Tea Party (Open)

[jervistetch]

It was inside the lovely old hat shop that was no longer in work that Jervis smiled to himself, busily bustling around the table, making sure all odds and ends were perfect. The mix-matched china tea cups, the tea pots filled with freshly made tea, the plates of scones and cakes, and yes even the Door Mouse in a lovely little jacket he had tailored for it roaming around the table. At last, he was out of the Queen's dungeons-erm...well, Arkham, that is. Yes, Arkham. And of course, what better way to celebrate than to have a tea party? And of course there was no better place for him to have it, as there were still a few left over hats strewn about the shop. Sure, the walls were quite scorched from the fire that had shut the place down, but he doubted any of his guests would mind such trifles.

"Will you won't you, will you won't you, join the dance?" he sang softly to himself as he bustled about, stopping to admire his reflection in the looking glass, and to adjust his bow tie and top hat. Oh, the clothes in the asylum were so drab and dull, even when they did allow him to construct a hat of sorts to wear about. It simply wasn't the same. He felt so much better now, back in his appropriate garb.

Ah! But the guests would be arriving any moment now, since he had sent out the invitations to all of the rogues, of course. In fact, he even sent one to the Jabberwo-erm, to Batman. Just to prove, he had no hARd feelings, and was TruLLy rehabilitated as the doctors said. He suppressed a giggle at that thought, checking his pocket watch and scurrying over to the end of the table to wait. He scuttled into the seat, smiling grandly and interlacing his gloved fingers in front of him on the table. Oh, how exciting, what a frabjous way to celebrate! He did hope the others would arrive soon...

[harlequin]

As soon as the Hatter's invitation had somehow found its way to the Joker's current hideout, Harley Quinn had made plans to attend. She didn't know the host too well yet, aside from the occasional run-in inside Arkham, but that was certainly no excuse for turning down a party! And the date hadn't come a night too soon...the Joker was in a bit of a foul mood. But just because Puddin' was in one of his less jolly mental states didn't mean Harley had to stay cooped up inside too. In fact, it was all the more reason for her to get out of the way for a while.

There's a knock at the door, followed by an inquisitive "Helloooo...?" as the red-and-black jester slowly pushes it open, stepping inside a moment later regardless of whether or not she's received any reply yet. The extravagant party layout filling up the shop's interior is hard to miss, however, including the hatted host himself seated at the head of the table.

"Well, hi there, Mistah Hattah!" she greets in a rather jovial manner, prancing over to his place and sticking out a hand for a friendly shake (so friendly, in fact, that she's even left her joy-buzzer at home). "Guess I'm the first to show up, huh? Ah, well, I'm sure that..." She stops short as her wandering gaze suddenly falls on the myriad of cakes and other sweets laid out atop the festive table spread. Masked blue eyes widen noticably at the sight, the harlequin appearing mesmerized by the sugar-laden display. Just a couple of seconds later, she has a cupcake in each gloved hand, eagerly taking alternating bites from each one.

[jervistetch]

Tetch would glance up, his smile doubling at the sight of his very first guest, though he was rather surprised Crane wasn't his first visitor. He would stand none the less as she approached, however.
”Hello! So good of you to come!” he would smile, at least for the moment resisting the urge to quote.
”Yes, you are the first to arrive!” he’d return the jovial smile, though inwardly he would speak harshly, ‘And you’d better not be the last!’, but he kept that much to himself. He was just pulling out a chair for her to sit in, when her eyes grew wide at the site of the treats, to which he could not help but give a small chuckle.

”Do help yourself,” though he scarcely needed to invite her before she had a cupcake in each hand. He had always enjoyed Harley’s company, the blond was not unlike his dear Alice. Curious, child-like at times, yet intelligent… oh me oh my, but she was attached to the Joker! And Jervis was no fool, he knew better than to cross such a man as that! He quickly shook the thought from his head, better not to entertain any such ideas, though he couldn’t help but to picture her in a blue dress, just briefly.

