United Heroes MUSH - User contributions [en]

316/The morning after

2017-08-03T16:52:20Z

Alamias:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/07
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=After a soulgaze and passing out on the couch, Karrin and Harry wake the next morning to awkwardness
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Sleep wasn't really an easy thing for either of them. Even with the charms, they both had their own monster completely free of whatever mess Harry's godmother had been slipping into their dreams. But tucked into a safe place, near someone who was warm, familiar, and smelled strangely like home, Karrin had the best night of sleep she'd managed in ages. Even if she wasn't really made to be sleeping on a couch any more, and her back would be complaining tomorrow. It was worth it. Still half asleep, she instinctively curls in a bit closer against his neck, where she's drapped half across him still. Somewhere in the night, they'd both gone vertical, he stretched out haphazardly on the couch and she curled in against his side. A still mostly asleep smile crosses her lips, head burying in against his shoulder, away from the dim light that basement window allows to spill in the room. She gives a little sound of a grow as a lawn mower starts up somewhere over their heads, protesting in hopes it will shut off, but it won't considering it's not actually a lawn mower but the purr of Mister, who has made his way back and is perched above them on the couch, tail swishing against both their heads. Someone is hungry and only being semi-subtle about it. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The couch wasn't meant to sleep on, this is true. Even less so for someone six foot nine...and then to add a second person to the mix, even if she is five foot nothing? It's a miracle they stayed on the couch at all. The swish, swish, swish of Mister's tail on his head makes Harry bat at the cat while he is still half-asleep. A low mumble escapes his lips, "Go away." but it is promptly replied to with a meow and a bat with a paw. Harry bats at the cat again, and tries to snuggle in closer to Murphy with an audible grumble. "I don't want to get up, Murph." says Harry quietly, an arm instinctively pulling her in a bit closer. "If I get up this ends, and I am not sure I am ready to let it...whatever this is, anyway. I don't want to read anything into it that isn't there." He half opens his eyes, and then closes them again to block his eyes from the light. "I could spend the day just laying here." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There was no denying something had changed. Harry had told her *everything*. Karrin felt like she'd seen every corner of his soul. Hell, she even spilled a few things herself. The divorce. Her family. Her damn sister. They fell asleep like this and they knew damned well what they were doing when they did it. But there was still that line drawn -- falling asleep on the couch, not moving to the bed. Pretending that they just passed out like this, that it probably meant nothing... A amall moan of protest escapes her throat, but she doesn't scramble and pull away like that first morning in her bed. She presses closer as his arm pulled her tighter. It felt *good*. This... was going to be a problem. But for the moment, Karrin enjoyed it. The faint sound of his heart against her ear, the gentle motion of his breath, his lanky arm around her compact frame. She lets her leg settle between his. "...if I open my eyes... I'm gonna have to move and we're gonna have to go back to pretending this... didn't happen... and I don't really think I want to do that either." Karrin mutters half asleep against his throat. Only to be thwacked in the head by Mister's tail again. "...Dammit, Mister." She half growls. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "We can just stay here..." says the wizard, "Keep our eyes closed for as long as possible, but sooner or later we are going to have to face the day." Harry sighs softly, slipping his other arm around her to clasps his hands at the small of her back, "If I don't feed him eventually, he will resort to laying his 30 pounds right on my bladder. I wish I could get Bob to feed him." "Like I would...i'm still under the table. You left me here, Harry! After all I've done.." "Shut up, Bob." Harry cracks his eyes half open again, "Do we have to pretend this didn't happen Karrin? It's not like we ended up...you know." "Not for my lack of trying!" the skull quips, but Harry ignores. "All we did was end up falling asleep, human contact. Nothing we have to feel guilty about." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...probably best nothing happened. I don't think I could move in here, Harry. I'd murder your roommates." Karrin rasps out, though good naturedly, especially as she listens to that thrumming purr above them. While they're complaining about Mister, her one hand does reach up, between her nose and his chin, so she can get to the heavily furred gray side of the big gray cat and bury her fingertips into a soothing, tender scratch. She liked the beast, for all the complaints. And it was a momentary distraction from actually deciding what to do about the situation between them. "...Nothing too feel guilty, if... if I remember this happened... I might want to do it again. That's... a dangerous road to walk." Karrin finally admits. She still hasn't budged from his side, though, her hips fitting nicely against his side, leg over his hips, calf between his thighs. She'd managed to find just the way to tuck herself against him over the night as he sprawled over the too-small couch. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Woah, woah, woah...slow down Tex. Nobody said anything about moving in." Harry says with a chuckle, shaking his head ever so slightly. "I mean, I have my bachelor pad just how I like it, and you would come in with your doilies and pink ruffles..." His mouth breaks out into a grin, shifting slightly to be able to look down at her face, "Just be glad I don't have a dog. I mean, Mister takes up enough room as it is." He is quiet for a moment, thinking about what Karrin has said, an almost imperceptible turn of his lips from jovial to disappointment before they settle on neutral. "If. If you remember. What are you saying, Karrin? Are you asking me to remove you memories? I can't do that, it is a violation against the laws of magic. But I am sure I can find someone not bound my the laws if that is what you really want." He sighs, releasing one of his hands from her back and lifting it to run his fingers through his hair. "They may even be able to remove the memories of the soul gaze from you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Shit, Harry..." The moment she hears that disappointment in his voice, and he's actually talking about removing memories, Karrin picks up her head enough she can look down into his eyes. Her hand comes back to rest against his chest, but she's not pulling away. She just looks at him. "I didn't mean it like that. Damn... I was teasing. Mostly. I... remember. I want to remember. I... I wouldn't trade last night for the world and it means... Everything that you trust me like that." Karrin is about to say more, studying his eyes now with the freedom they never had before, but something in her still stops. There is still fear. Not of him, but of opening herself up more. Of hoping too much. Diving in too deeply. Her hand presses a bit tighter into his chest. "I... I'm certainly not moving in. No... but I'm not going anywhere either." She breathes out, softer than before. Almost a promise. Then she tiredly glares at Mister over his head, "...hey, Mister. Can you, like... give us thirty more minutes? As a favor?" And like the cat actually understands, he thumps down off the couch and strides confidently away into the other room, leaving them in blessed silence once more. Karrin blinks, "I...didn't think that'd work." But she's not complaining. She then sinks herself back down against him, finding that nestled spot once more. A slow smile creeps across her face. "...30 more minutes. Then we'll worry about it." She breathes out against his neck. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "It's not like I would blame you, Murph. Shit got real last night. It's enough to make most people think they are loosing their grip on sanity, so who could blame you if you just wanted to go back to blissful ignorance?" Harry says softly as he finds her eyes with his, "But I'm glad. It's nice to be able to talk to you about it all. To look you in the eyes and actually talk to you. I think it might kill me if I had to try and take it all back." Harry just stares into her eyes for a quiet moment, his head moving a minute distance towards hers, but stopping himself just before she lowers her head back down. Once her head lowers, he lets out a little sigh of relief? Regret? "Right." he says, clearing his throat as she nestles back down against him, "Thirty minutes. Because in thirty minutes, this will be even easier to deal with." 
}}

1618/Analysis 101

2017-08-03T16:51:14Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/24 |Location=Harry's office |Synopsis=Goblin-girl drops by Harry's office with a sample of blood, trying to get some answers. |Cast of Char..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/24
|Location=Harry's office
|Synopsis=Goblin-girl drops by Harry's office with a sample of blood, trying to get some answers.
|Cast of Characters=36, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah is not sure what constitutes usual for the only wizard listed in the phone book, but since she is here professionally she arrives in front of the office in full get-up. That is, dressed like a female version of the Green Goblin...in green scale-patterned padded tights and a goblin mask with purple long vest, boots, gloves and hat. With bandoleers and belt worn over the vest...and riding on a tricked out bike with a florescent green bat-like pattern over a purple undercoat. The Liscence plate reads "Goblin", though it is safe bet thar it is not legally applied for. Sarah has found out what she can...which is a fair amount, but knows she needs an expert on the rest. Fred has not bee able to be reached, so she goes with her best available choice. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' In his office, Harry is busy at his desk going over some notes in relation to a case he has been working on. There is a map spread out over the desktop and Harry is hovering a hand over it, a crystal dangling from a string held between the fingers of his hand. Systematically he moves his hand slowly over the map, in a grid-like search pattern until he curses loudly and tosses the crystal/string across the room. It's only then that he notices the scene outside of his office, his eyes narrowing slightly as he reaches a hand out to the side, uttering a word under his breath to bring his staff to his hand and he waits...hand double checking his coat pocket for his .44. 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl enters the building and goes to the office door. She knocks before opening the door and entering. She pauses before she opens the door and activates the Auric Scanner. She can not read spells or tell the difference between supernatural types at a glance with it, but she can certainly tell a normal person from a Witch...or from a Vampire. That assumes the tech is working right...it should spot any wards and the like, though beyond that it is anyone's guess. She divided the sample she got into three. One she analyzed herself, one she promised to give to Nightwing, if she can track him or his sidekick down. The third she has in a shielded container. That one she intends to show to Dresden. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' If the tech works right, which given the proximity of a Wizard like Harry who is known for causing tech things to no longer work, then it might be able to read that the place is warded very, very heavily. Harry watches the girl dressed as a goblin enter, and eyes her warily. Obviously not a 'real' goblin, Harry has seen quite enough of those for his lifetime, he huhs to himself. "Can I help you?" he asks, planting his staff onto the ground next to him with a soft thump. "The Bat didn't send you, did he? Because if he did, the answers are still the same and I would hate to have to char that outfit of yours." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' The Auric scanner and voice distorter stop working as she draws close to Harry. She had discovered in her research before she came to him that he does something to most advanced technology, so she is expecting it. She says, "Those who know of me, in this guise, call me Goblin-girl. I am occasionally known to perform free-lance investigations. I was recently involved in an altercation in the park with a number of teenagers who injected themselves with something and then transformed into creatures of demonic aspect. I managed to stop one from injecting herself and recovered a sample, though not the whole ampule as that unfortunately broke when it was dropped. I have managed to determine the primary component if blood, but the sample has a paranormal signature as well. I was hoping you might be capable of determining what I could not." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden eyes the 'Goblin-girl' for a moment, as if taking a measure of the costumed person before he sighs and sets the staff aside to lean against his desk. "What kind of demons, do you know? Have a description?" He walks around the desk and heads towards her, stopping a pace or two away. "I'll take a look, but it might not be a quick look and answer session. I may have to run some tests, consult some books..." and Bob... "before I am able to provide you with any answers. Do you have a way I can contact you to get you the results of my research, or were you just going to drop back by and scare my customers away?" Harry smirks at that last bit, a bit of good natured humor in his voice. "Am I to also assume that I am going to do this pro-bono?" 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl says, "First they went through a kind of chrysalis, covered with a black rocky substance then they burst forth with Red eyes and Black claws. The males were thicker, more muscular. The female was thin, with whipcorded muscle. Sensual And very fast on the reflexes." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' "When Detective Montoya shot the one who gave out the ampules, he seemed to unravel leaving behind nothing but some strands of thread and a piece of paper with writing on it...both of which burst into flames," adds Goblin-girl. She notes, "The only thing I know that comes part that way is a Hollow Man, though from my research they typically have a colony of spider-like creatures inside not a scroll of animation...animation scrolls are more for one of the types of golem." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As you mention Renee, Harry perks up a bit and lets out a little grunt. "Oh, you should have told me you know Renee. She is my partner's partner. If she is working on this I wonder..." Harry trails off into his own thoughts for a moment, reaching up to rub at his chin with hid fingers before he looks back to her, "This may be related to the murders I was helping Renee with. Demonic creatures and blood share similar patters to the ritualistic killings we had been looking at. God, if this is related." Harry shudders. "Hell's bells, this is starting to remind me way to much like The Shadow Man, Victor Sells. But I know it can't be him, I watched him die. Where is this sample?" 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-Girl pulls out a small case. The outside is iron, Harry can tell it probably Metoeric "cold iron". The box has several layers including one made of lead, one of silver, and the center layer which is made of silk. Inside is the sample in a small glass vial. Clearly someone is trying to prevent magical contamination of the sample. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden arches a brow as he watches her open the case, layer by layer, and gives a nod of respect, "Someone knows a little something about the supernatural? I guess it comes with being a self-proclaimed goblin, though." He grins, and reaches a hand out to the vial, spreading his fingers out and closing his eyes for a moment to test the vial for anything residual before he make a move to pick it up. Never can be to careful of goblins bearing gifts. "Was Karrin with you when this happened?" he asks, a hint of worry in his voice. 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl frowns behind her mask, though it is probably impossible to tell, "There was Nightwing, a young man I have met before who calls himself "Demon" who is an excellent martial artist, and someone with a Gun who was not apparently police, but was a woman, and myself and Miss Montoya. Unless the other woman was named Karrin, I doubt she was present...I did not get her name." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden shakes his head, "Karrin is a cop, Renee's partner." Not sensing any residual magics on the vial, he reaches a hand out to take it from the box. "I should have answers for you in a couple of days. You never did mention how I was to go about getting them to you. I'll hit Renee up for my usual consultants fee." He grins, "I'm sure she will just /love/ that." He looks back to the Goblin-girl, "Do you have much experience in dealing with the supernatural? If this is what I think it is, we are going to need all the help we can get. If this has any relation to the other case I am working on with Renee, then it's big." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl shrugs, "Not as much as some of my friends do. I now a witch and a couple of vampires. I fought a vampire, a Tupaliq and a few zombies. I have been working on a database of the paranormal. A cousin of mine is currently a werewolf, and he used to run with a Vampire Slayer. I live in Sunnydale, you get used to these things." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry's brow arches as she talks. "Vampires and werewolves? Vampire slayer? Huh. I ran into a couple of folks at the Magic Box once, pair of witches. They were from there if I recall correctly. Asked me a bunch of questions about vampires." He shakes his head, trying to remember. "Willow something or other and...Tara was it? Anyway, seemed to think I was some sort of rock star. It was amusing, except for the part where they said their mentor friend said I didn't exist because no-one like me would advertise." He smirks, "Guess the joke is on him...or her." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah's lips quirk behind her mask, "Word of mouth only goes so far when it comes time to pay bills. If the are talking about who I think they are, it is a him. I know Tara distantly and Willow a bit better. Speaking of paying bills, I know you will be charging Renee, but I am an expert at mechanical stuff. If you happen to need something repaired, I can pay you in kind that way...I am afraid I am not really rich but I do have some money." Not really enough for what she owns, if she did not make it herself. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden chuckles, "The only thing I own that is mechanical is my car, and I have a mechanic for that. I appreciate the offer though. Renee is necessary so I can get my own bills paid." Harry takes the vial of blood over to his desk and sets it down on top, next to a bleached human skull. "I'll get some tests run on this tonight, and will hopefully have some answers for you tomorrow. I'll send a report to Renee as well." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-Girl replies, "I will be busy tomorrow, but may try to stop by on Wednesday. I note you carry a pistol, that is mechanical as well, you also have a lock on your door. Still, if you do not think I can help, I should pay you for your time. At the standard rate iof I can afford it. I prefer not to owe debts." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden glances to his pocket where the gun is kept and then back to Goblin-girl. "Good eye. But the forty-four is a revolver, so doesn't tend to need much more than general maintenance. Odds are I will loose it before I need to get it repaired for anything anyway, the rate my luck goes with keeping a pistol around." He smirks, "Nah, don't worry about it. I'm not about to double charge for my time...even though the extra cash would be nice. It ain't my style. My consultants fee will be fine, Ms. Goblin. I'll see you on Wednesday then." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah sighs, but does not argue. She will consider herself as owing Dresden a favor though, even if he does not. She could give him the number of her prepaid cell phone, but is not sure the connection would work if he was calling. It is probably better to return in person as stated. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden nods when she doesn't say anything else. "Alright. Wednesday it is then." He smiles, rubbing at the back of his neck, "Now, if you will excuse me, it seems I have some work I need to start doing that will require me to be in the lab, so I need to lock up. If you were done, that is?" 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl rises and offers her hand. She will shake Harry's carefully...not wanting to break it...and then leave. She will kick-start her motorcycle and ride off into the gathering gloom. 
}}

1415/Can't Be Unseen...

2017-08-03T16:49:58Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/11 |Location=Harry's office |Synopsis=After witnessing the horrors of a crime scene with his 'sight', Harry tries to recover. |Cast of Char..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/11
|Location=Harry's office
|Synopsis=After witnessing the horrors of a crime scene with his 'sight', Harry tries to recover.
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The trip back to Harry's office is uneventful, if you call a couple of dry heaves into a plastic bag uneventful. Harry tries to hide it, but there is a slight trembling in his arms as he holds the bag close to him. He remains quiet, not talking about what he saw as he looks out the window of the Beetle, letting Karrin drive the beat up old VW. Once they reach the office, Harry makes a straight line towards the little icebox he keeps by his desk and pulls out a Coke, popping the top of it and taking a small sip before he flops down into his chair and lets out a deep sigh as he reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose with his fingers. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As always, when shit is really hitting the fan, Karrin has it together. No sign of her shaking hands or haunted eyes. Cool, calm driving, pausing with her hand on the gear shift to rest it on his leg in the few times she can, then back to driving. A quiet, reassuring presence of support. "It happens to everyone..." She murmurs to him gently, no judgment behind her voice. It really does happen to everyone. Once in the office, she lets him do what he needs. Coke, breathing, making peace with his space and using the familiarity as a touch stone. SHe doesn't push him for a report or to ask more of what he's seen. It will come in time. So, insteadn, she gently comes up behind him and rests her small, strong hands on his shoulders. A quiet roll of her fingertips, digging into too taunt muscles. "Sure you don't want some ginger ale instead? First two years on the force, I always carried in the car..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The muscles in Harry's shoulders are like cables. Constricted like someone is constantly sending a surge of electricity though them without giving them the ability to retract. The pressure of her fingers into his flesh causes a slight wince of pain on the face of the wizard, but he leans back into the kneading fingertips. "No, Coke is fine." he finally says, almost a minute after the question has been asked, and he only seems to answer in afterthought. He lifts the can to his lips again and takes a sip, a little larger one than before, but he certainly isn't guzzling it down like he usually does. Finally he breaks his silence, "It was bad, Karrin. Probably the worst thing I have seen." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman is silent for a few heartbeats and then, finally, just leans over to kiss the top of his head. She cannot do this much, considering how tall he is, but right now she buries her nose and a soft kiss into his hair. "...I love you. Remember that." She whispers, almost scared to say it too loud so that the powers of the universe will continue this ridiculous damnation of their relationship. They haven't had one easy night since this started. She keeps massaging those fingertips into his shoulders again, a bit deeper, pushing as deep as muscle will gently allow without fully hurting him. "If you want to talk it out, talk it out. If not... we can talk about something else. It doesn't have to be right now." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The words cause Harry to smile, even if it is only for the briefest of moments. "I love you too." he says, reaching a hand up to cover one of hers, laying it gently over the kneading fingers and giving it a squeeze. He takes another sip of the coke, and sets the can down onto the desk. "It was ugly, Karrin. For as bad as it looked normally, though the sight it was worse. So much worse." He takes a deep breath, as the memory of the room floods back into his mind. "The walls...they were waterfalls of blood. Just pouring down, and alive. The dark energy in that place was so think you could cut it with a knife. It was like someone stacked a couple hundred pound plates on my chest. Pain. Deperation...and these maggot things writhing in the blood." He shudders, his body trembling under her fingertips as he recalls the memory again, "The body...was filled with nails. The limbs were attached to the body with leather stitches, like the ones on the mouth, and they formed some strange sick web. The mouth on the...head. It was bulging, like the girl was trying to spit something out, or swallow it..but could do neither. And there was the shape. The shadow. It was a void...like something should have been there, but not. Like someone took an eraser or marker and blacked out what or who should have been there." He reaches up with his hand and wipes some spittle from the corner of his mouth. "I can't ever unsee this, Karrin. I have to live with this in my head....forever." He turns his head to try and look up at her, "And you. You were covered in wounds and had a nail in your head as well. I think that is they psychic trauma. God, I hope that is what it is, because then at least you might be able to recover." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As he begins to tell the story, Karrin leans forwards and, instead of massaging his shoulders, she wraps her arms around his chest and just holds him tightly against her. It's the best she can do, embracing him, wrapping him in her protective, strong warmth. Surrounding him with her scent. Whatever she can do to center the man in front of her and rmeind him of the good things as he's stuck with this fresh scar on his soul. She turns her head again, a few more kisses burying into his hair. He's not there any more. He's safe. He's loved. "Fuck, Harry... we shouldn't have asked you to do that. Don't. Not... not again. There are other ways, traditional forensics. Not scarring your... soul. I'll write it down for Montoya and, even if it never goes away, you never have to think about it again." It was a lie, because they were still on the case. He'd have to go back there, no doubt. But hopefully not tonight. She rubs her fingertips up and down his chest, trying to find something more to say. But then he comments about her and she stiffens against him, just a bit. Not what she wanted to here. "... I've taken my hits before. It'll be... fine." She murmurs flatly. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry shakes his head. "Nobody asked me to do that, Karrin. I did it of my own volition. It's what I do, remember? It's why you called me to cases like that, so I can gather the information you can't." He takes a deep breath, "Traditional forensics aren't going to be of any use when it is something like this, and we both know it. It might help identify a perp, but it won't be able to prepare you for what the perp might be ready to do. At least now we know that it was binding of some sort, and one with a human sacrifice. It was something nasty, and knowing that is at least going let us try and prepare a way to stop whatever it is, when we can figure out what it is." He manages a brief smile. "I know, you are just trying to look out for me. Like I try to look out for you...but remember how mad you got when I would try to 'save you' from the things you didn't know? You can't save me, Karrin. I already know too much. As for you, I know you have. And I know you will. It just reaffirms to me you need to take it easy, as much as you don't want too." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Those words are enough to make her grunt a little disapprovingly, but she cannot disagree. He is RIGHT. Karrin just doesn't like it. She squeezes his arms and chest once more before gently letting go enough she can come around to his front and perch herself on the edge of his desk, looking down to him from her slightly higher perch. Well, to be fair, that probably means she's looking eye to eye with him. Tall bastard. She looks gaunt, despite having put the weight back on. Maybe it's just the reflection of what he saw in his mind's eyes. "Fine... but I'm not letting you do this alone. Renee said to bring me along and I can handle it. I... I don't want to take it easy. It makes it worse. Just sitting there, alone, waiting for something to... crack. I don't know. Hell, half the reason I came here instead of going home was because if I stayed alone all day, I'd be driving back to Arkham to ask them for another dose. ANd I know that's... bad. I know I shouldn't, no matter how much it feels like I need it. But... I need to keep myself busy. Distracted." As she talks about needing it, that slight tremble comes back to her hands. Addicted. Maybe that was that nail... Addiction. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Now it is his turn to reach out and take her hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. "Good. I don't want to do this alone. I never /wanted/ to do it alone, Murph. Back when I didn't tell you things it wasn't because I didn't want to tell you. I never wanted to Lone Ranger it, but I needed to keep you safe." He sighs, "We already had this conversation. Long and short of it is, I never wanted to do it alone. I'm not a hero." He gives her hands another squeeze, nodding. "Then we will keep you busy. If not with work, well...I can think of other ways to occupy our time." He manages a playful wink, half-hearted as it is given the day they have had. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' They have had this conversation and, from the look in Karrin's eyes, she's done hearing it. She looks down at him, about to protest, to say something, when he offers something she'd much rather hear. For a heartbeat or two, she pauses, giving him that look that says she's deciding between slugging him or jumping him. How much trouble has his mouth gotten him into this time? Finally, one blonde brow slowly arches and a slow, somewhat hungry looking smile crosses her lips. Then, somewhat abruptly, Karrin Murphy is not wearing a shirt. Sitting there in just her jeans and black lace bra, her expression is now all sensual challenge. "Mm... other ways? I'm open to suggestions. See how inventive you can be..." But it doesn't take her long before she's leaning over him, kissing with the hungry sort of fire of a woman who is in love, is glad to be alive, and desperate for something that feels good. It's almost too passionate, too strong, pinning him back against his chair. Before too long, his desk is going to be cleared off one way or another. Hopefully one of them remembers to lock the door. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The abruptness of the removal of her shirt causes Harry to blink once in a bit of surprise, but once the initial shock is over Harry's mouth curls up at the edges into a smile. "Oh, Murph...me? Inventive? Do you know how long I have thought about this?" he says as he reaches his arms up to pull her into his lap, hands moving quickly to her back as he fumbles slightly at the clasp of her bra and removing it. "Long enough that I have plenty of ideas on how to keep you occupied." He leans in to kiss her deeply, his lips pressing hard into hers as he removes restrictive clothing, shrugging out of his coat. Lock the door? It's just a good thing Harry doesn't get much business because that is the last thing in his mind. 
}}

1302/The straightforward approach

2017-08-03T16:47:11Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/09 |Location=Outside Harry's apartment |Synopsis=Batman confronts Harry about the Denarians and their coin. |Cast of Characters=104, 174 |p..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/09
|Location=Outside Harry's apartment
|Synopsis=Batman confronts Harry about the Denarians and their coin.
|Cast of Characters=104, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden wasn't a hard man to track down, no his name was in the phone book.. Even the yellow pages. No that wasn't the difficult part, that was planning how he was going to do this for he knew it would not be an easy fight. He had made plans for Zatanna before he had to, just incase the worst ever happened, but this one was different. Batman knew magic was real, there were far stranger things then magic in the world now, and he had one of his own though not currently in his possession. He had watched him work following him in the shadows not wanting to be seen, but far away to hopefully not get detected. He watched the danger appear, and him take care of it, though sometimes through a drone, far above in the clouds, well second one as the first had gotten too close during one of his bouts, vearing off into the distance though Batman had noted this as... interesting. So the night much like any other, this is the night Batman had the plan. He watched him leaving his house in the car, going well Batman expected it was the store.. This was that time of night for that forgotten item. Though when he gets too far the car would break down. Someone had gotten to it at some point and stuffed the exaust, as it builds up and what in there does not get out, and has to go somewhere. This is when Batman approaches, though still hidden, only approaching in the dark waiting for his chance to strike.. He hoped this worked or this would be the most embarassing ambush ever. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' When the Blue Beetle starts to sputter and fill with the blackish exhaust smoke, Harry rolls down the window and leans his head out so he can see the road as he makes maneuvers to pull the car to the side of the road. "Not again. I just had you fixed. Mercy is going to make so much money off of me...but I can't pay her if you don't get me to the places I need to be!" he mutters to the car. Once the car is pulled over, the engine is shut off and Harry emerges from the car. Dressed in his long duster, a black t-shirt that reads 'Prefectionist' and a pair of dark blue jeans, the wizard reaches into the back seat and draws out his staff before shutting the door before taking a look around to find out where he is. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Batman frowns, he remembered the staff after all. It was not often he left it, but he had hoped that he would leave it in the car. As he moves to get out, Batarangs fly out of the shadows, though they are not aimed for him... All around him they land, as standing as if emerging from the shadows themselves comes Batman. You can see him, and he wants you to seem him, as he holds another.. "You will tell me about that coin." is all he says as he looks at you. He is close at maybe ten feet away glaring at you with that same brooding though angry look. After he speaks he backs up slightly again, and in normal vision it becomes a bit harder to see him, he seems to melt into the shadows using his cloak to mess with how wide he was, or if he was in the middle of the shape or the the right or left of it. His blue eyes still are easly visable if someone were to look into them they are there. He doesn't ask again, or say anything else waiting for Dresden to make that choice... quickly. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Hell's bells!" the wizard exclaims as the batarangs sink and clatter to the ground around him. By instinct, Harry shakes out the shield bracelet from his left hand and shoves an effort of will into it, causing a semi-transparent half-dome of energy to form between him and the Bat. "I told you already, it's something for the church to handle. Not some guy dressed up in his long johns!" Harry curls his lips into a snarl. "I don't care what your ego says, Batman, messing around with one of the blackened denarius coins is bad. It is in the church, vaulted just where it should be. It's not a toy. I would be more worried about the up to 29 others that could be out there, not the one already locked away. Even Michael wouldn't tell me how many the church have in their possession at this time." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden is nothing if not stubborn. As soon as the gas starts to flow out of the batarangs, the wizard shoves his staff in front of him and shouts "Ventas Servitas!". A rush of wind comes from behind the wizard, causing his duster to bellow and pushing the gas away from him and towards here the Bat stands. "I've already told you, you numbskull! They are the 30 coins of Judas Iscariot. The betrayer. Each one is the vessel for a fallen angel! You touch it, the angel touches you, you turn into a monster. There isn't any more to say!" 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Batman doesn't speak or interupt until Harry finishes, he watches him, and almost starts it on the bracelet. When you are done he says.. "That wasn't my question." though that is all. He didn't care about who Dresden believed was supposed to have it. He mearly pushes a button, as gas starts to come out of the Baterangs from earlier, thankfully it was shielded for EMPs, and other such intererince so that it would go off after all. He stood in the shadow, "Tell me.. about the coins." this man had already stollen it back one, and he had taken it back again. He wanted to know the truth about it, as he had carbon dated it, and there was something about it old, though bad.. If Dresden had fooled everyone collecting evil artifacts of power then it had to be found out. Truthfully Batman didn't like doing this, but he was a magic user and they had to be shut down quickly, if he was a threat Batman would stop him before he fooled people long enough to complete his plan. The gas itself was a slightly modified Joker serum, though not as fatal the laughing had been shown to interupt chanting, or focusing on one thing too long. The effects would not stay, even in someone like Dresden the effects would be temporay at best. Finally the last thing is Batmans figure would wobble infront of you. Not because anything happening to you, but you can immeditly tell the substance is flamable. How good or bad that might be for whoever is inside of the cloud though... It wouldn't be good. (NOTE:Re-Post, put it above last Harry Dresden pose) 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' As the winds blow out, Batman himself is pulled aside on a black cable he just watches Harry directly, he had hoped enough time had passed before he pushes another button. The expression on his face does not change as he is quickly moving around, and slightly over your wind as it is more a mechanical pull then a wind one. From his hands come two more Batarangs built to cut through wind, they again though are ment to push you back aiming for feet, or knees. Each hit would be the classic example of how to take down, but not kill. He knew that trenchcoat could handle a beating, he doubted his Batarangs could cut through so he aimed at the lower parts, under it for now. "Where are they!" he says as he is coming in now. That cable pulling him about quickly, though able to change mid-direction with a cable black as the night to hide where he was going to go next. He had prepared, and that was only the first of this tricks, as the gas was still going.. thankfully the wind is keeping it away, though... that isn't the way he is coming in. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The wind dies down just as quickly as it rose, as it was only a gust to push away the gas from Harry, but the wizard continues to stand his ground, doing his best to try and keep track of the Batman, and to keep his shield up between them. "Hell if I know?!" Harry says, the shield managing to block one of the batarangs, but one of them gets past the edge and impacts into his ankle. "DAMNIT!" Harry stumbles back towards the car, his ankle giving out the moment the modified boomerang slams into it, the pain and stumble causing a momentary lack of concentration. His shield falls, stuttering for a moment before collapsing. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Not coming in straight as experience had tought him that they all have that blast, that thing they are holding back. Two-face, some super rocket that has two painted sides, the joker, and his acid spray, they all have one he does not underestimate Harry in thinking he did not have one as well. He approaches, and if he gets close enough he will grab Dresdin by the wrist holding the cain, squeezing so yes it might hurt a little, but it will make the hand leg go of what is inside of it. The other hand on the collar of his shirt. He gets close and says again in a deep voice "Where are they!". He is trying to get close enough you can smell his breath, though it would seems... rather fresh, though the anger is there. Though he doesn't seem, desperate... he doesn't seem compelled to ask, more like he doesn't believe you though that is what Dresdin would pick up. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry snarls as the Batman grabs his wrist, his staff dropping from his hand as the pressure points in his wrist are pressed and the pain involuntarily causes his hand to open. "Let. Go. Of. ME!" cries the wizard as he brings his left hand around to punch at the Dark Knight repeatedly, for all the good that it will do him. Harry isn't a skilled brawler, so the punch is wild, aimed at the Batman's head trying to distract. "I told you.." Harry says, trying to maneuver his right hand so the knuckles of it aim toward the Caped Crusader's direction as best he can. "I. Don't. KNOW!" If he gets his knuckles in what he thinks are aligned with Batman, he lets the charge in the force rings go, sending a bolt of pure, invisible, force toward the Dark Knight. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Batman lifts him a bit as he answers, lifting the man into the air with one arm he peers at him. The first hit doesn't seem to effect him as you can feel the suit, and he pushes you back against the car as the second puch though as Harry pulls out of his grip, is more towards his ribs. He wraps around it more then deflecting it, as enough does get through as he wasn't expecting that. You get him, you feel that you get him as the the armor bends back... Thankfully he was ready for gunfire, and it was spread out through a punch.. Still, it is bad luck for Batman. He goes flying sideways, you would notice him turn the throw into a roll, though he is forced to roll a couple times.To Batman this was a setback.. He knew he got a rib, maybe two.. The bad thing was he was now at a distance again.. He holds up a Baterang, ready to go before he says.. "People who make deals with the people I have heard you do are usually not to be trusted. Though... Not all." he stands straigh, sure it hurts, but anyone watching him would never know. "I believe you don't know where they are at.." and frowns. "I don't believe your church is the best place to hide them." he eyes him.. "No-one can touch them in space?" it is just the first thing that came to mind, but what if next time he launces a satalite.. just add them on. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden pants as he turns to face the Batman, the physical exertion of the conflict taking its toll on the wizard. He doesn't usually get into fisticuffs, so the physicality of the confrontation is wearing him down. "You.." he says between panting breaths, even as brings his left hand up again and wills the shield up again in front of him, this time a full half dome, "Are making assumptions. For one...it's not -my- church. It is THE church, so take it up with the pope. I just know they are bad news, and that they aren't meant to be messed with, and it is the Knights of the Cross who deal with the Denarians." "What deals?! What have you heard?" the wizard asks, curiosity in his voice. He shrugs, "Space. I don't know, maybe? But then again, do I want some alien getting a hold of one of those coins? Could you even fathom what would happen if someone like Superman was corrupted by a freaking fallen angel? Probably make him even more invincible than he already is." 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Batman looks at him for a long moment. "And then you have the molemen below us.." is all he says as such a matter of fact you are not exactly sure if he is just messing with you. There were enough issues in burying it, he nods. "Very well... Come take it.. If you can. I have done many experements, and have not been able to destroy it yet.. Though there are items to kill gods in this world." His attude towards you is still as cold, you might not be sure if he is going to attack again, or not. That is until he puts the batarangs away. As he does so, he drops two cicles items that blow smoke again. This time, it is more of a fog, a smoke cloud surounds him much faster movement then the gas before. He only says... "Use a magnet, to unplug it.." then you might notice a black cable taking him away. It was a draw this time, though Batman could continue, he was not tired, just a small injury to him, he could fight on, but he had got his answer. After that Batman is gone back into those shadows the grappling hook draging him away at great speeds. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Wait...what?!" Harry says as the Batman vanishes. "You have it!?" Harry curses a long sting of words that wouldn't be subtable for young ears. "You idiot!" Harry screams into the night. "Get rid of that thing, or I WILL come and get it! I CAN FIND YOU!" He limps over to pick up his staff, leaning on it as he hobbles back over towards his car. He get to the door and then realizes he forgot it has been disabled. "SON OF A BITCH!". He kicks the car door, tweaking his ankle more and causing another string of curses to fall from his lips. 
}}

822/Rest and Recovery

2017-08-03T16:46:12Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/06/06 |Location=GC Hospital |Synopsis=Harry visits Karrin while she is laid up at the hospital |Cast of Characters=168, 174 |pretty=yes }} {{P..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/06
|Location=GC Hospital
|Synopsis=Harry visits Karrin while she is laid up at the hospital
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's been a few days. Recovery is going well enough. Karrin's now more awake than she's asleep and off the heavy dose pain killers. They're talking gentle PT, though her arm will be in a brace for a good few weeks lest she do more damage to healing muscles. That means that, officially, she's going totally stir crazy. She's sitting up at the moment, working one handed on a small tablet someone brought her. She's looking over a few reports from the PD, her expression all business even through the slight pinch of pain around her eyes. Someone helped her wash her hair, but that's about it, so it's damp in messy almost waves instead of it's normal straight bob. She still looks a little fragile but nothing like the paper and ash she did before. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's a risk going to the hospital given the area Murphy is currently hold up in, but one Harry is willing to take that risk and try the dampening spell one more time. He raps on the door to the hospital room couple of times, softly calling from the hall, "Karrin? You awake and decent?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Awake, yes... Decent, well... You try nothing but sponge baths and George-of-The-Jungle the nurse washing your hair." Karrin deadpans through the door, but she can actually speak loud enough to be HEARD, through a door, and all of her salty humor is back, so that's certainly a good sign. She does, however, kill the power on the tablet and set it aside on the far table, considering she knows who is just about to walk in the room. A tired but honestly relieved smile crosses her features as she looks towards the door. She cannot deny that she's happy to see him. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden peeks his head in, "Did someone say sponge bath?" Harry walks into the hospital room, carrying a simple bouquet of flowers in one hand, which he sets on a table by the door. "If you wanted a rub down with a sponge, all you ever had to do was ask, Murph. Hell's bells, no need to go through all this trouble." He grins, offering over a little wink to the bedridden woman and says is a more caring, less humorous tone, "How are you doing?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...You know, I'm half tempted. You'd have to do a better job than George. But I wonder if you'd be able to, uh...reign yourself in around all these monitors and shirtless Karrin?" The woman teases, her smile all flirtatious, but she didn't say no. She pats her free hand against the side of the bed that is on her good arm, even gently trying to scoot over a bit to make room for him. Screw this sitting on the stiff hospital chair. "I... am... alright. Talk of PT in four weeks. Four. Fucking. Weeks. I'm going to murder someone, Harry." That's the look of someone putting on a brave face, teasing, but flatly terrified. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Wanders over to take the offered seat on the bed, raising his hand to lightly brush the hair away from her face, lowering his head to offer her a gentle peck, just in case drug induced decisions have come back to bite her int he ass already. "Oh, I am pretty sure that would be a no. I am only a man. You know us men folk, breasts are our kryptonite." He nods, "You'll get better, Murph. It will just take some time, but you will make a full recovery. You are too stubborn not to. I know it will seem like forever, but best give it the time to heal than push yourself hard enough to find yourself right back in here." "I took your care into the mechanic today. Place over in Harlem that I was told about. Owner seems nice enough, and she plays on my side of the street. I may have to make the payments off in trade, but it should be done by the time you get out of here." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As he settles on the bed next to her and leans in for the peck, Murphy returns it. Lightly. Not quite so certain or having lost all inhibition of the other night. She listens to his words, but stays close for a few moments, leaning her nose against his cheek. "...So...I wasn't dreaming... the first time you came in here? Wasn't just some... hallucination? I figured not, I saw the note, but... I didn't really know if... all that happened. Maybe we just talked. And... thank you. For the car. I'd say I owe you but... You sorta owed me." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' A small smile forms on his lips, his head moving slightly to rub her nose with his cheek in an affectionate gesture, "No, it wasn't a dream, Karrin. No hallucination." He lifts his head enough to turn and look at her, "I was here, we talked, we kissed...again. And I have no regrets." He leans forward once more and places a kiss to the tip of her nose, "And yes, I did owe you. It was the least I could do. I left your number with Mercy, the mechanic, so if you may hear from her, but I already told her to fix whatever she finds and bill me." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The kiss against her nose makes her wrinkle it in a way that is ALMOST cute. Well, really cute. But don't tell her that. She turns her head enough she can actually lean up to properly kiss his lips, tasting that mostly sober for the first time. It makes her smile. She pulls back enough she can look into his eyes. "...well... Good. I... I don't either. Except that I was drugged to high hell and can barely remember it." She huskily laughs. She then leans a bit more to the side, against him more than the bed, happy to take a few moments to breathe in his warmth, his support. "... Mercy? I'll remember that... and maybe I'll be on my feet faster than you realize. I... got a friend looking into a few things." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry accepts the kiss with a smile before he sits up a little bit more, his hadn't moving to find her good one, "Well, maybe we will just have to recreate the moment when you get out of here, and maybe make another." Harry waggles his brow and offers over a wink. "A friend? Well, I hope he can find something. I wish I could do more, but healing magic is....limited. I may be able to help with the pain once you get out, but mending the body take way more skill than I have." He looks to the clock and sighs, "I can't stay to much longer. The dampening spell I have on isn't going to last more than a few more minutes." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is something behind Karrin's eyes. Something probably only Harry notices because they DO know each other that well. A weird worry, slight guilt, mess of things she's not bringing up. Maybe it's about that 'friend', or maybe she's just conflicted about them. There wasn't time for them to worry about it tonight. So, she puts on her game, reassuring smile and reaches her hand to squeeze his. It's an actual squeeze, this time. Reassuring and firm. "I'm gonna get out of here soon. Few days max. I'm going insane. Then yes, even if I'm all... wrapped up, I think we can make accommodations and... have another moment or two soon. We waited too damn long. Hell... *I* made us wait too damn long..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' If he notices the glance, and he probably does, he lets it slide without comment. There will be time for all of that later when she heals. He returns the squeeze of the hand, "We will take it slow, Murph. There is no rush.. We waited this long, right? What is important is that you get yourself better." Harry rises from the edge of the bed, leaning down to offer one last kiss, soft and gentle. A combination between caring friend and something deeper. "Heal, be well, and I will come by again soon." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Reluctantly, but she knows it needs to happen, Karrin lets him get up. She does lean forward, into that kiss, putting enough heat behind it that there is no question if she's merely being friendly. She's taken this leap and, in their few stolen moments, she's going to enjoy it. But then they pull back, Karrin's monitors more than a touch excited for it all. She's almost blushing. "...Sometimes quick is good too. But... another night. I love you. I'll see you soon. This will all work out. It'll be fine..." Those are the last words she gives him, a bit more pressure behind the statement. Like she is convincing herself as much as she is him. Then there is a last squeeze to his hand and she lets that go too. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "I know." Harry says with a wink, leaving that just sitting there for a while, and then adds after dramatic pause he adds, "I love you too, Karrin. I will see you soon." Something starts to squeal from one of the monitors and he sighs, lifting his hand in a wave as he slips out the door. 
}}

752/What Sarah Said...

2017-08-03T16:44:56Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/06/02 |Location=GC Hospital |Synopsis=Karrin and Harry FINALLY take the next step, but it takes near death to make it happen. |Cast of Charact..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/02
|Location=GC Hospital
|Synopsis=Karrin and Harry FINALLY take the next step, but it takes near death to make it happen.
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While Harry may have actually *gotten* to the hospital hours ago, he wasn't family. He wasn't a partner. On any sort of paper? He was no one in Karrin's life. He probaly wouldn't have even known if it wasn't for Rawlings. Good old, dear Rawlings, who has turned his back to the illegal things Harry and Karrin have done more than once. Rawlings heard and made a single phone call, confirming that the nameless GCPD cop who was shot was, indeed, Karrin Murphy. The phone calls people hate to get when loving a cop. However, he couches it with reassurances that they *think* she'll be alright, but she's in surgery. That was late last night. It's now mid day. Karrin made it out of surgery and several hours in the step down unit before she was stable enough to be transferred to a regular room. That's when they let him in, especially since it was visiting hours. She hasn't woken up yet, but she's breathing on her own, a fit body coming recovering FAR better than someone not nearly so well trained as she was. Even after being shot and collapsing a lung. She still looks like paper, oxygen across her nose, monitors stuck to every surface of her. At least in the normal rooms, the tech is old -- Gotham certainly doesn't have the most well stocked hospital. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry has a thing about hospitals. All the electronics and life saving gizmos make the wizard very, very nervous to be around. He does not want to accidentally kill someone with his Butters patented 'Murphyonic Field'. But, on the other hand, Karrin has been shot, and it wasn't just a flesh wound either. So, what is a wizard to do? A wizard casts a spell, that's what. He's done it once before, when he appeared on Jack Ryder, casting a spell that is supposed to suppress that field around him that makes things short out. It didn't work so well then, but dire times require dire solutions, and damned if he wasn't going to be there for his friend. Harry sits next to the bed in a chair, eyes closed and slowly drawing breath in and out in a somewhat hypnotic rhythm, doing his best to keep as calm and sedate as possible. He has his hand laid over one of Karrin's, a gentle squeeze giving her the gentle pressure of reassurance that someone is there for her. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin is cool to the touch -- not death cold, but cool. Definitely not her normal, warm and ready self. Just as she's been since she was wheeled into this room, since he got here a few hours ago. The single blessing in all of this is that it seems whatever was haunting their dreams hasn't bothered right now. Or she's too drugged to react, who really knows. But her sleep seems peaceful and that's a rarity for them nowadays. Finally, after what probably feels like far too long, she shifts slightly on the bed. Her head instinctively turns towards him, part of her feeling that larger palm across her small hand, part of her just aware of when another presence is near. Call it cop senses. She's not quite awake yet, clawing out of drugs and recovery exhaustion, but her mind is trying. Ashen gray lips give a little, unhappy sound. "...jus'...take the keys... get out... get... Safe." She insists in her lingering half sleep, mind still running in the panic of the scene she left. Still trying to get someone out of danger, even when she was possibly dying. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The shift and sound of her voice pull Dresden out of his trance-like state. His eyes open, bloodshot and red like he hasn't actually slept or from crying...or both. He turns to look at Karrin, his hand squeezing hers with just a bit more pressure, a fortification of lended strength. "Shh...Karrin." he says gently, trying to remain calm least things 'go wrong'. He doesn't know the whole story, but never the less he says in hushed tones, "Everyone is safe. Everyone got out. Just rest." A lie? The truth? The wizard doesn't know himself, but he figures it is what she needs to hear. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That was not the voice she expected to hear. At least, not immediately. It's also a voice that manages to cut straight through the drugs, through the exhaustion and pain to a place she actually listens to him. There are nights she wants him to do nothing but shut up, but this isn't one of those times. Karrin falls quiet again, fingertips slightly twitching, half returning the squeeze of his hand. She trusted that voice. Trusted those words. The momentary spike on the monitors levels out, the panic of half waking up, not totally aware, it fades the moment she hears his tone. "...Harry?" She finally cracks out, forcing eyes half open to look up to him. She does look half confused, still waking up after surgery, even if it's been hours. Drugs are a hell of, well... A drug. But she's looking for his face now, trying to confirm he's actually here. "...how...did...?" Then, as her mind wakes up a bit more, she realizes she has no clue WHY he's here. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Shh.." says Harry, "Don't try to talk." It's probably not going to work, but it's worth a shot. "I'm here. You're going to be fine. Just rest." He speaks low and slow to her. Quietly focusing on those words to give them bit of power to help them cut through the haze of the drugs. The cadence of them slow and methodical, relaxing...probably just as much for him as for her. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...since when do you get to tell me... not to talk..." Karrin's voice, rasping from the tubes earlier, cracks out quietly. She might sound like hell and look even worse, but she's still Karrin Murphy and damned if she's going to take orders from Harry Dresden. A faint smile cracks across her lips a sluggish heartbeat later and she forces her eyes the rest of the way open to actually LOOK at him, fighting the drugs the whole way. But then, she's always been a fighter. It takes a moment, but she does manage to focus, studying his bloodshot eyes and wan expression. Her smile stays, though it casts a touch more sad, something aching in her which isn't stitches or surgical recovery. "...you look like shit." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Since you're the one in the hospital." He arches a brow at her and gives her a stern little look. He smirks when she continues to speak, a small grin forming on his lips. "Pot. Kettle. But at least I don't have any new holes in me. Now shush, i'm trying to concentrate here. You're not making it easy." He pauses with a shake of his head, knowing that she is just going to ignore him anyway and reaches for the glass of ice chips, "Or at least let me get you some ice to suck on. You sound like my aunt mildred, who smoked 50 packs a day and gargled glass." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That familiar, stern look and the following grin are enough to let Karrin know he's not going to break or fall apart seeing her like this, so her eyes flutter shut a second after seeing them, just holding onto that familiar expression without fighting the cobwebs QUITE so hard any more. But she's not asleep. She's just half resting, listening to the cadence of his voice as he goes on about kettles, mildred and a whole bunch of things that don't really matter but feel so much better. A faint laugh escapes her throat, "...sounds like Mildred had a better life plan, health wise, than I do... maybe I should take some advice from her." No, she's definitely not listening to him. She will take the ice chips, though. Karrin tries to move her other hand to grab for the glass, really not wanting to be feeble enough that he has to FEED her ice. That'd just be embarrassing. But the other hand is the one weighted down with a taped IV, pulse ox monitor, and something else she doesn't even know what it is. "shit... I feel like a robot..." She mutters, giving a drowsy glare down to her hand. Seems he's going to either feed her ice or free up her other palm. She tries to accept the ice without feeling totally embarrassed. Even the drugs can't hide the momentary awkwardness over it, though. Karrin Murphy is NOT good at taking help. "...sorry..." She mutters, once she's got a few chips down. She sounds a bit less like sandpaper. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Is it the kind of sexy android type robot from something like Tripping the Rift, or the awkward flailing arms 'Danger Will Robinson' type from Lost in Space?" asks Harry quietly, his voice never raising more than above a whisper just audible over the beep...beep...beep of the machines. "Because if it is the former....hot. I may not be able to control myself." He feeds her the ice chips slowly, shaking his head. "Mildred's life plan was the lottery retirement insurance option. There is a reason she isn't around anymore, so I wouldn't take advice from her. In fact the only thing Mildred had going for her was her charming wit, and since I was already gifted with that, you're just shit out of luck." The sorry draws another little smile as he looks down at her, "For what? Getting shot? Scaring the shit out of me? Causing me enough grief and anxiety that I would never get to talk to you again that I actually have been sitting in a hospital all night, trying my best to not short out your, or anyone else, lifesaving medical equipment? You should be. You owe me one, Murphy." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...I wouldn't... put money on that charming wit thing, Dresden..." Karrin rasps again, after she's got an ice cube or two down. She shakes her head at any more. That was enough. Her body was still getting used to this breathing, talking and being awake thing. Adding ice to it was a bit much. But still, the cracking jokes comes. It's easier than admitting just how scared she was. That he was one of the last things on her mind. That everything still hurts and she's scared she might not go back to work. Might not be herself ever again. She's awake enough those thoughts are running through her mind, monitors showing the weirdly sluggish panic in turn, even if she's not voicing it. Her hand just, somewhat too suddenly, squeezes his palm. Hard. Well, hard as she can. She tries to sound teasing, but her tone is a bit more crackling than she'd like, as she finally responds, "...Y-yeah. All those things. ANd... maybe a few more. 'least they... told you. I told them to call. The woman... I wanted you to know." When I thought I was going to die. Though, that part is unspoken, even if it's implied. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The clench of her hand and the fluctuation of the monitors cause Harry to look up at them with a frown. "Hey, take it easy, Murph. It's ok. Just try and relax. You can make it up to me when you get out of here. You can buy me a beer at Mac's and we will call it even." He looks back to her from the monitor, adding "And if you need me to call a nurse, just nod your head. I promise I won't stick around when you need a new bedpan." He cocks his head slightly, "Woman? Rawlings gave me the heads up that you were brought in here. I don't think he would take to kindly to being called a woman.", Harry says with a chuckle. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "No. No nurse." Karrin states that flatly, with the stubborn tone that says part of her has a mind to try and walk right out of here, she doesn't need a scrap of help, dammit. But she knows it's not true. Her pride is just fighting it all. She takes a moment to breathe in as deep as that damn thing across her nose will allow, to try and calm the bits of panic that cut through her as more awareness comes to be. She keeps his hand tightly though. No nurse. She wanted him here. The commentary about Rawlings makes her blink, though, some practical confusion helping cut through the more overarching worries of everything. "Oh. I... well... I tried..." Her words die away as she realizes she'd have to tell him that he was the one thing she asked for when she went down. That would be complicated. She clears her throat faintly instead. "Well. Never mind. I'm...glad someone called you. But I'm fine. Rawlings shouldn't have worried you..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden frowns a bit, and one of the monitors lets out a little squeal of sound that is not one of the normal blips, beeps or boops. Harry closes his eyes and focuses on calming himself down for a moment, taking a few deep breaths before opening his eyes again to look down at Karrin. "Alright, no nurse. But if I end up having to wipe your ass, Murph, you are so going to owe me." He manages a small grin, the constant pressure of his reassuring grip on her hand never fading. His eyes narrow ever so slightly as he looks at her, "You tried what, Karrin? What woman? Is she who did this to you?" Another squeal from a machine and a faint smell of ozone drifts through the air as something minor gives up a puff of smoke. "I am glad he did. I owe him one for that. Had I found out after the fact, you would have had one very, very unhappy wizard on your hands." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The unhappy squeals and sounds from the machines, even if they are minor, get her eyes to reopen. She gives a sideways look at the things before tossing some shade up in his direction. But it's amused shade. Touched shade. Skepticism mixed with the fact she knows he's only flipping out because he cares. "Careful there, magic man. We might not get an option about a nurse bein' in here if you keep that up." Another faint squeeze comes from her cool palm. "I'm fine. I'm alive. This'll be a few days and I'll be fine. So... just breathe." She reassures him quietly, equally NOT wanting to be disturbed right now. "And no, no... she didn't do it. She's... pretty good people. That latina nurse, from across the river, who patches people up for free. Few of my guys who can't go to a hospital have seen her before. She got herself into some trouble. Triad, probably... some asian gang. Didn't get to see them close enough. They did this. Wasn't her. They... they're dead now. It was... messy. But I'm *fine* and it's over." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden closes his eyes and take a minute to settle himself down and recenter. The dampening spell he laid over himself working, but he can tell it won't last forever. "I'm fine, Murphy. I've got it under control." For now, anyway. "I've never heard of her. Sounds like someone I should get to know, just in case Butters isn't around for something. What did you try? Helping her out? Seems to me you did your part." he says as he looks over her hospitalized body. "And Karrin, stop saying your fine. You can't stubborn this away, hell if we could do that I wouldn't ever need Butters." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The commentary about not stubborning this away drives her quiet for a long moment, just the faint sound of those monitors and their mingled breath filling the room. It all seems so loud, a constant reminder of life, but life that ever so carefully dances on the edge. Life that almost wasn't. She shifts her arm, it's her good arm, the one whose shoulder wasn't shot full of a hole, enough that she can half pull his hand up. He'll have to help a but, but she pulls the back of his palm against her lips and gives it the smallest, cool mouthed kiss. A reassurance when she can't really give a verbal one. Not one he'll listen to, at least. She doesn't put his hand down again, but just tucks it against her cheek. He was so warm. "...I tried to... tell her to call you. I remember that. I think I gave her your name... I tried to." Karrin finally admits. Pretending this didn't happen just really isn't going to work any more. "And...I have to be fine, Harry. I have to. I... can't handle being benched. Being off the force. That's who I am. That's... everything." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The kiss causes his lips to pull into a faint line of a smile, and he make no effort to pull his hand away from her cheek, letting his fingers lightly stoke the skin of it with gentle caresses. "Oh." he says softly, "Well, she didn't. Maybe she didn't hear you, or didn't get my full name or something. Or maybe she was too busy trying to keep you alive." He smiles, "I may have to give her a coupon for free wizarding." "You will be fine, Karrin. You just need time to heal. You are going to have to be benched while you heal, and I know you won't like it, but Hell's bells Karrin, you almost died. I think your body deserves a bit of a rest before you get back out there." He pauses a moment, "And that isn't who you are, it is your job. It's not what make you, you. If you weren't a cop, you could be private security, or FBI or CIA or hell for all I know you could jump on the caped crusader bandwagon and deal out justice with what's his face...but being a cop, specifically? That is just your job. What makes you who you are is in here." He reaches over his other hand and touches her chest without being inappropriate. "And in here..." he lifts his hand and touches her head. "I know, because you would still be the same woman I..." he stops himself, pausing a half-second to correct something, "...care about even if you were no longer a cop. So the job isn't who defines you, Murph." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' If there was any doubt about how much his touch meant to her, what is still working on the monitors reflects it almost immediately as his fingertips caress her cheek. Ticking down just a few beats a minute, all of her calming out. That touch felt like home. It was centering. Her head tilts slightly into it and she just lets it keep her calm even as the words speak to far worse demons in her head. Even as he talks them down. She takes in a deep breath through her nose, trying to keep calm, to focus on his fingertips there. "...I love you too." She finally whispers. She might be drugged -- hell, she probably said it BECAUSE she's drugged -- but it doesn't make it any less true. And she heard it behind his words, even as they've danced around that dangerous word before. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He knew. They both knew how they felt about each other. All the arguments and fights, the constant dancing around the topic, it all pointed to it...but it was something he wasn't actually prepared to hear from her lips. Those 4 words slam home and his eyes instantly start to glisten. He leans over her, the hand under her shin turning to cup her cheek as he lowers his lips to hers in a soft and gentle kiss that is restrained but promises so much more. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' This was NOT how Karrin Murphy pictured their first real, not running, not fighting kiss. But then, nothing in their lives are how she'd plan it. But she doesn't fight. A few good drugs and a good taste of mortality is just enough to mostly quiet those screaming demons in her head. Something else just tells her to enjoy it now. To take the damn risk. Just how truly short life is. So, as much as she can, she leans up into that kiss. Eagerly, gently, her nose brushing against his as her eyes shut against some mutual stinging. She couldn't even articulate why there were tears, but she felt it. She tries to kiss them away, kiss through them. Kiss for all the good things they have had, and will have. Even if he's her best friend -- probably because he is. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' After a moment longer, he pulls back from the kiss slowly and reluctantly, but doesn't move his face very far from hers, the tip of his nose resting on the tip of hers. "I love you, Karrin Murphy." He has never actually said it out-loud like that, and the words bring a grin to his face. "And when you get out of here...we are going to sit down on a couch for the longest make out session ever." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That firm confession brings her eyes back open, even if they are glassy with tears and a whole array of confusing emotions. She wants to look up at him. Wants to remember this moment in spite of the drugs. She parts her lips to say something but then he's speaking again and they AREN'T the most romantic words in the world, but they certainly make her laugh. "...ouch...dammit... fuck you...laughing hurts. You are the worst influence..." Karrin breathes out, still slightly chuckling against the pain. But he's got her to smile and cry at the same time, so that is probably a success. It takes a moment or two, but she does manage to catch her breath. She's still holding his hand. That's not letting go until she passes out again. "... we... can do this, right? We're not going to fuck it up horribly?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden grins again, giving her another soft kiss on the lips before retaking his seat next to her. His hand remains on her cheek, this thumb brushing the moisture of any falling tears away. "I am, it's true. I'll try to keep the laughter to a minimum, so that certainly rules out sex..." He gives her a wink, "Ok...ok, i'll stop. No more jokes." "I'm no fortune teller, I don't have the gift of precognition, and I am not about to dive into the black for any rituals involving things better off unmentioned...so I can't tell you that. What I can say is that I've battled vampires, werewolves, evil sorcerers and fairie queens...and I will fight for us harder than I have ever fought them." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, she was JUST about to stop crying until he said that. Karrin blinks, staring at the ceiling for a moment, not his face, as she tries to pull herself together but it's really hard on this many drugs, in distant pain, and hearing words she's only really dreamed about. Words she's not certain she deserves. She gives him a crackling little laugh, turning her head enough to press a kiss into the base of his palm. "...Dammit, Harry. I... How did you get so... I just..." Karrin Murphy really doesn't have words. For once, he's left her stunned and speechless, her heart in her throat. She just leans into his hand instead, letting another tear fall free. "...just be honest with me. When I'm being crazy and awful... tell me. I'll be better. You deserve better." Those quiet words are a promise, to herself as much as him. She knows what she's been like in a relationship. She needs to try better this time. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden smiles and nods, "I promise, on my power." He leans forward and places another soft kiss on her lips. "We will face this and work through it all together. But, right now, you need to focus more on getting better. The rest can wait." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is something in Karrin which realizes that promising on his power is a deal. A big deal. Her eyes go a little wide, trying to read from him just how deep he got them in by doing that. Because now his power depends on the things she's doing too. She hasn't found words yet by the time he's kissing her again, so she returns that kiss. She's starting to like those kisses. Like them a whole lot. By the time they are done kissing and he's speaking again, her drugged mind has been mostly distracted. "...Harry..." she starts, trying to find the thing that was worrying her again. But she's exhausted, pain and recovery finally winning. It's simply just out of her grasp. "...I feel like... you just did something... stupid... and I don't know what." Her muddled voice rambles on. She's going to go back under again soon. But she's fighting it. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden shakes his head. "It's only stupid if I don't follow through, and all I did was promise to be honest with you. If I can't do that, well, then I deserve what is coming to me. Think of it this way, at least you know I won't be running around lying to you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You'd never...run around lying to me... I know that already..." Karrin mutters, cotton in her voice and eyes. But she's losing the ability to be stubborn about this, having burned through all her energy with that fairly emotional rollarcoaster ride they both just took. Her eyes grow heavier, beginning to slip shut as she turns her head to murmur one last, quietly, "...do love you.." Against his hand. But then she's out, back into blissful sleep. She's still got his hand, though her fingers are slack around his now. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden smiles softly, lifting his hand from her cheek to take hold of hers and lifting it to his lips to kiss the back of it. "I love you to, Karrin. Rest." As she closes her eyes, Harry sits there watching her, holding her hand in his the whole time, until he can feel the spell keeping him from shorting out all the electronics start to fade. With a great deal of reluctance, he places her hand back onto the bed, leans forward for one last kiss. He pulls out his little notepad from his duster, scribbling a note on it quickly and setting it on the little table attached to the bed, and then departs the hospital. The note reads: "Karrin, I couldn't stay for those reasons unique to me. Wish I could have been here when you woke up again, but this will have to do. I love you. I'll see you as soon as I can, which will likely be when you get out. Rest and be well. -Harry" 
}}

