The Cat's Out of the Bush [Selina]

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Poison Ivy is in her cell, doing what she normally does - laying on her bed and staring at the ceiling. It's not due to lack of things to do because, though she made it perfectly clear just how dangerous she is practically the moment she first arrived at this place even if the number of deaths attributed to her before her arrival wasn't an ample sign, her good behavior has earned her plenty of privileges when it comes to what she's allowed to have in her cell. But just because she has other possible ways to pass her massive amounts of free time doesn't mean that she cares to.

No, she's found herself instead spending day after endless day mulling over the events that led to her here. And not just the fight with Nightwing, but in some cases far enough back to include her entire life. Not that she's having a change of heart - far from it. There's very little about her life that she even remotely regrets, actually. Which is why it's so hard to review everything that has happened only for it all to end with her winding up here. It's really not fair, honestly. She never did anything that was really wrong. So she killed and threatened to kill a large number of people - they weren't anyone worth keeping alive. And there's too many people on the planet anyway - she should be thanked for taking out the trash.

But she came to terms with the fact that, no matter how right she is, other people are idiots and just aren't going to agree a long time ago. So she's not wasted her time being troubled about how she's been locked up somewhere meant for crazy people. She supposes that when the whole world's gone mad that anyone sane would be mistaken for crazy. The fact that she can't really remember arriving at the asylum is something that she prefers to ignore...

No, what she seems to prefer to think about is exactly where and how she needs to improve her situation to avoid ending up in this awful place ever again. Though her hideout wasn't discovered, she can only imagine the sorry state her garden is in - by the time she returns to it she'll probably have to start almost from scratch with them, though fortunately not with her knowledge so it'll be faster to renew than it was to grow the first time. Still, she'd hardly have the heart for it when she knows how easily it could be torn from her - having experienced this not only once but twice. She needs to find a way to prevent that from happening again, but now? But try as she might to figure that out, the ceiling of her cell doesn't seem to hold the answer.

Her thoughts are interrupted when she hears movement outside of her cell, and she idly glances out to see what's going on. It's not time for either a therapy session or a visit to the rec room, so it probably has nothing to do with her and she's not about to bother getting up. At least until the guard leading someone down the hallway stops at her cell and announces, "You have a visitor..." Really? Now who would be visiting? She rather doubts that Cobblepot would be by again so soon... And he'd have found a way to dispense with the guard normally assigned to both keep an eye on and ensure the safety of visitors to this, the most secure wing of the asylum, so that they could have a bit more privacy. But who else would it be then?

[Deleted]

The how and why she was going to do this was a long time in the making. It had been months since that initial meet and shop, the exchange of perfumes, the chattering, the banter. And who would have thunk; she'd conversed with Poison Ivy, of all women. Of all female..villains out there. She had to shake her head at that one. But...she was curious. And when was she not? A woman that dared to hatch and ..grow a plan such as the one that had been foiled? Now there was a woman with chutzpah. And considering who she was....there had to be some sort of friendship. It would be a waste in this men's club.

So Selina had hopped on the phone, Liv as well, gathering together several times for a basket. She had taken precious time and care in what she had picked, from the recycled paper journals, and magazines, to the small tablet. Ivy then could at least enjoy some of the periodicals she normally followed; and without damaging the ecosystem.

Also inside Selina had placed a few of her favorite, locally sourced luxury items; a few lotions (cruelty free, natch) that may ease the woman's stay. A rather delicate blanket, a pillowcase. A few creature comforts. Not that Selina had seen the inside of a jail, or prison in a while, but still. It was the thought that counted. And no doubt the woman was looking for something that suited her tastes. Which were expensive, from what the cat-burglar could recall.

So immaculately dressed, heels, overcoat, and of course; sunglasses, Selina made a request to visit Ivy. And as she saw the woman, Pamela, she smiled, clearly declining to comment on the room she was being held in. Who would think on one of Gotham's upper crust coming to visit the redhead?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Indeed, Selina is hardly on the list of people that Poison Ivy would expect to visit her. Nobody else from her life before has - all of her so-called friends were probably too politely appalled that someone in their midst turned out to be an insane criminal to give said insane criminal a visit at the asylum. Which, considering just how many of them treat fraud like a recreational sport and have a questionable grasp on their own sanity, is rather hypocritical of them, actually. Then again, she wouldn't welcome the visit of most of them anyway - empty headed idiots, most of them. The majority of her 'friends' back in those days were her friends only because she thought that they might be useful for this or that. Selina, on the other hand, is one of the rare few whose company she actually enjoys somewhat.

