When It is Time To Move On ((Open Post))

[sweetcandygirl]

Two brightly dressed women approached the Nexus apartment that Harley once claimed as her own (and had shared with some 'Wayward Boys'). Harley was wearing the brightest jacket in the world, that seemed to be fashioned together with strands of parade tape and police tape. And beside her, was none other than Pamela Isley 'Poison Ivy', who wore flowers that fashioned a dress over her body.

"Doesn't look like I need my key..." The door was busted in after all. Harley kept a bright smile on her face, even as she entered the apartment and was faced with the disaster that was made after those scavenging for supplies during the Winter had 'taken advantage' of the open door policy.

"Greenhouse was over here..." Harley leads Pamela to the greenhouse. Many of the fruits, vegetables and flowers were killed completely during the winter. Pamela tsked her lips lightly. And assured her friend that she could handle this area on her own.

Harley made her way through the rest of the apartment. There was little left of her make-up or hair extensions in the bathroom. With a slight shake of her head, Harley sighed, as she found one lipstick that had not been taken. She felt fine not wearing the extensions recently, after sacrificing two to Hazel, the Autumn spirit. So this was not a horrible loss for her.

Heading to the living room, Harley was not surprised to see that her silks had been taken too. It looked like someone had cut them down. She stared up at her aerial set with a slight sigh. "Well, I hope they made good blankets for whoever took them..."

She didn't bother looking in the 'extra rooms' that belonged to Loki or Cricket. That was their space, and she was sure they would take care of their own salvaging attempts.

Harley headed to her bedroom loft, that overlooked the living room. Everything had been thrown around. And her closet -- well most of her clothes were now gone. Good thing she had run into Alex... it looked like she would need a whole new wardrobe from him.

The bedroom certainly had been given a once-over a few times, with drawers open in the nightstands and dresser. And anything that had any value was taken. Someone had even taken the artwork off the walls! Harley laughed to herself.

Good thing her gun safe was not kept in the wall. No... unlike most other people... Harley had a floor safe. And it had been underneath one of the nightstands. The nightstand was empty, but it was never moved off its spot. And why would anyone think of it? The floor looked the same. There was no indication of something different in this area. Harley moved the nightstand away, and removed the false panel to get to her safe. It was fingerprint and passcode protected. So that was another good way to protect what was hers. Inside... safely stored during the winter... was her gun.

"There you are..." Harley grinned, picking it up with a bright smile.

As bad as things were... Harley knew she could pick up and start again. And that was her plan.

Comments

[rogueinladysclothing]

With Winter now over and life in the Nexus returning to its normal flow, the rogue is trying to hold back her worry about those she lost track of during the storm. After their strained talk at Yule, Harley has been one of the people at the forefront of Amelia's mind. She waits a few days for people to recover, then decides she can't wait for everyone to reach out anymore.

After Harley finishes her initial sweep of her ruined apartment, she'll receive a text from her former girlfriend, one the rogue has written and rewritten dozens of times before sending.

Harley, are you all right? I couldn't reach you during the storm. Please, if I can help at all, let me know. I want to make sure you're safe.

She knows they promised to try and be friends and to take things slow, but not being able to contact someone for months will change opinions fast. Amelia will respect any need for distance Harley might have, but her desire to help someone she cares about so much isn't going to let her do less than this.

[sweetcandygirl]

Don't know if all right is a good turn of phrase right now. But I am here. Harley answers back, as she sits on the stairs at her apartment.

I am safe now. Just trying to sort out my place... it was broken into

[rogueinladysclothing]

It takes a moment for those messages to sink in before Amelia can respond. This is news she was only half expecting and that last part is extremely troubling.

Do you need help cleaning up? Or need a place to stay while you place is being repaired? My door is open and I'll help any way I can.

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley taps her fingers against her PINpoint for a moment. I am not going to be repairing the place. Not to move back in. I just can't feel safe here anymore.

Not much to clean up. But you are welcome to come by.

