[Thread]

[dualfaced]

Characters: Harvey Dent [OU] and Helena Campbell [OU]
Where: near/at the bank vault
When: 12/21
Summary: Helena calls Harvey to meet and a particular problem resurfaces in her memory.
Warnings: None as of now

Comments

[veryusefulbook]

Helena had sent the message in that hurried way that she does [[^_- lol]] requesting to meet with Harvey. He was the only person she really knew who would know anything about anything in relation to what was going on. She had heard that Cissie and the others had been found but all the details she could find in relation to such topics were scattered, vague, and sometimes even random. She couldn't seem to get a straight story from anyone.

When she got the reply to meet him at some random building nearby she recognized the description and hurried as quick as she could over to meet Harvey. She was all nerves and excitement as well as quite a bit concerned.

She raced over to the building wrapped in a few t-shirts a random long coat jacket that she found in the church. It was similar to that of the coats that The Doctor used to wear. She missed him dearly, but the coat was a good enough reminder to her. As a matter of fact, it probably was one of his coats... she did find it in his room some time after he had gone... However she still wore her pajama pants under the baggy jeans she had managed to find in some back alley behind the church for warmth and sentimentality's sake.

When she entered the building, cheeks flaring red with the burn from the wind and short dark hair all mangled around her face she called out, "Harvey! Where are you?"

[dualfaced]

Harvey turned as his name was called, catching sight of the girl with some shock. her attire was... bizarre, to say the least, but then again she was a bit strange herself in mannerism and ability, it was oddly suiting in a way. It made Harvey smile in friendly amusement, raising his hand to the girl.

"Helena, over here." He called, walking over. Even if the building was warmer he still kept his coat on just to keep at a decent temperature. "Sorry about the location, we can go to one of the restaurants around if you'd prefer." He said, he knew there was one or two around. He had been too caught up in his thoughts to actually think before he invited her.

[veryusefulbook]

"Oh hullo there!" Helena looked up to see Harvey standing not too far away from her and in plain sight. She always did miss the obvious.

Helena walked towards Harvey with a smile on her face. He was not the type of person she was used to. He seemed, in her opinion, a proper gentleman. Valentine back at home had never really been like this. He was always the ridiculous goof off who would never admit he was wrong.

"Don't worry about it," she said, British accent dripping from her words in a smooth flowing fashion. "I actually really wouldn't want to have this conversation around other people. Too many prying ears... However, I probably wouldn't mind sitting somewhere. Any available seats around here?" Helena laughed looking at the empty room she was in. Even though she was laughing, a glint of concern did show in her eyes, as well as a hint of nostalgia when she recalled Valentine to her mind.

[dualfaced]

Harvey pondered a moment over the accent (british? Certainly sounded that way) as he glanced around himself, heading over to one of the dusty corners and pulling over a small table and chair that had been thrown over there, dusting off the seat and gesturing for Helena to sit with a smile. "Fair enough. I'm not sure I'm in the proper mood for a great crowd myself." he answered, taking a seat on the low table.

"So what is it you'd like to talk about away from prying ears?" Harvey asked, catching the glint and wondering a moment what the girl was thinking about. Considering her mind had basically created a whole other world in a way who knew.

[veryusefulbook]

Helena could not help but grin laugh a short breathy laugh through her smile when she saw Harvey setting up the chairs and table. "Thank you," she said as she sat down on the opposite side of him.

"Umm... prying ears... yeah." Her mind was so scattered right now. She hadn't been sleeping well and she hoped it didn't show but when she did get tired her mind, no matter how determined she wanted to be did wander...

After a moment of silence and self pondering she replied, "Oh. sorry 'bout that I'm just uhh... I've been thinking about a lot of things lately and I'm just trying to sort them all out... First of all-" she looked to Harvey, examining him. He must have been through so much in these past short hours and though she did not know him she felt that if she wanted to she could call him friend, and did, therefore worry about him. "-how are you? Are you doing alright?"

