#2 [Commentlog]

[justalilnuts]

[Harley has been making herself comfortable since arriving at Vertiline, and that has included the complete redecoration of her own artichoke pod. She's located, through much rummaging at the temple and through the supply rooms, a set of curtains that she was able to adjust to her liking, adding a certain feminine touch to her pod. There is a

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[justalilnuts]

[Harley eyes the tall man speculatively for a beat as he speaks. Obviously he was one of them goodie-two-shoes types. Clearly he just needed the attention of a good woman to get him back to ship-shape! Who was going to take this command? Why, none other than Harley herself, of course! 8D ]

Well, Mister Tall Dark an' Handsome .. I happen ta be a regular charmer of the wild beasties. Lil ole Frank here ain't gonna be no more a threat ta anyone around here than lil ole me.

[Those baby blues ain't looking away from you now, Warrior. You were uncomfortable before, but she's got her sights on teetering you off your feet now!]

Do I look like any ole kinda threat ta ya?

[Have a pretty pout and a jutted hip, Warrior. Is it possible she is showing even more skin than a moment before?? Yes. Entirely possible.]

An' ya said dangerous ta the unprepared .. seems ta me that everyone is prepared fer what lil ole Frank is capable of now. An' he ain't even all that dangerous anyway .. He's just mama's little baby!

[She looks down at the cage, crouching next to it to coo at the fluffy caged rabbit. In his defense, he doesn't jump at the cage to try to kill her, but glares while silently gnashing his teeth.]

[bellator_lucis]

[Yeah, good luck with that, Harley. But the Warrior is being quite strongly affected by your little display. He has the strongest urge to pull out his sword and shield. If he takes odd breaks in his speech, it's because he's trying to tell himself that he's overreacting.]

I cannot speak for the threat you pose. If I have learned nothing else, it is not to judge by appearances.

[After all, the Onion Knight is a shortass who could easily shred you if you let him under your guard, Exdeath is a tree given sentience by a thousand evil souls, and Kuja is a girly-man in a skirt with enough raw power to blow up a planet. Appearances are very deceiving.

He's just a little weirded out by Harley's cooing, but the gnashing of teeth convinces him. He draws his sword, sidles up to Harley, and takes her arm in a gentle but firm grip.]

But while I cannot speak for you, I know the threat that he poses.

[He tugs, still gently. Are you going to yield to him, Harley, or will you fight?]

Again, so SO sorry!!!!

[justalilnuts]

[Harley had not woken up this morning with the intent of defending her right to keep her new fuzzy baby. She had intended to do some cleaning up around her pod and plant the last few flowers shed harvested from the forest and then, perhaps, some much needed sun bathing.

Instead, this domineering and pushy (albeit cute) guy in armor had shown up to preach about how she shouldn't have little Frank as a pet 'cause he was a danger to others. It was probably good that Warrior didn't know anything about Mighty Mouse, safely nestled in his jar within her pod.

However, being preached at for making a bad decision was something she was rather used to. Hell, being slapped around for doing the same was a pretty regular occurance for good Doctor Quinzel. There was a difference between and this, however, and that difference was that it was only okay for that stuff to happen when it was her Puddin' doing the dressing down or slapping.

Those blue eyes narrow and the smile slips from her lips quickly, leaving behind an expression that is anything but welcoming or nice. In a move that might surprise the Knight, Harley twists her arm and jerks it away. Are you ready to see the spitfire side, Warrior?

She is practically bristling as she stalks toward him, completely disregarding the sword he seems prepared to use. She lifts one hand and jabs a finger at the chest of his armor, glaring angrily up at him.]

Ya keep yer hands off me, bubs. Ya ain't got no place an' I ain't afraid ta yell 'rat' if ya try it again.

[She is standing directly between he and the rabbit.]

Ya just said yerself that ya don't take appearances fer granted and ya didn't know what kinda threat I posed.

[She isn't poking his armor anymore, but her steely gaze is dangerous and a bit unhinged as she glares at him. She's very nearly quivering in righteous indignation and her own disproportional rage.]

If ya lay so much as a finger on me or mine again, I can guaran-damn-tee that you'll find out just how much of a threat I am. An' if that's the case, I hope ya sleep with one ye open.

[Harley isn't one to pad her threats, putting it all right up front: you hurt her or anything she likes/loves and it's on your neck. She isn't one to hold a heavy grudge for an extended time, but she defends what she loves.]

And again, no need to apologize!

[bellator_lucis]

[He automatically backs up a few steps when Harley twists out of his grip, to give himself room to move. He really doesn't like that he's seeing her as a potential enemy when he's only known her for half an hour.

