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Post by Rubix Cube on Apr 27, 2011 22:25:05 GMT
Nodding in agreement, Ruby laughed. "I think you're probably right."
She watched through the window as the city passed them. When Harvey spoke again, she turned fully in her seat. Smoothing her hands over her dress, Ruby looked at him in shock. She didn't know about Crane working for Joker.
"Crane's working for Joker as well? He hasn't bothered me, no. And he will continue not to. I'm keeping my distance from that man for as long as I can." She sighed before remembering something else, a smirk gradually spreading across her face.
"You know how Kat had that chip in her shoulder? The one which contained that Nightshade person? And you know how she's been acting weird lately? She got surgery... Only to kill her own mind. Confusing I know, but now Nightshade is the only person in that body, Kat's gone."
One corner of her mouth twitched, almost like a nervous tic, and she wrung her hands, looking down at her dress. She still didn't know how she felt about Kat going. Deciding now was not the time to think about it, she cleared her head and lifted her eyes to Harvey's again, smiling brightly.
"What have you been doing since you left Arkham?"
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on Apr 28, 2011 23:33:17 GMT
Harvey nodded. "Very wise. That man's truly insane, perhaps more so than any of his former patients."
He listened to Ruby's story about Kat with growing surprise. "Hold on... she what? She had an operation to remove herself from her own body?" He disgeted this for a moment. "Are you sure this isn't just some kind of delusion? I mean, her grip on mental health is no stronger than anyone else's in Arkham." He thought for a moment, remembering how different Kat had seemed the last few times he had seen her. "Though if she's telling the truth it would explain a lot."
Harvey shrugged at her question. "I'm keeping busy. Two-Face and Joker are back together so I spend a lot of time trying to avoid them being alone together or it means I get nothing done all day. Other than that, just mob stuff. Oh, and I'm hoping to buy a couple of racehorses. I've got some meetings about it next week. It's a big investment but I think it could pay off."
The car drew up to the restaurant and Harvey left the car first, holding out his hand to help Ruby out. The maitre d' showed them to their table, where Harvey pulled out Ruby's chair for her.
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Post by Rubix Cube on Apr 29, 2011 11:26:10 GMT
"The things I have heard he's done.." Ruby shuddered.
"I don't know for definite but she spoke of an operation that could get rid of Nightshade. So when I saw her at The Iceberg Lounge, I knew instantly that wasn't Kat. Nightshade only comes out when Kat gets weak or something like that so why she take over from Kat when she looked perfectly fine? It's the only conclusion I can come to, that Kat decided to off herself and let Nightshade take over..."
Listening to Harvey with interest, she nodded with a small smile. The mention of racehorses made her raise her eyebrows. "Racehorses? I never saw you as the racing type of man."
The car had stopped in front of the restaurant and Ruby watched as Harvey exited the car, holding his hand out for her to take. Smiling, she took it and followed the maitre d' to their table.
She sat down, surprised Harvey had pulled out her chair for her. "Thank you."
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on Apr 29, 2011 21:34:28 GMT
Harvey nodded at Ruby's shiver. "I know. I don't think I've ever met anyone so blind as to what they're doing and who they really are. He honestly thinks he's some kind of enlightened prophet or something. You're very wise to stay away from him. You heard what he did to me, I'm guessing."
He listened intently and shook hid head. "It's a plausible enough theory. How do you feel about it all? I know you and Kat used to be close."
Harvey picked up the wine list and glanced through it, smiling to himself. "Oh, I enjoy a bet on the horses as much as the next man. But it's mainly business. Just between you and me, I've had a tipoff that the Irish mob might get to these horses before I do, apparently the current owner's related to the Rileys. So I have quite a job in persuading him to sell to me instead."
He set down the wine list and quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Shall we be wicked and have some champagne?"
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Post by Rubix Cube on Apr 29, 2011 22:13:56 GMT
"He's a creep. Remember that time he sat in the communal room taking notes on everyone?" She shuddered again and laughed nervously. "Yeah, I heard. Wasn't Quinzel apart of that or something?"
Ruby sighed and rubbed her temples. "I'm not sure. Kat and I were close, yes, but ever since I overdosed and went clean our friendship went downhill from there. Things would get ugly very quickly if it was just us. I learned that I didn't truly like her. I think the drugs kept us close, to be honest." She cleared her throat and glanced at him. "The only thing that bothers me is that the last time I saw her, it ended in a fight. I stormed out on her because she thought she could get away with getting violent.." She became quiet, finally overcoming the shock of it.