[dualfaced]

Harvey was just about to question her own well being when she began speaking again, ending with a question that made him rub the back of his neck and sigh. "I'm fine, better than several others I could name." He answered. More than anything the anger was beginning to grate at him, from this and all the trouble before - 'Two Face' and Rachel and that damn bastard's laugh or the Bat's voice. Dawes didn't make it. Harvey looked back at Helena, smile tired but there. She was a good kid, a good person, she shouldn't have to deal with this madman's games- the after effects or not.

"What about you? You look a little tired." He said, eyebrow raised. "I guess with everything going on sleep isn't exactly top priority is it?" He asked in faint bemusement, shaking his head before glancing back to her. "Cissie's doing well- better at least, by the way. I saw her yesterday and she was eating, talking. Shaken-" the look that crossed his eyes told that 'shaken' was a weak way of putting it it. "-but she's a strong girl."

[veryusefulbook]

Helena smiled her understanding. The only reason she had not contacted Cissie herself was because she was afraid of what she would find. Would she find Cissie or a fractured piece of something that used to be Cissie?

"I'm glad you are doing well and yes, yes I am tired. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep, no. I've been trying to think about- well- everything and it's just... just... gah." She sighed in exasperation. So much was running through her mind right now. If you were to peer in and see her thoughts it would like like a scrabble board: outlines of definite thoughts but everything criss crossing through something else, appearing mixed in an organized fashion.

"Ummm.. how is the Joker doing... has he said anything about... well about anything? Are you going to continue to keep him locked up?" She looked concerned, tired, ragged. She could not remember ever being so tired, or feeling so weak. It was not common for her to feel weak in -any- situation. But the tiredness was showing in her eyes and it made her look so much older thank nineteen right now. If she were back at home her biggest worries would have been "What am I going to wear for tonight's show? Is Valentine ready for the performance? How many kids am I going to have to shoo off with a broom tonight?" The circus had spoiled her. Spoiled her terribly. This place was wearing on her, though, try as she might to fight it.

But there was also something else there that she felt. Something she hoped would always be a part of herself and would always show through. It was hope itself. Faith in the world... in all worlds and the people in them. She would never give up on them even if they did give up on her. It was this faith and this hope that gave away her real strength. A vague something hidden away in the tiredness.

[dualfaced]

Harvey couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's words, they were certainly true even if they weren't delivered in the same way he would. "Well I hope the 'gah' nature of things clears up soon." He said, for himself and her, before his voice softened. "Try to get some sleep though, you'll get sick at this rate."

The Joker mention made him sigh, sitting back more and glancing to the side. "Nothing useful." he said, face drawn in irritation just at remembering the incidents. "For now that's what I'm planning at least. I think the best way to punish him at the moment is keeping him in complete isolation." He turned to her with a dry quirk of the lip. "No audience to entertain himself with."

She looked tired- too tired for someone her age - the same as Quatre and too many others he had seen in this place. That anger flared again, it was... it was just unfair, as childish as it sounded. Life's not fair kid, his father was an advocate of that but Harvey had to believe it could be, if you worked, if you tried.

"Helena..." Harvey caught her eye, offering what he hoped was a comforting smile. "Don't beat yourself up trying to... help or figure all this out. We're all in this together and we will settle things, trust me." He sat back, voice becoming amused, joking as he spoke. "Good conquers evil right?"

[veryusefulbook]

Helena smiled, that special glint coming back into her eyes. It was nice to see that people actually cared. That they noticed she was getting tired, or stressed, or just plain anxious. "Thank you," she said, "I'll try not to over do it. Things are just getting a little silly, I think... and not silly as in stupid or funny 'haha' but almost unnecessary. So much of this has been such a waste of time and energy. All the time that has been spent in ripping this place apart and ripping people apart could have been spent on building this world back up, bringing people together. I mean if we're stuck here we might as well do the best we can with what we have, right?"

