9937/Ivy Island: Safehouse's aren't...

Ivy Island: Safehouse's aren't...
Date of Scene:	06 November 2019
Location:	South Channel Island, Nantwich
Synopsis:	Stockholm comes out of her prison on Ivy Island. Comes to see Ivy. They talk fiefdom and Batgirls. Fin.
Cast of Characters:	Poison Ivy, Stockholm
Tinyplot:	Ivy Island

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Poison Ivy has posed:
The Island has been under Ivy's dominion for nearly a week now.

There are scant few pedestrians out during the day and none at all at night, but there is still a presence of the GCPD held up in one of the elementary schools caring for people who weren't able to evacuate before the sanctioned evacuations stopped on Friday. In a strange showing of compassion, Ivy had allowed a few boats here and there, mostly to bring in what supplies weren't readily available on the island, but even those had stopped by Sunday.

People aren't yet starving, but the fear is there.

Strange then that fruit trees have begun to spring up near these little enclaves?

They are her insurance ticket. It would only enrage the city to bother her if she were to allow them to sarve, so Pam had made concessions to care for the feeble who couldn't leave. They are being cared for at the Community College by the medical staff that refused to leave behind patients in the middle of the crisis. The people whose heroic will not be recognized.

Likewise, small bushes and plants of a medicinial property have been provided...

As if Ivy has no intentions of letting the island be taken from her for quite some time.

The streets and large portions of the city have been reclaimed by nature. Overgrown with thick vegitation, networking vines, and the sounds of insects have replaced the constant electric hum the people have grown use to. Like a statue to a fallen civilization with small pockets of holdouts, Ivy Island is a paradise for the naturally inclined.

Stockholm has posed:
It has been almost three weeks really since 'Batman' showed up to visit Stockholm.

I mean yes she got a food drop off from the fake bat and checked up on sure but then things seemed to have gone a little sideways on the Island the Safehouse is on.

When the power totally died and she lost the fridge on Saturday it was a real pain in the ass. Mostly she ate the perishables and all through Sunday.

At some point Julia noticed vines outside the window as the city was slowly torn down.

I mean this is a Bat Safe House.

The power lasted longer than most places. It is sturdy. But still. Vines.

Finally come Tuesday Julia sighs deeply and packs a bag with water and nonperishable food muttering to herself about Batfailures.

Then she is breaking out, which isn't that hard really considering her skillset. I mean Batman knew this would be a place that would have trouble holding her and was counting on her to remain put out of her want for her dog back. Bat Dog Napping.

Which is how Julia finds herself out on a nature choked street looking around skeptically now. "Damn Ivy... did a number on this place and no Bats to be seen..."

Poison Ivy has posed:
It is very likely that Ivy is still in her Garden, which rests near the bottom right of the Island on the otherside from the mainland with tall cliff face to protect her even further from an aquatic landing. Even from a distance the huge Tree that dominates that portion of the map is visible towering above the multi-story buildings.

That has to be where she's at.

Were someone so inclined to find her.

There are other things happening on the island, however. Groups have formed, some of them with ill intent. Using their muscle to push around smaller, lesser armed, groups for their food and goods. Falcone has sent men to provide sanctuary, but at a steep price. There were quite a few wealthy elite left behind who had more money than good sense to leave when they could.

It is, as they say, a thieves delight.

Nobody is coming here looking for Julia, at any rate.

Stockholm has posed:
Julia pinches the bridge of her nose as she surveys the island and notices the tree there. "God I feel like such a shut in..." with a deep sigh she just shakes her head and slowly sets out across the island towards the tree.

I mean she has some adventures along the way.

It did not end very well for the first gang of thugs that tried to take her backpack of supplies from her.

I mean sure she had no weapons but her hands and feet but that was easily enough for four idiots with weapons they didn't know how to use quite as well as Julia did once she took the first gun from someone in the group.

Four dead bodies to be fertalizer and Stockholm was much better armed and equiped as she continued her journey towards the giant tree.

Why not ask Ivy what the sitch is and why she was Home Alone'd on the Island and how Ivy actually got away with all this.

Poison Ivy has posed:
Those bodies...

Vines curl out from the brush like snakes and slither around them, pulling them like rag-dolls back towards the main hub of vegitation where they can be properly devoured for nutrients... Nothing is wasted here! Not even thugs who picked the wrong target.

Poor guys probably use to be delivery drivers or students at the community college.

Now they are miricle grow.

Such is Gotham.

The Tree stands like a monolith with enough barriers in the path to prevent any, but the most deligent and determined visitor. Apparently court is not in session for the Queen of the Island.. but there's the very real feeling that every step of the way, Julia is being watched.

