1986/Insanity & Reason

Insanity & Reason
Date of Scene:	14 August 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Athenaeum, Harley Quinn

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Athenaeum has posed:
Gotham. As per usual it's raining, and pretty heavily to boot. Sheets of summer rain, warm and yet still just as wet, hits the pavement in a muted roar. Only those with dire need, or lacking some sanity would be out on a day like today.

Which is why Ysabelle is inside one of her town houses. This time in Gotham, thanks to her having needing to be here several times of late. From the outside, the house looks like every other heavy stone building in the area. A row of terrace buildings, each with their own gargoyle rain spout runs along the streets. And the young looking Magician's looks no different from all the rest.

Which is why it's odd that she's sitting in a library that's at least two stories higher than the three story town house. Wearing a gown of cream silk, fitted at the bust and with a square neckline that actually shows some clevage (even if a spray of lace makes it difficult to tell). Long skirts brush the floor as she moves to place a tome back into place, humming softly to herself.

On an old grammarphone, Pink Floyd's 'Wish you were here' plays from original vinyl. Now and then grey painted lips part to sing along to the words in a warm soporano.

Harley Quinn has posed:
    Hey nah, hey nah, the Joker's back. And as a result, Harley's Joy Boys are off following the Clown Prince's devious whims in other parts of the city. But Harley? Well, it really can't be considered 'a break' when one's still dressed in tribute of her harlequinn roots... but she's decided to come visit a certain interesting magician all on her lonesome, the sound of her motorcycle audible long before the woman in the red-and-black bomber jacket, white shirt and black-and-red leather pants comes into view. Because the answer as to who would be out in this kind of weather is decidedly answered in the form of a blond-haired petite lunatic who alternates lanes as whim drives her on her way over to Ysabelle's house for no better reason than she feels like it.

Athenaeum has posed:
And it's not like the magus hides her abodes particularly well (as least from the mundane). Wards against all sorts of things hums over her buildings, for demons, for firearms, wards of warning when the perimeter is breached, wards for hellspawn attempting to break through. Even a ward to tell her when the kettle was about to boil!

But knowing that leaving her actual name all over financial paperwork would make it a breeze for a certain colourful lunatic to find her home? Well, that's not a ward that would be in any of her spellbooks. And thus... The humming continues. Even if an ear does prick at the sound of a motorcycle entering the road.

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn's humming by time the bike pulls up in front of Ysabelle's house and she swings herself off of it, flicking a hand through her soaked hair to smooth it back from her face. Others might not appreciate the rain, or the streaks of makeup ruined by her ride, but for Harley? It's beautiful weather. Lovely. Another grand day in Gotham. And it's with all the confident sashay she can manage that she, oblivious to the wards, endeavors to approach Ysabelle's door... far too cheery to bode well for anyone.

Athenaeum has posed:
The last book from the pile goes back just as a soft pulse against Ysabelle's mind tells her that she has company. Moving back into a narrow hallway that leads to the door, she magician waits for a knock, or the pulling of the bell... And then a slow count of ten before she pulls it open to reveal... A soaked wreck.

"Oh Miss Quinn!" Her voice fills with concern. "You're soaked! Please, come on in, let's get you dry..." She gestures towards the inside of the house, adding; "Be welcome in my home, and safe while you are here." Wherein another pulse echos through the building, this time popping the ears of even the uninitiated.

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn's not often greeted with concern by... well, anyone but Ivy, really, and maybe a few others, so it's somewhat unexpected from Ysabelle, not that the blonde is offput for more than a second, laughing with delight and spreading her arms,"Of course! It's raining." there's a big grin that edges across her face before she grimaces and wriggles a finger in her ear momentarily,"I lookedcha up... figured I'd come say hiii. Puddin' loved whatcha did with the crown an' all and I figured 's a great day to go for a ride!" if only in her mind, nonchalant in the way she swaggers inside nosily,"Y'know I was sort of figuring it might look like a gingerbread house or something. Candy cane knockers.. gumdrops... shoulda known it'd just look boring."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Magic often comes from within..." Ysabelle intones, closing the door behind the dripping kook. "So too, my homes are more special on the /inside/..." A small gesture towards the Library door, and it's two impossible floors above the building's roof. Though it's further into the house, towards what seems a rather homely kitchen that she leads the other woman.

"What a lovely surprise!" And the comment certainly /seems/ genuine enough. "I hope you don't mind if I just..." Flows of fire and air are controlled with deft movements of her fingers, drawing the water away from the biker and pooling it together in a ball of water that hangs over the sink, before dropping with a 'ploop!' down the drain. "Being in rain is one thing... Sitting in wet clothing rarely seems as enjoyable." Her smile is warm, a hand extended to an antique copper kettle. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley pokes her head into the library and looks up to whistle, only to be suddenly distracted by the flare of fire and air and the sudden feeling of being dry again. There's a delighted clap of her hands,"That's a neat trick!" check, pockets, jacket, chest, everything's still there, even better as the manic one, for once feeling all kinds of tall compared to Ysabelle, flounces towards the kitchen,"Absolutely! That'd be great... and okay... that's better than gingerbread, I suppose? How'd you go with your... tablet... thingie... whatsit, anyways? No having to deal with broken mirror bad luck for the next seven years or anything like that?"

Athenaeum has posed:
"It is very handy." Ysabelle admits as she goes about manually filling the kettle and placing it on a very modern looking Aga oven. With the gas lit and the water set to boil, she turns to lean against a side gesturing to a solid looking oak table and chairs.

"Please, do have a seat." If nothing else, it'll make their heights more even. "And it's all locked away safely, thank you for your help on that. So unfortunate that your fireworks didn't go off in the end..." Her face says only that she shares some of Harley's dissapointment in that, even though it was in actuality her own doing. You don't live so long without learning to dissemble at least. "No bad luck thankfully. And your gentleman friend? He enjoyed his birthday celebration?"