[rogueinladysclothing]

There's too many things on Amelia's mind to possibly type into a reasonable message. Being invited over helps relieve her of the decision on how to make it happen anyway.

I'm on my way.

A few minutes later, the rogue PINpoints to Harley's door and cautiously steps inside. When the woman said her place had been broken into, Amelia hadn't expected the result to be this intense. She frowns as she calls out, "Harley? I'm here. Where are you?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"On the stairs." Harley calls out. She stands up to approach. Gosh that is a very bright jacket she is wearing.

"Red is here. She is in the Greenhouse." She warns Amelia, since the other woman had met Poison Ivy before.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Harley's sense of style has always been unique. At this moment, Amelia can't even focus on it with her former girlfriend on the stairs. The rogue exhales a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and rushes to Harley's side. Her own clothes are as they always are and have her covered head to toe in a bright forest green with gold embroidery at the seams.

As soon as she's close enough, Amelia offers her hands to Harley. "Thanks for the warning about Red, but I'm not here for her." Certainly not after the last time they met. Her frown deepens as she resists the urge to pull Harley into a hug. They're not back to that place in their friendship yet, are they?

"What can I do to help now that I'm here?" she asks. "I know you can do this on your own, but I want to be here for you. If... I-I mean, if you'll let me."

Smooth as ever.

[sweetcandygirl]

"Just wanna warn you. She is checking out to see what we can save from the Greenhouse." A lot of the plants didn't do well during the winter. And some were taken by scavengers. Harley is not even sure if the lemon tree that Amelia gave her had survived or not. She is afraid to check herself.

Harley looks around. There is so much stuff broken. "I am not sure where to start. Maybe... we could take Mightyena for a walk?"

"He was cooped up all winter in his Pokeball."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I hope she's able to save at least a few things." Whether anything she's helped bring to life in it has survived or not isn't really Amelia's concern, though. Not right now. Harley's lost so much, and the evidence is everywhere to see around her apartment.

The request to go outside is an easy one to grant. The rogue nods and releases Harley's hands as she leads the way outside. Once they're out on the street, she motions for Harley to take the lead. She's not sure what to say or offer as they walk along at first, but eventually she decides on what helped her the most when she needed it.

"I'm here, if you want to talk about it. Or anything at all. I know things were..." She hesitates and sighs softly. "We haven't figured out how to be friends yet, but I still consider you one of mine, and I'm here for you now in any way you need me."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket's done a quick trip through his own room already, mostly to check one of his own little hiding post inside the headboard of his bed. Shockingly, the various thieves and raiders that may have tromped through never did discover it, and he tucks the cash in his pockets gratefully.

Not a lot else can be salvaged, he fears. The sandglobe Adia and Caspar gave him is cracked, but the insides haven't gone far. He gathers it up in a pillowcase, collects a few odds and ends of tools that weren't rusted by the weather, and shakes out a couple items of clothing that can be mended and washed and used for something.

There's probably more to be gone through. The furniture, for one thing, should be checked for damage. Maybe he can patch it. But there's a dark stain on the carpet that makes him uncomfortable to look at, so he hastens outside.

Working on the collapsed shed where his moonshining equipment is buried is easier. He's dug a few things out by the time he realizes Harley's around, too--and with a friend? Neat! And he's ready for a break.

He sticks his head in the door. "Hey. You holdin' up okay? I reckon them Fallen took my car. It ain't where I left it. I think I best buy a bicycle or somethin' until I can rebuild it."

[sweetcandygirl]

"Cricket!" Harley beams at seeing him. Her smile is as bright as her colorful jacket.

Mightyena -- who had been sniffing around trying to get a sense of who invaded their home -- lifts his head and bounds towards the door. The Pokemon will never forget who kept him safe in his Pokeball during Winter. So Cricket gets a Mighty greeting.

"A lot was taken..." Harley approaches towards Cricket herself. "Or is broken."