Stockholm has posed:
Well college students shouldn't decide to pursue graduate studies in banditry and armed robbery. I mean especially against someone who could teach a doctorate class in the subject after all.

Julia does glance back when the vines do their thing and then turns back to her path watching the tree (and of course of her surroundings) as she picks her way across the island.

No real remorse since they seemed willing to hurt her and honestly it has been some time since she had Batman's good influence overwhelm her bad influences.

Confronted by the barriers blocking off the Tree and Garden ... does give Julia a pause. Then she wanders up to a section of trees that doesn't look to be thorny and knocks lightly. "Hey Ivy. It's Stockholm.... you know from Arkham.... I've been locked up for a few weeks here on the Island and I feel a bit like I missed something important?"

Poison Ivy has posed:
Ivy feels no remorse, so she feels no judgement for Julia's lack of remorse. While it might appear as though she is caring for the people of the island, and truly she is doing that, it is for her own purposes not theirs. Living hostages are better bargaining chips than dead ones. If things go pear shaped, she'll need them.

The garden, once very beautiful, still is but for very different reasons. All of the contained vegitation is loose and wild, let grow as it wishes in any direction it determines (as guided by Ivy herself). When Stockholm calls out, there is only the withdrawing of thornes in her path to indicate anyone had heard her or was even home at all.

But Ivy IS home.

Clad in... scant little. The pale green woman is, as always, covered in small green vines across her bare thighs and feet. Truth is, only thing she wears is a red button up shirt with a long tail and then only two of those buttons are buttoned at all. Sitting with one leg crossed the other in the middle of the garden upon a chair crafted of earth itself. Limbs of trees twisted to shape the seat, vines the legs, and leaves the cushions, a second sits empty across from her. All of her red hair is pulled back out of her face so jade green eyes can easily track the climbing and descending figure that is Julia.

Stockholm has posed:
Julia doesn't mind the garden growing wild there. I mean it is late fall so it will be interesting to see all of this in a couple more months. Sure it is warm enough and close enough to the ocean that the plants won't all die or anything, but the hardier winter variety should be very interesting in their own way now.

When the thorns and vines move out of her way she heads down the path opened to her. I mean hell if Ivy wanted to crush her with spiky plants she probably could do it pretty easily. Sure Julia would give a much better show than most of the people of Gotham but still... Ivy is formidable and often outsmarted or out-gadgeted more than punched into Arkham.

When she finally spots Ivy she gives a nod and a raised hand and then keeps on treking there. She up and down and climbing when she has to until she finally arrives at the supervillainess and the chairs. She is just a smidge winded having been cooped up and not having metahuman stamina just reflexes and agility. "Hey... Ivy... " deep breath and an offered smile "Looking good as always."

This close Ivy's quite determined personality is quite easy to pick up, depending on her current motivations and emotions, by the empty slate there.

Poison Ivy has posed:
Ivy is.. distant.

She's content, which is an odd sensation for her, but she's not held captive anymore. Which is odd in and of itself since she's not been in Arkham for months, closer to a year. All indication was that she'd gone legit and started selling things online... but a woman like this? She would feel as closed in on an island surrounded by people as she would a cell at the asylum.

This had been very much a prison, just a prison with no locked doors. Batman was a funny man like that.

Now, however, she is free.. truly so. Everything around her, belonged to her, including the people there... which made the irony of her protecting them obvious. They were her free prisoners. Held in the same manner she had been. The distaste for humanity is so very palpable.

"Julia." Said in her melodically creepy voice that sounds like one main voice and several smaller voices like the plants themselves speak with her. "You look... well." Pause. "Why are you here?"

Stockholm has posed:
Well the chair doesn't seem to be poised to devour her so Julia just drops into it, draping a bit and lets out a very big sigh and goes boneless.

The distance and contentment is actually kind of nice in a creepy sort of way.

"I like the remodeling you've done to the Island really." she notes with a tilt and a smile there and then looks around at the garden around them.

"Well a couple of months ago Batman broke me out of Arkham and stuffed me in a place here on this Island.... long story.... but there hasn't been a food drop off in a few weeks and ... well.... I thought you had gone legit." she closes her eyes.

"I figured I better figure out what is going on out in the world so I broke out and went wandering.. better than starving and well .. I mean I'm glad it is you and not some sort of Zombie plague or end of the world scenario." she pauses "Is it a zombie plague or the end of the world?"

Her eyes pop open and she peers around. "I mean where are the bats and robins and all stopping this...."

Poison Ivy has posed:
Ivy lets Julia get it all out.

In Arkham, Pamala is known for keeping to herself. Which is to say, she is kept in a very specially crafted container designed to keep her from breaking out by having Ents show up hurling boulders and wielding giant stumps as clubs. They are wise to keep her away from the general population, as well.

People piss her off.

Julia.. hasn't. At least not yet.