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn flounces her way into a seat with a ready grin, unable to stop looking around the place with that restless energy of hers, though from the sudden flicker of a pout she'd forgotten about the lack of earth-shattering kaboom last time they say one another, only for her to brighten again nigh immediately,"Oh /yes/." she breathes,"It was marvellous... you didn't see the fire stations? They made such pretty candles." she enthuses,"But I was like... currrioousss... as to what it's like... to be a witch? I mean... they're supposed to be all green and ugly in the stories, aren't they? 'cept you're not. Obviously."

Athenaeum has posed:
"No not green... Though still an odd colour I suppose." Because bleached-bone white isn't the normal skin-colour for a person. Let alone those tuquoise gem-like eyes that catch any light and refract it back like cut stones.

"I didn't see the lights alas, I was on the Island at the time." Because that had seemed prudent considering the Gotham PD's interest in her after last time. "Though I'm unsure how it's different from anyone else really. Not being them." Whilst she talks she sets honey and sugar, lemon and milk on the table. Even a small pot of cream. "Would you prefer tea, coffee or hot chocolate?" Normally the latter wouldn't be there, but it /is/ raining. And something of Harley's child-like humour is catching.

"With the one big difference being magic I suppose, but I do tend to try and do things myself rather than rely on it all the time." A point she proves as the heavy kettle starts to boil. The magician taking a cloth to wrap around the handle, picking it up with both hands to pour into a pink glazed teapot.

Harley Quinn has posed:
In Harley's world? Hardly noticeable, and her confusion no doubt shows on her face for it,"'s a shame. It was really pretty. Batsy and his friends got super mad, too. But you did it! They all showed up and my puddin' was super happy... it was a great birthday." she pulls a foot up onto the seat with her and wraps her arms loosely about her leg,"Oooh, hot chocolate, I reckon, but only if you have marshmellows. An' not me... if I could do that, I'd totally be like... flying a broomstick everywhere! And a cat! Do you have a talking cat? I mean... witches always have cats, don't they? Especially black ones."

Athenaeum has posed:
"I found pets... Short lived." Ysabelle smiles gently, putting the teapot onto the table for herself before turning back to the stove. Thick cream and milk get poured into a saucepan, the heat still on from the kettle getting turned down as she grates /real chocolate/ into the pan. Along with a pinch of cinnamon. Slowly she stirs, and then, just for Harley's sake, she grins (and looks years younger with it) as a flick of her wrist has the spoon stirring for her.

"But it does have it's moments..." She makes it back to the table, setting up a cup and saucer and pouring from the teapot. "What's it like being a... Supervillian is it? I'm not really up on the modern venacular."

Harley Quinn has posed:
Proper hot chocolate, with all the trimming's, and Harley can't help but be delighted for it, especially when the spoon starts stirring the pot on its own,"It's just like that super old movie... Fantasia." she breathes with a giggle, only to wrinkle her nose,"That's what /they/ say. The police and Bats and his little army. But we just want to make the world free. There's too many rules, people are scared of their own shadows and Batsy's the worst of them for scaring people with what they're allowed to do or not allowed to do, like who died and made him boss? So we help people. An' sure, sometimes people get hurt... but like... y'can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, right?"

Athenaeum has posed:
It's all very understandable. But then she knew it would be. People will always have reasons, and those reasons will always sound reasonable when from their own point of view. And anarchists are always that much more vehement in their beliefs. For her part, she gives a small nod of agreement.

"Indeed, omelette's need eggs. And sometimes people need a good kick to get them to see what's under their noses." Both true, if not /exactly/ agreeing with the other woman. It still sounds like she has. A break to add more chocolate to the self-mixing pan and she continues; "Fantasia could well be used as a cautionary tale to apprectices everywhere..." The young looking woman gives that girlish giggle again, incongrous with her general demeanor. "Though I've yet to see anyone who doesn't read the warnings before using the spells..." Yet. Though her interaction with other mages were rare, just like the mages themselves. "You said you wanted marshmallows? And squirty cream?"

Harley Quinn has posed:
"They do!" Harley agree's with enthusiasm, watching the hot chocolate be made with delight,"'s what I thought of... when it's like... magic and stuff. I mean, I suppose to some people like... Ivy's magic, but it's not the same kind of magic... she's just really smart and good with plants." the small blonde pulls her other foot up onto the chair to sit cross legged,"Can like... /any/one learn how to be a witch? And yes please! Lots of marshmellows, and cream... that would be faaantastic!"

Athenaeum has posed:
"Anyone with the determination and will, yes." Ysabelle admits with a smile. The thick, rich chocolate gets poured into a mug with a wide brim, more a bowl with a handle really. A good handful of miniature marshmallows gets sprinkled on top, and then the cream (from a fridge cunningly disguised as a cupboard) and another grating of chocolate. This whole thing (with a long handled spoon) is placed before Harley. "Here, please enjoy." She offers with her smile turning maternal.

Taking a seat at the table she continues their conversation, whilst adding honey and lemon to the tea in her own cup. "It isn't as easy as just picking up a book and reading. There's languages to learn and energies to attune yourself to. But it /is/ possible, if you have the commitment to it." With a snap of her fingers, the spoon that had until that point still been stirring (forgotten) drops into the now empty saucepan with a clatter. "A good memory also helps." She adds, her cheeks turning a pale shade of pink.

Harley Quinn has posed:
ZOMG, Harley may well be over for hot chocolate with annoying frequency given the way her blue eyes go wide at the confection placed before her. The bright beam of the smile she gives completely ignorant of just how probably creepy the streaky makeup makes it look as she wiggles down and breathes on it with a contented noise,"This is marvellous, thank you!" she coo's,"But like... y'could? If you could chakra-fy and zen with the universe and all that kind of stuff?" the glint in her eye quite probably speaks of danger, if the Clown Princess didn't have the attention span of a gnat for 'boring' stuff,"Oh I have an excellent memory. Super good. Languages though? Not so much. I mean, I learnt Latin, in school? Cos I trained to be a psychologist. But like... yeh."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Ah, 'apto vel interio'..." Ysabelle offers with a grin, before sipping her own tea. Streaky makeup not-withstanding. This /is/ her first visit in quite a while, and it's nice to at least have her drinks appreciated now and then.