[alittlehinky]

Goddammit, Harley. This is a moment that should be sad or angry or serious, and here she is beaming like a rainbow. If Mightyena hadn't just run up to him he'd probably give her a bear hug. He may, still, but the Pokemon is there first, so he gets the brunt of Cricket's affection, complete with a laugh. "Hey there, big fella! You want me to let Willie out to play? Reckon she'd like to see you."

No sooner said than done, and Mightyena soon has a tiny Lillipup romping and yipping happily as she winds around his feet.

"I'm sorry," he tells Harley, reaching over to take her hand. "I tried, but...well. I know you ain't mad at me, so I guess we'll just put stuff together as best we can. What can I do to help you?"

[sweetcandygirl]

Mightyena is very over-joyed to have Lillipup out and romping with him. Definitely a time for both of them to play. And he chases her happily.

Harley pulls him into a hug, when he takes her hand. "Of course I ain't."

"And really..." She looks around. And smiles a little sadly. "I don't think I will stay here anymore, Cricket. So let's just worry about the stuff that can be saved."

[alittlehinky]

They're so sweet, with their disparate sizes and levels of ferocity, getting along like they're packmates and best friends.

Actually, that can be said of Harley and Cricket, too.

He hugs back firmly, but when she looks around, he follows her gaze, and he can tell what she's thinking before she says it. He takes a breath and lets it out in a huff of mixed relief and regret. "I...I don't think I'd be real happy stayin' in that room with the blood on the floor," he tells her. "I've already been lookin' at land close by. Was going to wait for the right moment to talk to you about it."

But if she's moving, too, the right moment is now. "I wanted to find a place close by if you were stayin' here, in case you wanted me to still help out in the greenhouse and whatnot. But if you're movin' away...well. I don't know. I reckon I ain't leavin' the Nexus. But I'll help you get set up wherever you go. We don't have to be in the same place to be friends."

[sweetcandygirl]

It is a little bittersweet to hear Cricket talk about looking at land close by. For his own place. That will be the hardest part... not having him around.

But he is growing into his path, and doesn't need her support. And she is growing into her own path, and hasn't had as many breakdowns in the past year.

"I am not sure where I will be staying. But I ain't giving up on the Nexus. All my favoritest people are here."

"Ya'could always ask Red if there is anything from the greenhouse that you wanted to take with you. She might be able to save it."

[alittlehinky]

There's a second's pause, and then he gives her yet another hug. He really has adjusted, this past year. When he first got here he was afraid to touch anyone at all without being invited. Now, he's ready to show his affection however it's best received, hugs very much included.

"I'll come and find you if you don't. You're still my best friend, and I love you."

He takes a moment to collect himself from that, and then says, "I just...need to make a place for Loki, that'll always be there for him to come home to."

He smiles shakily at the offer. "I feel real bad about Bertha. And I always did like the begonias."

[sweetcandygirl]

She will accept all the hugs. And hold onto him as long as she can physically.

"I love you too." Not easy words for her at times. But for Cricket, she means every single syllable.

"I am glad you two are still finding time for each other." Harley takes his hand in hers, and starts leading him to the greenhouse.

"Begonias are hardy flowers. Come'on… lets see if she has some saved."

[coldsong]

There are signs that Loki has come and gone since the start of the spring. A few things righted and tidied up here and there, glass piled neatly in corners rather than scattered about the place to cut people who come to gather their belongings (That's more a courtesy to Cricket than to Harley, really; he's not sure whether glass can cut her at this point, but he's sure she'd heal fast if it did. Still, no reason to be careless.) A dented kettle picked up from the living room floor and tucked into the recycling bin.

He's taken a few threads from where her silks were ripped down, too, and he'll see if he can't replace some.

His own room had little of personal value visible in it. He had some books and trinkets that were stolen, but the things he liked best he kept in hammerspace. Including the hat and sweaters Harley gave him. When he does appear, quite literally out of nowhere as she's picking up, he's wearing the hat, in fact, though the rest of his outfit is typical for a Jotun rather than his usual style. Bare feet, trousers, leg armor, bare chest, and a cloak trimmed with dark fur.

