[RL, Joker & Tim] [Backdated to late on the 23rd]

[peektuttut]

He was almost getting used to these world-hops, and that was vaguely disturbing. A part of him wished he'd never happened upon the community, wished he'd never come to know about these parallel worlds. There was enough to worry about in his own Gotham; Arkham destroyed, its prisoners on the loose. Tim should be there, where he was needed; not in this Gotham, in this Arkham what wasn't a hollowed out shell. Yet, here he was, sneaking past security, into the asylum. It was as easy as home, if not easier; this Gotham wasn't as used to the criminal masterminds Tim's was. And considering that he was without most of the tools of his utility belt, this really was a cakewalk: a little system rewiring, rerouting cameras to set on loops, a swiped security card, and he was in.

It wasn't too hard to find the Joker's cell. Max security, as per usual, solitary of course - and there he was and - and -

From what he could see through the window on his door, Joker actually had a human pallor. This...was no doubt the strangest thing Tim had seen in a while. Blinking, wary of the lack of the lack of a straight jacket, Tim ran the cardkey through the security panel on the wall, and stepped inside.

Only way out was closing behind him, and there was a very crazy man in front of him. Tim was trying very hard to remember why this had seem like a good idea.

"Joker."

Comments

[tntandgasoline]

"Oh, oh, right." He took on an exaggerated whispering tone, putting a finger to his lips and only barely containing the laughter threatening to boil over at the absolute seriousness of this poor kid. He needed to lighten up!

"Why else would I do it? You're not, uh, from around here, so I'll - I'll give you this freebie, Tim. I don't plan on things happening. I have an idea and when I go through with it, make it come to life? People just don't disappoint me."

[peektuttut]

Rolling his eyes at the dramatics, Tim dropped his arms to his sides, looking around the cell. Huh. Not padded, that was vaguely surprising.

"Really?" He asked, crossing to the opposite corner. "They never disappoint you?" Turning back to look at Joker, Tim arched an eyebrow. "Seriously? Now, that I don't believe."

[tntandgasoline]

"Well, maybe not every time, but that's what keeps things, uh, fresh." He shrugged and twisted his neck to follow Tim's movements. "Surprised it isn't padded? Me too. Be more comfortable, at least."

[peektuttut]

"Mm." He grunted a response, trailing a hand across one wall. Glancing up, Tim saw a vent. Small. Maybe he could get through it, but the Joker? No way. Looking back at the man, he shrugged. "Sort of surprised. Surprised the bed isn't a concrete slab, too."

[tntandgasoline]

"Oh, no, Arkham is very accomodating. They even give regular inmates plastic knives!" Of course, he didn't get any silverware - just a paper plate. Even he couldn't figure out anything to do with paper. Yet.

His eyes had trailed to see where Tim was staring - "Oh, yeah, that. Tried that the last time I was in here - just doesn't work."

[peektuttut]

"Get stuck?" Tim smirked just bit, glancing back at Joker. "Bet that sucked." He was assuaged that there was no easy way out of the cell, but that didn't mean escape was impossible. Unfortunately.

[tntandgasoline]

The Joker rolled his eyes. "Just because I'm sedated doesn't mean I'm not a threat, Timmy. I wouldn't suggest making fun of me in my delicate state."

He ran a hand through his hair idly, hand drifting down to run along his scars. They felt so different without the paint. "Doesn't matter, anyway. Other ways to, aheh, skin a cat."

[peektuttut]

Tim held his hands up, as nonthreatening as possible, and leaned back against the wall. "Sorry. I'll watch my mouth a little closer."

But he frowned lightly, resisting the urge to look around the room for something he'd missed. "Oh yeah? How're you skinning this cat?"

[tntandgasoline]

"You better." So he was a little bitter over that. Hey, everyone has a button.

He prodded at his scars as he grinned, rolling his eyes. "Now, now, kiddo, don't wanna ruin the surprise."

[peektuttut]

And apparently Joker's was getting stuck in a vent. Tim's just going to picture that a bit.