Her stubborn refusal to consider the safety of others is beginning to anger him, but at the same time he doesn't want to get into a fight with her. They were brought here for the same purpose, and regardless of his personal feelings towards her, as far as he's concerned that makes her his comrade. So the sword stays by his side.]

Have you no concern for the safety of others? Not all who were brought are capable of defending themselves should that creature escape.

[Look out, Harley, he's getting up on his soapbox!]

We were Called here with the intent that we would defend the local inhabitants from the creatures that are invading their land. Instead you insist on capturing one and keeping it as a pet. Your thoughtless actions create a risk that we do not need.

[Tactlessness, thy name is Warrior of Light.]

[justalilnuts]

[To ever think Harley a reasonable woman would be a terrible mistake. She often leads by her emotions and her emotional state is not, precisely, what one might refer to as stable. Unfortunately, this makes her a bit of a loose cannon where things like 'ally' and such come into play. In the end, Harley is out for Harley's own best interest (unless you happen to be someone she considers a friend, and then she might at least try not to catch you in the blast of whatever disaster she is creating.

Right now, she's on her high horse and she's not about to fold! 8(

As Warrior first chastises her about the safety of others she glowers, frowning in a rather put out manner. He drones on and on and on about defending the locals and her pretty frump turns into an outright scowl. Can you tell someone doesn't like not getting her way? She folds her arms across her chest and just .. glares.

Please don't expect her to be reasonable about this. You want to kill her pet bunny. Even if she totally understands your argument, and she DOES, he's still her pet. She gets a bit attached and rather quickly. :| ]

He [She gestures sharply to the otherwise innocent looking bunny that is watching the exchange.] .. didn't try ta hurt nobody an' hasn't tried since I caught 'im.

[She glares, looking away as her arms cross again. Her tone now grows a bit petulant.]

Ain't no one asked if I wanted ta defend this place. Not a single person here; an' I ain't about ta get myself killed tryin' .. whether or not that ain't particularly a permanent feature.

[Now her petulant tone turns outright melancholy and her eyes well with tears and her wide baby blues sweep back to look at Warrior. She's looking at him like he's just sentenced Ole Yeller himself to death.]

I ain't got Mistah J, or Red .. I ain't even got Croc or 'Nigma .. I'm here all alone an' now ya wanna kill Frank, too?

[The tears threaten to spill down her cheeks and her chin wibbles desperately.

THE ACADEMY AWARD GOES TO...]

YAY FIRST IC USE OF THIS ICON

[bellator_lucis]

[Normally, this would not work so well. Normally, the Warrior would sympathize, but he'd stand firm on the matter - after all, this puts other people in danger. But right now, he's very sensitive to loss, and...dammit, Harley, when you look like that and you say these things, how can he insist on killing your pet?

His expression visibly softens.]

It may be that you are without companions from your own world, but you are not alone. There is nothing to stop you from making new friends.

[He glances at Frank's cage, looking uncomfortable.]

I do not think that...Frank...is a wise choice of pet. Surely you could find some other, less dangerous creature for companionship?

[Yeah, he's still going to try to persuade you to get rid of him, but at least he isn't going to execute the bunny on the spot, right?]

WIN!

[justalilnuts]

[Harley sniffles pathetically and yes, she is playing Warrior completely, but doesn't she do it well?! She listens to Warrior's explanation, looking meek and accepting. How could you have ever been mad at her Warrior? I mean, look at how diminutive and cute she is?

Threats aside, I mean really .. what could she do? Cute little thing like her .. all lost and alone with them big ole teary eyes.]

Ain't too many folks hang around here .. I mean, I met the Pie-Man an' Lily .. An' there's a broad from Gotham that I've seen a few times. Do ya really think that folks will wanna be my friend? I mean, I ain't exactly polished, ya know?

[A well timed sniffle as Warrior addresses the Frank issue and she casts those big eyes up at Warrior again, looking for all the world like she's opening her heart to him. She is already certain she's not going to be able to get away with keeping the rabbit under Warrior's watch, but ..]

Can we at least let 'im go in the woods? I mean .. there ain't no reason ta kill 'im, is there? [Her voice nearly breaks at the word 'kill' and Harley looks all the world like this is the SADDEST DAY EVER!!] He ain't done nothin' since I caught 'im an' he's been a really good bunny ..

[Tears .. oh, god, the tears! Warrior, can you handle it? Obviously that threat was just a facade to protect her tender and insecure inside self!! This is obviously a girl with a big heart that just having a hard time adjusting to life away from her loved ones.]

[bellator_lucis]

[Oddly enough, none of the Warrior's foes thought to play on his emotions like this. Or maybe it's not so odd - they'd have a much harder time pulling it off.