666/Dreamscape

2017-08-03T16:43:23Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/28 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=After a few weeks, the nightmares return with a vengeance. |Cast of Characters=174, 168 |pretty=ye..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/28
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=After a few weeks, the nightmares return with a vengeance.
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's late, or early...it all depends on if you have gone to bed before midnight. For Harry, it's late. He hasn't slept for who knows how long, and it shows on his face. Sunken eyes, disheveled hair and stubble on his face that is closer to a beard than any type of O'clock shadow. He stumbles down the steps to his place, zombielike, and opens the door, making his way to the bedroom as he strips down and discarding clothing on the floor as he goes. Jacket, shirt, pants, socks, etc make a trail that Hansel and Grettel could follow easily towards the bedroom. He flops onto the bed unceremoniously, passing out with a snore escaping his lips even before he even hits the mattress. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Sleep. It hits easily when one is that tired. But, of course, a peaceful rest can never last long. The commotion at his door is loud. A fight outside and Harry's dog starts barking in a panic a moment later. They don't actuall break into his place, but, instead, something slams against the outside of the door three times and then disappears away. It seems his wards are holding up against something. A woman's voice yells, violent cursing, somewhere down the street. The fight is carrying on. Mouse's barking grows more insistant. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Hell's bells.." it muttered from the exhausted wizard at the first sign of a commotion. However, when Mouse starts to bark the adrenaline starts to flow and he sits up in bed with a start. When something slams into his wards, the fear joins the adrenaline and he jumps out of bed, rushing for the door and grabbing his staff on the way. Someone is in trouble. A woman. Harry's chivalristic tendencies kick in and he opens the door, rushing out into the early morning air. His lack of dress unimportant at the moment as he rushes up the stairs to see what is going on. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is blood on his door, trailing down the steps, away from his apartment. A lot of it. Down the street, the fight is still raging. Four lovely, darkly clad individuals. Faster than normal humans, dangerously so, and fighting hand to hand against a single, small blonde cop. Karrin has a gun. She's shot it a few times. It doesn't seem to matter to the foursome she's fighting. She takes another shot, just barely ducking one of the vampires as she goes in for Karrin's throat. But the short cop just manages to somehow dodge. "SUSAN! Stop this insanity! You REMEMBER me!" Karrin's ragged voice cracks out. And that's why she's not shooting that one. She knows her. It's Susan. And the brunette woman she's fighting doesn't seem to give a single shit. As she and the blonde dance in a fight on the sidewalk once again, spinning around each other, Harry's eyes will finally be treated to the sight of Susan's face. Fully vampire, fangs extended, eyes lost in blood rage, her once olive skin a paled, deathly white. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's late, or early...it all depends on if you have gone to bed before midnight. For Harry, it's late. He hasn't slept for who knows how long, and it shows on his face. Sunken eyes, disheveled hair and stubble on his face that is closer to a beard than any type of O'clock shadow. He stumbles down the steps to his place, zombielike, and opens the door, making his way to the bedroom as he strips down and discarding clothing on the floor as he goes. Jacket, shirt, pants, socks, etc make a trail that Hansel and Grettel could follow easily towards the bedroom. He flops onto the bed unceremoniously, passing out with a snore escaping his lips even before he even hits the mattress. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Sleep. It hits easily when one is that tired. But, of course, a peaceful rest can never last long. The commotion at his door is loud. A fight outside and Harry's dog starts barking in a panic a moment later. They don't actuall break into his place, but, instead, something slams against the outside of the door three times and then disappears away. It seems his wards are holding up against something. A woman's voice yells, violent cursing, somewhere down the street. The fight is carrying on. Mouse's barking grows more insistant. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Hell's bells.." it muttered from the exhausted wizard at the first sign of a commotion. However, when Mouse starts to bark the adrenaline starts to flow and he sits up in bed with a start. When something slams into his wards, the fear joins the adrenaline and he jumps out of bed, rushing for the door and grabbing his staff on the way. Someone is in trouble. A woman. Harry's chivalristic tendencies kick in and he opens the door, rushing out into the early morning air. His lack of dress unimportant at the moment as he rushes up the stairs to see what is going on. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is blood on his door, trailing down the steps, away from his apartment. A lot of it. Down the street, the fight is still raging. Four lovely, darkly clad individuals. Faster than normal humans, dangerously so, and fighting hand to hand against a single, small blonde cop. Karrin has a gun. She's shot it a few times. It doesn't seem to matter to the foursome she's fighting. She takes another shot, just barely ducking one of the vampires as she goes in for Karrin's throat. But the short cop just manages to somehow dodge. "SUSAN! Stop this insanity! You REMEMBER me!" Karrin's ragged voice cracks out. And that's why she's not shooting that one. She knows her. It's Susan. And the brunette woman she's fighting doesn't seem to give a single shit. As she and the blonde dance in a fight on the sidewalk once again, spinning around each other, Harry's eyes will finally be treated to the sight of Susan's face. Fully vampire, fangs extended, eyes lost in blood rage, her once olive skin a paled, deathly white. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As Harry hits the top of the stairs, the sight in front of him stops him dead in his tracks. "Murph?...Susan?" The adrenaline seeps from his body and his arms fall limp to the side, his staff lowering as he takes in the sight of Murph fighting Susan. "NO!" he screams as he takes a step forward, and then another, "Nononononononono....Susan, Stop!" His movements are still sluggish, but the absurdity of the situation is loosening its shackles. As he moves forward, he lifts his right hand, snarling out a "Fozare!" as he unleashes a gout of fire, one uncontrolled by his blasting rod focus, at one of the three vampires that are not his ex-lover. "Get away from her! Susan, you don't want to do this! I know you don't want this!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The cop doesn't have time to react to Dresden coming out, not really. She's barely staying ahead of the vampiric woman across from her and that isn't going to last long, evidenced by the, at least, two bite wounds she's actively bleeding from. Did that mean Murphy was going to be turned as well? She didn't know, but she had to fight back. She had no other choice. So she turns her as Susan leaps at her again, reaching a hand up to try and toss Susan past her, but the vampire is too strong and suddenly, tightly wrapped around Murphy's body. Going for her throat. The women tumble down into the grass of the yard across from Harry's. The other two vampires, thinking the cop is done for it, are now dashing in the direction of the wizard. They aren't high level, probably fairly newly turned and still just having made their first kills. But they are both still faster than humans, and stronger. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The sight of Susan pouncing on Murphy and the pair of them disappearing into the grass causes Harry's blood to run cold, but it also stokes the fires of his rage and concern. The two vampire that start to charge at him have made a grave mistake. He channels all that rage and focuses it down the length of his hand, shoving all that power down to his hand as he screams out 'Pyrofeugo!' and loosing a jet of white hot flame towards the pair of bloodsuckers. Even as he unleashes hell upon them, he moves towards the grass. "Murphy!' Susan!" he calls, as he stalks forward, "ohgodohgod". He calls out again, "Muph! Susan!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The two young vampires didn't have a chance. But then, they really weren't a part of this, were they? Just a speed bump in the road of this fight. Their screams still rip across the neighborhood and Harry probably has a few minutes at best before cop cars start screaming into the area, but the noise of the fight has suddenly and dramatically died down. Murphy isn't cursing any more. Nor is she firing a gun. Dimly in the background, Mouse's bark echoes from behind the bloodied door of the apartment. It's Harry's voice calling Susan's name which finally makes the vampire stop. The woman he once loved, she jerks her head upwards, dark curls flying back, away from her blood covered face as she stares at him. Her eyes are silvered with hunger and her entire mouth covered in candy apple blood. She still breathes hard, but that might be habit more than necessity. "...You. Are. Mine." She hisses at him before going back to her meal. Once the competition is dead, she can secure her lover. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry freezes. "Oh god. Susan...no." He looks at the vampire, the blood, the body beneath the vampire. "No. What have you done. NO!" He screams, lifting his right hand and triggering the ring on it to shove the force kept within at the Susan, no...the vampire. He rushes forward, tears forming in his eyes and falling down his cheeks. "God, Murphy...be ok. Please be ok..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The force works, of course, knocking Susan off of Murphy violently. She tumbles and flails back, snarling as she goes, viciously angry to have been taken from her prey. Murphy isn't gone, not yet, but she's probably close. The side of her throat and top of her shoulder are just so much meat, blood flowing free enough that it's pooling in the grass beneath her. Her eyes track Harry slowly, trying to reach for him. "I... I tried..." She rasps. She barely has any vocal chords left. And then Susan is coming BACK, slamming into him, using every last bit of speed and strength to knock him away from Murphy. She wasn't going away. She wasn't going to give up. Hands slick with the woman's blood, she attempts to pin Dresden down, "DON'T TOUCH HER!" She hisses, a mix of jealous, rage, and pure hunger in her eyes. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden says, "It's ok, Karrin...I'll get help." He starts to put pressure on the wound on her neck, futile as it might be as the blood oozes out between his fingers. "Don't leave me, Karrin. Stay with me." And then the vampire is on him. He is knocked aside, staff flying off into the grass as it is knocked from his hand. He struggles as his shoulders are pinned to the floor, legs flailing as he tries to get some leverage to lift her off of him, but she is too strong. "Susan! Stop! This isn't you! Don't let it win...you need to fight it."" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's too late. It's not Susan, surely not. She's too fast. Too strong... But then something in his words makes her hesitate. Stop. There is a flicker of the woman he loved -- loves -- behind her eyes. The woman who knows she'll be entirely gone the moment Karrin Murphy stops drawing breath. She reaches one hand up, clutching against Harry's chest, tears and blood glimmering in her eyes. "...kill me, Harry. Please... before it's too late. Please... end it..." She begs him, panicked eyes flickering between his face and the dying blonde on his lawn. They probably had a handful of seconds before she became a full fledged vampire and this turned even worse. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The tears, the flow freely. His vision blurry from them as he stares up at the monster...woman that he once asked to marry him. "Susan..." he says softly, the word coming out as choking sob. "I..." Words fail him as he lifts up his right hand to cup the side of her face gently, brushing the hair away from her face in the process. He tries to speak again, and manages to get out a 'sorry' though the sobs as he closes his eyes and focuses his will and mutters a soft 'fuego'. The problem with magic is you have to believe in it for it to work, and Harry's heart nor his head have it in him at the moment. The spell fizzles, instead of fire there is a wisp of smoke and a spark, like a circuit shorting out. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The last scraps of Susan Rodriguez brace herself for what she knows is coming. She holds still. She doesn't attack. She waits for him to release her to sweet death. But his heart isn't there. It doesn't succeed. "...Harry... no..." Her silvered eyes flicker back open, a single moment of genuine fear behind them... Then he can see the very moment Karrin Murphy dies. Not because he's next to the blonde, or listening to her breath, but because that's the moment every last trace of Susan leaves her eyes. The monster takes over with her first completely kill, eyes going completely silver ice and fangs extending just a bit. She hisses in hunger, a vicious strength in her arms as she drags him forward. She is a baby vampire and she's still starving. Fortunately, he's a nice meal... 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's over. Harry knows it. He can see the change in Susan's eyes. He knows Murphy is dead, and he isn't far behind. "I'm sorry..." he mutters under his last breath as Susan plunges her fangs into his throat, tearing it out with a jerk of her head. And then he wakes up screaming. His body glistening with a sheen of sweat, his sheets showing the outline of where he was laying due to it. His breathing is rapid and ragged as his hands move to his throat unconsciously to make sure it is still there. He looks around in a panic. "Hell's bells..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's not even a second before a whimpering, worried Mouse is awake and standing at his side. The big fur ball is beginning to lap up the sweat off his cheek and throat, almost reasuring Harry he is in one piece by that licking tongue alone. Murphy hasn't stayed over since that night, the one followed by the almost fights in the morning, so he is alone other than his trusted dog and the sound of his quite alive, racing pulse in his ears. Somewhere, muffled by the sound of his own heart, his old phone begins to ring... 
}}

600/To Question a Cop

2017-08-03T16:42:25Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/24 |Location=Outside GCPD |Synopsis=Diana Prince comes seeking Karrin, to ask about getting some assistance from Harry. |Cast of Characters..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/24
|Location=Outside GCPD
|Synopsis=Diana Prince comes seeking Karrin, to ask about getting some assistance from Harry.
|Cast of Characters=168, 42, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' After the strange night, even more difficult morning, then shift back on duty with everyone calling her a scab, well... Karrin needed to hit things. A lot of things. So, she went to the dojo and trained to the point of being sore. To the point she realizes she should have wrapped her knuckles, as they are now raw. But she's gotten most of her emotions out. Or, at least, exhausted herself to the point she can probably sleep tonight. The short blonde is in yoga pants and a teeshirt clinging to her back with sweat. She's carrying her duffle across her shoulder as she comes out the front door of the little dojo that shouldn't even be open this late, but they let her have a key. She's well known here and rather respected. She turns back, locking the door securely behind her and trying it before she slips the key down into the pocket of her leather jacket she's slipped over top that sweaty teeshirt... 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' "Karrin Murphy?" A voice calls out from just a few feet behind the weary officer as she locks up the dojo, the voice was accented with a thick foreign flavor. Stepping toward the dojo from the side of a black sedan that appeared to be quite expensive looking in design, is a woman who's full height is over six feet. With heeled shoes on, a deep blue dress that clings to her form and a gold necklace around her lithe neck, Diana Prince stands there, watching Karrin. "I had just been coming here to try to find you. I had been told you were exercising?" Diana asked/explained. Diana was dressed like a politician, her black hair was in a tightly woven bun on the crown of her head and her sky-blue eyes were locked on Karrin's face. "I am Diana Prince, I am unsure if you are familar with me." Diana walked the space between them and offered her right hand. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The short woman, a full foot and change smaller than the Amazon, blinks up to the elegantly beautiful ambassador. They couldn't be more different right now -- Diana elegant, well put together, calm and beautiful in her height. Karrin looks ragged around the edges, still slightly sweaty, utterly exhausted, her blonde hair a ruffled mess and toned frame aching from the fight. But they do share one thing in common -- strength. Power. Karrin, for all her short height and 'cute' looks, is clearly a trained warrior. It screams from every tone of her muscle, the way she carries herself with just her walk, the sharp look in her blue eyes. "Ambassador... Prince, is it? Or...should I more rightly call you Wonder Woman? Ah...Y-yes... I'm Karrin Murphy. It... It's an honor. Damn. I mean... sorry, is it rude to swear in front of you? I'm not... used to being visited by... well... By YOU." Karrin's mind is a bit scattered tonight, still on the edge of raw emotions from the day, but she's pulling herself up tight and proper, showing all the respect due to one of the women she's looked up to since the first time she ever heard of her existence. 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' A smile spread over the crimson colored lips of the Princess. "Diana... is what I prefer... everyone call me. The others are simply titles. But Diana, is the name my mother gave me, and the name I am happy to most be recognized by." And for her part, Diana was well aware of the awkwardness of coming to find someone in this condition. "I owe you an apology for coming to you like this. I had not intended to do such a thing, but I have been having trouble locating people today... and since I was here and I was told you were as well, I thought I would take a chance." Diana's sky blue eyes glanced up to the dojo then. "But if this is a bad time, I can schedule an appointment to meet you at your office?" She then looked back to Karrin and dipped her cin a little to await the other's desires. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A gentle, immediate wave of her hand comes at the apology, "Goodness, no...no. As long as you don't mind sweat? I can't imagine you do... Or a good spar." Karrin motions back to the dojo, though she dares let crack the smallest smile across her lips, a gleam of respect and interest behind her blue eyes. "I'm almost sad you didn't come 30 minutes before. I'd see if you wanted to go a few rounds. But now? Well...30 minutes ago, I'd only be pretty sure you could kick my ass. Now I'm certain of it." Karrin gives a little wink, though it is of someone who definitely knows what she's doing in a fight. She could probably hold her own for a bit, at least. "It's not a bad time... walk with me. What is on your mind? I...can't imagine why you're looking for some two bit cop like me." Especially being as unpopular as Karrin these days, having stayed on the force while the rest of the PD went on strike. She nods for Diana to follow her towards where she's supposed to meet her ride. At least they can enjoy the air as they talk in the cool spring night. 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana showed a grin at the talk of sparring and she gently nodded her head. "Fighting police officers is not something I have done a whole lot of. I do not wish to be arrested." She teased lightly in return. Diana would then turn with Karrin when she offered the walk-and-talk to which she obliged, keeping a bit of distance between them so she didn't have to look down upon the blonde who was more than a little shorter than she. "Honestly, Officer Murphy..." Diana started in her oddly accented voice. "I was originally just looking to speak to an associate of yours. One mister Harold Dresden?" She asked his name, looking to Karrin for recognition of it. "But once I started to dig further into him, I became unsure of whether or not he was the right person for what I am in need of." Diana's chin dipped as she spoke. "Which... lead me to dig deeper into you, once I discovered you were a Gotham Police Officer." A short pause then, Diana's hands came together in front of her as she walked along the side street, her long fingers inter-lacing between one another. "I have to say. I am very impressed. You are no 'two-bit' police woman. You would appear to be a diamond in the rough, quite literaly." She offered a smile then to the shorter woman. "So now I need your opinion of Mister Dresden. An honest opinion... I am searching for a recommendation, you see." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The name Diana uses actually makes Karrin cough out a laugh, "...Harold? Oh god... is his name ACTUALLY Harold? How... That's hilarious. Harold." She cannot stop the laughter from escaping her lips, a glimmer of pure amusement in her eyes. She smirks deeply, shaking her head slowly, "*Harry* Dresden... and of course you need Dresden. The whole damn world does. But don't let him know that, his ego's bad enough as is. Wizards." She deadpans that last bit, as if it was some inside joke. Surely if Diana can be an amazon Princess and Wonder Woman, she can believe in Wizards, right? The commentary about her not being two-bit just makes Karrin wave the woman off. She slightly shakes her head. "No, no...I'm certainly not all that. You are... sweet, though." A ghost of a smile trickles across her lips, truly not seeing whatever the Princess sees. It's awkward. She gives a long breath, though, as she's asked for a recommendation. "...Don't...ever tell him I told you this, it really will go straight to his head. But... I don't know what you need. Whatever it is? Harry Dresden is your man. I've known a lot of people in my life, seen a lot of good and a lot of bad. Harry Dresden is one of the best, if not THE best, person I've ever met in my life. He'd lay down his life for anyone, from the tiniest pixie to an army of gods. He's always fighting for the little guy, doing what he can to protect this city, and has gotten himself nearly killed trying to do the right thing more times than I can count. But it never stops him. He... he's one of the best among us. And a stubborn ass. And probably almost here. He hexed my car, the bastard, so he owes me a ride home." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As if on cue there is the roar of an engine...ok, maybe not a roar, ore of a growl...no, a purr. The purr of an engine is heard as the Blue Beetle putters down the street. The beetle, a multicolored beat up Volkswagon Beetle...not to be confused with Ted Kord, pulls to a stop on the street and the driver's side door opens. Harry emerges from the little vehicle, the rather tall man a contrast to the short and squat car, and glances around looking for the person he is supposed to pick up. It has been an emotional day, and in the hours since Karrin has seen him, it doesn't look like it has gotten any better for the wizard. His hair is disheveled, the 5 o'clock shadow he started the morning with is now a good 2am shadow, and is that soot on his cheek? Other than that, he is dressed in his normal business attire of jeans and a black t-shirt, with his long duster draped on top. "Hey Karrin..." he says as he sports her, and then his eyes move over towards the Princess of Themyscira, "...Who is you friend?" 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana just smiled softly throughout Karrin's reaction to the use of Harold as the name for the Wizard. She ahhhh'd gently when she caught the correct name to use. "I will remember that. Thank you." She said then, before falling quiet once more to listen to Karrin's extremely kind rundown of a recommendation which actually warmed the Amazonian woman's heart to hear her speak so highly of him, she could tell he meant a lot to Karrin. "I do not think I need to hear much more then, after such a glowing review." She told Karrin, coming to a halt and lowering her interlaced hands down to rest in front of her lap. When Harry's old vehicle puttered up to the curb, the tall Diana turned her body about to look in the vehicle's direction, any smile that had been there faded as she eyed the squat car... a type of vehicle she once described as 'Oh look! Its so cute!' but... this one... looked as though it had died many years ago, and that it had been kept alive through some kind of dark and foul magic. Harry appeared from inside of it, a man who was actually taller than she... if only by a little. Diana had not seen any photos of Harry, so she didn't know this was him. She expected Karrin to tell her this was some kind of criminal, or some such, here to pester the poor Police officer and the 'look' she gave Karrin said 'I will fight him off if you need help.' 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Speak of the devil..." Karrin mutters beneath her breath as the Blue Beetle starts puttering up around the corner. However, watching him get out, it's probably achingly clear that Karrin is over the moon for the man. It's not just love. THe look she gives him is the tired, comfortable, worn in look of a long friendship filled with a lot of trials and tribulations, but the utter, soul deep trust that comes from it too. To say things between them were complicated would be putting it mildly. "...I promise his work is better than his car." Karrin mutters sideways to Diana. Then there is Harry and she gives him a bit more of a tired smile, "Hey, trouble. You have a princess looking for you. Diana, this is Harry Dresden. Harry...uh... Diana. Wonder Woman. Ambassador of Themyscira. A way too classy lady to be in our presence, but she can choose her own friends. And-" Before Karrin can say something else snarky, her work phone goes off. SHe swears lightly and picks it up, "Lieutenant Murphy... What? No. I'm down at the dojo... I can... Just... Fuck. Send a car. No. I'll meet you. Corner of South Hinkey and China Basin. I'll be there in two. Put on the lights." She then kills her phone, slipping it back in her bag, "...sorry, looks like I need to head back to the precinct. You two... uh... Play nice. I'm sure you will. Harry, maybe 30 percent less snark? Can you do that?" She has doubts behind her voice. With that, she gives them both a brief salute and jogs up towards the far block's corner. Sirens can already be heard nearing. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Wait. Did Karrin just say this was Wonder Woman? And then ran off...leaving him alone with her? Harry looks from the departing Karrin to the tall woman that was standing next to her. This should be interesting. And with less snark? "Um..." The wizard takes a breath and wipes his hand on his duster as he walks around the car to approach the Amazon. The duster billows behind him as he moves, much like the cape of Diana's teammates on the League. As he comes within arms length, he looks down to the Amazonian woman and offers his hand to the Princess, "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ambassador? Princess? I am not entirely sure how to address you. In any case, I'm Harry Dresden, as Muprh just said. You are looking for me?" 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana was dressed like a politician, a deep blue dress that ended just at her knees and a black belt cinched about her waist. Her black hair was tied back atop the crown of her head and she held her hands in front of her lap until Karrin made her quick departure... feeling a desire to go after the Officer and see if she was in need of aide, but... she could not do that and should not do that. The woman's blue eyes went to Harry as he approached and wiped his hand upon his coat. Diana showed a large smile to him, friendly and warm at the same time. "She speaks highly of your services, Mister Dresden." Diana said then, her right hand coming up to grasp onto Harry's and shake it. Her hand was smooth as silk and held a firmness suggesting a wealth of barely hidden strength. "I am searching for someone who has knowledge in the... ways of demonic worshipping within the areas of New York, Gotham and Metropolis." She tells him then. "My internet searches, lead me to your name and your work services you offer." She smiled for him again. "And please, just refer to me as Diana. I need not any special titles." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Alright. Diana it is, and please call me Harry." he says as he shakes her hand. His grip is strong, but not anything that would register on the realm of a superhuman. Hary's eyes track towards where Karrin left as Diana speaks of her recommendation, "Murph and I have been through a lot over the years. It's a mutual regard I assure you. I trust her with my life. the soul of a wrathful guardian angel resides in that one. She will fight to the death for you, but just don't piss her off. Er, sorry. I mean, don't make her mad." The mention of demons brings his attention back the the Amazon. "I've have experience in the occult, and have access to a plethora of research for anything I don't know. I am sure I would be able to help you." He is silent for a moment, and looks a bit sheepish as his eyes divert from looking at Diana's face. "I, uh, charge $50 an hour plus expenses. Look, I know your with the Justice League and I hate to ask for money, but I do have bills..." He reaches up and start to rub the back of his neck, "I have to get Murphy's car fixed." 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana had impecable listening skills and throughout what Harry had said she'd stared right at him and gently nodded her head or made subtle facial expressions to signal the understanding of his statements. She started to reach for the black strap of the bag that was hanging from her right shoulder and she brought it down her arm to her hands. "Yes, of course." She told him. "I am not here on behalf of the League. I am here on behalf of a friend... who is being stalked and harrassed by a cult of demon worshippers." Diana opened her small leather bag and fished around inside it with her fingers. "I had hoped to come to you to speak at your office, when but I arrived there... it was empty. This is why I came to Karrin Murphy, I apologize if that is overstepping." Diana pulled out a slip of dollar bills and she offered it to him. "Five hundred dollars... To meet with my young friend?" She asked, holding it out for him. "She is a good person, but she has a very... very troubled life. If you can help me solve any of it, I will make sure that money is not an issue for you throughout it, sir." Diana's accented English was strange to most ears in the States, but her voice was also soft and comforting to many as well. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The sight of the money gives Harry a moments pause, as he holds out his hand palm up in a mitigating gesture. "Oh, no. I couldn't take any money now. Not just for a meeting." Still, he looks at the stack of bills in Diana's hand for a moment longer than he probably should. He tears his eyes away from the green and looks back to Diana, "I know my way around a troubled life, Diana. Sadly, I have firsthand experience. I'll certainly meet your friend and see what I can do for her. Did you have a time and place in mind? Did you happen to know the demon? I could do a bit of research prior to the meeting so I can come in somewhat prepared." 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana took a step toward him when he turned the money down and she gently reached out to take his hand and lift it up (should he allow it) to a level between their two forms. "Please." She told him softly, placing the money into his hand. "I am afraid she did not give me any specific names, but I briefly spoke to the demon that I believe the worshippers are following... I assure you, this is not going to be an easy situation. I want to make sure that you are well prepared for it and are in understanding of whats to come. So use this money to steel yourself, Mister Dresden." She told him in a calm and collected tone. Diana would then take her hands back and reach for her leather satchel again. She'd pull out a dark glossy blue and red business card with golden lettering upon its surface. "The meeting will be at the Themysciran Consulate." She offered the card to him. "The address and contact information are there." She nodded toward the card as she handed it toward him now. "Please, call the Consulate and leave a time for when you can come. The rest of the arrangements will be made in your schedule there-after." Diana would then show another small smile toward him. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Having $500 pressed into your hand by what could be considered a goddess isn't something that happens everyday, even to someone like Harry. He looks from the cash to Diana and sighs with a nod. "Alright, Diana. I'll take the retainer. You have yourself a wizard." The money is shoved into the pocket of his duster before he reaches out for the card, plucking it from her fingers and casting a glance to it. "I have to ask about your consulate. Just to make sure, since I don't want to have an issue....it's not all teched out is it? I have a habit of shorting out technology when I am near it for too long, and I don't want to accidentally fry a hard drive or anything." He slips the card into the same pocket as the cash, "I will give the Consulate a call in the morning to make arrangements." Shoving his hands into the duster pockets, he looks down at the Amazon, "You spoke to the demon? Is there anything you can tell me? A description, or name or anything? If I have something to go on, I may be able to find something by the time the meeting happens." 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana stepped back and placed her hands together over her lap again, now holding onto that small leather satchel she had. After a small breath she dipped her chin and then spoke. "She mentioned the words Trigon, and a place called Azarath." Diana's head shook side to side then. "These are words I am not familar with." She told him then. "Her name, is Rachel Roth... but I am unsure if that will assist you yet." Diana seemed a bit sadened that she did not have more for him to go off of. "I should have done more research before coming to you, but again." She glanced around their surroundings. "I had not expected our meeting to be quite so informal." She said then, looking back to him and showing a faint smile upon her lips. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Shaking his head, Harry smiles. "No, don't be sorry. Believe it or not I have had far less to go on when starting a case before. Just the name Trigon will get the ball rolling, so to speak." HE reaches up and combs his fingers through his disheveled hair, "Her name is not familiar to me, but that isn't unexpected. I can do some digging and see what, if anything, I can find on why this particular demon cult seems to have a hardo..er a fixation for Ms. Roth." He smiles, "Sorry you missed me at the office. Today has been...interesting to say the least." He pauses for a moment, "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? I mean, your insight as a woman?" 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana dipped her chin in a singular nod when the information she did give him seemed to be at least somehing satisfactory for the Wizard to go off of. She'd dealt with 'wizards' in the past, though it had been many years... and Harry was standing out already from them as very much unlike what she'd interacted with previously. She smiled again when he said that the day had been interesting... But when he asked the last question, she fluttered her eyelids a moment, let her smile fade and nodded two quick times to him. "Yes, of course." She said. "How can I help... with womanly insights." She showed a sly grin then and there. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry grins sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck. A slight blush shows on his face as he starts to speak. "I have this friend whom I care for a great deal, and I know she cares for me as well. We both have had difficulties in the past with relationships, and the failures of the past...well, she is afraid that if we take things to the next level it might ruin our friendship if things took a turn for the worse. I'd at least like to give it a chance before we start throwing dirt on the grave prematurely. Do you have any suggestions? We have already had a pretty intense 'fight' about it, and I would rather avoid that again...but I also know that I am stubborn enough that the subject it bound to rear its head again sooner rather than later." "Sorry. I just had to get that off my chest, and the person I would usually vent to is the person I am talking about. You don't really have to answer that." 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana was a person who many came to for advice. She had no 'degrees' in fields associated with handing advice out... but she had a way about her that seemed to draw people in for it. She was used to it, and lived to help others, but she always feared giving poor advice. After hearing his words, she gently nodded her head to them. "Complications of the heart." She softly said in that heavily accented voice of hers. A caring smile was given to the wizard and she took a moment to consider her response. "I loved someone once." She told him then. "At first I thought I hated them... because I was young and too foolish to be able to understand what my heart was really telling me. So I stayed away from them, or at least attempted to." She grinned a little then. "By the time that we acknowledged our shared love for one another, they were taken from me by tragedy shortly there-after." She let these words sink for a moment before leveling her gaze upon him once more. "My advice for you, Mister Dresden... is to not hide your feelings. The moments we get with our loved ones, are fleeting... and the clock on them is always ticking down. Make the moments as good as you can, before they are gone. Be 'there' for her, but do not push at her..." She then grinned again. "Push a little. But not too much. I sense that she likely feels the same as you, she just needs more time to warm up to it." Diana had an idea who Harry was referring to afterall. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden sighs, and nods with a slight chuckle. "Oh, there isn't a worry about hiding how I felt, not after today. The rest of your advice is pretty much what I came up with as well, so it is good to know at least I seem to be on the right track." He looks at Diana, but doesn't meet her eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss. I've had similar happen to me, so I understand about that type of loss." He offers a sad little smile, "To say it sucks is an understatement. When you are indirectly responsible for what happened to them, well, it just adds to the pain. Anyway, thank you for the advice, Ambassador. I will take it to heart." 

:'''{{#var:42|Diana Prince (42)}} has posed:''' Diana stepped toward him again, partly because her fancy black sedan was parked in front of his Blue Beetle down the street a little further, and partly to reach her left hand out now and place it upon his shoulder giving his duster-covered-shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You are on the right track then, Mister Dresden." She said then to him in a warming voice. "Be the most important person in her life... that is what she needs most. You can rest your head on your pillow at night knowing that you have provided her with that and that it is a wonderful gift to give to a woman who needs it." She showed him another smile then and gave his shoulder a soft pat before she started to walk past him. "I look forward to our meeting." She said then in her accented English, heeled shoes clicking on the concrete of the sidewalk as she made her way toward her vehicle. "I love your car by the way, it is very cute." She looked back at him as she approached the passenger door on the sedan and gave him a smile and a wave. 
}}

