Beautiful Anti-Hero

Wow

Mr Riley's bubbly personality had increased after a number of sessions with Harleen. She was helping him to live his life to the fullest. Felicia smiled as he gave her a cheery wave each morning. One morning, he seemed so excited that Felicia could not help but laugh in front of him.

"I am sorry." She spluttered seeing him take a bow. "I am so happy to see you like this.

"I could not be better Felicia. In fact I am feeling so happy that I have decided to spend money on a circus company to perform here. I have invited Harleen and she seems really excited to come. It is on this Thursday. Would you be free to come?"

Felicia nodded. "Sure."

Leaving work she thought about this. She was not keen on the circus but it would be a great way to gain customers and bring something different. Once at home, she found a letter from Peter in her post. She started to read.

Dear Felicia,

I am pleased you are enjoying Gotham. It must be so different to New York. It is great to see that you have a job and your boss is pleasant. Don't worry about that weird lady - you get weird people everywhere. You and me both should know that. I wish you success and don't do anything naughty. You hear? (Winks). Do something good and good things will come to you.

Love from Peter

P.S: Write back.

Felicia laughed at the P.S at the bottom. She began to write back straight away.

Dear Peter,

The weird lady seems okay for now. She is really helping Mr Riley with his problems and everything seems to be going fine in Gotham. Which villain have you encountered now? You know me I am always good. (Winks back).

Love from Felicia.

P.S: You write back too you hear?

Felicia knew it was short but decided to keep it simple and sweet. She sealed the letter in an envelope and posted it in the letterbox. It was a short night - she had her dinner and went to bed due to exhaustion.


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Thursday night had come and Felicia wore a long black dress equipped with a emerald necklace around her neck. She noticed clowns, jesters, ballerinas, mimes and trapeze artists crowding around the theme park putting up a massive tent. Mr Riley was talking to the ring master, a middle-aged grey-haired young man who looked fit and healthy. He seemed friendly but looked a bit upset. Felicia edged nearer to hear what they were saying.

"Yes Tina is sick. I am not sure who can perform gymnastics."

Felicia remembered Peter's words about doing something good and walked over to them.

"I have had practice of gymnastics. I could give it a go."

Mr Riley laughed but not in a rude way. "Are you sure Felicia? Well okay then. Give it a go. I know that a lot of people do enjoy seeing not just clowns perform."

"I will try and bring something different that's for sure." Felicia smiled.

The Ringmaster nodded and led Felicia to a variety of costumes and she chose a pink sparkly leotard with sparkly pumps. Pink was not really her colour but there was not much choice since a lot of people had chosen their costumes already. Once dressed, Felicia went out to join the others when she felt a tap on the shoulder.

"You look great Felicia." Harleen winked at her. "Mr Riley tells me you are going to do some gymnastics. You know, I am not bad either. You go girl."

Felicia grinned and thanked her. "I will do my best." Once she left Harleen, she did not hear Harleen mutter

"Betcha you will not be as good as me."

Once the tent was properly up, floods of people came in as tickets were cheap and they wanted to see the different acts. The animals were in cages and being wheeled into the tent. The tent was lit using fairy lights and the audience took their seats. Harleen took her seat next to Mr Riley on his right and Harriet on his left.

"Is Felicia going to be in it?" Harriet asked her dad.

"Yes." Mr Riley gave his daughter a hug. "Yes she is."

"She is like an angel." Harriet told her dad. They both did not notice Harleen smirking evily as they turned their attention to the ring master who started the show.

"Ladies and gentlemen." He projected his voice loud and clear to the cheering audience. "Tonight we have glorious acts waiting to perform to the best of their ability. Let's hear it for our first act - the ballerinas. Fourteen girls lept onto the stage in their ballerina outfits and danced to soothing music. This allowed the audience to calm down and listen. Next was the clowns which got Harleen into giggles when one of them kept falling over. She did not look as happy to see a jester which wore a similar outfit to her Harlequin suit.

"Copycat." She muttered folding her arms.

Next was the animals which got a lot of children cheering and waving. However when the lion growled, there were a lot of crying kids who cuddled up to their parents and left Mr Riley worried a little. That worry ceased as the ringmaster came into the middle of the stage to introduce Felicia.

"And now for something different. MISS FELICIA HARDY.

Felicia Hardy came out onto the stage and gave a wave to the audience who cheered. She used props to steady herself in her performance to ensure correct balance, agility and endurance. She walked down a thin wire with ease and did a couple of somersaults. Harleen started to raise one of her eyebrows a little when watching her. She was good. Too good. It was her poise and elegance which shook Harleen. Felicia ended her performance doing the splits, got up and took a bow from the cheers and claps.

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"Brilliant Felicia. I am so proud of you." Mr Riley complimented Felicia who blushed a little. "Who knew I had a little gem in the works? How did you learn to do all that? You were fantastic. Harriet adored you and so did the audience."

"Thank you Mr Riley."

"Jeff."

"Jeff." Felicia addressed his first name smiling. "Thank you."

Harleen stepped up and shook Felicia's hand. "Yes. You were amazing Felicia. Who knew? Maybe me and you should hit the town one night?"

"I will take you up on that." Felicia joked with her and Harleen could not help but genuinely smile at Felicia's sweet laugh.

Once the circus crew had packed up, news reporters surrounded Mr Riley to ask him about the park and whether or not he would do this again.

"Yes of course. Life could not be any better. I will think of some new ideas to make this park amazing. I mean look who I have working with me" he said pointing to Felicia who felt her confidence grow.

"Good to hear. Well there you have it folks. Come to Gotham Amusement Park for some fun and laughs."

Harleen wondered what her puddin would be like if he watched that. It made her not want to go home to him tonight. She got on well with Felicia but thought about whether or not she would threaten their plans and be a problem. With acrobatic skills like that she would find her hard to take her on in a fight. Who was she kidding? She was the Clown Princess of Crime - Harley Quinn. Who could top her? Watching Felicia blow out kisses, she knew that she would have to work on adjusting plans and speaking to her boss.