Poison Ivy

@cannivine

I slow to a stop at the mouth of the alley, my boots scraping against the pavement as I look over the dark passage. My cape settles behind me while my eyes flick over every shadow, every fire escape, every place someone could be hiding. I fold my arms with a small shake of my head.

“You make it sound like I need an appointment before I stop someone from leaving a trail of blood behind.”

I take a few careful steps into the alley, keeping my guard up. My gaze catches on the faint smear of blood, and I crouch for a second to check it before looking back up.

“And yeah, maybe I’m late. That just means you had a head start, not that you got away with anything.”

I straighten up, planting my hands on my hips as I scan the rooftops and the narrow path ahead.

“So here’s the deal: you can keep giving me creepy little alley speeches or you can tell me who got hurt and save me some detective work.”

I shrug as a grin tugs at the corner of my mouth.

“Either way, I’m still gonna stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

I tap the yellow bat emblem on my chest with a gloved finger.

❝ Look at you.. ❞ The purr deepened into something almost categorised as fond, though a smirk of her own lay beneath the sickly sweetness. One may perhaps draw similarities to a feline taking pity upon a rodent, watching the little creature attempt a show of bravery before the inevitable end of it's life between the predators jaws. ❝ A little seedling making demands, isn't that just darling. ❞

Curling around the edges of the buildings marking the lonely alley, her vines sought out the other body in the dark -- though this one still breathed, they longed for a taste, itching to know what, exactly, a bat would feel like trapped within their confines.

A moment later, just long enough for the viciously floral scent to settle in the air, Ivy stepped out from where she'd stood, fingers coated in blood not yet dried. Despite her tone, the pair of eyes that seemed to watch the Batgirls every move carried a look of absolute boredom. It was a known fact to most that the eco-terrorist had a strong disliking -- or rather.. a strong hatred -- for humankind, but the difference between the words that fell from her tongue, and the pools of deepest green that stared into the vigilantes soul, was jarring.

❝ Why, pray tell, would I wish to assist you in any way? You and your sort have a nasty habit of.. interfering. ❞

My gaze drops for the briefest second as something brushes against my boot. Vines. I step back before they can get a proper grip, keeping my distance instead of letting myself get boxed in.

“Yeah, I interfere.”

I say with a shrug.

“Funny how that keeps happening whenever someone’s walking around with blood on their hands.”

I slowly circle to my left, looking for open space instead of letting myself get trapped against the wall. One hand hangs near my utility belt, ready if things go sideways, but I don’t reach for anything yet.

“As for helping me, I wasn’t counting on it.”

I glance at the blood again and then back up.

“But somebody’s bleeding, and I’m guessing it wasn’t an accident. So I’m gonna ask one more time.”

I stop moving and plant my feet.

“Who did you hurt?”

❝ Hm. ❞ Bare feet began carefully moving forward, stepping between the vines that eagerly glided over the cool concrete. As she walked, one arm had lifted, allowing for her tongue to drag itself along green tinted flesh stained crimson with the sticky remains of an unnamed soul, slowly clearing a path from elbow to wrist. Her eyelids fluttered, savouring the metallic taste as it filled her mouth, the warmth surprising her even now.

❝ Nobody of noteable worth. ❞ She breathed, gaze lazily flitting to the little nook she'd emerged from before returning to her beloathed vigilante. ❝ Nobody even remotely satisfactory -- though he deserved what he got. ❞

Mirroring the motions of the wet muscle that worked to clean up the plant mother's fingers, a particularly daring vine had begun to wrap itself around the Batgirl's ankle, the tip gently prodding at her leg.

❝ Interesting.. ❞ A quiet murmur, spoken so softly that the vines shivered in response, ❝ The little one seems to like you. ❞

And, judging by the curve of her lips, that didn't sound like a good thing.

“Nobody’s ‘nobody’. Maybe they made bad choices. Maybe they didn’t. Doesn’t mean they stop mattering.”

I say, my voice flat. Then something brushes against my boot. I glance down just long enough to see a vine winding around my ankle.

“Yeah… that’s not happening.”

I twist my foot, pulling free before it can tighten. Then I take two quick steps back into a patch of open pavement. My cape swings behind me as I keep moving instead of letting myself get cornered. I keep one hand hovering near my utility belt now.