581/Good Morning, Sunshine

2017-08-03T16:41:24Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/24 |Location=Harry's apartment |Synopsis=Harry and Karrin have another awkward morning as they fight about their relationship, or lack of o..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/24
|Location=Harry's apartment
|Synopsis=Harry and Karrin have another awkward morning as they fight about their relationship, or lack of one.
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry lets out a yawn and stretches his arm lowering it back down and across Karrin. Something's different. That is the first thing that pops into Harry's mind in the first few nanoseconds as his unconscious mind slowly becomes conscious and aware of his surroundings. There is one heartbeat, then two...on on the third Harry opens his eyes and blinks. He blinks again. And then a third time. Nope...it's not a dream. He is spooning Murphy once again. The question is how in the hell did she get here, she wasn't here last night when he went to sleep. "Hell's bells..." he mutters quietly as he slowly start to remove his arm from around her, trying not to wake her. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Of course, it was Murphy who couldn't sleep last night. Murphy who spent hours staring at her ceiling, to the point she'd come over to crash out on his couch, not in her lonely little house fighting the demons in the back of her brain. Not that she planned to end up in his bed, even if his little monster of a dog had other plans. Now that she's there, though, she's quite enjoying it. Probably the best night of sleep she's had in ages, truth be told. So, she's still caught up quite deeply in that much needed rest. When he mutters and starts to move his arm away, a little sound of protest escapes her lips and she just nestles a bit closer, one hand reaching up to grab his arm and pull it back around her like one would a blanket on a cold morning. Apparently, she can be bossy even in her sleep, and her sleepy frame didn't intend for him to go anywhere. Once that is done, she settles back down into still sleep again, breath slow and deep. She's also still in nothing but that overly long teeshirt and booty shorts, so her toned legs are completely bared against him. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As his arm is pulled back down to cover the sleeping woman, Harry lets out a little sigh and doesn't fight her. Just the opposite in fact. When his arm once again curls around her and she moves to snuggle in, he pulls her closer to him. The lack of clothing covering Karrin's small frame doesn't go unnoticed by the wizard, and his own semi-dressed state of a pair of boxers doesn't leave much unexposed either. At least he isn't in as an embarrassing state as he was the last time he found himself in this position. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's comfortable. He felt like home. Karrin could probably stay this way forever if her subconscious mind had anything to say about it. But she's still a cop, she's still got those instincts that say someone else is awake in a room where she is not. Even if it's ever so comfy. She does manage about five more minutes, but he might have noticed the slight quickening of her breath only moments after he tucked back around her. She was waking up, like it or not. She keeps her eyes shut, assessing everything, drowsily remembering just how she got here and the dog's far too self-satisfied snuffle when she finally ended up in his room. She hates to admit a dog many years her younger might be smarter than them both, but this did feel nice. Idly, her fingertips trail up and down against the back of his wrist. She doesn't swat him away, she doesn't even open her eyes, but she is awake. Her shoulders sink against his chest a little bit deeper as she exhales a slow, belly deep breath. "...your dog made me do it." She finally mutters, almost out of nowhere. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Well," says Harry, "That explains everything." He lets out a soft little chuckle, the light puffs of air blowing stray strands of hair across her neck. "I mean, when I went to bed Mouse was laying where you are...but he must have gotten up, drove over to your place, brought you back here and tucked you in. It all makes total sense." His words are teasing, but hold no malice in them at all. "Remind me to give him some bacon as a reward." The trailing fingers over his wrist cause him to move his hand, turning it so his palm faces hers, and he splays his fingers open to capture hers in his. "I may just give him a whole pound." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slight shiver cuts through Karrin at the chuckle and his breath on her neck. That was nice in ways that weren't about sleep at all. She just lets her eyes close again, even as he completely mocks her explanation as to how she ended up in his bed, in his arms, far more comfortable than they've been any other awkward morning they spent together. She gives him a little grunt, half smirking. "Careful there, Dresden. There are pointy parts of me very close to tender parts of you." There's too much of a chuckle behind her words to really be a threat, though. Lazily, she allows her palm to be caught in his, no longer tracing those idle circles on his skin, but definite contact being made. Contact she cannot ignore or pretend is subconscious. She doesn't pull away. She just lets out a slow breath, head rolling back so her nose brushes the edge of his jaw as she drowsily speaks, "Couldn't sleep... at all. Got tired of staring at my ceiling so came over about 3 am. Planned on passing out on your couch. It... it's actually pretty comfortable after all this time. Except your damn dog wouldn't let me go to sleep. Kept wuffing and snuffling. I didn't want him to wake you up. He wouldn't shut up until I came in here, so... It's your dog's fault." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Another chuckle emits from Harry, "I think my tender parts are willing to take that risk, Murph. They knew the job was dangerous when they took it." A small smile plays on his face as she starts to explain the events of the night before, shaking his head ever so slightly in amusement when she finishes the tale, "So, two pounds of bacon it is." he mutters as he looks down to where Mouse is, peering over the bottom of the bed with his forepaws holding him up. "You keep doing things like this, I may even buy you a steak...when I can afford it." His eyes look back to Karrin, no fear of meeting hers anymore, as his hand gives hers a gentle squeeze of reassurance. "You know you are always welcome here, Karrin...and not on the couch. I may not have a big bed, but i'm always willing to share it." There is a slight pause, and a little smirk forms on his face, "It's not even that awkward anymore, so I am not sure what that says." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You're JUST going to encourage him. He's going to be spoiled rotten before he's halfway grown." Karrin chides, teasing and gentle, but still a chide. She gives a little mock glare down at the happy pup, shaking her head quietly to the fluff ball. "Incorrigable. You are a bad influence on him." She teases, but she really can't put any actual anger in her voice. She's not angry. Even if it's a bit uncomfortable, calling up more questions to which she has no answers, she's not unhappy. In truth, she's just scared. She finishes looking at the pup and settles her head back against Harry, the bridge of her nose and forehead tucking into his neck, against that morning scruff. She's trying to fight the voices in her head which say this would be SO NICE every morning. It's hard pressed against him like this. "...no. It's not awkward. It's... nice. But that's how it always starts. Nice. Then things get... shitty. And the fights start. Hell, the last person it was nice with... he's half burnt to a crisp and going crazy in Arkham." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden sighs, pulling her in a bit closer to his body. "Like that had anything at all to do with you, Karrin. You didn't cause it to happen. Hell's bells, you sound like you orchestrated the deed and did it with your own two hands." He shakes his head gently, "You didn't. I'll be the first one to agree with you that life sucks. Nothing goes as planned. The old saying that life is what happens when you are busy making plans is not just a saying, it is hard fact." He pauses, "Which is why it is more important for people like us to grab onto the little joys that life does give us, to remind us /why/ we deal with the shit we wade through day in and day out. We see and do things that normal people, even normal cops, don't have to deal with. Don't we deserve to have a fleeting moment of joy, even if it is just waking up in the arms of a friend? I think so." He inclines his head to place his lips gently on the drown of her head, "I think we both need to stop trying to find excuses to be martyrs. I'm just as guilty after what happened with Susan." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A small protesting sound escapes from her throat at his comment about being martyrs. He was right, it didn't mean that Karrin had to LIKE it. But her eyes close again, savoring that kiss against her blonde hair. "...you're right. I hate it, but... you are. I guess I can give you one on *occasion*. If you agree to put that martyr chip down about Susan too. You are no more to blame than I am with Harvey." She mutters huskily against his chin, her voice still a bit thick with sleep, but happy as well. "...Friends. Can we do this as... friends? I mean, this is nice. Really nice. But... I generally was half way to being married to a guy before we started doing this. Is... this something friends do?" There, she calls it straight out, though there is a weird hope in her voice that maybe it is. Maybe they can manage to not press further and risk their friendship on something romantic. She can't entirely hide that line of fear behind her tone, too many relationships crashed and burned before. She squeezes his hand tenderly. "...because I don't think I can give up your friendship, Harry. I need this. Need *you*." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "It happens once in a while." Harry says with a little snort, "Sometimes the stars align just right and my brain kicks in with some insight." There is a pause. "Usually it is when I lay half broken on the floor of some basement, naked, and fighting for my life...but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth if it happens now. We will both bury our chips, I promise." "We are friends, we are doing it." is the reply that first comes to Harry's lips. "Not the first time, either, so I would say it is certainly possible." There is another pause as he takes in a deep breath, exhaling it through his nose. "I don't want to loose you either, Karrin." It's there, the unspoken 'but' flashing in bright neon red. It only manifests as a swallow, forcing the remaining words back down his throat where he thinks they belong. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' They are friends and they were doing this. Maybe that was enough. Karrin's eyes slide shut once more, not saying anything for several long heartbeats as they remain curled together in a position that is far too intimate for just friends. She's not acknowleding that right now, though. Her thumb lazily brushes up and down the side of his thumb, fingers still laced together, breath mingling drowsily in the morning stolen moments. "...you... sounded like there was more to that statement. Maybe I'm wrong. We... just do this as friends. And if anyone thinks it's weird, well, it's none of their fucking business. But... what were you going to say?" Karrin finally turns her head enough that she has to pull away a bit to fully look at him. Up into his eyes. Giving him every chance to take that leap for both of them because she won't. She's still scared and content enough to do this strange dance under the guise of friendship. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' She turns and looks at him fully, he eyes finding his. They have already soul gazed, both seeing each other for who they really are, and yet somehow this is even more intimate. The gentle caresses of her thumb on his hand sending little electric shocks of sensation across the nerves of his hand. Her blond hair, smelling faintly feminine of some sweet fruit or flowers. His resolve breaks. He leans forward slowly, his lips seeking hers without another word spoken. An act he attempted once before that failed due to drunken slumber, and something he thought he would not attempt again. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' And there he is. A proper kiss, nothing like what she's idly imagined before and yet, somehow, infinitely better. Karrin stiffens for just a moment, that fear screaming at the back of her head, telling her to run before she messes this one up too. She quashes it back. She can face off with dinosaurs, werewolves, vampires -- she can surely kiss her best friend and not run away screaming. So, Karrin leans up, into that kiss for a few moments, exploring his mouth in a way that is not friendship at all. Her body somehow melts against him a bit closer, frame shifting over, rolling enough that she's fully facing him and one leg shifts over his hips instead of twisting from that spooning position. It's completely tempting and things low in her tighten. Definitely more than friends. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's a long, exploratory kiss. One that has likely been built up in his head for far, far to long for him to rush it. His own body reacting to the implications of it, and the maneuvering of her form against his. Desire fills him, his body warming as his skin flushes. The duration of the kiss seems like an eternity to him, but finally he pulls back just enough for his lips to break contact, muttering. "I forgot what I was going to say. I think I managed to get my point across though." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' By the time the kiss is over, Karrin's cheeks are flushed in a way that, weirdly, matches the same sort of excited flush she gets when they end up in a fight. But this wasn't about fighting at all. She looks back up to him, the taste of him still on her lips, though those confessed words are enough to draw a husky laugh out of her. Her head sinks forward a bit, forehead resting against his, nose to nose. Not pulling away. Not running. "I... think I can fill in the blanks. Shit, Harry... I want this so much. I want to just dive in and... I'm so tired of being scared. But I'm bad at this. Really bad at it." She whispers, so faintly, her mouth still almost brushing his with each word. "You mean too much to me to fuck this up." Karrin finally mutters. And then she's gently pulling away. All of Mouse's encouragement, that kiss, everything screaming at her not to be a coward. But she's got that look in her eyes, the look that says she's convinced herself she's doing the right thing, even if it's the hardest thing in the world. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden is quiet as she moves to get up, watching her as she slowly starts to pull away. "Karrin..." he says softly, voice barely above a whisper as he refuses to let her hand go from his. "Please. Don't go." His voice is pained, cracking in places like a young man going through puberty. He swallows in an attempt to regain his composure. "If this is really your choice I won't have any choice to accept it. It's not like I can force you to stay, nor would I even if I could. But I.." He stops talking again, his eyes closing as he takes another deep breath, "I never told Susan I loved her until it was far too late for us. I don't want to repeat the same mistakes...not with you. Hell's bells, why is this so hard to do." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While she's no longer twined around his body, sharing breath in that way which only lover's can, Karrin hasn't quite left the bed yet. His hand in her's, that mix of fingertips which caught her moments after waking, it's the line which draws her back. The touch she doesn't WANT to leave, even if all the fear and scars of the past are cheering her on to run away. She stops, sinking back down onto the edge of the bed, not taking her hand back but not reaching for him closer either. Moisture glimmers in her eyes, in the dim morning light from that single basement window. It's still enough to show just how much her heart is betraying her body. She swallows back tightly, studying his handsome face even as he closes his eyes and utterly bares his heart to her. How did she push that away? How did she insist he was wrong when, in truth, she knew he wasn't? "...Harry." She finally starts, but her words die off a moment later. She doesn't know how to make this jump, pulse racing now, for reasons which are not about that kiss any longer. She blinks against the tears in her eyes, trying to push them back. "You are the one... rock in my life. I know no matter how bad it is, if we... we have this, we get through. We always do. I... don't know what I'd do if I messed this up. That might be the one thing I could never forgive myself for doing." And, while it goes unsaid this time, she's said time and again before that all she does is mess relationships up. She has the paperwork to prove it. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a long and slow intake of breath which is expelled slowly through his nose, and then another. On the third, he finally opens his eyes and looks to Karrin, "What good is it if I am your rock, but you refuse to build your foundation there? If you keep building your houses on the sand, they are just going to keep toppling over when the sand shifts out from under you." Reluctantly, he lets her hand go and moves to get out of the bed himself, grabbing a blanket from off the bed to wrap around his waist in an attempt to give himself some semblance of modesty from the after effects of that kiss. "I may not agree, but I respect your choice. I'm going to go take a shower...clear my head." He moves to the bathroom, shutting the door quietly behind him and the sound of the water being turned on follows shortly after. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Harry..." Karrin breathes out, though something breaks in her to hear that. As much as she's been fighting it, one of those tears finally slips free. She begins to lean just a bit closer... And he lets go of her hand. He moves away. Always the awful dance they are doing. She sinks to the side, her hip fully resting on the bed again, instead of just her knees, and she watches him go. Her lips remain parted, trying to find other words, trying to fix this. But she can't. She never can. She said she sucks at relationships and, well, this is all the more proof. She watches him go without being able to find the words to stop him. The sound of the bathroom door shutting quietly is enough to bring another tear. For a few moments, she just sinks back to the bed, letting those tears run free as she stares at HIS ceiling instead of her grandmother's. One hand comes up, running across her eyes, "...fuck, Karrin. You really are shit at this. Fucking it up again... all over again." She mutters to herself. Then she blinks, feeling a big, sloppy tongue lapping at the tears against her cheek. She sighs, one hand coming over to bury in Mouse's scruff. "...you tried, Mouse. I know you did. This is my... damn fault." She mutters to the dog, as if he'd understand. When Harry is finally out of the shower, Karrin is gone. There's still a trace of damp tears in the middle of his comforter and Mouse is probably slightly whining at the door, but she's taken her leave with what tiny bits of her ego and heart remain in tact. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry comes out of the bathroom a short time later, hair wet and towel wrapped around his waist. He looks to the bed, "Karrin?" She isn't there. So he checks the other room. Gone. He looks to the door, he wasn't in the shower that long. She can't be to far gone. "Mouse. Stay." He opens the front door and makes his way up the stairs that lead to his basement, taking them two at a time, the towel flapping enough to almost make him indecent. "Karrin?!" he yells, hoping she is within earshot. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Saved by the wizard. Or, well, the fact that the wizard has, multiple times, been in her little Mazda... The engine really doesn't like rolling over MUCH these days. It always takes a few tries and sounds like it's coughing. She needs to get it into the shop but, being on strike, the pay checks really weren't coming in for a while. So, she's fighting with her engine halfway down the block. It means he's still going to have to run down the block in nothing but a towel, bare feet, and the wind is enough to probably flash his glory to the world at least once or twice. But if he runs, he might be able to catch her. The sound of her engine FINALLY turning over can be heard. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Dignity be damned. Harry runs to try and catch her, holding the towel to keep his modesty as much as possible...but hey if she has to arrest him for indecent exposure, it still means she has to stick around. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman has been too wrapped up in fighting with her car and trying to stop those totally unnecessary tears to see the mad man in nothing but a towel running down the street. Of course, that alone speaks to just how messy Karrin's mind is about this, considering she's normally on guard at all points in time. When his hand taps her window and, unsurprisingly, her engine dies again, she lets out a loud enough curse that it echoes through the shut doors of the car. Then she turns her head to see who is bothering her and blinks. That is not what she expected. Thank god her windows are roll downs, as all the electric is now dead, too much power mingled with too many emotions having just run up to her car. She curses softer and leans over, rolling down the passenger window and staring over at him with still bloodshot, puffy eyes. "...What." It's sort of a question. Mostly a demand. And entirely her trying to look tough and put together. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Just where do you think you're going?" Harry asks, his eyes narrowed slightly. "I thought we agreed to take ourselves down off the cross. Fuck, Karrin. Just because I...might have feelings for you doesn't mean you get to run away the moment my back is turned. Jesus Christ, I thought we would have at least gotten past /this/." There is a heat to his voice, anger...but not. "Come back inside, let me make you some coffee and breakfast." It isn't a request, his voice is stern and unwavering...and just in case she has other ideas, he focuses his will slightly and points his finger at her engine. "Hexus." Yeah, he's likely going to pay for that later. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' His words land home, but she wasn't really expecting anger. Or, not anger for those reasons. Karrin stares up at him, her own temper flaring. Fighting? That she can understand. That was a part of a relationship she was really good at. So, her blue eyes flare for a moment and she stares up at him hard, "I'm not on any fucking cross, you just... Fuck!" Karrin hisses, especially as she hears her engine dying. That just tosses some gas on the fire of her temper and she fully turns to scream at him. But it's *Harry*. For all her wanting to scream, something catches her. She knows it's not totally him. He also looks utterly ridiculous holding that towel up like some slip and trying to be stern. Cheeks high with flush of anger and splotchy tears, her knuckles white around the steering wheel, Karrin's breath finally stops and she breaks into a hiccuping little laugh. "... you... look ridiculous." And she probably sounds insane, going from screaming to laughing in less than a minute. "...and you so owe me for that engine." She grumbles. Then her head sinks back against the headrest, bloodshot eyes staring up at the ceiling of her car, "Fuck... Harry, I don't know how to do this." But it apparently involves letting him stand buck naked in the street for a few moments longer, has she's not yet gotten out of the car. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The heat in his voice was gone pretty much as soon as he hexed the car, taking out his frustrations on the inanimate object. He glances down at himself as she starts the weak little laugh, and shrugs as he looks back to her with a little half smile on his face, "Well, it's not like you gave me a chance to get dressed. Stars and stones, Karrin. At least this time I don't have soap in my eyes and I am not fighting a toad demon...and so far I haven't lost the towel." The remembrance of that night pulls a more genuine smile onto his face, "And at least your not on a love potion. Hell, i'd rank this as one of my better first dates." Holding onto the towel he moves around to the other side of the car, opening the door for her with his free hand, "It isn't like I have a ton of practice either, so neither do I. So why don't we try and figure it out together?" He offers his hand to her, "And I will take care of the car. I've heard of a new mechanic that I have been meaning to give a shot." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The commentary about that toad demon and soap in his eyes gets another tear crackled laugh from her, "Hey, that was a fun night..." She mutters off handedly. It had been a good fight, if embarrassing for him. That was half the fun. Karrin then looks over to him, head lulling to the side as her eyes follow him around the car. She sighs deeply, some of her courage and amusement leaving as he opens the door and actually gets back to more meaningful words. Joking around was fun and easy. Being angry was easy and familiar. Being intimate? Vunerable? That was a whole other ballgame. She stares up at him a heartbeat or two before sighing and swinging out of the car, still just in her booty shorts and oversized shirt. She didn't bring any other clothes. "...Fine. Let's get you inside before I need to arrest you for public indecency..." Karrin mutters quietly. In the daylight, she definitely looks like she's been crying, even if she's trying to hide it. "And good. You so owe me a good mechanic..." She breathes out. No more words as she follows him back towards the apartment. Mister jogs up to them, weaving through legs on the way, apparently having come home for the morning food. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Speak for yourself. I called lightning down and channeled it through my body. In the rain. Naked. If it wasn't for you, I would have ended up in the pokey. Also, the one and only time I will ever let Bob talk me into making a love potion." Harry says with a hint of amusement in his voice. After all, he survived to be able to laugh about it. He doesn't mention the crying, after all he is in as just as vulnerable, if not more so, than she is. "Arrest me? Always the cop, Murph. Let's face it, you just want me in your handcuffs again...though I am not sure where you are hiding the handcuffs at the moment." It might be too soon to joke, but it is his coping mechanism. Always has been, and even more so at the worst of times. Once back inside, he closes the door and starts to head towards the bedroom, pausing at the door. "If I walk in there, are you till going to be here when I get back out?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The handcuff thing earns him a good swat to bare stomach, but she doesn't dignify it with words. Back inside, Mister trailing them the whole way and Mouse trotting up proudly. See? He still did good. Karrin just shakes her head at the little pup and sighs to Harry, "Yeah, yeah...I'll feed Mister before he decides that the other furrball might make a good breakfast." She leans down to tenderly scritch the feline between the ears because he was still the first and, yes, Karrin quite loves him. "Come on, beachball. Can't dare let you lose that weight." She gruffly mutters to the cat, happy to pretend none of that ever happened. Then she's heading into the kitchen. First ot pour out the cat chow, then some dog chow. Freshen up their water. Then it's to put on coffee. Karrin knows her ways around his kitchen just as well as her own house these day. It's like she practically lives here as well. When all of that is done, she leans over the sink and splashes off her face, trying to get rid of the evidence of those tears. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The swat to the stomach elicits a little 'Oaf' and then a good laugh. It doesn't take long for Harry to remerge wearing a pair of sweats, and carrying another pair in his hand. "These may...no, will be a little big on you. As much as I enjoy the sight of you in those booty shorts, after this morning I am going to keep taking showers just to keep myself decent. My libido doesn't have the same rational thinking my brain does." He walks over and sets the sweats down on the counter near Murphy before slipping into the tiny kitchen area and he starts to pull out the makings for breakfast. Bacon, eggs, cheese and a host of other ingredients for some omelets. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A look towards those sweat pants, then his pants, and a small smirk dances across her lips. "I... will take that as compliment." Murphy finally half grunts out. She reaches over, accepting the sweat pants. Right then and there she bends over, stepping into them and pulling the ridiculously large pants up. "...I'm going to trip and break my neck on these, Dresden..." She grumbles, leaning over to roll up the cuffs a ridiculous amount. But, at least she won't trip and die. It also, probably accidentally, gives him a nice few of other assets down the front of her oversized shirt. There is no winning, apparently. It's only a few moments of Karrin bent over, then she's straightening again and she levels a look at him, trying to figure out if she should just settle for teasing, like nothing happened, or if they are going to keep talking about the elephant in the room. The weight behind her side says that, probably, she's going for the second. "...So...you hexed my car and drug me back in here. Happy?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He tries to avert his gaze as she bends over, and this morning has done nothing but frustrate him in one way or another, but try as he might he just can't help himself as he takes a peek, just a little one, before he tears his eyes away and tries to focus on making them breakfast. "Hey, i'm all for you not wearing them, but it is slightly distracting. More than slightly. You should take it as a complement...you have a great ass." "Honestly? No..I shouldn't have done that." he says with a sigh as he starts to cut up some mushrooms. "I was upset, and I lashed out...I just didn't want you to go. This morning started off so..." Nice? Perfect? Beautiful? "Well, probably one of the best mornings I have had in a long, long time. I'm sorry, but i'm not sorry." He cracks the eggs into a bowl and starts to beat them, adding some spices and cheese to the mixture, "I was afraid that if I let you leave like that, sneaking out when my back was turned...I'd never hear from you again. I care for you way to much to let you leave like that." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Coffee brewing, the woman leans against the counter right next to it, almost like a dragon guarding it's brewing horde. It is that important, especially this time of the morning. Now fully dressed, she crosses her arms over her chest and watches him quietly, even as he manages out a bit of an apology there. That wasn't really expected. It helps temper what lingering fingers of anger claw at the back of her head, old habits from old relationships where screaming was more common than talking. There are still the ghosts of those days behind her eyes. "It...was a nice morning." Karrin admits gruffly, blue eyes flickering from him towards the front of the room. "...and I could never... cut you out entirely. I wouldn't. I just... couldn't sit here wondering if I fucked things up for good or... if I took this chance, when I WOULD fuck things up for good. I let you go, didn't know what to say... STILL don't know what to say... And this is just the beginning. This is how shitty I am with... relationships. Friends? Sure. Training partners? Fine. The moment kissing gets involved I'm a garbage fire of epic proportions." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden sighs, continuing to work on making the omelets, casting his eyes over in slight intervals while he watches to make sure the eggs don't burn. "You didn't fuck anything up, Karrin. I just needed to...calm down a bit. I was, uh...a little over excited and needed to take a cold shower before I completely embarrassed myself...which was only successful to the point I chased after you in a towel, so I might as well not have bothered." He flips the omelet in the pan, cooking the other side for a moment before slipping it onto a plate and offering it over. "You act like you have the monopoly on bad relationships. I've had them too. Hell's bells I am sure everyone has at least one under their belt. You know how you don't have a fucked up relationship?" He waits for a moment as if expecting an answer, and starting to make a second omelet for himself before he continues "I don't know either, but I can sure as hell say it isn't by bailing out before you even start. That isn't fucking up, that is just avoidance. I've said my peace, you know how I feel, and I said I would respect your decision. And I will. I just didn't want it to end that way." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A deeper smirk pulls across her small mouth at his comment. "The way you don't have a fucked up relationship is to not have a relationship, Harry. That is... that's how we save this. I'm not bailing out. You're my *best friend*. I'm making sure I don't fuck that up." Karrin admits quietly, still not quite able to meet his eyes as she speaks words that she knows are part cowardice, but also protection. That deep, fierce protectiveness over all the people she considers her family, he at the very top. Even if it's that protectiveness which is keeping them apart right now. She finally turns, doing what she can to keep busy and distracted from this wall of emotions she's barely keeping in check. Pouring herself out some coffee will help, busying with a whole ton of sugar. No cream. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Opening his mouth to say something else, Harry pauses and then shuts his mouth again. A moment later he just utters a "Fine." The comment is short, clipped and dripping with held back emotion ranging from rage to utter disappointment. It's that 'fine' you get when you ask your partner what is wrong, knowing that they are seething inside and yell, scream and curse the world. He takes the omelet off the stove, and places it on a plate, grabbing a Coke from the icebox with his free hand before making his way over to the couch. "I'll make calls later to see about getting your car towed and fixed." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That 'fine' was absolutely not the way to fix this. Karrin knows that tone. She's given it before and received it just as many times. Especially standing in a kitchen, with a partner. With someone who she's supposed to love. It doesn't make it any easier, or mean that Karrin won't fall back into bad habits. Hell, it's a lure tempting her back there. Hackles immediately raise, blue eyes turning sharply across her shoulder as her jaw sets in his direction. "...That's the sort of fine that means nothing is fine. But if that's how we're ending this conversation, fine. It's over. You... don't need to tow my car. I'm perfectly capable of making that phone call. Really, maybe I should just make it now. I'm not very hungry." It's better than screaming and throwing things, which was her first instinct, but she's certainly not happy either. She then turns on the ball of her foot and stalks out of the room to the front area, reaching towards Mouse's lead, "Come on, Mouse. Let's get some air. I can make phone calls while you take a piss you've been probably holding WAY too long." Every one of her words have hardened consonants, the anger behind them mostly swallowed back, but coming out around the edges. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Gritting his teeth, Harry looks after her, tossing his plate onto the counter. He sighs exasperatedly, "I"m sorry. I'm just trying to accept and respect your choice like I said I would. It's..just difficult. I want to scream, I want to yell, I want to continue trying to show you the fallacies in your argument, that you are making the WRONG CHOICE...but I promised I would let it go." He folds his arms over his chest and watches her storm around the room, but remains in the kitchenette. "I won't apologize for loving you, Karrin. I can't change that. If all we are going to be is friends, then I will have to come to grips with it, but it isn't an easy thing. Unrequited feelings are a bitch." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's that word which makes her pause, almost stumble, halfway to putting Mouse's lead around his neck, but the little fluff ball is squirming. It seems going out is not as important as Karrin staying in. She glares at the dog for a moment or two, "You are a most unhelpful distraction." She mutters to the little canine, but he's scampering off into the bedroom. Out of sight, out of mind. Karrin really has no excuse to leave the room. She just stands there, exhaling a deep breath, empty lead still in her hands. Her tense shoulders remain turned away from him a few moments as she fights through this odd and awful ache in her chest. "Don't... don't use that word, Harry. We can't just be friends and... have that word there. It'll just make things worse. I'm already making them worse. God...I'm fucking awful at this." She is doing her damndest to convince herself that she's not going to cry again, but she's not really succeeding. One hand comes up, wiping at something beneath her eye, even as she keeps her back to him. "...it's not unrequited. I just don't know how to handle this in a way that doesn't involve screaming. As evidenced by this morning." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's quiet for a moment in the apartment. Harry just spends a couple of minutes looking at Karrin's back before taking a tentative step closer. He approaches her like a lion stalking prey. Quiet, one step at a time, mitigating any risk that the prey might flee at the acknowledgment of its presence. He moves to place a hand gently on her shoulder, finger lightly brushing hair away from her neck as he settles his palm down. "I'm sorry." he says, gently. Any trace of anger from his voice is gone, replaced with regret. "Obviously I am no good at this either, based on the same evidence. I don't want to fight with you, there are so many other things I would rather be doing with you other than fighting. Any relationship, even ones between friends, are going to have their arguments. How many times have you arrested me, socked me in the jaw and accused me of being the bad guy? We've made it past that, so we can make it past this. I just wish that...well, it doesn't matter what I wish." He goes to remove his hand from her shoulder, letting out another sigh as he does. "Look, I'll....I'll call you a cab, get you home. Leave the car to me and I will hopefully have it back to you in short order." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The brush of his palm against her shoulder makes her stop entirely for a moment. Karrin doesn't even breathe. She leans back against his fingertips, head tilting to the side, into his touch. Her eyes close and a few inches of tension leave her shoulders. For as angry as she is and scared as she is, his touch is a powerful thing. His touch is something that can cure almost every ill. She just sits there and breathes slowly into his touch. Maybe they could fix this... But no. He's giving her her space. He's pulling away before she can find some strange courage in herself to turn around, say what she needs to say and just drag him back to the bed. A shaky breath escapes her lips, Karrin putting herself back together even if there is some crackling behind her breath. A fresh set of tears. "It...does matter what you wish, Harry. You matter. You matter more than anyone SHOULD, to me... that's half the problem." Karrin rasps out quietly, still not quite facing him. "...I can get a cab. That's not... a problem. I...I'll manage. Should get to work anyway. We're... back on duty, finally." She gives him a ghost of a smile with that, but her head is so no where near work right now. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He sighs, "That's the thing. I wish that wasn't any of the problem, Murph. Hell, this would be so much easier if you had just laughed in my face or punched me in the jaw. If you didn't care then I wouldn't feel like I have to fight for us. Michael had it easy, all he had to do was defeat a dragon." The mention of her going to work causes a shake of his head. "No. You're are not going to work today. From your own admission you didn't get much sleep last night, and this morning has been way to emotionally draining for both of us." Like that has ever stopped him before. Pot. Kettle. Black. He reaches out again, returning his hand to her shoulder, "I'm serious, Karrin. I can't see any good coming from you going to work today. If you want to go home, then I will get you home. If you want to stay here. then stay here, have breakfast and we can just relax." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Trying to stop her from working gets a hard look. Karrin stares frankly at him, the gaze in her bloodshot eyes screaming pot and kettle without her actually speaking it out loud. "Harry. How many times have you taken on a case wrecked, half dead, half asleep, or worse? I got the best five hours sleep laying next to you that I've had in months, honestly. I'm able to work and I sure as hell am not taking a day off one day after we get back on the job. I'm going to work. I don't have to be there until noon but... I'm going. I need a shower, a lot more coffee, and... five minutes to think I didn't fuck things up with my best friend." Karrin states flatly, her voice a whole mix of emotions, anger, hurt, love and fear the primary among them. The hand on her shoulder stills some of that whirlwind of emotions with him, fingertips coming up to wrap over top of his, almost an echo of what happened in the bed when they first woke up, before conscious minds kicked in and emotions got complicated. She squeezes his fingertips gently. "I...won't tell you to stop fighting for us. I just don't know how to do anything but bite back." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Opening his mouth to argue, Harry closes it again. He can't. He knows she is right. He would storm off to face He Who Walks Behind right now if he needed to, even if it meant the death of him. They are too alike in that way. "You're right." he finally says, "Ok, then. One issue at a time. You know where the shower is, and by the time you get out I will have another omelet made for you...and more coffee." There is a pause, and a gentle squeeze of his hand on her shoulder, "As for you and me? I think it would take a hell of a lot more than what transpired this morning to have a chance of fucking us up...a hell of a lot more." He places a soft smile on his lips, "Well, if that what it takes, Murph...bite away. I have a high pain tolerance." He leans forward to try and place a friendly kiss on her forehead, a friendly gesture unlike the more emotional liplock from earlier. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A few heartbeats and Karrin leans into the kiss on her forehead. All the fight has gone out of her now. She was never angry with him in the first place, really, but now even the old habits have died out. Karrin just closes her eyes and lets her forehead rest against his chin for a moment. "You...are too good to me sometimes, Harry. And you know me too well." She turns her head, returning the kiss to his jaw. The smallest moment of apology, mostly friendly, but also with a tiny hint of something else. Hope for the future. She fits so well there, just under his chin. The perfect height for these little intimacies. "Shower. Coffee. Omlette. Then work. We both have long days, I'm sure..." She squeezes his hand one last time and then gently pulls herself away, padding barefoot for the shower, motions drowsy with morning and an emotional hangover. Still, this fight was encouraging compared to her other fights and other husbands. This one didn't end with a slammed door or driving off to the highway. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He holds her for as long as she lets herself be held, enjoying the contact between one person to another. It's been a long morning, an emotional rollercoaster that has certainly had its ups and downs. "You deserve it, Karrin. And no shit about not deserving it, I know better. You will never be able to get away with that shit with me." When she finally pulls free and heads towards the shower, he watches her go. Even after the door closes, his gaze lingers on the door. A little wuff comes from around his feet, and he glances down to the puppy. "I know, Mouse. But there is only so much I can do." He squats down, ruffling the puppy's ears. "Besides, I still have to take her home. She can't go to work in booty shorts." 
}}

497/Insomnia's a Jerk

2017-08-03T16:39:55Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/23 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=Karrin can't sleep, so heads over to Harry's to try passing out there. |Cast of Characters=168, 17..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/23
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Karrin can't sleep, so heads over to Harry's to try passing out there.
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's almost three am, an hour of the night no one should be awake. But after staring at her ceiling for hours, revisiting every demon in her head, Karrin just couldn't stand it any more. So, she got in her little Mazda and drove over to the only place she's gotten a decent night's sleep in ages -- Harry's. She's still in her pajamas, in fact. Nothing sexy, just a pair of black booty shorts and an oversized GCPD teeshirt, but she didn't feel like getting dressed just to sneak into his place and pass out on the couch with the dog and cat. The sound of her car outside is quiet as she kills the engine and then scoops up that ward charm he'd given her. She's moving silent as her highly trained body can. She has no wish to actually disturb him, but just to get rest in a place that might let her brain go to sleep. She kept hearing Harvey's voice -- well, not Harvey's, Two-Face's voice, in her head. The warnings. The threats. It was like the embodiment of every piece of her exes in one horrid, scarred man. Harry's place would provide some comfort. So, she sneaks down the stairs on the quietest tip toes... 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Getting in isn't a problem for the Lieutenant. The necklace lets her pass through the wards as if they aren't even there, and her key lets her past the locks without issue. The only hiccup is that damned door, and that can make sneaking a bit trickier. After that demon attack a few years ago, the metal security door tends to stick, causing the use of a bit of force to open. A quick hip check jars the door from the jamb, and it opens easily after the initial shove. Harry isn't there, or at least not in the main room of the apartment. The rug is placed over the trapdoor, so he isn't down in the lab. So if he is at home, he must be in the bedroom. Mouse and Mister must be in there as well, as they are no where to be found. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Hip checking the door makes Murphy wince a little, half worrying that if she doesn't wake Harry she'll probably defintiely wake Mouse. But maybe her scent is enough that the little pup knows her already and doesn't go into barking at an intruder. She holds her breath a few heartbeats, dead still, waiting to see and be sure she hasn't disturbed anything before she continues the slow creep down the stairs into his apartment. Well, no sign of Harry. Trap door covered, skull quiet, no pets. They must all be curled up in bed. So much for the dream of a shaggy puppy at her side, but the couch still looked welcoming and familiar. It smelled like him and safety. She silently tip toes over to it and slips out of her keds that she pulled on for the drive over. Bare foot and mostly bare legged, she settles into the couch and curls up on her side. Already, she feels a bit more at peace. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's quiet once the door is closed again. At least for a moment anyway. Two minutes after Karrin kicks off her keds there is a scratching at the bedroom door. A quiet little wuffle can be heard from behind it as well. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, it was better than barking. Karrin blinks drowsily, having been JUST on the edge of actually dropping off, but puppies take precedence. The short blonde rouses herself again, not even bothering with shoes as she creeps over to Harry's bedroom and cracks open the door. "Shhh, Mouse." She whispers, not even really voiced, just a brush of air and her finger against her lips. "Let him sleep..." She then lets the pup into the room, inspecting if he needs out or just wants to visit. She gently tries to shut the door behind him, hopefully without waking Harry. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Once the door opens, the little puppy squeezes himself out from the crack and waddles around Karrin's feet, letting out another satisfied little wuffle. When she tries to shut the door he sits at the doorway, looking up at her with his puppydog eyes, and then looks back to the bedroom where Harry is. A soft creek from a mattress is heard from the bedroom, springs squeaking as someone moves around. Mouse looks back up at Karrin and wuffles again. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That second wuffle gets a full on glare and, since Mouse seems determined to keep his butt in the door, Karrin smirks and leans down to scoop the little puppy up. He's not quite so little as he was last week, or maybe it's her head, but he's still small enough she can get him in one arm and quickly/quietly shut the door. "Hush, you. Let him sleep. Come on... You can curl up with me for a bit." She mutters to the little canine, smoothing her free hand through his scruff for a few deep scritches. She lingers at the door another heartbeat or two, looking at the shut knob, almost torn... She then takes a deep breath and steels herself against the temptation. Back to the couch, Mouse in her arms. "Sleep. Bed time. For both of us." she mutters to the dog, tucking herself back down into the corner of the couch. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Being picked up, Mouse wuffles again and squirms for a moment until he is firmly settled in the crook of her arm. A little growl escapes the puppy's throat, but not one of warning or anger....no, more like a vocalization. The petting and scritches quiet him down for a moment as his tongue lulls out of his mouth, but once they settle on the couch Mouse lets out one bark. Just one. Then he crawls up and goes to lick her face. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' For a moment, Karrin thinks she has him. A good petting will quiet anyone. But then she realizes just how wrong she is, settling in on the couch just in time for him to give that little bark. "...Dammit! You are SO lucky you are cute." SHe groans quietly, especially as he doesn't let her settle back into sleep. All the face licking and kisses. SHe groans, just taking it a few moments, her fingertips still burying gently scratches behind his ears. "...so lucky," she echoes again. Then, finally, it seems Mouse's plotting works. He's not going to let her settle alone on the couch and he clearly doesn't need to pee. She shakes her head at the dog, "You little... plotter." She grumbles almost fondly before unfolding from the couch again. Back to Harry's door. This time, she pushes it open enough that she can creep inside the dim bedroom instead of let the dog out. She looks over to Harry's bed for a moment, something in her chest silently aching. This was such a poor idea. She wanted to so damn much. So, quiet as can be, she creeps over to whichever side of the bed has the most room. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Mouse gives a happy tail wag as Karrin gives in to his puppy ploy. He lets out another little wuffle when she calls him cute, and it /almost/ sounds like a laugh. As Karrin creeps over to the left side of the bed, Harry slowly stirs. Half asleep he lifts his head as his eyes open barely enough to register as open and he props up slightly on one elbow. "...Murph?" He yawns, "Come back to bed. It's late." He flops back down on the bed, and approximately 3 seconds later a soft snore is heard. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...back?" Karrin mutters curiously. What had he been dreaming? Still, even if she's a little miffed at being outsmarted by a dog, Karrin ruffles Mouse's ears one last time before settling him at the foot of the bed and crawling into the sheets herself. The quiet snore echoing from the other side of the bed gains a look and a long, soft smile. Well, at least she didn't have to answer any questions. She shifts toned legs down beneath the blankets and stretches out at his side. Definitely more comfortable than the couch. While she doesn't exactly wrap herself around him, she does that sutble cuddling thing where her butt and the outside of her thigh brushes against his. Just the smallest bit of warm contant, a quiet indication she is there. The sound of his breath and soft snoring is enough to completely lull away those horrible earlier thoughts. She's dropping into sleep within five minutes herself, the best, most proper sleep she's had in ages. 
}}

459/The Bat and the Wolf in Winter

2017-08-03T16:38:51Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/17 |Location=The streets of Gotham |Synopsis=Things come to a head as the Bat wants the Denarian coin back from team Dresden. |Cast of Char..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/17
|Location=The streets of Gotham
|Synopsis=Things come to a head as the Bat wants the Denarian coin back from team Dresden.
|Cast of Characters=104, 289, 184, 174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Across a series of social media and newspaper classified ads, an encrypted message goes out to one who's trained to look for it. The message? Roughly put: 'Wolf - need help - infiltration / extraction - meet' with information about date, time, and coordinates. The date and time? Now. The coordinates? The Gotham City Aquarium, currently closed for the evening. In the past, urban explorers, ravers, and super-villains have all claimed the space for late-night events. Tonight? Winter may be coming early--a second message sent to Molly, asking for parley on an unspecified matter. Just inside the aquarium's perimeter, Batman skulks in the shadows, awaiting his contact. His suit is only slightly bulkier than usual, a thin but noticeable layer of insulation added for the meeting. 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' It's a good thing even depressed and traumatized former soldiers need something to pass the time, or the Urban Wolf may've never gotten the message. Equally lucky that code breaking is par for the course for assassins. The Wolf drops into a lit area without security camera coverage for a few moments before melding into the shadows to search out his clearly influential rendezvous. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' The aquarium, in all its cool tones and lapping water, is actually a fairly calming place to be. Good to get away from the parade of annoying little pixies and the usual petitioners unable to get through to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. Watching rescued harbour seals hang upside down like torpedoes and turn a milky, blind eye towards her is also entertaining. A simple veil keeps Molly invisible to the usual public, and she hides from the staff by sitting up on a rocky cliff over pools meant to resemble the tidal pool landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Cross-legged, she does a bit of homework while the sea otters float on their backs and chatter at one another. Her pen skims across the old-fashioned notebook, spiral-bound and nothing special, the ink forming a blue ribbon. Blue, blue, blue: it really does suit her nature. It helps to have a few of those slightly brighter fae allies hidden about, mostly in the shadows or swimming around the pool. One of the sea otters is, in fact, closer to a selkie, and clearly enjoying the clean, cold water and fake kelp. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Slowly approaching the Wolf's approximate position from where he'd passed through the lit area, Batman allows himself to seen, his hands visible and empty. "I'm going to need your assistance with a delicate matter," the dark knight says quietly. "Given the current status quo in the city, I can't rely on more conventional means of backup." Batman purses his lips. "There's someone--here in the aquarium--who has information I need. We'll need to learn that info and procure something." He glances about. "And if my intel is accurate ... she already knows we're here. This is a kind of 'home turf' for her." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf's blue LED light eyes look over the bat's hand from his hideaway, moving over next to him for quiet conversation, "Thank you for trusting me with this, Dark Knight. I will be on my best behavior." He says in his typical dry deadpanning monotone, "You lead. I will follow." 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' What kind of excitement awaits to the youngest faerie queen and erstwhile wizard doing her homework? Clearly what assassins and playboy billionaire vigilantes live for: twenty-somethings doodling in the margins. Several of those doodles may default to snowflakes, or complex Celtic knots, or a charming little haloed angel noting a particularly important equation. She sighs, blowing out a cool breath. Molly's gaze travels to the selkie and the normal otters playing in the pool. If half of Gotham knew how pure that water was, they'd be in there too. A fluttering minor fae, a wisp of mist more than physical form, floats around her befuddled. It probably knows Molly is about. A tiny chime questions "Hello?" "Shh," she looks up, gaze narrowed. Puzzled, the girl hidden by a film of invisibility allows her drifting thoughts to travel where they will. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Having made their way through the aquarium's halls, the two costumed vigilantes approach the space where Molly and her entourage are assembled. "Good evening," Batman says in a low--if even possibly politely sounding--growl. "Thank you for meeting with me." He glances slightly over his shoulder at Urban Wolf. "With us." "I won't take much of your time," Batman adds. "I just need you to answer a few questions. The first is: where can I find a man named Michael Carpenter?" 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf follows along close behind the bat, his eyes scanning invisibly over Molly and her entourage through the feed of his mask. As they come to a halt, he stands up tall, hands clasped behind him in a military style at-ease position. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' The invisibility veil remains until someone other than a fae speaks. Then it drops, revealing the blue-haired girl seated cross-legged on the stones about eight feet off the ground. Nothing particularly weird about that, other than her resembling some kind of raver. There are much stranger creatures in the world, and even Gotham's party scene. She slides her feet down to the rocky ledge; her boots are perfectly suitable for a bit of rock-climbing. With the notebook stowed where she sits, she climbs carefully down using the rugged staircase of blocks. "Hello," she replies, cheery and bright rather than inherently suspicious. A bit of a wave follows. This particular area has a few benches raised in a curved tier to better see the kelp forest and the otters, though the adjacent pools feature equally as many pretty fish native to the Atlantic, rather than solely in the Northwest. The misty fae follows her, the only thing to imply anything is odd. Most people don't have their own personal dramatic mist, either. "Would you like to sit down, or are you comfortable where you are? I wouldn't like either of you to feel entirely uncomfortable." Times when she could wish for Harry hiding behind a rock: now. Oh well. She might have barnacles, and a lot of water to work with. Her hand slides along one of the rails and she leans back against it, not approaching much closer. "Your first question: he's usually out and about rather than in one place. He doesn't have an office. Is it urgent?" 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' The caped crusader looks to the wolf. "The man I'm asking about is in possession of a highly dangerous object--one that caused /considerable/ damage to a Gotham neighborhood not long ago. Suffice it to say that it needs to be secured." He glances to Molly as she becomes visible, offering her a slight nod. "In good faith, I allowed GCPD to handle the object for forensic purposes. It has apparently left their custody. This man I mentioned, Michael Carpenter, has it." Batman clears his throat. "Tell me ... why was my good faith betrayed? And where has Michael taken criminal evidence? This is a matter of life and death." He pauses. "I know it can be difficult for anyone to consider that their own father might be involved in something." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf slowly shakes his head as seating is offered, "I am comfortable where I am, thank you." He says in a polite and courteous tone, conveying far more emotion than the one Batman has seen up until now, which is to say any. The implication that Mr. Carpenter is Molly's father causes the Wolf to tilt his head slightly, glancing from Batman to Molly a few times beneath his mask before returning to his fully neutral position. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' The fact that he knows her link to her father -- and hell, Michael barely knows what his daughter is -- doesn't visibly change anything much. She still has a slight smile turning up her lips shellacked frost blue by lipstick, though her eyebrows angle in slightly with thought. Might as well draw a question mark over her head. The sway of her braids reveals a spark of purple under the indigo, and a streak of rose pink three inches wide curves around her cheek. She lazily pushes it back. "You're saying that Michael Carpenter is in possession of a dangerous weapon that ended up transferred from the GCPD to him, somehow. Do you know how it left the forensics department? As it stands, most objects don't walk out of buildings by themselves." "If it is a matter of life and death, and //his safety//," stress implied holds a certain weight that either of them could shoot at or catch in a net, "then it might be worth asking the precise nature of this object and what threat it entails. As it stands, I'm sure his reputation as a Knight speaks for itself." She doesn't touch on her own at all. "It would be especially concerning given the GCPD went on strike. The security measures there would probably be lower than normal. And with the certain commissioner..." Need more be said? "I'm going to need slightly more information than that to be able to assist." 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' "It's safe to say that your father's safety is in danger," Batman replies. He tilts his head toward his companion. "Two of the city's protectors--who aren't limited by protocol or regulation--need to make sure that he's not going to be harmed. And, more importantly, that many /others/ won't be harmed, either." Batman takes a step forward. "We just need his location. Or--if you think he's not the type to carry around ... dangerous weaponry ... with him," Batman adds, "the location of where it might have been left. The two of us could ask around, but I was hoping for a more peaceful resolution." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf leans in slightly to the bat, muttering quietly to him, "Given the timing, this may have something to do with the Joker's appointment as commissioner. Not a certainty, but a possibility nonetheless." He leans back and looks over towards Molly, "Anything you can offer will assist in ensuring your father's safety." 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' The large pool behind her frames Molly's unassuming, party-girl getup. Nothing serious to see in a girl with a punk t-shirt and pieced together skirt, her knees to toes clad in buckled leather boots. "So you say. That is rather concerning." She turns her head to peer down into the water, and toys with one of the necklaces around her. Magic, in her part, is pretty swift and difficult to notice. Not much changes, especially what with her gaze slanting away from them. As it stands, it's classical wizardry rather than her other suite of gifts, easy as those are to muster. Divination to blood kin? That's the easiest route of them all. "Describe the object, if you would." If they say the sword, she's going to probably laugh aloud. "Precise terms. Physical description. I'm not entirely dumb, you can get a bit scientific. The degree has to be worth something, right?" 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Batman frowns slightly. "I did not have as long to examine it as I would have liked. Part of the 'good faith' effort I mentioned. However," he adds, raising a hand to rub his chin, "it was a coin. It looked old. Not 'early US' old--probably much older. Maybe medieval or Roman." "I'm guessing your father is not a coin collector," Batman says. "And I don't know he's involved in this case. He has potentially trustworthy officers vouching for him--but we can't afford second-hand assurances. I'm not willing to see anyone else die as a result." He looks again to the wolf. "If it would help ... we can ensure that he never even knew we were there. I don't know if your father's compromised in the way that the city's government seems to be. I understand the needs of family loyalty." His expression darkens. "But I /will/ keep the people here safe--whether you help or not." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf stands stoic and silent, nodding slightly as Batman makes his reaffirmation of his mission to protect Gotham no matter the obstacle. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' A horrified shudder traces right up the young woman's spine and lodges somewhere underneath her skull. Her toes curl in her boots and almost interrupts the whisper of lilting words upon her lips. Oh yes, advantages to magic; better for her than the chill of winter. Her mantle wreathes her almost invisible, few hints of it other than the slight dip of temperature. It remains to be seen if that will become numbingly cold. "As far as that kind of trouble goes, I can assure you he would not use the coin. He cannot, any more than you can transform into a giant Irish elk this moment. You aren't an elk, you don't have elk bits in you, and all the imagining in the world won't give you more than a headache," she finally says, once the spell awakens and tears a fairly good chunk of energy from her. The divination lands in the water and permeates its glimmering clarity. Her magic easily ripples through it, revealing only to her eyes the whereabouts of a coin, and her father. She's already sifting through the precision, looking for one of the thirty pieces bearing cursed angels -- demons, now -- tinged by the infernal. It's a delicate business, but then, sensitivity and delicate business is what she does, it's what she lives for. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' "Even if you think /he/ won't use it, that doesn't mean he can keep it safe," Batman replies. "For each one of us looking to protect Gotham, a dozen psychopaths spring up to try and torture and murder everyone." Batman turns quickly to the wolf while Molly's occupied, speaking quietly. "We don't need to take him out. But we need to find that coin. The only thing worse than maniacs in my town are magic-wielding maniacs." He watches the woman look at--or through--the water. "Miss..." he begins. "Molly," he says, more sternly. "You might work on a different understanding of time right now, but we don't have that luxury. Where--is--he?!" Batman's voice grows louder and angrier. 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf holds stock still, slowly surveying and evaluating Molly and her entourage as it seems negotiations may be in the opening stages of breaking down. Or at least they may seem that way to one with little to no understanding of magic, such as the aforementioned Wolf, simple creature as he is, "Every second lost is a second closer to danger your father falls." He says with a slight urging to his ever calm voice. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' "With all due respect, don't interrupt me, okay? Interruptions can go pear-shaped real fast." Molly doesn't put any snap in her voice, silken and distant, the magic feeding deeper into the water. She can surely see the rising spell, but for anyone else, it's merely a pool where the sea lions conveniently stick to the side. "You're describing these things on the same plane of a self-aware nuke. I have to use a little more caution to avoid letting anyone know we're coming for it. This thing is probably a lot like the One Ring. It will defend itself from you randomly trying to pounce it." Her braids sway as she leans over the rail separating her from the pool, the bank of windows giving a pretty view of the harbour. "Really, gentlemen, you give me few reasons to not cooperate with you. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and all that." Her tongue clicks against her teeth, tongue stud giving a very specific note of metal. "Gotcha. So, it /does/ beg the question. How are you going to keep it safe when this thing is potentially a self-aware nuke that's several centuries, possibly millennia, old, and empowered by a bigger, badder, scarier thing than any of us?" 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' In response to Molly's statements, Batman offers as flat an expression as he can, although his jaw is set as if he's ready to respond--but he remains silent as she continues working. When she finally asks the question, the dark knight waits a moment before replying. "I have a few contacts," he says. "Contacts who could make sure this object can never be found or possessed by anyone else--not ever again." "After all," he continues, "as I said before ... neither of us is bound by a set of protocols that might compromise this operation. And I'm prepared to make sure it can't be." Batman glances to the wolf, but says nothing else on his behalf. Then, Batman continues: "If your father's done nothing with it, he has nothing to worry about. And I won't let him know we talked, if that's your price for aid." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf returns to silence, simply watching the pair in their verbals sparring, all the while wondering what could be so dangerous about a coin. Poor naive Daniel. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' Nothing says fun like an immortal infernal power ready to corrupt the good and the wise and the powerful. It's just par for the course. The mist fades away from around Molly and she taps her fingers in a quick rhythm against the bar, still lost in the haze of her own visions. Or something comparatively similar. "Got people ready to go into the west, do you?" The mirth in her voice is surprisingly warm, and she smooths one of those loose braids, at least the end. "I'm going to need a few minutes, and a few things. Going on foot," she says simply, not further explaining herself. There is no need. For all she knows, they have a modern zeppelin floating outside, and the fae are about to all go airborne. All one of them. "You're going to want to head over to the Nantwich Station. I can navigate directly from there, but you can't follow the way I walk. It's not really the most direct but it will be faster." 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' "Wait," Batman says, frowning. "Were you under the assumption that you were going with us?" He shakes his head. "That's not happening. We're prepared for this. You don't need to endanger yourself. All we need is the location." Nonetheless, he turns and begins back toward the aquarium entrance. "Wolf ... it goes without saying, but: I don't like this." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf turns and follows after Batman, just as they had come in, "Agreed. It's one thing for us to run into a fire, it's another to run into it with a civilian." He says it loud enough for Molly to still clearly hear, in stark contrast to his typically muted voice, "But I'm not seeing many options here." He says in his normal volume, though if her hearing is particularly keen, Molly may yet pick up on it. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' A little laugh follows, bright and warmer still. "And how do you think I'd feel if you got shot or a tentacle poked through the holes in your mask? I'm coming for the popcorn rights." And, prospectively, to avoid that sort of issue. It won't matter one way or the other, all said and done, because good luck telling her no. Just ask Michael Carpenter. Or Harry Dresden. Or, say, God. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' SPINNING BATMAN INSIGNIA! DOO-DEE-DOODELY-DEEDLY-DOO---WAH-WAHH! Batman and the Wolf approach Nantwich Station quietly and stealthily. "Don't get too complacent--not that I think you will," Batman says. "I don't trust her too much. I /did/ see her networking with Mister Freeze not long ago. If she'd done anything more overtly criminal, this talk might have gone down very differently," the caped crusader says. "Now ... where is she?" 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf crouches down over the station as they await Molly's arrival, taking the stance standard to all costumed freaks who perch on gargoyals and locking into it like he's hiding from a motion senser, "If she's not here in five minutes I'll go do a sweep for her. If she's traveling by foot, who knows what might've gone wrong. These are dangerous times afterall. Just a few hours ago I bounced from a potentially suspicious girl in the park, to a copycat of you, to a group of cops harassing a woman. All within the same park, and within the same five minutes." Is that a slight hint of amusement? Why, I think it is! 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' Hey, it's a busy part of the neighbourhood. Stations usually are. There go people back and forth, trying to get where they want to go. To be fair, there aren't any signs of the weird there anyways. The congestion around any station for parking spots is considerable, and they'll have a moment or three to wait for the girl to show up. If there's any reason, blame the frappuccino abomination she's drinking on the way, sipping through a bright green straw. But she is navigating, just not on the scene yet, because there's one other person who rightly would show up first. (OOC fun. Isn't it delightful?) 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' As time passes, Batman narrows his eyes. "We've been set up. Or, at least, we've been sold out." He shakes his head and looks about. "So we have a man with an incredibly dangerous object in his possession ... and his daughter, who's got a range of potential abilities that are their own cause for alarm, who now knows about it." Batman sighs. "The Carpenter family may have just become the most dangerous family in Gotham." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There are few things that will shock one into action as readily as hearing that someone is going after one of the Denarian coins. Less than two minutes after the pixie made its was to Harry's doorstep, Karrin and Harry were in the Blue Beetle tearing through the streets of Gotham towards Natnwich Station. The Beetle is not subtle, with its green and white doors, red hood, and blue body. It wasn't made for stealth. Frankly it is only the skill of a magician of a mechanic that keeps it running most days. Screetching to a halt in front of the station, Harry barely waits of the car to be in park before his door is open and he is exiting the car, grabbing his staff from its resting place in the back seat as he exits the car. "BATMAN?!" he screams, "You can't have it!" 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' From the darkness, a batarang spins through the air toward the hand that wields Harry's staff. Behind it, Batman drops from the roof of the station, his cape draping out behind him like an extension of the shadows. "It needs to be kept safe--and I can only assume you're after it for your own ends," the dark knight responds in a loud, gravelly voice. "You've got one chance to walk away from this. Keep me from Michael Carpenter and you'll regret it," he adds. 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf is nowhere to be seen as Batman drops in, having moved to cover a flanking angle as the pair, Batman, had reasoned that they were being double crossed. He's already low, but the distraction of the Dark Knight of Gotham swooping in makes detecting him a mythical task indeed. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' More than a little hung over, the asprin really isn't cutting it, Karrin Murphy is about two seconds too slow to stop Harry from opening his damn fool mouth and the wince that crosses her face a heartbeat after his words isn't about a hangover headache. It's a look of 'Oh god, how can you be so stupid?' So, short, blonde and fiesty is trailing up after Harry very quickly, at a half jog, her hands up and palms open. "Harry! Knock it off, dammit... Batman. We... we're ALL ON THE SAME SIDE HERE!" Karrin's voice hisses, headache becoming worse by the second, but her blue eyes flash with adrenaline and the sort of crisis intervention that all cops get when they feel a situation could become a ticking bomb any moment. "We are all trying to protect this city. NONE of us want one of those coins in the wrong hands. Period. Dot. Can we agree on that?!" 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' The girl with her green tea frozen frappu-whatever-thingy doesn't take more than three minutes, fourteen seconds, or about that to show up. Hardly grounds for treachery, though some people are just super impatient. Molly is busy enjoying the benefits of a chilly drink without brain freezes, when the Bug comes careening around a corner right on time. Her frosted blue lips, lip gloss defiantly in place, quirk up. Absolutely no comment will be made on the pert blonde piling out of the clown car speedily. Now is exactly the time she emerges through the pedestrians most inured to this sort of weirdness and waves. Her t-shirt of the day favours the Sex Pistols, and the fluffy skirt is a masterpiece of deconstruction reconstructed. Try missing the blue-haired grasshopper. "Seriously, I //told// you I'd get here!" With whipped cream and infernal dusting of matcha. "Thank you! Listen to her, because she's telling you pretty much everything about the truth." Except that bit she isn't. The girl doesn't precisely bounce in behind Harry but it's close. "Also, can we point out this is **my dad** we're talking about here? Because, you know, that gives me a vested stake in making sure he's very not dead. Which you seem to know, Mr. Man of Bats, so let's put down our pointy stabby throwing objects and our gimlet looks because this is not a Brando film and no one here gets to die or hurt one another, because Mrs. Policewoman said so." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry is used to guns or spells. Batarangs don't register on the list of things that he prepares for, so there is a surprised yelp of pain as it connects with his hand, causing his staff to drop from his grip. His eyes narrow at the Batman as he drops from the roof, shaking the bracelet out on his left hand and forcing some of his will into it. "Of course it needs to be kept safe, you jackass!" There is a wave of his right hand, and a muttered 'vento servitas' from the wizard's lips, and a gust of wind whips the staff from the ground and back into Harry's hand. "It is Michael's job to protect people from those coins, I am NOT going to let you try and take it back from him." He casts a glance to Karrin and Molly, then back to the Bat. "He started it.." 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' "If it was his job to keep it safe from the get-go," Batman says, eyes narrowed, "then should he be to blame for the damage that Nunez caused? Or for the injuries she sustained?" The vigilante takes a tensed, defensive stance, arms poised at his sides. "Or am I to assume he's investigating it himself? If so, then we should know how to find him to work together. But," Batman adds, his voice growing sharper, "if all we get is obstacle after obstacle, I can only assume things are /not/, in fact, as you all say." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf keeps watch from the shadows, pistol slowly and silently being drawn from it's holster and safety clicking off as things deteriorate further, violence becoming practicly a certainty. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Despite her rumpled state -- and Karrin Murphy is DEFINITELY rumpled at the moment, her hair half sticking up from having slept on it weird, her clothes wrinkled from being slept in as well and her brain still catching up to the severity of this situation, she is a cop. She's trained for things as dangerous as this. So, as the men all bark at each other and show off with batarangs and spells, Karrin keeps her hands up and out, the show of being peaceful and calm. She's trying to get them all to relax. Her bloodshot eyes flicker over to Molly, "Trust me, Miss Carpenter, we have not forgotten that this is your father. No one is talking about killing him, I promise that." She really HOPED that, her eyes narrowing on Batman a bit more. "It is Michael's job. Just like it's my job as a cop to help keep this city safe, and you all take it upon you to protect the city as well. But is Gotham ever REALLY safe? No. We can never be everywhere at once. You cannot blame a man for not being perfect. NONE of us are perfect. But we just keep in the fight. I promise you that Michael would be willing to talk if we can all stop threatening each other and agree that we are on the same damn side. We're willing to work together on this, alright? So, just calm down." Then she looks back to Harry, giving him a little smirk, "You too. You're not making this any better." 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' "'Neither of us is bound by a set of protocols that might compromise this operation. I'm prepared to make sure it can't be. If your father's done nothing with it," big stress there on it, "then he has nothing to worry about. Oh, and we won't take him out.'" The statements have the cadence of quotation, and they probably do. Molly sips on her frappuccino, no loud or noisy slurping like some unmannered heathen. Her mother, or possibly a very grumpy dragon, might eat her for daring. "These two fellows have been pretty clear they want to help keep the city safe, and they're willing to sneak in and around without Dad knowing. I get their sentiments, I really do. But I have to ask the red button question. Do you even know what you're dealing with, Batman? And you, Mister Soldier?" Her thumb toys with the line of her necklace, a gentle touch really. Her outrageous outfit aside, Molly sounds fairly tired. Serious. "I don't want to state the obvious or cover stuff you already know. But there's this much. That thing wants to be stolen, like the One Ring. And I'm pretty sure given you're kind of a childhood hero, but **not** like Superman, you'd just be ending up like a super scary Gollum hissing my precious from the rooftops, and trying to throw things at anyone who wanted to help you. I don't want to touch it, no way. I don't think there are many people who could keep it safe. My dad sorta has a special seal of quality approval to deal with them. And since you're suggesting he sucks at keeping it under control, I'll point this out. Gonna go all Galadriel on you, you take that and instead of a dark knight you will set up a lord. You shall be horrible and terrible, because it only brings despair." Her smile is a bit bent at the corners, pained as much as it is terribly pretty. "The corrosive effect of humanity's own misdeeds and their baser nature are a risk within us all. Everyone has the capacity or goodness or great evil, checked only by their own desires, interests, and willpower. Sometimes a helpful shove pushes them over the edge, and then some are practically damn near incorruptible. Those souls are rare. Making my point here, you just can't up and destroy the coin. You can't make it vanish all away or else don't you think someone would've thought of that in the oh, two thousand past years? It wants us to fight. You protect this town working together. Again, tossing it into Mount Doom is way, way easier if we're all at odds with one another. Don't be Bat Boromir." 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' Tossing it into Mount Doom is way, way easier if we're *not* all at odds with one another. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' "So..." Batman begins, pausing for just a second. "The way you've decided would be to propose talking is to screech up in...whatever that is..." he adds, nodding curtly to the Volkswagen, "and threaten individuals /already looking/ to talk?" From his tensed position, the dark knight rises to his full height. "This strains credulity, Lieutenant," he says, looking back and forth among the three agents of resistance to his plan. "You understand how your tactics might be interpreted differently than you expect. That it could damage our relationship," says Batman. "Forever...or, at least, for the foreseeable future." He sighs slowly. "Given the way law enforcement is currently operating in the city, I don't have much room to forgive sloppiness from anyone claiming to still be on the side of 'right'. Believe me," the vigilante continues, "I don't /want/ to rely solely on my 'super' friends. But you're working against your goals here." When Molly speaks, quoting him, Batman turns his gaze directly on her, quiet until she finishes speaking. "If you're /not/ willing to stop your father, then you've already given up. What I'm after is the information I need to investigate a case. A case that I /thought/ I was working on in conjunction with Gotham police. But that's not so if they're ridding themselves of evidence so quickly. I can't help others if I don't have all the data. If this is where we draw our lines in the sand, then there it is." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Speaking of rumpled states, Harry doesn't look much better. Fact is that he looks worse, HIs hair is a rumpled mess, his face unshaven and and his clothes looking like he slept in them as well, but then had the added benefit of being used as a mattress. "Hell's bells! Do you even know what you are trying to grab?" says the wizard as he glowers at the dark knight. "You are trying to blame MICHAEL?! One of the best and most honest men I know?" The wizard looks to Molly as she makes her speech, then back to the bat, "Let me spell this out for you, since Michael isn't here. I'll have to clif-notes this thing as I don't have all the info, but short story is this. This coin...it's one of 30. The 30 pieces of silver given to Judas Iscariot. Each one holds a fallen angel, which will influence someone at the slightest touch. Michael is a freaking Knight of the Cross, and it is his freaking job to deal with these coins, and the demons that they contain. You expect me to let you just take one that has been already secured? You are insane." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The military issued Wolf ignores Molly's berating and rambling rant at the group as he remains in hiding, ready to take down Harry on a moment's notice. Karrin recieves slightly more attention but does little to sway his unseen hand. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "We didn't know what kind of situation we were coming up on, Batman. Seriously. We got a message from a scared young lady that her father was being threatened, so we ran here." Karrin then gives Harry another little glare, frustration clear on her face, "And Harry is... an idiot man that thinks with his staff more than his brain, sometimes. But he's being honest. They both are...Even if Molly is letting her nerd flag fly real hard there. This is why those coins are such bad news. This is why a man OF THE CHURCH is handling them. This is why I handed them over. Even MORE Importantly now, because I don't fucking trust a single person at the PD right now and the only reason I haven't quit is because this city needs SOMEONE sane with a badge to turn to if things get even worse. I can't give up just because it seems like the bad guys are winning. NONE of us can. That's when we fight back more. So, I still have my badge, but there is no way I want one of those coins in evidence at the department." She sighs deeply, finally letting her hands drop. One pushes back through her hair, trying to make herself look some semblance of put back together. She doesn't really succeed. "Look... talking to Michael seems... wisest. If we can find him. His work for the church takes him all around the world and I don't even know if he's in town. But those coins... they are safest there. I'd put my life on it. More than that, I'd put the lives of those I am *sworn* to serve and protect on it. I already have. I don't regret making that choice." 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' "My father answers to God. Capital G. The coins are steeped in evil. You can't do much better than keep them on holy ground. Maybe hope someone from Team God shows up to deal with it. Oh, wait, that's Michael Carpenter. Until Saint Michael descends personally, I'm afraid your choices are limited. But suppose I hear you out and you saw the coin, then what? What are you trying to achieve? May be that Officer Murphy or Mr. Dresden can do more for you than a single line of pursuit." Molly is trying to be reasonable, she truly is. Though her hackles are slowly rising, and it's not for nothing that several hidden little winter fae are peering out from the eaves and crannies of buildings watching her. Some things are unspoken, but her cooling emotions are worse than the hotter ones. "Telling Dad what's up isn't the problem, Harry. He already knows. And he's not going to be stupid with a Denarian. I'm not breaking anything by stopping one of them getting out, either, am I? Proactive protection?" Don't ask why the frappuccino thing has frozen solid while she holds the cup. "It's not like we just conjure up all thirty coins, toss them in a pot, and say 'Michael, blessed power, smite,' or really, has no one thought of that?" The last is at a whisper. Karrin and Harry can throw their hands up at her. It's justified. 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' Standing motionless and silent, Batman waits until everyone has spoken. "Alright," he says in his quiet growl. "Has everyone assumed their preferred posture?" Batman raises a hand to point to Murphy. "Lieutenant. I will extend--for a time--the line of trust you have already frayed, if you are able to put Carpenter in touch with me. Because it is clear that no one here, myself included, knows the location of these coins...assuming there are, in fact, more than one of them, it behooves me to learn what I can from an informed party." He tilts his head a shallow angle to the left. "/Because/ there is more to learn, I want--if not need--to examine the coin so I can pursue more than one lead. When that option was taken from me, seeking out its current owner was the only remaining avenue. If I am limited to examining it in Carpenter's presence, then that may have to do." He furrows his brow for a moment. "I think I once read that 'the righteous giveth and spareth not.'" "Wolf," Batman adds, "you can stand down. I don't want to hurt anyone undeserving. Especially not allies. But," he says, taking a step closer to Harry and Karrin, "we'll have to see how that unfolds." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "I can pretty much guarantee that isn't going to happen." Harry says flatly as he stares down the Batman. Harry has faced vampires, trolls, ogres, fairies and all sorts of other nasties, the guy in the halloween costume just doesn't intimidate him. "I don't give a rat's ass what you want, or need, to do. Did you miss the part where one touch subjects you to the corruption in the coin? To the possession of a fallen angel?" He raises his left hand out, palm forward, "Now don't give me this 'I will be careful' crap. It isn't something to be trifled with. I don't care if you had all three Knights of the Cross standing around you ready to fight and you were in a hazmat suit with tongs on a ten foot pole, it's not safe. There is nothing you need to learn from this coin that I would risk having you accidentally come in contact with it." At the mention of 'Wolf' Harry arches a brow and glances to the sides, pushing a bit more will into his bracelet to that the invisible shield expands to cover more completely. "I'm not looking for a fight, and for all I have heard you are supposedly one of the good guys. But this isn't the Joker, this isn't Two-face, this isn't even on par. If the thing in the coin gets out it will make the Joker's last rampage look like a day at the zoo. I'm not a religious man, but I pry to God that there is only the one coin. If there are other Denarians in town or if they come for the coin while it is here, then we have so many more problems to deal with." He looks to Karrin, "Hey...I didn't set anything on fire. Concider that restraint." 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf relaxes, his gun's safety going back on and the pistol itself being returned to it's holster. A moment later he descends from his vantage point just over the meeting, landing gracefully by Batman, "I'm glad we could all come to an understanding. Let's try to avoid everything imploding shall we? Or do I need to remind you of the looming clown overlording the city? And what might happen should he take notice of and collect one of these coins you're so worried about?" He says in a dry deadpan as his slightly wolfish mask cants from person to person. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' THe blonde doesn't jump at the Wolf's appearance. Perhaps she had spotted him? More likely, she knows it's not wise to let them see your surprise. Best to always look like everything is in hand. It's just good practice. So, her bloodshot blues flicker over to him and she studies the military clad man up and down for a moment before giving a slight nod in agreement. "Trust me... I am well aware of the insane clown that has swooped into being commissioner. We're working on trying to... fix it, but shit, I'm only one woman and I feel like half the department has lost its head." She admits, though the look across her face betrays some of the utter heartbreak she feels over all this. It's killing her slowly inside. As Harry goes on, Karrin just steps up next to him, one reassuring hand reaching for his shoulder, "Harry. He gets it. Down, boy. Seriously. Michael is a grown man and has been doing this a lot longer than either of us. He'll explain. Everything will be fine." She looks over to Molly, "That goes for you too, missy. Your father can handle this. We'll let them talk, alright? Now... can we all back down and go the way we came without biting off each other's heads any more?" 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' So much for that drink, given it's frozen solid. Molly gives a roll of her eyes. "I don't interfere with what Dad does. That's why he has the sword and I have the really cool outfits." Because Knights of the Cross don't get to wear superawesome dresses, all said and done. Nor does Michael mince about in leather boots like that. "It's all cool. Though I reserve the right to keep Dad good and safe and in one piece." A smile follows on that, a daughter's duty and all that. The shivering effect of her full smile on many people isn't exactly unreasonable. "All right, ta! I'm off and we'll catch up later. You two keep fuzzy, and you two up there, keep that Joker guy from raiding a Sephora and painting himself like a blind man in a cyclotron." Of course, it bears noting she knows where the coin is. Whether wisdom goeth before impulse... 

