Arkham Asylum. Two weeks later. Joker's POV
When I was hauled off this morning to group therapy, little did I realize that today would be a very, uh...interesting day. For the past two weeks everything had been the same routine, so I was completely caught off guard to say the least. Not that I minded this new routine, with the girl here somehow I felt a little calmer than normal. Which is weird, because I love upsetting order, upsetting routine. I actually enjoyed the times when I would sit and watch her read. Whether it's because she looked so peaceful, or whether it's because my mind was at rest when I watched her read I will never know. I can't explain why I enjoyed it so much, and there's no use in trying.
Anyways, we all sat down in the puke green room in our little circle and Dr. Benson cleared his throat. The girl kept her eyes to the ground, as usual.
"Today we are going to try a little exercise in having a civil conversation. I will ask you a question, and if you can answer adequately in a socially appropriate manner, you may ask me anything you like. I hope to get everyone to talk today." With that he stared at the girl. I actually felt anger towards him as he said this. Up until this point he had left her alone, left her at peace. I hated when he bothered me, and I could tell that the girl was an introvert, so I can't imagine how uncomfortable this must be for her. But, I was curious to hear to speak, and even more curious as to what she would say.
"Let's go in a circle, starting with Grigori. Grigori..." the hulk snapped his head up to glare at Benson, "how do you feel about..." and from this point I stopped listening to this useless banter. Naturally, the hulking monster couldn't have a civil conversation and instead leaped out of his seat towards Benson, with murder in his eyes. Now, I'm not saying that I would mourn the passing of Benson. Oh no, I would welcome it. But he was subdued by the guards and the questions continued around the circle. Once again I zoned out.
"Analiese...your turn. Now, I'll start with an easy question, since you have yet to speak since you have arrived." I snapped my head up just in time for her to look up at Benson, with an unreadable expression on her face. "Now, I'm really rather curious...who do you think is the craziest person in this room?"
She looked at him with a tinge of surprise, then looked around the room, analyzing everyone. She looked at me, looked right into my eyes with her pretty blue orbs. It was like she was staring into my soul, reading all my secrets. Her gaze was...intense. But not menacing in any form, and more importantly, she wasn't afraid. I have never been so surprised. Ne-ver. While my description makes it sound as though we were staring at each other for awhile, in reality it lasted for a mere moment.
The girl then stared calmly, but with some malice, at Dr. Benson, and said merely one word, "You." It was quiet, non-threatening, timid. But powerful. She knew what she was saying. She wasn't stupid.
Dr. Benson snapped his pencil in his hand and the look he gave her...Well lets just say I have rarely seen such a threatening look. He didn't laugh, he didn't say anything, he just looked at her. After a few moments he composed himself.
"Well then I'd say you are very delusional, my dear." The words dripped from his mouth like venom. "But, to be fair, you may ask any question."
Again the look of surprise passed over her face, but it was now mixed with fear. Fear that I could almost smell. She was a timid one, that's for sure. She looked to the ground, and after a moment, said with the same quiet and feminine voice, "Why did you..." she trailed off and glanced to the broken pencil still on Benson's desk, "...snap?"
I was breathless. He was in a rage. Benson seethed with anger and frustration. Really though, she had done nothing wrong. It was an innocent enough question. She was just smart. She knew the same things that I know. And we all knew that she wasn't really referring to the pencil. And I was afraid for her. She was brave, but she couldn't handle the consequences of being brave.
Finally, Benson spoke. "You...girl. You. Are. CRAZY!" He shouted at her, then composed himself. "Hahahaha. I did not snap, you stupid girl. I...I was merely caught by surprise. I guess I didn't realize how delusional you really were." He was ruthless towards her and I felt a type of anger that I thought was dead inside me rage it's ugly head.
It was so strange, for lack of a better word. The frustrating thing about him was that no matter how hard I tried I could never get him close to his breaking point. And she did; she got him so close. He was slipping away, losing control of himself. I would have basked in it, and I almost burst out laughing. I was happy.
But I didn't because at that moment Benson stomped towards her and did the unimaginable. He slapped her. Hard. He lost his control.