"You could, yes." Pretence away, she speaks in the specific. "But being an apprentice normally lasts a good twenty to thirty years, just to master the basics." Which would be about how old the magus /looks/. "Another fifty or so to /really/ understand the nuances. And a lifetime to master. It is as much a calling as faith really." A pause and she adds; "Even down to some things just being /that way/, without understanding."

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Always." Harley agree's with that grin, but then Ysabelle starts going into specifics, and it's right around fifty that the face starts falling and her attention wanders off to the hot chocolate,"But you aint that old." she points out with a mouthful of cream and marshmellows,"S'there's like... a trick, yeh? You know a trick. To do it faster." at least, that's her theory, bouncing a knee as she sips her hot chocolate,"I met this other woman, Moreau? 'cept her magic is all like... super cool animals and such. She wants to make my boys bigger and smarter than they are. But she's been quiet since Mistah J came back."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Not quicker... But there are ways of extending one's life." Ysabelle answers, though she can see the disinterest coming. And perhaps that had been her goal all along? "I myself am very much older than I look M... Harley." The woman finally remembering that she was meant to be using the Crazy's first name.

"There are many types of magic, or rather, there are many different ways to tap into the energies we'd see as magic. I'm an Archmagus by my teacher's reckoning. And that took..." She puzzles it out, the first fifty being taught the rest muddling through as best she could. "Two, maybe three hundred years?" And still, only a fraction of herself. "Give or take..."

Harley Quinn has posed:
There's a desultory kind of noise of acknowledgment, it sounds like way too much /work/ to her, especially when there's so much more fun stuff to do,"Y'don't look that old... how old are you? Like.. forty?" pause,"Wait... three /hundred/? Wow lady... you're older than cars /and/ factories... that's... kinda cool. And looking /damn/ good for your age, too." she adds cheekily,"'s really good hot chocolate... by the way. Super fancy."

Athenaeum has posed:
"I've had a long time to practice making it." Ysabelle informs the Clown Princess with a smile, that maternal look on her face perhaps making more sense now. It's hard not to see the youngsters as just that, young. When you're... "It /is/ a little rude to ask someone's age..." She starts, and then, because in the end it doesn't really matter; "But I was born just before Greece was invaded." A beat; "By the Romans. The first time. So I'm... oh, getting on for just over two thousand... two hundred and some handful of years." It's the offhand way it's delivered that really really stands out. In the same tone a fashion model might say; 'Oh this old thing?'

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh please." Harley responds to rude with a roll of her eyes, not a word in her vocabulary unless it comes to herself and her ego, but she can't help but stare with widening eyes,"Wait... /for real/?! You're two /thousand/ years old? I mean... how's that even possible? Wait... no, magic. Ha. Like... that's awesome? And like... /wow/ you look amazing. Like seriously... not even joking ah-maz-ing. Ivy 'd kill to have your beauty secrets." there's a entirely too bright and toothy smile from her,"S'like... what's it like, then? I mean... totally makes sense you're dressed like a grandma now, I guess... you totally need a makeover, by the way."

Athenaeum has posed:
"And you're offering to do that?" Ysabelle's answering grin is bright and quite innocent of what Harley's idea of a 'makeover' might entail. "Thank you, though none of it is my doing, magical accident pushed me into unaging whether I wanted it or not..." And that's enough of an explanation on /that/ front at least.

"As for what it's like..." She considers and then attempts to describe; "Lonely, for starters. You have to accept that anyone you meet is likely to go before you do. But at the same time it's almost liberating, knowing that I can take a day, a week or even a year to just concentrate on /one thing/, and that there'll still be plenty of time for everything else at the end of it." She takes a moment to sip her tea, cup going back on the saucer. "But I didn't think I dressed like a Grandmother... Thats..." She takes a slow breath, in through her nose... "To be expected I suppose." She finally admits with a sigh.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Totally... we can go shopping! Get you some nice things! You'll look awesome." at least, Harley's idea of awesome, which might be mildly terrifying to anyone else,"So like... you totally need a puddin' of your own! That's okay, we get you all prettied up and I know a guy. He's a friend... he likes to beat the shit out of people in bars and could totally pick you up with one hand, too." she enthuses brightly,"I mean, yeh, y'know, he'll get old and die and all that, but you can have fun in the meantime! I mean... if you /want/... if you're happy being all alone and all who am I to judge? But otherwise... he's totally cute... if you're into that whole big muscle-bound thing."

Athenaeum has posed:
"I tend to look at their personality..." Ysabelle admits, before adding with spots of colour marring her cheeks. "Though a nice set of shoulders has always been a personal weakness..." Another moment as she sips her tea, the next said in the same 'hushed' tone of a private conversation; "Or a nice set of eyes... Brown on a man, or green on a woman have always sped my heart a little." Because two women at tea (or chocolate) should be able to speak plainly. And they /are/ on a first name basis after all!

"What of yourself? Your uh, 'Puddin must be quite the gentleman to hold your attentions so well." Because if she's this flighty in a conversation, goodness knows how she is with people. "But you are right, I have tended more to dalliances than relationships due to the uh... Growing old and dying thing. A nice memory however brief, seems preferrable to a lifetime watching them waste away." Because she'd tried that too, and it hurt too much.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh he's... well, if I wasn't in love with my puddin', I'd totally keep his number. Shoulders like an /ox/. Beautiful brown eyes, and a nice set of.." really, there's no pretending that the gesture isn't suggestive in the slightest, especially with the wicked smirk she gives,"Y'd like Ivy then... she's got the prettiest eyes. And lovely red hair, too." she can't help but laugh,"Gentleman? Puddin'? Oh no... but he's so sweet. And dreamy. And he gets me anything I want." only she could possibly think that about Gotham's clown prince, the adoration plain on her face,"For real though, I'll totally introduce you to this guy. His name is John, and he works in construction. For LexCorp... which is shitty, but you know... he reckons he's happy with it. /I/ reckon he just needs the right woman to help him see that's booorrr-ing and he should totally do something more interesting."