”Have you ever considered wearing your hair down?” he would slip up and ask, busying his hands with pouring her a cup of tea, and making the question innocent with a casual addition of,
“Would you like one lump or two?” as he set the china tea pot down and reached for the sugar cube tongs, which he had been quite pleased to find as he had acquired everything here from a thrift store (thus why so few things matched, but he kind of liked that). Remarkable what some people would just throw away!

He wondered who else would arrive, though besides Crane he wouldn't be surprised if none showed up at all. In fact, he was just a little surprised Harley had shown up, and with out the Joker none-the-less! Trouble again in paradise, he wondered? But for now he would give his full attention to his current guest, no use thinking of others if they mightn't even arrive, after all.

[harlequin]

"Mmnnhffruu!" Harley responds ambiguously, her intended 'thank you' muffled by the thick cupcake currently stuffed in her mouth. Even after swallowing that sizable mouthful, her darkly-painted lips are still covered in obviously incriminating crumbs; unlike her previously childish manner of shoveling sugar-cakes into her mouth, they're daintily dabbed away with a napkin lest she mess up her signature makeup, perfectly preened for the party.

The question about her hair strikes her as not only random but a little strange (then again, what does she expect from her fellow Arkham inmates?), but it doesn't go ignored. "Down? Nah, I'm much more of an 'up' kinda girl." Both in style and personality, in fact. In response to the following question, the harlequin idly tilts her head back and forth while considering, sending her jester cap's pair of red-and-black tassles swinging to and fro with the motion, then answers: "Two, I guess. Though tea's not really my...well, cup of tea." She can't help but giggle briefly at her own play on words, unaware of how sensitive the subject matter might be to the party's host, and as such what rejection of the offered tea might mean as a result.

"So, who else is comin' to this mad tea party, huh?" the blonde inquires curiously, flopping down in a nearby cushioned seat meanwhile. Harley's only been working alongside the Joker for a short time now, and as a result she's only run into a handful of other rogues thus far. Though in her time as an Arkham intern, she had certainly learned about several of Gotham's infamous villains, the former psychiatrist had yet to meet many of the colorful players in person...which always seems far more interesting in the field versus the sterile environment of the asylum.

[Deleted]

Edward stood outside the old hat shop uncertain whether he actually wanted to go in. Jervis was a strange little man that acted too childish for his intelligence. His obsession with tea and hats was also slightly annoying. He really had no desire whatsoever to join in on Jervis’s party celebration, but Edward realized his allies were running thin. Not that he needed allies, but he needed to continue the perception that he had them. Or better yet had a collection of pawns he could manipulate if needed.

He also would prefer to stay on Jervis’s good side. They had a few conversations in the common lounge in Arkham. They always bordered on the insane, but still much more enjoyable then the conversations with the psychiatrist. Based on their conversation, he could consider the man a...friend...per say. In the end, Jervis was a man you wanted on your side, so it was better to play along his dramatics.

Edward knocked on the door with Allen sitting in the car. He had a time limit, and if Edward wasn’t back within that time Allen would go destroy whatever mind control device the Mad Hatter had him under. He would not be drinking the tea for that very reason. If you go to rogue gathering you always prepare for the worst. He silently wondered who else would be joining tonight. Hopefully not the Joker. He didn’t want to lose his voice over forcing out fake laughs at the man’s jokes.

He glanced at his watch, almost willing it to go faster. He only had to make an appearance then he would get back to his business.

[jervistetch]

Jervis would frown at the mention of Harley preferring her hair up, but say nothing of it as he added the two sugar cubes.
"mORe TeA?" he would ask, scooting the cup towards her with the mildest glare when she mentioned not liking tea, but then quickly corrected himself. he was supposed to be cured, after all. Clearing his throat, he would correct it,
"I mean, my what a pity. but I do hope you'll have at least one cup, it would be rather rude not to, after all." he would correct with a friendly smile.
"Ah, other guests. I imagine-" a knock at the door, and Jervis would smile,
"Why, there's one now. Would you excuse me, my dear, so that I might answer that?" He had a good feeling she wouldn't mind much, she seemed to be able to keep herself amused rather easily.