“I’ve dealt with enough killer plants to know they don’t usually ask permission.”

I look past the vines for a split second, checking the alley for anyone else who might still be alive before bringing my attention right back.

“So here’s where we’re at.”

I plant my feet, keeping plenty of space between us.

“There’s blood all over you, someone’s missing and your garden’s trying to grab me. That’s three pretty good reasons for me to stay exactly where I am.”

I give a small shrug.

❝ Why do you do that? ❞ The plant mother inquired, deep green pools narrowing into shallow ponds, ❝ Narrate everything as if it's not right in front of you. Afraid to live in the moment, little bat? Conscious of the fact it could all uproot in the blink of an eye? ❞

The vine in question had recoiled, scampering away like a child that had been scolded for touching something they shouldn't have -- and, for the briefest of moments, Ivy's gaze had softened at the sight. She could feel the rejection as if it were her own, the minute sadness at being shooed away.

Just as quickly as it had melted, however, the plant mother's gaze hardened once more, glaring at the bat before her with obvious distaste. Of course the caped crusader wouldn't understand -- they never did.

❝ She meant no harm, ❞ Ivy mused, giving a light little shrug of her own, ❝ But one can't exactly say the same for me. ❞

Crossing her blood coated arms over her chest -- adorned with leaves and petals of all kinds -- the plant mother's chin lifted, her stance taking on an air of defiance. ❝ And I know you don't mean that -- the mattering bullshit. The people of Gotham only matter to you and your sort when it suits you most, and the rest of us have to simply make do. ❞

❝ So do not, ❞ Stepping forward, a finger dared to point, ❝ Tell me that people don't stop mattering. Save your lies and hypocrisy for a more dimwitted woman. ❞

“I narrate things because I like making sure we’re talking about the same reality. And because if I stop paying attention for even a second, people end up hurt. That’s kind of how this job works.”

I don’t rise to the bait. I’ve heard every version of ‘you’re all the same’ before. My gaze drops to the blood on the pavement and then back up.

“You think I only care when it’s convenient?”

I shake my cowled head.

“You don’t know where I’ve been tonight.”

I tap a finger against my chest.

“I’ve pulled people out of burning buildings who hated me. I’ve patched up crooks that tried to kill me five minutes earlier. I’ve sat with victims until the ambulance showed up because nobody else was there.”

I spread my hands. My voice stays steady.

“None of that makes Gotham perfect. It doesn’t erase the people who get ignored. Believe me, I know this city fails people all the time. But when it does, my answer isn’t to decide someone doesn’t count anymore.”

I take one careful step forward, stopping well outside arm’s reach.

“So if the guy bleeding in this alley deserved to be arrested, then arrest him. If he deserved to answer for what he did, fine.”

I hold her gaze.

“But if you’re standing here telling me his life stopped mattering because you decided it did…”

I slowly shake my head.

❝ He decided for himself. ❞ Scoffing, the cannibalistic plant maiden rolled her eyes, though still noting the way the bat crept forward. It was interesting, she thought, considering how cautious the vigilante was trying so hard to be. ❝ The moment he decided to go back on his word and fight for the destruction of the park, he sealed his fate. ❞

Still, the verbal exploration of where the Batgirl had been was mildly interesting -- they were both people shaped by other's hatred, though they had gone in different directions. Funny how things like that seemed to work out.

❝ Poor little bat, ❞ she mused, eyes shifting downwards to her own nails, observing them passively as she thought aloud, ❝ All this action for a city destined to remain the same.. Who's going to be there for you when it finally falls? When Mother Nature reclaims what was stolen from her and humanity lies beneath the earth -- who is going to be the one saving you? ❞

Lifting her gaze, the corners of her lips followed suit.

❝ You can't even save yourself. ❞

@arkhambird

Offers my arkham Jason hiii))

❝ Hm? ❞ A quiet hum paired with the delicate raise of an eyebrow, green eyes lifted from her work to settle on the mess of a boy now dropped within her care. It wasn't the first time he'd been sent to stare at the daisies, and the green tinged woman figured it certainly wouldn't be the last either.

❝ If he insists upon parading you around like a pet, the least he can do is warn me before leaving you where you don't belong-- ❞

Her mutterings filled the quiet space as she shifted, standing from her seat to pluck a tissue or two from the box on her desk, intending to clean the boy's face.