Something about the way she adapts to the situation or person whom she's around sets Ivy's mind at ease a little. As if she's speaking with someone who gets it, even if they do not fully understand WHY they get it.

"The new Batgirl came to make sure I was playing nice.. and I was, until she came making sure I was. I had no idea that Batman was dead.." And still has no idea that he's not because there is no television in the Garden and no power to run it even if there were. While her lab has power, it is largely dedicated to her work, not entertainment, and she hardly cares what happens beyond the bay on the mainland.

"Suffice to say, Batman is gone, and I am not afraid of his children."

Stockholm has posed:
Julia falls out of her chair, it isn't a prat fall though, she tries to jerk up and turn her attention to Ivy all at once there and ends up sliding off the wooden seat and hitting the ground.

At that point she just ... fucks it all and lays there staring up at the canopy for a very long silent moment.

"Holy fuck." she finally whispers.

Another bout of silence.

"That explains why Batgirl game by dressed like Batman.. the older Batgirl not the younger Batgirl... and well it was kind of sad really.. I mean I am good at reading people." irony alert.

"I wonder what happened to my dog... I mean.. batman stole my dog when he put me in Arkham and broke my arm." which isn't quite what happened but close enough for Julia right now. Ivy's lack of fear is inspiring.

"That was before he broke me out to help him hunt down Bane who tried to assassinate me and stuffed me in a prison here away from Arkham to heal... it was odd.... I mean really odd... and he promised to give me my dog back."

Poison Ivy has posed:
Ivy watches Julia's antics with just a slow motion of her eyes trailing after the falling, then laying, woman. The foliage is moving, if only slightly, beneath Stockholm, but it doesn't seem aggressive in and of itself. Rather like a constant state of readjustment that provides a nice cushioning against the hard soil beneath.

Ivy remains stoically stationary in her chair. One leg over the other, both arms laid out against the thorny vines acting as arm rests, "I see." To the other womans plight. She does, "So he offered you sanctuary far from civilization where you could not do anyone any harm, but would still be well within his view... sounds an awful lot like a prison, doesn't it?"

It mirrors her own situation.

"Your dog is fine. He would not harm it nor would he harbor anyone who would harm it... but it is out of your reach just now.. which begs the question, what are you doing here." It isn't a question intent on decyphering why Julia had COME, she understand that. Nor is she against the company, so much as she's curious what she'll do now.

Stockholm has posed:
Julia shifts a little and actually really does appreciate the whole being made more comfortable. That is actually fairly nice of Ivy.

"Yeah though I imagine he would position it as an opportunity to prove I could stop killing people and go legit or something ... like an opportunity to reform." she considers the tree above. "Though.. yeah pretty much a prison.. that place had so many spy devices in it."

"And yeah I know... he wouldn't hurt my Valhund but I like saying Batman stole my dog... because he kind of did even if the dog is probably being treated quite well right now."

She is avoiding that last question then finally frowns. "People. Suck. So. Much." pause "Bat people. The people who tried to rob me. The doctors in Arkham. People. Suck." it is very pointed but she doesn't yell or shout, just stating it like it is a fact that is pretty indisputable.

After another pause. "I ... don't know what I'm doing actually. I haven't for months..."

Poison Ivy has posed:
Pamela is a doctor, though she is hardly a doctor of psychology.

She watches Julia's range of emotional response to stimuli like she would an experiment rather than a patient and does so with a blank stare on her ghastly pale green face. There is no real expression there to read, but there's plenty of curiosity. Wondering how much of what the woman feels is directly influenced by what other people around her feel.

"Interesting." Something to be researched, certainly, but not right now.

"Well, you are free to stay, but if you assist the Bats in reclaiming the island, I'll make certain that every inmate in Arkham knows you did so... there wont be a free pudding cup for as far as the eye can see..." Her jesting is.. not humorous. Even if the words themselves delivered by someone else may have been.

"Carve out some fiefdom for yourself, darling. There's plenty to keep the Bats occupied on the mainland and precious little being done here.. find a place you like and make it your own, that would be my recommendation, anyways. I'm sure if you asked the clown, he'd give you other advice that would be best suited as ignored."

Stockholm has posed:
Honestly Julia iss definitely something worth research, though only a couple people have really made the connection that she isn't just crazy as a shit house rat. Then again maybe she is also that.

There is a big sigh and she relaxes. "Well that does sound pretty good really... and neh I won't be helping the bats uproot you." she frowns "Batman being dead changes everything ... and I am not very inclined to help any of the Batgirls at all." she never really has been due to her conditioning on that regard. "I didn't let him die and they did.. losers."