Rising from the table, he would wonder curiously who else had made their way to his party. Surely, it would be Crane at the door next? Crane was really the only one he had expected to arrive, and so he was rather confident that was who was at the door. Opening it with a smile, he would already usher the person inside,
"Ah, welcome! Come in come in!" before actually bothering to look and see it was someone else entirely. What a surprise!
"Oh, Eddie! I hadn't expected you would actually arrive! But not to worry, there is more than enough room." A grand sweep of his arm would show off the table, and that indeed there was plenty of room. He had pushed two long tables together beneath the table cloth, after all. Jervis stood on his tippy toes to try to peak behind the taller man's shoulder, checking if anyone else were behind him, and was disappointed to see there were none.

[Deleted]

Edward frowned at the welcome. We’ll if he didn’t have to be here, he was almost tempted to turn around and leave. After seeing the large wave in though, he had no other choice but to walk in. He noticed the table set up that recreated the look from the Alice in Wonderland book. He had to hold back his eye roll. When he saw Harley, he mentally cursed how long this event would drag out for. He didn’t despise Harley, she just had a talent for annoying him. But he couldn’t dismiss his interest in solving the puzzle of why she was with the Joker. He was almost certain her stupid rambles were all just an act for the Joker. “Hello Harley,” he commented with bare interest.

He focused back on Tetch for a moment. He had been acting like he had expected someone else. He obviously was hoping another person would join them and not necessarily Edward. “I’m only staying for a moment,” he answered as he walked towards the table, “So I won’t be crowding your table for too long.” He touched the tablecloth, inspecting it for dust. He wondered how many of these trinkets were hidden while Tetch was in Arkham.

“Question: who exactly are you hoping to come and why?” Edward spoke in the direction of the table before finally turning his gaze on the small man with a large hat.

“It’s not Harley nor me. It can’t be the Joker. I doubt Catwoman ever caught your interest. Tweedle Dee and Dum are still in Blackgate. The Carpenter, I believe left town for a while. Penguin, no. Two Face, doubtful. Scarface, pfft. Who does that leave?” Edward thought to himself, “Ah Dr. Crane, we’ll we had a little mishap so I don’t believe he will be attending.” Edward smirked.

[harlequin]

The brief glare does not go unnoticed by Harley, the blonde having become rather accustomed to their warning presence and responding accordingly by squirming uncomfortably in her seat and taking a little sip of the offered tea in the hopes of appeasing her host. She sits up a bit at the sound of another knock at the door, signaling a second arrival (as well as a welcome respite from being under the scrutinizing spotlight of yet another madman) and revealing the new visitor to be none other than the Riddler himself.

"Eddie!" the harlequin-costumed female calls out cheerfully, though it's unlikely the green-suited man shares her level of excitement at meeting each other once again here. When the Riddler begins his diatribe attempting to solve who and why the Mad Hatter may be expecting tonight, she's remarkably quiet as she listens in, though her silence breaks soon afterwards. "Dr. Crane?" she pipes up, familiar with the psychology professor from her previous studies at Gotham University and former internship at Arkham Asylum. "Whatsa matta' with 'im?"

[jervistetch]

Jervis' face would fall a bit, half way from expectations and half way from actual disappointment, when Eddie would admit to not staying long, and he wondered why the man had even bothered to show up if he were to leave so soon. He was about to quip up an only mildly sarcastic, "Oh, what a pity you won't be staying" (all the more tea for Harley and himself), when the man in green posed a question. Not a very friendly sounding question either. It certainly caught Jervis' attention, though as apposed to answering it he returned with another, wondering if the Riddler could answer,
"WHY iS a RavEN LikE a WrITinG DesK?" he quoted in response, moving towards the table to reclaim his seat, and not bothering to offer Eddie one if the man was not staying.

Jervis forced himself to remain calm under Eddie's next bit of scrutinizing, pouring a careful cup of tea, eyes glancing calmly (an a bit darkly) at the man, though he did not at all enjoy the way Eddie was trying to surmise his entire social standings. He silently reminded himself that he was supposed to be cured, to keep from shouting "Off wITh yOUr HeAD." So he remained calm, folding his hands before him and added to the inquiry with some interest.
"Yes, indeed what has become of him?" wondering what kind of trouble his friend had gotten into, and if there weren't some way he could be of assistance. And who knows, perhaps Harley would be inclined to help as well. It would certainly give them an adventure.