So when she sees who her visitor is, the surprised lift of her eyebrows is exchanged for a smile as she walks over to the glass. "Well, this is a surprise, Selina," she comments, quickly trying to remember when the last time she'd seen the woman actually was. Sometime not far into the FBI's ill-fated takeover of the city, before she was kidnapped by that fake Nightwing. That was so long ago, and much has changed since then. Her appearance is markedly different - beyond the fact that she's dressed in the standard and very appalling inmate uniform instead of a dress more expensive than the cars of the less fortunate, her skin is much paler. Where she once had a rosy glow she's now almost grayish, though aside from that detail she looks as healthy as ever. And if anyone can pull off the asylum look, she can.

"I don't get many visitors," she comments with a smirk, "Apparently, if you kill a few people you're suddenly a pariah..." She shakes her head and shrugs as if surprised by that. But no, she isn't really - while she doesn't really understand why everyone gets so upset about it, she knew that they would so it's hardly a surprise. Why should everyone care so much that she removed a little over a hundred terrible people from the population? They were mostly criminals in the black market while the FBI were around. She certainly doesn't see the problem, and in fact she doesn't mind joking about it.

No, the only surprise about her situation was getting caught, and by Nightwing of all people. An indication that she has her work cut out for her, if and when she escapes. So much work... Yes, she'd rather stay in here for the moment.

[Deleted]

A bright smile appears on Selina's face. Crazies are nothing new to her. She's used to dealing with people that value security to a rather obsessed level; and that's her day job. By night she goes against that in every way, shape and form, to unravel the same intricate trap.

But that's not why she's here. Basket slung over one arm, she has to inwardly shake her head. For a woman with such good taste in clothing, it's a pity Pamela is in the standard...garb here. A glance is offered to the guard; Selina is curious if she's going to be allowed in with the 'killer,' or have to hover while the two women chat, talk, catch up. Things 'women' do.

It's a pity neither of them are quite normal, run of the mill upper class Gotham society nitwits.

"Well Pam, shit happens. And if I might say, you're looking quite well in such couture." Smiling as she meets the woman face to face through the glass, she holds up the basket. "I brought you a few things. I'd rather explain them ..in person but I don't know if Mister..." Selina turns slowly to inspect the guard's name badge. "If Steve here, would be willing to let me see an old friend." Her fingers lightly re-align the small piece of plastic, a sly smile on her lips. "Maybe a few minutes." Selina is bold. She doesn't care if Pam, or Ivy, as she's been hearing, is going to try to do something. There was a certain allure to another female being revealed in the night game she played. And after all, this was her friend. And the glass window is greatly hindering her chitchat.

As she opens her mouth, she's hesitant to speak. It would be right for Bruce Wayne's lady de...week, month, whatever, to side with Pam's predicament. But Catwoman? Kitty is biting her tongue for the time being, the struggle physically manifesting itself on her face as her lips finally clamp shut. Selina Kyle wants to speak to the captive tete a tete, and nothing more will suffice.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

Of course, if you were to ask Poison Ivy, she's completely and totally sane. But she's not very disturbed by the fact that she's been thrown into the asylum, of all places, because she not only doesn't care what anyone else thinks about her but also takes it as another sign that the men who run almost everything are idiots who naturally make such mistakes. Of course they don't see the sense in what she does, so of course they think that she's crazy. Or at least that's what she tells herself.

Though as Selina mentions how she's dressed, her expression gets mildly annoyed, "I do think I pull this thing off better than most, but I'm convinced whoever chose it in the first place was a sadist." And actually, she's probably not too far off on that.

But, eager to think of things beyond how horribly she's dressed, her attention is easily directed to the basket Selina is carrying. One can't bring such a thing into this part of the asylum without at least a cursory search for contraband, but then again she's sweet-talked and good behaviored her way into being allowed to have pretty much anything that isn't obviously questionable so very little is off limits to her - weapons, tools, chemicals, drugs, and other such things that she's not particularly interested in at the moment anyway. But just because she's allowed something doesn't mean that she has it, and she's therefore quite eager to know what sorts of nice things Selina brought her. The woman has very good taste, after all.

Though she's quick to suspect that something more is up when Selina attempts to make the conversation more private. And of course she's willing to assist in that effort, even if she hasn't the slightest idea what the other woman is up to. Though Steve doesn't seem interested in going along with the idea, and quickly shakes his head, "Sorry, madam, the rules for patients who have killed someone while at the asylum are rather strict." This causes Poison Ivy's lips to purse in annoyance. Why do they keep making such a big deal about that?

Quickly turning her attention to the guard, she's disappointed to find that he's not one of the ones she's used to seeing - most of those she has wrapped around her little finger and she could probably convince them to do almost anything. Steve here, on the other hand, isn't normally in this section and was probably recruited to escort Selina simply because he happened to be near the front desk when they needed someone. Still, she has a particular knack for looking at a man, figuring out what kind of woman he's most interested in, and then becoming that woman. Selina no doubt has much of the same skill, though she'd have to be trying a lot harder to compete with her.

