Lurking in the Shadows

[sweetcandygirl]

It was really nice that Coney Island had appeared in the Nexus. Harley had quite a time in her element, and it was great that several other people had a chance to relax, enjoy the rides and the food, and just spend quality time with their loved ones.

And there was some cleanup required afterwards, so Harley was busy making sure that the Nexus plaza was back to normal (no garbage or debris around), and that those from Coney Island that had traveled to the Nexus were back in her home universe where they belonged.

She was cleaning up some garbage one day, when she felt that 'someone is watching me' sixth sense. When she stood and turned, she spotted an elderly man dressed in butler attire, and wearing pale white make-up with bright red lipstick over his lips, who was walking towards her. Right away, Harley knew who it was -- Jeeves, as she called him, one of Joker's loyal goons (who actually was part of Joker's gang for as long as she remembered).

Fuck fuck fuck She cursed silently, wondering if the appearance of Coney Island had accidentally brought Jeeves or other Joker goons to the Nexus. Out of caution, Harley had her bat in her hand. She knew that Jeeves himself would not attack her (he was not the type), but wanted to be prepared just in case there were other Joker goons around who would attack her.

"Miss Quinzel..." Jeeves spoke in a raspy voice, as he held out a package. Harley shook her head, refusing to take it. She did not want anything from Jeeves, especially since it meant that he was delivering a gift from Joker.

Jeeves tapped the gift-wrapped box, and held it out to her, insistent that she take it, despite her refusal. And he just stood there, holding it out for her, while she shook her head. That was the one thing about how loyal Jeeves was -- Harley knew that he would keep on trying to do his job (which was to deliver this package), and would eventually neglect himself by not eating or sleeping, if she kept on refusing to take the package from him. And dammit... Jeeves was still okay in her eyes. He never abused her, he never yelled at her, and he had taken care of her a few times. So Harley didn't want him to punish himself, just because he couldn't finish his task.

Harley took the box from him and sighed. "Fine."

Jeeves continued to stand there, and he signaled for Harley to open the box in front of him. Harley rolled her eyes at that. Of course Joker knew that she was likely to burn the stupid thing, without even seeing what was inside. Of course he told Jeeves to make sure that she opened the box, to see whatever stupid gift was inside.

"I really hate that man..." Harley put the box down, and took out her Ice Dagger to unwrap the gift with -- not daring to touch the wrapping paper or the ribbon with her hands. Sure she couldn't get poisoned, but she didn't want something nasty on her hands right now.

Inside the box was a large photo album. Harley arched an eyebrow, and stabbed the front of the album to bring the object outside, planting it on the ground too. Using the dagger to turn the pages (refusing to touch the book out of principle), Harley noticed several torn photos of her and Joker at the start of the book. It was like a very creepy montage of their lives together. He even including little newspaper clippings of their crime spree in Gotham.

Once upon a time... the old love-sick Harley would have been over the moon with the effort. But the wiser Harley Quinn of today knew that it was all part of some sick game that Joker was playing. And sure enough... near the end of the photo album, the pictures changed. There were several photos of many different Nexus locations in a stylized black-and-white tone, with splashes of red streaking across each of the photos. Harley knew enough of Joker's photography techniques to recognize that he had taken these photos himself... which meant that he had access to the Nexus.

As she turned a few more pages, where there were portrait mosaics -- of unknown faces, made from several photos of different people. And Harley started to recognize some of the pieces of photos. That was Caspar's eyebrow in one photo... and Amelia's lips in another... and Cricket's eyes in a third... She felt her heart beat fast and hard in her chest.

Jeeves walked away from her, as Harley sat down to slowly stare at the torn up photos of several of her friends, and some people that she just met (Danny), and some people she did not recognize. She knew then and there that Joker was telling her that he could get to any of these people, that he had gotten close enough to get their picture, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Joker was in the Nexus. This was serious. Harley had to make some text messages.

Comments

Text Message: Loki

[sweetcandygirl]

Princess... I received a very disturbing package today.

Can you come see me?

[coldsong]

It takes Loki a short while to respond, probably because he's feeding or bathing the kids. Let it never be said that he's not attentive, though:

Where are you? I'll be there in five minutes.

[sweetcandygirl]

The Plaza, where Coney Island was last seen. I was doing clean up

[coldsong]

Omw.

Someone's been picking up texting acronyms.

True to his word, Loki is there within just a few minutes (three and three-quarters, in fact). Surprisingly, he's in black jeans and a loose button-down shirt, untucked, which would seem to indicate he was doing chores around the cottage. He comes straight to Harley's side, looking calm but a little worried.

"What's going on, dearest?" He asks softly, holding out his arms as if to offer a hug.

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley meanwhile is the opposite of calm. She is pacing. The bat swinging at her side, as she responds to a few texts at the same time. At her feet there is a photo album, with the Ice Dagger nearby. A mosaic face has been torn off the page, and pieces of photos have been taped together.

She immediately goes into the offered hug, clinging to him.

"It's Joker. He is in the Nexus. He has taken photos of people we know!"

[coldsong]

He can practically feel the emotions rolling off her as he approaches. Tension, anger, maybe even fear. He holds her, obliging, and ducks his head to rest his cheek against her hair.