The colour began to rush into Helena's face. Not an angry rush of colour, more like and excited flush of colour that revealed her passion for the subject on which she was now on.

"And yes-" she looked up at Harvey, "yes, good will always conquer evil."

Helena rubbed her eyes with her coat sleeve and then looked back at Harvey. "Sorry about that that. Got those little sleepers in my eyes..." she laughed to herself.

"So, ummm tell me about yourself, Harvey. I mean... who did you used to be or are or whatever...?" Helena looked up at Harvey, hopeful. She needed a new friend. Someone who was stable and secure just as Harvey appeared to her now. Besides all the jibber jabber would allow her to focus on something different. She needed the break from all of the strange reality that this world had to offer.

[dualfaced]

Harvey just smiled- the girl reminded him of himself and Rachel when it came to such subjects. It was refreshing to hear the conviction, even if it was in the throes of youth. Considering how hard this place was she was keeping her spirit quite well, maybe it wasn't just youthful idealism.

"I agree. Unfortunately some people prefer..." he hesitated, voice turning dry. "-chaos." He shook the look with a quirk of the lips, a sigh. "It's the same everywhere I'm afraid, that's why this place needs a law system of some sort, for the people who can't protect themselves."

He paused as the girl rubbed her eyes, smile turning warm for the first time in a while, nodding his head. "Then no worries right? We'll make it through- 'good' after all."

The question caught him off guard but he took it in stride, chuckling a bit at the word choice. "Well I was- am I guess, the District Attorney for Gotham City. Three whole months now." he said, realizing she didn't know the life expectancy for a dedicated DA usually fell in the category of 'weeks' or 'days' and shaking his head. "Our city... Batman guards it too- and the Joker terrorizes it. It's corrupt but..." he paused, sighing. "-it's just been in darkness too long. It needs time, and for someone to help lead it back out. The people there aren't bad, they're just... lost." he stopped, looking almost sheepish before turning back to her. "What about you? An artist right?"

[veryusefulbook]

Helena caught just a slight glimpse of his warm smile and it warmed her in this cold weather. The honest heart felt smile of a fellow person was always warming to her.

"So you're a lawyer? We have those in our world. They are generally frowned upon," Helena laughed a soft laugh as she grinned at Harvey. A mischievous smile. Yes, she was teasing him. It was all she could do to NOT make fun of lawyers, good or bad.

"But.. wait.. so," then it hit Helena... "Waaiiit, you and Batman and The Joker all know each other? You were in the same world together before you came here? Were things back then like they are now for you here?"

Helena looked thoughtful for a moment, mulling over the newly discovered information in her head when it occured to her that he had also asked her a question in turn. "Oh! Um, well I draw, yeah, but I also juggle and I'm a stand in clown, and I can walk the tight rope." Helena laughed a memory filled laugh full of hope and love and ridiculous untold stories about jugglers from Peru and fun loving mother's dressed up as a gorillas.

A look came into her eyes, a look of pride. "My parents own and run a circus back home. It's called the Campbell's Family Circus. I help out selling popcorn, juggling and such. And drawing well... I've always just drawn. I don't really name anything, at least I didn't until I realized that my drawings weren't just drawings. But other than hoping in and out of them every once in a while I don't do more than draw. Like I'm not going to school or anything for it. Not now anyway." Helena grinned, her cheeks red, brown stringy hair still all mussed up around her face, and her long coat wrapped around her tight.

[dualfaced]

Harvey laughed at the comment, shaking his head. "Not only a lawyer but a politician- best of both worlds, right?" he asked. "I promise I'm not as bad as the reputation, only a few idealistic speeches here and there." he said in amusement, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees as he spoke.