"Steve?" she asks, her voice almost a whine to draw his full attention. "I know she's not allowed in, but she's right that, well, it's kind of invading our privacy a little for you to be standing right there. Can't you stand over there and still do your job?" she asks sweetly, her entire manner suddenly changed. Steve, being a young, clean-cut stickler for the rules who chose a job requiring more brute strength than brains, is most likely attracted to sweet, innocent young women who need a big, strong man to protect them. So right now she carefully stands in such a way to make herself look smaller, younger, and more vulnerable, her expressions and manner of talking now making her seem almost shy as she humbly pleads for the favor she wants. The spot she indicates is about ten yards down the hallway, and most likely out of earshot of a quiet conversation if not out of sight. "Please?" she adds as she sees his resolve starting to falter, "I know Dr. Arkham wouldn't mind - I've been really behaving myself for weeks now..."

Hesitating a bit, and probably calculating the odds of something happening within the next few minutes that would put Selina in a dangerous situation made worse by being that far away, the guard eventually says, "Well... I suppose that's alright, yeah." Once he's removed himself, Poison Ivy steps a bit closer to the glass and is her old self again as she rolls her eyes and quietly but contemptuously says, "Men..." Need she say more? "We should be relatively able to speak privately now, if we're quiet," she says, her eyes shifting pointedly to the closest security camera - between that and the guard, getting them into a position where they could do anything unobserved is a different story. Yet she asks, "Is this good enough? I might be able to do better, but that would be... tricky..." Though she hopes that she doesn't have to go that far, if only because it would take time and she's already a bit impatient to find out what Selina wants.

[Deleted]

Tricky is right. Selina hasn't been expecting -this- sort of odd security. No touching, no face to face. There was a glass wall...and it seemed, two stools for the women to sit, and not able to make themselves comfortable with. Horrid. As her eyes follow Pam's to the security 'guard,' Steve, and then the cameras, she nods. Not what she is wanting, or even liking, but it will make due. As she tips the basket toward Pam, her brow furrows as she shrugs.

"I know they already manhandled most of the items here, and considering the luxury we have of talking face to face, I'll have to give you what I can through this." The disdain is palpatble as Selina shows some of her rather....favored upbringing.

"It's a pity they have you in these sort of ...quarters." Noticing Steve is starting to creep closer, Selina is just not..satisfied with these sort of talking conditions. "Pam. I hate to ask. But could we ..you...do you think we could get something a bit more private to carry out this conversation?" Maybe a room with the two of them, or if the two women must, must be kept from eachother, maybe a barred room, locked. "Maybe something...if they have to keep us apart..locked? Bars? This is just -too- much to talk even...normally." Selina is close to throwing a fit, even if it is an act. "Steve?" Selina turns, crooking her finger to the man, hoping he shuffles over sooner, rather than later.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

When Selina gripes about the security measures, Poison Ivy scoffs, "Tell me about it! The sheer amount of bureaucracy in this place is enough to put the government to shame! And if you ask about it, it's always 'the last time we let someone do that, so and so did such and such so it's not allowed anymore'. The ones who have been here the longest tell me that the rules just keep getting tighter for everyone - there's no regard for who you are." And, based on her tone, she's completely appalled by that. "And if you think the accommodations are bad, you should see the so-called 'food' - I'm constantly surprised that it's actually edible," she gripes, shaking her head. But though she could go on complaining about it for much longer, she refrains - surely Selina would get bored of it quickly.

Though as the other woman goes on to ask for better, her frustration increases and her lips press into a hard line. "I can do better than even that! Just let me handle it," she says, suddenly more determined. Well, if Steve cooperates in the slightest degree - it might be pushing it, but it's worth a try. There's still the possible risk that someone's eyebrow will be raised by the breach of protocol, but her curiosity about why Selina wants that much privacy keeps rising.

Steve, looking mildly annoyed that he's being called back over so soon after being sent away, nevertheless comes over when Selina calls him. "What is it now?" he asks, sounding like he's having to try in order to be patient with them. But Poison Ivy, suddenly back to her 'sweet and innocent' routine, is undaunted by that. "Oh, well, I'm sorry to ask you this but... well, would it be too much trouble if you called up John to come take your place? I mean, if it's not too much trouble..." she says, trying to make it sound like a really small favor.

But the request seems to make Steve a bit suspicious. "Why?" he asks, obviously already questioning her motives. But Poison Ivy thinks she knows what might work, "Oh, it's just that the other day when I was being taken to the rec room, John and Bob were talking about women and... well, he said that he's looking and mentioned that he really likes black hair... and my friend here has a thing for really strong men... so I thought..." Letting that sentence trail off, the moment Steve's expression changes from suspicious she knows that she has this in the bag.