:'''{{#var:104|Batman (104)}} has posed:''' The caped crusader offers only a thin smile in response to Harry. Without turning his gaze to the others, he says, "Tell Carpenter I'll be contacting him soon through the Lieutenant. We'll see if he can be more of an adult than ... whatever this is." He gives Dresden a quick down-and-up glance. Batman slowly takes a few steps backward toward the shadows of the station, nearer to the Wolf. "Remember who was willing to be reasonable--and who immediately jumped the gun and expected bloodshed. Being ready for the worst and escalating to that point are two different things." Once there's some distance between the two groups, Batman nods to his companion and takes a grappling gun from his belt, firing up to a nearby building and pulling himself into the air. His cape flutters out behind him like dark wings, and he swings off into the night. 

:'''{{#var:289|Dan Richter (289)}} has posed:''' The Wolf chuckles slightly at Batman's taunt and nods to his statement, "Wise words, Dark Knight. Good hunting." He says as he returns the nod and grapple-guns off in a different direction from the caped crusader, off to spread more of the cooperation and friendship displayed here no doubt. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Gritting his teeth, the wizard opens his mouth to say something else, but the hand on his shoulder stays his response and he closes it again. He takes a deep breath and looks to Karrin before staring back towards where the bat went, "Reasonable? He is the asshole that 'shot first'. Speaking off." The wizard walks over to where the Batarang fell, squatting over to pick it up and slip it into his pocket. He turns to Karrin and cocks his head to the side, "Just in case." He stands again, and starts back towards the car. "Come on, i'll take you home. You can yell at me on the way." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A quiet, respectful nod is given to Batman and the unfamiliar military man. "... Thank YOU for being reasonable." She murmurs flatly. Then it's towards MOlly, "YOU. Be good. You do remember what that means, right? Don't make me tell your mother things..." She says with an arched brow, but there is a protective gaze behind it. Then, finally, she's looking to Harry and she gives his good shoulder a little squeeze, sighing deeply. "...I won't yell. My head hurts too much to yell. But I do have select words and thoughts about how we should be the better man here. For Michael's sake, if not your own..." She mainly sounds tired. So worried and so tired. She then makes her way back to his car. 
}}

384/Tall, Dark Stranger in Bludhaven

2017-08-03T16:37:21Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/12 |Location=The Magic Box |Synopsis=Harry makes his way to The Magic Box to check it out, and meets the local witches. |Cast of Characters..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/12
|Location=The Magic Box
|Synopsis=Harry makes his way to The Magic Box to check it out, and meets the local witches.
|Cast of Characters=190, 174, 199
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Always searching for more things to learn in regards to witchcraft, the Scoobies main wicca is over at the Magic Book. She's fairly certain that things here are a little overpriced, but she's still fairly new at this whole witch thing. She flips through one of the books in the front area of the store, wondering if she is ever going to really need a spell for turning one's skin green. This spell might explain the whole green skinned witch myth though. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Getting magical supplies when you are a wizard is difficult at the best of times. It isn't like there is a whole lot of stores that sell things like the sound of silence, A shadow, or a ray of moonshine. Finding one that even has anything 'authentic' is rare, since most occult bookshops sell mundane lore and knowledge. So, when Harry Dresden hears about a magic shop in Blüdhaven that supposedly is legit, he makes a trip in his trusty Blue Beetle over from Gotham to take a gander. He walks into the bookstore, all 6'9" of him, ducking slightly to clear the doorjamb. He is dressed as usual in his dark attire; jeans, shirt, and boots, all black as well as a large leather duster, complete with a mantle, that billows behind him as he walks. He also carries a staff in his right hand, carved with ancient symbols. "Hell's bells, this place might actually be legit." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Looking up from the book she cradles in her arms, Willow's eyes go wide. Other then the few that she has met here, most of the people that claim to be wicca are just pretending, at best. In fact, other then herself, Tara, Constantine and a few others, she doesn't know of anyone that is genuinely, authentically really really wiccan. But this man, this very, very tall man, has an air about him. Mind you, that could just be the staff making her think that or just the fact that he has a presence about him that makes him seem not quite right. Realizing she's staring, she quickly looks back down into the book in her arms. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry is used to people staring. His height usually makes people turn heads, but his typical attire causes more than a few lingering gazes...usually followed by a snort and a laugh. Still, he tends to notice. Plastering a smile on his face as best he can, he takes a few steps inside the shop towards the redhead "Excuse me? Miss? Do you work here, or know who I might be able to talk to regarding getting ahold of some more exotic supplies? I've heard this place specializes in some 'rare' ingredients." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Blinks as the tall man walks over to her and addresses her directly. She seems relieved when he mistakes her from someone that works at the shop. That's much better then the alternative. Brushing a bit of hair over her ear and then giving the man a sweet, quirky smile, she gestures to the counter. "She's the owner," she says, pointing ot a woman who looks like she's starting to reach the end of her tether. The place does indeed look legit enough. Sure there are the items for the weekend wicca, but they do carry what appears to be genuine eye of newt, even though salamander eyes work just as well and cost only half of those of newt. "I come here fairly often. Maybe I could help you find what you are looking for?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Glancing towards the woman at the counter, Harry turns his attention back to Willow and shrugs a shoulder, "Sure. Do you happen to know if they carry some more unique items, like moonlight or the sound of silence? I'm working on a couple of potions and seem to be out of some of the more selective ingredients." The large man casts a glance down at the spell book that she has in her hand and chuckles lightly to himself, "Save your money. If you want a decent tome, I'd suggest something less 'glamour goth girl'. If you are interested, I might be able to help find something more substantial." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow has to think about that. Most of the spells she casts uses powders, herbs and crystals. She's heard of the ingredients the looming figure is asking for, but those tend to be used for spells far beyond what she can do. "Well, I know they keep a Hand of Glory in the basement," she tells him. Even though it's a statement, her shy nature makes the sentence lift at the end as if a question. "I think they keep the really rare things down there. And the dark stuff they keep upstairs." She gestures up to the loft. Willow looks the man up and down again, trying to get a sense of him as well as cataloging all the details she can for Buffy and Constantine later. This guy might be up to no good on the Hellmouth and that would be.... well? No good. She blushes over at the mention of the book, closing it and hugging it to her chest. "Oh! I just... I like to think that all books have something you can work with. I tend to make my own spells, based on others. I tinker." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden nods as he listens to Willow, his eyes casting up at the loft as she mentions 'dark' stuff as a not so subtle frown forms on his lips. "I'm sorry...did you just say they keep stuff for black magic upstairs?" There is an edge to his voice. It's not cold, but it certainly has lost a hint of the warmth it had just a moment earlier. The wizard sighs, shaking his head and looking back to Willow, "That is all that spell craft is, really. Making things your own. I only consult the books if I am trying something really tricky, but I've also likely had much more experience. Have you been practicing long? Who is your master?" 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' There is something about the Tall Man in Black when he asks about the darker stuff that has Willow take a step back. "I.. I don't think any of it is for actual sale. I think it's just there to be kept an eye on. Maybe? Mostly?" She puts the book away that was in her arms and starts looking over at candles, chewing on the insides her her cheeks? "Me? Oh, a little over a year now. Maybe closer to a year and a half." Her eyes dart from side to side at the mention of a master. "Umm... You mean my teacher? Cause I'm not into that kinky stuff." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "It shouldn't be out at all. To much temptation for someone to break one of the laws of magic if someone goes rummaging around where they don't belong." says Harry as he flicks his gaze back towards the loft. He takes a deep breath and mutters to himself. "Not your city, Harry. Let it go." He looks back to Willow and lets out a little choked back laugh. "...Hell's bells! You're like what...15? You shouldn't even know about...that." He shakes his head as a bit of a flush comes to his face, "Yes, I meant your teacher." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' The stranger makes a lot of sense on the point of the dark magics being more easily accessible then the rare ones. She had always thought it would be better to have them switched around; the rare stuff in the loft where you can get them quickly and still be in view of the shop and the dark items downstairs behind the locked door of the basement. But, not her shop. "Laws of Magic?" Wait, there are laws? "Like laws of gravity laws or laws 'handcuffs and jailtime' laws?" She stands a little straighter when the man accuses her of being 15. "I'll have you know, I'm in university. Well... community college, but still! I haven't been 15 in years!" The sighs softly then and lifts a shoulder. "I don't have one. I taught myself out of the books a friend has. He's sort of taught me a thing or two, but mostly he just lets me look at his books and tells me how dangerous what I'm doing is and to be careful." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden frowns again, "I'll have to assume that your friend isn't part of the White Council then. The society I am a member of follows seven laws of magic. Breaking any of them is a capital offense. They are pretty self explanatory and common sense. You know, don't kill with magic, don't force people to do things with magic, don't travel in time, etcetera." He glance back down at the redhead, chuckling as she reacts to his guess at her age "Ok..ok...sorry. My mistake. Still, sounds like your friend should exercise more caution." He reaches into his duster and pulls out a business card, offering it over to Willow. "I do try and help people with the talent, so if you are interested..." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow nods her head as she absorbs this information. White Council? Seven laws? None of that stuff was ever mentioned in any of the books she's read, and she's read a lot of books. The idea that there is knowledge out there that she doesn't already at least know the existance of piques Willow's curiosity. "So, you mean the handcuffs and jailtime sort of laws then. But for magic. Oh... that would have been nice to know. Ummm... do vampires count as people? You know, for the killing with magic?" she asks shyly. She then looks nervous, her words rushed. "Not that I have! You know, if it's not okay! I'm just curious. For a friend!" The copper haired college girl is a terrible liar. Reaching for the card, Willow looks at it and blinks, then looks up. Her green eyes are full of awe. "You're Harry Dresden? Like *the* Harry Dresden? Because, you're tall enough, but still... here? In this town? Are you sure you're not trying to bluff me?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "No." Harry says with a slight narrowing of his eyes, "Vampires certainly do not count as people. The laws are for mortals, mostly. It could be used to demons and the fae as well, so we try not to directly influence them..or at least good wizards don't. It's always about free will." He blinks as you seem to recognize him, "Yeah...? You know who I am?" He snorts, "I can't think of a single reason why anyone would ever want to pretend to be me." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow sighs with relief when told that vampires don't count when it comes to that law about killing with magic. That would have been terribly awkward. Willow has never been wanted by the law before and the very idea that she might have been was threatening her good girl view of the world and of herself. "I've never worked with demons or the fairy folk. I'm mostly what you would call a Hedge Witch, I guess. Asking for favours of the gods and goddesses. Herbs, candles, crystals." She laughs softly then and nods. "I've heard of you a couple times. We had an... a problem a little while back and I saw your name and I suggested we might ask you. But Giles says your a phony. No offense! He just says that real wizards don't advertise." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Well, i'm real, and I advertise." snarks Harry, folding his arms over his chest, letting the staff rest in the crook of his arm. "This Giles guy your friend? The one that is helping you out?" "As far as demons or the fae? My advice is just don't. Stay as far from them as possible. Both of them will try and trick you into bargains and deals, and next thing you know you will be dinner, or worse." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Wow, this guy is intimidatingly tall, especially when he crosses his arms like that and seems unhappy with what she said. Mind you, she can't blame him. She tries to give him a happy smile, trying to look not at all nervous. "If I say yes, is that going to get him in trouble?" "I know enough to stay away from demons. We have to deal with them all the time. I've never even thought of actually working with one before. And the only fae I've seen are the ones I sort of created. Will O'Wisp and the like. Oh! Like once, I cast this spell to guide me to my friends! But, I wasn't very specific, so it sort of split into a lot of wisps and I lost control and they started chasing me." She started off rather excited about her accomplishment at first, but as she finishes the story it becomes less excited and more embarrassed. "Yeah... so there's that." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden shakes his head, "No. It's not like I am going to rain firey wizard wrath down on him for not believing I'm real. Hell's bells, if I did that most people would suffer my furious anger!" He pauses for effect, and then gives Willow a wink, breaking out into a grin. The grin turns into a chuckle as she relays her story, "Constructs created from the NeverNever certainly need more focus to control. You're lucky all they did was chase you. If you want help with a simple tracking spell, I am sure I could help you out. They really aren't terribly difficult, as long as you have something to work with." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow wonders when Harry talks about raining fiery wrath on people if he is being literal. She worries he might be, but then that smile and wink causes her to relax. That's just plain silly. One would have to be a huge power to be able to juice that sort of spell. "It turns out that it was actually a fear demon that made me lose control. Because that would be my biggest fear, I guess. Loosing control and my spell going wrong and turning against me." She smiles and bites her lower lip, shaking her head. As usual, she prefers to do things on her own. She's not needed a teacher before now and she's done just fine. "Oh, if I have the time to cast things properly and get them right, I do pretty well. It's the casting on the fly that tends to go wrong." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden lets out a small little chuckle, "Sounds like me. I kick ass at thaumaturgy, but evocation is certainly not my strong suit. I have the raw power, but no control. I tend to use foci like my staff or rod for casting magic on the fly like that. Otherwise I tend to cause mass property damage. Hell, I do that half the time anyway..." 

:'''{{#var:199|Tara Maclay (199)}} has posed:''' Where did that girl come from? A little larger than Willow Tara makes up for it by being entirely too mousey and quiet for the good of anyone. "Well, you know. Focus crystals and, mmm, witch hazel? I know witch hazel helps me focus when I am trying to cast an evocation. I mean, you get it on your hands and your skin gets all tingly and then- I mean, I read that. About evocations. In a... Book..." Tara retreats a few steps and moves into place beside (behind) Willow, her eyes wide as she looks up- way up- at Harry. She srinks a little bit. "Which I got from her." She points at Willow with the solemn expression of one whose body language is clearly saying, 'It's you or me, love.' 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Putting the candle down that has been held in her hands thoughtlessly for most of this conversation, Willow rubs at the back of her neck. It's hard looking up at someone as tall as Dresden. "I can start the fire in the fireplace, but not much beyond that. Evocation is pretty tricky. You need to balance the elements just right, or you could cause all sorts of problems." She's not entirely sure if she's trying to impress Harry with her knowledge or just just try to keep up with the 'big kid'. When Tara shows up behind her, Willow smiles. A shy, sweet smile that could brighten a room. "Tara! You'll never guess who this is! Harry Dresden!" She shows off the business card. "This is almost as exciting as the time I got to meet Neil DeGrasse Tyson!" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden blinks at the arrival of the new person. Normally he is more on the ball than to let someone sneak up on him like that. "Stars and stones!" he exclaims, looking down at the other woman. He chuckles to himself, shaking his head and letting out another little laugh. "Where did you come from?" He watches her move behind Willow, "Yeah, that could work, Anything really that helps you focus on what it is you are trying to do. I mean simple little spells like, oh for example 'Flickum Bicuss'..." the wizard says as he flicks a finger over towards the candle Willow just put back, whose wick flicks to life with a soft orange glow, "...becomes second hand after doing it a few thousand times. But larger things like columns of fire or gales of wind still require more than repetition." 

:'''{{#var:199|Tara Maclay (199)}} has posed:''' "I was, um." Tara points at the nearby booth where she'd been standing. The part where she crept up while Harry was glowering forcefully at Willow is left to the imagination. She fidgets slightly and twists, screwing up her lips as wide eyes cast between Willow and harry. She blinks and then nods slowly a few times. "Wow," is the response the redhead gets, though whether it is about Dresden or Tyson is difficult to say. People who know Tara might bet money on the latter. "Flickum bicuss?" Tara mouths then, hardly even making a sound. Then she takes a deep breath and gestures once, sharply. Nothing happens. The girl gets a briefly panicked expression and shakes her head. "Aahmm. I mean..." She gestures a couple times hurriedly and squeaks out, "Go out. Please?" The candle complies. She licks her lips and runs her fingers through her hair, smiling weakly. Then Tara retreats a bit more determinedly. Yep. She's completely invisible behind Willow. Totally. Great hiding place. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Watching her friend point to the candle, she watches with eager anticipation. She knows that Tara has way more actual knowledge, both practical and theoretical, then Willow does. When the spell doesn't work as it should, the redhead frowns. She doesn't let Tara hide behind her. "Are you alright? You've done that before without the words. It's just a different way of casting it." Willow slips her hand into Tara's, linking fingers. "Try again," she encourages. When their hands link, the feeling of their power changes. Usually a coven needs a certain amount of people to make raise enough power for the big spells. These two, whether they are aware of it or not, only seem to need each other. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden glances between the pair, arches a brow slightly as he can 'feel' the shift in their energies. "Huh." he mutters to himself, a slight quirk to the corner of his lip as he watches them. "The words don't mean anything to you...Tara, is it? Neither would the words I use to cast anything else, as they are all nonsensical pseudo Latin that I made up. Proably why it didn't work for you since being meaningless they probably didn't focus your intention....that, and the spell is to light candles, not to put them out." He grins. 

:'''{{#var:199|Tara Maclay (199)}} has posed:''' "I...Wasn't using your words to cast," Tara finally manages. "I- um... I was just..." She looks over at Willow and favours the other girl with a shy smile before taking a deep breath. Then the girl looks at the candle. It lights easily. Then the flame spouts upward and forms into a ball that circles over the middle of the table, perhaps ten candles bright. Tara is staring at it intensely, grip tightening on Willow's hand while she does so. The girl starts to calm slightly, emerging from her place behind her redheaded companion. She shrugs her shoulders slowly. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow nods to the only slightly taller blonde, believing in her abilities, even when Tara is too nervous to believe in herself. She gives Tara's hand a squeeze and watches the candle as it lights and the flame moves to the table, hovering there like a small ping pong ball of light. Willow takes this opportunity to take control of the ball then, smiling as she does, splitting the ball into smaller flames that each land on a seperate candle. "Hey! Are you going to pay for those?" calls out the frazzled shop owner. "No one is going to buy pre-lit candles, you know!" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Tara's display causes a look of surprise on his face. "Hell's bells...that is some damn fine control, and without a focus?" he glances between the girls and more specifically their shared grip. "Or...with a focus. Even so, impressive. Most impressive. I'm not sure I could have that level of control even on my best day. Molly on the other hand, she is all finesse." He glances back at the shop owner "Sorry...sorry. Add them to my bill. I'll also need some shadow, moonlight, and sound of silence if you have them? I haven't had a chance to look at your stocks yet." 

:'''{{#var:199|Tara Maclay (199)}} has posed:''' Tara actually smiles when the compliments begin and then nods a couple times, quickly. She reaches up with her free hand to draw it through her hair to pull it back from her face. "I'm the one with the, um. Finesse. Willow has all the power. She- never believes me when I say that." She flashes the woman beside her a quiet grin before her expression fades to one of calm. "So, um. My name is Tara," the girl finally offers, biking once as she does. "You're- a, um. A real wizard. With magical art... i... facts and. Things." A beat follows. "Thank you," the girl concludes solemnly. She whispers quietly enough that divided attention would probably mean missing her words, but at least the sentences are finished. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' There is a look of pride on Willow`s face when her friend and she finish the spell. And something more, a warmth, tender like a new bud of a rose not yet ready to bloom. She realizes that she and Tara are still holding hands and pulls her hand free shyly, looking at the floor, walls and ceiling as she draws her hair back over an ear. "I can't have *all* the power. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to cast anything without me. I just wish I had your control, other then when we... touch. If I tried that on my own, I'd have more likely set the place on fire." At that comment, the shop owner frowns, having come up to talk with Dresden about her stock. "Shadow and Moonlight we have. Silence is harder to come by, but I can have it here in about a week." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Letting out a little snort, Harry looks over to the shop owner, "You have no idea. What I wouldn't give for just a moment of silence." He grins at the shop keeper, "A week will likely be fine. I'll take the rest today." He looks to Willow and Tara, "Yes, I'm a real wizard...unlike what your friend Giles apparently claims." He winks at Willow before continuing, "Facts and things are my specialty, as are finding lost items, paranormal investigations, etcetera... It's all on the card." 

:'''{{#var:199|Tara Maclay (199)}} has posed:''' Tara nods once at that explanation, with less overt criticism than Willow. When the redhead yanks her hand away Tara looks down at her own for a second before quickly dropping it to her side once more. "So, um. Paranormal investigations. Like finding a specific demon or something?" Tara bllinks once at that and then gives her head a quick shake. "I mean, that sort of, um. Magical things. Right?" Tara slowly looks over at Willow again and watches her for a second before casting her gaze... Anywhere. Oh, look. A candle. That's a lovely candle. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' The shop owner nods, waving her hand at the lit candles to put them all out. She looks at the two girls who lit them all with their display of talent(showboating is more like it). Grabbing the candles, she starts to tally up the bill, giving Dresden a price that is a little high, but not outside of what is considered the normal range. Willow holds up the card that Harry gave her, smiling to Tara. "I can't wait to show this to Giles. He's not going to believe it." Willow notices that something is up with Tara but isn't sure what it is, so just chalks it up to meeting the witch equivalent of a rock star. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Sometimes." Harry says as he nods to Tara, "Or excessing a ghost, or tracking down a rogue werewolf, or dealing with black magic practitioners or vampires...it encompasses a lot of different things. I also do consulting for the Gotham PD...when they aren't on strike that is. That is really going to put a crimp in my pocketbook." He looks over to the shop owner, opening his mouth to say something, but thinking better of it and just closing it again. He sighs and fishes his wallet out of his jeans, turning back to Willow and Tara. "As I was telling your friend Willow here, I also try to teach and help those that show talent in the art, which obviously you two have. So feel free to give me a call if you like." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' At the mention of tracking werewolves, Willow looks to Dresden with anewed interest. "Could you track one anywhere?" she asks, before blushing and giving Tara a nervous glance and then looking away. "I mean... we had a friend and ... he went to find a cure. I was just worried about him, is all." Well, that was awkward. Oh look! It's a differnt really nice candle! 

:'''{{#var:199|Tara Maclay (199)}} has posed:''' Tara's really nice candle goes out. SHe rowns briefly and then nods once, looking from the candle to willow, Harry, and then back like she is watching a game of pong. Eventually she settles on a point between them that is almos like looking at both. Or neither. Perspective, really. "Oh. A friend? He's, um. Right. Being worried about him is understandable-" Tara meets Willow's nervous glance and now both girls ablushing and glancing about awkwardly once more. To Harry Tara mumbles, "I have a lot of, um, instruction down but you know.. .Practical experience. Is good, I mean." She briefly bites her bottom lip. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "You have a friend that is a werewolf?" Harry says as he looks between Tara and Willow as his tone suddenly becomes very serious. "What kind? Hexenwolf? Lupe Garou? Therianthropy? Wait...you said cure. That would have to mean Lupe Garou, since if someone used transmongrification on him. he wouldn't be 'human'." He whistles, "Lupe Garou's are nasty business. Tell me he is smart enough to lock himself away on the nights of the full moon." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow looks up to Harry when he starts peppering the two of them with questions about her ex-boyfriend. Of course, she doesn't actually mention that the werewolf in question is her ex-boyfriend. One, that would be outting him and two, she doesn't quite have the heart to let Tara know that her ex was more then just a regular person. Because that might make what she and Tara share less special and she doesn't want that. Not for either of them. Willow looks confused at all the questions though. "Hexen wolf? Lupe Garou? I... He's just a werewolf. He changes on the three days of the full moon, and yes, he always locked himself up." The more she talks about the subject, the less she is finding she wants to as it opens up wounds that had only just started to truly heal. 
}}

360/A Special Shipment...

2017-08-03T16:36:25Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/11 |Location=Gotham Docks |Synopsis=Harry is on a case to retrieve something for some monks, and gets more than he bargained for. |Cast of..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/11
|Location=Gotham Docks
|Synopsis=Harry is on a case to retrieve something for some monks, and gets more than he bargained for.
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The job SHOULD be easy. Apparently, a shipment in from Asia had been jacked while in harbor in Gotham. Some sort of Tibetan artifacts, probably China-town knock offs, but someone thought they were real enough to call up a wizard to get them back instead of just going to the cops. So he was given with nothing but a single tassle from the box they were originally shipped in, something that might have been attached to a ritual rug or bell or something, and the ship they needed to be delivered back to before midnight. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It is just as well this job landed in his lap, this way Harry doesn't have to sit at home and brood over the night before. After taking an ice cold shower and getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a button down shirt, the wizard in question made his way back down to his basement and performed a simple tracking spell using the tassle. He collects his equipment; Blasting rod tied to the inside of his duster, shield bracelet on his left hand, ring on his right, staff in hand and sword cane through his belt..and then he is out the door to the Blue Beetle making his way down towards the harbor to track the shipment using the tassle in hand. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Of course, the unique challenge of this being the harbor is the fact it's *in the damn harbor*. Running water. Not as bad if it was the open river, but the water is still decently moving here, the large cargo ships bobbing up and down on it, and his tracking spell takes him up to a certain dock which has about four different, over sized cargo vessels down it's ports, and dies there. The magic is too diffused by the water all around. One of the ships has polish markings on it, one American, and two Asian characters, so chances are it might be one of those two, but who knows. It seems he may have to actually do old fashioned detective work on this one. And, of course, the sound of workers coming down the planks from the shore can be heard. They aren't on that dock yet, but they would be soon. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Damnit." curses Harry as the spell fizzles as he makes his way to the docks. He looks at the four ships that make up the choices as to which the lost items could be on and mutters to himself, "Well Harry, looks like you have a 25% chance to pick the right ship. Lets see if we can't narrow down the odds a bit." He walks down the dock, shaking out his shield bracelet and putting a bit of will towards it 'just in case' and just starts to look at the ships, trying to get a read on the ships. Two Asian, count those out for now because if I was looking for stolen Asian artifacts, that would be the first place I would look. Polish? Perhaps. American...more likely. The after market value would likely be best on the underground US market. He slowly walks towards the American ship, watching the deck and listening. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The men coming down the dock, for the moment, seem to be going to the Polish ship. He's lucky. It's not bound to last, especially as the light goes down and night comes on, the time for doing more illegal things under the less than watchful eye of the normal day time business being gone. The American ship seems mostly empty. There's a single guard walking a lazy patrol over the top deck. He's got a gun a little too large for this being a regular goods and services vessel -- hell, the gun alone is probably illegal and Karrin would be making a face -- but it's clear the man doesn't really expect trouble. He looks bored. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Illegal guns? That is a good sign he is on the right track. Harry lets a small little grin form on his face as he takes a look at the guard patrolling. It's not his forte, and he wishes Molly was here as this is more her specialty, but he is a wizard damnit, and he should be able to do these things. He takes in a breath, utters a couple of faux Latin words and uses his staff to make a circle around his body in an attempt at a veil to cover him from sight. The problem with a veil is that you never know if they work, or how well, until they are tested... But there is no time. Slowly, Harry starts to creep up the gangplank leading to the deck of the ship. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The iron, metal, weight and rust of the ship is, fortunately, enough to help Harry's magic stay steady despite the water beneath. While Harry can feel the pulling, the slight grounding out of his powers, which means he's not going to have near the OOMPH that he normally would, he does manage to wrap himself up in a weak sort of veil. Enough that a bored guard who isn't expecting any trouble totally doesn't notice him. There's two different entrances to the inside of the ship, a door that seems to go to a metal staircase down, and another that leads to a long hall on that level. It probably eventually winds up, as there are upper levels. But, for the moment, Harry is managing through unscathed. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' 'If I were stolen Asian artifacts, where would I be...' thinks Harry as he creeps along the deck of the vessel. 'Likely as far away from prying eyes as I could possibly get...which means down.' Harry creeps his way towards the door that leads to the staircase headed down, testing the handle to see if it is locked. He keeps an eye on the guard, watching him for any obvious pattern to his movements and to make sure he can move out of the line of sight if needed. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The problem with veils is that they hide from sight. Not other senses. Not smell. Not hearing. Not all the sharpened senses of things like dogs who are way better at sniffing out threats than humans. Especially dogs who are guarding something immensely important. So, practically the moment that Harry sets foot on the lowest deck, a low growl begins. It's a sort of growl that could cause earthquakes elsewhere. The boat actually seems to tremble just a bit around them. And then comes a bark. Loud. Vicious. Protective. Almost deafening. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden says, "Ohshitohshitohshit." Harry says as he hears...no /feels/ the low growl rumble through the lower deck of the ship. The bark really causes him to jump slightly and look at the door he came from. Harry lets out a sigh, "In for a penny.." and latches the door behind him so even if someone did hear the bark, they would at least be slowed by the bolted door. Once the door is closed and bolted, he turns ever so slowly to face the lower deck. He drops the veil, letting it shatter as he readies his staff in front of him, "Nice doggie.." he says quietly, "I'm not looking for any trouble."" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The large cargo room is about half full of random boxes, crates, nothing all that interesting. Except for a single open crate. It's more stylized than the rest, in red and gold with familiar golden tassles on the edges. One of which is missing. It's still a fancy-ass dog crate, though, and is carrying not just the immensely LARGE and incredibly ANGRY momma dog, but the reason she's so angry -- a half a dozen pups. There isn't much more dangerous in this world than a caged animal. One of those things, though? A mother defending her young. And right now, Harry Dresden is an intruder to the safe, dark, quiet place she's been nursing her young. The growl that she emits is enough to say she'd very much like to murder the thing that is threatening her children and, with the size of her mouth? She could probably fit most of his head in her jaw in a single go. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry turns, taking a moment to look at the situation. There is the crate, complete with missing hassle...so score one for field work. Right boat. Then there is what is /in/ the crate. Blinking at the sight of the dog in front of him, Harry lets out a little whistle. "I'm sorry. I thought I heard a dog, not a bear. Forgive me." Harry slowly lowers the staff down, and starts to kneel to present a smaller, less imposing or intimidating profile to the mama dog. He speaks in a low voice, "Easy, girl. I'm not here to hurt you, or your pups. Just the opposite, I was sent to take you home." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is another one of those low, almost sonic-toned growls. The sort of growl that shakes the entire room around him. Even as he's speaking, the hulking mother dog doesn't seem to believe it. Or, more likely, she doesn't understanding. She bears a vicious set of teeth that could make a SHARK jealous, the growl rolling up into another snapping bark or two, especially as he kneels closer. The pups in the cage are all awake now. Probably a few weeks old, their eyes are open and they are fat enough to roly, polly toddle around. A few yelps and whimpers come echoing, scared and confused at their mother's distress. Another growl comes from her and the CEILING ABOVE HIM starts to actually crumble. A few pieces of metal shake loose and rust rains everywhere. It's like her growl might actually be able to damage the structure around them. Which would suck, considering it's a boat. Her barking has also summoned others, the sound of feet double timing it down the hallway. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' 'This is going great, Harry. Just great.' he wizard thinks to himself as he tries to make himself a lesser threat. He pushes a bit of will into his words, but still speaks gently to the mother-dog monster in front of him. Slowly, he pulls out the tassle from his pocket, reaching his hand out slowly and palm up with the tassle laying in his palm, "See. Your friends sent me to find you. They gave me this to help track you down." 'You're talking to a dog, Harry. Why couldn't the client tell you it was a blasted dog. Hell's bells, you could have brought a steak...no a whole cow.' 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' And then, there are the others. Two men, both with guns, both QUITE unhappy as they see Harry bent in front of the precious cargo. But it also means they can't actually SHOOT their guns, lest they risk hitting dumb animals and losing their payday. So, they are charging fast in his direction, the butts of guns coming up to try and slam them into Harry's temple and take the threat out without actually having to open fire on anything. Everything is moving very fast now, as it always does in a fight, and that growling is just growing louder. The sound of ceiling buckling off to the side can be heard and more dust rains down on all of them. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Shit!" exclaims the wizard as he catches the two armed men in his peripheral vision just before they cave his temples in. In a desperate move to dodge, he curls his head into his chest and somersaults forward...closer to the mother dog an her pups. As he rolls, he starts to focus will into his shield bracelet to will a shield around behind him in a half dome to protect him, and the dogs, from any gunfire. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Whether it was the tassle, or the fact the mother dog actually sees him fighting the others, or maybe even his words, Harry might suddenly get the feeling that the growling isn't being directed at HIM, but at the others attacking him. It's still present and the ceiling is still unhappy about it, but she stops a moment to give a little howl and paw at the stylized door of the cage. There is a large golden and red lock there, directly where she is swatting her massive paw. The bars on the cage are SLIGHTLY bending at each swat, but not much, and the lock stays firm. More puppies yip and yelp behind her eagerly. The two men curse rather violently, one of the butts of the shot gun coming violently down on Harry's back, but it's better than his shoulder or temple, right? Then the man is trying to shove the gun in his face but suddenly bounces back off of the shield charm. That's enough to confuse and scare him, so protecting the cargo quickly becomes secondary as he swings his gun around to open fire. Now a few bullets start richocheting inside the buckling ship. Somewhere behind them a whole section of the ceiling caves and two containers tumble through to the bottom floor. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Stifling a grunt of pain behind clenched teeth as the shotgun comes down on his back, Harry manages to not drop the shield as the gunfire erupts. "Stay behind me..." he says to the dog, as if the dog can understand a word he is saying. He risks a glance at the lock for a brief second before turning his attentions back to the two gunmen, "I promise I will get your pups out as soon as I can. Little busy now!". Shoving his staff in front of him, the wizard focuses his will in short horizontal wall about knee height and with a shout of "Fozare!" pushes the face wall in front of him. The sound of the crashing containers causes a wavier of his concentration, the shield dropping for the moment as the noise draws his attention, "Stars and sky...if you are doing that dog, stop. You will kill us all!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The moment Harry says to stay behind him, he gets a short, clipped bark of acknowledgment, like she actually DID understand. But then she goes back to whimpering, more fiercely clawing at the inside of her cage, trying so hard to weaken the bars around the lock if she cannot get through the lock herself. If she could just get free. Another growl of anger comes and the whole ceiling above them begins to buckle inwards. His request for her to stop, however, clamps off her growling almost immediately. Did she really understand him? Maybe... THe men, meanwhile, are really not happy about having to fight this tall idiot for some dogs. This was beneath their mercenary dignity and everything about the situation just felt wrong. Off. Which meant they were more dangerous because they were scared and trigger happy. The second one has now got his gun up and is shooting in Harry's direction once more, but neither of them are expecting that wave of force. Grunts of pain come down and the snapping of at least one knee can be heard as they both go down, only making them shoot at Harry MORE. His shield is taking a lot of battering. It's beginning to waver as much as the ceiling. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a thud as one of the slugs from the shotgun manage to get through the wavering shield and impacts with brutal force on the upper shoulder of Harry's duster. Thankfully the magical symbols carefully tooled into the leather prevent the slug from actually penetrating the cloth, but the impact itself is enough to cause some serious pain, if not damage. Harry cries out in pain, but pain brings power. He channels the pain and the rising fear of the situation into his shield hoping it holds out long enough for the pair to run out of bullets while he lifts his blasting rod to point at the lock on the cage. Splitting his concentration like this usually isn't a good idea, but time is not on his side here. Giving one last burst of focus to his shield to keep it sustained for a second longer, he refocuses on the blasting rod and channels a bolt of energy and force towards the lock with a shout of "FUEGO!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Yes, he does manage to JUST hold out long enough for the pair to run out of bullets *in their guns*. But they've got heavy jackets on, and other clips. They just need to reload and he's in trouble again. However, that few seconds of reloading time gives Harry enough space to actually force the lock. Between him and the mother dog, the lock finally gives and the ornate door to the cage swings open. Suddenly, at least two hundred pounds of very shaggy what LOOKS like Mastiff pours out of the cage and RAGES in the direction of the two mercenaries. The one that has finished reloading first has just brough his gun up in time for his arm to be exposed and the mother dog clamps HARD down on it. The sound of crunching bone can be heard. Behind, a wave of puppies comes free with excited, happy barking. It's complete chaos. However, while the mother has thought to control her bark, the puppies have not. They aren't quite the sonic boom her growl is, but each yelp seems to crackle a bit more of the ceiling. A tiny buckle here, a groan of metal there. The second mercenary is whipping his gun around, shooting in Harry's direction once more just before he's going to be over run by a whole bunch of tiny fur balls with teeth and claws. But maybe he can at least get some revenge before he goes. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Dogs free, Harry can now deal with getting them the hell out of this place. Since mother dog seems to have her jaws full of goon 1, Harry lifts his right hand and points it towards goon 2, triggering the face ring on his finger and discharging the stored up kinetic energy that is stored back each time Harry moves his arm. Before Harry even sees what the effect the ring has on the goon, he is moving forward to follow up with a staff to the underside of the goon's chin if the ring doesn't have enough juice in it to do anything more than give the goon a gentle shove. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's like being in a flood of fur and teeth. The tiny pups aren't near so capable as their mother, so they certainly need the back up that Dresden provides them, but damned if they aren't determined to HELP put the guy down. Harry gets another jab or two to the gut, a lucky one which may just crack a rib, but that's all they wrote for goon 2. His last, lucky swat sends a single black puppy sailing across the room, the poor thing smacking against a buckling wall, but then the room is silence around them. Well, silence, canine panting breaths, the shouting of panicked voices *above* them as more crew members realize half the ship is buckling, and the groaning of metal as it gives around them. Who knows how much longer they have for any of this room to be in tact, but it's not long. Mama dog is trying to grab as many of her pups by the scruff as possible. She gives another, quietly encouraging little 'Woooof!' but that's enough to make another section of ceiling totally collapse. SHe even whimpers after that. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh hell's bells..." cries the wizard as he pants along side the dogs. He rushes over to grab the fallen pup form the floor, being as careful as he can with the 'little' thing as he gently places the wounded puppy into one of this duster's pockets. He rushes back over to the rest of the dogs and picks up as many as he can possible contain in the pockets of his coat...and when they are filled he takes another in his arm. He looks to the momma, and sighs. "Well, I'm not sure what we are looking at out of this door, but it seems we don't have much time to stop and assess things. We have two choices...open the door and sprint for the top or blow a hole in the side of the ship and try and swim out. I'm not sure either is a better choice." He curses as the ceiling gives another groan and a beam gives way, causing another container to fall from the roof. "Right. Sprinting it is. I'll try to keep up." And with that, the wizard yanks open the door and waits a tick for the canine to rush out first. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:'''     The pups are... Squirmy. They want their mother and, while not as fast as her in a panic, are actually pretty able to keep up. A few manage to stay in his pocket and arm, especially that tiny black one which definitely whimpered in pain when he touched it. It's hurt, just who knows how badly. But now Harry is loaded down with puppies and the momma dog gives him another, quieter bark of acknowledgment before she begins leading the charge. And goodness, CHARGH it is. She's like some glorious war hound, viciously galloping forward. There *was* a door at the top of the stairs, but she doesn't open it. She flattens it. There are a few crew members rushing around on the deck, one pausing when he sees the big beast coming out, but only to say: "Oh SHIT!" And try to bring his own gun around, but it's not even out of a holster. The man is as flat as the door. But the crew has now been alerted to the fact there is escaped cargo on top of a buckling cargo hold of the ship. Not all of them seem to care about the cargo, but three others are dashing down from the upper levels. Two have a choke chain and one actually seems to know how to use it, almost lassoing it up as he tries to wrap that over the mother dog's throat. She snaps in the right direction, but a second too late... 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Rushing after the mother, Harry does his best to keep up. He can't move as fast as her, and definitely not with squirmy puppies he is trying to wrangle and keep safe on top of it all. The ones he can keep a hold of, he does, and he does his best to keep an eye on the ones that manage to squirm out of his grasp, hoping that they keep up and stay between him and mom. When the make it to the top, he continues to follow momma as best he can until the three new foes that seem to care make their presence known with the choke chains. "You know how I said not to bark?" he yells over the noises of the deck in chaos, "Ignore me. Give em hell, mom!" He shoves out his right hand, pointing his staff straight behind him and down and screams out a "Forzare!" as he sends a bolt of force down through the bowels of the ship in an attempt to punch a hole in the hull, 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The choke chain is a BIT unfortunate, as it does slightly serve it's purpose, not completely cutting off air as the momma has enough fur to help protect her neck, but straining whatever power is behind those vocal chords. She barks, but it's not as world trembling as it was before. It's not until Harry sends that bolt of force through the ship and LOUD, violent metal groaning can be heard that the men realize that momma dog is probably the least of their problems. They curse loudly, but still try to drag her away, towards the gang plank side of the ship. If they are going to abandon vessel, at least they were getting some of the goods. Puppies are nearly impossible. There's some tell-tale dripping in his pocket as someone has wet themselves, if not something worse, but they are still squirming excitedly, trying to get in on the fight. Others whimper, following along at their fighting mother's heels towards the side of the ship. They weren't leaving their mom. Harry's going to find it challenging to walk, as the dozenish pups of the litter are flooding around his legs in a panic, not sure of what to do. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Seriously, someone hates me. I don't have time for this." exclaims Harry as he rushes forward, trying not to step on any of the puppies as he moves forward trying to get at mom and captives. It's last resort time, as he reaches for the .357 in the holster under his coat and flicks back the hammer, taking aim at the goon with the choke chain around momma's neck. "Let her go and have a chance at getting off this boat and living..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Fortunately, Mom actually saves him from having to shoot an actual gun. The yelps of her puppies are enough to drive her on and, suddenly, the arm that was holding that choke chain? Well, it's not really there any more. I mean, it's nominally attached to the guy's body, just sorta hanging loose from the socket as she SEIZED forward enough to pull the whole thing COMPLETELY out of place. The man howls in pain, going down, and the chain is released. Momma gives two loud, summoning barks and the sea of puppies seize forward to her side. It's really quite glorious to watch, a sea of fluff and fur as the wave of puppies swarm around her and she dashes forward, across the gangplank. The few left in Harry's pocket leap out, though one leaves a number two surprise for him also, and join their brothers and sisters. The mother knows exactly where she is going, pausing just a moment to help the smallest pup over the lip of the ship with her teeth, and then they are all running in the direction of one of the Asian ships. Mom knows home. Of course, Harry might not realize that not all the pups got out. His pockets are evenly weighted right now, after all. One full of doodoo and some other things puppies leave behind. The other? Well, there is still a single, tiny, black, wounded puppy... 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry doesn't know what is going on in his pockets, as he has more important problems on his mind right now. The ship he is on is sinking under his feet, and he needs to get off the boat. He winces as the goon's arm is rendered useless by the momma dog, "That's going to leave a mark." he says as he lowers the hammer on the gun and starts to run and follow the mom dog off of the ship. Once off the ship, Harry follows the mom dog over towards the Asian ship, coving their backs until the dogs get aboard in one piece. "I don't know if this was worth $50 an hour plus expenses..." he mumbles to himself as he shoves the gun back into its holster, wincing as the movement aggravates the massive bruce that is now covering the entirety of his shoulder. He looks back to the sinking American ship. The authorities will likely be here soon. How in hell is he going to explain this to Karin. He looks back to the Asian ship and sighs quietly, "Ah well, time to go call the client." He wanders own the dock, left arm hanging limply at his side from the gunshot bruise, right hand clutching his staff as he wanders down the dock. He sniffs the air, and wrinkles his nose, checking the bottom of his shoe as he goes. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The mother dog bounds onto their home ship, propping herself up on the edge and grabbing her pups two at a time, by the scruff, as she gently pulls them onto the safer deck. Some happy whimpers and yelps can be heard, little paws scampering back to where they belong. When she gets all of them she pauses just a moment, a small, confused whimper escaping her throat. But considering what happened, the loss of one is expected. She looks back in Dresden's direction and gives him one last, respectful bark. It's like she understood, or something. Now the whole dock has erupted into chaos, other dock officials coming, the buckling ship causing troubles for more than just the ship owners. Other mercenaries are beginning to flee -- chances are it wasn't just puppies that were illegally aboard that ship. No one is really bothering Dresden. He should be able to get away scot free if he goes noe. Meanwhile, in his pocket, there is safety and warmth. The little pup has found home, curled in on its injured paw, but content to be surrounded by such a tucked away, warm place. It felt like home, so this was home now. Not a single bark or hint to remind the man he is there. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The job done, Harry makes his way back to the Beetle and removes the duster, placing it in the backseat without checking the pockets. One again he checks the bottom of his shoe as the odor from the 'gift' inside one of the pockets reaches his nose. He glances back at the duster and sighs, "Great. I'm going to have to get that dry cleaned, aren't I." He winces as he closes the car door, the effort causing his left arm and shoulder to ache terribly. Turning the key to start the car, he pulls out and heads for home. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The pup is blissfully asleep. Harry's pocket is deep and warm, smells like a well loved jacket, and sometimes things are just right in the world. The pup sleeps the whole way back to the house, like a baby lulled by the motion of a car. It's not until he stops in front of his building and the movement of the car STOPS is the puppy jerked back awake. Now, it realizes something is wrong. No other puppies there. The pain in its leg. Unfamiliar, if warm surroundings. It begins to nose around and a small, quiet whimper escapes before being followed up by a louder, little attempt at an almost-howl. Its good paw begins to claw forward, trying to help it out of that pocket to explore exactly where its found itself. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a blink from Harry as he hears that soft whimper, then the little howl. "OH no..." he exclaims as he slowly turns his head to look in the back seat, where the duster is. As if turning his head slowly would change what is actually there. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' And there it is, snuffling out from the welt of Harry's deep pocket, a little black nose. A moment later there is a fuzzy head ducking out and drowsy, blinking eyes stare up in his direction. He's got one paw still tucked back, half underneath him, but the other massive paw (almost as big as one of his ears) is helping pull him forward. The tired pup looks up, locking eyes with Harry and then his jaw opens in a panting, doggie sort of grin and he gives a little yelp of greeting. Despite injured paw, Harry can see the THUMPTHUMPTHUMP of tail going inside his pocket. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Hell's bells." says Harry, but not without a slight grin of amusement on his face. "What are you doing in there little guy? You've been as quiet as a mouse back there."$R$RSlipping out of the driver's seat, Harry reaches into the back seat and carefuly removes the puppy from the confines of the pocket. "You hurt? You must be the one that got smacked into the wall, huh." He ruffles the top of the dogs head gently and holds him next to his chest, "Let's get you into the house where it is warm, and I'll call the Tibetans to come pick you up. Until then, i'll see if I can't get find a vet for your leg." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The little pup licks at his hand as he comes to scoop him up, giving another little yelp which sounds small enough to almost be a mouse squeak indeed. The fuzz ball eagerly allows himself to be scooped up in Harry's hand, though there is an unhappy whimper as that left leg is slightly moved. Definitely twisted, probably broken, but the pup is remarkably calm about it. Putting on a brave puppy face, it seems. Still, the creature is all too happy to nestle in against Harry's chest, giving a happy sort of sigh and turning his head up to lap at the sweat on Harry's neck and chin. Delicious. If the puppy is too sad to be away from his littermates or mother, he certainly isn't showing it. In fact, he seems to quite happily fit in Harry's hand as they head inside. The call to the Tibetans, on the other hand, doesn't go nearly so smoothly. That whole dock? It's been evacuated. They had to pull out early. They're already leaving New York harbor and the money is in Harry's account. They don't dare turn around, not after nearly losing the entire litter. The monk on the line ends the conversation on some mysterious words that sound oddly happy, almost light, from him, "...Besides, Mr. Dresden, sometimes the universe has plans even we could not predict. Generally, it all turns out the way it is supposed to be. The mother thanks you... She knows you will take good care of her son." And then the line is hung up. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He sets the receiver down into the cradle of his old school style phone, rubbing the puppy's head gently as his gives an exasperated sigh, "Well..." he says as he glances down at the small dog, "Looks like you're stuck with me. I just hope Mister doesn't think you are dinner. Let's see what we can do to get that leg fixed up. At least get it braced until I can get you to a vet." He picks up the phone again and dials Murphy. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' How could Harry say no to those eyes anyway? Big, soulful, looking up at Harry as if the man was very much his entire world, the puppy tilts his little head as Harry discusses Mister and then gives a little huff of dismissive breath. He is NOT dinner. He then gently mouths at Harry's fingertips, happily playing with mouth when paw is out of comission right now. He had some energy to spare after that little nap. The phone takes a few moments to ring, but then Muprhy's quite alert voice comes over the line. "Lieutenant Murphy." She answers in a clipped, flat tone that says she's probably somewhere in the vicinity of work, not her bed, despite the time of night. And despite the fact that she's SUPPOSED to be on strike right now. But that's the problem with being a cop -- when the city needs you, you go, striking or not. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Heya, Murph." says Harry in his normal relaxed conversational tone. "You don't happen to know how to brace a broken leg, do you?" Great conversation starter...that's Harry. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Oh god, Harry. Did you break your leg? Why aren't you in a HOSPITAL? Please... please don't tell me you were at the docks." Karrin pauses, looking over the scene that she's not supposed to be at either. The scene she can technically do nothing to help, but is still here because she feels some weird need to TRY and help. "...of course you were at the docks. How bad are you hurt and should I call Butters?" Karrin asks flatly. She can be heard walking in the background now, then the sound of a car door slamming. The pup in his hand, apparently, feels like its not getting enough attention as it now gives a little yelp up towards the tall man holding him. Karrin's voice pauses, "...is that a dog?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "No..no, I'm fine." says Harry, "I didn't break my leg." He pauses, and says in his best deadpan, "and I wasn't at the docks." Obvious lie is obvious. "I'm a little banged up, but nothing a few weeks of bedrest won't cure. But there.." Another yip from the dog, "...Yes, there is a puppy here who might have a broken foreleg. My vet doesn't open till the morning, so I was hoping it could get braced." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Several moments of silence echo from the phone, Karrin's car pulling out of where ever she stowed it near the docks. She just sighs, breaking at least two laws still being on her cell phone as she drives in his direction. "You were at the docks." She finally double confirms. She's not even asking it any more. "And you have a puppy." She sounds about as tired as she is vaguely amused and incredulous. "I'll be there in ten. Just... take it out to piddle before it goes on your lap." Another long suffering sign, and Karrin hangs up the phone. Sadly, her advice has come about .5 seconds too late, except it's not his lap. Its his hand. And the puppy feels MUCH better for it, that lolling, doggy grin coming wide. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden says, "Stars and stones.." grumbles Harry as he looks around for something to clean up the piddle puddle in his hand. He carefully sets the puppy onto his desk before finally grabbing an old polishing cloth and wiping his hand off with it. "If you are going to stay here, you are going to have to learn where that is appropriate to do." He stands up from the desk, moving over to the kitchenette to grab a pair of bowls, which are most assuredly NOT Misters, and fills one with water and the other with some cold cuts. He sets them down on the desk, in front of the puppy." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The commentary about learning where that is appropriate to do gets a tilt of little doggie head and perk of an ear. It's almost like the dog is actually listening and, stranger yet, understands. Surely not, but the little fur face certainly knows how to act like it. A moment later his jaw is hanging open again, tongue lulling out, half panting and following Harry with his eyes curiously. He gives a little, lonely bark again as Harry goes too far to the kitchen. This desk is LONELY! Fortunately, Harry is back a moment later and with the goods. The little ball of black fur wastes no time in burying himself head first into the cold cuts bowl, that far more interesting than the water bowl to the side. He hogs down that meat in greedy, hungry, growing boy gulps. If there was any doubt this pup would be huge...He's done in about four bites before he moves onto lapping up the water then looks at Harry for more. A knock follows about two minutes after. At least Harry wasn't going to be fielding this alone. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden picking up the puppy in his hand, Harry makes his way to the door and opens the door a crack, checking to make sure it is Karrin, before he opens the door fully. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman was ready to be mad at him. She SHOULD be mad at him. An entire pier of the Gotham Docks has been shut down probably because of something he's done! And 90 percent of the force has gone on strike! Karrin's pissed! Until the moment she sees that little fuzzy face in his hand with the slightly floppy paw and an inside out ear. Harry can practically see the switch flip on her face as she goes from raging to half melted in 1.5 seconds. "...You are so lucky I don't yell in front of children." Karrin mutters softly, shouldering her emergency kit duffle bag (because she needs it in a duffle bag) across her shoulder so she can gingerly reach out for the ball of fur from his hands and scoop him free, "...well, hullo there, little one... How'd you end up with this scamp?" She may be in love. There's no going back. Meanwhile, it's like Mister can sense the threat to his cute-throne, because he follows her inside, shoulder tackling Harry's ankles and winding extra hard around the tall man's legs, practically begging for attention. A few murring purrs come from the big gray beast. He will not be out done! 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Yes, yes... I know, Murph." sighs Harry as he lets the Lieutenant in before shutting the door behind her and reactivating his wards. "He along with his mother and siblings were on that ship. They had been stolen from one of the other ships there at the dock, and I was sent to 'retrieve' the cargo. I didn't go in there expecting...well, what happened. It wasn't my fault! If it makes you feel any better, it was after the goons kicked this little guy and were shooting at us that I...", said in a lower whisper, "sunk the boat." He looks to the puppy in Karrin's arms and says, "Anyway, this little guy stowed away in my jacket. The Tibetans have already sailed off, so they told me to keep him." As Mister comes up and starts to body check Harry, the large man chuckles and reaches down to scratch at the big cat's head. "Don't worry, Mister. I know who still runs the house." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The feline looks up at Harry, leaning into the touch on his head and giving a few firm murrrrs, making certain that Harry really does know. Because he's in charge and nothing's changing that. He's lingering suspiciously close, making certain Murphy and puppy know it too, but also trying to get a look at the little furball in the blonde's arms now. Speaking of furball, as Harry gives the retelling of the story and says in that lower whisper about sinking the boat, the squirming pup gives him a little, protesting bark. Harry so didn't sink that boat ALONE. But then he's twisting around, trying to lick at Karrin's fingertips as well, his little tail still going. He might be in pain, but he wears it well. Karrin's trying to be angry and failing horribly with the little bundle in her arms. "...You sunk the boat over ...Tibetan dogs? I mean, he's... cute and all." She looks back down, scratching at his ears, "...Really... really cute..." She's in love. It's all over. She sighs and sinks down onto the couch, shifting to set the duffle bag near her feet so she can lay the puppy out in her lap. Her hand smooths across his back, "ALright, little guy... you gotta hold still for me so I can see your leg, okay? Can you be good?" And as she asks him to hold still, even the tail stops going. He sits up stiff and straight, hurt paw straight out. Karrin's head tilts a bit in surprise. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Did I neglect to mention I don't think they are just 'dogs'? I think they understand us...isn't that right little guy?" Harry says, continuing to scratch at Mister's head. "At least, that is the impression I got when the mom and I were fighting our way out of the ships hull." He shrugs, heading for the kitchenette to grab a couple of beers from the icebox, "And I sunk the boat because they were trying to kill the dogs...and me. Once you are done with the puppy, maybe you could look at my shoulder as well. Got hit by a shotgun slug." She may have noticed Harry hasn't moved his left arm much at all, if she wasn't so enamored by the fuzzball. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You just want my hands all over your naked chest, Harry Dresden." Karrin mutters flatly, though a slight smile cracks over her lips a moment later, "Yeah. I figured I wasn't here just for a puppy. You can't get through a single fight without cracking at least ONE rib." She knows him too well. The thought of the dog understanding, though, that draws a wary look from her. Blue eyes stare down at the too-stiff puppy. A dog that young shouldn't be able to keep that still, yet... Maybe there is a reason these dogs were being smuggled? Karrin shakes her head, trying to dismiss it, "Okay, little guy, you can relax a bit. Just... gentle with the paw." She reassures the pup, as her fingertips reach down and ever so gently begin to probe along his leg. The puppy whimpers in pain, definitely not liking that, but he doesn't bark or even nip at Karrin. He lets her do what she needs. "I don't think it's *broken*. Cracked, probably... I'm going to splinter it, but definitely a vet in the morning. Probably some shots too." That gets a little, unhappy growl from the pup and Karrin gives him the closest thing to mom-eye possible as she begins to set up a make shift splint with two tongue depressors and a whole lot of bandaging. "...you got a name for your new son, Harry?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry opens his mouth then closes it, even going as far as to clamp his teeth over his lower lip to keep from spouting off whatever comeback first came to mind at Murphy's quip about his naked chest. Instead of speaking, he just takes in a slow breath and exhales just as slowly, "I can too." he finally says, "Sometimes I just get a gunshot wound to the hip. No cracked ribs there!" HA! Showed her. He looks to the puppy and shrugs, "Not really. I mean I only found out he was going to be mine about 20 minutes ago." the wizard remarks with a grin, "Little guy was as quiet as a mouse when he was hiding in my coat on the way home. I didn't even know he was there. Hrm, Mouse." He mulls that name over for a bit. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Mouse." Murphy echoes, approvingly in a way, a somewhat wider grin stretching over her lips. She finishes securing that gauze around his paw, the bandage stark white in compare to the thick black fur. "I...somehow doubt you are going to be the size of a mouse for long." Karrin mutters, resting his good paw in the palm of her hand. It nearly fills her entire palm. Her brow arches as she looks around, "...you're gonna need a bigger apartment, Harry." Because there is no way this dog was going anywhere else. Karrin wouldn't allow it. "...Alright, tall, dark, brooding and complete push over, come here. Your turn. You gonna whimper too when I poke your hurt bones? Mouse here was pretty good." She ruffles the pup's ears again, only getting a HUGE yawn in return. Perhaps this all had been exhausting. She gently shifts the dog to the side, so he rests between her hip and the side of the couch. He happily curls up, nestling in to Murphy hip. Mister, meanwhile, stares HARD at the dog from the floor. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Wandering over to stand in front of Karrin, Harry slowly starts to unbutton his shirt with his right hand, "I don't know, do I get a treat if I behave?" the dark haired wizard comments with a smirk as he continues to slowly undo the buttons. Once he manages to get them all undone he slide out of his shirt. His entire left shoulder is nothing but one large purple and blue bruise radiating from a point by the socket. At the very least, it is dislocated as the arm hangs limply to his side. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' If Karrin had any inch of angry left in her, it's gone now. Seeing him like this makes her ache, it always does. She breathes out slowly and shifts away from the puppy, standing up so she can fully examine his arm. "You should be in a hospital. This is dislocated..." She mutters, her tender fingertips beginning to run along the socket which the shoulder has pulled entirely free from. "I can't believe you *drove home* like this." She still knows he's not going to a hospital. Her fingertips reach up, cupping fully around the ball of his shoulder as her other hand guides his palm to rest over her own collar bone. "Hold on tight, alright? This is going to hurt. Just... trust me." She knew he did. She waits until he's fully braced against her and then she pulls in a violent, smooth jerk backwards, popping that arm back on track and the shoulder's joint back into place with a snap that almost echoes through the room. She winces at the sound in sympathy. She knows how that feels and it's AWFUL. She keeps him leaning against her, giving him time to catch his breath, "I got you... that's the worst, I promise... it's over." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' To his credit, he doesn't scream. There is a sharp intake of breath as she gives him the warning she is about to reset it and then that breath is held until it is over. The pain of the relocation causes a guttural utterance that might have been a scream had it been given full permission to bloom and a staggering step, which is mostly prevented by Karrin bracing him against her. The worst of it over, he exhales slowly and then takes another deep breath before speaking, "No hospitals..." he says in a quiet utterance, "You know I can't go to a hospital. To much risk that something could go wrong." Once the pain subsides enough to stand on his own he takes a step back from Murph, giving her a smile, "Besides, I've drove home with worse, we both know it." He reaches over to set his hand on the edge of the couch, using it as a bit of support as he moves to sit. "So, I hear you are on strike..." he says with a smirk, "That explains why you were working." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "That explains why I could come here and patch your ass back together when I SHOULD be working..." Karrin mutters quietly, a trace of guilt behind her voice, but it's mostly buried under the genuine concern behind her tone. SHe helps him over to the couch, gently lowering him there. The dog is half asleep, but sensing another body near, the little thing squirms over and tucks himself against Harry's leg now. Much better. He's falling back to sleep within a few moments. Karrin's now running her fingertips down his full arm, palpitating to ensure nothing is actually broken, before she moves to doing the same across his chest. She suspects she's going to find a cracked rib or two. This close, she smells faintly of her own shampoo, but also at least half a shift worked in high stress circumstances. "You really want to see this city with utterly NO police on duty? I know I don't. I'll be a scab. The people who are rabble rousing...it's... I think there is something else going on. I just can't figure what." Karrin sounds unhappy and uncomfortable about it all. Something in her back yard and she's not figured it out yet. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "No, Karrin, of course not." Harry says as he sits on the couch. He idly reaches down with his right hand and scratches at Mister's head to give the cat some reassurance, even as the puppy cuddles up next to his thigh. "I knew you would be a scab, and I wouldn't see it any other way. I just hope it doesn't come to bite you on the ass." There is a wince of pain as she hits a few tender spots on his body. One rib is cracked for sure, a second one is likely cracked as well but it is hard to tell. "At least your friend with the pointy ears is likely to be out in force with his 'friends'. They should at least help keep the worst of it at bay until the GCPD gets their affairs in order. I just hope that it will be soon, because the retainer for tonights job is only going to go so far, and apparently I now have another mouth to feed. I'll need all the consults I can get." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Mister leaps up onto the couch, definitely being the most consistently loving he's been in a while. Yes, he often expresses his affection, but it's in brief shoulder tackles and momentary belly presents before disappearing off to goodness knows what. Now he's claiming the other side of the lap from the puppy, ensuring his love and dominion is complete, especially as he gives a meaty, happy purr at the attention of Harry's fingers. He's content now as well. Murphy looks down on the trio for a moment and, exhausted or not, she cannot help but smile. "This... is going to be so much trouble." She murmurs to him. Then there is a slight hiss of disapproval as she feels that crack in his ribs. No good. She so tenderly palpitates the one above it, "I suspect both of these are broken. I don't think it's so bad I need to reset it, but... we'll need to keep them wrapped. For a few days at least. And laying down is going to be awful. You need a few days off. Let me worry about the strike and pick up some dog food. You just worry about keeping yourself and fur faces in one piece, alright?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He winces as the ribs are poked at, even in the gentle manner Karrin is treating them. "Someone is going to have to take the pup outside to do his thing." Harry says as he glances down at the sleeping puppy, "It's not like I can install a doggie door. I'll just take some ibuprofen and I'll be fine, Murph. If anything you need me out there right now as much as anyone. With the mortal police on strike, the supernatural element is going to be even more bold than they have been becoming lately. I guarantee missing persons causes will rise this week." He continues to scratch at Mister's ears absentmindedly, "Which reminds me...I am going to have to burn my duster and get a new one. I don't know which of the fur balls did it, but I am pretty sure at least one of them left me a gift in a pocket." He leans his head back against the back of the couch, as best as he can anyway being as tall as he is. " 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Nono. Not yet. Sit up straight. No going to sleep until I have you wrapped up. And I'll take the dog out..." Karrin mutters, implying that she might be staying over a bit more full time for a little while. Not that she wouldn't be working 18 hours a day now, with so many cops on strike. She sighs and leans down, grabbing the heavy ace bandaging from her bag. She then presses closer to him, starting the very careful and tight dance of wrapping up his ribs. She's done this before, it's basically putting him into a corset. It doesn't make it any easier. But this time, being this close to his body? It had strangely new temptations... "Now, are you actually going to leave this on other than showers and maybe actually listen to me about recovering? Because you are right, I am going to need you out there. In one piece. When you are up for it. Because if you are only in half fighting condition, I'm going to just be worried about you as much as I am everyone else." ANd that would split her attention, make things even worst. She leans closer again, to wrap the last stretch around his back before securing the edges. Her breath is there on the side of his neck, hair brushing against his cheek. "...I like that duster. We'll get it cleaned. Seriously, Harry... dog doo is NOT the worst thing that has been on that duster." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' At her request, Harry sits up and lets himself be wrapped up in the bandages. He doesn't even complain to much as she hits the places with the cracked ribs. When she is doing the last stretch, with her face there close to his and he feels her breath and her hair on his neck, he lets out a little sigh. Getting hurt shouldn't be a good thing, but things are different now and her touch, even something as methodical as wrapping a bandage, sends new thoughts into his brain and other places. She mentions a shower. "Yes, cold shower." he mutters before his registers what she actually said. "I mean, yeah. I'll only take off the bandages when I take a shower, but they are going to be a bitch to put back on after. I'll just have to forgo a shower for a while. I'll see what I can do about the duster, but a pocket is going to be a bitch to clean out. Maybe I can do a cleaning spell. I'll ask Bob, when I am talking to him again." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A single brow arches at the cold shower comment and Karrin cannot totally stop the chuckle that escapes her lips. "Hmm, Harry?" She asks, pulling back just enough she can look down into his eyes. Rare she sees him from this angle. And yes, she is smirking. Hands now free of bandaging, one comes up to gently comb back through his messy black hair. She just sighs quietly, "...What am I going to do with you?" She asks the air, certainly not really asking him, but it's the first thing that's come to her mind and out her mouth it went. "...you could take some help, you know? I... could stay a few days. Get those ribs wrapped up when you needed. Drag the dog food in -- we should just get the economy sized bag." There is that pesky we again. "But... your damn pride. You'll kick and scream every turn at taking help, won't you?" She asks, a bittersweet smile tugging at her small mouth. "I won't be around much. I really should pull every shift I can at work. It's... going to be such a mess." Not to mention the amount of cops that are going to hate Karrin for still doing her job. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The fingers combing through his hair brings another little sound of pleasure from the back of his throat, almost like a moan that was cut short and ended up a squeak. What is she going to do with him. So many responses he could utter, and if he was doped up one of them might slip out giving Freud a nice laugh. "You can stay." Harry almost blurts out, "I mean, you can have the bed, i'll sleep out here. According to you laying down isn't going to be much of an option anyway, so i'll like have to prop myself up. I promise, i'll kick my pride down for a few days." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Harry..." Karrin breathes out softly, letting the man lean a bit closer. She keeps her fingertips slowly combing back through those locks, almost soothing, but also not really wanting to let go. She's been doing this far longer than is necessary to convince him of the wisdom of staying. She's not stopping. "You *can* lay down. You just need to be gentle... And you'll be miserable on this couch." Or, perhaps she's just trying to let her fingertips do some extra convincing of him. "I can take the couch. I fit there. Not that I'll be sleeping much anyway. And then Mister can... have the option of two bodies to love, so he doesn't feel put out about the new baby in the house." Karrin states with a drowsy little laugh behind her voice. Her hand finally stays still, though it's lingering on the back of his neck instead of in his hair. She's not really pulled back yet. There's a quiet mrowl from between them, as Mister now begins to wind through her ankles. Apparently, she has some agreement in this matter. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "We can share the bed." Harry says, "It's big enough. I mean I need a king size just for my height, so there is more than enough room. I am sure Mister and Mouse will find spots up there anyway. Mister tends to end up sleeping on my ankles." He pauses for a moment, "I mean, if your worried about...you know...even if it was an option it's not like I am in the shape for anything like that anyway." The last sentence causes Harry to flush, under her fingers the skin on the back of his neck rises in temperature. "I mean, it's not like we haven't slept together before anyway. Slept..ypu know. Sleep." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, this was almost romantic. It's very quickly turned into a comedy of errors, but isn't that par for course with them? Karrin laughs softly, and then a bit harder, especially as she feels the flush of his neck. "God, Harry, you have never ACTUALLY seduced a woman, have you? At this rate, I'm going to wonder if you and Susan ever even got beyond second base. You dope..." Karrin mutters, completely fondly. She leans over to kiss his temple and then ruffles his hair, definitely in that more sisterly than lover way, before standing straight. "...I'm not worried. Hell. I'm worried that we'll start at opposite ends of the bed and end up... well, how do you feel about being little spoon?" SHe asks with a half cocked brow, but she's not entirely joking about that. Even if she was the little spoon last time. "Friends. We... we're friends. Best friends. I'd... god, Harry... I'd fight the world for you, you know that? I don't want to fuck that up. I... really don't. As much as I might want..." She falls quiet, still not the courage to say it. The same dance they were doing the other morning. She sighs and leans down, scooping up the little, drowsy ball of fur, "...come on. You should go before we all actually sleep... Mouse." She tries the name again. Seems it's going to stick. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden grumbles. "I've seduced a woman before, Murph. More than one...and Susan and I....well that is just none of your business!" He huffs, giving Murphy a hard but obviously fake look. "So..." he sticks his tongue out at her. He sighs, using his right hand to brace himself on the edge of the couch to push himself to a standing position. "You want to spoon me, that's fine. Just make sure it is my right side...unless you want me waking up screaming in pain because you squeezed my broken ribs" The tall wizard gives her a quick wink and a grin, which falters slowly into a more somber smile. "Yeah..yeah. I know, Karrin." He is quiet for a moment, then sighs "But think about this, at what point do we start to avoid each other and loose that friendship because we are too afraid of facing reality. A month, a year? I'd like to deal with this...whatever this has become...before we reach that point. One way or another." He lifts his right hand and points to a necklace hanging on a peg by the door. "Take that, it will get you through the wards, and there is a key in the basket. Keep them, they are yours now." He gives her another gentle smile, then heads into the bedroom to get changed for bed. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That somber smile gets a long look from her. He had a good point as well, Karrin just didn't have a good answer for it. Not tonight. "...I guess. But not while you're hurt and I'm on strike. Let's... figure out how you're fitting a dog in your life first." The was ALWAYS going to be something else. Something to put them off, distract, but tonight Karrin was taking that excuse. She scritches fingertips under the puppy's throat, looking down to the little one. "Come on. Business time... If you come house broken, you're already better than every husband I've had..." She mutters to the dog as she heads for the door. "Necklace. Through the wards. Key in basket. Got it, Dresden. You get some beauty sleep, you need it. I'll see you in the morning." Karrin calls back to him. And with that, she disappears up into the darkness. Tonight, he is actually going to sleep alone. Karrin gets Mouse to do his business and tucks both of them into bed, Mister following soon after to take his place at Harry's *hip* tonight. But Karrin mutters something about a few emergency calls and needing to go back to work. So the couch isn't even an option. Maybe she'd be back in the morning but, for tonight, he has to settle for furry company and still a lot of emotional things up in the air. 
}}

