actually. He probably would've missed it, had he not been as observant as he is. "Well, you won't let me." She grumbled, giving him an angry pout. He had to fight against a laugh; she was such a child, which was okay because she was a child.
Tilting his head, he began to size her up. She was tiny; no bigger than 5 foot, if even that. She couldn't possibly think that someone was that much of an idiot to think that she was a boy, if they did then Joker hoped to meet them. Have their mouths ripped open, preferably into a smile. Just. Like. Dalton. "What game are you uh, playing?" He asked, wanting to see just how much of an idiot she might be. Or might not be; he always liked a smart child. They were so much more fun to... mould.
Her eyes became hopeful; childish hope. There was even a smile growing on her lips; in-ter-es-ting. He'd never made someone actually smile before, just a pretend one; like his. "A game of doctor?" She'd even taken another small step forwards; she really did want to help him. Which was... unusual. For him. He did giggle though; which was good for her. She was amusing.
He licked his lips and leaned forward, making eye contact with her; trying to ignore the winces too, biscuit really gave him a new one. Though Joker gave him a new one too; he'd always keep a promise. "A game of you uh, pretending to be a boy, dollface." His head tilted and he gave her a look. She froze, her eyes widened. She was a puppy; a puppy caught by their owner doing something they weren't supposed to be doing.
She was ab-so-lute-ly adorable. And fun. Adorable and fun - like a puppy. He couldn't remember the last time that he really had to bite back the giggles, he was even biting at his scars to stop them. He wondered if she knew that she was his new plaything. Probably not; made it even more fun. Playthings were so much fun when they can talk; and when they're alive. So. Much. Fun.
The Joker could hear her swallow thickly, her defensive mode kicking in; he didn't even know that she had one. "I am a boy." She offered weakly, her head moving down to look at the ground, she even began to frown; she really was a little puppy. His new little puppy, who just amused him to no end. Her answer didn't amuse him though, he didn't like liars.
And she was just getting on his fun side. He wanted to say "No, no, no, dollface. That's no-t how you play this ga-me. If there's one thing that won't survive a game, it's a liar. So. Don't. Lie," but decided against it, he'd hate to scare her away. He was only just starting to have fun with her; he did need to teach her a lesson though. One that involved her. Not. Lying.
His grin turned to a scowl, his head tilted downwards and he had a dangerous glint in his eye. Funny how she actually thought that she looked like a boy. Though he still did scare her; her muffled whimper told him so. "Don't lie, dollface. A lying mouth will get you into t-rouble." His voice was low; threatening, yet hoarse too. He needed a drink, or to clean up this wound.
The girl looked down to her feet, hunching her shoulders like he was. Cl-ear-ly, she felt threatened. Good. He didn't like liars. Not. One. Bit. "O-Okay..."
She let out a shaky breath and tried to meet his gaze; he didn't make it easy. He didn't want to make it easy. He wanted to know just how brave or cowardly she was; she wasn't doing as good a job as he wished she was, but she was doing better than most. He liked her for it. They stayed like that; him - leaned forward, no doubt causing his wound to bleed even more - and her - shaking, shivering, biting her lip, it almost made him laugh. Almost. Her eyes were pleading; she wanted to help him. He'd have to make sure. "Wha-t." He growled at her, not liking just how long she had been looking at him.
She had the nerve to look down to where he was hurt and the Joker felt like killing her right then and there; if only she wasn't wanting to help him. She then met his annoyed gaze with her... he didn't know how to describe her (innocent?) eyes; he decided to go with puppy eyes. "Please?" The girl pleaded, taking a tentative step forward.
He rolled his eyes and sighed, not doing anything for a minute, before taking off his coat - he did wince a few times, which annoyed him to no end, and he felt like growling at himself - and lying back on to the couch. She smiled and bound - clumsily - over to him and plopped herself down beside him. He giggled. She was such a grace-ful little piggie; shame she didn't know that she was going to get slaughtered - sooner or later - by his lady; Gotham.
The Joker had noticed the slight shake in her hands once she came over to him; before that actually. He also noticed that, as he was up here, Gotham was begging him to come back; the shadows reaching out, but not quite wrapping themselves around his arms - to drag him back to Gotham. That was when he first entered, now... Gotham seemed to beg for a different thing; a plaything. A child plaything. He could think of all the ways to mould them - make them into his little puppet - without them rea-lis-ing. It's simple, really. This little piggie seemed to be a per-fect contestant; all. Alone.