"How does one even know where to begin again?" he asks her. It might be rhetorical. "I halfway want to burn the place to the ground and just move to another dimension."

[sweetcandygirl]

Appearing out of nowhere right after Winter... not the best idea, as Harley turns startled with her gun raised. She chuckles slightly, seeing Loki standing there, with only half as many clothes as he wore during winter.

"I was tempted. But Red wanted to at least see if the garden could be saved..." Harley gives him a smile. Her gun returns to her holster.

And then she approaches, to welcome him properly by placing her arms around his neck. "I still have what is important to me..."

[coldsong]

Oops! Damn. He's never deliberately tried to unsettle her, but it's happened more than once. He's just doomed to be the creepy boyfriend, perhaps. If she did shoot him, it would be a minor annoyance for him at worst, but he puts both hands up with a sheepish smile.

"Would it be reckless of me to tell you you're remarkably sexy when you have a lethal weapon trained on me?"

His grin widens when she holsters the gun and comes toward him. He puts his arms around her waist gently. "I'd like to meet Red, if I'm allowed. You've spoken so well of her, I'm intrigued."

He kisses her forehead then, and murmurs, "Mind you, you're the one I came here to see."

[sweetcandygirl]

She runs a hand down his exposed chest, and leans into him. "Sure you can."

"I am glad to hear that. Hope that doesn't change..." Harley is very used to having other men fall completely heads-over-heels for Pamela.

She leads Loki into the Greenhouse. Where Pam is studying a section of flowers with a concerned look. The beautiful flower-clad woman stands. And shakes her head slightly. "These were completely killed by Winter. How bad was it?"

"It was bad, Red. I wanna introduce to Loki. Loki this is Red."

"Pamela..." The other woman smiles briefly.

[coldsong]

"You're remarkably sexy," he tells her, just to ice the cake. "Just in general, but particularly when you look exceptionally dangerous."

Loki can't remember whether Harley's friend released any kind of airborne pheromones, or merely transmits chemicals through touch. The Jotun constitution is so hardy against poisons, though, he's confident his head won't be turned, at least not without a concerted effort on the woman's part. He has to admit upon seeing her, though, there's a definite aesthetic appeal. Like a dryad who won't be trifled with.

He smiles and gives a slight bow, but stays close to Harley's side. "Charmed. Harley speaks of you with such affection, I was curious to meet you."

[sweetcandygirl]

There is an odd scent in the air around Pamela, so it must be that she releases airborne pheromones. But she is not actively trying to seduce him, so it is more like a sweet scent that he may or may not notice.

Pamela returns the bow. A little amused. "She speaks of most people with affection. It is one of the joys of knowing her."

"Tsk Red..." Harley grins, leaning against Loki with a blush.

"I do hope you are worth her affection. She deserves to be happy." Red was never a fan of Joker. She is very protective of Harley. And would be ready to protect her at any costs.

[coldsong]

Like a perfume. Natural, pleasant, potentially dangerous. Harley has such interesting friends!

His first consideration with Pamela, though, is that she not conclude he's not good enough to spend time with Harley. He may be a god, but he is aware of the cachet an old friend and lover can have with a person. He wants no trouble from that angle.

"Her personality is a delightful and unique combination," he tells Ivy. "Warm-heartedness coupled with the absolute willingness to shatter kneecaps when the occasion calls for it."

He smiles down at Harley, noting the blush. Yeah, he's not competing with Pamela. He would lose. "Worth is a subjective term, but I will never mean her harm."

[sweetcandygirl]

Pamela is very much evaluating Loki with every word he speaks, every breath he takes, every look that Harley gives him. She sees the blush on the other woman and smiles herself. There are no signs of possessive jealously from Loki... and Pamela considers that a good sign.

Her sweet pheromone smell becomes lighter. She might not have need to use it today.

"That is very good to hear." Pamela knows how much Joker had hurt Harley. And she never wants to see her friend in that sort of relationship again.

"Are you here to help with trying to save the garden?" An important question.