346/Morning, Take Two...

2017-08-03T16:35:12Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/10 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=Another awkward morning for Harry and Karrin as they struggle to find common ground about their fe..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/10
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Another awkward morning for Harry and Karrin as they struggle to find common ground about their feelings.
|Cast of Characters=174, 168, 184
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Thirty minutes. That is what Karrin asked Mister for, and that is what the cat gave them more or less. At thirty minutes and some change there is a mewling as Mister hops up onto the back of the couch. Thirty-three minutes later, Mister decides he has had just about enough and pounces onto the pair. Harry's eyes open wide as thirty pounds of cat land on his gut and he lets out a string of expletives. "Ok..ok.. I'm up you damned feline. Christ, cat...grow some opposable thumbs already." He looks down to Murphy and sighs, "The master of the house demands his sacrifice." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While Harry's stomach got the brunt of cat-doom-from-above, Karrin's hip got a good bit of flop and tail, jerking her awake on his shoulder, a sharp intake of breath pulling ather lips. "Dammit... Mister... I'm...damn... awake..." She rasps out, no longer finding the large ball of gray fur at all amusing. That sleep had been nice. Warm. Harry had been warm. And now they ahd to move. Really had to. She gives one last little groan and then gently begins to extract her body from around Harry, making no comment about how many parts of her were wrapped around how many parts of him. It was just so they could fit on the couch. Really. After halfway falling backwards off the couch, Karrin manages to stumble up onto her feet and stretch out with a loud crack of her back and pop of her left hip. She gives a little groan again. "...alright, maybe next time we get over ourselves and use a damn bed..." She mutters, padding in the direction of his little kitchen, "You better have coffee." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "In the kitchen..." groans Harry as he starts to rise from the couch, first sliding his legs off and planting his feet before moving to adjust his body to a more vertical position, his back mimicking the popping and cracking of Karrin's back. "Cabinet left of the sink." Once he rises from the couch, Harry reaches over his head and stretches letting out another loud groan as more vertebrate pop and realign from a night on the couch. He looks to Karrin, watching her for a moment as she looks for the coffee and smiles to himself at some internal dialogue. Snapping himself out of his internal monologue, he shakes his head and moves to fix Mister his breakfast. "If we use the bed I promise to behave, Karrin. My back will thank you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You beast. You'll have to learn, when I say 30 minutes, I mean two hours..." Karrin mutters towards Mister, as he winds between her legs, following her into the kitchen because he really doesn't care WHO feeds him, only that he's GOING to get fed soon. And poor Bob is still just hanging out, cheek down, on the floor where Karrin knocked him last night. She's still leaving him there. Possibly because she forgot but, more likely, it's her quiet revenge. She pauses a moment, looking between cat and coffee maker, but then Dresden is moving into the kitchen and helping her from her moral crisis of help herself or feline first. So, she starts to make coffee. "Behave? You? Should be careful, your nose is gonna start growing, you keep talking like that..." Karrin mutters gruffly, but she cannot quite hide a slight smile from her words as she pulls down coffee grinds and dumps them into a filter. She makes her coffee strong. She then looks back over to him, catching some *look* in his eyes. Perhaps the lingering edges of that smile, "...what? What's that look about? All... dopey. Don't get dopey on me, Dresden." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry pulls out some cold cuts from the icebox and drops them into Mister's dish. The feline moves to his bowl and starts to eat the offerings with a purr. Harry start to pull the makings of a breakfast out from the icebox, and looks over to Karrin, "Please. I am a perfect gentleman. What have I ever done that would cause you to say otherwise?" The wizard smirks, taking the eggs and bacon over towards the wood fire stove, "Dopey? Really? Do I look like a dwarf, Murph?" He snorts and gives her a pointed look, opening his mouth to say something else, but thinking the wiser of it and shutting it again. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...What? No. Come on. Spill. You don't give me that look and not actually talk." Karrin might still be half asleep, but she doesn't miss a detail, especially as he gives her a pointed look and dares to shut his mouth a moment later. She might regret this, but there is no going back now. Her bleary blue eyes dare him to actually speak what is on his mind and, now that the coffee is starting to percolate slowly, she has nothing better to do with her arms but cross them over her chest and wait. The small of her back leans against his kitchen counter, looking perfectly natural in his crowded little apartment, but all her attention is fully on him. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "And get my ass kicked for making a dwarf joke? I have better sense than that, Murph." barks Dresden with a grin. "I mean, I do have some sense of self preservation. Not much, but some." He turns to start frying up the bacon and eggs on the stove top, spicing them up with a little salt and pepper. "But if you want to talk about last night...i'm not sure what to say. I don't regret anything, that is for sure." He takes the bacon and eggs off the stove, and starts to plate them up onto a pair of wooden platters, "Well maybe I have one regret, but it's one I can live with." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You are so lucky I'm still half asleep, and not armed, or you'd be paste on the floor, Dresden." Karrin mutters in response to his dwarf joke, though her lips still crack in a bit of a smile. She's in too good of a mood to genuinely be angry, but he does get some random bit of detrius off of his counter thrown in the direction of his head. He deserves it. Then he's going on about last night and her expression grows more somber. Not sad, but contemplative. She says nothing for a few heartbeats, leaning over to pour out a proper dose of coffee for herself and add some liberal sugar. Once she has it, coffee nursing between her hands, she sinks back into leaning against the counter and watches him cook. "I don't regret it either. Hell... I wish it had happened sooner. The shit we go through, Harry?... We have to trust each other. Have to. And you shouldn't be doing this alone. I know you've done it a long damn time on your own but... Even wizards break..." She breathes out gently, actual concern behind her voice. Especially after everything she heard. She then blinks, "...One regret?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Letting out a little laugh as Harry ducks his head to the side to avoid the incoming projectile, "Yeah, well, I have to get them in when I can and your defenses are down. We both know you are too much woman for me, Murph. Now come and eat your breakfast...i'm told it is the most important meal of the day." Harry pops a bit of bacon in his mouth, and his head nods in agreement with Karrin as she speaks of the trust and the need for knowledge. "No, I get it. I do. I just wanted to keep you safe...there are things out there that you just can't handle with a gun and a pair of handcuffs, and I didn't want you going off all righteous warrior and getting yourself killed." He pauses to take a sip of his coffee, "I care about you way to much." He leans back, combing his fingers through his hair as he lets out a little sign through his nose, "I'd rather I be the one that breaks, Murph. I don't /want/ to be the one that breaks, and I try my damnedest to not to, but if comes down to you or me, I'm going to choose me. Every. Single. Time. Call it chauvinistic, call it chivalry, call it whatever you will, but damned if I am not going to take that bullet for you if I can." He takes a forkful of eggs, and shovels them into his mouth, casting his eyes up towards heres for a moment as he ignores anything regarding regrets. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Murph takes the plate of food and her coffee, wordlessly nodding back towards the couch now that they are fed. She wasn't having this conversation awkwardly hovering in the kitchen like they were both running off to work any moment, or just having casual talk about the weather. She takes a good gulp of her coffee before speaking as they walk. "You're going to choose you, Harry. That's where you're wrong. I choose *neither* of us. We just don't break. We're stronger together, and if we can't do it, we get other people. We DON'T fail. We can't afford to fail. This city cannot afford for us to fail. You don't go into a fight planning to lose, even in the long run. You just don't. Got it?" Karrin states flatly, her voice serious enough to say this actually matters a great deal to her. She then sets her things down and finally leans over, grabbing up Bob. "Not a word." She looks over to Harry, "He's like a bird, right? Just put a cover over him?" She takes skull and blanket from last night, bringing them over to a shelf and carefully covering him, but with actual respect this time. No need to piss off a skull, right, expecially after just leaving him there all night. It wasn't her best moment. She then sighs and looks back to Harry. "You still didn't tell me about that regret." No, she's not going to drop it. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh I never go into a fight expecting to loose." Harry says as he chews on another piece of bacon. "You know me well enough to know I am a survivor. I don't know what you saw in me, and I don't want to know, but if anything I would expect you to see that. I do what I can, even if I make stupid decisions in the heat of the moment to give me any edge I think I might need." As Karrin moves to pick up Bob, he shrugs. "Not really. The blankets won't keep him from piping up if he decides to interject his unwanted and unneeded advise. If you really don't want him spouting off, I can put him back in the lab. I'm surprised he is actually being quiet now, to be honest." "I'm trying to be good, Harry." says a voice muffled under the blanket, "But it is oh so hard." a pause, "That's what she said.", then a snicker. "Sorry...sorry. Couldn't help myself." Harry groans with a shake of his head. He shovels another mouthful of eggs into his mouth, and then another. Trying to avoid the unavoidable for as long as he can as he stares into his eggs. Finally, he mumbles something at unperceptable levels. "..regret...didn't...balls...you..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The skull gets a glare, "...I felt guilty for 2.5 seconds for letting you lay on the floor all night. That guilt is no where to be found now. Shut it or, seriously, the lab." Karrin grumbles at the thing, not removing the blanket. Talking or not, at least he doesn't have to SEE them dance their awkwardness after sleeping together the whole night, neither of them really actually having said a single THING about that yet. Details. She then walks back over and folds down onto the couch next to him, finally reaching for her food. The bacon is attacked first and she puts a full piece in her mouth before making a sound that could be considered absolutely dirty in response. There is nothing like good, greasy bacon. She scoops up another piece to nibble, curling her knees up against her chest, feet tucking below her. "...So, you were saying about regrets? I'm waiting, Dresden. I literally have all day. They do make us take days off, on occasion." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Shaking his head, Harry looks at her again and sighs with a forceful exhalation of air. "Karrin, please. This is awkward enough as it is. It's nothing, really. Just let it go. I really shouldn't have said anything." He watches her, his eyes giving her an almost pleading look. "If you push it, i'll likely break..and then nothing will be the same and I don't think we could ever get back." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Nothing will be the same, Harry. We're both fucking fools if we try to pretend it will be." Karrin states flatly, no teasing in her voice now. She all too well understands the weight of what happened. What started with a soul gaze, but ended with far more. There are no regrets in her voice as she says it, though. She exhales quietly, just shifting on the couch so her toes can tuck beneath his leg again, instead of her own frame, and finishing off that piece of bacon before she scoops up the plate so she can attack her eggs. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Taking a deep breath, Harry lets it out in a very slow and deliberate exhale. He nods once, his eyes closing as he contemplates things, his thoughts racing in his head. "That much is true." he finally admits to himself, his voice coming out in a gentle whisper as he sets his plate down on the table and combs his fingers through his hair once again in a nervous gesture. It is the simple things, really, that can break someone. Forget torture. Waterboarding, bamboo under the fingernails or hot pokers applied to skin cause pain, but sometimes pain is what strengthens a man's resolve instead of breaking it. A light smile, the gentle caress of fingertips over bare skin...or even just someone tucking their toes under a leg in a gesture of comfortability is what can truly shatter a man's soul. Moments after the toes are comfortably tucked under his leg, he breaks. "I wanted to kiss you last night." he says, blurting it out in a cracking voice that barely registers on the audible level He doesn't look up, staring at the floor in front of him as he continues, "Hell, Murph...Karrin, I..." He cuts himself off and looks away from her, letting out a little snort of air from his nose, "I regret not just going for it. I'm glad I didn't, because I value your friendship and my jaw being in one piece." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' She knew he was going to say that. Karrin keeps her toes where they are, a touch which is definitely, strangely, a touch more intimate than simply being friends. At least, what their friendship had been previous to this. She takes a bite of eggs and finally just sits her plate down. This isn't an eating conversation. Coffee is taken up again as there is a certain safety net in having her fingertips around her coffee mug and away from touching tempting, handsome, best-guy-in-the-world wizards who were too close for comfort. She breathes out slowly, trying to organize her thoughts. No words come for a long moment. "...part of me is real damn sad you didn't go for it either." Karrin admits, "And...I probably wouldn't have broken your jaw." She offers that with a half smile, trying to tease, but it's not fully successful. She takes another sip of her coffee, the drink giving her time to further organize thoughts. "But... I value our friendship too. Probably more than almost... anything in the world, right now. And I tend to fuck things up real good when I'm in a relationship. Two divorces would show a pattern... it's probably not them, it's me." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The silence between them is palpable as Karrin finishes speaking. Harry just nods quietly, moving his hand to place it gently over one of the feet nestled under his leg. He leaves it there, giving it a gentle pat before breaking the silence, "And I don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to a love life myself. At least your exes are alive or not turned into something that goes bump in the night. So...yeah. Probably for the best. We would just end up making a mess of things." He reaches over to grab his coffee, lifting it to his lips and taking a sip from it slowly. "Why risk fucking up a good thing, right? It would be stupid." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The touch of his fingertips makes her eyes close for a moment. Comfort. Probably the only person in the world she could trust with utterly everything and now she knew it. There was no denying that. Her bare toes wiggle a bit beneath his leg, just the faintest of fond brushes. A silent press and reassurance that she is here, she enjoys this. It is good. Even as their higher brains pull them apart, fight what their bodies clearly know, her toes remain pressed close like that. His words bring a bitter sweet laugh to her lips. "One of them. The other died of cancer. He... didn't even tell me he was sick. What kind of monster was I that he couldn't even tell me he was sick?" There is *damage* there. For all the strength, no shits and will put any threat down attitude Murphy gives to the world, everyone has their demons. This is probably her's way, way deeper than she'd ever admit. "I don't want to fuck this up, Harry. I can't. You...you deserve better than that. For all the bullshit idiot mistakes you make, you still deserve better." She confirms quietly. "...it would be stupid." Her voice is a touch softer there, not fully convinced. But mostly. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "I'm sorry, Murph. I didn't know." He breaks his thousand yard stare to turn and look at her, lowering the coffee cup back down to the table next to him. The hand resting on her foot idly strokes it much like her toes on his thigh, an absent gesture that transfers his comfort to her just as much as her toes do to him. "I'm sure he had his reasons, but I doubt you being a monster was one of them. Maybe he didn't want you to see him that way, and preferred you to remember him how he was before." He offers up a small smile, the corners of his mouth raising just a fraction of an inch. "As for what I deserve? I'll be the judge of that, Murph. Hell's bells, I can tell you that if I deserved anything it would sure as hell be lower in quality than you. You are not giving yourself enough credit. I know you, Murph. You can't bullshit me with that." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A small sound comes from her throat as he comments about her not seeing him that way. Karrin doesn't bother following up in words, it all still fairly raw and shoved back into the parts of her brain she just opts to ignore and not deal with forever. It's easier that way. She does enjoy the touch against her foot, though, expression echoing the small smile on his long face as he looks in her direction. "...Don't make me throw something at you again, Dresden. You know you can't lie to me now. I've seen it. You let me see. You *literally* just bared your soul to me so, like... No bullshit. I see through the lies. I'm not actually any higher power to judge what someone deserves but... You deserve a whole damn lot. You are better than you know, Harry Dresden." And her hand leaves her coffee cup, reaching down to wrap over his, giving a warm, tight squeeze for a moment. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Turning his palm face up, he takes her hand in his and closes his fingers over it gently. "You know, pot. I'm aware I'm black." The corner of his lip twerks up a bit, a slight amusement at her words. "Do you forget that it went both ways? I know exactly who you are, Karrin Murphy, and you do not get to say you are not good enough for anyone...ever." He keeps his fingers loosely curled around her hand, not letting go but not preventing her from removing it either. "You know that saying...the one that goes something like 'The Truth will set you free' or something like that?" He pauses. "It's utter bullshit." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A long look is levelled in his direction, pale eyes skeptical and yet she KNOWS he's right. Karrin hates it when he's right. She much better likes it when she's got some ammo against him, but right now they've seen to the darkest corners of each other's souls and are still sitting there. So, really, it can't be that bad. With a long sigh, she just gives his fingertips a tight squeeze. A quiet show of gratitude even if her proud heart doesn't quite bring herself to say it. That bittersweet smile flickers across her mouth again but, when it comes to matters of romance and that side of the heart? She's still not quite ready to give in. Who knew if she'd ever be again. So, as he goes on, she arches a brow, listening. The comment about utter bullshit is the first thing in a while to draw an actual laugh to her lips, but it's so unexpected that she chokes out that brief cough of a laugh and blinks, "That...is not where I thought you were going with this. But... what brought that on? Look, I get that you think it's more dangerous. But really, Harry, I was going to chase after this shit anyway. Between you, Michael and SI? I'm in. It's better that I know. Your enemies are my enemies, they always were... Now, at least, I just sorta know who is coming after me." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Hm?" Harry says as he return the squeeze, "Oh... I was talking about us. The truth about us. It hasn't freed us from anything, and if anything it seems to have shackled us down more than ever. The rest, yeah. No, it is better that you are prepared for what is out there. There is so much weird shit out there now. Aliens, people with powers that I can't even comprehend as a wizard? I was happier when I thought the worse I would have to deal with was a Vampire or a Lupe Garou." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Another slight chuckle escapes her lips as he admits he was talking about them. Karrin's eyes drop, slightly avoiding his. "...yeah. I know. I was just trying to give you an easy out." Or herself one. She's never one to be scared of something but, apparently, this is it. The one time where Harry's ever seen her truly be a coward, and it's about doing anything more than holding the man's hand right next to her. Her fingertips tighten against his, though, pulse a bit quicker and it's nothing to do with coffee. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh for the love of..." says a muffled voice from under the blanket. "Will you two just get over yourselves?! Kiss each other already, or do /something/ but if you aren't going to, then just smash me now so I don't have to continue to hear this drivil." Harry closes his eyes, and turns very slowly towards the hidden skull. "That's it." he says, as he slowly rises...letting Karrin's hand go at the last possible moment before he reaches for the blanket covered skull, "Back to the lab you go." He turns to Karrin and gives her an apologetic smile, "Sorry, i'll be back in a moment. If you want to freshen up, the bathroom is just off the bedroom door to the right. I'll warn you now, I don't have hot water. Don't want to risk a water heater explosion. There are spare towels under the sink." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The muffled voice gets a TRUE death glare, even if a small bit of pink climbs up Karrin's cheeks. She's still murdering Bob with her eyes and the ONLY thing that actually saves him from smashing is the fact that Harry finally does get up to go put him away. One last squeeze of his hand and Karrin lets go. She downs the rest of her coffee like it was a shot of whiskey and pushes herself up into standing. "Probably for the best. I don't know what you call murdering a skull with an intelligence, but I'm soon to figure it out. And..." She groans low, "No hot water? You're *killin'* me..." Murphy whimpers, heading towards the bathroom. Though, if Harry's ears are particularly sharp, he might hear the very faintest mutter, "...probably could do with a cold shower anyway..." She confesses. It's been a while. A long while. A minute later, the sound of that cold water running can be heard. It'll be the fastest shower she's ever taken, but it helps wash away a lot and perhaps wake her up away from those tempting thoughts that are sure to ruin what good friendship they do have. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry has always prided himself on being able to listen. Really listen."You an me both." he comments to Murphy as she heads towards the bedroom. Harry moves one of the rugs from the floor, pulling it aside to reveal the door in the floor leading down to his sub-basement lab. He neglects putting on the heavy robe he usually wears to cut the chill and just moves down the folding steps into the depths below. There are some harsh words in a raised tone that echo up from the door to the lab. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Fortunately, Murphy misses the yelling as she fights with the 'how clean can I get by only putting my body under the shower only 10 seconds at a time' dance. But she manages to at least clean the important bits and her hair. So, by the time Harry is coming back UP the stairs, she's stepping out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel, her blonde hair tossled, skin a bit more fresh looking and eyes definitely more awake. "...Only cold water is *ass* Harry. Like... that's self torture. THat is worse than flagelation. You're insane. I'm never...EVER Moving in. Ever. Or we fix that. Not that I was... actually thinking... I mean... Never mind. F*ck, it's cold. I need more coffee." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Coming up to Murphy in a towel wasn't exactly what he expected. He looks at her for a moment. Eyes lingering on her long enough to just be on the verge of staring before he quickly turns away, clearing his throat as he walks back towards the kitchenette, stopping on the way to pick up the coffee cups. "Yeah, sorry. Something I've just gotten used to. Didn't need a gas explosion from a malfunctioning water heater on my worry list. I used to heat water on the stove to take a bath, but I had to get rid of the tub. Not enough room." He refills the coffee and brings the two cups back over, offering Karrin hers as he takes a sip from his. "I might be able to call a favor or two in to see about finding a way to get hot water here....you know...if the need ever arose." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' His staring gets a good smirk, "Oh, come on, Dresden. You've seen way more before. Calves and shoulders are gonna get you going?" Of course, these are *Murphy's* calves and shoulders, a night after they spent the evening sleeping together. Things have changed, as they both admitted. She's just still sort of trying to dance around pretending that they haven't. She steps back over to accept that cup of coffee, trying not to shiver but it's chilly down here after that shower and she's not used to a basement apartment, she's used to her grandmother's cozy old house that always smelled just SLIGHTLY of mothballs, but she's gotten used to it by now and it's home. For all it's doilies and pinkness. She nestles back down into his couch, still just in that towel because the thought of taking it off to get dressed would be ice cold agony right now. "You know... the hot water heater at my house is so ancient it probably wouldn't blink at you. Just... saying. I mean, not that... it's... Never mind. I'm still waking up. Never mind." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden smirks with a shrug. In for a penny, in for a pound. "I'm just glad I have big towels, but it isn't so much what I can see...it's the thought of what I can't." He lets out a little snort before sipping at his coffee, "Yeah, yeah...I get it. Maybe I will try the shower at your place sometime and see if I manage not to cause it to fritz." He pauses as a thought comes to him, "Will I have to kneel down to get my head under the faucet? Something tells me it wasn't built for someone as tall as I am." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "My legs are still long enough to kick you, you know. Your hip is right there. It wouldn't even be hard." Karrin mock growls out, shaking her head slowly, "In truth, I pity you. All you have are short jokes. That's all you can come up with? And here I thought wizards were supposed to be inventive or something. So passe`." Karrin half grins, but she's still in too decent a mood to be pissed. What is this good mood thing? She's not certain how she feels about it. It's weird. She then settles down against him a bit more, stealing some of his heat after that far too cold shower as she lets the second cup of coffee finish turning her into an active person. That person is now remembering the wide world of OTHER obligations she has in front of her. A day off from being a cop just meant a million other matters to handle. "...So... the Batman came up to me the other night again. Trying to get the coin back. He didn't really buy the Church thing. I have a feeling he's going to try to growl at Michael about it. I almost want to watch. Still... I don't think it's the last of this. And there's another strange smuggler coming through town *not* related to the coin... but someone else sent in a super quiet clean up crew. Someone who shoots as good as I do, if not better... and has a metal arm, if not entire torso. It was... strange." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry is quiet for a moment, and then lets out a little chuckle. "Well, that is because it wasn't supposed to be a short joke. I was actually being serious...it's rare to find a showered I can actually stand under." He gives Karrin a grin, and slide a hand around her shoulders to help her curl in and steal some heat. "I should really get the fire going again." At the mention of the Batman, and the guy with the metal arm, Harry purses his lips. "I should meet this Batguy sometime. If he goes after Michael or the coin... Let's just say if Michael is right and Batman is wrong, I don't want to see the consequences of what can happen. If that coin does hold the essence of a fallen angel, and it gets into someone like Batman's head? We're fucked." Harry's fingers idly trace patterns in light touches against Karrin's shoulder absentmindedly, "And this is what I mean. Guys with metal arms? How are we supposed to compete with that? Metal arms, people that run around faster than the speed of sound, aliens that shoot heat beams out of there eyes...it's all so bizarre. And that is coming from a guy that can summon a demon to get information...not that Chauncy is all that bad a guy." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Not a single word is said about that touch against her bare shoulder. If both of them pretend it isn't happening, maybe they can carry on enjoying it without over thinking it? Perhaps that would be their relationship for the next god knows how long. Perhaps that would be okay. Without Bob to call them out on it, Karrin can almost relax into the touch without over thinking things. She just sinks into his arm, happily leeching his warmth as she nurses that second mug of coffee. "...Oh. Well. No promises about the shower, but it's worth a try. Murphys aren't exactly... height gifted folks." Karrin admits with a gruff little laugh. It doesn't last. THe conversations about Batman and all the other strange things they are up against, it's enough to draw her back to the concerning heaviness of reality. "I think the Coin will be fine. Michael is good at inspiring faith in others. Even the Batman. But... I don't regret giving it to the Church. Even if it pisses off Gotham's biggest vigilante. The guy is technically a criminal anyway, he can go screw himself if he wants to cause an issue." Karrin grumbles. "...as for the metal arm. I... think he's on our side? Think? I also have a feeling you could look at him wrong and shut down the whole machine. Seemed like a lot of delicate cyber netics there. I could be wrong. So... I give us a fighting chance. I'd put money on us. At least." Then her brain catches up to what he's just said and she blinks, sitting up straighter. "...Wait...what? Demon?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "An honest to god hot shower. I don't know the last time I had one of those. It'd be worth kneeling in show shower I think. Getting back up may be a problem, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Maybe I can come up with a containment spell to prevent me from frying technology for a while." mutters Harry, fingertips still idly playing with the skin on her shoulder. If she isn't going to stop him, he isn't going to stop. He is enjoying the closeness wth someone he hasn't had in far to long. If this is the new normal, well...it could be worse. "I hope so. I'd like to think that he might err on the side of caution with something like this, and if anyone can make him see reason it would be Michael." Harry says with a nod, "How do you set up a meeting with him, anyway? Do you use what spotlight thing?" He takes a sip of his coffee, savoring the warmth and bitterness of the liquid for a moment before swallowing, "Huh. I never thought about it that way. I guess I shouldn't worry to much about the robots in any case. I'm a natural debutant for them." "Who? Chauncy? Chaunzaggoroth is a demon from the underworld I used to call on occasion to get information. Hamrless really, as far as demons go. Kept trying to recruit me to his side, but he's a demon...thats what they do. Last time I used him was during that whole Lupe Garou fiasco, when I was trying to find MacFinn before..." He stops talking, knowing she knows the rest of that story just as well as he does. "In any case, I don't use him anymore. We had a falling out, and in any case I know I wouldn't be able to afford the price for his service anymore." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Instinctively, inch by inch, Murphy sinks a bit closer. She's not exactly melting into him, she's more so just relaxing after the ice cold shower in the torture chamber that he calls his bathroom. Still, the heat of his arm is very nice and it's helping erase the memories of no hot water heater in his place. She takes another gulp of her coffee, smirking at the thought of the Bat signal, "God no. The man stalks me. He shows up next to my car to growl at me before disappearing into the shadows. If he keeps it up, I'm gonna think the Batman has a crush on me or something. It's really kind of creepy." Karrin mutters about the local vigilante, no fear in her tone. She really just sounds annoyed. "...and...why would the price be too high? Wait. Never mind. That's good. You shouldn't be summoning demons anyway. Stop it." Karrin lightly swats at his leg, but there is no heart behind it. She's doing it just because that's what a friend should do. And that situation had turned messy. It's late morning on some random week day, but the Dresden apartment is suspiciously quiet and calm. Karrin's car is parked outside, the little Mazda fairly easy blending into the background, but one might recognize it if they knew what to look for. Downstairs, the pair are currently curled on the couch, fresh coffee and empty plates of breakfast in front of them. Mister is lounging with a full belly halfway between the kitchen and the living area. Oh, and Murphy is in nothing but a towel, her hair freshly damp, with Harry's arm around her shoulder. They might almost be accused of cuddling on the couch. Don't dare tell them that. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' The warded state of Harry's hidea--um, his headquarters knows the blue-haired minx who wanders down to the door. Her hyper-modern clothing comes with its own dashes of colour, twinkling bits of LED lights buried into the cobweb blackness of her skirt. She has a motorcycle jacket to keep her warm and the same high-speed bike outside probably belongs to someone else. She, however, is the rider. The shiny helmet sitting on the seat has the frosty finish matching the young woman's general veneer. The key jangling off a ring with a chibi sorcerer type figurine is slipped into the lock, deadbolt flipped, and whatever magic hums in the air gets a real chance to know her. Or not see her as a threat. She's not a demon! Just a horrible girl about twenty, maybe less. The door opens and Molly Carpenter slips through a second later. Not wasting any time standing outside, that's for sure. Her gaze flits about the place. All is normal except for... for... Canoodling. "Hey, Harry, I brought you extra whipped cream with your waffles!" she cheerfully notes, holding up the paper bag. It could hold a live grenade. It could hold a box of waffles. She is pure mischief incarnate. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden says, "I should turn the tides on him. Locate him with a tracking spell and just show up unannounced with my duster billowing out behind me." Harry utters with a chuckle, "See if he like it. Though, about 2 seconds later I'd probably be on the floor with me head between my legs kissing my ass goodbye." "My name, or the last bit of it anyway." Harry says to Murphy with a shrug, "Names uttered from the lips of whom they belong to have power. Having my full name would let Chauncy have some power over me, and trust me...I'm not going to let that happen." When the door is unlocked and opened, Harry looks up from his place on the couch towards the doorway, "Um...Hi, Grasshopper. Did we have an apointment today?" Harry reaches up and combs his fingers through his hair as he looks to the blue haired girl. "We've already eaten...but thanks? Um...there is coffee on the stove, and probably some leftover bacon." He glances from Karrin to Molly and then back, a sheepish smile forming over his face as he shrugs a shoulder, "Maybe I should start a fire."" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' This is utterly the last thing Murphy expected or knows how to handle right now. Sure, she can pretend a lot of things didn't happen, but once Molly *Carpenter* sees her in nothing but a towel, sitting curled up on Harry's couch? There'd be no denying it now. Or living it down. Murphy's blue eyes go panic wide for a moment or two, considering just how to handle this crisis. Does she pull away from him, insist it didn't happen? Act perfectly normal? Other than looking a little sheepish, Harry seems to be opting for the latter matter. Karrin clears her throat slightly and does finally sit up, straightening herself neatly and trying to look as professional as someone possibly can in nothing but a towel. "...Ah, Miss Carpenter. Good morning. I... I didn't realize I was interrupting a lesson. And I'm sure Harry could use some extra cream for his *coffee*, if nothing else..." Murphy states that last bit with just a little steel behind her tone, not giving into that mischief in the least. She then straightens up, moving for the bathroom. "...I should start the day, though... If you'll excuse me." Karrin disappears into that bathroom, making quick work of getting back into her clothes. To Molly's keen eyes and trouble sense, however, they are NO DOUBT yesterday's clothes. Completely wrinkled. Karrin Murphy is doing the walk of shame out of the bathroom, even if she's doing it with her head held high. 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' Molly Carpenter. Daughter of Mr. Michael, beloved of God and angels, and Charity scares us all to death Carpenter. The swingy skirt and bright smile grow brighter by about four hundred watts. "I'm sorry, Harry didn't tell me he was expecting company." Other than her, was he expecting anyone? The saucy little minx is Miss Manners when she's gotta be. Call it years of practice with lots of siblings. She holds her hands together, fingers lacing in front of her. Rolling forward, she stands on her tiptoes. "I'm sorry, I didn't know I was interrupting you. It is lovely to see you, too, Ms. Murphy." Her smile is full of sunshine and butter be melting, all. Especially because she's squarely staring at Harry rather than the absence of clothes. "I can come back in a few hours. You'll have time to go about your visit without me interrupting." A friendly wiggle of her fingers waves to Mister. The fluffy full feline cannot be ignored. Not when he's right there, nope. She bends. Fluffy side petting will ensue. Karrin hopefully gets a graceful exit to find some clothes. The raise of her eyebrows says VOLUMES to Harry, lots and lots. Her mouth goes into a wider grin. "Don't you tell me... I should have brought a bottle of whipped cream. Ooh, some maraschino cherries. Anything else you want me to nip out for?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' For what it is worth, Harry is still dressed and the clothes he is in look like they have been slept in with as wrinkled as they are. The wizard just looks between the Winter Lady and Murphy, his smile faltering as things start to dissolve into...well, reality. Panic starts to get hold of him as he stands, taking few steps after the Lieutenant. "Murph...Karrin...I didn't know she was going to come over. You don't have to go..." is about as far as he gets before the bedroom door closes in his face. He turns to Molly, combing his fingers through his hair in that nervous tick of his as he looks to the faire queen. He still has a hard time not thinking of her as just his apprentice. "Molly, nothing happened. We just fell asleep on the couch, she took a shower. It wasn't what it looked like." Well, it was...they really were cuddling on the couch. Finally, he just gives up and flops back onto the couch, "Hell's bells." 