[Deleted]

"He's just checking to see if all his research was where he last left it," Edward smirked. It was humorous to see Tetch slightly agitated by his presence and on the verge of going 'wonderland' on him. Did he really believe he was cured?

That was a laughable thought. The man was having a tea party in a hat shop. Edward never considered he actually needed help, but the rest of Gotham rogues did have problem that they really should check out with a psychiatrist, but the psychiatrists at Arkham were hardly worthy the medical degrees they managed to obtain. It only provided more proof that Tetch was not cured.

But why spoil the little man's facade? Well there were many reasons, but Edward did not feel like walking out of here with a new hat.

"But that's in the past. We are here for you are we not? Congratulations on," he paused not wanting to say cure because it would be lying, "your recent freedom from those pathetic doctors at Arkham." He leaned his weight on his cane, not taking a seat. If he took a seat he might be expected to drink the possibly dosed in nano neurology tech.

He pulled out two lollipops. Why prevent the inevitable? He held one out to Harley.

[saxman59]

Roman had absoloutly no idea what he was doing here. He had been reclining in bed, just thinking about getting up from a long night of rakateering and murder, next moment he was interrupted by one of his henchmen with a fancily engraved invitation from his old therapy buddy Jervis Tetch. Personally, Roman had no idea what Tetch was playing at. He was two days out of Arkham and he was already inviting people to tea parties. Now he was standing outside an abondoned hat shop in the section of Gotham where the dead people far outnumbered the living. For reassurance, he touched the automatic pistol in the inside of his jacket pocket.

Now that he got closer to the shop he could see that he was not the first to arrive. Sitting inside was Tetch himself, now wearing his classic hat several times larger than his own head. Sitting near him was Harley Quinn, mercifully absent her rather strange boyfriend. Also, to Roman's displeasure, was that pinhead Nigma. He had never been a big fan of the crossword, at any rate. At the moment, things looked a little tense in the shop at the moment. Nigma was looking ready to murder someone, Harley was looking half-way between confusion and amusement (but maybe that was how she always looked), and Tetch was looking simply livid. Despite Roman's aversion to pity of any sort, he could not help but feel a little sorry for Tetch. He was a great source of amusement to Roman in that hellhole they called an asylum. Making sure his pistol was loaded, Roman raised his hand to knock.....

[jervistetch]

Jervis did not like Eddie's implications, and could tell his congratulations was hardly sincere. He grit his teeth and made a mental note not to rhyme or quote to the man in front of him, simply to not give him any sort of satisfaction. He could not, however, prevent a glare from reaching the other man. Jonathan was the closest thing to a real friend Jervis had, and he didn't appreciate Eddie making any trouble for him.

Jervis had just opened his mouth to speak, when another knock came to the door. There was a moment of silence, he adjusted his over sized bow tie, and then stood up, keeping a civilized air about him somehow.
"Don't you have places to be, and people to see?" he asked of the Riddler, moving past him to answer the door.
"Ah, Roman! So good of you to come! Eddie here was just on his way out, weren't you Eddie?" he forced a smile for his newest guest, welcoming him in with a sweeping bow, and continuing to hold the door open once Roman was inside for Eddie to leave by. Once Eddie was out, he could speak to his other, more polite guests. Perhaps they might be inclined to help him a bit, perhaps not, but either way it seemed he would be cutting his tea party a bit short, perhaps. What a shame that would be, though he was sure his dear friend Eddie would come to regret that in good time, wouldn't he?

[Deleted]

Edward would be a complete idiot to miss how angry his statements had made Tetch, and Edward was not an idiot. He couldn't help the barest of smirks from appearing on his face, but it disappeared as soon as Tetch's rude comment left his mouth. He was kicking him out! Edward came out of his way for his childish tea party, and he was kicking him out!

