sweetcandygirl (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sweetcandygirl) wrote2019-12-21 08:06 pm
sweetcandygirl) wrote2019-12-21 08:06 pm
Entry tags:
Alice Falls into the Rabbit Hole
After abandoning her last Nexus apartment, it had taken Harley almost a full year to find a new Nexus place to settle down in. Something more appropriate. And she had been almost methodical in her choice, making sure it was convenient to her... but hard to find for others who were looking for her (especially considering that Joker had escaped and was still a viable threat).
And sure she was more than welcome to stay with the Birds of Prey, and whatever hide-a-way they found in her world. And moving from one place to the next... always watching their back certainly made life interesting.
But Harley always kept an ace up her sleeve. A place that she could escape to...
While there were people she felt she could count on, Harley knew that at any time Joker could come back for her. And it was for that reason that she needed to feel more prepared. Ready to face him. Ready for whatever challenge or game he decided to play next.
So there would only be a handful of people that would know about the new place. She would have told Thor, Caspar, Adia and Cricket that she had a place... but not where it was exactly. Loki and Amelia knew where the new place was... but not everything about it. And after extending an invitation to Dyane, she became the third person to know where the new place was (since she was more than welcome to crash there anytime she pleased).
The humble apartment definitely appeared to be missing a lot of what Harley had in her first place. The place had hardly any windows, and a double strength front door that opened into a living room and kitchen open concept room. The living room had a large hide-a-bed couch (for guests). And the kitchen was simple with the basic necessities, such as a fridge, a stove, a microwave and a hot chocolate machine. Off to the right side of the kitchen was a small door that lead to the pantry. The pantry was stocked with lots of canned food and bottled water. Instead of a greenhouse this time, Harley had a small hydroponic bed that contained some fresh herbs and root vegetables. A generator was located in the pantry, designed to supply the general electricity and the hydroponic bed in case of an emergency.
To the left side of the kitchen was a small bathroom and laundry suite. A small sink, toilet and shower was all that was available for guest use. The washer and dryer were stacked side-by-side in the far corner.
The main bedroom was separated from the living room with a double enforced wall and door. Harley needed to feel a little security after what happened with Joker... so this time, her bed was not in sight when one walked through the main door. Her bedroom had a large bed, a small walk-in closet and three large full-sized mirrors against the wall.
A door from the bedroom led to Harley's personal bathroom, which included a jacuzzi-shower suite, a vanity table, and toilet.
To the ordinary eye, the whole apartment was small and simple.
Of course, there was a secret to the place... A little Rabbit Hole that Harley kept to herself.
In Harley's room, one of the mirrors could be slid to the side to reveal a hidden door. And by entering the right code and a thumbprint, the door would open to a fireman's pole. (Harley always felt that the fireman's pole in the Bat Cave was the best thing about the place).
Sliding down the fireman's pole led to Harley's Hidden Bunker. It was several metres of a ride until one reached the bottom. The bunker was not extremely spacious like the Bat Cave was. But it was large enough for what Harley wanted.
On the east wall, there was a large computer and several monitors set up. After Joker had escaped last time... Harley had set up some cameras in his usual haunts in Gotham, and a few places around the Nexus. And the monitors kept watch for any sign of him. A separate generator was set up for the computer and the monitors, aimed to provide it power in case of emergency.
On the north wall, was Harley's weapon kiosk. She had repurposed the old Arkham cage that she had arrived in to create a special locked display case for her many weapons. The long display case included weaponized yo-yos, knives, guns, reinforced baseball bats, brass knuckles, rifles, flare guns, and there was a special section for the laughing gas, toxins, poisons and explosives. On the wall hung her oversized mallets, a bazooka, and her fire sword.
On the west all was a Memorial Display. The display had several individual cases, where Harley could keep a picture of the people she wanted to remember, and special mementos of their time together. Among the photos that were on display right now included Diablo, Natasha, Steve, Josh (and yes, Harley knew he wasn't dead... but still), and a few others.
And in the middle of the room -- taking full advantage of the depth of the hidden lair -- were Harley's aerial silks.
It was where Harley went after attending the Christmas party. She had felt happy among people she cared about in the Nexus and made new friends. But that happy smile faded away slowly as she returned to her new home.
The weight of the last year still was heavy for Harley. Dealing with Joker again had put her through all those ugly emotions all over again. And there were times when she felt so vulnerable and broken.
And the new arrivals of Angels and Demons in the Nexus definitely changed things for everyone. Even someone like Harley, who really couldn't classify her own spirituality if asked. But here she was... with a feather from the Angel of War, who promised to be at her side during times of trouble. And miracle worry beads from Aziraphale, who just wanted Harley to set her fears aside.
Harley does not yet realize that she has interacted with three Seasonal Spirits (she is aware that Hazel belongs to Autumn, but has not made any connections with either Dyane or Reynard yet). And along her path of becoming a better Valkyrie, Harley has come to learn that there are certain moments to respect. And tonight... winter's solstice... is one of them.
So she removes the fancy Santa dress and make-up, getting into just a skin-tight black suit appropriate for her aerial silks. And she lights some candles along the far corners of the aerial met.
"The darkest day. So many of my days were spent in the dark. And it ain't easy to put into words... but Deepest Darkest Day. Winter. Today I dance for you."
She presses play on a remote, and after a slight delay (to allow her time to get situated in the silks), her song plays. And Harley expresses herself using the silks. It is an almost tortured dance for her, letting every emotion be expressed in the music. Letting herself drop to the ground, hanging from the silks, over and over again. Cocooning herself in the silks and breaking free. Spinning. Hanging from just one leg, or one arm. And taking risks that only a few experienced aerialists can handle. Then at the very end of the song...