:'''{{#var:184|Molly (184)}} has posed:''' "There's enough for two. You don't have to miss out a late lunch and it'll keep until then." Eminent practicality in a pint-sized grin, hard to lose out on. Molly beams even brighter. "They're from Coco Fandango, the waffles are to die for. Whenever you're ready, chow down, right?" The paper bag is put down where Mister won't immediately besiege it with his kitty dreams of being a Crusading knight or an infidel slayer or something. Mew, mew, die fiend! The flicker of little lights continues. Blue, green, and violet shine in motion. She ventures a hasty back pedal and peeks up at the door, then gets her hands on it. "Later, Harry gator. It'll keep, you can learn about the guy trying to make the city a *whole* lot of winter forever after you're done. It's all good. Give hugs and snugs to your pretty police bug!" Exeunt Molly. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman is still a cop. She can get dressed in 45 seconds flat. Really, it takes her about two minutes, but not too much longer and Murphy is coming back out of the back room, Harry's slightly desperate words still echoing in her head. She gives him a half understanding smile, "I know, Dresden. It's fine. Don't panic. It's not like I'm going to stop talking to you for a week. I'm sure you're doing to do something idiotic and I'll need to yell at you within a few days." Karrin gives him a teasing little smile and a small wink, looking straight in his direction, reassing for a heartbeat or two, before she settles down to grab at her boots. That might be something else Molly notices, if she's paying attention at all and not just spoiling Mister even more rotten -- Karrin looked him in the eyes. Directly in the eyes. Karrin is saying nothing about it as she quickly laces up her squat, rather ugly, steel toed boots. "Molly, try not to torture him too much. I know it's thorough fun, but he's a man and he only has so much blood supply to go so many places..." But then the young woman is already making her exit as well. Damn. Did Molly literally only stop in to make it awkward? Karrin gives a little smirk and a glare at her back, "...I am not a bug." She mutters before leaning down to finish tying her boots. "...But I SHOULD get moving. I still need to check in on about three leads and see what I can clean up after the Posada mess." Also known as Karrin plans to work on her day off. She always works on her day off. Besides, she was fully dressed now. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As Molly leaves, Harry lifts his fingers and starts rubbing at his temples while he shakes his head slowly. He is quiet for a moment of reflection on the comedy of errors in just happened before he looks over to Karrin then back a the door, "Wait...what? Guy trying to make the city winter?" He looks back to Karrin as she starts to lace up her boots, "You're probably right. I'm sure I'll do something asinine within the week. At least the last 12 hours or so were relatively free of idiocy." The wizard manages a small smile, rising up from the couch and making the few steps over towards Karrin. He braves this new paradigm he thinks the two have and reaches out to put a hand on her shoulder, "Call me if you need anything, Murph." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Boots in place, rumpled shirt across her fit figure, hair still drying and smelling like his soap, Murphy looks up to him as he rests that hand on her shoulder. Even with Molly's little intrusion, she's having enough courage to at least keep at this level. If anything, she's lingering a bit closer. Maybe waiting? Hoping? Maybe not. But her fingertips come up, gently resting on the sides of his ribs for lack of anywhere else to go. Despite the rush into clothes, she didn't quite seem eager to leave. "...I'd say this was a pretty good track record of 12 hours, Dresden... you might be onto something here." She murmurs softly, a smile stealing across her lips which wasn't a smirk, for once. Wasn't a tease. It was just a soft smile, mixed with gratitude and a strangely fond look. She could get used to this. "I'll call. Only if you promise the same.' 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry nods, "I will." Slipping his hand from her shoulder to her upper back, he pulls her in closer for a genuine hug. They have been playing the half hugging not really committing to a real embrace game all night and morning, so if she is going to leave he is damned well going to give her a proper hug as a sendoff. He looks down at her, a small but genuine smile on his face as he gazes into her eyes for a moment, "Be safe, Karrin." He lowers his head, bending at the waist ever so slightly to close the distance, aiming to plant an affectionate kiss on the top of her forehead. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The hug is perfect. It's more than she could have asked for and exactly what she needed. Karrin leans up into the hug, pressing her small, taunt frame against him and wrapping him up so tightly it's like they could drown in each other. That hug says so much more than she can actually speak, her head pressed into his neck, breathing so deeply of his scent. She holds on a few heartbeats longer than necessary before pulling back just enough to accept the kiss. No short jokes. No punch to his jaw. Just a quiet smile and a momentary shutting of her eyes. It was going to be a good day, starting like that. "...You too, Harry. Call. If you need *anything*... call." She whispers, but inches from his mouth. She gives his ribs one more squeeze and then reluctantly lets go. A moment later she's turning and disappearing up the steps, almost knocked over as Mister goes flying out before her. "MISTER!" She huffs as she goes with loving annoyance... Her car can be heard starting up a minute later, and then she is gone. 
}}

247/Pocket Change

2017-08-03T16:33:16Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/03 |Location=Gotham Hospital |Synopsis=Karrin receives a coin from the Batman. Harry and Michael check it out...it's a Denarian... |Cast o..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/03
|Location=Gotham Hospital
|Synopsis=Karrin receives a coin from the Batman. Harry and Michael check it out...it's a Denarian...
|Cast of Characters=168, 148, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Halfway into Harry driving to get Karrin last night, she called him and told him to turn around, the hospital *apparently* likes to keep people over night if they've been shot, so she said she'd figure her own way home tomorrow. Apparently, she talked her way into going back to work, because she's back on the job and has had an interesting night already. Interesting enough that Karrin's called Harry as soon as she's gotten back to the station. Of course, that puts the time at about 1 am. Not a time Michael and Harry SHOULD be together, but for some reason, fate conspired tonight that the men are sitting together just as the phone rings. Karrin's voice is clear across the receiver as she begins, "Uh...Harry? Hey. I need to hire you for a consult. Usual rate. Picked up another shifter charm off a scene tonight. Some woman went... completely nuts. But this one is a coin. Looks real old, too..." 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "Something's wrong." That would be Michael Carpenter. The man returns from Harry's little kitchen with some hot coffee for each of them, and has a grave expression upon his bearded face. No, he is not talking about the truck (his truck) that just //happened// to have broken down on Harry's street. He is talking about the phone call. Which he hasn't even heard yet. Michael does not look surprised. Setting down the coffee he takes a breath and nods his head. "Where do we need to be, Harry?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Sure, Michael. I'll give you a ride home in the Beetle. It's only fair since you tend to be giving me rides..." It is about this time that the phone rings at Harry's apartment. 1am isn't unusual for the wizard to be awake, but having Michael there is somewhat unusual. "Oh, Hey Murph. A consult, this late? Yeah...sure, but I have Michael here with me. His car broke down, and I was just about to give him a ride home. Can it wait till I drop him off?" He look over to Michael and shrugs a shoulder before speaking back into the phone, "You think that this old coin had something to do with her transformation? How do you know it was a shifter coin?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Uh...I suppose I don't. The Batman fought her down. He said she was shape shifted and she was holding this coin. I've got it double baggied and she hasn't lost her head again, so..." Karrin responds, casual as can be. Being that they made it to the hospital without incident, she's feeling fairly confident about all of this. 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "Coin?" Michael's face turns steely. "What coin?" There's something in his demeanour that might suggest he already knows. Murmuring the words, "Christ Preserve," the Knight of the Cross starts walking toward the door ahead of Dresden, snagging his coat on the way. At the door, he pauses, then looks over his shoulder at his wizardly friend. "We need to go there now, Harry. If it is what I think it is..." And he briefly closes his eyes. "Come prepared. My sword is in the car -- I'll explain when we get there..." And he disappears outside. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Blinking as Michael up and heads out, he mutters into the phone, "Um...I think Michael is coming with me. We should be there in 15." 20 minutes and a ticket later, Harry strolls into the GCPD SPECTRE division headquarters and gets buzzed in, making his way to Karrin's office. "Heyya Murph." he says with a scowl, "Sorry we're late. I got a damned ticket for going through a red light... It was yellow! I swear it was yellow." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slight sigh, but Murphy did instruct them both over the phone that she'd meet them back at the station. She left the woman sedated at the hospital, with instructions to keep her that way until Murphy could confirm if the shifter is out of the woman or not. So, they are back at GCPD, in the small back corner of the bullpent that is reserved for SPECTRE alone, complete with Murphy's laughable office and two desks outside for the teams that get switched through on a weekly basis. Murphy nods them both inside her office and, sure enough, there is a double bagged Denarius coin sitting on the top of her desk. It's hard to tell exactly what the figure is through the two layers of ziploc bags, but Michael could probably feel the weight, the power of the coin, if nothing else. Karrin doesn't seem bothered or changed, and the coin is still remaining in bags, so that's probably a good sign she somehow avoided touching it. "You...didn't have to rush, boys. I mean, the emergency seems over. She's sedated in the hospital. I mainly just need to know if she's going to shift on the hospital staff again when she wakes up or not. So... I need the experts." She nods towards the coin. 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "It was yellow..." is Michael's distracted reply to Harry's protestations about the traffic light. "...until you crossed the line." Despite commenting on the traffic fine, the knight's attention is fixated upon the Denarius. Whatever the significance of the coin, its presence appears to have turned Michael's face gray. Gaunt. "Hello, Detective Murphy," he tells Karrin absently. "Who else... has touched the coin? Anyone? Although..." and his gaze tracks toward the side, perhaps envisioning the woman sedated in the hospital. "You were right to call us... Have I... mentioned anything about the Order of the Blackened Denarius before? Harry?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Pursing his lips slightly when Karrin mentions not having to rush, Harry grumbles. "You called me at 1am... I thought it was urgent. I can't afford a ticket, Murph. Well, maybe I can after this job...but." He pauses as Michael starts talking, looking over to the Fist of God. Seeing the Knight's face go grey, Harry's eyes widen ever so slightly, "I don't think so, Michael. Who are they?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "The Batman didn't want to leave me with that coin. He was... very nervous about it. And a GOOD woman is being kept in an artificial coma, who man ALREADY have brain damage, because we can't risk letting her wake back up and slaughter an ICU full of people. So, the sooner I know if that is what was controlling her and if it can do it long distance or not, the sooner we can try to let her wake up and lessen her chances of that damage, Harry. She was a nurse. She worked for Doctors without Borders. Is that enough of an emergency for you?" Murphy, her own right arm still bandaged beneath her uniform shirt, seems less than happy with the man across from her. But that's not a rare sight, and she's probably less than happy with the world right now. She then takes a slow breath, looking back over to Michael as she tries to calm her pulse and consider his words, "...Blackened.. Denarius? You certainly haven't told me. So, share with the classroom. No one else has touched the coin. Batman was wearing gloves and I certainly didn't feel like getting crazy shifter in my head, so I picked it up with the evidence baggie. Seemed safer that way." 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' Michael nods his head a few times, then calmly turns to look at Murphy as he stands to his full height. "It will be alright, Karrin. Have faith." 'THRUMM...' Taking a breath -- partly to process news of the damage that has already been done to innocents thanks to the coin, and partly to pray for the souls of those afflicted.... which he will be doing again, throughout the night -- Michael releases it in a sigh, and lifts his chin. Watching the coin. "When our Lord was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, the Pharisees paid Judas in thirty pieces of silver -- Denarii." The knight motions toward the coin with his head. "//That// is one of them. Each coin became a vessel for one of the Fallen -- angels, turned to evil -- and whenever a man, woman... or child picks up the coin with one's bare hand..." He pauses to take another breath, and shakes his head a bit. "He or she falls under the sway of the spirit within. The woman you have in an induced coma... is now the vessel for what the Church calls 'a Denarian'." Another pause. "Sworn enemies of the Knights of the Cross." Looking from Karrin to Harry, Michael adds gravely: "No one is to touch that coin with their bare hands -- even gloves are... unreliable. For now, I'll wrap it in my tabard and return it to the Church. God be with us all if there are more of these surfacing..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Hell's bells! You're telling me that that is one of /those/ damned coins?" Harry says as he looks over at the double bagged coin, moving over to take a closer look at it by picking up the bag by one of the edges to get a better look. "But we have the coin now, right? So the woman is going to be alright now, yes?" He turns the bag over to see the other side, examining it with the utmost curiosity. He looks back to Michael as he talks about taking the coin to the church, looking between him and Murphy, "I'm not sure she is going to let you do that, Michael. It being evidence in a crime and all." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The short blonde listens to both of them, her expression wary, and clearly weary. It's been a long few nights, she's still sporting stitches over that glancing gunshot from yesterday, and seeing someone in the state she did earlier weighs on anyone. Even an experienced cop. Where as most other cops, however, would be screaming bullshit about Michael's words, Karrin just frowns a bit deeper. She looks over to Harry, searching for any hint that Michael is full of it, some starry eyed, religious nut case. She knows it's not true, but a girl can dream. "...He's serious, isn't he?" She asks Harry, her tired voice flat, deadpan. "...You're serious, aren't you?" Karrin echoes herself a heartbeat later, looking back to Michael. The question is rhetorical at this point. She finally sinks down into the chair at her desk, head in the hand of her good arm as she breathes out a low curse word she should not be saying in front of a man of god, but sometimes a girl forgets after midnight. "...No. I... I'll take the flack for losing evidence. Only Batman and myself really know about it anyway. He just wanted to be sure it'd be secure. If you're serious about it's origins... the church is probably the best place for it. But yes, about Harry's question -- if she's free of the coin, now, will she go back to normal?" 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "Thank you, Detective." Michael takes a breath, and retrieves his tabard from under his coat. Using a corner of it, he wraps up the Denarius very, very carefully, and tucks the bundle under his jacket once more. Then he shakes his head. "Things are going to get worse," he murmurs bleakly. That should serve as an answer to the question regarding just how serious he is. "Much worse -- and it will depend on her strength of will." He refers to the woman in the induced coma. "When she's awake -- and she will awaken -- she may appear normal, if only to fool you. Then the personality of the Fallen will start to emerge. I...imagine a serial killer with thousands of years to perfect the art of manipulation, deception... and death." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "I'm afraid he probably is, Murph. I don't think Michael isn't capable of lying." He looks to the Fist of God, "I think he might burst into flame if he tried." Harry frowns and turns his attention back to Murphy as says she will take the flack for the missing coin. "Stars and stones, Murphy! IA has already been down your throat more times in the last two years than I have had sex in the same timeframe. They are just looking for an excuse to remove you and you know it. Rudolph gets wind of this and they will be all over your ass." He turns as he watches Michael take the coin, frowning deeper as the Knight continues to explain. "Wait, so you're telling me just getting rid of the coin isn't going to do shit for her? How in hell do we help her then?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin watches Michael and the coins like someone watching a professional handle a bomb. She trusts him not to accidentally detonate it, he knows what he's doing, but there is always that risk of a live wire you didn't expect, or a wrong breeze, or just dumb bad luck. Always the slight holding of your breath until everything is away. Even when the coins are well and out of reach, in a holy tabard, the exhaustion in her gaze is mostly replaced by a wary adrenaline and nerves. She won't exactly sleep easy tonight. She breathes out slowly, pushing her good hand back through her short blodne bob as she considers all of this. "...Harry's got the right of it, the most important question -- How DO we help her? Because I'm not about to release a serial killer on the streets of Chicago. IA is my last concern... that woman, and what she could do to this town, are my primary worry." That was always Karrin, putting everything, and everyone, before herself. Much like everyone else in this room. They all had the same bad habits, hence their mutual respect for each other. 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "Prayer," says the Man of God quite simply, with that telltale pulse of energy that Dresden will no doubt sense. Then he adds: "Watchfulness; keep a protective detail on her -- I've no idea when she'll break out of the coma. And for the rest, we prepare for a f..." Michael pauses, and lifts a hand to rub the side of his jaw. When he goes to speak again, his cellphone rings, and -- upon seeing the name on it -- he answers. "Hello, Hon," he murmurs. "I'm sorry... I'm at the station with Detective Murphy. ..." He glances at Harry, and lifts his eyebrows a bit. "Yes... Harry's here too -- no, it's not his fault. Charity..." Another pause. "One of the Coins has surfaced. ...Yes. I'm sure. I have it now -- we'll get it to Father Forthill tonight." Then the man listens for a moment and suddenly looks stricken with sorrow. "...Yes. She's in an induced coma -- a nurse. There have already been some injuries..." Michael listens again and turns toward Murphy. "What's the woman's name?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden purses his lips into a tight line. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it again. "Damnit Murph..." He sighs, knowing deep down that she is right and that he would do the same thing in her shoes. Harry reaches up and combs his fingers through his hair. "I swear, if Rudolph gives you any grief, I am going to send Toot over there to put icy hot in his underwear drawer or something. He looks to Michael, What about a exorcism? I can go grab some gear and..." He pauses as Michael's phone rings, wincing when his name is mentioned in a conversation with Charity. He shrugs, gives a sly smile and says, "Tell he I say hi." 
}}

151/Dream a Little Dream...

2017-08-03T16:31:17Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/04/26 |Location=Dreamscape |Synopsis=Karrin and Harry share a nightmare together. |Cast of Characters=168, 174 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses |Poses=:..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/04/26
|Location=Dreamscape
|Synopsis=Karrin and Harry share a nightmare together.
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Sleep. Dreams. It's all relative, really, and they might be hard pressed to tell the fact that they are in a dream while dreaming. Harry isn't with Murphy, at first. In fact, he's waking up from the very bed wherein he's resting now. The strange pink quilt, heavy, hardwood headboards... old fashioned lace curtains. It's the room he was in, but it's not. Still, perhaps Karrin woke up before he did and opened the black out curtains? Maybe he just got a very good, dreamless night's sleep and now they are here. The bed next to him is empty, though the pillow is indented. Then there are voices... Shouting voices, outside. Someone is angry. "He's a FRIEND and just because you can't keep YOUR eyes from wandering to everything with a pair of tits doesn't mean I'M not loyal!" Karrin is angry. Angry and hurt, her voice on the edge of cracking in the screams at an unseen figure. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' 'Waking' up slowly, Harry lets out a low string of uttered curses as he rubs the sleep from his eyes. The wizard sighs, combing his fingers through his hair as he turns to look at the other side of the bed, where Karrin was sleeping. Seeing she is not there, he looks above at the makeshift dream catcher, and purses his lips a bit. "Can't win em all, Harry." He slides his legs out of the bed and stands, his feet hitting the floor just as he hears the screaming from outside. "Oh Hell's bells..." he mutters to himself, moving out of the bedroom and towards the voice, still groggy and half asleep. 'Murph?" he asks as he approaches, "Everything ok?" Of course, Harry probably should have remembered to put on pants. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The is another man in the kitchen, tall, graying brown hair and blue eyes just as sharp as Karrin's. He's built like a proper cop, not a fun-sized one (as someone had called Karrin shortly before tasting their balls in their throat) and he's fully dressed in plain clothes suit that just screams some sort of detective. He's got a gun in his hand and, while it's not pointed at Karrin, it's certainly not safely at the floor either. Anger has made his face a heightened red. "I never messed around on you, Karrin, and you know it! Can't stop a man from looking, but you're in BED with him!" The man hisses. And then Harry comes in. Harry has the worst of timing. Gregory very much raises the gun at Harry now and Karrin is reaching for her own piece, who knows where she had it as she's still in her sweat shirt and flannel pants. She levels the piece at the bigger man, "Gregory William Taggart, you put that gun down now." Her blue eyes are feverishly wide as she flickers a look between Harry and Gregory. Nothing is okay right now. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Well nothing gets rid of the sleep-haze faster than having a gun pointed at you. "Woah, woah, woah.." says Harry, even as he slowly lifts his hand, especially the left one with the shield bracelet on. He focuses his will on the bracelet, expecting the familiar and all to used shield to manifest invisibly in front of him. "Look, man. We were just sleeping, that's all. I've never even as so much kissed Murphy, let alone anything that would warrant execution." Harry says gently enough, but hurried in an attempt to get it out before being shot. "I am sure we can all work this out, it is just a misunderstanding." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The problem with guns is that they move too fast. They don't give someone a chance to think. Guns are reaction. That's why no one should ever draw one if they don't intend to fire it because, sometimes, it goes off whether you like it or not. Gregory Taggart's gun goes off three times in rapid succession, straight at Harry's chest, though the shield or Harry's own skills might deflect bullets enough that he's not dead on the spot. Karrin's instincts, and her gun, don't know that. All they know is that she has to stop the shooting. Rapid fire, she nails two in Gregory's chest and one in his head, gray matter splattering all over that quaint little kitchen. The body is firmly dead before it hits the ground and Karrin looks like she might be sick. Shakily, slowly, she lowers her weapon, turning to move for Harry and check on his body. She knows the other man is dead. "...H-harry.... Harry?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' *BLAM BLAM BLAM* Three gunshots, no big deal, right? Harry's shield has taken much more damage than that, like a freaking fall from a elevator shaft for one. So it is a complete and utter shock to Harry when the bullets whiz past where the shield should be and slam into his chest. One. Two. Three. The first impact of the lead projectiles cause Harry to stumble, staggering back and the subsequent shots cause him to fall onto his back, blood welling from the wounds and rapidly staining his shirt. A soft and confused '...Murph...?' slips past his lips. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Something in the back of Karrin's head says this cannot be true, something is wrong. How in the world did Greg get here on this of all days. Why would he go that insane? They've been divorced for years. But that logical, rational part of her head is a small whisper in comparison to the utter, screaming panic in the back of her skull as she sees Harry stumble back. That soft breath of a word, the blood blossoming on his chest. She shoves her gun on the table, not even wanting to touch it, and runs to him. While she's two thirds his height, she was strong, and she almost catches him before he hits the floor, helping lower him down there, her fingertips hovering almost uselessly over the wounds before she reaches down to put pressure there. There was so much blood. Too much blood. "H-harry? Harry...shit...Shit...I'm here. I never thought he'd... actually shoot. God... Harry, use... a spell or something... Heal yourself! You can do that, right?" She asks, tears through her eyes, crackling in her voice already as she keeps one arm around his shoulders and her other hand against his chest. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Shield....didn't...work." Harry manages to mutter in a ragged voice that is just above a whisper as he is lowered to the floor. "Should've..worked." He coughs, blood coming up out of his mouth to stain his teeth and lips, it bubbles and froths as he fights to breath. "Fucker...shot me. Didn't even...do anything." There is a spasm as he coughs again, his breathing weakening as the stains on his shirt continue to spread as his blood soaks the fabric. Harry's eyes fall to a half lidded state. He tries to lift his arm, the movements heavy and slow as he places his hand over Karrin's. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "H-harry... Harry, please, tell me what to do. You have *magic*... Tell me how to fix this, please. Stay with me, Harry, please..." Murphy's voice crackles out, those tears that were just in her eyes now actually breaking free, one of them trickling off of her lashes and onto his shoulder, just below where she's hovering. She keeps that too-tight pressure against his chest, as if she could push the blood back into his body, but it keeps spilling down his shirt and the are too many wounds for her to put proper pressure on any of them. "...He's not like this...he's normally not... like this..." Karrin gasps out, turning blue eyes back to that large body on the ground behind them, blood and brains pooling beneath his head on the old fashioned tiled floor. The whole room looked like a massacre now. Karrin's worst nightmare. "I...I'm so sorry, Harry. I...should have shot quicker. I never thought he'd shoot. I...I'm so sorry..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry squeezes her hand, weakly. "It's...ok...Karrin. Not..your fault. Forgive yourself." There is a ragged intake of breath, and Harry's hand squeezes hard on hers for a moment, and then goes slack as the last breath rattles out of his chest is a long and slow exhale before his chest falls silent. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "No... no... Fuck no..." Karrin breathes out raggedly, a half sob, half scream beginning to bubble in her chest. She just clutches him closer to her, not willing to let go as a few ragged, muffled sobs finally escape her throat. Nightmare. This was her worst nightmare come true. She holds him tighter, trying to will some life back into that body... Nightmare. Karrin blinks back, bloodshot, puffy eyes flickering over her shoulder once more, around the room, looking for something... Anything. A trail of powder. White powder, flour, floating in the air. From Karrin, to Harry, to Gregory... Flour. The breadcrumbs. Karrin drags in another ragged breath and shakes Harry's body a little insistently, "Harry. Harry! Wake up.... dream. We... we're dreaming...this is just a dream. WAKE UP." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' And just like that, as soon as the breadcrumbs fall into place and Karrin starts to shake Harry, the bloodstains on his chest vanish and the seeming dead wizard takes in a gasp of air. His eyes open, and he stares into Karrin's face his eyes finding hers. Hovering there for almost a long enough for the beginnings of a soulgaze to happen, before he tears them away. "Karrin?" he asks, softly, his hand moving back to his chest, and feeling for the now nonexistent bullet holes. "Did I just get..." He shakes his head, looking around at the dreamworld, it all clicking for him now suddenly. His eyes narrow, "Oh, that's not fair. Not fair at all." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Thank every god in the world that Karrin was right. Even as she was pretty certain she had been, there was that trace of doubt in the back of her mind. But, as the blood stains disappear and she hears him breathing in again, the woman half collapses to the bloodied tile floor. She lets out a weak, utterly relieved laugh, the sound still half wrapped up in tears as she pulls one hand across her face, trying to push away the salty dampness there. "...Dream... a damn dream..." She breathes out. She's almost punch drunk in strange relief, stomach twisted, but she's still careful not to look back to her very dead ex-husband who hasn't disappeared with that realization. "...Yes. You did. But not. And it's not fair... none of this was fair. Shit..." Karrin looks like she might cry, laugh or puke, but she's shaking it off fairly quickly. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Forcing himself to sit up, Harry lets out a little grunt as he looks over to the crying Murphy. He doesn't mention the tears in a rare bout of self preservation but gently lifts a hand to brush one away from her cheek that she missed. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it again and instead just offers a soft smile. "Well, i'm going to kick whomever's ass did this, that is for sure. From now on, the only type of dreams I want to be in with you are the ones I would get hit for having." He snorts, shifting his weight to stand before he offers his hand to Murphy. "Shall we go break the circle, and give our 'friend' something to think about?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The tender touch against her cheek doesn't actually get him in trouble. Instinctively, Murphy turns her cheek into it, taking a split of a second to enjoy the touch before she draws in a ragged breath and sits up straighter. "Wait... what... You have dreams with me in them where I should hit you after? What SORT of dreams?!" Karrin rasps out at him, her stern voice returning and that familiar sense that he's getting in trouble. It's almost reassuring. Another shaky breath, and Karrin pushes herself up into standing, staring at that strange line of flour that is faintly floating through the kitchen. "...Break the circle? Can we? I don't even know how to... actually wake up. And there is a... line here. But I don't know if it's leading us back to whoever is doing this, or that's what they WANT us to think. Shit, Harry, I don't know how any of this works!" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh, you know Murph...dreams about us at playing tidily winks and me kicking your ass. The usual.", Harry just grins that manic grin of his before he proudly states, "And you not knowing anything isn't a problem. That, Murph, is why you have a wizard as a consultant!" He cackles madly as he looks to the flour, "Oh...I've got you now you son of a bitch." He moves back to the bedroom, well the dream bedroom anyway, and stands next to the bed, looking up at the bell that is attached to the mismatch of thread that criss crosses the canopy. "If I did this right, ringing the bell it should send the energy bad towards our mystery guest...and since I mixed my blood in there with the flour I should be able to track that energy back to it source once we are out of here." He looks to her, points to the bell and says, "Care to do the honors?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman follows him back into the bedroom, "...Tidily winks is code for naked, isn't it? You have naked dreams about us and I should be kicking your ass for it, shouldn't I?" Karrin gruffly teases at him, trying to sound like she's angry, but really she's rather relieved for the amusement of it all. And to get out of that kitchen. If she never sees Gregory like that again, all the better. "The bell? Well... Alright then." Karrin still seems a hint skeptical about this all, but she trusts him. Enough to go to sleep like this. Enough to experiment with some crazy things like flour and circles around her bed. So, the blond leans forward and hits the bell, sending it ringing. The ring echoes through sleep, wakefulness, through all levels of dream, probably loud enough to drag them out of this reality and back to the real world... 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "I would never dream of you naked, Murph." says Harry, shaking his head. "I don't think about my friends that way, it would be beneath me. And even if I did, would you really hit me for it? Some people might take that as a compliment." So, of course when the bell rings, dragging them back into the real world, there is Harry pressed up against Karrin's back, the big spoon to her little spoon. One arm is draped over her, hand over her abdomen as he pulls her in close, his nose buried her hair. The talk of his dreams about Karrin must have had some affect, judging by the state he awakes in. He blinks as he comes to, the bell quietly lulling them out of their torpor instead of jolting them awake. He mumbles groggily, his waking mind taking a moment to realize where he is, what he is doing, and...other things. Once he does, his eyes snap open and he rolls over like the bed is on fire, clearing his throat and fumbling on the side of his bed for his jeans. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There's just a few moments, dangerous moments, where Murphy's half awake mind drowsily considers how nice it feels. If ever asked about it when awake, she'd adamantly deny anything, but as her mind only comes to partial awareness, her body instinctively tucks back against the warm, solid frame behind her. The frame that smells like friendship and home. Trust. A ghost of a smile crosses her still mostly asleep face as fingertips slip across that arm which lays around her waist. And then she notices something else at her back. Suddenly, she blinks. And it's good that Harry is moving that damned fast, because a second later there is an elbow where more important bits had been a moment before. Murphy flops over onto her back, not having expected him to be gone that quickly. Now she looks a drowsy mess, probably only having slept an hour or two, her hair a disarray on the pillow and eyes still waking up even if her brain is WELL aware now. She stares over to him. "...Nothing happened. Bell. The bell rang. This is fine." NOPE. Nothing happened at all. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' In a stoic voice, as deadpan as he can make it though there is a slight hint of horror and mortification, Harry replies, "Nothing happened. We just...fell asleep. That was the plan, right? Sleep." He clears his throat again, refusing to look at her for the moment so she can't see just how red his face is. It takes him a moment to...relax...before he starts to slip into his jeans. He slips the jeans up over his feet and legs, and stand just before sliding them over his hips, continuing to keep his back to her. "I'll...uh. Shit. I'd make coffee, but i'd probably just fry your coffee machine. Got any Coke?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Nothing happened. Karrin just keeps telling herself that, over and over. Nothing happened. She's finally awake enough that she can get up without the room spinning, so she swings herself up and out of the bed on the opposite side of the room as him. Nope, they weren't touching. It wasn't really nice. Just friends, "Yeah, I mean, that was the plan and it worked, right? Go us. It worked. Success. Victory. Everything's fine." There is so much methinking and protesting going on right now the universe is probably having a good, hard laugh at them somewhere else. As he mentions coke, she blinks, "...That stuff'll rot your teeth. I'll make coffee. Just... jeans. Yeah. Put on pants. Coffee." She needs it too. She's still in her own flannel pants and firmly plans to stay in them for now, as she stalks out of the room and into the little kitchen down the hall. She'll be gone a few minutes, give him plenty of time to get his head on straight. And probably do the same herself. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As Karrin walks out the door Harry sits back down on the bed and lowers his head into his hand, muttering, "Stars and stones, Harry. What the hell are you doing?" He sits there for a moment, in silent contemplation as he replays the events in his head. Finally, he snorts and stand back up, "You're a wizard, Harry. Get wizarding." He casts another glance at the door that Murphy has just walked out of, "Distractions can come later." He reaches up to the makeshift dream catcher and acquires the bell he used at the focal point, detaching it from the string carefully and cupping the tiny thing in his hand before emptying the contents of the bell onto the sheets of the bed directly where he and Murph had the most physical contact. He chants in a low tone, "interessari, interressarium" as he fishes his compass from his jean pocket. Again, he repeats the chat of "interessari, interressarium" as he focuses his will on the compass and the contents of the bell before he slides his foot back against the line of the circle, breaking it and releasing the energy into to void. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While Harry is, well, being a wizard, Murphy is being a cop. A very tired, trying to get herself together cop. So, that meant coffee. She's got an old fashioned coffee maker which percolates loud, stiff and strong, but fast enough for her patience. Well, almost. This morning she's doing the dance of just holding the coffee cups beneath the drip mechanism to fill them faster than actually waiting for a pot. But, within the ten minutes of him focusing, doing magic and trying to organize his mind, she has the life's brew in her hands. The woman comes back into the room, having apparently combed her hair somewhere in there and at least run some water over her face. She almost looks awake and professional, minus the fuzzy pants and oversized sweat shirt. The coffee smells good and faintly of hazelnuts. "I come bearing gifts. I know, I know... I shouldn't have. I'm too good for this world. I should be given a noble peace prize. You can withhold your praise, though, I've heard it all before." SHe mutters, flat and teasingly, as she hands off his coffee to him. She's made it just the way he likes, even if he rarely drinks it around her. She remembers those things. The little things are important. ANd the energy he's releasing? Oh, it's there. It's definitely going somewhere. He's got something on his mystical fishing line. The person or thing that did this was on this plane at some point, at least. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a loud exclamation of "Got you, you son of a bitch!" as Harry looks down at his compass, which is not pointing north like a compass should, but rather in the direction of the caster. The cackle he lets out taking over the embarrassment from earlier. And then there is Murph with coffee. "Oh, I love you." he says to nobody in particular as he takes the coffee in his hand, lifting it to his lips to take a sup. Closing his eyes, he lets the warmth (and caffeine) spread over his body. "Ready for a road trip?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The 'I love you' comment gets a firm arch of an eyebrow, "...I'll remember you said that the next time you try and tell me I'm not coming along on something. You wouldn't bar someone you love from important missions." Oh yeah, she's totally going to use that against him. He said it first. Karrin doesn't comment about the actual EMOTIONS otherwise, because it's way too before coffee for that. And surely he didn't mean that. She just raises her mug in a silent toast and gulps back as deep a drink as the heat of it will allow her to take. "...A road trip? I'm...guessin' I'm driving, considering Michael went home at some point because he's actually a sane person unlike the weird cult shit we've been doing all night. And where are we going?" Karrin hasn't exactly seen one of these tracker spells yet, but tired blue eyes flicker curiously down to the compass in his hand. "...I think your compass is broken. North is that way." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Sure I would. I'm more likely to tell someone I love not to come along because I would worry about them. Your logic is flawed, Murph. So, anytime you want to stay out of something, feel free to play that card. Besides, I was talking about the coffee." He shifts his eyes up to hers for a fraction of a moment before looking just to the side of them and clearing his throat again, "Well, I don't have the beetle with me....so, yeah?" Harry says before he takes another gulp of his coffee. "You were talking about GPS, right? Well, consider this compass your GPS, the needle points to the caster." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's that habit, one she's noticed before but not totally understood, which catches her attention again. He doesn't meet her eyes. Karrin doesn't quite get it, but generally that means someone is lying. She doesn't THINK he is, but all her instincts as a cop, and as someone who is good at reading people, says that he's hiding something. Her jaw sets slightly, stepping in his direction, closer, almost completely invading his personal space. Karrin shouldn't be able to be an intimidating figure but, somehow she manages. Especially when she thinks someone is hiding something. "...Harry... why won't you look me in the eyes? Are you... hiding something? I don't think you're lying to me, but if you're lying to me now is a DAMN good time to come clean, before we get in my car and you blow out the transmission because of your guilty conscience. Come one. Level with me." She's close enough that he can probably smell her, all bed mussed and pre morning shower, though she did put on deoderant. Something baby soft and feminine. Powdery. She's looking for his eyes, trying to catch his gaze, so clueless as to the danger there. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry frowns slightly as Karrin steps forward, "No." he says flatly. "I'm not hiding anything, Karrin...not in the way you think. It's more mumbo jumbo you won't believe. You know how people say the eyes are windows to the soul? They are, literally, for a wizard. Well, the simplest way to explain it would be that I would see into your soul, and you would see into mine. It's called a soul gaze." He takes a step back to distance himself slightly, which puts his legs up against the bed and causes him to plop down into a sitting position on the mattress. He continues to avert his eyes from hers, always looking /just/ off to the side of them. "Honestly? I don't know what you would see, but most people that look into my should tend to have a strong reaction." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Every instinct that Karrin Murphy has says that he's telling the truth, avoiding her eyes or not. It scares him, too, that whole truth. Something in her is tempted to push it, but if he was being honest, she also wasn't entirely certain she cared for HIM to see what was deep, down inside. After this many years on the force? She wasn't certain either. Karrin is quiet for a handful of heartbeats, watching his handsome, scruffy face from where he now sits on the bed. "...Soul gaze, eh?" She finally mutters, trying to sound skeptical, but not succeeding. She believes him. She simply trusts him that much. "...Well, at least I know it's not my morning breath." She finally mutters, cracking a half smile before turning away from him and stepping over to her dresser. A moment later, she's all bare legs and booty shorts again as she changes out of the flannel pants and into a pair of her own jeans. Socks quickly follow after. "Alright...so...broken compass GPS... we just... follow it? I mean, I gotta follow traffic laws." Sorta. "Does the bastard know that we've got a ping on him? Or can we take our time?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' She doesn't push things. That makes Harry take in a deep breath and a sigh of relief, "Yeah. Soul gaze. And once you look into someone's soul, you can never forget what you see." He shrugs a shoulder, "At least it is a one and done type of thing. Michael had me soul gaze him when we first met, before he would work with me. He still thinks I am a good man, for what that is worth. You can ask him sometime. He can't help but take a quick look at her as she moves to get changed, but lowers his gaze as she changes as he has had enough problems this morning already in that department. As she changes, though, he explains the spell. "Yeah, we follow it. Traffic laws and lanes do pose a bit of issue, since this isn't your typical turn by turn directions. It just points the way, and so we have to follow it as best we can." He pauses, "He shouldn't know we are coming. We have until sunrise. Dawn tends to wash away magic as the new day breaks. So, if all goes well, we will actually get some real sleep tonight." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A small breath as she pulls on socks, considering everything he's said. She dares to steal another look in his direction, especially when she thinks he's not looking. It's thoughtful, her look, a touch distant. So many considerations so far beyond this simple issue of a magical GPS. But there was no time for those considerations, so she quickly looks away again and grabs at her steel toed boots. She's dressing prepared, just in case. The dream has still slightly disturbed her. Once the boots are strapped on, she goes to her closet and pulls out a vest that is probably not supposed to be out of the precinct, but she doesn't much care. Off comes the sweatshirt, on goes an undershirt. Then the vest. Then the sweatshirt again. "Until dawn? Alright... It's not the best timeline, but it'll do. You gotta keep a cool head because if you burn out the engine again, we're screwed." She grabs at her work belt, the one with two holsters, and straps that around her small waist. Then the small vault in the closet is opened and she pulls out both her guns. She really isn't taking chances here. "...and, for what it's worth, Harry, I don't need any weird soul-gaze thing to know you're a good person. I know you are." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a brief smile that forms on Harry's lip at her words and glancing over just as she is swapping sweatshirt for undershirt and quickly re-diverting his eyes, "Thanks, Murph." There is a slight pause before he adds, because he can't leave well enough alone, "At least we are past you trying to arrest me every six months. I mean, I was starting to think your cuffs were a fashion statement." He takes a breath and stands, moving from the bedroom to gather his coat and staff. "I wish we had the beetle. Less chance of my blowing the electronics or engine, but I guess we have to roll the dice and take our chances." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Is it worth driving to your place and GETTING the Beetle? Not that I relish taking a drive in that museum piece you call a car. And don't hold your breath. If I gotta arrest you, I'm going to arrest you. I just won't like it while I'm doing it." Karrin warns flatly, a touch of apology in her voice, but her work comes first. Nothing changes that. She's finally fully strapped into guns, vest, clothing, shoes and everything in between. She looks almost awake and the lack of a shower doesn't seem to be causing many issues. She nods firmly to him, low level adrenaline kicking in as her brain and heart say it's go-time, "Alright. Come on. Night is wasting." And she leads the way out towards her little Subaru. Definitely not the most exciting of cars, but it served it's purpose. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Following her, Harry heads out the door. "Hey, you are going to hurt her feelings!" He gives her a light hearted little glower, "No, I don't think heading back to my place is going to be worth it...not unless it is on the way, anyway. If it happens to be near the boarding house, we will make a call then." Harry slides his staff into the car, and contorts his tall frame enough to slip into the front seat, even if he ends up wearing his knees as earrings. "I'll let you know when to make a left or a right as soon as I can." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's certainly a strange method of driving. Karrin slips into the driver's seat, leaning over to look at the compass. It means she bangs a hard U turn right out of the side street and down the path towards the less expensive areas of town. The FAR less expensive areas. Warehouses, docks and ghetto. Unless the compass pulls hard again, they both have enough logic to make a good guess of where they are probably going. She keeps it right at the speedlimit, her blue eyes mostly on the road. "... Her feelings? The Beetle is a her now? Sure she won't be jealous, you running around with all these other women?" Karrin mutters, drowsy amusement on her features. The bantering jokes do their very best to cover up the nerves. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' For his part, Harry rides along like a sardine in a can. Cars now a day just don't have the legroom they used to. "Oh, she knows I love her and those other cars don't mean anything. We have an understanding." As the pair drives through the streets of Gotham, the compass points this way and that but as they get closer the pull of the compass points more and more towards the East End. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There weren't a lot of GOOD parts of Gotham, but there were some bad parts. ANd worse parts. They were definitely going towards a worse part. A part they'd both encountered about a month back, a simple gang case dealing with some drugs that had a little curse on them. It was easy enough, and cleaning out the drugs hadn't been too hard. A single bar fight and it should have been over. But that's the last time they were anywhere near here. Karrin keeps driving, a slightly deeper frown crossing her lips, "...you remember that drug case? Wasn't it... around here? What was the name of that club again?" Karrin asks, driving a bit slower now as they turn down another road. It got far harder the closer they got and there were too many one way and cobble stone streets in this decrepit part of the city. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "The Raven." Harry says without missing a beat, a slight frown coming over his face. "Yeah, I remember. I can't think of anything there that would have the power to do what this is doing, though. It was just a bunch of thugs, wasn't it?" But, as predicted, the compass brings them to the front of The Raven, an worn down old dive bar in the East End. At least it used to be The Raven, because in place of what was once a old decrepit dive bar with broken windows and pealing paint is what appears to be a new building, complete with stained glass, white walls and an icy blue door. Harry stares at the building as they pull up, and his face goes white. "Karrin...I think we need to go." The name on the new bar? 'The Leanansidhe'. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman pulls her Subaru up along side of that bar which should be a rat hole. Burnt out, barely standing, probably with a few hookers outside this time of the night. But it's nothing like it was before. Karrin's blue eyes go a little too wide as she leans forward, staring out the dash board and over to the cleaming white walls. The stained glass, untouched, unbroken, in an area of town that should have beat up this pansy place two days after it opened. "...that's...way too damn nice to be on this corner. This area would eat a place like this alive. Looks like a gay bar..." Karrin mutters quietly, a touch of concern for the people inside in the back of her voice. Then she looks over to him, hearing the fear behind his tone. The name of the bar doesn't mean a damned thing to her, but the pallor on Harry's face does. "...What? Why? What the hell is a Leanan-sid-he...?" She doesn't prounounce it proper, but like the weird phonetics of the word. Maybe that's for the best. Maybe it means she's not actually used the woman's name. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "She can't be here." Harry says quietly, under his breath but loud enough to be heard. "Stars and sky, it can't be her." He turns to Murphy, "We need to get out of here. If this is whom I think it is." He looks back out the window at the building, back down at the compass, then back up at the building. "We are not prepared for this. Not even close. Explanations later, Drive now! Drive fast!" Panic washes over Harry's face as Karrin speaks the name, if not entirely properly. "NO!" he shouts at her, "Don't say the name!" even as a gentle fog starts to roll and fall over the area, the windows starting to get the bareist hint of frost on the outside as the ambient temperature drops rapidly. "Shit! Go!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While Karrin really wants FAR more explanation than no, shit, go, she's also good at taking orders and responding in a crisis. While she doesn't see the crisis, she trusts Harry enough for her adrenaline to kick into crisis level. Of course, with a panicking wizard in her car, her car suddenly doesn't WANT to car. She turns over the engine once. Twice. It coughs, and nothing. "DAMMIT HARRY, Take a breath and calm DOWN!" She hisses in his direction, "Keep that shit under wraps!" Third time is a charm, or perhaps they just got very lucky, because the next time Karrin tries to turn over the engine, it actually kicks into gear. There is some mysterious smoke coming from the muffler, but she doesn't care. She just streaks them forward and out of the area as fast as her sick little Subaru will take them. Now she doesn't care about traffic laws or stop signs. It's dark, it's late, this is a crappy area of town, and she just wants out of there. She sputters them free as fast as her little car will go with things electrically rattling loose now. "...You gonna tell me what happened back there?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "The Lea. Nan. Sidhe", Harry says, breaking up the words as to purposefully not spell the proper name out loud, "is my godmother. One of the fae and a noble of the Winter Court." He pauses, and looks over to Karrin, "Yes. I have a faerie godmother. No, it isn't a good thing. She keeps trying to 'care' for me by turning me into a damned hellhound. Cue up nightmare number two, except this one isn't a dream." He looks behind them, out the rear view mirror with a shudder, and continues, "She usually doesn't manifest on this side of the NeverNever, at least without cause or being called. If she is here, and she is the one doing this to us, then I'm screwed six ways to Sunday." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Your fairy godmother..." Karrin repeats quietly, as they finally speed off towards more reasonable areas of town. So much for them actually getting some sleep. Once they are out of the east end she slows down to a more normal speed, though that weird smoke is still coming from her car. Karrin is worried enough that she doesn't even complain about it now, she just drives. This time back towards his place. They both needed their own beds right now. "...You gotta lot of... explaining to do involving your family, Harry. I try to stick out of it, try to give you your space but... this is in my head now and if it's your Fairy Godmother, whatever that means, you are the one with answers. But... not tonight. Too damn tired. It'll be better in the daylight..." Karrin mutters, not even certain she'd remember anything he told her right now. All she knows is she's not getting a good night's sleep any time soon and she's not happy about it. She drives him back to his place in silence the rest of the way. 
}}

133/Perchance to Dream

2017-08-03T16:30:20Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/04/26 |Location=Karrin's apatment |Synopsis=Karrin, Harry and Michael have been having nightmares. Harry has an idea. |Cast of Characters=168..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/04/26
|Location=Karrin's apatment
|Synopsis=Karrin, Harry and Michael have been having nightmares. Harry has an idea.
|Cast of Characters=168, 148, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Nightmares. It started pretty mild, and they've all seen some things, but to have nightmares multiple nights in a row, the sort that wake you out of a cold sleep, covered in sweat, shaking? Only to repeat the night after, and the night after? That was weird. Karrin Murphy had thought it was just her, some job stress rearing it's head in a way she did not expect, but apparently she was wrong. During an idle conversation with Harry, it popped up that he was having the same. And even Michael had one night of misery, the one night he didn't sleep at his house this week, though the Carpenter house seems to protect from whatever these awful dreams have been. So, after Karrin cross referenced between all of them that the dreams are definitely a THING, she decided to call a meeting. The Murphy house is a great contrast to the short woman herself. All softness, in pinks and lace, echoes of her long passed grandmother well left over in the house. But there was good tea, comfortable couches, and an air of safety that they could all use. So, Karrin is hosting, a whole pot of tea on the doily covered coffee table between them. Her eyes are sunken, hair rather limp, and she's beginning to well show the effects of the lacking sleep. Hopefully the tea will help. She waits quietly, staring at the door, trying to keep her eyes open until her guests arrive. 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "If she were going to arrest you, Harry," Michael mentions in a pleasantly patient tone of voice as he leaves his truck and waits for Dresden to join him at the front door to Murphy's house. "I hardly think inviting us over for a discussion would be the way she'd go about it." The bearded, blue-eyed man pauses for a bit, and brushes sawdust off the sleeves of his sheepskin jacket. "If you like, I can ask her to leave the handcuffs in the cupboard," the man adds, but despite the levity in his words, he frowns. "These dreams have me worried." That is a little more serious. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Sliding out of the truck, Harry grumbles out as he reaches in the truck bed to grab his staff, "I'm not worried about the handcuffs, Michael. I've gotten used to wearing hers as bracelets. It's the right cross." The wizard combs his hand through his hair, having the opposite effect intended and making his already disheveled hair even more so. He looks beat, like he hasn't slept in days. It could be the dreams keeping him up at night, or it could just be coincidence, being that this is Harry. "There are a few things that can play with dreams. None of them fun to deal with." Harry mutters, "Invading a mind takes power, less so when the victim is sleeping...but power never the less. First thing will be narrowing down what, or who, and why." Using the tip of his staff, he raps on the front door to the residence, then promptly steps behind Micheal. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman was *just* nodding off, the abonxiously pink pillow at the corner of her grandmother's couch entirely too tempting, when that knock comes on the door. Murphy half jumps, cursing beneath her breath, "Get it together, Karrin..." She mutters to herself before swinging legs off the couch and standing up. She shakes the drowsiness free of her head, pushing one hand back through her own blonde hair in a way much like Harry just did, but her straightening is a bit more successful than his. Then she's moving quick for the door and opens it with a smile that's trying way too hard to be away. "Michael. I'm glad you could come, I thought Harry was... Oh." There's Harry. Hiding behind him. Karrin's brow arches with a smirk, leaning over to peer at the wizard across their mutual friend's shoulder. "...If I wanted to punch you, Dresden, you'd already be on the sidewalk. No hiding. I might even be nice and offer you tea. Come on in." She huskily mutters to them both, turning back to walk inside the house, the scent of tea and gun oil on the air. Home sweet home. Karrin's clearly got the day off, just wearing jeans and an oversized GCPD sweat shirt. 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "Detective Murphy," Carpenter says in greeting. "It was good of you to invite us over." As he steps inside, he gives Dresden a little look -- part 'it's okay' and part 'I'm trying not to appear amused at your expense' -- and adds: "Very wise, as well." Once he is indoors, however, and his coat is on the rack, the man's features take on a more serious expression. "You look like you haven't slept in a while, Detective," he offers quietly. "If you like, you're welcome to come spend a night or two with us -- we have room." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Grumbling out a "Murphy, Thanks for inviting me in." in greeting to the detective, the wizard waits for Michael to step in and then passes through the threshold of Karrin's home himself. Harry leans the staff by the door, and slips off his duster, hanging it next to Michael's coat. Harry is in his usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt, the silver pentacle amulet dangling around his neck. "Tea would be lovely...or a coke. Whichever has the most caffeine." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The commentary about her not having slept in a while gets a small grunt in response. It's not a denial, but also not an admission. Because admiting that would be weakness and Karrin really doesn't like showing her belly to anyone, even if it's horribly obvious by the matched set of luggage beneath her eyes. She leads the way back to the little sitting area, "...Coke'll rot your teeth." She mutters to Harry, as she beings pouring out the tea, now probbaly brewed extra strong. None of them were going to complain. "I figured last week's case just knocked a few screws loose but... when Harry mentioned the dreams... Now I'm wondering if there isn't something more going on here. So... we should talk. What are you two dreaming?" Straight down to business as she hands over the black tea, first to Michael, then to Harry. 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' Michael goes silent for a while. Briefly, occasionally, he glances sidelong at Harry. They hadn't gone into specifics on the way over; with nightmares such as these, specifics are the last thing of which people want to think. But now... "Charity was... possessed," the carpenter murmurs. Resting his elbows on the table, he clasps his hands together as though in prayer, and continues: "She turned on me -- on the kids -- and she had in her hand... a denarius." On //that// particular word, he goes silent again, praying in the quiet of his mind. It was only a dream, but still... it has clearly left the burly man feeling shaken, and he doesn't seem to mind being open about that. Such is Michael Carpenter; what you see is what you get. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Staring at the tea for a while, Harry finally reaches out to take the cup and hesitantly sip at it's contents. He makes a face, but that doesn't stop him from taking another sip as he listens quietly to Karrin, then Michael. "I don't know what I have told you both about my past. I don't tend to get into it much." There is a brief pause as he sighs before continuing, "My mentor was a bad man. Black magic. Tried to sway me to the black and managed to sway Elaine. Elaine was my...friend." Another pause, as Harry takes another sip from the teacup, "Long story short, they both ended up dead by my hand." He turns to glare at Karrin, as if to cut her off and dare her to say anything, "It was self defense." After another moment, and another sip of tea he continues, "I see them, burning, coming after me...and there is nothing I can do to stop their vengeance. I wake up just as Elaine's hand close around my throat." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde listens quietly, half curled into her little corner of the couch, her small hands protectively around the delicate pink and cream china tea cup she holds. It's small enough to actually make her hands look tough and normal sized, though the callouses from the gun range help with that as well. Her lips remain set in a cool, professional sort of line, doing her very best to keep herself emotionally separate from the discussion on the table. This was supposed to be business, even if they were, nominally, friends in front of her. Her eyes darken at the commentary about the Denarius and Charity, a slight shiver through her back and a small shake of her head coming, "...at least you know that's utter bullshit, Michael. You know it... it'd never happen. She'd never let it happen." That's her best attempt to be reassuring there. Then there is Harry's dream, that making her frown just deepen. Bloodshot blue eyes flicker through curiosity, the need to ask more, but no accusations follow. Even as he admits to the killing. But the explanations seem to give her some answers, "...so...it's all personal. Not like we're...sharing dreams or anything. Just.. weird it's happening at the same time." 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "It's not weird," the carpenter replies, his hands still clasped together. "It makes perfect sense." Then he looks at his two friends. "We are all agents of Light, if you'll pardon the expression -- it makes sense we'd be targeted. That dream has been waiting for me whenever I've slept away from home -- at first, I was just dozing in the car after work. Then I stayed away on purpose." Turning to Dresden, the bearded man continues: "Harry made a good point on the way over here -- this... invasion required power." From Carpenter's manner, he does not appear surprised at Harry's admission regarding his own nightmare. Michael had insisted Harry 'soulgaze' him when they first met -- thus, he might not have known the specifics of Harry's Past, but he does know the man. "Power can be traced," Michael says. "I think we know what to do next, then... but first I'd like to hear what //you// dreamed as well, Detective -- if you wouldn't mind." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Draining the last of his tea, Harry sets the cup onto the table and neglects to put in on the saucer, or doily. "That's stupid, Michael. If something is coming after you in a dream, you don't willingly invite it in by staying away from a place that provides you protection." The wizard turns his eyes to the Knight, "Your threshold is likely one of the strongest I have ever witnessed, which is likely why you are unaffected when you are there, and you can't beat a dream with Amoracchius. I know you don't like to hear it, but this is out of your depth until I can find out who or what is doing this, and the only thing I have to go on is that it is targeting us three. So either it is someone we have run into in the past, or someone taking revenge for something we have dispatched of." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin is far more temperate with her tea, sipping at it like an old friend, not guzzling it like it's going out of style. A slight smirk pulls at her mouth as she sees how fast Harry drinks his. How uncouth. But this isn't about honoring tea, it's about the fact that most of them look like they've been hit by the insomniac Mac truck. A slight grimace follows as Michael actually calls her out on the fact that she didn't reveal her own dream, though she asked the same of them. That was probably purposeful. She exhales a slow breath across her tea. "...different most nights. Generally about people being dead before I could stop it. My squad. My ex. Both of you. There's... a lot of blood." She half glosses over her dream, giving just enough to show that crack in her personality. Dreams reveal a lot about people. Karrin's worst nightmare? Being the survivor. Harry's machismo about this being out of their depth, especially Michael's is just the distraction Karrin needs from that uncomfortable tension in her chest. She turns her look HARD at him, eyes narrowing a bit more and she sets down her tea cup. "Harry Dresden. BOTH of us are in this too. We're both getting the dreams. We're both in this fight. Don't you *dare* pretend your diving into this alone and if you try, so help me God, I will lock you up again and we can handle this ourselves." 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "The... sentiment is appreciated, Karrin," Michael comments, just giving Harry another muted look as if to say, 'I fully anticipate your 'et tu, Michael?' response, and I still just said that.' Then he reaches for his own tea -- which he hadn't touched until now -- and enjoys a mouthful or two. "One doesn't beat a dream with a sword, Harry," says he -- trying not to sound //too//... 'instructional'? in his choice of words and tone. Molly would call it his 'seminary voice' even if he wasn't really quite going for that. "One beats a dream with prayer." At least, one does if one is a Knight of God. "And praying is what I'll do. You have to look at this with different eyes: what our Enemy has sought to do is break us down, but he, she -- it -- has done is unite three very strong-hearted people, each with a different, and necessary means to find a solution." Michael looks at Murphy. "The Detective." Then at Dresden. "The Wizard." He gives a slight, open-shut gesture with his clasped hands. "And me. 'What Satan intend for evil, the Lord intended..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Eyeing Karrin first, then Michael, "Bullshit. Frankly, it's probably my fault you both are in this mess to begin with." In typical Harry fashion, it all comes down to him. "You can't shoot a dream, or judo chop it into submission, Murph, no more than you can slice it with a sword." Maybe it is the lack of sleep, but Harry seems frazzled even more than usual. The wizard runs his fingers once again through his hair, making him start to look more Einsteinian than doing anything to flatten it down. "I know you both mean well, but it really is out of your league, at least until I can track down what it is that is causing this. When something can be shot at, or stabbed, then I will let you know. Until then, let the wizard do his god damned wizarding." There is a pop and a sizzle, and something in Karrin's pocket starts to smoke. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Dammit, Harry!" Murphy hisses, half leaping up off the couch as she feels the sizzling in her pocket of a phone that is quickly frying itself to death. Before it sets her jeans on fire, she shoves two fingertips into that pocket and pulls out the smoking device, dropping it into the closest thing that can completely submerge it (because actively smoking implies something is burning and she doesn't feel like setting anything on fire.) Of course, the only thing with that much water in the room is the tea pot. The phone finishes smoking, sizzling as it goes down, but it seems no one is getting seconds of tea. "...that's the third phone since I've known you." She half growls at him. They were both on edge. "Keep your... cranky-hoodoo under control!" And then there is a deeper breath, Karrin at least mature enough to acknowledge that her own tempermentalness is probably the fact that she hasn't slept well in days. If they were smart, they'd both let Michael drag them back to his house for a good night's sleep. She doesn't sit back down, but folds her arms firmly across her chest, staring hard at the pair. "Thank you, Michael... you are, undoubtedly, right. Now, just convincing this stubborn ass of it is the challenge." Karrin grumbles, as if Harry wasn't in the room with them. But then her blood shot blues land straight back on him once more, "I don't think you fry it with magic either. This is in all our heads. You don't get to go lone ranger on it just because you said. And you have no way to prove this is your fault. We *all* have enemies." 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' Michael shakes his head. Oddly enough, at Murphy. "I don't need to convince Harry of anything," says he without so much as lifting his voice above a murmur. Then he lays his hands flat upon the table. "I'm going along." The burly fellow gives it a moment, and then shifts his crystal gaze to his wizarding friend. "Nothing is outside the Lord's reach, Harry," Michael remarks with absolute faith. There. That telltale 'thrum' through the floor. It reverberates with the word 'nothing' as it leaves the knight's lips. "As the good detective has said, we all have enemies, and we're in this together -- this isn't your fault, Harry. Please don't try to //make// it your fault." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Opening his mouth to say something, then closing it again before he digs himself in any further, Harry just crosses his arms over his chest in a mimic of Karrin's pose. He breaths, loudly, through his nose...huffing and puffing like a wolf in a story. Finally, he turns his head to Murphy and says in a quiet tone, "It's not in our heads. Well, the DREAMS are, but what is causing them is something else. Be it another wizard, or a creature from the NeverNever...I don't know, but something is causing them to manifest and usually those somethings can be dealt with. It's finding them first that is the problem." As Michael announces he is going along, Harry once again does the open/close of his mouth. He wants to argue, it can be seen in his eyes, but Harry has seen too much to have a lack of faith in Michael's calling. Harry rubs at his temples, "I need to figure out a way to track this thing, whatever it is." he finally says. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' They really were so alike sometimes, which is what made it harder to be friends. They were so damned stubborn, so tough, used to being quite alone. Karrin's arms remain folded across her chest in determination, completely missing the fact that Harry's now mirroring her gestures. Hell, there's a part of her that has her hackles up a bit more because HE is looking so damn stubborn and how dare he when he's the one who agreed to come here! She just huffs and little and scoops up her tea, knocking back the last cold dregs. Far too like how Harry drank his in the beginning. "Yes...but whatever is *causing* it has clearly gotten in our heads, or this wouldn't be happening over and over, in the same week, on the same nights. Unless you think it's an... after effect of something? Maybe it's not being consciously done and will just wear off itself?" There is almost a hint of hope in her voice as she says that. They wouldn't have to fight something awful, this would just go and fade away. "How...do you track something in your dreams? We don't have anything physical tied to it... And we're *both* going along, not just Michael. Neither of you are leaving me behind or you will NEVER hear the end of it." 