Not tonight, she wouldn't be upset tonight. So instead of being miserable, Ruby forgot about Kat.
"You have a trick up your sleeve for persuading him then?" She smirked.
Her eyes lit up when Harvey mentioned champagne. "I'd love some."
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on Apr 29, 2011 23:46:31 GMT
Harvey nodded. "Mm. Definitely a creep. Did I ever tell you were were at Gotham University at the same time? I didn't know him very well, we moved in different groups. But he was a scrawny messed-up guy then and he's a scrawny messed-up guy now."
He looked to one side, remembering. "Yes, she was. My feelings about her involvement are still somewhat ambivalent there. On the one hand she stood and watched while Crane tortured me, and on the other she finally got the guts to call a halt to it. Admittedly it was only because she didn't think they could cover up my death like Crane had covered up others. But I suppose I should thank her."
Harvey listened quietly then reached across the table to squeeze Ruby's hand. "You've been a good friend to her. I'm sure tht when Kat comes back to herself, she'll remember that."He looked into her eyes for a long moment hand still on hers.
He liked her smirk. It ws devilish and innocent at hte same time. "A couple of tricks, actually. But I can't give away trade secrets." he winked.
Harvey glanced up and signalled a waiter who was standing nervously just out of earshot and ordered a bottle of the best champagne on the menu.
When the wine was poured, he lifted his glass in salute to her. "What shall we drink to?"
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Post by The Joker on Apr 30, 2011 3:27:29 GMT
Joker was fuming. Harvey, his Harvey, had blown him off! And for Ruby of all people! His Ruby. This was probably the unacceptable thing that had happened to him all week.
He shot another dirty look at his phone as he dressed. He had called his pal to invite him over to his new abode for some shenanigans and had been told No. 'No, Joker, I have to go schmooze one of your employees because my girlfriend decided to do the no pants dance with my best friend'.
Well, that wasn't exactly what Harvey had said but it was close! At least the idiot was dumb enough to mention where they were going. It was as if he had never met Joker before...
Feeling a bit less angry, Joker slipped on his tail coat and brushed back his hair. He thought he looked quite dashing, even without the makeup! While he would have preferred to wear it he needed to go incognito to this restaurant (tailcoats and bright purple shirts were subtle, right?).
Joker had to admit that he was pretty impeccable in his timing. He came to stand behind Harvey just as the charmingly scarred man asked what they should drink to.
"To me, of course!" Joker said, resting his hands on Harvey's shoulder and grinning across the table at Ruby. "I must say that you both look wonderful. I hope my outfit lives up to your standards!"
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Post by Rubix Cube on Apr 30, 2011 11:27:36 GMT
"Really? I guess Crane isn't one for change then."
Ruby listened with intent and sighed. "I've never met her but she sounds messed up too.." She snorted. "Everyone at Arkham is messed up, including the doctors. It must be a curse."
Returning the squeeze to his hand, she looked back into Harvey's eyes. She smiled sheepishly. His words and kind gesture had cheered her up more than she could have expected. Her smirk reappeared though when he spoke of tricks. "Wow, quite the magician eh? Ah, what a shame, I was looking forward to hearing them." She laughed when he winked and sat forward.
Ruby lifted her glass back to him, grinning. "To-"
She faltered as she heard the oh-so-familiar voice of Joker. Slowly, her glass went down as her eyes traveled up, staring at the man behind Harvey. Her eyes widened, she'd never seen him like this. No purple suit (although he'd made up for that with a purple shirt) and no makeup. Without it, his scars weren't as.. defined but they still gave her goosebumps. Without the makeup, he actually looked quite handsome.
"Hi." She quickly removed her hand from Harvey's and sat back. "You look.." She hesitated and let her eyes scan the black tailcoat and purple shirt again. Ruby smiled nervously. "Good."
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on Apr 30, 2011 12:23:45 GMT
Having spent too many years around criminals had given Harvey a good instinct for knowing when somone was behind him, but he'd been sufficiently relaxed in Ruby's company not to notice Joker's approach. It wasn't until he felt hands on his shoulders that he straightened.
"Joker. How... unexpected."
He looked helplessly at Ruby, then set his glass down and slowly turned in his seat. A wide smile was on Joker's face. One of those "I'm trying to look innocent but am failing miserably because I'm a sociopath who's determined to mess up your personal life now lets all talk about ME AND HOW GREAT I AM" smiles.
He tried to keep his voice neutral. "Sorry if there's been a misunderstnding, Joker, but I thought I'd made it clear. Ruby and I are having dinner together tonight. As in together."