A sharp tug brought the Joker out of his imagination - oh, how vivid it was - and back to this girl; this plaything. She wasn't as gentle as she looked. "Be care-ful, I'd hate to uh, have your mother find you in... pieces." The piggie looked up at him, still looking like she was just waiting to be slaughtered. Such an innocent little piggie.
The girl looked back down to the bullet and back up to him, then again and again; looked like some weird dance. "She's..." She cleared her throat; looked
uncomfortable. "not here." She spoke in a small voice, scared that if she made a real sound, she'd be in trouble. The brunette began rubbing it again, much more gently this time. She's a lot smarter than some of his men, he'll give that to her.
He scoffed; bit amusing, her naivety. Definitely something to exploit. "Living by yourself, hmm? Not safe for a uh, little girl to be living in the Narrows, by her-
self." His head tilted downwards and he licked his lips, narrowing his eyes at her. He couldn't decide if she actually was telling the truth; funny if she was;
strange, odd, funny. Definitely funny. He'd laugh but he didn't want to make himself bleed again, that'd only make him laugh harder. The next question; why would Gotham, his lady Gotham, want a plaything? A child plaything.
Naivety? Nah, that'd already been done. Innocence? No, too obvious. An ace in the hole? No, no Gotham, that's Harvey's job. An ace? Now we're getting somewhere. Gotham's little Ace of Spades; definitely her name. She just didn't know it yet.
She shifted uncomfortably under his studying. "I... I don't..." She hesitated; she hes-i-tat-ed. That was not something that he loved, something that he hated;
reminded him of his men, the stupid idiots that he hired. Not that he needed Albert Einsteins, just someone to get the job done. Some smarts would be nice to have in a henchman though.
But he did not like her hesitation, he even growled at her. "Don't wha-t." Better be a good answer, dollface. He'd hate to have to paint this room red, with your
blood. He'd be amused too, but Gotham would not. The things that he did for Gotham.
She hastily shook her head. "Nothing." And reached for the needle and thread in the first aid kit; hesitation, fear, trying to drop the subject. He thought that he
told her to be careful. This. Is. Not. Careful.
Maybe he should scare her, make her believe that he really is going to kill her; scare her into sub-mis-sion. "Oh no, doll-face." He leaned in closer. "You're going to tell me what you were going to uh, say." She was caught in a corner now. "Right. Now." No escape; only him. What to puppies do in corners? They cower, plead for mer-cy; he wasn't feeling merciful tonight. The girl was scared - he could hear it in her breathing. Shallow, laboured, scared. Why so ser-i-ous, doll-face?
The girl tried to steady her breathing; steady her mind; steady her fear. She even looked up at him, the little pup. "I don't have parents." Now, now, every-one had parents. She just didn't know who her's were. "I'm owned by the mob." The Joker'd be more than pleased to step in for them; she deserves the best care, best crim-in-al. Not. The. Mob.
But being owned by the mob? At the girl's age? He wondered what she did, and what her parents did. And what the mob did. "The mob uh, bought you?" He asked, the interest creeping into his voice. She might be more alone than he thought; more lonely than he thought. That'd only make things easier; boring. She better put on a show, or she's going to be kicked. Off. The island.
Dollface was a bit hesitant - again. Dollface isn't a quick learner, that's for sure. "I... guess?" He rolled his eyes and slapped his lips together, in disappointment. Or annoyance. He wasn't too sure yet; didn't want to be sure, wanted to be amused.
She wasn't winning any points in the amusing column now, c'mon dollface; work with him. "I don't want guesswork, dollface. Who. Bought. You." Who stole his plaything? He spoke lowly, leaning towards her. She shivered - again. He wondered if she was cold, it was a cold night, he'd even put a jacket on.
The girl looked at him, exasperated; scared; confused, even. Little puppy was still trapped in a corner, if only she knew. Knew that she could've ran; he wouldn't be as fast as he usually is. She'd have a chance. A chance to get away. "A-A guy! I-I don't know who he was!" The girl was getting fran-tic; fun-ny. He loved people getting scared, most of all puppies. Puppies who felt like they were trapped, more than they usually are.