❝ Not a peep, ❞ she warned as she approached, though her tone held a secretive sort of warmth, ❝ I won't have people thinking I'm anything like him. ❞

❝ Then silence it is. ❞

The state of him, as with the state of every other poor soul after their unfortunate run-in with the Joker, no longer surprised her. She'd seen her fair share of supposed tragedy -- enough of it to know that it could always be worse. Always.

And that was exactly why this was easy for her.

With gentle hands that didn't suit her, the plant mother tilted his head this way and that, humming a quiet tune to herself as she wiped away the blood and grime that had caked his face. He wasn't fixed, nor was he really clean, but at least he looked vaguely like a person again. That would be enough for now.

❝ Do you still cling onto it? ❞ A question slipped from her bloodied lips, the remnants of an earlier indulgence sticking out like a thorn, ❝ The hope that someone is going to save you, I mean. ❞

@cannivine

I slow to a stop at the mouth of the alley, my boots scraping against the pavement as I look over the dark passage. My cape settles behind me while my eyes flick over every shadow, every fire escape, every place someone could be hiding. I fold my arms with a small shake of my head.

“You make it sound like I need an appointment before I stop someone from leaving a trail of blood behind.”

I take a few careful steps into the alley, keeping my guard up. My gaze catches on the faint smear of blood, and I crouch for a second to check it before looking back up.

“And yeah, maybe I’m late. That just means you had a head start, not that you got away with anything.”

I straighten up, planting my hands on my hips as I scan the rooftops and the narrow path ahead.

“So here’s the deal: you can keep giving me creepy little alley speeches or you can tell me who got hurt and save me some detective work.”

I shrug as a grin tugs at the corner of my mouth.

“Either way, I’m still gonna stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

I tap the yellow bat emblem on my chest with a gloved finger.

❝ Look at you.. ❞ The purr deepened into something almost categorised as fond, though a smirk of her own lay beneath the sickly sweetness. One may perhaps draw similarities to a feline taking pity upon a rodent, watching the little creature attempt a show of bravery before the inevitable end of it's life between the predators jaws. ❝ A little seedling making demands, isn't that just darling. ❞

Curling around the edges of the buildings marking the lonely alley, her vines sought out the other body in the dark -- though this one still breathed, they longed for a taste, itching to know what, exactly, a bat would feel like trapped within their confines.

A moment later, just long enough for the viciously floral scent to settle in the air, Ivy stepped out from where she'd stood, fingers coated in blood not yet dried. Despite her tone, the pair of eyes that seemed to watch the Batgirls every move carried a look of absolute boredom. It was a known fact to most that the eco-terrorist had a strong disliking -- or rather.. a strong hatred -- for humankind, but the difference between the words that fell from her tongue, and the pools of deepest green that stared into the vigilantes soul, was jarring.

❝ Why, pray tell, would I wish to assist you in any way? You and your sort have a nasty habit of.. interfering. ❞

My gaze drops for the briefest second as something brushes against my boot. Vines. I step back before they can get a proper grip, keeping my distance instead of letting myself get boxed in.

“Yeah, I interfere.”

I say with a shrug.

“Funny how that keeps happening whenever someone’s walking around with blood on their hands.”

I slowly circle to my left, looking for open space instead of letting myself get trapped against the wall. One hand hangs near my utility belt, ready if things go sideways, but I don’t reach for anything yet.

“As for helping me, I wasn’t counting on it.”

I glance at the blood again and then back up.

“But somebody’s bleeding, and I’m guessing it wasn’t an accident. So I’m gonna ask one more time.”

I stop moving and plant my feet.

“Who did you hurt?”

❝ Hm. ❞ Bare feet began carefully moving forward, stepping between the vines that eagerly glided over the cool concrete. As she walked, one arm had lifted, allowing for her tongue to drag itself along green tinted flesh stained crimson with the sticky remains of an unnamed soul, slowly clearing a path from elbow to wrist. Her eyelids fluttered, savouring the metallic taste as it filled her mouth, the warmth surprising her even now.

