Harley Quinn ; "You're an affliction that I cannot seem to break; it feels good"
READ ME! trust me, you won't be seeing this level of happy and carefree for a while, so enjoy it!
The Joker and Harley have away from Arkham for about three days and, rather than spend time with his new plaything, the Joker has been busy doing other things. Harley is left to her own devices at the hideout, searching aimlessly and with too much determination for a needle and thread to mend a rip in her costume and, after much complaining on her end, the Joker tells her simply that if she's bored, she's free to go to the little shopping area a few blocks down. Harley questions the Joker, which earns her a look, but that's all he needs to shut her up— he's never touched her since they left Arkham. He explains that she's free to leave for a few hours, get her head together again, stop being so anxious all the time. Not really wanting to leave the Joker yet, Harley accepts half-heartedly, taking solace in the fact that he reminds her he'll be watching to make sure she doesn't cause trouble.
So, that's what this is. Yup. Our Harley shopping. :D Most of it is pretty straightforward, but a few interesting things to note: All of her times with the Joker in this are memories- except the ending when she returns to him at the hideout. That's why it's all in Sepia tone. She does take dogs with her, but they are not Bud and Lou just yet- they'll be here soon, folks! She pushes a civilian (pretend you don't know she's Veronica) into her own car and starts to drive off after having a bad experience with a store alarm. That's how she's arrested by Batman, for the first time, and why you see him here. He doesn't know who she is yet. He just assumes she another costumed villain who enjoys cars and she doesn't correct him. He eventually releases her, as he isn't allowed to make arrests anyway and there's something about her . . . something good. Harley starts to embrace being Harley Quinn a little more and even imagines telling Batman how much she's enjoying it (that's why you see him later in the video). And then, of course, she returns to the hideout and is reunited with her Puddin' at last. Time for harlequins to sleep.
'I left the dogs by the door outside and walked into the store, the cool air wonderful after the stuffiness of the hideout. I surprised myself with how calm I was as I looked through clothing. Wasn't I wanted criminal? Maybe that was a bit extreme, but I WAS an accomplice . . . I couldn't stop myself from thinking back to Joan Leeland, hoping she okay now. I'd hit her pretty hard with that gun- I hadn't shot her, but there was some bleeding . . .
I shook my head to clear it. No morbid thoughts today! My hand tightened around a piece of fabbric as I tried to get my bearings. My head was spinning, the air around me suddenly too thick. Then, just like that, it was gone again and I looked down to see my hand on the most perfect dress . . .
In a flash, I was at the counter, paying for it with what little cash I had left. Hell, it was worth it. I hugged the dress tightly as I walked out, realizing how HAPPY I was to have something of my own again. The costume had been my idea, yes, but it was him who'd started it with his little nickname. And I'd left my coat at Arkham. I had nothing else, really.
Suddenly, there were loud noises all around me. I dropped the dress, pressing my hands against my ears until they hurt. They were sirens and they took me back to Arkham, speading away with my little heart pounding, the cars swerving and colliding behind us, people screaming, the Joker laughing . . .
That's when I started screaming too.'
I'm thinking Post Traumatic Stress all the way. At this time, she's not quite Harley Quinn yet- she's like the costume, not whole. And being two people, in a way, is damaging. That's why she's so fragile right now. Harleen is still holding on! Social norms and the instinct to do good is hard to let go of, but it'll get better for her- hell, you can see a bit of transformation in this video as well. She's becoming Harley Quinn fully, having fun. That's why I used this song because 'like whoa' not only describes her relationship with the Joker, but her days off exploring Harley Quinn on her own. I think she really needed that.
Because, soon, the real fun begins.
--
EDITOR'S NOTE: This was a lot of fun to make and it flowed well I rarely thought 'what do I need here?' I got to play around with transitions, too, when I usually don't. I used purple- it's the Joker's influence even when he isn't there. I didn't want to follow the beat with flashes in the first verse like I did in the second because the beat is like Harley's connection with being Harley Quinn. She doesn't even accept it until the second verse, plus flashes ruined that part.
--
Song: Like Whoa
Artist: Aly&Aj
Clips: Batman: the Animated Series
Character(s) used: Harley
Program Used: Windows Movie Maker
Time Taken: About six hours
Enjoy! Comment, please!