InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I couldn't sit down for a week"

Candy Quackenbush can walk on water. (toitshour) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2008-09-23 22:26:00

Entry tags:

candy quackenbush, the joker

Who: Candy Quackenbush and The Joker.
What: Conflict resolution attempted.
When: Tuesday night.
Where: Starting in rural Minnesota, then wherever.
Why: Because she's an idiot.
Warnings: Swearing for sure. PG-13. Will change if need be (though dear God, I hope the need doesn't arise.)

Candy hopped out of the glyph and took off her shoes. She set her sword down in the grass beside her as she dipped her toes into the cooling water. Her mismatched eyes scanned the scenery for any sign of the Joker. Her heart was beating faster than she'd ever remembered it beating, even when she was facing down Carrion.

It was mostly because Boa hadn't shut up in a while. Boa was frantic, scrabbling at the corners of her mind, telling her over and over that she was making a huge mistake. It was something Candy already knew.

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dogchasingcars
2008-09-24 12:06 am UTC (link)

The Joker had taken a portkey and then a stolen, slightly bloodied car out to meet Candy. The place was so far out of the way that no portkeys went to it directly, but the journey was half the fun. Barreling down rural roads, swerving to strike animals as they scampered across the thoroughfare, he wasn't thinking very much about what was to come.

Because...that was just it. He wasn't entirely sure what was coming. Originally, he'd had every intention of stealing a submarine to get to Candy. He'd seen it in his minds eye! Him, standing in front of the periscope, wearing a captain's hat and shouting out orders to men in masks at all the machines. Beautiful.

But of course he hadn't gone so far as to lay a plan. It was just an idea. He was flexible. Rural Minnesota was kind of like being underwater.

And once he got there, he'd...well, again, he wasn't sure. He wanted to see Candy. He knew that much. It was probably a good thing that her supposed boyfriend wasn't going to be there, because he'd already had some fun fantasies about all the joyful ways he could be dispatched from their lives. Obstacles, obstacles. But this was going to be just him and her, and he liked the sound of that.

The truck he'd stolen screeched to a halt a good half-mile from the lake. He got out, left the engine running but the lights off, and began wandering through the trees. As he sifted his way through the blackness. he began to whistle. It was very, very quiet. No decent buildings around anywhere. God, he hated the country! He'd never understand tree-huggers or people who preached 'getting back to nature.' The landscape didn't make him uncomfortable, per se...just a little miffed. He pursed his lips and whistled a little louder. The climax of the 1812 overture warbled through the darkness as he slid a gloved hand into his pocket, checking for his knife.

Despite all his hopes, he knew there was very little likelihood this was going to be a friendly visit. He was a Joker, but not a fool.

He began to sing along to the same tune. "Oh~ Candy, where are you?"

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toitshour
2008-09-24 12:25 am UTC (link)

After a while of dipping her toes in the cold water, she'd figured that she should prepare for Jack's visit. Undoubtedly he'd try to stab her or shoot her, so she stood up and dusted off her bottom while Boa spoke a careful spell.

Cover me from
scalp to sole,
In the feather-steel
That Nazrat stole!

She could feel the familiar cool chill of the spell washing over her, and she ran a finger over the edge of her sword. There was a satisfactory clank of metal on metal, and she looked out over the surface of the lake. She didn't know what was going to happen. Boa had grown slightly more comfortable with the state of affairs after casting her spell - at least Candy wouldn't get stabbed or shot or blown up - but it was small comfort to a princess who'd already died once.

And that was the part that got to Candy; she knew what she was doing was stupid. But she also felt in her gut that it was the best way, if not the only way. It might have meant losing Onyxx, it might have meant losing all of her friends (if she'd ever truly had any) but she wanted to at least try to reason with Jack.

Or kill him.

Whichever.

She could hear him walking through tall grass and singing, and she rolled her eyes, answering him in a hushed hiss. "Over here, stop being so loud. We have to go, I'm sure someone's trying to find me."

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dogchasingcars
2008-09-24 11:00 pm UTC (link)

There was a pause in the singing, and then it continued, albeit much quieter. "Oh~ there you are!"