❝ Nobody of noteable worth. ❞ She breathed, gaze lazily flitting to the little nook she'd emerged from before returning to her beloathed vigilante. ❝ Nobody even remotely satisfactory -- though he deserved what he got. ❞

Mirroring the motions of the wet muscle that worked to clean up the plant mother's fingers, a particularly daring vine had begun to wrap itself around the Batgirl's ankle, the tip gently prodding at her leg.

❝ Interesting.. ❞ A quiet murmur, spoken so softly that the vines shivered in response, ❝ The little one seems to like you. ❞

And, judging by the curve of her lips, that didn't sound like a good thing.

“Nobody’s ‘nobody’. Maybe they made bad choices. Maybe they didn’t. Doesn’t mean they stop mattering.”

I say, my voice flat. Then something brushes against my boot. I glance down just long enough to see a vine winding around my ankle.

“Yeah… that’s not happening.”

I twist my foot, pulling free before it can tighten. Then I take two quick steps back into a patch of open pavement. My cape swings behind me as I keep moving instead of letting myself get cornered. I keep one hand hovering near my utility belt now.

“I’ve dealt with enough killer plants to know they don’t usually ask permission.”

I look past the vines for a split second, checking the alley for anyone else who might still be alive before bringing my attention right back.

“So here’s where we’re at.”

I plant my feet, keeping plenty of space between us.

“There’s blood all over you, someone’s missing and your garden’s trying to grab me. That’s three pretty good reasons for me to stay exactly where I am.”

I give a small shrug.

❝ Why do you do that? ❞ The plant mother inquired, deep green pools narrowing into shallow ponds, ❝ Narrate everything as if it's not right in front of you. Afraid to live in the moment, little bat? Conscious of the fact it could all uproot in the blink of an eye? ❞

The vine in question had recoiled, scampering away like a child that had been scolded for touching something they shouldn't have -- and, for the briefest of moments, Ivy's gaze had softened at the sight. She could feel the rejection as if it were her own, the minute sadness at being shooed away.

Just as quickly as it had melted, however, the plant mother's gaze hardened once more, glaring at the bat before her with obvious distaste. Of course the caped crusader wouldn't understand -- they never did.

❝ She meant no harm, ❞ Ivy mused, giving a light little shrug of her own, ❝ But one can't exactly say the same for me. ❞

Crossing her blood coated arms over her chest -- adorned with leaves and petals of all kinds -- the plant mother's chin lifted, her stance taking on an air of defiance. ❝ And I know you don't mean that -- the mattering bullshit. The people of Gotham only matter to you and your sort when it suits you most, and the rest of us have to simply make do. ❞

❝ So do not, ❞ Stepping forward, a finger dared to point, ❝ Tell me that people don't stop mattering. Save your lies and hypocrisy for a more dimwitted woman. ❞

@cannivine

I slow to a stop at the mouth of the alley, my boots scraping against the pavement as I look over the dark passage. My cape settles behind me while my eyes flick over every shadow, every fire escape, every place someone could be hiding. I fold my arms with a small shake of my head.

“You make it sound like I need an appointment before I stop someone from leaving a trail of blood behind.”

I take a few careful steps into the alley, keeping my guard up. My gaze catches on the faint smear of blood, and I crouch for a second to check it before looking back up.

“And yeah, maybe I’m late. That just means you had a head start, not that you got away with anything.”

I straighten up, planting my hands on my hips as I scan the rooftops and the narrow path ahead.

“So here’s the deal: you can keep giving me creepy little alley speeches or you can tell me who got hurt and save me some detective work.”

I shrug as a grin tugs at the corner of my mouth.

“Either way, I’m still gonna stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

I tap the yellow bat emblem on my chest with a gloved finger.

❝ Look at you.. ❞ The purr deepened into something almost categorised as fond, though a smirk of her own lay beneath the sickly sweetness. One may perhaps draw similarities to a feline taking pity upon a rodent, watching the little creature attempt a show of bravery before the inevitable end of it's life between the predators jaws. ❝ A little seedling making demands, isn't that just darling. ❞

Curling around the edges of the buildings marking the lonely alley, her vines sought out the other body in the dark -- though this one still breathed, they longed for a taste, itching to know what, exactly, a bat would feel like trapped within their confines.

