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Post by The Joker on May 1, 2011 17:15:24 GMT
At Ruby's words, Joker's mood swung. He turned slowly in his chair to face her, eyes burning with black rage. "You would do well to mind your place, Ruby Carter. Just because I have given you the honor of being my go-to bomb builder does not give you the right to show me any form of disrespect. Consider this a warning."
He tensed as she placed her hand on his arm. "I never forget."
In an attempt to shake off the mood he turned his back to her to face Harvey with a forced grin. "You're not very good at spontaneity. Being grumbly is just going to subtract years to your already shortened life. Live on the wild side once in a while, Harvo!"
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on May 1, 2011 18:09:45 GMT
Harvey's breath caught as Ruby called Joker second best. " Ruby!" he whispered, his voice sharp with warning. He shook his head at her silently. He knew how easily Joker could turn to violence, even with those he professed to care about - he himself sported more than one knife scar from his and Two-Face's most recent fight, and he couldn't forget Harley Quinn's black eyes; her makeup had never quite hidden them.
"Joker, he said quietly, and reached out to lay a hand on the thin shoulder. "It's ok. Ruby didn't mean it." He stretched his arm out further and deployed what he had come to think of as his secret weapon for dealing with a dangerously-moody Joker. His first two fingers began to stroke a sensitive spot just between the nubs of Joker's spine. Admittedly it was Two-Face had discovered that massaging the spot practically made Joker purr, but Harvey had been shamelessly using it in as many non-sexual situations as he thought he could get away with.
He looked at Joker steadily, guaging the expression in his black eyes. "Have a glass of champagne," he suggested and poured out a fresh glass. As he placed it in front off the other man he lifted his eyes to Ruby in another silent apology.
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Post by Rubix Cube on May 1, 2011 18:14:47 GMT
Ruby felt her stomach drop and twist as he scolded her. She mentally cursed herself over and over, disappointed in herself for letting her anger take over. She had possibly burned her bridge with Joker. Not saying anything, she nodded and quickly removed her hand from his arm. "Then forgive me for saying that." She was aware her voice sounded pleading but she didn't care. She was scared. She was already thinking of what could happen if she disrespected him again.
Ruby didn't feel hungry anymore. She felt stupid, angry and the nervous twisting in her stomach made her feel sick. Maybe she should never have come out in the first place. Maybe this was a reminder that Ruby could easily start fights with her big mouth and was the reason why she only allowed herself to go out occasionally.
Catching Harvey's eyes, she shook her head. She needed to get away from the table. Although her anger was now towards herself, she didn't know if she would be able to shut her mouth. She stood abruptly and looked at neither of the men. Her voice was strained and quiet when she spoke. "Excuse me. I need to clear my head."
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on May 1, 2011 18:37:37 GMT
Harvey glanced quickly from Ruby to Joker, then stood up. "I'll be back," he said firmly, then followed Ruby quickly out to the front of the restaurant.
"Ruby, "he said softly. "Are you alright? I'm sorry, I had no idea he was going to come here tonight."
He placed a hand gently on her upper arm. "Don't blame yourself. You know Joker, he's so possessive. He has to always be the centre of everyone's universe, and have them treat him like a Caesar. It's not your fault."
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Post by Rubix Cube on May 1, 2011 19:06:35 GMT
Once outside, Ruby took a deep breath, hoping to steady her anger and nerves.
She looked up at Harvey and sighed. "Don't apoligise, Harvey." She looked at her feet and took another breath. She stayed quiet before feeling her anger slowly dissipate.
She sighed again and ran a hand through her hair. "No. What happened there was entirely my fault. I know better than to talk back to him. It's just... To me, it sounded as if he was trying to imply that nobody should date you because all they will be, is second best to Olivia. Sure, I can accept that but... It just reminded me of something I try desperately to keep dead and buried. It's enough of a reminder that the skeleton in my closet also works for Joker at Arkham." She took a deep breath.
"I feel stupid because I don't think Joker intended to remind me of my past." She groaned and wrung her hands. "Let's go back inside. I feel better now." She lied, indicating to the door. She didn't feel better but she had to try.