He mentally cursed himself for telling Joker where he was going on a date, especially with one of Jokers favourite people. He should have known he wouldn't get away with it.
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Post by The Joker on May 1, 2011 13:50:29 GMT
"Thanks, Rubes." Joker said, flashing her a winning smile.
Joker looked smugly down at Harvey. "Well, three's company! After all, I'm sure Ruby wouldn't mind if the man who fills her wallet joins in this lovely dinner. She's a sensible gal who knows how silly that would be. Now," he pulled out the chair in between them and sat down. "I'm going to need something to drink. Tonight is a Dr. Pepper night, I think."
Joker picked up Harvey's menu and began thumbing through it. "What's good here?"
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on May 1, 2011 14:00:48 GMT
Harvey looked at Joker intently as he sat down.
"Joker, you know I'm always glad to see you, but I wasn't planning on there being a third person here tonight." He exhaled, trying to keep his voice level. Getting angry at Joker would probaby result in all kinds of ugliness that he really wasn't in the mood for. "We're on a date, Joker. As in Ruby and I are on a date."
He fixed the other man with a sharp gaze as he leaned over and snatched up the menu. "I wouldn't know. I haven't been here before."
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Post by Rubix Cube on May 1, 2011 14:12:49 GMT
"Welcome." Ruby grumbled and looked at Harvey. Although he appeared calm, he seemed as annoyed as she was.
She groaned inwardly as Joker brought up work and visibly shrunk in her seat. He wasn't going to leave. No matter how many times Harvey emphasised it was a date between himself and Ruby, Ruby had a feeling Joker wouldn't go.
She sighed and sat up again, picking up her own menu. At least the food would be good.
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Post by The Joker on May 1, 2011 15:05:28 GMT
Joker raised an eyebrow. "A date? Don't you think it's awfully soon after Tartlette? Be careful he's not using you as a rebound, Ruby."
His gaze flicked between the two, a faint feeling of sadness when they so obviously didn't want him there. Oh well, he'd just fuck with them if that's how they were going to act.
He sat back in his chair and clasped his hands on his stomach, a nasty glint in his dark eyes. "It really is quite tragic what happened. I mean, Harvey wanted to marry her. Did you know that? He'll probably always be in love with the silly little idiot so anyone else is going to be second best."
Joker shifted his attention to Harvey. "Speaking of seconds, where is Face? You've been hogging the body and I do not appreciate that one little bit."
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on May 1, 2011 15:37:59 GMT
Harvey's head turned sharply towards Joker. He was well aware that a rejected Joker meant a Joker determined to cause havoc, but he was not going to allow his evening to be ruined, much less Ruby's.
"Joker, this is hardly the time or the place," he stated, flatly.
As he continued talking about Olivia, Harvey's eyes hardened. He knew exactly what Joker ws doing. He'd always thought himself somewhat exempt from Joker's perverse seeking of pleasure from the pain of others, but evidently their friendship took second place when the clown was out for attention.
"Yes, tragic is one word for it," he snapped. "And yes, I did want to marry her. But none of that is any of your business."
His eyes sparked. "Two-Face does not exist solely for your personal gratification, Joker."
~But you have been hogging the body, Harv. Just because your love-life is taking a nosedive doesn't mean mine should. Tell him I'll come over tomorrow night and make it up to him. He can hog my body all he wants.~
~Will you stay out of this, please?~
He glanced at Ruby. "I'm sorry."
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Post by Rubix Cube on May 1, 2011 16:15:34 GMT
Ruby sighed as a change in Joker's mood took place. Maybe she shouldn't have treated him as though he was unwelcome.
She winced as his words hit a nerve and her thoughts changed. Without thinking it through, she let her mouth get the better of her and decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. "Well, I've learned to deal with being second best, Joker. Maybe you should too."
After a few moments, her mind registered what she had just done. Her cheeks went from being red with anger to red with embarrassment as she realised just who she had snapped at. Groaning inwardly again, she took a deep breath and sat forward, resting her elbows on the table and placing her face in her hands.
When Harvey addressed her, Ruby looked up and attempted a smile. "It's okay, Harvey. Don't worry about it."
Glancing at Joker, she frowned. She hadn't meant to be horrible to him and surely didn't want to piss him off further but his words had reminded her of her past, a topic which always brought out the bad side of her.
Slowly, she reached out to awkwardly place her hand on his arm. "I didn't mean that, just forget I said anything."
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