"Oh!" he says, somewhat surprised, but then he turns to Selina and says, "You know... I'm pretty strong..." But Poison Ivy immediately interjects by saying, "She's 35..." Which causes Steve to give a somewhat disappointed frown and say, "Oh really? Well you don't look a day over 27... Yeah... Let me call John..." As he turns his attention to his radio, Poison Ivy uses the moment of his distraction to give a triumphant smirk to Selina and mouth 'sorry' for exaggerating the other woman's age a bit - all for a better cause! If she didn't make Selina seem undatable to him, the resulting conversation would have been way too long and irritating.

"Steve to John, can you come take over from me in the Intensive Treatment wing?" he asks, though Poison Ivy immediately prompts, "Say you're by my room." Steve quickly adds, "Um, by Poison Ivy's room?" There's a faint crackle from the radio, and another voice says, "Poison Ivy's room? Sure, no problem! I'll be right there!" In fact, it's only moments before a rather large guard rounds the corner, walking at a rushed pace. John gives Poison Ivy a large smile before turning to Steve and repeating, "Yeah, this is no problem. Lunch break starting?" Steve blinks at that, momentarily forgetting why he called John as he says, "No... I mean, yes! Lunch break! I'll... go do that." Glancing between John and Selina with a knowing smile, he turns and heads down the hallway.

The moment that Steve is out of sight, John turns to Poison Ivy and asks, "Need something, don't ya?" There's a repeat of the smile that he gave her when he arrived when she says, "Oh, you know me too well, John!" Gone is 'sweet and innocent', now replaced by 'confident and sultry' - she steps right over to the glass next to John, leaning on it sideways as if to get as close to him as possible. "Yes, I have a problem: my friend here is visiting me, and all we want is a private conversation so we can catch up like normal human beings, but Mr. Quotes-The-Rules wasn't letting us," she complains, letting her lips become pouty.

John responds to this by leaning against the glass himself, leaving only its thickness between them. "So what do you what?" he asks quietly, not having to speak loudly at all to be heard at so short a distance. "Can you let her in here?" she asks conspiratorially. John laughs quietly and asks, "You'll behave yourself?" She smirks and says, "Never! But she's a friend - I won't hurt her. I promise! And I'd be so grateful..."

Clearly unable to resist it when she puts it that way, his smile is amused as he takes out his key card. "Alright sweetpea..." he says as he steps away from the glass and motions to Selina to join him by the door. Inside her room, Poison Ivy is smiling to herself while she steps over to the far wall to make it clear that she's not going to try anything funny while he lets Selina in. She just hopes that this doesn't come back to bite her: if she's lucky, this will be ignored. If it isn't, hopefully it will be a slap on the wrist for John. If it's worse than that... well, whatever Selina is up to had better be worth it!

[Deleted]

Selina had to smirk at Ivy's quip at the government. "If only you knew..." she murmured, amused at the rest of Pam's little rant. Of course it's going to have shitty food, and crappy accommodations..it's a prison. A jail. Somewhere for criminals. But she's not going to point that out to the redhead. Selina is here for..information. A bit of one on one time with a possible ally, and friend. As she stands there, a bit dejected that she can't just sit and visit with her friend, Selina watches 'Poison Ivy' work her magic. And Magic it is. This...young, dumb Steve is a rules man. But John. Boy oh boy. Pammy has him wrapped around all of her fingers. And while Steve had been bent about Selina being an 'older' woman...John is more than ok in letting Selina in to talk. Briefly, ever so briefly she kisses him on the cheek, a look of utter gratitude on her face as she lets her hand run down his arm, before she steps through the key-carded door.

"Well." Selina breathes, glancing around the rather..tiny room. Bed, desk, chair...toilet and sink partitioned off. Nothing she hasn't seen before; not that most would know that, but Selina isn't exactly loose-lipped about those days. Setting the basket down gingerly on the desk, she moves swiftly to Pam, her hands going to her upper arms in a light grip, first studying her with a scrutinizing eye, before going to air kiss her on both cheeks. "Now that I can see you without that horrid glass...I do agree. You make this horrid color look chic. Now...." She draws out the word, her eyes gimlet green. "That was fantastic, you know." She's referencing John, who's now got his back to the two women, standing just out of eyesight of them. Almost 'true privacy' if there ever was any in a locked down facility.

"But Pam. Do you like Pam, Pamela, Ivy....?" Selina muses, takng a step and thrusting the gift basket into Pam's arms." Everything within it was cruelty-free, organic, and something that Pam would, and could use here. "I know you don't have much for luxury, so I included things that would fit your taste. And not offend your style." Scrunching up her nose, Selina is clearly referencing the lack of anything with quality in the room. "I just...after that FBI debacle....I didn't see you. Work led me out of the country for a while...and just...when I saw your name splashed on TV... I just had to come see you." While she did want to see Pam...it was more of a nocturnal reason, than a friendly stop in.