"Normally, my dear, people do not insult those who are trying to help them." As he said this he leaned in close to her face and she backed away as much as she could.
That's when I decided that the Joker needed to make an appearance. "Ah ah ah...now then, doc-tor. That is no way to treat a patient, is i-t?" I licked my lips.
He turned towards me, fear written all over his face. He didn't say anything, but straightened and stormed out of the room. I had won that little battle and thus turned towards the girl. For a brief instant her gaze met mine, and I detected what I thought was a small thank you from her. I merely nodded my head, a gesture to let her know that I understood her.
Arkham Asylum. Dinner. Joker's POV
That day they put us all in solitary for lunch, but surprisingly let us out for dinner. I scanned the cafeteria for a lone seat when I saw her. She was sitting in my usual corner of the cafeteria, except that she had half of Arkham surrounding her. As I got closer I heard various comments such as "What are ya doin' here, baby?" and "Hey there, sweet girl, why don't cha scoot a little closer" amongst other various profane comments. She was very clearly uncomfortable and I resolved to remedy that. That wasn't hard, seeing as they all cleared out once I got close. I sat down and she didn't look up.
"Hi..." I said, "so, uh, that was some thing you said earlier today. I liked it. Very brave of you." Her head snapped up and she looked at me with those big beautiful eyes.
Arkham Asylum. Dinner. Analiese's POV
I didn't know what to think. He was looking out for me, in a sense, but for God's sake he's the Joker. I have never been more confused in my life and I couldn't respond right away. My mouth went dry and all I could do was stare at him, dumbfounded. I finally managed to squeak out a small "Hello, and...thank you" and resumed picking at my food.
"Something bothering you? Hmm...is it the scars? They're not as pretty without makeup on, huh?" He chuckled and I looked at him again. They actually were not that bad, in my opinion.
Before I could filter myself I blurted out, "No not at all, its your teeth. They look like they hurt; you must never brush them..." And then my eyes went wide with what I said and suddenly I thought I was going to pee my pants.
"HAHAHAHA...you may be right." And he smiled at me, and his smile didn't seem malicious at all, so I supposed it to be a good sign. So, I smiled too. And took this as a chance to study his face. He was handsome, to be sure. Even with the scars. And younger than I thought he would be as well.
"So, uh, listen. Are you..." he trailed off, clearly thinking about something. Then the most remarkable thing happened. His whole voice changed! "Are you alright?" He asked rather quietly. I was speechless. It was like talking to a whole different person. His voice was deep and soothing, but I had to guard myself. It was probably a trick.
"Um, I think so. Thank you." I said again quietly. Damn my innate shyness!
Arkham Asylum. Dinner. Joker's POV
I had decided, for some foolish reason, to forgo the voice I use as the Joker and speak to her normally. It felt strange, vulnerable, to talk to someone with my real voice. No one had heard it in years, and I didn't want anyone else to know that I had some semblance of normality. But I knew that she wouldn't tell anyone. I could tell that, while she was not as afraid as everyone else would be (which was oddly refreshing; strange since I love it when they squirm in fear), she was awfully shy.
I studied the bruise on her face. "That must have hurt." I gestured to her bruise. "Some doctor he is, huh." And once again I won my second smile for the day. It was a small one, but it still felt like a victory on my part.
We fell into a comfortable silence. Much to my surprise she didn't ask me why I helped her, nor why I was being kind. Looking back I'm glad she didn't, because I wouldn't have had an answer. Occasionally we caught each others gaze, but we never held it for very long. I was out of my element in this comfortable silence scenario. Normally if its silent in my company people are crying or praying or begging, something like that. In general people act annoying. She was fairly comfortable, and I was comfortable, and it was honestly really nice being in company that didn't feel the need to play twenty questions.
Too soon dinner was over and we were herded back to our cells. Once the coast was clear I got up and peeked into her cell. She was once again reading peacefully, and I leaned on my usual spot on the wall to watch her. I hoped to God, if there is even one, that Dr. Benson wouldn't feel the need to backlash more against her.