Athenaeum has posed:
John. In Construction. "His surname wouldn't be 'Aaron' would it?" She asks tentatively, her tone going just a little less conversational. Something that a trained Psychiatrist would likely pick up on. "Because we've met. And whilst I /will/ admit that he does have a very fine set of shoulders..." A soft breath and /perhaps/ a moment's dilation of the pupil... "And lovely eyes..." She admits that rather grudgingly. "I don't think he is that enamoured of me." Her smile looks apologetic at scuppering Harley's choice.

"Though this Ivy sounds wonderful, perhaps you would arrange introductions? It has been a rather long time since I considered a dalliance... If you think she might be interested?" After all, when Izzy was born, it was more odd /not/ to open to both genders!

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh I never got his surname." Harley waves off, even though there is a sharpness to her gaze as she listens,"Ooooh you /have/? And clearly, not when you're dressed like a grandma. We'll put the boom in the boom-de-boom and he wont be able to scrape his jaw off the floor." she insists,"Besides... you liiiiikkkeee him. Which is even better!" she squirms about with a brief laugh,"Oh well I don't know who she might be seeing lately, she got out same time as my puddin' but I haven't caught up with her yet. Sometimes she doesn't wanna talk to me too much? But she's great. Really great. I can totally introduce you two, I just have to find where she's hiding at the moment."

Athenaeum has posed:
"He is very pleasing on the eye." The old magus admits with a grin, the loopy lady's optimisim being infectious. "He kissed me once, heat of the moment sort of thing. I don't believe I reacted the way he expected. Saying that he'd need permission for the next one. I believe he took that to mean I hadn't enjoyed the first." She offers a little shrug, water under the bridge and perhaps an opportunity missed. But there'd be another, there always was.

"I'll look forward to meeting your red-headed friend anyway. And thank you Harley, it's nice to just be... A woman, for a change." What with most of her interaction these days being about stopping evil or the like, this was turning into a pleasant afternoon. "I'm glad you came over."

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh /geez/, you're hopeless!" Harley decries as she sets the cup aside and bounces to her feet,"Y'don't tell a guy who's kissing you that he needs your permission! That's like... code for I think you're ugly." the little blonde has no hesitation about swatting the magus' arm as if she'd committed a horrible faux pas,"If y'like it... you kiss them back until your toes curl and they can't think properly. Duh." there's a hmph from her at least,"But yeh, I'll totally introduce you to Ivy... just don't go telling /her/ she needs permission, or she might get all scary and bindy with the vines and it'd just be bad. And of course you're a woman. I mean... y'not a flower pot... are you?"

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle laughs, and it's a warm summery sound. "No, I am human. I eat, breath and the like just like everyone else. I just don't age." She admits, for some reason making all this plain to a potentially dangerous individual. But then again, everyone was potentially dangerous these days.

"I'll try not to say the same thing..." She grins. "I /had/ just won a sparring match with him, when he kissed me I mean. So I wasn't exactly thinking about matters of the heart and bed at the time." And that's the only admission that perhaps she'd handled it badly the colourful girl is going to get. "I wouldn't want to be bound with vines..." A pause, an honest to goodness /smirk/ and a /wink/. "Well. Not for /that/ sort of reason anyway."

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn reaches out to pet a hand over Ysabelle's hair, examining it critically,"'s a nice problem to have, I reckon... but does that mean you can't die? And you did? Wow. Cos he's good. I stabbed him, but he was just all 'ha-ha that tickles' about it." she's not concerned about it from the offhanded way she says it,"And like... really, guy like that... course violence rev's them up. They're all primal like that, at the base of it. Get them all grr-rar and the next thing their brain turns to is sex." at least, in her opinion, scooping Ysabelle's hair through her hands as if she plans on an impromptu hairdressing session just because she can,"Ivy's real good with her vines. Super good. In like... all kinds of situations. But see? There's at least two to start out with... we'll get you a makeover... set you up on a date... I mean... I can only imagine the cobwebs after a while! What's life without fun?"

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle takes another sip of her tea, resting both cup and saucer on the table as Harley starts to mess with her hair, which she acceeds to with good grace, if perhaps after looking to see what those hands are doing.

"It feels like I don't have much of a choice in the matter." And her tone makes it clear that's not neccessarily a /bad/ thing. "Alright, a make over. But it has to be /decent/." She makes that clear before they begin, foolishing (perhaps) assuming the other woman will have the same understanding of decency that she does. "Though uh, dare I ask, cobwebs?" She has an inkling, but surely the blonde (at least partly) doesn't mean /that/?

Harley Quinn has posed:
"What are we calling 'decent'? I'm not making you over into a grandma. I mean... sure, I'm not going to make you totally like... boobs out and shorts you can't even sit down in... y'gotta be able to rock it /and/ feel comfortable at the same time, after all! But like... yeh. Show some leg! And cleavage never hurt anyone important!" she asserts, finger combing Ysabelle's hair with far too much humming delight,"Oh /geez/, like, really. When /was/ the last time you got laid?"

Athenaeum has posed:
So she /had/ meant that. The magician's cheeks flush to a soft rose this time, but her voice remains calm as she admits; "Uh... It's what, twenty twenty five?" She confirms the year first, before working it out her eyes half closing at what is in essence a rather pleasant sensation from her scalp.

"Ten or so years? I got caught up working on a tome and before I'd knew it a decade had gone by..." That was happening more and more regularly lately. She really did need to spend some more time with /people/. "It sounds like I'll need hose with what you have in mind." Because she's not entirely clueless on modern clothing. "And a jacket?"