She drops completely from the silks, letting herself fall a few feet, until she is laying prone to the ground. And she closes her eyes. And embraces the darkness of the Darkest Day.
And sure she was more than welcome to stay with the Birds of Prey, and whatever hide-a-way they found in her world. And moving from one place to the next... always watching their back certainly made life interesting.
But Harley always kept an ace up her sleeve. A place that she could escape to...
While there were people she felt she could count on, Harley knew that at any time Joker could come back for her. And it was for that reason that she needed to feel more prepared. Ready to face him. Ready for whatever challenge or game he decided to play next.
So there would only be a handful of people that would know about the new place. She would have told Thor, Caspar, Adia and Cricket that she had a place... but not where it was exactly. Loki and Amelia knew where the new place was... but not everything about it. And after extending an invitation to Dyane, she became the third person to know where the new place was (since she was more than welcome to crash there anytime she pleased).
The humble apartment definitely appeared to be missing a lot of what Harley had in her first place. The place had hardly any windows, and a double strength front door that opened into a living room and kitchen open concept room. The living room had a large hide-a-bed couch (for guests). And the kitchen was simple with the basic necessities, such as a fridge, a stove, a microwave and a hot chocolate machine. Off to the right side of the kitchen was a small door that lead to the pantry. The pantry was stocked with lots of canned food and bottled water. Instead of a greenhouse this time, Harley had a small hydroponic bed that contained some fresh herbs and root vegetables. A generator was located in the pantry, designed to supply the general electricity and the hydroponic bed in case of an emergency.
To the left side of the kitchen was a small bathroom and laundry suite. A small sink, toilet and shower was all that was available for guest use. The washer and dryer were stacked side-by-side in the far corner.
The main bedroom was separated from the living room with a double enforced wall and door. Harley needed to feel a little security after what happened with Joker... so this time, her bed was not in sight when one walked through the main door. Her bedroom had a large bed, a small walk-in closet and three large full-sized mirrors against the wall.
A door from the bedroom led to Harley's personal bathroom, which included a jacuzzi-shower suite, a vanity table, and toilet.
To the ordinary eye, the whole apartment was small and simple.
Of course, there was a secret to the place... A little Rabbit Hole that Harley kept to herself.
In Harley's room, one of the mirrors could be slid to the side to reveal a hidden door. And by entering the right code and a thumbprint, the door would open to a fireman's pole. (Harley always felt that the fireman's pole in the Bat Cave was the best thing about the place).
Sliding down the fireman's pole led to Harley's Hidden Bunker. It was several metres of a ride until one reached the bottom. The bunker was not extremely spacious like the Bat Cave was. But it was large enough for what Harley wanted.
On the east wall, there was a large computer and several monitors set up. After Joker had escaped last time... Harley had set up some cameras in his usual haunts in Gotham, and a few places around the Nexus. And the monitors kept watch for any sign of him. A separate generator was set up for the computer and the monitors, aimed to provide it power in case of emergency.
On the north wall, was Harley's weapon kiosk. She had repurposed the old Arkham cage that she had arrived in to create a special locked display case for her many weapons. The long display case included weaponized yo-yos, knives, guns, reinforced baseball bats, brass knuckles, rifles, flare guns, and there was a special section for the laughing gas, toxins, poisons and explosives. On the wall hung her oversized mallets, a bazooka, and her fire sword.
On the west all was a Memorial Display. The display had several individual cases, where Harley could keep a picture of the people she wanted to remember, and special mementos of their time together. Among the photos that were on display right now included Diablo, Natasha, Steve, Josh (and yes, Harley knew he wasn't dead... but still), and a few others.
And in the middle of the room -- taking full advantage of the depth of the hidden lair -- were Harley's aerial silks.
It was where Harley went after attending the Christmas party. She had felt happy among people she cared about in the Nexus and made new friends. But that happy smile faded away slowly as she returned to her new home.
The weight of the last year still was heavy for Harley. Dealing with Joker again had put her through all those ugly emotions all over again. And there were times when she felt so vulnerable and broken.
And the new arrivals of Angels and Demons in the Nexus definitely changed things for everyone. Even someone like Harley, who really couldn't classify her own spirituality if asked. But here she was... with a feather from the Angel of War, who promised to be at her side during times of trouble. And miracle worry beads from Aziraphale, who just wanted Harley to set her fears aside.
Harley does not yet realize that she has interacted with three Seasonal Spirits (she is aware that Hazel belongs to Autumn, but has not made any connections with either Dyane or Reynard yet). And along her path of becoming a better Valkyrie, Harley has come to learn that there are certain moments to respect. And tonight... winter's solstice... is one of them.
So she removes the fancy Santa dress and make-up, getting into just a skin-tight black suit appropriate for her aerial silks. And she lights some candles along the far corners of the aerial met.
"The darkest day. So many of my days were spent in the dark. And it ain't easy to put into words... but Deepest Darkest Day. Winter. Today I dance for you."
She presses play on a remote, and after a slight delay (to allow her time to get situated in the silks), her song plays. And Harley expresses herself using the silks. It is an almost tortured dance for her, letting every emotion be expressed in the music. Letting herself drop to the ground, hanging from the silks, over and over again. Cocooning herself in the silks and breaking free. Spinning. Hanging from just one leg, or one arm. And taking risks that only a few experienced aerialists can handle. Then at the very end of the song...
She drops completely from the silks, letting herself fall a few feet, until she is laying prone to the ground. And she closes her eyes. And embraces the darkness of the Darkest Day.