Okay, if Edward was being honest with himself, he was going to leave soon. But that didn't matter. Edward didn't deserve to be treated that way. Manners were something Edward held on high regard, and if someone easily threw them in the trash he became quite irritated. He bit down on the lollipop in his mouth as he saw Roman at the door.

"Yes, I think I will be on my way. I can't waste my time playing dolls, I mean tea party. Sorry it's hard to keep up with Jervis's girlish playtime games," he said with the wave of his hand. He wonder for a moment if that was the reason Tetch had so many mental issues to come to terms with. Did he always hope to be born a little blond girl? He smirked. It reminded him of Michael Jackson.

"Farewell Harley," he said waving back to the girl and tossing her the candy. He then walked to the door and past Roman with a nod, "Sorry, I missed you." He walked out onto the sidewalk and headed to his car, but paused for a moment. "Oh Jervis, I heard Macy is having a sell. You might be able to find a blue dress that fits your size," he remarked rudely. He was mad. He couldn't help himself. He then walked over to his car and opened up the passenger door. He came out of his way to visit him and only got pushed out the door. This was why he avoided other rogues. They were beneath him. Allen started the engine and they drove off.

[saxman59]

Roman supressed the strong urge to go put a couple of bullet sized holes in the knees of the man in the green suit. Jervis may not be all there, but he was really a good enough guy. That, and Roman just really wanted to shoot something, and that loud green tux presented a really good target. While Roman was still mulling it over, the Riddler's car went screaming away from the broken down hat shop. Roman made a mental note to hunt down his hidey hole to see if he couldn't teach the impudent man some manners with the business hith the business end of a Louisville Slugger. Batter friggin up.......

Now that he had more time to look around, he took better notes of the surroundings. He had never been one for fairy tales as a child, Little Red Riding Hood as read by his parents would probably end with the Wolf as a multi-million corporate owner, but what he had read of Lewis Carrol, this was a dead ringer for the classic tea-party scene. Roman hoped to god he wasn't the March Hare. Everything was mis-matched. The cups, the tablecloths, the saucers; hell, even the teaspoons weren't from the same set. "Er...very nice place you've got here, Jervis," rasped Roman. "I assume that this little tea party is violating your parole." Much as he despised the rest of humanity, he nursed a soft spot for Tetch. Instead of the Joker's brand of insane in which he blew up everything in his path, Jervis was sort of the insane where it almost seemed he couldn't help it.

"And what kind of host are you? Not even offering a man a cup of Earl Grey when he comes to a party! Honestly!"

[jervistetch]

Jervis' mood was quite ruined for the evening, and he admittedly slammed the door the moment the Riddler was out it, ignoring anything the obnoxious man in loud green dared to say. He didn't care for it, not any of it, so much so that her fumed a bit at the door until Black Mask mentioned tea.

"Hm? Oh! Of course, how terribly rude of me! Please, take a seat!" He relaxed a bit, being among what were clearly friends. He hadn't even been aware he had so many! Moving back to the table, he would find the pot of Earl Gray and pour his newest guest a cup.
"As for my parole, are you suggesting a sane man should not have tea with some friends? Oh my, that is a very sad thought!" he said as much lightly, taking a seat and a sip from his own cup before glancing at Harley.
"I'm terribly sorry you had to see that, my dear, I suppose I should have thought more about who I invited." he spoke as if he had known from the start who would be rude and who wouldn't (because of course he was never rude, and certainly not at his own tea party!).

He seemed to grow terribly thoughtful just then, not quite able to get fully back into the swing of things.
"It seems our dear friend Jonathan might be in a bit of trouble now. Have either of you heard anything? Well, I should check in on him later anyways. There's nothing to say a cured man can't visit an old cell-mate, spread the good news, isn't there?" He mentioned it as if it were only a casual visit, when in truth he would mean to help his friend should he allow it. Though it was considerably less with his friends at his table, there was still a darkness behind his eyes in his anger over Riddler's actions. For the moment, he decided to ignore it, however.
"So, what have the two of you been up to?" he would ask instead, throwing a smile back onto his face and pouring Harley some more tea (either forgetting or ignoring her lack of taste for it).