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn's at least gentle about working her fingers through Ysabelle's hair, for all the gasp of horror from the twenty-something,"Ten /or so/ YEARS?" somehow that's even more shocking than the idea the magus is more than two thousand,"No wonder you screwed that up. Wow. And only if we get you like... stockings, not pantyhose. With a nice lacy garterbelt and all... men love those. Not the least of which cos it gives them something to upwrap, y'know? Without all the fiddlyiness of pulling /everything/ off. But a jacket, absolutely. And a good bra.." there's a critical look for Ysabelle's chest,"Something to add a little oomph. Cos there can never be enough oomph." at least in her opinion,"You'll hafta give me your number, and I can call Ivy, and we can make a day of it! Go to the spa, have massages... the whole nine yards. Besides, then it'd give you a chance to meet Ivy."

Athenaeum has posed:
"That sounds wonderful." And she truely means it, one hand rises a simple word and a three fingered twisting of her digits producing a small... Well /doorway/ seems the best idea. A purple circle leaving an opening to... The telephone, and more importantly, the notepad and pencil next to it.

These she draws back through, dispelling the gate with another word. Quickly she scribbles, never once having moved her head (so as not to dislodge Harley's ministrations). "Here, the mobile is probably best. I cannot guarentee I'll be here at any given time, and calls to other countries cost quite a bit I understand." She pauses, considering something. "But we must have some give and take hmm? How about; You arrange the spa and the like with Miss Ivy and such. And I will pay for it all, my treat. So pick the best places you can think of." Because money at least, was something she had in abundance.

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn can't help but watch in fascination, cos that's just freaking /cool/ as far as she's concerned. She accepts the number and shoves it in a pocket with an impish grin,"What? Not like I'm broke or anything. But y'know... they'd probably be a little less likely to call the cops if we make it in your name." there's that giggle again,"I mean... they get bored and decide they want to try and lock us up, and Ivy /did/ just get out, so I'm sure she'd rather not go back... it's boring in there. They're all about rules and you can't do this and you can't do that... and that's supposed to be soothing? Like who do they think they're fooling?" she shakes her head, dismissing her rant with a small gesture,"But yes. We'll go and get you pampered and pretty and maybe if Ivy likes you, you guys can go out for coffee! And I'll sneak off and voila!"

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle's smile deepens at Harley's plan, and she's about to nod when she remembers there's fingers in her hair. "That's very nice by the way..." And it reminds her how human contact is actually rather nice. Something she'd all but forgotten... Had it really been ten years?

"I suppose it would... But again, you're thinking a little small. /Any/ Country, /any/ city Harley. I can get us there, and back again. And it might be a little safer for you two if it's not in Gotham." Because she didn't really want her new found friend, however crazy, to be taken away again so soon. "Have you been to a Turkish bath?" She asks as an afterthought.

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn giggles,"Isn't it? I always like having my hair brushed, course, I don't have a proper brush for yours at the moment, and we should totally dye you a different color or two and give you an edgier cut, but like... it's still /nice/, I could totally brush your hair if you can poof up a brush." but the correction makes her wrinkle her nose some,"But my puddin'! He gets so lonely by himself... doesn't eat properly. I don't want him to think I'm running away from him or anything. And nah, I've been in Gotham most of my life. Went to Uni here... useta work at Arkham, once... 's how I met my puddin'."

Athenaeum has posed:
"If it's all the same, I'd rather stay with black..." Because dying just takes /ages/ when your hair is that dark. All that bleaching first... The last time she'd attempted it had been... Disastrous. But no point mentioning that unless pressed. So instead she decides to ellaborate; "Oh I didn't mean for any longer than a day... I could have us over there for just before, and back here as soon as we're done." After a moment though, and because the woman didn't sound overly happy about the idea; "But we can stay here if you think it better for you."

Poof up a brush? But surely every lady keeps a brush in her kitchen? Otherwise how do you make sure your hair is neat before answering the door? Reaching out she pulls open a drawer, pulling an antique silver handled striff brush, which she more than readily hands over to Harley. "I try to stay prepared..." She offers with a sheepish grin.

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn tschs,"Borrrring." the blond with the dyed ends opines,"Oh? You could do it that quick? I mean... I'd had to spend all that time in the airplane... it's so dull, and they have no sense of humor /at all/. It's all 'no you can't play with the controls' and 'stop it you're scaring the passengers' and it just... it's not fun." but then there's a brush, and a squeal from the villainness, who it seems is entirely content to play with Ysabelle's hair for the moment,"You so do. But I reckon you probably accumulate a buncha stuff, yeh? Being ancient and all."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Stuff is all I seem to have." Ysabelle admits with a smile. "And memories of course." When the brushing starts, she can't help but let sparkling eyes closed. "And I can take us /all/ Harley. That little thing with the notepad? We just all walk through and done. No people telling you what you can and cannot do." A pause. "Well, other than 'don't touch the edge' but you lose your finger if you do that, so at least it has a genuine reason?" She puts it as a question, more to see if the other woman can follow guidelines that otherwise would lead to rather bad bodily harm at least.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Ooooh neat... that's even better then. Maybe we can go somewhere super fancy," that's an exciting prospect, indeed,"Oh yeh? No touching the edge or you lose a finger. I can live with that one... I like having all m'fingers. Make it hard to play the piano without." not that she does that, but that it's just one of those things to say. The crazy woman is at least surprisingly gentle with a brush,"It's gonna be super. I didn't know witches could do all that. I figured... broomsticks, green, warts and funny noses, and black cats... and you're nothing like that."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Well I'm also a Magician, or Mage, rather than a witch, so perhaps that's why I don't have to wear the black pointy uniform?" She giggles softly, having made a joke in her mind at least. Meanwhile she does her best not to make any embarassing happy noises as her hair is brushed. Though now and then a soft shiver runs through her frame.