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Post by The Joker on May 1, 2011 19:22:21 GMT
Joker had quieted when Harvey began rubbing his neck. His friend knew him so well. When Harvey and Ruby went out to badmouth him, he knocked back his glass of champagne. It was very irritating to him to realize that he was more hurt than angry. He liked Ruby and the fact that she obviously thought so little of him was irritatingly depressing.
He beckoned over a waiter and told him to bring Ruby whatever dessert she wanted and slipped the man a $100 bill. He downed Harvey's glass of champagne, shot filthy looks at anyone who so much as glanced at him and stalked out of the restaurant through the back door.
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on May 1, 2011 19:49:57 GMT
Harvey gently reached out and touched Ruby's other arm too. "You're not second best. Yes, I was very much in love with Olivia and I still am. But please don't think I'm using you." A faint smile touched his lips "Short of Dita von Teese and the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, there's nobody I'd rather be out with tonight."
He regarded Ruby closely. "Your skeleton being Daniel. We should do something about him. For one, I won't have you upset, and for another, he still owes me money. I haven't forgotten about him ripping me off when he skipped town."
Hrvey paused for a moment as Ruby nodded to the door. "You know, he only threatened you as opposed to doing anything worse, that says a lot. It means he cares about you. You've seen how easily he kills. That's possibly my favourite part of living at home again; not having to arrange the disposal of bodies of people who've annoyed him."
He opened the door for her and smiled gently.
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Post by Rubix Cube on May 1, 2011 20:35:52 GMT
Ruby nodded and smiled. "The thought never crossed my mind, Harvey." Her smile gradually got bigger as she took what he said as a compliment.
At the mention of Daniel, she snorted. "Maybe we should just get rid of him for good." Although she was being sarcastic, she actually meant it. It would definitely be a better way to let go of her past than try to bury it somewhere so deep in her mind she couldn't remember it.
Ruby stopped. "He cares for me?" She blushed as her voice had gotten very high-pitched and looked to her feet. She knew Joker liked her but she thought that was mostly because of the fact she could make him bombs quickly. Now she felt even worse but, at the same time, felt something that was similar to warmth spread through her.
She shook her head and her eyes shifted back to Harvey's. "Oh God. Now I feel even worse for upsetting him." Sighing, she smiled at him. "I'll make it up to him."
Nodding in thanks, Ruby stepped through the door and walked with Harvey back to the table.
Joker had left. Looking from the empty table to Harvey then around the room, she cursed. "Now where the hell has he gone?"
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Post by Harvey Dent/Two-Face on May 1, 2011 21:25:52 GMT
Harvey's eyelids lowered slightly. "Perhaps we should," he murmured. "Joker wouldn't object, and even if he did I think we could get round him." He gazed at her levelly. "I'd do it happily. If you really want to be rid of him, I think it would be rather therapeutic. I suppose he deserves a fighting chance to avoid a bullet in the brain, but it' no secret which outcome I'd be rooting for."
Harvey's mouth quirked as Ruby's voice rose an octave. "Oh yes. I'm sure of it. And why wouldn't he?"
Although he'd be pleased to see Joker developing a deeper friendship with Ruby, Harvey couldn't help rueing the fact he seemed to have brought a lady out on a date only to see her puling towards another man. If that was the case, he'd have to have a serious talk with Joker. He didn't want Ruby hurt.
Harvey threw out his hands. "I have no idea. Typical Joker. He's like a hurricane, he blows in and causes destruction then whirls away to make landfall on some other poor people."
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Post by Rubix Cube on May 1, 2011 22:03:51 GMT
"You would? Well, I'm not forcing you to. I'll do it if my hand holds out and doesn't decide to start shaking. But I'm glad you would do it too." Ruby nodded. "True... Maybe a bullet somewhere other than his head would be better. He can get a bullet in the brain the next time he messes up."
Ruby bit her lip. "Well, I-I don't know. I just didn't expect him to." She realised how silly her last sentence was and cringed. She hoped Harvey knew what she meant.
She sighed and sat down at the table. She noticed Harvey's and Joker's glasses of champagne were empty. Lifting her own glass, she finished it and looked up to Harvey. "Are you still up to having dinner?"
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