:'''{{#var:148|Michael Carpenter (148)}} has posed:''' "I have an... ally who sometimes appears to me in my dreams," murmurs Michael. He is looking away from Harry and Karrin -- away and off to the side, his expression pensive. He does not usually talk about this particular ally... so tonight he is making the exception. "I'll ask him." Turning back to his friends, the blue-eyed knight leans back in his chair and releases a breath. "We'll all have something to do; as for me, I'm going to start now. Karrin, would you mind if I had some privacy -- an empty room would be sufficient. If you're okay with it, I don't want to leave here without praying over your home." He stands to his feet, and nods to his friends. "God keep the both of you; I know we'll solve this. Believe it." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Stubborn is as stubborn does. Harry sits there almost sulking as he gets 'the talk' by Karrin, something he has grown all to used to. When she is finished, he hashed his head, "No." he says simply, "I don't think it is an after effect. I think it is something deliberately targeted at us, the question is why. Which leads me back to something or someone that has a grudge against us. Sure, this could be someone trying to take us out of action before they do something, but why risk detection and getting our guard up before doing your big evil master plan. No, this is personal...revenge for a slight. I'm almost sure of it." He looks to Michael, raising one of his brows in a bit of surprise as he makes his declaration of an ally. "If you are talking to an angel...I still want back pay. I've got bills." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde stares hard at Harry for a moment, but doesn't disagree with his analysis of the matter. She just sighs and looks back to Michael, "Of course, Michael. There's a spare bedroom. If you can get through the dust bunnies, it should be quiet enough. I... really need to clean." Karrin mutters, just a bit embarrassed over the untouched room, but it would have to do. She gives Harry a little glare over Michael's shoulder, "Soon as you get that back pay, you're buying me a new phone." If he's demanding money out of a man of God, she sure as heck was going to get her cut. Or maybe that was her way of chiding him for being so selfish. She then disappears down the hallway a moment, leading Michael to that room. It's only a few minutes when she comes back out, she and Harry now alone in her living room. She looks over the dishelved man in silent for a few heartbeats before coming up to him and daring to comb her fingertips through his mess of a hair. It's meant to be a friendly gesture, but there is probably more weight behind it than she cares to admit. "You're a mess. You need to sleep before you can go hunting down any bastard trying to mess with our dreams." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry closes his eyes as Karrin's fingers run through his hair, the mere gesture causing him to relax and his head to nod towards his chest for a brief second before he jerks it up again, "Can't sleep, clowns will eat me." says the wizard with the barest hint of a smile. "Or dead ex-girlfriends if we want to be specific." He glances up to Karrin for a moment, looking just to the side of her eyes so he doesn't make contact. Who knows what a soul gaze would do to both of them in this state. "Sorry about your phone," he says with true sincerity, "I'll get it replaced when I can." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As his eyes close like that and Karrin can practically feel him relaxing beneath the touch, she finds herself not quite willing to pull away. There is a lot in the touch of another human and all the vitriol, stubborn anger and testiness just seems to have gone out of both of them for that single bit of contact. She lets the back of her thumb idly trail against his neck, perhaps not even aware she's doing it, but her hand doesn't quite leave even as his head jerks back up. "...Tell you what. Why don't you nap here and I promise I won't let any dead ex-girlfriends in the house? Just a few hours. Then... I'll do the same. We can switch off and get back to tackling this with slightly more fresh heads. Maybe it won't be so bad if you're not alone." Hopefully. She could see him half falling asleep already. "...and I can handle the phone. I started buying insurance after the first time. So... don't worry about it, really. I'm just... getting on your case. Not in the best mood. Just need to let the precinct know to call the house phone." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The mention of sleep, and the continued touch of Karrin's thumb brushing agains the back of his neck, causes Harry to try and stifle a yawn, but failing miserably. Still, he is determined to not give in to Morpheus' call "I shouldn't." says the wizard, though the words sound strained. He reaches up and reluctantly takes Karrin's hand from his neck, though he holds onto it longer than perhaps is necessary for the task. If anything, I should have you sleep and.." He pauses, "Hell's bells! Why didn't I think of this sooner. You're an idiot Harry." He looks up at the detective and smiles, a genuine look of glee on his face, "Where is your bedroom?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' If it was anyone but Harry Dresden, Murphy would consider those words forward. Perhaps even a bit rude. But the blonde seems to realize he doesn't even know what is coming out of his mouth right now. She smirks quietly, "... I cannot remember the last time that someone was so excited to get into my bedroom. I... think that probably is a hint I should get more of a dating life." What dating life? No guy wants to date a woman tougher than he is. She half sighs and gives his hand one last squeeze before gently letting go. Then, ignoring the tea-soaked cellphone, she'll deal with cleaning up later, she nods back towards the same hallway where she too Michael. This time, she leads the whole way down. The place definitely wasn't decorated by her. Too old fashioned, too feminine, too perfect down to every last detail. The bedroom is rather similar, but with a few other hints of Murphy there. The lace curtains have been replaced by heavy black out curtains so she can sleep when she's on night shift. There's a little home gym in the corner and several sets of free weights against the wall. One of her uniforms hangs up on the back of the closet. But the bed is still a huge, old fashioned four poster bed and the quilt is faded with time and love. "...This what you needed? Do I get to tuck you in now?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Just the opposite." says Harry with a manic glee in his voice. He takes a quick survey of the bedroom, and walks around the bed, rubbing at the stubble on his face. "I'm going to need you to help me move the bed away from the wall. I need to get a circle around it." He moves to one end of the bed, fully expecting Karrin to follow his lead in this without question. It's almost as if he doesn't know her at all. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Harry. This is a four poster, Victorian era, wooden bed. It weighs like... A literal ton. I don't think we're moving this on our own." They might be able to scoot it if they tried really hard, but chances are this bed hasn't moved in at least two decades. Karrin also doesn't even make a move to bend down and try, her arms refolding across her taunt chest, looking about as tall and stubborn as she can. "Besides, I'm not doing a damned thing until you tell me what is on your punch-drunk mind right now? You're half asleep. You aren't thinking straight. Spill." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Furrowing his brow, Harry steps back from the bed as he mumbles to himself, "I can move it, just let me go get my staff. A little wind..." His voice trails off as he continues to stare at the bed, Karrin's voice a distinct echo within his ears as his mind races along it's own track for the moment. Finally, something seems to click and he looks over to Karrin, "Hrm? Oh... You have heard of a dream catcher, right? Native American, circle with strings woven across it? I'm going to make one, but I am going make it so any dream that comes from outside the circle gets tracked back to its source. I am going to tag the son of a bitch." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Harry Dresden!" Karrin huffs after him. One of these days, she was going to have to learn his middle name because damned if she wasn't yelling him in that tone. "You are NOT creating a TORNADO in my bedroom to move the bed. Dammit. We... we'll just huff and puff and somehow get it to move!" The woman calls down the hall after him, but she hasn't said no. That's probably a step in the right direction. Blue eyes look him over quietly, a slight grimace on her pale face. SHe doesn't look like she WANTS to agree, but she also cannot find the proper ability to disagree. "...A...dream catcher. You can... do that? I mean, it'd actually work? I... hate to say it's a good idea." But it might just be a good idea. That's just making tired Karrin even more grumpy about it. Her arms return to being folded across her chest, "...fine. Explain this to me step by step and... explain exactly how I'm HELPING you with this, then maybe I'll help you move the bed. Maybe." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Coming back down the hall, staff in hand, Harry grins triumphantly as he walks through the door to the bedroom. "I'm a wizard." he utters, proudly, as if it is all the explanation that Murphy needs in response to her questions. For a moment, it seems that is all the explanation he is going to give, but then he continues, "I'm going to draw a circle around your bed in chalk, then I am going to take some twine or thread or string and run it from the circle over the bed, using the bedposts and anchors. Once that is done, I am going to add a bell filled with glitter and a couple drops of blood to the string, so when our 'friend' sends along his dream it will ring when it hits the catch, so I know when to release the circles energy the glitter will travel along the line, and then I can track it via the blood. Then, I am going to have you go to sleep." He moves to the side of the bed, and since it is always better to ask forgiveness than seek permission he turns to Murphy and grins, "And I never said anything about a tornado, Murph," and before, she can object any further he lifts his staff, and commands 'Veni Che!' 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Blood? You're going to hang *blood* above my bed? Harry... this is sounding more and more like some death and sex cult ritual, or something!" Karrin calls to him as he returns to the room with the staff and does give her more of an explanation. She's looking wary as all get out right now, especially considering she doesn't even know if she could sleep with such an elaborate get up around her. "Besides, I...I'm not certain I'm really going to be able to sleep on command, you know? Much less knowing there's some cult ritual built around my bed." While Karrin had slowly become adjusted to the fact that yes, MAGIC IS REAL, there were still days she was clearly skeptical about the entire mess. She's still not said no, though. And then he's moving her bed and she gives a little yelp of surprise. It's not a tornado, it is a levitation, but it also reveals the mess of things that have dropped BEHIND her bed in god only knows how long and she's not been able to get back there. A few socks, definitely a tissue or two, probably something that was an orange peel. A ripped, old romance novel and... best or worst of all, a pair of hot pink lace panties that were ripped off in the night of SOME sort of passion, tossed back there, and utterly forgotten. Karrin blinks once... twice... And suddenly blushes about as deep as the panties. "...I...uh... wondered where those went." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It takes no time once the magic is called forth for the bed to move into a position more towards the center of the room. The bed is set down relatively gently. "Stop being such a baby, it's only a drop or two of blood." He pauses as she says something else, turning to look an see what Karrin is talking about. "Where what wen...oh. Oh." The large wizard clears his throat and turns away from the panties, trying to be somewhat gentlemanly if Karrin wanted to clean up a bit. He fishes the chalk out of his pocket, moving to the bed once she is done cleaning up, if she does move to gather her things, and starts to draw a circle in chalk around the bed. "I'm going to need glitter, and a small bell. I'm pretty sure I saw a bell collection in the other room...knickknacks from your grandmother? You don't sew by any chance? Thread would be better, but any ribbon or twine or anything will work in a pinch." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Uh... Yes. Yes..." Karrin blinks, still really damned tired herself, so her mind is having issues catching up with her body. But then she's moving, scampering double time over to behind her bed and very quickly just scooping everything up from the dust pile to toss into a trash can. She certainly doesn't need any of it now. She'd never be able to wear those panties again, anyway, without thinking of this moment. The mess pile is quickly dropped into the bathroom trash and when she returns, she's got a long box of dental floss with her. "Will this do?" It seems she might ACTUALLY be willing to go forward with this. Even if she looks unhappy about it. Then she disappears out of the room, down the hall, only to return in a few moments with a bell from SCENIC RHODE ISLAND printed on the side. She hands it over to him, "There. But...no glitter. We don't keep craft herpes in this house, thank you very much. Will... pepper do? Basil? Oregano?" Karrin offers with a half smirk. "...and you could nap with me, you know? Won't you have to follow this bastard in dreams anyway, if he's coming in that way? It's not like this is a literal tracking GPS..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Why Ms. Murphy, are you asking to sleep with you?" Harry says in a teasing voice, "How forward." He grins, taking the dental floss from her hand before pausing to think for a moment, tapping the dental floss on his chin, "Yeah, this will work for the thread, but I need something easily distributed, light enough to float but visible enough to follow. Don't happen to have an old New Years Eve popper, or something with confetti in it? I know! Makeup! Something in a blush or powdered foundation perhaps?" While she ponders, he starts to use the dental floss to tie strips across the bed, anchoring them to points on the poster columns in a random, mismatched pattern. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A little groan escapes her lips, "I'm asking you to also rest your body and maybe actually be able to do the thing that you are doing. So, yes, Herry Dresden. I have asked that you sleep in a space in proximity to myself. I promise I don't snore. Or cuddle." The last part is said with just a BIT of a threat behind it, implying that if he likes all his bits attached, he probably shouldn't cuddle either. She then sighs at his words, considering what might work. The idea that comes to her mind is going to be an awful headache. "Flour.. flour should work... just fine. Be annoying as all hell to clean up but... it'll work." And then she's double time jogging out of the room again, to grab the flour from her kitchen. She's returned within two minutes, her exhausted expression still completely skeptcial and not one bit thrilled about this, but she's not yet said no. "...This looks ridiculous." She comments to the get up around the bed. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "You're no fun, Murph." says Harry with a grin as he takes the flour, and bell from her and gets to work. He taps a little of the flour into the bell, takes out a pen knife and adds a couple of drops of his own blood to the mix, then tapes the opening of the bell closed. Closing his hand around the bell, he closes his eyes and pushes a little will into the bell, a soft glow emanating from his closed hand as he chants low under his breath. Once done, he strings the bell up where the lines over the bed intersect and steps back, admiring his handiwork and nods. "And I don't believe you, Karrin. I think you cuddle with the best of them. Now get on the bed. and get ready for sleepy time." For his part, Harry moves inside the circle and once Karrin is insides as well, he snaps it closed with another effort of will as he touches the line of chalk. "If this doesn't work, the circle should keep the dreams at bay so at the very least, we should get a good nap in." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...We. So... you are actually going to try to sleep also?" Karrin states gruffly, trying to be tough about it, but her blue eyes betray her. Knowing that he might be willing to try and rest himself is the last thing that would push her over the edge. She won't do it for herself, but for her friends? She'll do just about anything. She then steps to the other side of the bed, the side where she normally sleeps. Despite having a big old bed to herself, he'll notice there is only one side of the sheets generally ruffled and a single pillow used. The habits one keeps, even after years of being divorced. It's strange, but still present. That's her side of the bed. There is still an emptiness for someone who is never coming home. She undoes the button of her jeans and drops trow. It seems Karrin is a 'briefs' wearer, because little boy shorts might be noticed if Harry is bothering to take a peek. She then grabs quickly at a loose set of flannel pants and pulls them on overtop her shapely, toned legs. Once that's done she does actually climb up into the bed, watching him almost expectantly. "...I... I'm not tired now. I'm just nervous." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden nods once and turns to face her just as she is dropping trou, "Hells bell's, Murph!" He quickly looks away...but not that quickly and sighs, combing his fingers through his hair and clearing his throat, "Yeah, I'm going to join you. You're right about the possibility of me following the trail back via the dream may be a stronger path than trying to suss out a tracking spell after the fact, but that will be plan B." Well, what is good for the goose, is good for the gander as the old sating goes. Harry follows suit and unsnaps his jeans, letting them fall to a pile on the floor by the bed. Besides, this isn't the first time Karrin has seen him in his boxers before...but usually it is because he is bleeding out from a leg wound and needs to be bandaged. He slips under the covers, using his arms as a pillow and turns his back to Murph like a gentleman should. "Just close your eyes, i'm sure sleep will follow. The body gets to a point it won't take no for an answer, and I think we have just about reached that. If not, well, I can always cast a sleep spell on you. And yes, I can do that." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Oh, Harry. Grow up. It's nothing you haven't seen before!" Karrin chides him teasingly, as he semi freaks out at the fact her LEGS are showing. Hell, she sounds actually a bit amused. She might have just done that on purpose. But then he's doing the same and Karrin cannot quite keep herself from looking. Yes, she's seen the same things too, he's gotten himself shot enough, but it was sometimes nice to see. THe moment she realizes she IS looking, though, she awkwardly turns away and clears her throat. He was her friend, dammit. Those thoughts were wrong. Feeling him climb into the bed next to her was... odd. Comforting, in it's own way. Somehow familiar. And, therefore, odd. She says nothing for several minutes, settling down on her side of the bed and tucking her arm beneath the pillow. Her back is to him because, yes, that's how you sleep with friends -- carefully not touching a single thing and pretending you have a football field between you when it's really about an inch and a half of warm air. "...Is... there anything I should be looking out for? In the dreams? Anything I should...Do?" Karrin asks quietly, after a few minutes. Her voice is already husky with oncoming exhaustion. Despite her protests, she was probably going to drop off soon. The questions are her mind's fearful attempts to stay awake. This was all the unknown. She didn't want to go back there. She was soon going to have to. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Mumbling something under his breath, the shifts slightly to turn and look at Karrin for a moment, "No. You don't have to do anything, the spell should either protect us from the dreams, or catch the dream and send it back return to sender, along with the way to follow it back. He yawns, stretching his long legs out in the king sized bed, trying his damnedest not to touch because that would be awkward. "If all goes well, we will either wake up refreshed, or get a line on our target. There is a soft pause, and a large yawn as Harry drifts off to sleep, muttering just under his breath, "I just hope the catch doesn't make us share dreams...zzzzzzzz" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Harry?" Karrin's voice echoes, ever so softly, as she hears his tone suddenly, abruptly drop off. But she's greeted with the sound of deep breathing, on the edge of a snore. That makes her half smile. Even as he stretches long legs, she settles in a bit deeper, still being careful not to touch. "...Sweet dreams, Harry." Karrin mutters softly, letting her head sink into the pillow. And it's not long after that her own breath is evening out. As her body goes slack, the careful tension to keep them separated just releases and the smallest brush of contact comes between them. Butts, of course, because that's always what ends up cuddling when two people sleep with their backs to each other. Just the smallest of warm contacts, but enough for comfort and that special bit of power that lays with touch. If they weren't going to share dreams before, it's almost certain it will happen now, magic around them and contact between them. 
}}

286/Anyone home

2017-07-31T23:28:43Z

Alamias:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/05
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Harry fills Karrin in on everything
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's been a long week for one Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, between sleepless nights and Denarius coins surfacing, not to mention the magic swords and demonic thugs that he had a run in with as well. So Harry is at home and taking a night off for once, sitting on one of the second hand but comfortable couches that serve as his furniture. "Bob, I don't want to hear it." he says to the skull perched on the coffee table next to him. "I brought you up from the basement, but I am not going to rent any porn. Hell's bells, I don't even own a TV!" "But Harry..." says the skull in its crisp British accent, "You could always just rent a t..." "I said no, Bob! Now shut up and let me read in peace." "But Harry...Star Wars..." Harry turns his head and stares at the skull, "That new one is out now, isn't it." He sighs, "I don't know if they will let me since I fried the last one..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Even Murphy realizes that, eventually, she's a little too harsh on her friend. Between the still-healing gunshot wound to her shoulder, the woman in the hospital, the escaped assassin and the dreams, she's been extra snippy to him. But the dream-charm helped and after a good night's rest, her conscience kicked in. So, armed with a pizza topped with literally everything and a six pack from Mac's, she's come to apologize with goods, if not exactly words. Somestimes beer is better. The sound of knocking mainly comes from the heavy toe of her steel-toed boots on the outside of his door, her hands firmly filled with the goods. However, she realizes how kicking at his door might sound a heartbeat later and she calls into the room, "It's Murph. Let me in or you don't get any beer." Mainly because she might drop it, that arm still not back to full strength with the chunk taken out of it and the stitches. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh..a booty call!" the skull says as the twin points of orange lights in the eye sockets glow a bit brighter. "Shut up, Bob." Harry mutters as he slowly drags himself from the couch, tossing the blanket that was draped over his legs over the skull as he walks past. "You be quiet." "But, Harry, I want to wa.." "SHUT UP, BOB!" As he makes his way too the door, he calls "I'm on the way, Murph." Reaching the door, he mutters a few words under his breath to disable the ward and then unlocks the door. He opens it, giving it a good tug, and gives the Lieutenant a smile. "Beer? Did I hear you say beer?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slight nod down to the dark ale of Mac's in her hand and she lifts it, but there is a faint grimace of pain, her shoulder really not liking that motion, "Take it before I drop it and we both cry." Because crying over spilled ale, especially if it's Mac's? Absolutely a mature adult thing to do. She probably should have taken a few days off with that arm, but no one was willing to tell her that. Or, if they did, she didn't listen. Once she's handed off the precious goods, she carries the XL Chicago pizza into the room, the scent of it still hot and fresh. She must have picked it up and come straight here. She's in jeans, an old teeshirt and her preferred leather jacket, having the day off for onces. "...Were you just talking to someone? I swear I heard voices?...Something about a... Booty...Call?" Her eyes narrow at his face, trying to decide if she should be grumpy about that, or amused. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Uh...must have been the TV." Harry says quickly as he moves to grab the beer from Karrin's injured arm. He gives a glare at the now blanketed skull and mutters something unintelligible under his breath before turning his gaze back to Karrin, "Please, come in. The pizza smells delicious." He moves aside, allowing Karrin entrance to the basement apartment, the familiar tapestries on the walls and rugs underfoot. The only light coming from the fire in the fireplace, which casts it's yellow-orange glow across the room. "I'll get us some plates." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That makes her brow furrow. "...You don't have a TV. The last one you rented burnt out. That's why you can't even sit close to mine." Karrin's eyes narrow on him, suspicions up, especially as she follows her eyes to that weirdly shaped blanket on the shelf. She steps inside, curiously trying to figure out what's under it without being UTTERLY obvious. "It better be good, they put an entire farm on it. The meat parts and the veggie parts. Just not the fish parts. Anchovies are disgusting." Karrin admits flatly, handing the pizza box off to him as well and letting him head for the little kitchen area as she creeps closer to that blanket. What was under there? Some old childhood doll? A mirror glass to another dimension? She slowly picks up the edge of the blanket when his back is turned getting plates. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry is busy in the little alcove kitchen, looking for a pair of clean plates to put the pizza on as Karrin picks up the blanket. He doesn't seem to notice. Underneath the blanket is Bob, all skull like and quiet with the orange lights of his eyes extinguished, for now anyway. "Oh, yeah...so I don't. Hrm... Would you believe it was the wind?" He looks over and gives a sheepish smile to Karrin, his eyes casting a glance towards the blanket covered skull that she is now peering at. He clears his throat and turns back to plate pizza, bringing the plates and a couple opened bottles of beer back over to the couch. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, now she's been caught in the act, might as well fess up to it. Karrin's eyes narrow at the skull, then look back to Harry, then back to the skull, before she just folds back the blanket and leaves it open air to the room. Her hand rests on her hip, staring at him skeptically. "...Harry." She begins, voice perfectly calm, if on the edge of bemused. "... were you talking to a... Skull... when I came in? I mean, is this a Yorick thing? Are you going full on Hamlet on me? I guess it's... a traditional way to go crazy, if nothing else..." She's trying to hide the faint laughter from her voice, but it's hard, the more ridiculous this sounds the more she talks about it. "Some people talk to their plants, they think it helps them grow, or something. Some people even talk to their pets, but Mister assaulted me on the walkway outside... You talk to skulls. Shit. We need to get you out of the house more." She clearly doesn't believe it was the wind. She saw where his eyes went almost immediately, her attention to detail a blessing and a curse some days. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Setting the plates of pizza down onto the table, he hands over one of the bottles of beer to Karrin and takes a long pull from the other. "No, if I was doing Yorick it would have been more, "Alas poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio...a man of infinite jest...etcetera, etcetera. I don't recall there being anything about booty calls in Hamlet." He pulls the blanket off of Bob and offers its warmth to Karrin, sitting down on the couch as he takes another pull from his beer as he looks from Karrin to Bob and back. "Besides, Bob is a much bigger pain in the ass than Yorick ever was." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's always cold in this basement, probably something to do with it being a basement. Being that Karrin doesn't care to get her muddy boots all over his couch, she takes a moment to quickly unlace them and kick them aside near the door before she comes over to accept the blanket fully and plop down on his could, small frame burrito'd up in the blanket, with a freshly opened beer and a slice of pizza. She looks incredibly content, for just a moment. And just a bit cute, curled up like that. Don't dare tell her so. "...Bob. You have a... skull. It looks like a real skull... and you named it *BOB*. Not like... Ravendarkhart! Or... Lord Skullington. Or... even, I don't know, Marius! Something DIGNIFIED. But no. You named it Bob." Karrin still thinks the thing is quite empty, like his strange good luck charm or imaginary friend. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden shrugs. "He needed a name, I was sixteen. Bob seemed to be a good fit. I couldn't exactly keep calling him 'Spirit' could I? Well I suppose I could have since he answered to it for centuries before I named him...but still, Bob was shorter." He glances over at Karrin, taking a bite of his pizza and chewing slowly, "Anyway, he...uh...well. He like romance novels...the smuttier the better. For someone with a lack of a body, he certainly has a thing for sex." The lights in the eye sockets flick to life, and the skull turns slightly on the table to face the two, 'Well if you would let me OUT every once in a while, you wouldn't have to placate me with a textual representation. I could experience..." "The last time I let you out, you started an orgy!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A good slug of her beer and Karrin's shoulders drop almost an inch. She needed this as much as Harry did, even if she's given no explanation or actual apology as to why she's come over, and has still spent half the time rousing him about the weird skull on his table. She sets the beer down and pulls her plate into her lap, though his words about centuries and romance novels make Karrin look even more skeptical, "You're...really attached to your little imaginary friend over there, aren't you? Damn, you've made up a full back story for him and everythi-" OH GOD IT TALKS! Karrin NEARLY loses her pizza straight on the floor as lights fill the sockets and the thing turns to face both of them, responding in a way she doesn't even really understand. She saves her pizza, which has slid off her plate when she upended her lap, by the edge of the crust, dragging it back onto the plate quickly. Feet now flat on the floor, she stares at the skull, breathing out raggedly a moment or two. "Oh god... what? You... you were ACTUALLY talking to the skull. And it was talking back. WHAT?!" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden can't help himself. He laughs. It starts off as a chuckle, but soon erupts into a full blown belly laugh. "Oh...oh god. The look on your face... Priceless." It takes him a moment to gather himself, turning to face the skull, "I thought I told you to be quiet." "But Harry...you were droning on an on about me, so I figured it was ok to say hi." The skull turns to face Karrin, "Hi, Karrin. You're as cute as Harr.." "BOB!" the wizard growls out, cutting the spirit of intellect off before it can say any more. "Ixnay on the Utecay talk!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Carefully, skull-boy, I can punt you at least 45 yards to make a field goal and Harry doesn't have that kind of room in this apartment. I'm not *cute*." Karrin insists, with that slight wrinkle to her nose that, as ever, somehow makes her even MORE cute because she's being stubborn about it. Don't dare tell her so. She lets her free hand rest against her chest for a moment, trying to make certain her heart is still inside as she processes all this new information with her normal level of deadpan snark. The more snarky, the more her brain is in freak out mode somewhere in the dark, quiet recesses of her skull. But she can handle it. Then she's looking at Harry, blue eyes narrowing slightly, "...you tell your skull -- named BOB," no, she's still not letting that go, "that I'm *cute*? And talk to him about booty calls? What are you two, 16 year old boys?" She asks, glaring suspiciously between the pair before she finally goes back to taking that over due bite of pizza, her world view adjusted just enough she can consider food again. Besides, Chicago pizza makes everything better. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Uh-oh Harry. Storms a brewing. "I may have, in the past, mentioned the fact that you could be considered as such by someone who wasn't privy to your more gruff personification. I would never call you cute." Not to your face anyway. "But Harry, you said just the other day..." Shut up, Bob!" The skull huffs, an impressive feat for something that has no lungs or lips, but then falls silent. "And I wasn't talking booty calls. I told you, Bob has a obsession." "Well, too be fair, Harry, you haven't had a woman in years. I was hoping that since you said you ended up in bed..." "I said shut up, Bob!" the wizard exclaims through gritted teeth.. Beer. He needs more beer. Harry drains the bottle and reaches for another. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde wants to be mad about the cute thing, but as the dear skull just pours out poor Harry's deepest secrets, her own amusement mingles with just a bit of pity and most of that anger is quickly quashed. Karrin's pale eyes flicker from skull, to man, back to skull again, not entirely hiding her slight grin behind the deep gulp of beer she's taking. She hasn't quite finished her's yet, but she's certainly taking more liberal gulps than usual. They needed it after this week. "...Shit, Harry. Years? I had no clue. I guess I really should go easier on you. No wonder you're such an idiot. All your blood's caught up in, well...You know." She gives a slightly conspiratorial wink in Bob's direction. Karrin's gotten very good at going from being utterly freaked out by to just pretty much accepting 'this is life now' anything of a supernatural bent. It's just become a more sane way to operate. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a flush to Harry's face as Karrin speaks to him of his lack of female companionship. "I've been busy." he says in his defense. "Besides, not many people are as open and understanding about my life as you are, Karrin. You literally just met a spirit of intellect no more than a few minutes ago, and here you are joking around with it about my sex life." "Whose joking, Harry." says the skull, "I mean when I say it has been years, I mean..." "One more word, Bob, and I am going to smash you with a hammer." Harry rubs the bridge of his nose before taking another health pull from his beer. "Long story short, I don't date much." He takes a bite of pizza, since the act of chewing will prevent more words from escaping his lips. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "A spirit of intellect..." Karrin echoes, now a touch more curiosity behind her voice. She might be taking this all in stride, but that doesn't mean she's not curious and a bit wary. She just has learned never to let them see you scared. "...Useful friend to have. Even if he is a horn dog." Karrin deadpans, giving the eye-less sockets a little, accusing smirk. She takes another gulp of beer, finishing off her own bottle and nodding for Harry to open another. "...gimmie. I brought, that means you're the bartender." And she doesn't feel like reaching that far. Digging into the rest of her pizza while she waits for the next beer, Karrin's blue eyes stretch over from Bob to fully take in Dresden. She's silent for several long heartbeats, something heavy behind her eyes that goes beyond beer and pizza but she's just not daring to speak. Finally, she forces herself to look away, trying to shake off those thoughts. She tucks her feet back up on the couch, cold toes tucking against the side of his leg because it's there and he is warm. She might not even notice it's happening, or so she pretends. "Better that way. Dating leads to marriage, which leads to divorce. Better to just stay married to work." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Passing over another beer, Harry sighs, "Bob's invaluable, which is probably why I haven't smashed him years ago. He is a magical encyclopedia and one hell of a lab assistant. He knows magical formula for potions and spells covering centuries of time. He works for romance novels. Trashy ones." "And porn." says the Skull. "Thanks, boss, I have a fondness for you too, which is why I want to see you happy...well that and..." "Just stop and leave it there, Bob. The next words were likely something I don't want to hear." Harry smirks and takes another sip of his beer. As Karrin moves her feet to warm up against his leg, Harry absently places a hand down over them, adding just a hint more warmth as he look over to Karrin, "Now Murph, I know even you aren't that cynical. After all, I don't think those panties behind your bed were there since your last marriage." It's his time to smirk. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' If Karrin hadn't downed an entire beer before she finished her first slice of pizza, she probably wouldn't let him hold her feet like that, but she's feeling just relaxed enough to let herself enjoy something for once. So she does. A slightly softer smile dares slip across her lips as she relaxes into the touch and downs another good sip of the beer, breath coming easier, body relaxed for the first time in a week. "How did you find panties behind her bed, Harry? Wait, more importantly, what color were they?" The spirit quickly comes back to life hearing that, some pep in his lighted step, so to speak. Karrin just turned an icy glare on him, deep smirk on her lips, "Can we just shove him in a junk drawer or something, until he learns his manners?" Karrin half growls out, a definite, teasing threat in her voice, but there's a hint of heat climbing up her cheeks also. "...and no. But that wasn't... dating. That was just... letting off some steam, you know. He's almost never in town, so no strings. Works out that way." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden glances over at Bob with a shake of his head, "None of your damned business, Bob." He pauses as a slight smirk comes over his face. After all, she has been ribbing him all night, so why not return the favor, "Pink. Now shut up or I am going to put you back in the lab." He looks over to Karrin and shrugs, "Yeah well, I still don't buy it, Murph. I know you well enough to know you don't really feel that way, even if you try to convince yourself that you do." He rubs the covered feet idly, just enjoying the human contact as he takes another sip of his beer, before trading the bottle for his pizza slice. "For fuck's sake, if anyone should be that jaded about love and marriage it should be me. I caused the death of my first love, and my last girlfriend ran away after I asked her to marry me." HArry takes another bite of his slice, chewing slowly. "You may be divorced, but at least your ex-husband isn't a half-vampire." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slightly skeptical brow climbs up her forehead as she watches the tall man across the couch from her. "...You haven't met my ex-husband. No foolish creature would ever condemn the world to having him around for eternal life. But if men were harpies, well..." Karrin groans a bit, with the familiar, tired annoyance of someone trapped in something that went loveless long before it broke free. Her toes instinctively, almost reassuringly curl against his leg, a silent assent to the brush of his hand over her feet. It really was comforting, just that single point of human contact. They could almost pretend their lives were normal, on nights like this. "...I...I didn't know you asked Susan to marry you. That's who it was, right? That...crazy reporter woman?" Murphy only remembers one woman coming and going, dimly, a while back. There is no accusation in her voice or even teasing about this, when normally she'd be joshing him about almost anything, she lets this be. Just opening the door enough that if he needs to talk it out or vent, she's listening. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Yeah", Harry confirms with a nod. "She got caught up in my crazy life, and it didn't end well for her. Nobody deserves that. Nobody." Bob pipes up, but in a more soft and somber tone that his usual, "Harry spent every waking moment for close to a year trying to find a cure for her. No luck." Harry glances over at the skull with a frown. He opens his mouth to say something, but then decides against it and guzzles more beer down his gullet instead. Another bottle gone. "Sorry. Didn't mean to derail the evening into a night of self pity." He gives a quick little smile, "Bob was trying to get me to rent another TV so we could watch the new Star Wars movie." "And porn." quips the skull. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Shit...I wondered what happened last year. I felt like every time I picked up the phone you were out of town. Thought you were just avoiding me..." Karrin's voice is a bit quieter, any of the anger she felt this week completely gone. She doesn't exactly pity him, but there is defintiely an ache behind her voice. She takes one last, deep gulp of her beer and sets it down before reaching one hand over to his hand and grabbing the back with warmer fingertips, trying to get him to look at her. Even if they still don't quite meet eyes. She still forgets to routinely avoid it. "...Harry. For all that I bitch at you -- and trust me, I'm not going to stop bitching at you -- you're a good man. There is a reason people *choose* to return to your side. And we do choose it. We're all adults. We could CHOOSE to fuck off, you know? But we don't. We keep coming back. You have to let us have those choices and some part of you has to realize that maybe, just maybe, there's something in you worth fighting beside, okay? So... whatever happened to Susan, however poorly it went, she made that choice to be there. It's not all on your shoulders. Unless you picked up a phone and told some damn vampire where she was, it's not all on you." She's not even thinking about Star Wars and porn right now, though Bob gets a brief glare. "Shut up. This is adult time." She mutters to the skull before looking back to Harry. Of course, Bob is thousands of years old, a Karrin-glare isn't going to do a thing to him, "Yes. Adult time. That's exactly what I'm talking about." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden's eyes close as Karrin touches the back of his hand, the touch of flesh to flesh sending a shiver along his spine and his skin to break out in tiny goosebumps. He looks over at her, focusing on her nose more than her eyes, a trick he uses to avoid the soulgaze but still look in a person's face. "I know." he says in a voice that is just a few decibels above a whisper. "She told me as much herself. Still, if it wasn't for me, she would never have been in that mess. She wouldn't have had the option to even make the choice that caused her to go to that party. Fuck Murph, she wouldn't have even had any real confirmation that vampires and the supernatural." He takes a one deep breath, and then another. "It's why I haven't told you everything either. Maybe I should." "Haaaarrrry? Are you sure this is such a good idea?" questions Bob, the orange lights in his eyes narrowing down to pinpricks. "Stuff it, Bob! Maybe if she knows everything, then she will be able to make better choices!" He looks back to Karrin, "But if I tell you, there is no going back. There is no more blissful ignorance. If the wrong people find out you know this, it could get you killed...or worse." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As Harry starts to doubt, after Bob cutting in, Murphy's fingertips tighten on the back of his hand, some sort of passionate insistance behind her touch. Her back straightens and, while he's not looking directly into her eyes, it's close enough he can see the stubborn flare of anger and determination behind them. If she had any doubts before, she doesn't now. "...Can I just put him in the fridge, Dresden? How do you shut up a skull?" Karrin doesn't seem to be joking, her jaw tight. But her eyes don't leave Harry. "And I am not her. I'm a cop. I'm IN this. I've been in this since BEFORE I knew you, I've waded in, confused as all hell, and nearly been killed already. I'm tired of being in the dark and I'm not going to STOP doing what I'm doing. I'll do it with or without you, so I'd much rather have every weapon, every tool possible, to keep myself and my people alive. There was no going back for me years ago. I'm not scared of being killed. I'm not scared of worse. I'm scared of failing people I care about because I didn't know *enough*...didn't do enough. So *help me*. Help me so I can help you. Because I'm here. I'm not going away." Her fingertips completely wrap around his hand, head tilting down, actually searching for his eyes, even as she knows what that might mean. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Taking a rather large and deep centering breath through his nose, Harry nods once. "Alright." he says quietly, lifting his gaze ever so slightly and daring to let her gaze meet his. It doesn't take long for them to be drawn into the soul gaze. Time seems to stop for a moment as they peer into each others soul, but the reality is only a fleeting second or two. "MY god, Karrin..." he says in awe and surprise. "You're beautiful." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' In truth, Karrin didn't quite think he'd do it. She felt like they'd be in this dance for years, even if it'd already been a handful of years already. But she took the jump and the moment his eyes meet her pale blue gaze, there is no going back. She stares for a moment that feels like hours and, when it's over, she really can't say anything. Tears glimmer in her eyes and her hand suddenly moves from his, but not far. Her arms are around him. Not in the passionate, toss him down on the couch and ravish him way, but in the way that says she wants to hold on tight and never let go. Whatever she saw brought on the tightest embrace she's ever give him, small frame wrapped in tight, her hair against his cheek, the light scent of her fruity shampoo and something vanilla beneath it. "...God...Harry. You're not alone. And you are the best man I know. Even if your an idiot. I... I wish you knew it. You're not alone." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As a rule, he doesn't ask what people see when they soul gaze him, the truth is it terrifies him what they might see, so he didn't know what to expect after the soul gaze. An embrace wasn't on the top of his list. Harry blinks in surprise as Karrin is suddenly holding him, his arms instinctively moving to wrap around her in as much of a move to support her as to hold her close to him. He brings a hand up to the back of her head, his fingers entwining in her hair as he returns the hug. It's just as well she has her face to his back, so she doesn't see the tears in his own eyes. "You're an angel, Murph." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde might not see his tears, but he can probably hear the crackle behind her voice that indicates he's not the only one, "There's a lot of people on this planet who'd disagree, Dresden... but, we do what we can." We. Not I. Karrin just holds on tightly for a while, her head sinking to the side, half tucking into his neck. She's either forgotten or is conveniently ignoring the fact there is still a knowledge spirit on the table right in front of them. Her frame fits nicely in his arms, just small enough to sort of tuck in and disappear. She takes a deep breath of his scent, head starting to turn... "Oh, will the two of you just screw and get it over with?" Echoes the glowing lights in the skull on the table. Murphy's body stiffens in Dresden's grasp and, without even turning around, she grabs the empty bottle of ale on the side table and tosses it in a perfect throw just enough to knock Bob off the table and onto the rug below. "...How do you murder a spirit, Harry?" She mutters against his neck with a muffled, quiet laugh. Her cheek is suddenly warmer against his ear. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "You don't.." says Harry in a mumble, more interested in the smell of Karrin's hair and the flush of her cheek than anything related to do with the Bob at the moment. "At best, you banish them back to the NeverNever. Which is exactly what is going to happen if he doesn't shut the fuck up." Bob grumbles from under the table, where he rolled under after being knocked off. "What? Just because you are too much of a coward to actually act on anything, does that make me the bad guy? Mortals. I'll never understand them." Harry sighs, tentatively pulling away from Karrin slightly, reluctant to let go. "I promised you answers." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is a weird throng of... is that disappointment? in her chest as they pull away, but Murphy quickly reaches one hand up, rubbing at her eyes. "...You got mold in this basement or something? Damn allergies..." She gruffly rasps, because emotions are still awkward and they are still bros. Though she shifts just enough that her feet return to being pressed against him and her back turns so she's facing him instead of the coffee table. She picks up her fresh beer, nursing it against her knees which are slightly curled up. There's a lot of her offered to touch. He could put that hand on her feet, or her legs still, or probably even around her shoulders, she's close enough, but she's keeping comfortably turned at him so she can see his gaze now as they are speaking. "Yeah. Answers would be... real good, right about now. Because I'm not going anywhere and I got a feeling things are just going to get worse." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Moves his hands slightly, placing his hand on her knee and lighting wrapping his arm around her leg in some odd kind of hug. He doesn't comment on her crying, in fact goes to help strengthen the ruse by agreeing with her as he wipes at his own eyes, "Yeah. Sometimes the basement gets a little dusty." He grabs the box of tissue from under the coffee table and hands it over to her. He takes another deep breath, now no longer afraid to, he looks into her eyes and give a slight smile. "Well, I guess we start from the beginning." He starts talking. He starts with the death of his mother at his birth, moves on to his father and the traveling magic show, then his father's death. Then onto Justin. Elaine. He who walks behind. The White Council, the doom of Damocles. The shadow man, Bianca, Susan, Werewolves....everything. He doesn't leavea a damned thing out as he spills it all out. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman listens. She listens unselfishly and openly. During the night, her hands go from pizza and beer to idly on his knee. Her feet go from against his thigh to her legs draped across his lap. More idly comfortable, affectionate, but not sexual. Just tender. Karrin asks questions, intelligent ones, filling in some gaps that he probably didn't even realize he was leaving out. Lots of questions about weaknesses - silver. Fire. True love. Why the White Council are such pricks. Eventually, by the end of the night, she just nods in slow understanding. "...I...I think I know...now. That I know...nothing..." Karrin breathes out, a crackled, bittersweet, slightly scared laugh behind it. A smart laugh. She's just wise enough to be terrified. "...it's late. We... I'm just gonna... Nap. We should nap. Have that lead to check in four hours." But the couch was comfortable. In truth? They'd both been half nodding off for the last thirty minutes. So, while it's not his bed, she does sink a bit more to the side, still stretched against him, and within not too long, both of them are dozing off on the couch, leaving the last slice of pizza for Mister when he comes back in come morning... 
}}

Indiana Jones

2017-07-31T22:06:42Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Indiana Jones
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=124
|Img=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/31/45/51/3145513b86280adedd5a38378ad25f21.jpg
|FullName=Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr.
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Dark Horse
|Chartype=AFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Professor of Archeology, Archeologist, Adventurer, Agent of Shield
|Groups=[[SHIELD]], [[Adventurers]]
|Quote=Nazis. I hate these guys.
|PAge=39
|AAge=125
|DOB=1 July 1899
|Height=6'1"
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Hazel
|Actor=Harrison Ford
|Song=You know it.
|Profile=Even before he was granted eternal 'youth' by drinking from the Grail, Indy was kind of the Forrest Gump of history. He rode with Lawrence of Arabia. He fought in the Mexican Revolution while in break from school. He fought for Belgium during WW1, and spent much of WW2 fighting HYDRA and the Serpent Society while uncovering relics. On top of all of that he me numerous other heroes and villains, and played a bit part in many stories. He married and had children, who also had children. When his wife passed away from old age, he took to the road. Now, at his ripe old age (But looking much younger) he returns to tend to family matters...and perhaps be drawn back into the fold.
|Abilities=
===== Immortal =====
Due to his drinking from the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones is immortal. While still able to be hurt and even possibly killed by injury, Indiana Jones does not age and still looks to be 40, instead of the 125 that he is.
===== Tough =====
Indy is just plan tough. He can take a beating, but still keep fighting on like his life depends on it, because it usually does.
|Skills=
===== Archeology =====
Indy is one of the foremost archeologists in the world. In his time before his 'disappearance' from the world, he had written several books on the subject, and his adventures give credence to his real world skill.
===== Brawling =====
Indy has been in a LOT of fist fights. He can give out a beating, as well as take one.
===== Language =====
On his early journeys around Europe, Africa and Asia, he learned to speak, read, and write 27 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Swahili, Latin, Nepalese and Chinese, sign language, some Hindi, Sinhalese, and a bit of Mayan and Quechua.
===== Marksmanship =====
Indy is familiar with the use of most firearms. He is most familiar with pistols, but has used rifles, machine guns and even RPG's in the past.
===== Whip =====
Indy is a master with a bullwhip, and able to pull of some amazing feats with the flexible weapon. Disarms, grapples and even being able to use it to swing over short obstacles, given there is something for the whip to wrap around.
|Resources=
===== Bullwhip =====
Indiana Jones carries a 12' bullwhip. The whip has a variety of uses from disarming an opponent to being used as a rope.
===== Revolver =====
Indy carries a six shot revolver in a holster on his side, as well as extra ammunition.
|Weaknesses=
===== Astigmatism =====
He has an astigmatism for which he wears glasses, and uses them for reading.
===== Snakes =====
Jones' childhood hatred of snakes was cemented in 1912, when he fell into a train car full of snakes. This resulted in Jones developing ophidiophobia.
}}

Flash

2017-07-31T18:44:02Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Flash
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=158
|Img=http://68.media.tumblr.com/b98d0c16e0ec5b2fb5539b789297ff46/tumblr_nx3y2dFjBf1s2lswpo1_1280.jpg
|FullName=Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen
|Gender=Male
|Species=Metahuman
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=DFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Forensic Scientist, Superhero
|Groups=[[Justice League]], [[Avengers]]
|Quote=Life is locomotion... if you're not moving, you're not living. But there comes a time when you've got to stop running away from things... and you've got to start running towards something, you've got to forge ahead. Keep moving. Even if your path isn't lit... trust that you'll find your way."
|PAge=27
|AAge=27
|DOB=19 March 1998
|Height=180.3 cm
|Weight=81 kg
|Hair=Blonde
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=My name is Barry Allen, and I am the fastest man alive...
|Abilities=
===== Accelerated Healing =====

Barry Allen's connection to the speed force has increased his metabolism and given him accelerated healing, allowing him to recover from injury much faster than normal.

===== Enhanced Senses =====

Due to Barry's connection to the speed force, his senses are attuned to perceive the world around him at his reaction speed.

===== Flight =====

While usually choosing to stay on the ground, Barry is capable of a rude form of flight. By spinning his arms and forcing the resulting vortex behind him, Barry is able to attain lift and forward motion.

===== Light Speed Reaction =====

Barry can think and react at faster than light speed, able to perceive events that may happen in the blink of an eye. He is also able to speed read and retain the knowledge of what he has read, but knowledge gained in this way tends to fade rapidly.

===== Phasing =====

Barry can vibrate every molecule in his body at speeds great enough to allow him to pass through solid objects for a short time, about as long as he can hold his breath.
===== Project Energy =====

Barry moves so fast that he generates his own electricity, and is able to project this electricity from his arms in the form of a lightning bolt.

===== Speed Force Aura =====

An aura surrounds Barry, protecting him and anything/one he carries from harm or damage that would be caused by the friction his speed would generate.

===== Speed Force Generator =====

Barry Allen is the creator and source of the Speed Force. It generates with every step that he takes. He is unaffected by other speedsters trying to siphon his speed due to this.

===== Superhuman Reflexes =====

Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him superhuman reflexes, able to move with grace and agility at his high speeds.

===== Superhuman Stamina =====
Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him nearly unlimited stamina allowing him to run almost indefinitely.

===== Super Speed =====

Barry Allen is arguably one of the fastest beings in all existence. He is fast enough to break inter dimensional barriers and enter the speed force itself. Although capable of reaching speeds past the speed of light, he generally keeps himself slower to avoid damage caused by the wake he would leave behind him traveling at those speeds. His speed allows for feats such as running up the sides of a building, or across water.

===== Telepathic Resistance =====

Martian Manhunter once said that he can't enter Barry's mind because Barry was thinking to fast for the Manhunter to keep up with him. When Barry is in the midst of 'super thinking' he is immune to telepathic attack or manipulation, because nobody can keep up with how fast his mind is working.
===== Time Travel =====

Barry can run fast enough to break the time barrier. However, altering events in the past tends to cause unknown ramifications in the future.
===== Vortexes =====
Barry is able to create vortexes by spinning his arms rapidly. These vortexes can be used to create a cushion of air to soften a fall, create a 'shield' of air, or push back an opponent. He can create larger vortexes by running in a circle, which can be used to pull out all the air in an area, or levitate the object within the vortex.
|Skills=
===== Criminology =====

Barry is trained in criminal psychology. He graduated with a minor in Criminology from Sun City University and has had extensive practice during his work for the CCPD and also as The Flash. He uses his insights into the criminal mind to attempt to predict behavior and possibly prevent future crime from happening.

===== Detective =====

Barry also has skills as a detective. While not on par with the likes of Batman, he knows how to search for clues and draw conclusion based on the clues that he finds.

===== Forensics =====

Barry is a trained forensic scientist, and all the knowledge that contains. A mix of Biochemistry, Biology, Ballistics, Chemistry, Fingerprinting, Toolmarks, and Toxicology as well as how to obtain, handle, and preserve evidence related to a crime.
|Resources=
===== CCPD =====

Working as a forensic scientist for the CCPD, Barry has access to the CCPD crime lab. This allows him to use the lab equipment and resources that he otherwise might not have access too personally.

===== Costume Ring =====

Barry wears a costume constructed with special elastic polymers of his own design which when submersed in a special liquid, became sensitive to hydrogen, expanding on contact with the hydrogen in the air. A charge from a battery-powered ring on his finger can cause the fabric to release the extra hydrogen and shrink his costume into the ring. His costume also includes a police scanner in the ear phones of his mask and positive-enforced treads to prevent slipping.
|Weaknesses=
===== High Metabolism =====

While Barry's high metabolism is an asset, it is also a weakness. He requires copious amounts of food to replenish his body's fuel reserves.

===== Telepathic attack
=====
When Barry is prepared and using his speed he is immune to telepathic attack, However, if he taken by surprise a telepathic attack will work on him just as well as any human.

===== Tunnel Vision(Late) =====

Even though Barry is the fastest man alive, he is still constantly late to everything. He can become obsessed with crime-solving at the lab that he will loose track of time.
}}

Flash

2017-07-31T18:43:42Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Flash
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=158
|Img=http://68.media.tumblr.com/b98d0c16e0ec5b2fb5539b789297ff46/tumblr_nx3y2dFjBf1s2lswpo1_1280.jpg
|FullName=Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen
|Gender=Male
|Species=Metahuman
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=DFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Forensic Scientist, Superhero
|Groups=[[Justice League]], [[Avengers]]
|Quote=Life is locomotion... if you're not moving, you're not living. But there comes a time when you've got to stop running away from things... and you've got to start running towards something, you've got to forge ahead. Keep moving. Even if your path isn't lit... trust that you'll find your way."
|PAge=27
|AAge=27
|DOB=19 March 1998
|Height=180.3 cm
|Weight=81 kg
|Hair=Blonde
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=My name is Barry Allen, and I am the fastest man alive...
|Abilities=
===== Accelerated Healing =====

Barry Allen's connection to the speed force has increased his metabolism and given him accelerated healing, allowing him to recover from injury much faster than normal.

===== Enhanced Senses =====

Due to Barry's connection to the speed force, his senses are attuned to perceive the world around him at his reaction speed.

===== Flight =====

While usually choosing to stay on the ground, Barry is capable of a rude form of flight. By spinning his arms and forcing the resulting vortex behind him, Barry is able to attain lift and forward motion.

===== Light Speed Reaction =====

Barry can think and react at faster than light speed, able to perceive events that may happen in the blink of an eye. He is also able to speed read and retain the knowledge of what he has read, but knowledge gained in this way tends to fade rapidly.

===== Phasing =====

Barry can vibrate every molecule in his body at speeds great enough to allow him to pass through solid objects for a short time, about as long as he can hold his breath.
=====
Project Energy =====

Barry moves so fast that he generates his own electricity, and is able to project this electricity from his arms in the form of a lightning bolt.

===== Speed Force Aura =====

An aura surrounds Barry, protecting him and anything/one he carries from harm or damage that would be caused by the friction his speed would generate.

===== Speed Force Generator =====

Barry Allen is the creator and source of the Speed Force. It generates with every step that he takes. He is unaffected by other speedsters trying to siphon his speed due to this.

===== Superhuman Reflexes =====

Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him superhuman reflexes, able to move with grace and agility at his high speeds.