"And it certainly /sounds/ like it's going to be fun. If you cannot find Ivy however, please don't feel you have to wait on her. I'm sure we can have a nice time on our own as well." That said, the Grecian lets her fingers rest in her lap. "So what sort of stuff were you hoping I'd have?" She enquires gently; "A tiara to go with your Puddin's crown?"

Harley Quinn has posed:
"A magician." Harley can't help but laugh at that,"I don't see you pulling no rabbits out of a top-hat. But.. well, yeh, s'pose you know more about that stuff than me." she's attentive, with a focus she normally doesn't display as she runs the brush carefully through the mage's hair, starting at the bottom and working her way up,"Oh I hadn't even like... thought about that kind of stuff. I just wanted to come see. Cos I really thought it might look all kinds of weird. On the outside. I don't need a tiara, though, I mean... I have some! But they look silly and they get tangled and it's just... y'know, in my way. I just like the way diamonds shine. Like your eyes. Well, not exactly, but they're all kinda shiny and sparkly and that's what I like about stones, too."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Ah yes, most people don't realise how much hat's get in the way." Ysabelle agrees, her eyes remaining closed whilst they talk. The magciain's hair is silky smooth, obviously brushed well at least once a day (or more) and carefully looked after. Of course, it could be she's naturally got hair that straight, dark and luxurious. But no one's /that/ lucky right?

"I think the difference is in the beliefs, but I must admit the title isn't realy that important to me. It's just an easy way of explaining what I am, if not who." She pauses a moment, her mind running backwards. "And I missed one of your questions, sorry about that. Yes, I can die just like any other. If I get shot, or stabbed then that's it for me. Though I don't seem to get sick, I guess that's part of the whole 'being out of time'. It is diffiult to work out what it effects sometimes..." Her voice takes on a soft dreamlike quality at the brushing continues, shoulders visibly relaxing as she starts to forget propriety for a time.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"They really do. Some of my early costumes I wore a hat, and I'll still wear it sometimes cos puddin' likes it, but I stopped because it just felt weird and I couldn't hear properly and it looked a little silly." once she's satisfied with the silken fall of hair she gives a careful scalp massage purely for the amusement of seeing the relaxation in Ysabelle,"That sucks, I mean, you should totally get to be all invincible with being ageless... that should be like, the rule." at least in her opinion,"But that's okay. No stabbing or shooting." which for some people might be a meaningless thing to say, but from Harley? Might just count as something at least,"Today, at least."

Athenaeum has posed:
There's definitely a very soft 'Mmmmm' noise from the ever-so-pale woman beneath Harley's fingers as the massage starts. A noise that makes her eyes pop open and a hand fly to her lips. "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." She flushes again, then quickly closes her eyes so as not to give the other woman a reason to stop. "I appreciate you not stabbing or shooting me;" She admits in an attempt to move the conversation away from such an embarassing moment.

"I'd certainly /prefer/ to be invulnerable as well. It would make the collecting much easier..." There's a pause as she's considering something. "You're a very complex woman Harley, I do hope your Puddin' appreciates you for it." Her smile returns; "After all, dull partners are ten a penny, complicated lasts a lifetime."

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn gives a delighted little giggle,"Have to be able to relax, right? It feels nice when people do your hair, at least I think. No need to apologize." that grin of hers gets broader with a cheery,"You're welcome! I like you in one piece, besides... I'm tootttalllyy going to get you a date, stabbing you would sort of ruin that."

"Aint no-one like my puddin'." Harley boasts,"He's come so far and done so much considering everything that's happened to him.. and all he wants to do is make the people happy. Give them reason to laugh... 's always exciting and new, with all the things he comes up with. I mean, I hate it when he gets locked up, and occasionally I hafta beat some girl who thinks they can touch m'puddin'... but I know he's mine forever, and ever. And when everything's done... we're going to get married and have a couple of children and all." she chatters merrily along, either entirely oblivious or quite crazy to believe whole heartedly that there's definitely a happily ever after waiting for her down the line.

Athenaeum has posed:
Whereas the Magus just doesn't know any better. "Oh that sounds /wonderful!/" She intones brightly. "Have you picked out names? Or are you waiting to see when they come?" Children at least she understands the desire for, she is still a /human/ woman after all. Broodiness is part of instinct. "And he certainly sounds like someone to hold on to. Anyone that wants to make people laugh cannot be /too/ bad hmm? I'm guessing he's another anarchist free-thinker like yourself?" Oddly, the word 'anarchist' has no negative connotation, said like any other descriptor.

"Do you get your hair brushed often then?" She inquires belatedly as well, it really /was/ more difficult to keep a straight train of thought with all that head massaging going on. "Would you like me to do yours?"

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh you can't pick that thing in advance... what if I picked girls names and had boys? And puddin' will totally want a say, too." she starts braiding Ysabelle's hair,"Oh he's not bad, at all. You shouldn't believe what they try to say about him. He's not crazy, you know. He's just smarter than them, and they don't like it." she advises,"But yes! He's the one that helped me understand the truth. I was his therapist, you know? It was all he needs medication and you can't talk to him without a straight jacket on, but really... he's just a sweet man who's been horribly treated by the government, especially the police, and /Batsy/, /Batsy's/ a horrible fascist who keeps trying to hurt us and lock him up and throw away the key. And still puddin' invites him to his birthday party, see?" there's a laugh,"No, I mean... I do it, but yeh. We have the Joy Boys, but they can't brush anything worth a damn... and puddin' gets jealous." which, from the smile she gives, she's probably ordered some poor clueless sap to brush her hair before knowing what the consequences would be for them.

Athenaeum has posed:
"So... Better if I don't?" Ysabelle double checks having struggled to follow that line of reasoning towards the end. But wanting your lover jealous, that at least she can understand. "Ah, so it's a good idea to have him see it happen now and then? Keep his mind on you a bit." Her smile retruns; "Intelligent men are harder to remind you're there sometimes, especially visionaries." Because that's what Harley makes him sound like, a visionary.