"And considering...my work with Arkham before...they were able to let me in. Not that they could deny me...you know how that goes." Selina laughed, hinting at her status, her money, and her looks. "But go ahead, go through that while we chat...I just...wanted to say..if there is anything you need in here...let me know. Or when you get out..or..if you want any help with connections..." Selina mused, knowing Pam wasn't that daft.

There were just so many ways that you could say, "Hey hon, you're a villain, and I've got a bit of experience in that area myself. Us girls should stick together, whaddaya say?" So...she'd sit, bring presents..and show Pam, instead. Sitting down on the hard chair, she crosses one ankle over the other, watching with delight as Pam goes through her new gifts.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

To most people, the fact that the asylum doesn't bother to make anything pleasant for the patients would not be surprising. In fact, Poison Ivy isn't really surprised by that in a sense. But at the same time, at least subconsciously she's always assumed that she ought to be an exception to that sort of thing. Of course everything here would be unpleasant for everyone else - they probably all deserve it. But as for her... well, she doesn't belong in here to begin with, but to actually expect her to live at the same standard as all these terrible people is simply appalling. Her good behavior may have earned her as much privilege as can be obtained here, but that's still well below her standards. The things that she has to put up with...

Of course, one of the unpleasant things about the place is that she's constantly surrounded by idiots. Then again, that's a mixed thing - there's absolutely no intelligent company, but on the other hand they're all quite easy to manipulate. She could probably even get Steve eating out of her hand, but she doesn't think that she's met the man before - this facility is large enough that guards normally stationed far from this wing wouldn't have crossed her path. John, on the other hand, is a regular in Intensive Treatment and on top of that he's naturally a sucker for a pretty face so getting him so much on her side was the easiest thing in the world. She's gotten him to the point where he'd be willing to do anything for her so long as it's not overtly bad - he'll break the rules for her, but he wouldn't help her kill someone.

When the door is shut behind Selina, Poison Ivy steps away from the wall to greet her. Though she's momentarily surprised by the way her old shopping partner greets her, before the well-remembered pattern of air kisses is returned. And it makes her smile - she hasn't been greeted like that in so long! She may have left the life of a socialite willingly, but she does miss so many parts of it: the nice things, the polite manners (even if most of them were outright lies given that the people being so polite to each other usually hated each other), the automatic respect and envy. "I know! I was worried that Steve would refuse, but that was the only hard part. John... well, he obviously has a 'thing' for me..." she replies with a slight roll of her eyes. It's incredibly useful, but also somewhat irritating at the same time. Men!

When asked what she wants to be called and handed the basket, she starts looking at the items within it as she says, "Poison Ivy, or just Ivy - I haven't really been Pamela for years, but that's a long story..." Hmm, there's far too many nice things in it for her to examine them properly while holding the basket. She takes it over to the bed, which she sits upon cross-legged before holding the basket on her lap and starting to sort through the items by laying them next to her. The room is quite large when compared to a prison cell, as this is supposed to be a place of rehabilitation instead of punishment, but it's not so large that the distance from her table to the bed would make conversation awkward.

In spite of her distraction with all the lovely things that Selina brought - in fact the various expressions of delight that cross her face at some of the items indicates her pleasure with them even though she doesn't comment on most of them. She does, after all, suspect that the woman had good reason to want their privacy so she's expecting something interesting, and beyond that she simply doesn't get the opportunity to actually have a decent conversation with anyone around here. She may be solitary enough in nature to not talk to anyone for months without caring about it, but when she's in a situation where she's been forced to talk with idiots frequently it's quite refreshing to talk to someone who isn't one.

Her expression gains a distinctly amused smirk when Selina mentions the FBI - her part to play in that whole ordeal may have been painful to her in parts, but ultimately she'd had the last laugh - though she supposes that Selina missed all that if she'd been out of the country. The government did try to keep her threat to the city and perhaps beyond as quiet as possible, so it never made international attention even though the local media were worked up to a frenzy by it. Her more recent arrest, on the other hand, wasn't kept very quiet.

Though what shes hearing has her pause in her perusal of the basket's items and raise an eyebrow slightly, though she turns back to the basket quickly. "Well, you seem to already have a good understanding of what I need in here," she comments with a smile, "It's not hard to get many of the things that I want here, but there are so many nice things I'm allowed to have but nobody would know how to choose..." She suddenly interrupts herself with a happy noise from the back of her throat. "You brought me body butter! I don't even have this at home - it wasn't a priority..." she says before adding it to the pile on the bed and continuing through the basket, "But as far as outside the asylum, I already have many useful connections. Though it's always better to have more - I'm sure you know how it is..." Her eyes flicker to Selina as if asking a question. She doesn't want to assume that the other woman is saying what she thinks that she's saying only for it to turn out that she's been misunderstood.