Ace was winning some points in the amusing column, which was good. He even had to bite down a giggle, she probably saw. Did talk about it though; how... rude. "I don't nee-d a name, what did he uh, look like?" His voice even had more of a bounce to it, he loved when a puppy would amuse him. He didn't even have to kick it, they just cowered. They didn't want to get kicked in the first place.
She closed her eyes and her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "He was... really tall; taller than you." Not help-ful dollface. C'mon, c'mon, work with him here. Don't make him do all the work. She even peeked at him, he really, really, re-a-lly wanted to giggle. Not yet, not until the finale starts. "He-He..." The girl was deep in thought though. He wondered just how long she'd been with the mob. Must've been a long time, given that she was thinking very, very hard. Then she opened her eyes; looked thoughtful. Did she have an epiphany? Oh, he just knew how to crack himself u-p. "He was black and he had a really nice suit on; velvet, I think." A name sprung to mind; Gambol. A talker, not a walker.
What was he doing with a child? His child. Gotham's child.
He was sure to keep his voice firm; questioning. Take her away from her epiphany. "And he definitely worked with the mob, hmm? A uh, head boss?"
There was a slight bit of nodding and a bite of her lip in her answer. "Yeah... Yeah, I think so."
They sat in silence, this girl wasn't doing anything for his wound, ignoring him; he should remind her. He made an annoyed sound, getting her attention. "You want a uh, engraved invitation?" He licked his lips and lifted his arm back up to the back of the couch. That seemed to get her out of her daze, which was good. Again, she was hesitant, which was aw-ful.
She quickly moved to right her wrong. "No, I-"
But he interrupted her. "Why did he uh, buy you?" Gambol, Gambol, Gambol. You have hoes and bros, little girls don't fit in that little life-style you've cre-ated
yourself. Maybe he wanted a change, Joker didn't like that change. He didn't liked rapists; paedophiles are even worse. She must be really lonely with his bros and hoes, that's in-ter-est-ing. And boring. He slid closer to her, just a bit; wanting for her to associate him with warmth - as a friend.
The girl pouted and sighed, annoyed. "I don't know, he never tells me anything." She grumbled. Annoyed. He didn't know that puppies could get annoyed. Anyone would get annoyed with Gambol though, so he couldn't blame her. Not at all. He didn't blame people though, he didn't like the blame game. It wasn't a real game; a coward's game. He wasn't a coward.
He didn't talk for a minute, neither did she. She was moving faster, he didn't know why. Probably to keep him happy. Did she still think that he was going to kill her - if she did anything wrong? Dollfaces are just so funny; she'd caught his attention. She'd caught Gotham's attention. Will they change her for better or for worse? "I'll have to change that, won't I?" No, they'd change her for better and for worse. It's what made Gotham... fun. He just loved how his mistress would reward him - thank him, for ev-er-y-thing that he does. Which is a lot.
She paused and gave him a strange look. "You'll... change it?" She was confused, maybe even flattered. Joker doubted that bros and hoes made time for her, let alone comp-li-ment her. He'd be sure to teach them a lesson in manners. Or the girl would teach them some manners; that would be a show. Fun. He loved shows, especially ones where puppies and bros were involved.
Joker giggled, leaning just a little bit closer. He didn't think that she noticed. "I. Will. Change. It." He pronounced each word, leaning closer to her with each
word too. He was sure that she noticed that; if she didn't... he wouldn't be happy with her anymore. He'd have to look for a different puppy - different piggie - then. She wouldn't disappoint though; worked too hard to let that happen.
The girl tilted her head; curious, maybe even flattered. "For me?" He could see the smile; he could see the smile. He was going to keep her for a while. Definitely. She'd be great as bait for his plans, she'd even know how to amuse him.
He openly grinned at her though, amused; welcoming - or at least, he tried to be welcoming. "For you." It was a promise; a dark promise. A promise he planned to fulfil; he was a man of his word after all. Besides, the mob was starting to get. On. His. Nerves. They needed a lesson - in manners; and to not keep his things from him.