"Promise I can keep a secret," he said, hands slipping back into his jacket pockets.

[tntandgasoline]

He'd rather forget it.

"Well..." He giggled. "If you really wanna know..." He looked around, then gestured for Tim to come closer.

[peektuttut]

Hrm. How doped up was the Joker? Tim could humor, but only for so long. So he pushed off the wall, pulled his hands from his pockets and took a few steps across the room, toward the other man. There was still a big expanse of space between them, though. Safety first and all. "Do tell."

[tntandgasoline]

"Aw, you need to come closer than that." He gestured again. "Don't be scared, kiddo, I'm not gonna hurt you."

[peektuttut]

Tim arched an eyebrow. "Hope you'll understand why I'm definitely not coming closer."

[tntandgasoline]

He rolled his eyes and then pushed himself off the cot, closing the distance between them with a few easy (if a little off-kilter) steps. "Fine, I'll come to you."

He leaned in close and grinned. "Here's the trick. I'm going to seduce my psychiatrist."

[peektuttut]

Great, shit. Tim backed up almost automatically, but stopped himself, watching Joker like a hawk instead. He leaned back, and took another step away as Joker got closer. But his eyes, his eyes fucking jumped.

"You're going to what?" Harley. Fuck.

[tntandgasoline]

He laughed in Tim's face. "Yeah, sweet old guy." He shrugged, giggling, "And when you're desperate, well, you're desperate."

[peektuttut]

Augh. Tim took another step away. Private space, please. Not to mention less danger zone. "Guy?" O...kay. Okay, maybe not Harley. That was....strange.

[tntandgasoline]

The Joker didn't follow - he took to pacing a semi-circle around Tim instead, boxing him in without getting too close. "Like I said. I'm desperate. Unless you wanna, uh, help me out before I go to great lengths?"

[peektuttut]

He shifted as the Joker walked, watching him. Fuck fuck fuck. "Don't think so. I'd rather not be a wanted man here. Bet even Gordon would shoot me for letting you loose."

[tntandgasoline]

"Oh, he would. But see - now I gotta ask myself... You're here. An innocent teenage boy. What would happen if I, uh, took you hostage?"

He licked his lips and sized Tim up idly as he paced.

[peektuttut]

the Boy Wonder sighed inwardly. Really, this was what he was hoping Joker was too drugged for. No Boy Hostage for him. "You don't want to do that," he said lightly.

[tntandgasoline]

"Oh?"

Truth be told, he didn't feel up for it. His plan would work fine, and if he took Tim hostage... Hm. It'd get messy.

"Maybe you're right."

[peektuttut]

Very messy. Then Tim would have to explain why he knew Brazilian Jujitsu. So he offered a tight smile. "Right." And started stepping toward the door, still facing the Joker. "Maybe I should go. You seem riled."

[tntandgasoline]

He stepped to make sure he wasn't intersecting Tim's path. Inherently he knew that it would be a terrible idea to try to kidnap Tim - besides, it wasn't his style - but...

"Maybe. But I don't think you asked all the questions you wanted."

[peektuttut]

"Maybe not. But do you still want to answer them?" Tim arched an eyebrow, watching the Joker move out of the way. Interesting. There were no Robins in this Gotham, obviously the Joker wouldn't have is usual...thing, about them.

[tntandgasoline]

"Why not? I already told you, kid. I'm bored in here." He leaned into the corner of the cell, crossing his arms loosely. "Besides, I know I wouldn't get very far with a hostage."

[peektuttut]

Tim grunted a response, crossing his arms again. "No. It'd get messy." Tilting his head to the side, the Boy Wonder bit the inside of his cheek. "So. Why Joker? What made you?"

[tntandgasoline]

The Joker rolled his eyes and gave Tim an exasperated look. "Really? I just told you one secret - why would I tell you another?"

[peektuttut]

"You're bored, remember?" Tim leaned against the door, turning the card key over in his hand, inside his jacket pocket.