He walked out of the trees, his hands in his pockets. "Well you look just lovely," he said, biting his lip for a moment. "Did you dress up just for me?"

He was in his usual garb, of course, though a bit better cleaned up since the last time she'd seen him. His makeup was fresh, his hair was still greasy and greenish, but his coat at least looked like it had been washed sometime in the last few weeks. "Where are we going?" he asked excitedly, bouncing up to her as though he didn't present a threat in the least. "Is there going to be a picnic? How nice."

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toitshour
2008-09-24 11:09 pm UTC (link)

"I didn't dress up at all, actually." She rolled her eyes; she was just wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. After bending over to reclaim her sword, she struck a defensive posture with the weapon, inclining her head toward the glyph. "Get in," she murmured. "I don't want us getting caught before we can talk."

He didn't scare her, even though she figured he was supposed to. After Carrion, the Joker was an echo of a fear, like an adult vaguely remembering being scared of clowns forty years after getting over the phobia. "No picnic, sorry. I didn't have a lot of time to prepare."

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dogchasingcars
2008-09-24 11:29 pm UTC (link)

"Oh, right. I forgot you look this lovely all the time." He grinned.

When Candy brandished her sword, he frowned. He pulled his knife from his pocket. "Aw...yours is bigger than mine." That could present a problem later on, but no one ever said he couldn't catch her unawares if he had to. Or that the small knife was the only weapon he had on him.

He then walked straight into the glyph. It was bizarre, how trusting that act was. He simply assumed that Candy wouldn't bring him all the way out here to trick him by killing him instantly or imprisoning him or something. And the shiny design was pretty neat.

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toitshour
2008-09-24 11:37 pm UTC (link)

Candy rolled her eyes at his compliment. "Thanks." She didn't want to be rude, after all.

But then he pulled a knife, and she was glad that she'd cast the feathersteel spell. Better he not find out about that unless he attacked her, and she sighed and let her sword fall. He was walking into the glyph, and she had to shake her head. Insanity lent itself a weird kind of bravery, and she could almost respect it. She'd been called mad enough times where they were sort of kindred.

She followed him into the glyph, sitting down and manuvering the craft upward with a thought while she settled herself. "Any ideas on where we can be alone and don't say Las Vegas or a hotel."

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	dogchasingcars 2008-09-26 09:51 pm UTC (link)
	He started, leaning in close to the glyph. Yes, they definitely were floating. "Perish the thought," he said, his eyes fixed on the glyph beneath his feet. He suddenly looked up. "Hollywood sign?" he asked with a vacant smile. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	toitshour 2008-09-26 09:56 pm UTC (link)
	She folded her arms and pointed the glyph east, leaning back. "It's as good as anything." Candy shifted her weight, smoothing out her jeans. "Push me out, and I swear." She couldn't think of anything else to say, so she just stopped talking. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dogchasingcars 2008-09-26 10:07 pm UTC (link)
	It took all of thirty seconds of silence gliding along before he piped up again. "I can show you the world..." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	toitshour 2008-09-26 10:12 pm UTC (link)
	Candy blinked and then rolled her eyes. "Don't make me stab you, Jack." She wasn't big on that movie anyway. She'd always preferred Belle. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dogchasingcars 2008-09-26 10:15 pm UTC (link)
	He quieted a little. "But it's appropriate," he said, and frowned. He had no intention of just sitting there and staring at her, which she seemed content to do. How boring. "What's the fun of a roadtrip without singing?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	toitshour 2008-09-26 10:25 pm UTC (link)
	Candy could see the logic in that, and she giggled. "I know an Abaratian song, the most famous one of all." It was a bit mad, like him, and she sat back and sang a song whose tune was very familiar. "Oh woe is me, oh woe is me, I used to have a hamster tree," she started. It was almost - almost - like being home. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dogchasingcars 2008-09-26 10:37 pm UTC (link)
	He clapped his hands together. "I like it already. Sounds like it's going to be a tragedy." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	toitshour 2008-09-26 10:43 pm UTC (link)
	"It is. Most things are." Candy looked out at the cities passing below, suddenly not in the mood to sing anymore. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dogchasingcars
2008-09-26 10:55 pm UTC (link)

He smiled. "Don't you like tragedies?" he asked. He glanced over the side to see what she was looking at only for a brief moment, then looked back up at her.