He's still not entirely willing to trust her, but he's finding it impossible to hold a grudge, or to maintain his irritation with her.

Damn, he's gullible.]

I do not think that many of us are 'polished'. [He's pronouncing that like he's not really sure what it means.] We come from many different worlds. It would be strange if there were no one willing to be your friend.

[He looks down at the bunny again. On the one hand, it goes against his grain to leave this thing alive. On the other...well, it's just one. People know the threat they represent. And if it does come back, he will do what he must.

He knows this rationalization is flimsy in the extreme, but Harley's looking too sad for him to do anything else.]

Very well. Come, I will go with you into the forest, and we can release him.

[At least he can make sure that the little beast isn't let go anywhere near the pods.]

[justalilnuts]

[Yes, I can't see some of his foes trying to get at him this way and succeeding. Tears work for the ladies, though, and Harley has absolutely no qualms about using things to her advantage. If Warrior is affected by a bit of sniffling, all the better for her!! 8D]

Sure, ya can say that, but I don't see nobody linin' up ta meet yours truly. Here I am, livin' all on my lonesome an' all I got fer company is Groucho an' Frank .. [Like hell she's going to bring up Mighty Mouse now. She watches him as he seems to war with himself for a time before speaking again. She does her best to look apologetic and pulls it off beautifully. She sniffles again and nods, moving to pick up Frank's cage.]

I didn't mean ta get nobody hurt, ya know? I'm all talk, really ..

[She hefts the rickety cage, but it remains in one piece. Frank grunts, but remains otherwise silent as Harley turns and looks at Warrior expectantly. She gives him one more 'pleeeeeease' look, but knows it's all for naught. With a sigh she nods and begins tromping off toward the forest.]

[bellator_lucis]

[Damn his chivalric instincts.]

We have only been here a short while. If you were to use your communicator more often, at least you could speak to more people.

[Admitting mistakes is another good way to soften the Warrior up. He tries very hard to see good in people.]

You did not think. But no one was hurt.

[Yeah, that sorry look isn't going to do any good. He'll walk by her side as they make their way into the forest.]

What sort of world did you come from?

[Attempts at smalltalk, go!]

[justalilnuts]

[Oh, I dunno; Harley doesn't mind them at all! XD Playing off peoples' chivalric tendencies hasn't failed her yet! As they walk she makes a soft non-commital sound, giving a half shrug.]

I suppose .. I mean, I guess it wouldn't hurt ta give it a try, ya know?

[Harley can play nice if it means keeping herself out of trouble; unless, of course, she's trying to get IN trouble. She sighs softly, though, annoyed that she's having to release her new-found pet bunny back into the woods. He falls into step beside her as they walk and she glances sidelong as he attempts small talk.]

Hmm? Gotham?

[A smile curls her lips and she gets a kind of faraway look to her eyes as she describes it.]

It's full'a all kinds'a schmucks an' broads .. Criminals an' psychos an' cops tryin' ta ruin all the run. Heists an' explosions an' any number'a crazy things ta get yer blood pumpin' ... Boy do I miss it.

[The last is said with a heartfelt sigh. There is a beat and then she thinks to ask the same of the towering figure of a man next to her.]

What about yerself?

[bellator_lucis]

[Blinkblink. The Warrior is not entirely sure why you would miss a place that sounds to him like a warzone - but he'll put it down to Harley missing familiarity and her own friends. Cosmos knows he misses his own world for just that reason.]

The world I came from was composed of the fragments of many others. It was a battleground for the forces of harmony and disorder.

My comrades - and our foes - came from many different worlds.

[He hesitates, before adding.]

I do not remember the world I was born on... All I know is that war.

[Maybe sharing this personal fact will make Harley feel more comfortable.]

[justalilnuts]

[Harley thinks that Gotham is the homiest of the homes and actually really misses it. When things are too quiet for too long, she gets all paranoid.

She cocks her head and turns it slightly to look at Warrior sidelong as he describes his own world. She blinkblinks a few times herself, not seeing what could possibly be so bad about such a place.]

Different worlds, huh? Well, then this place can't be too bad, ya know?

[At his admittance of not knowing where he was born she simply shrugs. Such a thing doesn't really bug her at all, at the end of the day.]

Eh, where ya were born ain't such a biggie .. just make the best with what ya got! An' war .. well .. seems most'a us came from somethin' like that anyways. War here or there .. all the same, really.

[She sees things a bit differently than you do, Warrior. :)]

[bellator_lucis]

It is certainly less of an adjustment.

[Vertiline is just business as usual for him.]

I had hoped that other worlds would be...more peaceful, though.

[He's a little bit dismayed to find other places in need of defence.]