"You used to be a therapist?" She asks, surprise tinging her voice, though perhaps not for the reason Harley might be used to. "I would have thought you an acrobat perhaps, with the clothes and the ease that you move with." She shrugs, the tea on the table forgotten. "Or perhaps a teacher, you seem to connect easily enough with people." With /her/ at least, and perhaps that's telling in and of itself.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh no, /you/ can." Harley asserts,"And see? You do get it! You can't have your man forgetting that you're there... they get all hyper-focused and 'd forget to eat without some reminding. An' yeh. I was a criminal psychologist, but I went to uni on a gymnastics scholarship... so you're not wrong? Not completely, at least." which is where being able to braid became useful,"Oh well, you know, I do have to teach the Joy Boys sometimes... they can be totally hopeless. But mostly I help my puddin'. Sometimes he wants to just do his own thing though... like today! So I figured if he was busy that I'd take the day to come see your house so that I wasn't distractin' him while he's trying to think."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Well then, if that's the case." The 'grandmotherly' clad woman comments as she stands (careful of fingers in her hair) to gesture to the seat with a warm smile. "Your turn. Please, it's only fair." And the one thing that taking water away couldn't do is stop that frizz setting in from being soaked and quick-dried.

Assuming that Harley /will/ sit; it's simple work for Ysabelle's deft fingers to remove hairbands and any pins in place before collecting the brush to begin working out the tips. "I do understand as well. There was a man... Gregory, some years ago." She smiles, working easily through the tangles as she goes. "He had the darkest eyes I'd ever seen... A natural philosopher. But he had a habit of not eating, and forgetting everything but his experiments." She smiles gently to herself, a fond smile; "He was my last husband, before I gave up on the idea of having them."

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn doesn't object to sitting, laughing as she goes to settle into the indicated seat, the hairties holding up her pony tails easy to remove as she submits, kicking her feet absently with that childlike delight as Ys starts to work on the ends,"Your last husband? I imagine being so old you must have had like... dozens of them? And yeh... I'm sure it sucks when they die... but love! Gotta have love. Love and fun make the world go 'round. I like seeing two people in love... it's so sweet I just want to squish them."

Athenaeum has posed:
"Five." She admits lightly. "And four wives, all in the early years." The brush begins long, slow passes over one handful of hair having worked out the knots there. The magician's hands proving to be quite agile at removing any tangles without having to yank on them.

"All in the early years, shortly after the idea of people being with the same sex becamse anathema, and not long after that I decided that I didn't want to watch anyone else I'd cared for wither." It's all very matter of fact, though in warm tones to show that she's long since come to terms with it. Time heals after all, and she had plenty of time.

"You are right of course, love is an amazing thing." The old magus laughs softly, a word re-warming the mug of hot chocolate, which then seems to shift on it's own (air is such a handy thing to control) over towards Harley's new space. "I must admit to being just a little worried what you meant by 'squish' though." Her easy grin belies the words, it's the beginnings of understanding of the blonde woman, but not judgement.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Wow!" Harley breathes,"And well, at least it's better now, yeh? I mean... my puddin's the one for me, but y'gotta do what makes you happy, right? Just got back to people being all judgey about stuff that's none of their business." she snorts. But then there's hot chocolate again! And the little wriggle of delight is accompanied by the clap of her hands,"Whyyyyy?" there's too much wide-eyed, baby blue innocence in the query with regard to the way she tilts her head back,"I mean don't you ever see something so cute you just wanna squish it?"

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle giggles, nodding a bit. "Yes." She admits, giving the once-doctor the point on that one. "Normally kittens in a shop window. I could quite happily just cuddle them all day long." But cuddling isn't quite the same as /squishing/ could be. Though she doesn't feel the need to mention that.

The brush moves more fluidly now, with a soft counting under her breath in between talking, Harley might realise that every part of her hair is getting one hundred strokes. At least now the softness of Ysabelle's own is a little easier to understand. "Not that I want you to bring me kittens, because I'm sure you would. I never stay in one house long enough really, what with having so many." Buildings, like things, are perishable after all. "So tell me Harley... Is this how you expected things to go when you visited? I can cackle if that'll help any?" She offers lightly.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh, definitely! And dogs, and birds... animals are marvellous." Harley breathes, sipping her cocoa with delight as her hair is brushed,"Aww, maybe a hyena, instead?" she asks as she tilts her head back to look up at Ysabelle,"'s like asking what I expected when I open a present... you never know what you're going to get, that's why it's so fun. When you know how it's gonna go it's just booorrrring. I don't like boring. So I didn't expect anything. Except a gingerbread house. I totally wanted you to have a gingerbread house... though I expect that it would really suck when it rained, you think?"

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle seems to contemplate for a few moments after the question, as if considering the problems with a gingerbread house. Finally she says; "You know... I think I /could/ make one. If I had all the raw ingredients. A little alchemey, fire and air..." She's lost in her own little world of magical baking for several long minutes. Only then does she look down to notice that Harley is looking up at her. "Oh dear me, did I stop?" She quickly goes back to brushing, cheeks staining a light pink at the slip.

"I don't think even a hyena would do well with portals and the like though, so perhaps I shall just have to come and see yours again when I need a pet to squish?" She smiles warmly, eye's glittering as she awaits Harley's response.

Harley Quinn has posed:
There's an impish grin from Harley,"Y'thinking about it, aren't you?" she drains the last of the cocoa to set it aside, stretching out her legs before the chair without rising from her seat, for all that she leans forward a little,"Everyone ought to have a pet, I think. Animals are so much better than people in like... every way. But I can totally bring by Bud and Lou, they like cuddles." at least from her,"I'd like more but Bud? He always thinks they're snacks."

