Professor Fear (the sequel) - Jonathan Crane

Chapter 28

The two and a half rogues had decided to wait until nightfall to strike. Jonathan had politely kept to himself downstairs whilst Daria and Ivy had 'woman time' upstairs. From her point of view, Daria talked about her relationship with Jonathan. Ivy offered her honest opinion in return, making it clear that she had a positive bias towards Jonathan.

Daria was grateful for Ivy's presence. It seemed that in a time of emotional hardship, the rogues were just like 'normal' people.
After thinking this, Ivy had started blooming a family of Crocosima Lucifer flowers from her shoulders, which wrapped and bloomed more and more, creating a new red bodysuit.
well... normal is highly subjective I suppose. Daria defended her earlier thoughts.
Ivy gave her new friend a playful grin, then frowned when looking her up and down.

"Not going for anything flattering today?"

Daria looked down at her black jeans and black turtleneck.
"Uh, I figured we would be preoccupied with other things rather than if my fashion is acceptable or flattering."

"Oh, sweetie let me explain it for you," Ivy stood up and started rummaging through the recently filled drawers, "part of your performance is what you wear. Thigh-high boots motivate catwoman to move like she does; Harley is more mobile wearing her onesie or hot pants and ripped shirts; I don't feel like I'm wearing anything at all because my apparel is so light-weight. I move freely."
"You're wearing flower petals," Daria pointed out.
"Hear me out 'Dee'," She shorted Daria's name to her first letter, "You can't knock it until you try it," As if wanting to further bruise Daria's shoulder, Ivy through a bunch of clothes – including boots – at her. "Plus, I can't wait to see Jonathan's reaction."

But Ivy could wait. She had nothing to feel. Edward's fantastic tea had done that for her. She made herself appear emphatic and cheery in front of Jonathan and Daria. She could tell that she was playing it well as Daria was already seeming less gloomy.
Ivy would have offered her some of the tea as well if Daria had not had her fair share of dangerous drugs as of late.

The high-legged boots had small block heels. Daria was grateful that she wasn't romping around in stilettos for her first potential criminal fight.
It was the black shorts that made her feel exposed. She was by no means insecure about her body, but so conditioned by the normality of having her legs covered by society. Ivy expressed that it would become comfortable and natural the more Daria dressed this way. Her top was a burgundy tank top. Ivy had tutted at the simplicity of the outfit. It lacked 'personality'.
"-however, this will do for now,"

"Jonaaathaann," Daria called down the stairs, beginning her descent. "Tell Ivy to stop dressing me, how on earth is this practical!"

Jonathan Crane put his thoughts aside immediately when Daria called out his name. The particular whiny cadence was unusual for her. He came out of the kitchen immediately and walked towards the stairs. She was wearing an outfit he could undoubtedly say was Ivy's doing.

"Are you on your way to becoming a Gotham Siren?" He asked, amused.

"At this point, I don't know," Daria had expected Jonathan to politely ask her to change outfits. He evidently respected whatever she wore. Perhaps he was even turned on... she wouldn't know until later. "My main objective is to get some level of even with the Joker."

"Let's just kidnap Harley so that I can hang out with her without the Joker wanting to slap her around," Ivy followed Daria down the stairs. She couldn't hide her vulnerability behind her care of Harley Quin.

"That can be part of the plan," Daria looked to Jonathan for him to agree. He briefly nodded. "Can we go now?"

"One more thing before we go," Ivy made her way into the kitchen and turned on the kettle. "coffee or tea anyone?" She looked back to her dear friend, "perhaps a psychoactive mushroom Jonathan?" She made a decent racket whilst pulling cups from the cabinets, "-was it amanita muscaria?"

Daria looked at her boyfriend quizzically.
He laughed, taking his glasses off and cleaning them with his shirt. "I used them in my original drug synthesis, and perhaps tried them once in tea with Edward and Jervis," He put his glasses back on. "It took Ivy about three weeks to grow them."
"I'm not surprised," Daria smirked, planting a kiss on his cheek and then following Ivy into the kitchen to make coffee.

It's like this morning didn't happen... Jonathan stared in confusion.

Daria filled the coffee filter with boiling water and then passed the kettle to Ivy. The botany enthusiast was lightly sprinkling a multi-hued reddish-purple powder into her own cup.
"What's that?"

"It's a very strong homemade tea blend," Ivy grabbed a spoon and swirled the mixture around. It had a translucent fuchsia appearance in the white mug.

"Could I try it?"

"Can we go now?" Jonathan's voice cut off Daria's. Ivy was glad that he had stepped in. She didn't want to say 'no' in case suspicion arose. She poured cold water into the mixture so that it would reach a lukewarm state so that she could drink it rapidly. The last dose was weak and wearing off faster than she wanted.

Daria had noticed that Ivy had twisted her face away from her, but she could tell by Ivy's shoulder movements that she had found the drink disgusting.
Yet she still drank the rest of it.
Ivy had also not answered whether Daria could try it.
Perhaps it was something medicinal or a drug.
Then again, Daria could be paranoid. She was still waiting for the side effects of the night before to kick into her system.

"But we made coffee," Daria rebutted Jonathan's request.
"Can you bring it to me in the living room,"

Ivy noticed that Jonathan wanted to talk to Daria alone. It gave her a moment more of privacy with the drink that Eddy had given her. For all she knew, Jonathan could know exactly what she was up to.
Would he not stop her? Stop Edward? It was still early days for them both.

Jonathan knew Daria was behind him by the cosy aroma of the steamy coffee beans. He turned around to take the mug from her and then made space on the sofa for her.
"I just wanted to be honest with you." He began, "The Joker is powerful and has many supporters, I hope that you know this won't be as easy as I've made it sound,"
"I know," Daria smiled at him softly. "I know you aren't confrontational like this with other 'rogues' either, this may be out of your comfort zone,"
Jonathan laughed, "It's not like I've ever pushed you out of your comfort zone,"
"On that note, should I be preparing myself for any side effects?" Daria used this minute of honesty to ask the questions racing in her mind.
"You know that with all drugs you should always be wary of side effects. I gave – Scarecrow gave you a more contaminated dose which wouldn't cause as much damage as previously. I'm hoping that it does as expected." Jonathan took a breath, "Do you want to read his notes when we get back, or should I burn them,"

"I know you Jonathan, you wouldn't burn those notes," Daria looked him in the eye, "I'll read them eventually, give me some time," She then jumped up, "Speaking of time; let's go."