Alone, miles above any sort of help. If he really wanted to he could have gone for her then, before she had a chance to react and defend herself. Then again...would this thing stay up without her? And did he really want to do her harm? Decisions, decisions.

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	toitshour 2008-09-26 11:01 pm UTC (link)
	Candy leaned over to whisper in his ear, but when she spoke, it wasn't with her own voice. "Who says it has to be my tragedy? I could just as easily slit your throat or push you out." She narrowed her eyes and leaned back. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dogchasingcars 2008-09-26 11:05 pm UTC (link)
	His eyes lit up. He hadn't had much chance to talk to Boa in person, and hearing her put a smile on his face. "Your decision, Princess," he said, eyes wide. "I guess the real question is, why haven't you yet?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	toitshour 2008-09-26 11:24 pm UTC (link)
	Boa's voice was deeper, an alto in place of Candy's soprano. "I'm giving you your chance. I told you you could have redemption if you wanted it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dogchasingcars 2008-09-29 10:18 pm UTC (link)
	"Redemption." He rolled the r, his head falling back. He smiled into the wind, silent for a moment or two. Thinking, thinking, thinking. His head snapped back down, his brow furrowed. "Redemption for...?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

toitshour
2008-09-30 06:49 pm UTC (link)

With Boa assuming control of Candy, the glyph flew a little faster, but somehow more smoothly. Even as the same limbs assumed a more dignified position instead of Candy's usual sprawl, the craft got even steadier. "Redemption. You fancy Candy, perhaps even me. Surely some part of you wishes to regain humanity. Redemption. Cessation of exiling yourself from the rest of us. It's the only reason people like you, so shrouded in Dark ever choose to embrace a girl from the Light like Candy."

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dogchasingcars
2008-09-30 11:14 pm UTC (link)

He smiled, tilting his head to the side, teeth together. "Can't just be cause she's pretty or nice, or cause I just like her? Ah, what happened to old romanticism?"

"Besides. If I wanted to come rejoin my people, why would I have tried to 'exile myself' in the first place? That's just crazy." This didn't quite answer the question, but it was good enough by his standards. He didn't answer questions he didn't like.

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	toitshour 2008-09-30 11:17 pm UTC (link)
	"In my experience? No. No, you can't." Boa shrugged and turned the glyph slightly southward. Apparently Candy was giving directions. "Because, perhaps you think you deserve it. Your darkness is your own, and I wouldn't ever dare to pry." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	dogchasingcars 2008-09-30 11:38 pm UTC (link)
	"How ultimate," he murmured, mostly to himself. "Yeah. Yeah, it's a cry for help." "Maybe I just don't like people?" he offered, then laughed. "NO THAT'S A LIE. I like people. People aren't the problem." He shook his head emphatically. "Oh, no. Never ever. No prying, not you! You're a no-pry kind of girl! It's why I respect you the way I do." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	toitshour 2008-10-01 10:25 pm UTC (link)
	Boa raised a brow and turned. "I didn't say that it was a cry for help. Please don't put words in my mouth. And no, I don't think you don't like people, you just don't like the constructs in which they choose to live. Which is a problem, because to be with people is to be a part of that society." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

dogchasingcars
2008-10-02 12:51 am UTC (link)

He beamed. "How do you get so smart? Is there a school where they teach you that, or...?" He giggled and slapped his knee. There was a moment or two of silence as he chewed at his lip, thinking. He wasn't smiling quite so much as he had been, and his eyes were glassy.

"Yes! That's exactly it. Well no, not really. But yes. I don't like people or the way they like living so much, status quo and culture shock and...it's all so boring. Okay I'm sorry, I take that back, you are right. I don't hate people. I love people. They're fascinating. All these little plans they spend their whole lives making. It's like they never even think about, you know, Godzilla coming along and busting things up like a bad game of Jenga. I love the things they do because it's so easy to see what they'll do next. And I love the faces they make when their plans get broken up by...Godzilla. You know. Green spikes." He tipped his head forward and fluffed his hair.

"Or King Kong," he added thoughtfully, dropping his hands into his lap. "You know that one?"