[Well, if Alois wants to stare, he's more than free to. Joker is used to it- the stares of an audience, the stares of the police, the stares of passerbys thinking that a ragged little group of half-starved misfits on a street corner had to deserve their lot in life. His mask has been through the ringer, and it's in place now, perfectly relaxed as he eases back with a hum.]

[The music and noise nearly drowns out Alois' voice, and Joker has to strain to hear him. Faintly, feathers brush along the boy's back.]

Probably ain't as bad as ya think. Most folks don't got the energy ta stick ta nasty things all the time. S'borin', more likely.