[ "Arkham Asylum". At the same time.]
"Ivy, hi!" the blonde shouted, running full speed into the room that resembled a botanical garden. -"And hello to you all as well, little ones." she addressed the plants growing here.
"Harley, you are as cheerful as always," the red-haired girl said slowly, turning to her guest.
"I'm so glad to see you," Quinn hugged the dryad tightly. "I have so much to tell you…"
"Wait, first I want to hear something from you. Did you really break up with the Joker?"
"Who told you this? I wanted to tell you this myself," the blonde drooped her shoulders dejectedly.
"I learned this news from one person. He introduced himself to me as Alex Reath."
"Alex? Well, if he told you, then everything is fine," the clown instantly perked up.
"And he also told me that you asked him to become a couple."
"What do you mean 'asked'? We're already a couple! I left J, and now I belong entirely to my dear wizard," the former psychologist said, with a slight smugness in her voice.
"You can't deceive me, Harley. You're still under his control," Pamela gently stroked her friend's cheeks. "He won't let you go. And when that Clown calls his harlequinn, do you think you'll be able to resist it?"
The blonde's shoulders began to tremble involuntarily, her face turned pale.
"I know it. That's why I want Alex to save me from his influence," Quinzel said helplessly. "Do you know what's funniest? I was able to almost thoroughly understand human thinking, its habits, motives, fears, experiences. But I couldn't protect my own consciousness... You know, the famous American psychologist Gordon Exner began his most famous dissertation with the words: "If there are 20 billion people on Earth, then there must be 20 billion different types of thinking, personality and character. Since the psyche, character and personality of each person are different. All people are unique."
"I think he said it right. People are unique, and your case is also unique, Harley. The Joker was able to make you fall in love with him so much that you are ready to do anything for him. But at the same time, you realize that he does not love you, but only uses you. But you can't do anything about it, because it's too deeply ingrained in your subconscious. You're a great psychologist, but even you can't understand every person… And yourself, too," Pamela tried to find words of comfort.
"Heh, but do you know what Gordon Exner said in his last work, written before his death? He refused these words and replaced them with the following: "In fact, all this is nothing more than 20 billion different manifestations of one person. All people are the same. Forgive me, Ivy, but I still take my fall personally. I can't get out of this quagmire on my own. No, that's not it… I don't want to get out on my own. Jay drove me down and distorted my mind, now I need someone to pull me up. He-ha-ha! And I don't know why, but I feel that Alex is the one who will pull me up to the light," she looked up and tried to grab the invisible sun.
"And I hope so," Ivy sighed heavily, hugging her friend. "Alex also said that you wanted to get out of here on your own."
"Of course!" Harlequin shouted loudly, returning to her cheerful mood. "I've already applied for a psychological test. I can easily pass it. But even if I do, I don't think I'll be able to get out right away. This Hugo Strange will most likely not let me do it. But I'm not discouraged, he can't keep me here forever. Moreover, I already have a plan. But enough talking about me, better tell me what you think about all this. Are you not going to get out of this mental hospital?"
"I'm different from you. I'm a metahuman. I'll be under much closer attention. They won't let me just walk around free."
"Have you decided to change, Ivy? From now on, I'm on the side of good," the blonde patted herself on the chest. "You won't leave me alone in this terrible wilderness, will you? I have no idea what it's like to be good now. If you'll keep me company, we can support each other in difficult times. I'm more than sure that I could accidentally lose my temper and punch someone in the face. Your job will be to stop me from, God forbid, killing the poor guy. After all, I'm good now," She joined her hands in a prayer gesture. Only a halo above her head was missing to secure the image of an innocent angel.
"I have done a lot of bad things in this life. My actions cannot be atoned for and I am not going to do it," Isley ran her hand along the hanging vines. "Everything I did, I did for them. My green children. Someone may consider my actions evil, but I think differently. People harmed us, we only returned the favor and looked for our place in the world. And even if I wanted to change, they still will not let me out of these walls. Unless I decide to get out myself," she said in a cold tone.
"Wait, didn't Alex offer you to get out of here if you agreed to help him with some project and become good?"
"I don't believe his words. How can he get me out of here?"
"He's quite famous in our city, and then I heard that he has connections with the top brass of Gotham. I think he's quite capable of getting you out."
"But that's stupid! What is he going to do if I deceive him, take advantage of him and run away. He didn't think about that? That's why I don't trust him," Mother Nature was not going to give in.
"He's not a fool, Ivy. Maybe he just believes in you, believes that you will help him. Trust... Heh, in this day and age it's worth a lot. Especially in relation to people like us," Harley said happily. "Shouldn't we value it? People consider us criminal trash in absentia, and it's justified. But I'm glad that at least someone can give us another chance... A chance to fix everything."
"It's precisely because there are very few such people, or maybe none at all, that this Alex Reath looks so suspicious."
"Come on, it's just your hatred of men speaking for you. You're just afraid to trust someone again. Especially if that someone is a man."
"Harley, nothing in this world comes for free, you should know that," Pamela said in a stern tone, like a teacher. "Everything has a price... And this Alex... He wanted me to help him with some project. Do you think he would ask me for something if he didn't need me? He won't help those who don't benefit him in any way."
"So what benefit does he have from me?" the clown asked her friend. "He promised to help me when I get out of here. He promised to give me a job that I would like. I doubt that I will be of any use to him. Rather, on the contrary, I will bring him a heavy burden and dump it on his shoulders. You must understand that by accepting me, he potentially made the Joker his enemy. I don't know about you, but I think it's a brave act."
"More like suicidal," Madame Vegetation quipped. "I don't know what games he plays, but he won't drag me into his game."
"Ivy, are you really planning on spending forever in this hole?"
"And then what? Will Batman lock you back in again? Just understand, you have unlimited potential. You can do amazing things that will amaze the world. And Alex is the person who can help you with this. Don't refuse... Just think about how your life can change. It all depends on your choice… I have already made my choice, and I hope I made it right. But one thing I know for sure. If I had not taken the step, nothing would have changed."
Thank you for your support.
Just increased the chapter count on p@treon.
Increased the number from 30 to 40.
You all can support me and read extra chapters on [email protected]/annihilator009