[Deleted]

Selina had to smile at the glee in the other woman's eyes. The cordial greeting, the gifts..the body butter? That was peculiar, she'd have thought Ivy had that in her arsenal. "Well....he's got damn good taste, if he does have a thing for you. And having friends in here...well, that's a good thing." Smiling, she nodded to the luxurious lotion. "It's some of the best. Hard to find, but I'll let you in on where I get it. Organic, cruelty free...and it's a best kept secret. I hope it helps while you're in here..because the air is absolutely dreadful." Her nose wrinkles slightly. And while she's minorly alluding to the fact she's familiar with Arkham, it's not because she's been ...a patron of it's walls. She's more familiar with the lesser harsh walls, well, when she was younger. But no one is going to know that, unless it's straight from her own lips. She'd made sure of that.

In light of Pam, now Ivy's wording, Selina takes out her phone, touching this, and that before setting it down on the desk rather pointedly. While she may be part of the high society, gala and philanthropist club, Selina is also street-smart. And business savvy. So while Ivy is saying the right words, it's always a risk. But...there just aren't enough women in this gig...so here goes nothing.

Nodding, Selina motions to her phone. "It's a jammer. Nothing can get in to record us, nothing will get out. I'm pretty sure you're already aware of what I do during the day. I run a Security Consulting Company, Firm. Whatever you want to call it. I consult on physical security, break ins, safeguarding personal possessions...preventing theft, sweeping to make sure there are no bugs, so forth." Her eyes glint as she is proud of her work.

"But...you may be familiar with some items having gone missing, here or there. I like to call it 'possessions acquisition.' Selina lets loose a rather Cheshire grin, her ankles swapping over one another. She watches the woman react for a moment, before continuing on. "So...as soon as you get out of here...or if you have an idea of a new...'outfit' let me know. I have someone we can see about custom items. And maybe a drink, some networking, you know." Now Selina is beaming, despite still using rather tame words to illustrate rather illicit activities. Motioning to the basket, within it is one of her 'business' cards. Her standard telephone, fax, email numbers are on there, but another is scrawled elegantly as well; a private line linked to her cell phone for her night-time activities. If the 'Black Cat Security' isn't a large hint, Ivy is dumber than she is letting on.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

There's a lot of things that Poison Ivy's had to learn to live without at her hideout. Shopping can be tricky when you're wanted by the police and have a long list of vigilantes on your tail. And quality cosmetics that don't offend her sensibilities can be tricky to acquire. Especially since she's aware that ordering too many things through the mail could easily lead a clever vigilante to her and the price Oswald would charge for them would be ridiculous. That's a part of the reason why she's taken to making many of them herself, but in that case the problem was time. Between everything, if she doesn't need it, she doesn't have it in her hideout. And she can live without body butter, only... a bit less happily.

Making a slight face at the mention of the air, Poison Ivy comments, "The sad thing about the air is that I'm actually rather used to it now - which is somewhat disturbing, really." To have her rather refined senses fail to inform her that the air is still extremely unpleasant can't be a good sign, can it? She only hopes that reverses itself once she leaves.

When Selina responds to her vague question by pulling out her phone, Poison Ivy stops her perusal of the basket in order to give the other woman her full attention. Though she glances at the jammer when Selina explains it, she doesn't really care whether it's there or not for herself - since being found out she has few secrets, and she keeps those secrets a secret by not revealing them to anyone no matter how much she trusts them or how much privacy she believes that she has. The best security for such things is to keep them entirely to one's self, after all. Though she imagines that it makes Selina feel safer. She simply nods as Selina explains her day job, remembering that the other woman had mentioned it in passing when they first met.

But as Selina continues on to touch upon her other hobbies, at first Poison Ivy's only reaction is an intrigued raise of an eyebrow. Though when Selina motions to the basket, she's quick to take the hint and quickly glances through the items still left in it for a clue. It isn't likely to be one of the cosmetics, so it only takes her a moment to retrieve the business card. A somewhat surprised smirk crosses her face at it, and she remarks, "I never would have thought this of you, Selina - we have far more in common than I ever supposed." My, what a delightful little surprise! While she's of course aware of Catwoman, she never really cared to speculate what kind of a person was behind that mask - but that's only in keeping with how she feels about anyone who runs around Gotham at night. And actually, she's not really spared too much thought about the woman aside from a certain approval of how easily the other female rogue seems to play with the boys - Harley certainly can't manage that, and Gotham's few other masked women are largely unnotable.

Though once her surprise has been expressed, she adds, "As for myself, I should note that I'm rather fiercely independent about my operations - if possible I make and do for myself. And a little bird supplies the rest." And she's willing to bet that Selina doesn't need her to be any more specific than that to know exactly who she means. "But I would greatly enjoy having better company - it can be nearly impossible to find someone actually capable of carrying on a pleasant conversation in certain circles," she remarks, shaking her head and making a face. Though many of Gotham's rogues firmly believe otherwise, few of them make great conversationalists. Not unless you really enjoy whatever their pet subject is, anyway.