Her eyes widened, confused; flattered; hesitant. "Oh..." Hesitation doll, what did he say about he-sit-a-ting?
The Joker moved to crack his neck and turned to her again, curiousity seeping in. "You got a uh, name?" Does she have the right answer?
The brunette didn't lift her eyes from the stitching this time; good. She's learning. "Chace." Chace; Ace; Ace of Spades. It's like as if she was made for him. He tilted his head and began chewing on his scars; not that he did believe that she only had one name, but it was the thought that counted.
The corners of his mouth twitched; his nose was begging to be itched. "Just one name?" He interrupted his chewing to talk, but instantly started again after he'd finished talking. She'd looked surprised, when she saw him chewing on his scars. She didn't look at them, just gave him a confused look.
Chace looked back down to his stitchings and frowned. Did she not like him chewing on his scars? He would've puked laughter if he wasn't busy chewing; it was a habit, just like she chewed on her lip. "... Yeah." She spoke thoughtfully, he'd caught her looking at his scars, which annoyed him. A lot.
An amused sound escaped his lips. Girl after his own heart - not that he had one. "I like tha-t." He said, popping the last t in that.
Chace hesitated - again - on the last stitch, she'd probably never been complimented so much before. How... funny. "You... You do?"
He nodded, grinning at her. She was a puppy; caged - by the mob. She'd grow up into a dog; a caged dog. His caged dog. If you let a caged dog free, they'd either be your most loyal friend, or... well, they'd end up like him. He didn't know which he preferred. One easy to manipulate, the other chaotic. "Mmm." Her eyebrows furrowed, confused. Her lips even began to pout at him; didn't know why. Maybe she was upset that she didn't know why he was talking to her like that.
There was a look; guilty look. At first he was confused, did she tell someone about him? Joker almost slapped himself at that thought, he'd been watching her the whole time, it's not like she's a telepath. "What's..." Hesitation Ace, don't hesitate; stay in-ter-est-ing, not boring - cowardly. "What's your name?" Good girl. Good girl.
He thought carefully about what he was going to say, worrying at his scars. She might just catch on, if she was going to be the Ace of Spades. "I don't have a uh, name." Didn't need one, if you have one, then you've got reasons. Reasons. Create. Monsters. She'll find out soon enough, she will. He'll make sure of that; just as Gotham provides, he had to provide. Gotham was his mistress after all.
The brunette frowned at him; cute little pout. Made her look like a stupid brat though, he'd teach her not to push his buttons. Soon. "Then what'll I call you?" It
looked like she wanted to hug him; how... a-dor-able.
The Joker raised an eyebrow. He considered giving her his card, but decided against it. He'd hate to have the mob get even more paranoid; keep her in a little cell. If that happened... well, the mob would look ex-treme-ly handsome begging, at his feet, begging him to kill them or keep them alive. He didn't know which he preferred. Joker licked his lips, feeling a grin starting. "Why - we gonna mee-t again?" He teased, his grin even more present. There was a look in her eye; hope; happiness even. It made him grin, he was getting on her good side - slowly.
She slid closer to him, her eyes pleading and a slight smile growing on her lips. "Please?" He had her eating out of his hand, it was too easy; too easy. Gotham will provide; she'll make a warrior out of her little Ace.
"J. Call me Mister J."
I gave this chapter the same leading line and finishing line, 'cause I thought it would be cool, y'know? So what did you think of that? Good? Bad? Atrocious? Excellent? Let me know, if you could! You lovely little people.
I forgot to mention, this one/two shot might actually turn into a story. Again, I actually haven't decided because writing is more for fun for me, not making sure to keep an audience happy. So, if this does become a story, it will probably have some of the worst updating dates in the history of updating. The three day wait for this was actually pretty quick, but I actually had this drafted with the other chapter. I think I prefer this one more.
Oh, and if this does turn into a story, it will become M rated. Most of my ideas for this becoming a story are extremely M rated. I'm a very... vulgar person, with a kinda sick mind I guess... but when I say M rated, I really do mean M rated, so I'm sorry if you like this one/two shot but are squeamish. I'd try to put warnings at the start of the chapter but, as I've said, I'm quite vulgar, so something triggering to you, mightn't be triggering for me...
Wow, that was a long outro... Peace!