"We.. know each other." Harvey said, glancing to the side. "The Batman, a officer named Gordon and I worked together to help put most of the mob away. The Joker on the other hand was more interested in trying to get the Bat to unmask himself and use threats against my life and others to do it." Harvey paused, glancing at her almost uncertainly before looking away. "I know you want to believe he's good somewhere but... he killed many people, threatened more, he threw the woman I love out a multistory building window. If it weren't for the Batman she'd be dead." a bitterness crept into his tone at the last sentence, tone dry and not entirely his as he spoke. "He's a monster."

The spell broke after a second, his eyes finding hers again as he sat straight. "It was a lot like this back home- madness everywhere. It's... a long story." It certainly was, and one he didn't know the ending to according to some. He was going to change it, that's all he knew, it's what he had to know to keep going.

The darker mood lifted as he raised his eyebrows, unable to hold back a smile at that information. A circus? Somehow that was very suiting for the girl. His smile widened a touch at the genuine happiness of her laugh - she must have missed them just as much as Harvey did Rachel. She seemed to be handling it a lot better than most would, then again this was the same girl who was willing to risk her life to help them catch the madman.

"I can see that- though with your determination I'd certainly want to try talking you into law or police work." he said with a grin. "Are you happy doing this?" he asked, no suspecting a yes or no answer, just simply curious.

"I'm guessing though that drawing ability and the other world is excitement enough." he said.

[veryusefulbook]

Helena laughed at the politician comment. At least he was also familiar with the many puns about the lawyering politicians in the Universe and that familiarity gave her comfort. At least not every place in the Universe was totally different.

At the mention of his city and life back in the world where he came from, of the chaos that was his world, and of the Joker's doings in that place... she cringed. There was nothing else she could do. She felt sorry for Harvey to have to experience all of this first hand. She considered putting her hand on his shoulder in a kind of comforting gesture but Harvey came to before she could, which she was thankful for.

At his expression concerning her circus life she giggled. "Thank you. I used to tell my Mum that I wanted to run away from the circus and join real life... not any more. I'm happy now with my family and friends, being on the road and such. It's a different way of living and the cleaning up afterwards is a nightmare but, like my Mum used to say, 'Every other kid out there wants to run away and join the circus'." Helena smiled to herself, looking down at her hands.

She looked back up to Harvey when he mention her determination. "I got that from my parents. And besides, I mean, I just kind of do what I need to. A lot of times I don't know where I am or if I've finally gone nutty, but I know what's right. I try and do just that. As for being a lawyer or a cop? I don't think I could be serious enough for the job. And I'd be terrible at trying to arrest people." Helena stuck out her tongue at the thought of herself having to be some big and tough street cop. No way. She laughed to herself.

"Oh, and yeah, no. I mean, the drawing thing," she started talking with her hands ,moving them side to side up and down, "The first time that happened was three years ago. The second was when I got here. It.. it isn't common and like I said I'm not positive about the hows and whys yet, but I suppose I should be thankful. Not quite sure why, but I'm sure it will come in handy one of these days."

Helena bobbed her head in agreement with herself, trying to get herself to believe it.

She swiped a stray hair behind her ear and started pulling down on the back of her hair.It was a nervous habit and now that her hair was beginning to grow beyond the normal boundaries of below her shoulders it was very easy to do.

Then suddenly she felt awkward. Valentine had been playing on her mind and she could only imagine that this good upstanding man before her had to have someone at home that he missed like she did. "So... do you have someone back at home that you miss? I mean, I know that you probably do but I-" she started talking in that fast nervous kind of way that she did when she didn't quite know what to say, "I was just wondering but if you don't want to talk about it that's okay, I normally wouldn't but uhh" she laughed nervously, looked back her hands and then just made a funny face to herself. "I'm sorry you don't have to answer that," she laughed nervously.