Athenaeum has posed:
"I was, and yes, I think I'd be able to make a gingerbread house if I wanted." She grins, that girlish giggle bubbling up from her throat again. "Maybe I'll do it for your birthday, if it's something you'd like to see." She pauses a moment; "And eat. Shouldn't be wasteful. Perhaps with long enough, Bub and Lou could help out." She doesn't know much about hyena's really, other than they tend to prefer meat. But if they're anything like dogs, well then anything is food really. Other than chocolate, she remembers something about that not agreeing with them.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"I couldn't eat a whole /house/ of gingerbread!" Harley protests,"I'd be as big as a house, then.. and probably sick everywhere, which would be bad. But it would still be interesting to see? But Bud and Lou, they prefer meat. Rats, mostly. At least, that's the easiest for them to find? Not so much with the leafy greens and baked goods." still she grins brightly at the idea,"I know... you could make city hall into gingerbread... that would make /everyone/ laugh... don't you think? That'd be the best birthday present ever."

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle smiles appologetically. "I was thinking of making something from scratch. Transmogrifying matter is a much more difficult process, and rather taxing. The old 'lead into gold' problem all over again. Though I doubt the old alchemists ever tried to turn stone into gingerbread..." She giggles again, finally giving up on trying to finish the last one hundred strokes as Harley seems much more movable now. "There, I think we're done. Or did you want me to plait it?" The fingers of one hand slip over the blonde woman's head, already working out where to split it if the answer is in the affirmative.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"I've got no idea what transmogrifying is." Harley's got no shame in saying,"I'm just saying it would be awesome." at least in her opinion, she crosses her legs on the chair again and then shakes her head,"I prefer to just do the pig tails... it gets messy no matter what, but puddin' like's my hair when it's in pig tails, and the colors look ooky when it gets all messed up, too." at least in her opinion,"So I'll call Ivy, and we'll go to a spa somewhere? Get all pampered, and do some shopping... land you a good man... if, y'know, you and Ivy don't end up hitting it off... I don't know who she's dating at the moment, but... like, yeh. We'll find someone to set you up with. Someone good." at least by Harley's definition of 'good'.

Athenaeum has posed:
"For a /dalliance/ Harley." Ysabelle emphasises with a smile. "I'm not really in the market for someone to spend a lot of time with..." She waves her hand dismissing the rest of the comment, having already covered it earlier. "But a spa with two lovely ladies sounds like a wonderful break from the norm." She agrees, deftly parting the looney's hair with fingers and brush. The hairbands go in, re-creating the pigtails as they were no doubt before the rain and the motorbike ride.

"I shall see if I can arrange something suitably pampering for the three of us. Somewhere they don't ask too many questions..." She pauses, seeming to think before she reminds the other woman of the other part. "And something about shopping you said? For dresses, or the make over." She's unsure how that's going to turn out, but maybe it'll be fun to kick back for a bit. Remember what it's like /not/ to be held by propriety. If only for a day.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"That's just thinking small... we find you the right person and maybe you don't have to be alone anymore." at least, that's Harley's recommendation, chuckling quietly,"Both. I mean... total package, definitely. Y'can't go around dressing like you're going to pull a Garbo if you want to find someone of quality. Though John... well, yeh, he'd probably just be a roll or... something? I don't know that he's really... male witch in training material... but you could totally teach the right person how to become a witch, and then they could be immortal like you and... bam, never have to be lonely again."

Athenaeum has posed:
Seeing where the actual thought comes from, Ysabelle smiles gently. "My longivity was due to an accident. Magician's don't normally live as long as I have. Much, much less in fact. Unless they start using magicks that are darker than the average mage would ever even attempt." She's talking about work really, and it shows in the matter of fact way that she explains to Harley. The psychiatrist would likely note the slight pause before the word 'accident' the infitesimal tightening of the eyes.

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Oh, well. I'm pretty sure that you can't be like... the only immortal to ever immortal. But we'll have to remember that for the profile. Right next to 'should be fit' and 'brown eyes preferred'." Harley suggests, she noticed the tightening of the other womans eyes,"Must like older women. Too, y'think?" there's that smile again as she makes an airy gesture for Ysabelle to sit again,"It's all about the right /kind/ of dating. Though... cobweb removal, for starters... get your... feet, wet."

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle laughs. "Oh my goodness, did you just moderate what you were going to say, because of me?" She seems genuinely delighted by the idea, as if it were one of the greatest compliments Harley could have given. In response she takes the chair offered and beams a smile at the other woman.

"Feet getting wet sounds like a wonderful idea." She opines with that same bright smile and dancing eyes. "I'm not sure if they need to like older women either, it's not like I make a habit of telling people how old I am. And as you said, I don't /look/ my age." She giggles, actually winking at the other woman as she pours herself a fresh cup of the now only warm tea. "We'll just say I'm knowledgable. As long as they're not just brash and stupid, I doubt there'll need to be /that/ much in depth conversation." Sometimes just the shoulders would do after all...

Harley Quinn has posed:
"Ha! Hardly... but it made you laugh... see?" Harley points out impishly, for all that she elects to hop to her feet for now,"Oh but only if you don't go back to dressing like a grandma and making it all like.. obvious and stuff... unless you just want them pretty and mute... which is totally doable... in all senses of the word. But like... yeh. Now I gotta go start working on the /plan/." muahaha.

Athenaeum has posed:
Ysabelle stands as her guest does, some things just so ingrained by now that she does it by rote. "Well it was lovely to see you again Harley, please do come again soon." The words hold genuine warmth, how not with how friendly the other woman's turned out to be?

"You have my number, so just let me know a time and I'm sure, so long as there's nothing silly like a dimensional rift opening up, I can work around you." As she leads the way to the front door, the rain is slowly clearing, a sun shining low on the horizon. How long had they been talking and brushing anyway? "Have fun dear." She says, by way of parting.

Harley Quinn has posed:
Harley Quinn bounces along towards the door again,"Sure! I'll get hold of Ivy and we'll make it a date!" she assures with a cheery wave, content to wade back out into the rainy Gotham afternoon to climb back on her bike and ride back into the chaos.