She tilts her head to look at Ivy ..then shifts and rolls up to her feet and moving up onto the chair once more. "I'm pretty sure asking the clown for advice is never healthy for people really." amuses "I'll stick around if you'll have me and figure something out for now sure."

Poison Ivy has posed:
Ivy is easy in that regard, but she's spent a lot of time in Arkham herself. She knows the crazy ones from the less than crazy ones, if by dent of proximity, besides which... she's seen the adaptive nature of Julia's personality to external presence to stimuli (IE other people).

So she watches with her deadpan stare as the young woman rolls up and comments on the absurdity of Batgirls, in general. "They try, bless them." A death sentence in the south. Social homicide.

"You are welcome to stay so long as the trouble you cause is contained here and does not bring trouble on me... there is a turbulent balance I've struck with the authorities that remain, they will be pruned as necessary, but the decision is mine to make. For now, they will be left alone. As well as the campus, where the elderly are being cared for. They too will be pruned as needed... but any other location you wish is yours to command. My plants will be there...

"But I give less than zero shits about the scum that remains behind in those neighborhoods. Play with them, eat them, turn them into a fighting sport... I don't care."

Stockholm has posed:

She considers the options. "Hmmm..." what does she know of the island. "Well has anyone looted Gen-U-Tech or any of the Wayne buildings yet I wonder..." probably considering stealing the technology or the secrets in case this plant paradise doesn't last.

"Well they are just fertalizer... though I am not really fond of the idea of eating people. I'm not Killer Croc." well not right now.

"Okay I'll whip some of the local idiots into shape and claim some land then... I've always wanted to be a jungle queen." okay maybe not always but it sounds interesting right now.

"Thanks Ivy."
I mean it doesn't help that Ivy is right. Her plants will be there. Which in a way Ivy will be there. This should be an interesting time for Julia.

Poison Ivy has posed:
It also provides another line of defense for Ivy.

Nothing she does is without a purpose... certainly not when she's being alturistic and DEFINITELY not when being agreeable. She presses a tight smile for Julia and nods all the same. "I shall enjoy the show, then. Know that Batgirl said this was her area, so you will likely run into her sooner rather than later, but I feel certain she'll be hesitant to get involved this far off the mainland until she'll be able to organize backup."

A lot of variables.

She stares at the other woman as she pushes herself up easily from her chair. It begins to return to nature, unravelling and pulling away into that nest of vines that constantly moves underfoot. "Killer Croc was on the island, it seems.. but he escaped into the Bay when ... well it looked like Batman, but he didn't immediately come knocking down my door with pesticides, so I assume it must be some kind of copy cat.."

Stockholm has posed:
Julia considers that nodding slowly. "Well I'll try to put on a good one... and last time I ran into a Batgirl she almost died.. well okay the last two times...then arm breaking and THE BAtman.. but I guess that is a thing of the best..."

"Also.. I am the copycat... man I should have trademarked that as well as Stockholm.." not that she trademarked Stockholm. "I wonder how many of his kids and other lunes are pretending to be Batman if he really iss dead... wild..."

She slips to her own feet and then steps closer fluidly, not threateningly and offers her hand out to you. "Do you need like tithings or anything while I am here?"

Poison Ivy has posed:
"I don't know that it is an imposter, I only know that he did not come here.. it is a series of small events that does not speak to validity, but I have been wrong before." Ivy explains quietly, looking at the ends of her fingers turned backwards and stretched out. Her green eyes move just enough to take Julia in.

"If so, then he healed quickly. Which wouldn't surprise me by how prepared he always is."

As for tithing, she shakes her head, "Patrol the island, keep unwanted riff raff off, everyone quiet, and away from my Garden and we'll call it a fair trade."

Stockholm has posed:
Julia pulls her hand back with a smile, it is a bit lopsided, crooked, and she nods. "Deal." to the plant queen of South Channel Island.

She looks around. "I suppose we will find out eventually when one of the copy cats show or he comes back from the dead... either way I'll know if it is the real him or not... they don't move like he moves.. even the ones he has trained for years don't move like he does or feel like him."

She takes a step away and checks her weapons briefly. "Give me a sign if you want to talk later.. I'll get to work and it is nice seeing you Ivy." before heading towards the way she came.

She has some corporate offices to loot for gear and secrets.

Poison Ivy has posed:
Ivy inclines her head to Julia and cannot help the genuine, if dark, grin on her red lips. "If you see him and it is him, do let me know, wont you? I've a surprise for him."

That is quite omenous.

A lot of what Ivy does is fairly omenous though.

With a wave of her hand the gates out of the garden are bare to Stockholm. The vines curling back away from the portal so she need not climb over the wall. They'll close back up behind her and leave the Queen of South Channel Island to her piece and quiet amidst the garden of plants that adore her. Stroking long fingers along the budding flower of one mature Dogwoods overhead.