[Deleted]

Selina is rather impressed that Ivy detects the acrid quality to the air. It almost has a metallic tinge to it as well. It's never pleasant, and never pleasant for a longer stay either. As Ivy talks on, Selina is ever attentive, even when the red-head pays attention to her jammer. But with her admiration of the device, it's more...for their own benefit. The oddest, yet inventive electronics have been in less conspicuous places. Better safe than sorry. It does dishearten her that Ivy wasn't able to get...certain things.

"You know, if you do need help with mail order, I know a few places..." She smirks, clearly hoping to help the woman. And Ivy's response to the business card is much welcomed. She's not daft, can put two and two together, and get the right answer. A demure smile crosses her lips as she nods. "Of course. Why else would I pick someone with such good taste in shoes, Ivy?" More of a joke, but Selina is tickled to find a fellow female rogue. One with a decent head on her shoulders..unlike several others she had encountered, no offence to them. She continues on, "Most don't connect point and, to dot B. But that's the point, no? Especially in my line of work. Get in, get out, achieve the objective, and so forth...." As Pam, no...It's more Ivy this time, it's the confidence continues, Selina breaks into a large smile. "It's good to know you run things similar to myself. I do have an assistant...but she does more phone calls, than the actual work, you know what I mean? It's easier to get things done on your own. No middle-man, no mess-ups, no slips." Her eyes are fiercely aware of Ivy now, respect galore for the woman. Not only can she shop, but she can carry a meaningful conversation for a woman of her, well, stature (Meaning she's better than 'decent' looking), and mindset. Beaming, Selina nods like a well-meaning puppy. "Tell me about it. And trust me, you really need to allow me to take you out for drinks. I know this place...and I must introduce you to a few...well, friends of mine. And I do mean friends. A few are actually witty. And not too harsh on the eyes." Near-giddy, Selina smirks, filing away the tidbit of information about a 'bird.' After racking her brain...she can't mean Nightwing, can she? Is there some sort of ..illicit goings-on between the two? Hm. Pursing her lips, she feels obligated to ask. "A blue-bird, possibly?" She conjectures, "That likes to hang out with a few nocturnal...mammals, perhaps?" She hates to infer...but she can't help herself, as well. Curiosity is shining through the woman, mask present, or not.


.

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

"No being overcharged, no worrying they'll betray you, no pretending that you like someone just so that they'll do something for you, no being asked for little favors..." Poison Ivy idly lists off further benefits of being an independent criminal. It simply solves or prevents so many problems when you simply do things for yourself. Though she has done a few things with Harley in the past, but then again the clown girl is generally more trouble than she's worth. If the point of their little outings were actually about the crime itself and not simply doing something that they both enjoy, Poison Ivy would be more inclined to leave Harley behind.

The rest of the contents of the basket lay nearly forgotten in her lap at this point, though not because she isn't still delighted by them. No, it's because she's aware that she'll have all the time in the world to peruse all the things that Selina brought her, while Selina herself will visit for only a limited time and she's suddenly made herself the most interesting thing in the room. Well, aside from Poison Ivy herself, naturally. "I would enjoy that!" she says with a smile as Selina speaks of her friends. While Poison Ivy has met much of the criminal underworld, she's still new enough to it that she hasn't fully made the rounds yet and therefore doesn't know everyone she may wish to know. And if Selina's promising that there are some with actual intelligence, she certainly wants the opportunity to meet those.

Though when Selina goes on to have to actually guess who she meant, she has to find that somewhat disappointing. Really, she couldn't just figure it out? Well, she supposes that she can't expect even Selina to be able to fully keep up with her. Though it's not merely that the other woman got it wrong, but who she's guessing instead that causes Poison Ivy to scowl. "It's that blue-bird's fault that I'm in here!" she says, suddenly angry - though fortunately the anger is directed at the memory and not Selina. "It was grotesquely unfair, Selina! I was only collecting a petiole for a DNA sample that I needed. I didn't even hurt anyone when I went to get it! But apparently that was grounds for attacking me, killing my babies, and throwing me in here!" she fumes, "And that 'nocturnal mammal' ruined my car!" Well, she was able to clean it so it wasn't permanent at least, but still! She may value her plants over her convertible, but it's a close second.

But, having fumed about that (almost) as much as she cares to, she takes a deep breath to calm herself and quietly adds, "No, I was speaking of a certain short, fat bird..." And if that's not enough to steer the other woman into understanding, then there's no help for her at all.