[dualfaced]

Harvey offered a wry smile at the wince, he didn't want to shoot down those ideas of hers - that people were good deep down, even people like the Joker. He was jaded, he knew, he could count the people he actually trusted on one hand and couldn't begin to number the people he eyed in suspicion even as he smiled to their faces. Even Helena - if it hadn't been for Quatre's ability to tell she was truthful it would have been much the same. He pushed those danker thoughts aside, focusing on the stories she told of home with a sincere grin.

"Your mother sounds like a great woman." Harvey said, smile small. "Sounds like a huge culture leap from there to here. It must be tough." This certainly was harsher than any 'real life' he knew of. At least there was some form of order in such a world, not rules of every different whim mixed like a melting pot. Most people didn't have to deal with dark princesses in their shadows either.

Harvey couldn't help but laugh at the expression when she declined the cop idea, leaning back. "Fair enough, besides, being a cop is pretty dull most of the time. Same with law - lots of paperwork. I think you'd get more kicks at a circus." His expression softened a bit at the sentiment, that her ability could come in handy. So far it was in a very dangerous way.

"Just be careful, alright?" He asked, trying to sound condescending about it. Her next question surprised him, the blink forming a small smile as she rambled on an apology, making him hold his hand up.

"Actually I wouldn't mind at all - and I do. My-" he paused for the briefest moment, couldn't say 'fiance,' could he? I don't have an answer Harvey. They never got to talk about it, not in the rush that followed the Joker's reign of chaos. or maybe Harvey had avoided it because he hadn't wanted to hear her firmly say 'no' just yet.

"-girlfriend I suppose. We've been living together so that sounds a little weak." He said, shaking his head. "Rachel Dawes, an assistant district attorney. She's..." his voice took on an almost nostalgic tone, smiling softly to himself. "She's something alright. Stubborn as all hell." He grinned as he looked back to Helena. "What about you then?" It was nice to talk about Rachel, considering how often he thought about her it seemed she never came up. He imagined Helena would feel the same way about whoever's name was on her lips.

[veryusefulbook]

Helena listened intently as Harvey spoke about his girlfriend. She gathered that there were some uncertainties to the relationship based on his hesitation in titling as his girlfriend... but she could understand that.

"Well... I have a few good friends that I miss of course. And I would be nothing without my family. But... well... his name is Valentine. Believe it or not I met him in the uhhh the -other- world before I met him in real life, back at home. He works at the circus with us, he's my juggling partner."

Helena cheeks began to redden a bit and her eyes continued to wander. She always had such a very hard time talking about things like this. They made her nervous and awkward feeling.

Finally a thoughtful look came across her face.

"I know the chances of me ever seeing him again are few but I know that all things happen for a reason. A difficult lesson to learn... and even though this is not a dream I can change at my own whim... I know that maybe if I try hard enough, I will be able to see him again even if its only through my windows... I mean, I can only see where my artwork is and I have so many pictures scattered everywhere at this point in this world and mine that maybe..."

Then, very suddenly, a different look came across her face. Her skin paled a bit and her eyes narrowed and brows furrowed in thought. "Pictures... pictures... OH! OH BUGGER! Harvey!" Helena reached across the table and grabbed Harvey by the shoulders, "Harvey the Joker has one of my pictures!"

[dualfaced]

"Does he have this... drawing ability as well?" Harvey asked curiously. Was it common? He would have pressed, commented on it but the look on her face shifted with her words.

That idea probably occurred to all of them, the chance they would never see their homes again. More importantly the people in them - lives like a game, a chess board. It was too damn common he found.

He forced a small smile as he spoke. "Helena we'll get back. This place can't hold us forever, we just need to-" he stopped when she suddenly turned pale, opening his mouth to speak when she began to panic, nearly missing the meaning before it finally struck him.

"Picture- so she can-" Harvey stood, mind going a mile a minute before he calmed, placing his hands on his waist. "We searched him thoroughly, there was nothing on him besides knives and his PDA." He looked back to her. "He either didn't have it on him or swallowed it - either way we should be alright, right?" he asked, still not quite the expert on how this mirror world worked.