A moment later, just long enough for the viciously floral scent to settle in the air, Ivy stepped out from where she'd stood, fingers coated in blood not yet dried. Despite her tone, the pair of eyes that seemed to watch the Batgirls every move carried a look of absolute boredom. It was a known fact to most that the eco-terrorist had a strong disliking -- or rather.. a strong hatred -- for humankind, but the difference between the words that fell from her tongue, and the pools of deepest green that stared into the vigilantes soul, was jarring.

❝ Why, pray tell, would I wish to assist you in any way? You and your sort have a nasty habit of.. interfering. ❞

My gaze drops for the briefest second as something brushes against my boot. Vines. I step back before they can get a proper grip, keeping my distance instead of letting myself get boxed in.

“Yeah, I interfere.”

I say with a shrug.

“Funny how that keeps happening whenever someone’s walking around with blood on their hands.”

I slowly circle to my left, looking for open space instead of letting myself get trapped against the wall. One hand hangs near my utility belt, ready if things go sideways, but I don’t reach for anything yet.

“As for helping me, I wasn’t counting on it.”

I glance at the blood again and then back up.

“But somebody’s bleeding, and I’m guessing it wasn’t an accident. So I’m gonna ask one more time.”

I stop moving and plant my feet.

“Who did you hurt?”

❝ Hm. ❞ Bare feet began carefully moving forward, stepping between the vines that eagerly glided over the cool concrete. As she walked, one arm had lifted, allowing for her tongue to drag itself along green tinted flesh stained crimson with the sticky remains of an unnamed soul, slowly clearing a path from elbow to wrist. Her eyelids fluttered, savouring the metallic taste as it filled her mouth, the warmth surprising her even now.

❝ Nobody of noteable worth. ❞ She breathed, gaze lazily flitting to the little nook she'd emerged from before returning to her beloathed vigilante. ❝ Nobody even remotely satisfactory -- though he deserved what he got. ❞

Mirroring the motions of the wet muscle that worked to clean up the plant mother's fingers, a particularly daring vine had begun to wrap itself around the Batgirl's ankle, the tip gently prodding at her leg.

❝ Interesting.. ❞ A quiet murmur, spoken so softly that the vines shivered in response, ❝ The little one seems to like you. ❞

And, judging by the curve of her lips, that didn't sound like a good thing.

@cannivine

I slow to a stop at the mouth of the alley, my boots scraping against the pavement as I look over the dark passage. My cape settles behind me while my eyes flick over every shadow, every fire escape, every place someone could be hiding. I fold my arms with a small shake of my head.

“You make it sound like I need an appointment before I stop someone from leaving a trail of blood behind.”

I take a few careful steps into the alley, keeping my guard up. My gaze catches on the faint smear of blood, and I crouch for a second to check it before looking back up.

“And yeah, maybe I’m late. That just means you had a head start, not that you got away with anything.”

I straighten up, planting my hands on my hips as I scan the rooftops and the narrow path ahead.

“So here’s the deal: you can keep giving me creepy little alley speeches or you can tell me who got hurt and save me some detective work.”

I shrug as a grin tugs at the corner of my mouth.

“Either way, I’m still gonna stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

I tap the yellow bat emblem on my chest with a gloved finger.

❝ Look at you.. ❞ The purr deepened into something almost categorised as fond, though a smirk of her own lay beneath the sickly sweetness. One may perhaps draw similarities to a feline taking pity upon a rodent, watching the little creature attempt a show of bravery before the inevitable end of it's life between the predators jaws. ❝ A little seedling making demands, isn't that just darling. ❞

Curling around the edges of the buildings marking the lonely alley, her vines sought out the other body in the dark -- though this one still breathed, they longed for a taste, itching to know what, exactly, a bat would feel like trapped within their confines.

A moment later, just long enough for the viciously floral scent to settle in the air, Ivy stepped out from where she'd stood, fingers coated in blood not yet dried. Despite her tone, the pair of eyes that seemed to watch the Batgirls every move carried a look of absolute boredom. It was a known fact to most that the eco-terrorist had a strong disliking -- or rather.. a strong hatred -- for humankind, but the difference between the words that fell from her tongue, and the pools of deepest green that stared into the vigilantes soul, was jarring.

❝ Why, pray tell, would I wish to assist you in any way? You and your sort have a nasty habit of.. interfering. ❞