Calming people isn't really his forte, alas. His first reaction to the news is to hold her a little tighter, silent as the wheels click and turn in his head. Probably unrelated to other events in the Nexus. Still bad.

"He sent you these things? Did he include a message?" He has to be practical here. His gut instinct is vengeance, but he wouldn't know, yet, where to go to find it.

[sweetcandygirl]

His presence helps her to focus on something, so that the conflicting emotions are a little easier to process.

"It is a photo album. Pictures of our past. Pictures of places in the Nexus. Photos of Caspar. Amelia. Cricket." Her voice cracks a little, listing her friends. "There was no message."

"But he also sent them gifts. With no message either."

"He just wants me to know that he could reach them... anyone... if he wanted to."

Text Message: Amelia

[sweetcandygirl]

Amelia. Strange question for you -- have you seen anyone or anything weird recently?

[rogueinladysclothing]

That's certainly not a question she likes getting, especially from those who have good instincts - like Harley.

I thought the fair was weird, but nothing other than that.

It was only strange because it came out of nowhere, but there wasn't anything actually strange about it. A bit of clarification is probably best.

Did something happen? I haven't encountered anyone or anything that's out of the ordinary for the Nexus. The fair was unexpected, but nothing bad happened there.

[sweetcandygirl]

Coney Island showing up was weird. But I hope it is not connected to the other weird....


Okay pulling off the bandage. You have seen Joker. You know what he looks like.


Have you seen him around?

[rogueinladysclothing]

This just got a lot worse than the rogue was expecting.

No. I haven't seen him since the incident on your world.

Are you all right? Do you need help?

Dreams, please let her be safe.

[sweetcandygirl]

I'm fine.

But he -- Joker -- took a picture of you recently.

And I am trying to figure out when he did.

Sort of worried that he was at Coney Island when it showed up...

[rogueinladysclothing]

Can I see the picture? If I know what I was wearing, I could guess when it was taken.

That's the best she's going to manage while her mind runs through every possible idea of when and where her photo could have been taken. She's not out and about in the Nexus much these days with her almost daily visits to Asvera, which should help her determine when she may have been photographed.

Text Message: Caspar

[sweetcandygirl]

Caspar. Strange question for you -- have you seen anyone or anything weird recently?

Re: Text Message: Caspar

[fiveofnone]

The text reaches Caspar while he's reading in bed, Adia sleeping next to him. He sets aside his book (paper, which means he has to read it the old-fashioned way), and picks up his PINpoint, resting on the nightstand.

Caspar is about as relaxed as he's ever been, but Harley asking a question like this has him sitting up a little with narrow-eyed focus.

Not particularly, but I do frequent the Nexus. You'll need to be more specific.

[sweetcandygirl]

By the time Caspar responds, Harley has heard back from Amelia and Cricket. So she has a better question for her friend.

Do you recently receive any strange gifts? That didn't come with a note?

[fiveofnone]

I did, yeah. A bag of gourmet coffee. It showed up in one of those Nexus pick-up locations, but I didn't order it. No note. I thought it was weird at the time.

An unpleasant feeling settles in his stomach.

What's this about, Harley?

[sweetcandygirl]

Coffee? Amelia mentioned something about coffee beans in her text message. Harley frowns, tapping her bat against her leg.

That package was sent to you by Joker. He sent packages to Cricket, Amelia and a few other Nexus residents. He took photos of you and the others. And sent the photos to me

[fiveofnone]

Caspar's reply comes only a second after Harley sends hers.

Did he take any photos of Adia?

Text Message: Cricket

[sweetcandygirl]

Cricket. Strange question for you -- have you seen anyone or anything weird recently?

[alittlehinky]

Cricket is feeding the chickens when he gets the text, so it takes him a minute to reply, after coming in and washing up.

Weird like how?

Okay, that's not helpful. He thinks a second and types again: It's been real quiet except for the Coney Island thing. How far back are you thinking? I got some stuff in the mail I don't know where it come from, but that was weeks ago.

[sweetcandygirl]

I received photos of you. I would like to hope they weren't taken of you at Coney Island...

What kind of stuff?

[alittlehinky]

Photos of me? I mean, Loki's always taking pictures with his camera.
Was I holding a chicken?

Cricket doesn't get why this is a concern. Give him a minute.

There was a plant in one of the empty jars I got back in the jar return box, and then there was some weird tropical fruit later on.

Weird stuff, but they struck him as friendly gifts, not ominous. Sweet summer child.

[sweetcandygirl]

Loki taking pictures of you is sweet. But these are not his photos.

I fear that it was Joker who took the photo in question. There are photos of you, Amelia, Caspar... and a few other people in the Nexus. He tore them up, and then put the pieces together for mosaic faces.

Amelia mentioned that she received a broken sculpture. And a charm depicting an elephant on a simple chain necklace. And I think the mail has something to do with how the photos were taken...

[alittlehinky]

There's a long pause as he reads what she's telling him, and he knows enough about what 'Joker' means to feel a sudden chill. Paranoid, he gets up and checks his windows and door locks (some of the fear from Winter lingers), before sitting back down.

Okay. What do we do? Fruit's gone, but I got the basket it was in, and the jar with the plant is still on the windowsill of my shed with the stills in it.

As soon as he knows more about what's happening, he's going to want to warn Loki and Forrest.