[Deleted]

Selina murmurs in agreement at those facts. There are great benefits in working as an independent contractor. Selina knows this on both fronts. "You are right, it's hard to find those you can trust to work with, and that won't steal from you," she's quite aware of the wording she's using, but hell, she's got class, and she only real steals from those she works with when they deserve it. And only then, it's when they really, really deserve it. Then again, she's only really stolen en-tandem once. And even then, it wasn't quite her cup of tea, even when the man with her, is.

"Good!" She chrips back to Ivy, motioning to the card. "I don't know how long your stay here is, or will be...but if you ever want me to stop by with lunch...or send you something, I can do that. I know the cuisine here is fantastic, for the facility..." she lingers, clearly mocking the system's lack of taste buds. But she'd be willing to help out someone. Especially if that someone is Ivy.

But clearly, Ivy is missing the quickness in which Selina made her 'guesses,' and as Selina notes the faint disappointment, she snickers lightly. "Ivy. I know both these birds all too well. I'd say you -should- speak with the short, more Icelandic one, over the one who has caused you so much grief." She shifts to sit beside the woman, squeezing her hand in reassurance, but still maintaining a decent distance. "The little blue bird sometimes forgets he was more...kicked out of the nest. Trust me, I've tangled with the bluebird, and the flying bat, before...and neither are fun." Well, that's not entirely true. Sometimes it has been more than fun, and for some reason, Selina, and Catwoman seem to get away with more than some of the others when they're caught. But a few of Ivy's bemoaned grievances against Nightwing make her think. And Ivy doesn't need to know that Selina knows Batman, and Nightwing a bit more than the common thief does.

If Ivy really is messing with DNA samples...and plants, it makes her curious as to how dangerous the woman really is. The only person she really knows that works on that sort of molecular level is Nina. And then..her mind churns. "I know biology and fauna are not my specialties, but I do have a good friend that works on a bio-molecular level...and what you lost; I agree. It seems no one was hurt..and to go to that extent in damage is ..horrific. I'm really sorry you lost that research." If there's one thing she doesn't exactly like..is the lengths to which she's seen Batman, and his little 'family' go to destroy things. Yes, she steals, but she doesn't total someone's car just because they're going after flowers.

"And your car. I'm really..that's horrid. I know I adore my car just as much as my own work.." she murmurs thoughtfully. To try and steer the conversation a bit more, she brings Oswald back up again. "And what did our little penguin friend have to say? He's got a bit more class than some of the others I know..."

[Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy]

"Only until I'm certain that this visit will be my last," Poison Ivy responds sullenly, the only way she can explain her planned length of stay. She could leave right now if she wanted, but with the city's vigilantes a constant threat it doesn't seem wise to her to jump right back in the game with them until she has a new strategy ready. Being caught has been devastatingly catastrophic to her and her plants, after all, so it must be avoided if at all possible. Then again, she also ought to improve her backup plan, just in case her new strategy unexpectedly fails. But it's all been a slow process, so she doesn't expect to leave soon.

As Selina speaks more about birds and bats and joins her on the bed, Poison Ivy has to raise an eyebrow at the woman's last statement. "Really? That's not what I heard..." she comments, "I hear that you have a great deal of fun with the bat..." Both in an out of the asylum, she's always been one to keep current on the latest gossip - something she learned the value of back in her days as a socialite. Much of it is outright lies, of course, but enough of it is true (or true enough) for it to be useful. So naturally she's heard the ones about Catwoman and Batman, though what exactly is going on between thief and vigilante varies from tale to tale. And of course she can't help but see if the woman herself will verify which one is correct.

Having said that, she shifts ever so slightly, giving herself an inch more space and by using her hands to do so she also casually retrieves her hand. She's not overly fond of human contact, at least not when it isn't her idea, though she isn't so opposed to it as to throw a fit when it happens. No, instead she simply rectifies the situation as quickly as she can politely do so. Well, sometimes it gets to the point of being impolite when Harley in involved, but the clown girl just doesn't get the concept of boundaries at all even when you explain it to her repeatedly.

Once she's more comfortably situated, she says, "Oh, there's no real need to worry about my research - all of that is safely in here." She taps the side of her head. "It can't be destroyed, misplaced, or copied that way," she explains, "Oh, but my poor babies... And not just the two I had with me - some of my best work - but though I'm quite certain my lab remains undiscovered, all of my poor babies there have been without me..." She suddenly stops looking quite distressed, as if she might cry. But she doesn't - she never cries! - instead simply stopping until her emotions are under her control. It's just the mere thought of her garden dying because she can't care for it...

She forces herself to take another deep breath, and instantly welcomes Selina steering them onto something less upsetting. "The little penguin often proves himself useful - it's so hard to, hmm, find certain things you do not have and to find those who want what you have too much of," she comments, "And no, he's not an unpleasant person to deal with, if you have to deal with someone, though he always tries to push too much..." She shakes her head, remembering a few... incidents.