===== Superhuman Stamina =====
Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him nearly unlimited stamina allowing him to run almost indefinitely.

===== Super Speed =====

Barry Allen is arguably one of the fastest beings in all existence. He is fast enough to break inter dimensional barriers and enter the speed force itself. Although capable of reaching speeds past the speed of light, he generally keeps himself slower to avoid damage caused by the wake he would leave behind him traveling at those speeds. His speed allows for feats such as running up the sides of a building, or across water.

===== Telepathic Resistance =====

Martian Manhunter once said that he can't enter Barry's mind because Barry was thinking to fast for the Manhunter to keep up with him. When Barry is in the midst of 'super thinking' he is immune to telepathic attack or manipulation, because nobody can keep up with how fast his mind is working.
===== Time Travel =====

Barry can run fast enough to break the time barrier. However, altering events in the past tends to cause unknown ramifications in the future.
===== Vortexes =====
Barry is able to create vortexes by spinning his arms rapidly. These vortexes can be used to create a cushion of air to soften a fall, create a 'shield' of air, or push back an opponent. He can create larger vortexes by running in a circle, which can be used to pull out all the air in an area, or levitate the object within the vortex.
|Skills=
===== Criminology =====

Barry is trained in criminal psychology. He graduated with a minor in Criminology from Sun City University and has had extensive practice during his work for the CCPD and also as The Flash. He uses his insights into the criminal mind to attempt to predict behavior and possibly prevent future crime from happening.

===== Detective =====

Barry also has skills as a detective. While not on par with the likes of Batman, he knows how to search for clues and draw conclusion based on the clues that he finds.

===== Forensics =====

Barry is a trained forensic scientist, and all the knowledge that contains. A mix of Biochemistry, Biology, Ballistics, Chemistry, Fingerprinting, Toolmarks, and Toxicology as well as how to obtain, handle, and preserve evidence related to a crime.
|Resources=
===== CCPD =====

Working as a forensic scientist for the CCPD, Barry has access to the CCPD crime lab. This allows him to use the lab equipment and resources that he otherwise might not have access too personally.

===== Costume Ring =====

Barry wears a costume constructed with special elastic polymers of his own design which when submersed in a special liquid, became sensitive to hydrogen, expanding on contact with the hydrogen in the air. A charge from a battery-powered ring on his finger can cause the fabric to release the extra hydrogen and shrink his costume into the ring. His costume also includes a police scanner in the ear phones of his mask and positive-enforced treads to prevent slipping.
|Weaknesses=
===== High Metabolism =====

While Barry's high metabolism is an asset, it is also a weakness. He requires copious amounts of food to replenish his body's fuel reserves.

===== Telepathic attack
=====
When Barry is prepared and using his speed he is immune to telepathic attack, However, if he taken by surprise a telepathic attack will work on him just as well as any human.

===== Tunnel Vision(Late) =====

Even though Barry is the fastest man alive, he is still constantly late to everything. He can become obsessed with crime-solving at the lab that he will loose track of time.
}}

Flash

2017-07-31T18:38:13Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Flash
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=158
|Img=http://68.media.tumblr.com/b98d0c16e0ec5b2fb5539b789297ff46/tumblr_nx3y2dFjBf1s2lswpo1_1280.jpg
|FullName=Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen
|Gender=Male
|Species=Metahuman
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=DFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Forensic Scientist, Superhero
|Groups=[[Justice League]], [[Avengers]]
|Quote=Life is locomotion... if you're not moving, you're not living. But there comes a time when you've got to stop running away from things... and you've got to start running towards something, you've got to forge ahead. Keep moving. Even if your path isn't lit... trust that you'll find your way."
|PAge=27
|AAge=27
|DOB=19 March 1998
|Height=180.3 cm
|Weight=81 kg
|Hair=Blonde
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=My name is Barry Allen, and I am the fastest man alive...
|Abilities=-----------------------------------------------< Accelerated Healing >-----------------------------------------------

Barry Allen's connection to the speed force has increased his metabolism and given him accelerated healing, allowing him to recover from injury much faster than normal.

-------------------------------------------------< Enhanced Senses >-------------------------------------------------

Due to Barry's connection to the speed force, his senses are attuned to perceive the world around him at his reaction speed.

-----------------------------------------------------< Flight >------------------------------------------------------

While usually choosing to stay on the ground, Barry is capable of a rude form of flight. By spinning his arms and forcing the resulting vortex behind him, Barry is able to attain lift and forward motion.

----------------------------------------------< Light Speed Reaction >-----------------------------------------------

Barry can think and react at faster than light speed, able to perceive events that may happen in the blink of an eye. He is also able to speed read and retain the knowledge of what he has read, but knowledge gained in this way tends to fade rapidly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Phasing >-----------------------------------------------------

Barry can vibrate every molecule in his body at speeds great enough to allow him to pass through solid objects for a short time, about as long as he can hold his breath.

-------------------------------------------------< Project Energy >--------------------------------------------------

Barry moves so fast that he generates his own electricity, and is able to project this electricity from his arms in the form of a lightning bolt.

------------------------------------------------< Speed Force Aura >-------------------------------------------------

An aura surrounds Barry, protecting him and anything/one he carries from harm or damage that would be caused by the friction his speed would generate.

----------------------------------------------< Speed Force Generator >----------------------------------------------

Barry Allen is the creator and source of the Speed Force. It generates with every step that he takes. He is unaffected by other speedsters trying to siphon his speed due to this.

-----------------------------------------------< Superhuman Reflexes >-----------------------------------------------

Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him superhuman reflexes, able to move with grace and agility at his high speeds.

-----------------------------------------------< Superhuman Stamina >------------------------------------------------

Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him nearly unlimited stamina allowing him to run almost indefinitely.

---------------------------------------------------< Super Speed >---------------------------------------------------

Barry Allen is arguably one of the fastest beings in all existence. He is fast enough to break inter dimensional barriers and enter the speed force itself. Although capable of reaching speeds past the speed of light, he generally keeps himself slower to avoid damage caused by the wake he would leave behind him traveling at those speeds. His speed allows for feats such as running up the sides of a building, or across water.

----------------------------------------------< Telepathic Resistance >----------------------------------------------

Martian Manhunter once said that he can't enter Barry's mind because Barry was thinking to fast for the Manhunter to keep up with him. When Barry is in the midst of 'super thinking' he is immune to telepathic attack or manipulation, because nobody can keep up with how fast his mind is working.
---------------------------------------------------< Time Travel >---------------------------------------------------

Barry can run fast enough to break the time barrier. However, altering events in the past tends to cause unknown ramifications in the future.

----------------------------------------------------< Vortexes >-----------------------------------------------------

Barry is able to create vortexes by spinning his arms rapidly. These vortexes can be used to create a cushion of air to soften a fall, create a 'shield' of air, or push back an opponent. He can create larger vortexes by running in a circle, which can be used to pull out all the air in an area, or levitate the object within the vortex.
|Skills=---------------------------------------------------< Criminology >---------------------------------------------------

Barry is trained in criminal psychology. He graduated with a minor in Criminology from Sun City University and has had extensive practice during his work for the CCPD and also as The Flash. He uses his insights into the criminal mind to attempt to predict behavior and possibly prevent future crime from happening.

----------------------------------------------------< Detective >----------------------------------------------------

Barry also has skills as a detective. While not on par with the likes of Batman, he knows how to search for clues and draw conclusion based on the clues that he finds.

----------------------------------------------------< Forensics >----------------------------------------------------

Barry is a trained forensic scientist, and all the knowledge that contains. A mix of Biochemistry, Biology, Ballistics, Chemistry, Fingerprinting, Toolmarks, and Toxicology as well as how to obtain, handle, and preserve evidence related to a crime.
|Resources=------------------------------------------------------< CCPD >-------------------------------------------------------

Working as a forensic scientist for the CCPD, Barry has access to the CCPD crime lab. This allows him to use the lab equipment and resources that he otherwise might not have access too personally.

--------------------------------------------------< Cosutme Ring >---------------------------------------------------

Barry wears a costume constructed with special elastic polymers of his own design which when submersed in a special liquid, became sensitive to hydrogen, expanding on contact with the hydrogen in the air. A charge from a battery-powered ring on his finger can cause the fabric to release the extra hydrogen and shrink his costume into the ring. His costume also includes a police scanner in the ear phones of his mask and positive-enforced treads to prevent slipping.
|Weaknesses=-------------------------------------------------< High Metabolism >-------------------------------------------------

While Barry's high metabolism is an asset, it is also a weakness. He requires copious amounts of food to replenish his body's fuel reserves.

------------------------------------------------< Telepathic attack >------------------------------------------------

When Barry is prepared and using his speed he is immune to telepathic attack, However, if he taken by surprise a telepathic attack will work on him just as well as any human.

-----------------------------------------------< Tunnel Vision(Late) >-----------------------------------------------

Even though Barry is the fastest man alive, he is still constantly late to everything. He can become obsessed with crime-solving at the lab that he will loose track of time.
}}

Flash

2017-07-31T18:37:14Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{CharacterNew |NameOnMUSH=Flash |Color=#333 |TextColor=#c1c1c1 |Char_id=158 |Img=http://manof2moro.tumblr.com/image/132839028755 |FullName=Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen |Ge..."

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Flash
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=158
|Img=http://manof2moro.tumblr.com/image/132839028755
|FullName=Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen
|Gender=Male
|Species=Metahuman
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=DFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Forensic Scientist, Superhero
|Groups=[[Justice League]], [[Avengers]]
|Quote=Life is locomotion... if you're not moving, you're not living. But there comes a time when you've got to stop running away from things... and you've got to start running towards something, you've got to forge ahead. Keep moving. Even if your path isn't lit... trust that you'll find your way."
|PAge=27
|AAge=27
|DOB=19 March 1998
|Height=180.3 cm
|Weight=81 kg
|Hair=Blonde
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=My name is Barry Allen, and I am the fastest man alive...
|Abilities=-----------------------------------------------< Accelerated Healing >-----------------------------------------------

Barry Allen's connection to the speed force has increased his metabolism and given him accelerated healing, allowing him to recover from injury much faster than normal.

-------------------------------------------------< Enhanced Senses >-------------------------------------------------

Due to Barry's connection to the speed force, his senses are attuned to perceive the world around him at his reaction speed.

-----------------------------------------------------< Flight >------------------------------------------------------

While usually choosing to stay on the ground, Barry is capable of a rude form of flight. By spinning his arms and forcing the resulting vortex behind him, Barry is able to attain lift and forward motion.

----------------------------------------------< Light Speed Reaction >-----------------------------------------------

Barry can think and react at faster than light speed, able to perceive events that may happen in the blink of an eye. He is also able to speed read and retain the knowledge of what he has read, but knowledge gained in this way tends to fade rapidly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Phasing >-----------------------------------------------------

Barry can vibrate every molecule in his body at speeds great enough to allow him to pass through solid objects for a short time, about as long as he can hold his breath.

-------------------------------------------------< Project Energy >--------------------------------------------------

Barry moves so fast that he generates his own electricity, and is able to project this electricity from his arms in the form of a lightning bolt.

------------------------------------------------< Speed Force Aura >-------------------------------------------------

An aura surrounds Barry, protecting him and anything/one he carries from harm or damage that would be caused by the friction his speed would generate.

----------------------------------------------< Speed Force Generator >----------------------------------------------

Barry Allen is the creator and source of the Speed Force. It generates with every step that he takes. He is unaffected by other speedsters trying to siphon his speed due to this.

-----------------------------------------------< Superhuman Reflexes >-----------------------------------------------

Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him superhuman reflexes, able to move with grace and agility at his high speeds.

-----------------------------------------------< Superhuman Stamina >------------------------------------------------

Barry's connection to the Speed Force gives him nearly unlimited stamina allowing him to run almost indefinitely.

---------------------------------------------------< Super Speed >---------------------------------------------------

Barry Allen is arguably one of the fastest beings in all existence. He is fast enough to break inter dimensional barriers and enter the speed force itself. Although capable of reaching speeds past the speed of light, he generally keeps himself slower to avoid damage caused by the wake he would leave behind him traveling at those speeds. His speed allows for feats such as running up the sides of a building, or across water.

----------------------------------------------< Telepathic Resistance >----------------------------------------------

Martian Manhunter once said that he can't enter Barry's mind because Barry was thinking to fast for the Manhunter to keep up with him. When Barry is in the midst of 'super thinking' he is immune to telepathic attack or manipulation, because nobody can keep up with how fast his mind is working.
---------------------------------------------------< Time Travel >---------------------------------------------------

Barry can run fast enough to break the time barrier. However, altering events in the past tends to cause unknown ramifications in the future.

----------------------------------------------------< Vortexes >-----------------------------------------------------

Barry is able to create vortexes by spinning his arms rapidly. These vortexes can be used to create a cushion of air to soften a fall, create a 'shield' of air, or push back an opponent. He can create larger vortexes by running in a circle, which can be used to pull out all the air in an area, or levitate the object within the vortex.
|Skills=---------------------------------------------------< Criminology >---------------------------------------------------

Barry is trained in criminal psychology. He graduated with a minor in Criminology from Sun City University and has had extensive practice during his work for the CCPD and also as The Flash. He uses his insights into the criminal mind to attempt to predict behavior and possibly prevent future crime from happening.

----------------------------------------------------< Detective >----------------------------------------------------

Barry also has skills as a detective. While not on par with the likes of Batman, he knows how to search for clues and draw conclusion based on the clues that he finds.

----------------------------------------------------< Forensics >----------------------------------------------------

Barry is a trained forensic scientist, and all the knowledge that contains. A mix of Biochemistry, Biology, Ballistics, Chemistry, Fingerprinting, Toolmarks, and Toxicology as well as how to obtain, handle, and preserve evidence related to a crime.
|Resources=------------------------------------------------------< CCPD >-------------------------------------------------------

Working as a forensic scientist for the CCPD, Barry has access to the CCPD crime lab. This allows him to use the lab equipment and resources that he otherwise might not have access too personally.

--------------------------------------------------< Cosutme Ring >---------------------------------------------------

Barry wears a costume constructed with special elastic polymers of his own design which when submersed in a special liquid, became sensitive to hydrogen, expanding on contact with the hydrogen in the air. A charge from a battery-powered ring on his finger can cause the fabric to release the extra hydrogen and shrink his costume into the ring. His costume also includes a police scanner in the ear phones of his mask and positive-enforced treads to prevent slipping.
|Weaknesses=-------------------------------------------------< High Metabolism >-------------------------------------------------

While Barry's high metabolism is an asset, it is also a weakness. He requires copious amounts of food to replenish his body's fuel reserves.

------------------------------------------------< Telepathic attack >------------------------------------------------

When Barry is prepared and using his speed he is immune to telepathic attack, However, if he taken by surprise a telepathic attack will work on him just as well as any human.

-----------------------------------------------< Tunnel Vision(Late) >-----------------------------------------------

Even though Barry is the fastest man alive, he is still constantly late to everything. He can become obsessed with crime-solving at the lab that he will loose track of time.
}}

Indiana Jones

2017-07-31T18:28:14Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Indiana Jones
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=124
|Img=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/31/45/51/3145513b86280adedd5a38378ad25f21.jpg
|FullName=Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr.
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=AFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Professor of Archeology, Archeologist, Adventurer, Agent of Shield
|Groups=[[SHIELD]], [[Adventurers]]
|Quote=Nazis. I hate these guys.
|PAge=39
|AAge=125
|DOB=1 July 1899
|Height=6'1"
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Hazel
|Actor=Harrison Ford
|Song=You know it.
|Profile=Even before he was granted eternal 'youth' by drinking from the Grail, Indy was kind of the Forrest Gump of history. He rode with Lawrence of Arabia. He fought in the Mexican Revolution while in break from school. He fought for Belgium during WW1, and spent much of WW2 fighting HYDRA and the Serpent Society while uncovering relics. On top of all of that he me numerous other heroes and villains, and played a bit part in many stories. He married and had children, who also had children. When his wife passed away from old age, he took to the road. Now, at his ripe old age (But looking much younger) he returns to tend to family matters...and perhaps be drawn back into the fold.
|Abilities=
===== Immortal =====
Due to his drinking from the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones is immortal. While still able to be hurt and even possibly killed by injury, Indiana Jones does not age and still looks to be 40, instead of the 125 that he is.
===== Tough =====
Indy is just plan tough. He can take a beating, but still keep fighting on like his life depends on it, because it usually does.
|Skills=
===== Archeology =====
Indy is one of the foremost archeologists in the world. In his time before his 'disappearance' from the world, he had written several books on the subject, and his adventures give credence to his real world skill.
===== Brawling =====
Indy has been in a LOT of fist fights. He can give out a beating, as well as take one.
===== Language =====
On his early journeys around Europe, Africa and Asia, he learned to speak, read, and write 27 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Swahili, Latin, Nepalese and Chinese, sign language, some Hindi, Sinhalese, and a bit of Mayan and Quechua.
===== Marksmanship =====
Indy is familiar with the use of most firearms. He is most familiar with pistols, but has used rifles, machine guns and even RPG's in the past.
===== Whip =====
Indy is a master with a bullwhip, and able to pull of some amazing feats with the flexible weapon. Disarms, grapples and even being able to use it to swing over short obstacles, given there is something for the whip to wrap around.
|Resources=
===== Bullwhip =====
Indiana Jones carries a 12' bullwhip. The whip has a variety of uses from disarming an opponent to being used as a rope.
===== Revolver =====
Indy carries a six shot revolver in a holster on his side, as well as extra ammunition.
|Weaknesses=
===== Astigmatism =====
He has an astigmatism for which he wears glasses, and uses them for reading.
===== Snakes =====
Jones' childhood hatred of snakes was cemented in 1912, when he fell into a train car full of snakes. This resulted in Jones developing ophidiophobia.
}}

Indiana Jones

2017-07-31T18:25:57Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Indiana Jones
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=124
|Img=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/31/45/51/3145513b86280adedd5a38378ad25f21.jpg
|FullName=Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr.
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=AFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Professor of Archeology, Archeologist, Adventurer, Agent of Shield
|Groups=[[Shield]], [[Adventurers]]
|Quote=Nazis. I hate these guys.
|PAge=39
|AAge=125
|DOB=1 July 1899
|Height=6'1"
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Hazel
|Actor=Harrison Ford
|Song=You know it.
|Profile=Even before he was granted eternal 'youth' by drinking from the Grail, Indy was kind of the Forrest Gump of history. He rode with Lawrence of Arabia. He fought in the Mexican Revolution while in break from school. He fought for Belgium during WW1, and spent much of WW2 fighting HYDRA and the Serpent Society while uncovering relics. On top of all of that he me numerous other heroes and villains, and played a bit part in many stories. He married and had children, who also had children. When his wife passed away from old age, he took to the road. Now, at his ripe old age (But looking much younger) he returns to tend to family matters...and perhaps be drawn back into the fold.
|Abilities=
===== Immortal =====
Due to his drinking from the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones is immortal. While still able to be hurt and even possibly killed by injury, Indiana Jones does not age and still looks to be 40, instead of the 125 that he is.
===== Tough =====
Indy is just plan tough. He can take a beating, but still keep fighting on like his life depends on it, because it usually does.
|Skills=
===== Archeology =====
Indy is one of the foremost archeologists in the world. In his time before his 'disappearance' from the world, he had written several books on the subject, and his adventures give credence to his real world skill.
===== Brawling =====
Indy has been in a LOT of fist fights. He can give out a beating, as well as take one.
===== Language =====
On his early journeys around Europe, Africa and Asia, he learned to speak, read, and write 27 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Swahili, Latin, Nepalese and Chinese, sign language, some Hindi, Sinhalese, and a bit of Mayan and Quechua.
===== Marksmanship =====
Indy is familiar with the use of most firearms. He is most familiar with pistols, but has used rifles, machine guns and even RPG's in the past.
===== Whip =====
Indy is a master with a bullwhip, and able to pull of some amazing feats with the flexible weapon. Disarms, grapples and even being able to use it to swing over short obstacles, given there is something for the whip to wrap around.
|Resources=
===== Bullwhip =====
Indiana Jones carries a 12' bullwhip. The whip has a variety of uses from disarming an opponent to being used as a rope.
===== Revolver =====
Indy carries a six shot revolver in a holster on his side, as well as extra ammunition.
|Weaknesses=
===== Astigmatism =====
He has an astigmatism for which he wears glasses, and uses them for reading.
===== Snakes =====
Jones' childhood hatred of snakes was cemented in 1912, when he fell into a train car full of snakes. This resulted in Jones developing ophidiophobia.
}}

Indiana Jones

2017-07-31T18:24:19Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{CharacterNew |NameOnMUSH=Indiana Jones |Color=#333 |TextColor=#c1c1c1 |Char_id=124 |Img=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/31/45/51/3145513b86280adedd5a38378ad25..."

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Indiana Jones
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=124
|Img=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/31/45/51/3145513b86280adedd5a38378ad25f21.jpg
|FullName=Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr.
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=AFC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Professor of Archeology, Archeologist, Adventurer, Agent of Shield
|Groups=[[Shield]], [[Adventurers]]
|Quote=Nazis. I hate these guys.
|PAge=39
|AAge=125
|DOB=1 July 1899
|Height=6'1"
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Hazel
|Actor=Harrison Ford
|Song=You know it.
|Profile=Even before he was granted eternal 'youth' by drinking from the Grail, Indy was kind of the Forrest Gump of history. He rode with Lawrence of Arabia. He fought in the Mexican Revolution while in break from school. He fought for Belgium during WW1, and spent much of WW2 fighting HYDRA and the Serpent Society while uncovering relics. On top of all of that he me numerous other heroes and villains, and played a bit part in many stories. He married and had children, who also had children. When his wife passed away from old age, he took to the road. Now, at his ripe old age (But looking much younger) he returns to tend to family matters...and perhaps be drawn back into the fold.
|Abilities=----------------------------------------------------< Immortal >-----------------------------------------------------
Due to his drinking from the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones is immortal. While still able to be hurt and even possibly killed by injury, Indiana Jones does not age and still looks to be 40, instead of the 125 that he is.
------------------------------------------------------< Tough >------------------------------------------------------
Indy is just plan tough. He can take a beating, but still keep fighting on like his life depends on it, because it usually does.
|Skills=---------------------------------------------------< Archeology >----------------------------------------------------
Indy is one of the foremost archeologists in the world. In his time before his 'disappearance' from the world, he had written several books on the subject, and his adventures give credence to his real world skill.
----------------------------------------------------< Brawling >-----------------------------------------------------
Indy has been in a LOT of fist fights. He can give out a beating, as well as take one.
----------------------------------------------------< language >-----------------------------------------------------
On his early journeys around Europe, Africa and Asia, he learned to speak, read, and write 27 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Swahili, Latin, Nepalese and Chinese, sign language, some Hindi, Sinhalese, and a bit of Mayan and Quechua.
--------------------------------------------------< Marksmanship >---------------------------------------------------
Indy is familiar with the use of most firearms. He is most familiar with pistols, but has used rifles, machine guns and even RPG's in the past.
------------------------------------------------------< Whip >-------------------------------------------------------
Indy is a master with a bullwhip, and able to pull of some amazing feats with the flexible weapon. Disarms, grapples and even being able to use it to swing over short obstacles, given there is something for the whip to wrap around.
|Resources=----------------------------------------------------< Bullwhip >-----------------------------------------------------
Indiana Jones carries a 12' bullwhip. The whip has a variety of uses from disarming an opponent to being used as a rope.
----------------------------------------------------< Revolver >-----------------------------------------------------
Indy carries a six shot revolver in a holster on his side, as well as extra ammunition.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Astigmatism >---------------------------------------------------
He has an astigmatism for which he wears glasses, and uses them for reading.
-----------------------------------------------------< Snakes >------------------------------------------------------
Jones' childhood hatred of snakes was cemented in 1912, when he fell into a train car full of snakes. This resulted in Jones developing ophidiophobia.
}}

Question

2017-07-31T18:13:30Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=The Question
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=157
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/UwvIFcD.jpg
|FullName=Vic Sage
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Investigative Reporter / Vigilante
|Groups=[[Batman Family]]. [[Gotham]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I'm not a cop. I'm not a judge either. I'm just a guy who's got to have answers if he's to sleep at night.
|Height=6'2"
|Weight=185lbs
|Hair=Red
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=The Question is a mystery. Known to be a crimefighter, he has been seen in quite a few cities from Hub City, to Gotham, to Crown City, to Metropolis, and there have even been reports of him down in the Amazon. Faceless and curious, The Question seeks the answers.
|Abilities=
===== Charisma =====
Vic is very charismatic and has a magnetic personality. His charisma is on par with those of many actors, television personalities, and musicians. As Vic, he is charming, polite, and generally easy going tending to get along with most people, as The Question, he uses his charisma to be intimidating and threatening.
===== Fast Reflexes =====
Vic's martial art training has left him with lightning fast reflexes. Due to his training, Vic has the ability to react a touch faster than most normal humans. His reactions have helped him dodge bullets, and have played part into his continued ability to breath throughout his crime fighting career.
===== Flexibility =====
Vic is incredibly flexible. Though his course of teachings, his body has become very limber. In the course of his normal meditations it is not uncommon for Vic to be in normally uncomfortable poses, such as one leg up and behind his head, or back arched to where he is almost bent in half.
===== Hardness =====
Even though Vic has exceptional training and fast reaction time, he does tend to get hit fairly often. However, due to his physical conditioning Vic is able to take a punch (or five) and still be standing. He has also been stabbed numerous times and is able to keep on fighting. He can take a decent amount of punishment before going down, much like a professional boxer, or martial arts champion.
===== Learning Ability =====
Vic has an incredible capacity to learn new things in a short amount of time when he sets his mind to it. One could say he is almost a prodigy. Vic was able to master the Martial Arts in a year, where it takes others decades of training to accomplish. This ability has helped him not only master the martial arts, but it is also a big part in why he was able to "learn" how to be a decent detective in a relatively little amount of time.
|Skills=
===== Acrobatics =====
During his training with a world renown martial artist, Vic was also trained in acrobatics and gymnastics, honing his skill to an exceptional level. He is not as gifted as others, but he would do well in Olympic competition, or in the Cirque de Sole. He can easily avoid blows, roll with punches, and is also adept and tumbling and climbing.
===== brawler =====
Vic, before the teachings of a world renown martial artist, was primarily a brawler. He had some Martial Arts skill, but his fights tended to end up in normal fisticuffs. While his Martial Arts skills are superior, he does on occasion resort back to a flat out brawler when the need calls for it.
===== Computer Operation =====
Vic is familiar with Computers. While not the elite hacker, Vic is able to recognize most operating systems, and use a computer to a normal level. Normal computer operation such as the copy and deletion of files, as well as normal maintenance like swapping a hard drive are within his ability. He might be able to even piece a network together, but once you start talking about flashing a bios, or replacing a motherboard Vic would start to ask for assistance.
===== Criminology =====
Vic has a working knowledge of Criminology, the study of crime, criminals, their behavior and also punishment. Developed mostly during his time as an investigative reporter, he also uses it to a large degree as his alter ego, the Question. He is not as proficient with the study as Batman, but is able to figure out most common crooks behavioral patterns.
===== Detective Skills =====
Relying on intuition, observation and keen reasoning Vic' ability to look at a crime scene and analyze the clues is remarkable for someone with no formal training. His natural inquisitiveness and instinct don't allow much to escape detection during an investigation, and his ability to piece the clues together to form an analysis of the clues is just shy of some of the better known masked vigilantes. Complicated or scientific clues such as DNA or blood typing would be impossible for Vic without the assistance of a lab, but he does have enough experience to capture a fingerprint properly, or handle evidence at a crime so it would not be tainted.
===== Dodge =====
Trained by one of the best Vic is an expert fighter and superb athlete. He is mobile, nimble, and agile. Vic follows the saying that the best defense to not be there for the punch to hit. Though he can roll with most any fall, throw, or punch, Vic has also learned to dodge, duck and weave to have blows miss entirely. He is not as adept as most acrobatic vigilantes, but is slightly better than some, being able to even dodge bullets if he has an inclining they are coming his way.
===== driving =====
Vic has a slightly higher than normal skill level in regards to land based vehicles. His skill is not at professional grade, but he can and has driven at high rates of speed when being chased (or chasing someone else). In fact, Vic used to have a VW Bug that had a Porche engine, racing shocks, and a Ferarri transmission and had the ability to go over 100 miles per hour. Vic would be able to figure out how to operate most vehicles with similar functionality. (IE Cars, Buses, Light trucks up to and possible including an eighteen wheeler.)
===== Intimidation-Persuasion =====
Vic is a very charismatic individual and he knows how to use it. He is able to use his charm as Vic to help persuade others to see his point of view. As The Question, Vic is able to use his charsima and presence to intimidate an bully information out of people. His skill at using his natural charisma isn't as well practiced as the likes of Superman or Batman, but he is able to use it well enough to assist in his gathering of information from the common street thugs he tends to meet.
===== Intuitive =====
Vic is exceptionally intuitive. Usually his instincts are spot on, and he is able to read people, too sense when people are speaking the truth or lying to him. This combined with his keen observation skills make him an excellent detective.
===== Keenly Observent =====
Vic is keenly observant. He doesn't seem to miss much. A small bloodstain on a carpet, to something that just appears to be "out of place," Vic seems to be able to spot it. This combined with his intuition skills make him an excellent detective.
===== Lockpicking =====
Starting with his past as a street orphan, continuing through his career as an investigative reporter and up through his current 'occupation' as a masked vigilante, Vic has gained experience and knowledge with most common tumbler locks (Normal key locks as well as combination locks like on a safe), and how to successfully unlock them without the key or combination. While not as good as the elite of the professional thief world such as Catwoman, Vic's skill at successfully manipulating the tumblers on a lock would be on par with the likes of Robin or Nightwing.
===== Martial Arts =====
Vic Sage has been trained to the level of one of the foremost martial artists in the world by one of the best in the world. Even an infamous martial artist assassin has been heard to say Sage is the finest practicing martial artist in the world today. If he is not in the in the top 10, then he is most certainly in the top percentile of martial artists worldwide. He has a passing familiarity with dozens of different styles, but his most well-known style is the particular style of kung-fu taught by his master, which incorporates the techniques of the countless substyles. Vic has most clearly proven himself as a master of this style, and by adding a few elements of other arts and styles into his overall fighting style, he has become a truly magnificent hand-to-hand fighter. The Question is easily on par with most vigilantes in terms of combat ability, and perhaps would have a slight advantage over them. He possesses an excellent blend of both offensive and defensive capability. His fighting style does not possess any inherent weaknesses, but of course, he can be outfought by an opponent with superior skills, vastly superior numbers, or combatants with metahuman abilities to supplement their skills.
===== Melee Weapons =====
Due to Vic's martial arts background and training, he has a familiarity with most common martial arts melee weapons (Bo Staff, Tonfa, Sai..etc). He is able to use these weapons with some degree of skill, however since he rarely uses them he is not as mastered with them. However, when faced with normal opponents wielding table legs, or pool cues with little or no training, Vic would be able to defend himself. Vic has also been known to throw, toss and kick items into people and objects with a remarkable accuracy.
===== Reporter =====
Vic has had several years of experience as a television reporter both in Hub City, as well as Gotham. His main experience comes from investigative reporting, however he is familiar with the inner workings of a TV news station, and can make a decent living as a TV news anchor or field reporter as well. His typical style lends itself more to television, but if need be he could probably make the jump to print journalism as well.
===== Security =====
Vic has a working knowledge of Security systems, alarms, and locks. From his days as a street orphan, to an investigative reporter, to his masked career as the Question, Vic has learned about the various security systems that are used.
===== Sneaking-Stealth =====
Vic is familiar with all the aspects of stealthy movement and intrusion. He knows how to walk softly, to move with minimizing sound when he needs to be sneaky. He is skilled in being able to blend into the shadows when trying to shadow someone, and how to hide when the situation calls for stealth. However, Vic sometimes tends to throw caution to the wind and rely on good old fashioned gusto, witty comments, and bravado instead of surprise to put people off guard.
===== Streetwise =====
Vic grew up on the streets of Hub City, one of the roughest cities in America. He has a good feel about how life on the streets operates, and can usually figure out who he can trust, who he can't and how to get things done. He also knows how to avoid or cause trouble within the streets. Obviously he knows Hub City best of all, but each city has it's back alleys, and though the turf may change the "rules" on the street don't tend to vary often.
===== Surveillance =====
The question is one of the most observant people in the world. It is his nature to question and to look, as well as listen. He sees patterns where other people do not, he notices things others do not. It's nothing to do with the technology but it is his questioning nature and also part his paranoid mind. That person at a curb. People, normal people, can't tell you what he was wearing, let alone reading, after they look away. Question can. He'll also tell you if that person was actually watching something else. Patterns, the lack of patterns. These are what the Question needs answered and so he looks for the answers to his questions all the time.
|Resources=
===== Belt Buckle =====
Vic Sage wears a special belt buckle, that has a compartment for his mask, as well as a dispenser for the adhesive gas which attaches the mask to his face, and changes the color of his clothes/hair.
===== Cards =====
Not used as much anymore, but in the past the Question has used special calling cards. These chemically coated cards appear blank, but then a chemical reaction occurs and in a wisp of smoke, a question mark appears on the card.
===== Gas =====
This special gas (which is released from his belt buckle)chemically adheres the Question's mask to his face, as well as altering the color of his chemically-coated clothing and hair. The gas itself can be used as a smokescreen, or even a scare tactic.
===== Mask =====
Questions mask is made of a substance called pseudoderm. When exposed to a certain gas, it has a chemical reaction with the specially created "aftershave" lotion he uses to bond to his face and conceals his features while still allowing him to see and breathe normally.
|Weaknesses=
===== Corruption =====
Vic hates corruption. He has seen the corruption of the government first hand under Hatch and Fermin oppress the people of Hub City. He felt the oppression when growing up in the orphanage. Vic now makes it a point to expose and fight such corruption when he finds it. Before the Question was born, Vic used to use the local TV news to detail the corruption. Now, since the Question was born, he tends to take a more fists on approach in his righteous quest to end the corruption he sees in the world.
===== Curiosity =====
Curiosity killed the cat, and almost Vic a number of times. Vic has a unrelenting "need to know." He is insatiably curious, and tends to get obsessive about finding out the answers to the questions that life poses to him. It is this curiosity that first drove him as an investigative reporter, and then later on in his vigilante activities as the Question. Quite a few times, his curiosity does get the better of him, and leads him into dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations, almost leading to his death once already when he dug to far into Hatch and Fermin's ploys early on in Hub City.
===== Emotionally Driven =====
Vic is very emotionally driven. When he remains calm and keeps his temper in check he can be precise in thought, and in action. He tends to think clearer and when in a fight, he fights better. However, when Vic looses his center, and he starts to get angry and emotional his abilities seems to shift. His ability to defend himself reduces, he isn't as "clear" in thought, and his 'luck' takes a turn for the worse.
===== Philosophical =====
Always filled with questions, Vic has become more philosophical about the world since his master's teachings. His Zen philosophies tend to make his viewpoints on life's questions a bit obscure at times. Also due to his teachings, Vic tends to be a very laid back individual for the most part, but when faced with any true wrongdoing or injustice Vic's hot temper does raise its head.
===== Provocative =====
Vic tends to provoke other into trying to find out the answers to their own life questions. He can be abrasive and downright offensive when he attempts to have people look at things from different viewpoints. He doesn't shy away from the tough questions when attempting to make others seek their own answers.
===== Secret Identity =====
The identity of The Question is secret. If people found out that Vic was The Question, the people he cared about, as well as himself, would be in constant danger.
===== Stubborn =====
There are people you sometimes just have to beat some sense into. This is Vic. Vic is stubborn. Even though he has mellowed since his early days, he still tends to have a one-track mind. Once he has a idea or thought in his head, it is nigh-impossible to sway him from his course of thought or action and in the past it has taken someone to beat sense into him before he has changed his mind about something. This unwillingness to budge on his "beliefs" gives him enough confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire at times. The problem is it gives him the confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire. His stubborn streak tends to do more harm then good at times, neglecting warnings given to him by friends, and usually ending up biting off a bit more than he can chew. However one benefit from his stubborn streak is he has a great will, and is very hard to manipulate, he isn't easily tricked or duped.
}}

Question

2017-07-31T18:11:47Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=The Question
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=157
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/UwvIFcD.jpg
|FullName=Vic Sage
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Investigative Reporter / Vigilante
|Groups=[[Batman Family]]. [[Gotham]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I'm not a cop. I'm not a judge either. I'm just a guy who's got to have answers if he's to sleep at night.
|Height=6'2"
|Weight=185lbs
|Hair=Red
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=The Question is a mystery. Known to be a crimefighter, he has been seen in quite a few cities from Hub City, to Gotham, to Crown City, to Metropolis, and there have even been reports of him down in the Amazon. Faceless and curious, The Question seeks the answers.
|Abilities=
===== Charisma =====
Vic is very charismatic and has a magnetic personality. His charisma is on par with those of many actors, television personalities, and musicians. As Vic, he is charming, polite, and generally easy going tending to get along with most people, as The Question, he uses his charisma to be intimidating and threatening.
===== Fast Reflexes =====
Vic's martial art training has left him with lightning fast reflexes. Due to his training, Vic has the ability to react a touch faster than most normal humans. His reactions have helped him dodge bullets, and have played part into his continued ability to breath throughout his crime fighting career.
===== Flexibility =====
Vic is incredibly flexible. Though his course of teachings, his body has become very limber. In the course of his normal meditations it is not uncommon for Vic to be in normally uncomfortable poses, such as one leg up and behind his head, or back arched to where he is almost bent in half.
===== Hardness =====
Even though Vic has exceptional training and fast reaction time, he does tend to get hit fairly often. However, due to his physical conditioning Vic is able to take a punch (or five) and still be standing. He has also been stabbed numerous times and is able to keep on fighting. He can take a decent amount of punishment before going down, much like a professional boxer, or martial arts champion.
===== Learning Ability =====
Vic has an incredible capacity to learn new things in a short amount of time when he sets his mind to it. One could say he is almost a prodigy. Vic was able to master the Martial Arts in a year, where it takes others decades of training to accomplish. This ability has helped him not only master the martial arts, but it is also a big part in why he was able to "learn" how to be a decent detective in a relatively little amount of time.
|Skills=
===== Acrobatics =====
During his training with a world renown martial artist, Vic was also trained in acrobatics and gymnastics, honing his skill to an exceptional level. He is not as gifted as others, but he would do well in Olympic competition, or in the Cirque de Sole. He can easily avoid blows, roll with punches, and is also adept and tumbling and climbing.
===== brawler =====
Vic, before the teachings of a world renown martial artist, was primarily a brawler. He had some Martial Arts skill, but his fights tended to end up in normal fisticuffs. While his Martial Arts skills are superior, he does on occasion resort back to a flat out brawler when the need calls for it.
===== Computer Operation =====
Vic is familiar with Computers. While not the elite hacker, Vic is able to recognize most operating systems, and use a computer to a normal level. Normal computer operation such as the copy and deletion of files, as well as normal maintenance like swapping a hard drive are within his ability. He might be able to even piece a network together, but once you start talking about flashing a bios, or replacing a motherboard Vic would start to ask for assistance.
===== Criminology =====
Vic has a working knowledge of Criminology, the study of crime, criminals, their behavior and also punishment. Developed mostly during his time as an investigative reporter, he also uses it to a large degree as his alter ego, the Question. He is not as proficient with the study as Batman, but is able to figure out most common crooks behavioral patterns.
===== Detective Skills =====
Relying on intuition, observation and keen reasoning Vic' ability to look at a crime scene and analyze the clues is remarkable for someone with no formal training. His natural inquisitiveness and instinct don't allow much to escape detection during an investigation, and his ability to piece the clues together to form an analysis of the clues is just shy of some of the better known masked vigilantes. Complicated or scientific clues such as DNA or blood typing would be impossible for Vic without the assistance of a lab, but he does have enough experience to capture a fingerprint properly, or handle evidence at a crime so it would not be tainted.
===== Dodge =====
Trained by one of the best Vic is an expert fighter and superb athlete. He is mobile, nimble, and agile. Vic follows the saying that the best defense to not be there for the punch to hit. Though he can roll with most any fall, throw, or punch, Vic has also learned to dodge, duck and weave to have blows miss entirely. He is not as adept as most acrobatic vigilantes, but is slightly better than some, being able to even dodge bullets if he has an inclining they are coming his way.
===== driving =====
Vic has a slightly higher than normal skill level in regards to land based vehicles. His skill is not at professional grade, but he can and has driven at high rates of speed when being chased (or chasing someone else). In fact, Vic used to have a VW Bug that had a Porche engine, racing shocks, and a Ferarri transmission and had the ability to go over 100 miles per hour. Vic would be able to figure out how to operate most vehicles with similar functionality. (IE Cars, Buses, Light trucks up to and possible including an eighteen wheeler.)
===== Intimidation-Persuasion =====
Vic is a very charismatic individual and he knows how to use it. He is able to use his charm as Vic to help persuade others to see his point of view. As The Question, Vic is able to use his charsima and presence to intimidate an bully information out of people. His skill at using his natural charisma isn't as well practiced as the likes of Superman or Batman, but he is able to use it well enough to assist in his gathering of information from the common street thugs he tends to meet.
===== Intuitive =====
Vic is exceptionally intuitive. Usually his instincts are spot on, and he is able to read people, too sense when people are speaking the truth or lying to him. This combined with his keen observation skills make him an excellent detective.
===== Keenly Observent =====
Vic is keenly observant. He doesn't seem to miss much. A small bloodstain on a carpet, to something that just appears to be "out of place," Vic seems to be able to spot it. This combined with his intuition skills make him an excellent detective.
===== Lockpicking =====
Starting with his past as a street orphan, continuing through his career as an investigative reporter and up through his current 'occupation' as a masked vigilante, Vic has gained experience and knowledge with most common tumbler locks (Normal key locks as well as combination locks like on a safe), and how to successfully unlock them without the key or combination. While not as good as the elite of the professional thief world such as Catwoman, Vic's skill at successfully manipulating the tumblers on a lock would be on par with the likes of Robin or Nightwing.
===== Martial Arts =====
Vic Sage has been trained to the level of one of the foremost martial artists in the world by one of the best in the world. Even an infamous martial artist assassin has been heard to say Sage is the finest practicing martial artist in the world today. If he is not in the in the top 10, then he is most certainly in the top percentile of martial artists worldwide. He has a passing familiarity with dozens of different styles, but his most well-known style is the particular style of kung-fu taught by his master, which incorporates the techniques of the countless substyles. Vic has most clearly proven himself as a master of this style, and by adding a few elements of other arts and styles into his overall fighting style, he has become a truly magnificent hand-to-hand fighter. The Question is easily on par with most vigilantes in terms of combat ability, and perhaps would have a slight advantage over them. He possesses an excellent blend of both offensive and defensive capability. His fighting style does not possess any inherent weaknesses, but of course, he can be outfought by an opponent with superior skills, vastly superior numbers, or combatants with metahuman abilities to supplement their skills.
===== Melee Weapons =====
Due to Vic's martial arts background and training, he has a familiarity with most common martial arts melee weapons (Bo Staff, Tonfa, Sai..etc). He is able to use these weapons with some degree of skill, however since he rarely uses them he is not as mastered with them. However, when faced with normal opponents wielding table legs, or pool cues with little or no training, Vic would be able to defend himself. Vic has also been known to throw, toss and kick items into people and objects with a remarkable accuracy.
===== Reporter =====
Vic has had several years of experience as a television reporter both in Hub City, as well as Gotham. His main experience comes from investigative reporting, however he is familiar with the inner workings of a TV news station, and can make a decent living as a TV news anchor or field reporter as well. His typical style lends itself more to television, but if need be he could probably make the jump to print journalism as well.
===== Security =====
Vic has a working knowledge of Security systems, alarms, and locks. From his days as a street orphan, to an investigative reporter, to his masked career as the Question, Vic has learned about the various security systems that are used.
===== Sneaking-Stealth =====
Vic is familiar with all the aspects of stealthy movement and intrusion. He knows how to walk softly, to move with minimizing sound when he needs to be sneaky. He is skilled in being able to blend into the shadows when trying to shadow someone, and how to hide when the situation calls for stealth. However, Vic sometimes tends to throw caution to the wind and rely on good old fashioned gusto, witty comments, and bravado instead of surprise to put people off guard.
===== Streetwise =====
Vic grew up on the streets of Hub City, one of the roughest cities in America. He has a good feel about how life on the streets operates, and can usually figure out who he can trust, who he can't and how to get things done. He also knows how to avoid or cause trouble within the streets. Obviously he knows Hub City best of all, but each city has it's back alleys, and though the turf may change the "rules" on the street don't tend to vary often.
===== Surveillance =====
The question is one of the most observant people in the world. It is his nature to question and to look, as well as listen. He sees patterns where other people do not, he notices things others do not. It's nothing to do with the technology but it is his questioning nature and also part his paranoid mind. That person at a curb. People, normal people, can't tell you what he was wearing, let alone reading, after they look away. Question can. He'll also tell you if that person was actually watching something else. Patterns, the lack of patterns. These are what the Question needs answered and so he looks for the answers to his questions all the time.
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< Belt Buckle >---------------------------------------------------
Vic Sage wears a special belt buckle, that has a compartment for his mask, as well as a dispenser for the adhesive gas which attaches the mask to his face, and changes the color of his clothes/hair.
------------------------------------------------------< Cards >------------------------------------------------------
Not used as much anymore, but in the past the Question has used special calling cards. These chemically coated cards appear blank, but then a chemical reaction occurs and in a wisp of smoke, a question mark appears on the card.
-------------------------------------------------------< Gas >-------------------------------------------------------
This special gas (which is released from his belt buckle)chemically adheres the Question's mask to his face, as well as altering the color of his chemically-coated clothing and hair. The gas itself can be used as a smokescreen, or even a scare tactic.
------------------------------------------------------< Mask >-------------------------------------------------------
Questions mask is made of a substance called pseudoderm. When exposed to a certain gas, it has a chemical reaction with the specially created "aftershave" lotion he uses to bond to his face and conceals his features while still allowing him to see and breathe normally.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Corruption >----------------------------------------------------
Vic hates corruption. He has seen the corruption of the government first hand under Hatch and Fermin oppress the people of Hub City. He felt the oppression when growing up in the orphanage. Vic now makes it a point to expose and fight such corruption when he finds it. Before the Question was born, Vic used to use the local TV news to detail the corruption. Now, since the Question was born, he tends to take a more fists on approach in his righteous quest to end the corruption he sees in the world.
----------------------------------------------------< Curiosity >----------------------------------------------------
Curiosity killed the cat, and almost Vic a number of times. Vic has a unrelenting "need to know." He is insatiably curious, and tends to get obsessive about finding out the answers to the questions that life poses to him. It is this curiosity that first drove him as an investigative reporter, and then later on in his vigilante activities as the Question. Quite a few times, his curiosity does get the better of him, and leads him into dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations, almost leading to his death once already when he dug to far into Hatch and Fermin's ploys early on in Hub City.
-----------------------------------------------< Emotionally Driven >------------------------------------------------
Vic is very emotionally driven. When he remains calm and keeps his temper in check he can be precise in thought, and in action. He tends to think clearer and when in a fight, he fights better. However, when Vic looses his center, and he starts to get angry and emotional his abilities seems to shift. His ability to defend himself reduces, he isn't as "clear" in thought, and his 'luck' takes a turn for the worse.
--------------------------------------------------< Philosophical >--------------------------------------------------
Always filled with questions, Vic has become more philosophical about the world since his master's teachings. His Zen philosophies tend to make his viewpoints on life's questions a bit obscure at times. Also due to his teachings, Vic tends to be a very laid back individual for the most part, but when faced with any true wrongdoing or injustice Vic's hot temper does raise its head.
---------------------------------------------------< Provocative >---------------------------------------------------
Vic tends to provoke other into trying to find out the answers to their own life questions. He can be abrasive and downright offensive when he attempts to have people look at things from different viewpoints. He doesn't shy away from the tough questions when attempting to make others seek their own answers.
-------------------------------------------------< Secret Identity >-------------------------------------------------
The identity of The Question is secret. If people found out that Vic was The Question, the people he cared about, as well as himself, would be in constant danger.
----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn >-----------------------------------------------------
There are people you sometimes just have to beat some sense into. This is Vic. Vic is stubborn. Even though he has mellowed since his early days, he still tends to have a one-track mind. Once he has a idea or thought in his head, it is nigh-impossible to sway him from his course of thought or action and in the past it has taken someone to beat sense into him before he has changed his mind about something. This unwillingness to budge on his "beliefs" gives him enough confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire at times. The problem is it gives him the confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire. His stubborn streak tends to do more harm then good at times, neglecting warnings given to him by friends, and usually ending up biting off a bit more than he can chew. However one benefit from his stubborn streak is he has a great will, and is very hard to manipulate, he isn't easily tricked or duped.
}}

Question

2017-07-31T18:08:44Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=The Question
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=157
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/UwvIFcD.jpg
|FullName=Vic Sage
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Investigative Reporter / Vigilante
|Groups=[[Batman Family]]. [[Gotham]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I'm not a cop. I'm not a judge either. I'm just a guy who's got to have answers if he's to sleep at night.
|Height=6'2"
|Weight=185lbs
|Hair=Red
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=The Question is a mystery. Known to be a crimefighter, he has been seen in quite a few cities from Hub City, to Gotham, to Crown City, to Metropolis, and there have even been reports of him down in the Amazon. Faceless and curious, The Question seeks the answers.
|Abilities=
===== Charisma =====
Vic is very charismatic and has a magnetic personality. His charisma is on par with those of many actors, television personalities, and musicians. As Vic, he is charming, polite, and generally easy going tending to get along with most people, as The Question, he uses his charisma to be intimidating and threatening.
===== Fast Reflexes =====
Vic's martial art training has left him with lightning fast reflexes. Due to his training, Vic has the ability to react a touch faster than most normal humans. His reactions have helped him dodge bullets, and have played part into his continued ability to breath throughout his crime fighting career.
===== Flexibility =====
Vic is incredibly flexible. Though his course of teachings, his body has become very limber. In the course of his normal meditations it is not uncommon for Vic to be in normally uncomfortable poses, such as one leg up and behind his head, or back arched to where he is almost bent in half.
===== Hardness =====
Even though Vic has exceptional training and fast reaction time, he does tend to get hit fairly often. However, due to his physical conditioning Vic is able to take a punch (or five) and still be standing. He has also been stabbed numerous times and is able to keep on fighting. He can take a decent amount of punishment before going down, much like a professional boxer, or martial arts champion.
===== Learning Ability =====
Vic has an incredible capacity to learn new things in a short amount of time when he sets his mind to it. One could say he is almost a prodigy. Vic was able to master the Martial Arts in a year, where it takes others decades of training to accomplish. This ability has helped him not only master the martial arts, but it is also a big part in why he was able to "learn" how to be a decent detective in a relatively little amount of time.
|Skills=---------------------------------------------------< Acrobatics >----------------------------------------------------
During his training with a world renown martial artist, Vic was also trained in acrobatics and gymnastics, honing his skill to an exceptional level. He is not as gifted as others, but he would do well in Olympic competition, or in the Cirque de Sole. He can easily avoid blows, roll with punches, and is also adept and tumbling and climbing.
-----------------------------------------------------< brawler >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic, before the teachings of a world renown martial artist, was primarily a brawler. He had some Martial Arts skill, but his fights tended to end up in normal fisticuffs. While his Martial Arts skills are superior, he does on occasion resort back to a flat out brawler when the need calls for it.
-----------------------------------------------< Computer Operation >------------------------------------------------
Vic is familiar with Computers. While not the elite hacker, Vic is able to recognize most operating systems, and use a computer to a normal level. Normal computer operation such as the copy and deletion of files, as well as normal maintenance like swapping a hard drive are within his ability. He might be able to even piece a network together, but once you start talking about flashing a bios, or replacing a motherboard Vic would start to ask for assistance.
---------------------------------------------------< Criminology >---------------------------------------------------
Vic has a working knowledge of Criminology, the study of crime, criminals, their behavior and also punishment. Developed mostly during his time as an investigative reporter, he also uses it to a large degree as his alter ego, the Question. He is not as proficient with the study as Batman, but is able to figure out most common crooks behavioral patterns.
------------------------------------------------< Detective Skills >-------------------------------------------------
Relying on intuition, observation and keen reasoning Vic' ability to look at a crime scene and analyze the clues is remarkable for someone with no formal training. His natural inquisitiveness and instinct don't allow much to escape detection during an investigation, and his ability to piece the clues together to form an analysis of the clues is just shy of some of the better known masked vigilantes. Complicated or scientific clues such as DNA or blood typing would be impossible for Vic without the assistance of a lab, but he does have enough experience to capture a fingerprint properly, or handle evidence at a crime so it would not be tainted.
------------------------------------------------------< Dodge >------------------------------------------------------
Trained by one of the best Vic is an expert fighter and superb athlete. He is mobile, nimble, and agile. Vic follows the saying that the best defense to not be there for the punch to hit. Though he can roll with most any fall, throw, or punch, Vic has also learned to dodge, duck and weave to have blows miss entirely. He is not as adept as most acrobatic vigilantes, but is slightly better than some, being able to even dodge bullets if he has an inclining they are coming his way.
-----------------------------------------------------< driving >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic has a slightly higher than normal skill level in regards to land based vehicles. His skill is not at professional grade, but he can and has driven at high rates of speed when being chased (or chasing someone else). In fact, Vic used to have a VW Bug that had a Porche engine, racing shocks, and a Ferarri transmission and had the ability to go over 100 miles per hour. Vic would be able to figure out how to operate most vehicles with similar functionality. (IE Cars, Buses, Light trucks up to and possible including an eighteen wheeler.)
---------------------------------------------< Intimidation-Persuasion >---------------------------------------------
Vic is a very charismatic individual and he knows how to use it. He is able to use his charm as Vic to help persuade others to see his point of view. As The Question, Vic is able to use his charsima and presence to intimidate an bully information out of people. His skill at using his natural charisma isn't as well practiced as the likes of Superman or Batman, but he is able to use it well enough to assist in his gathering of information from the common street thugs he tends to meet.
----------------------------------------------------< Intuitive >----------------------------------------------------
Vic is exceptionally intuitive. Usually his instincts are spot on, and he is able to read people, too sense when people are speaking the truth or lying to him. This combined with his keen observation skills make him an excellent detective.
------------------------------------------------< Keenly Observent >-------------------------------------------------
Vic is keenly observant. He doesn't seem to miss much. A small bloodstain on a carpet, to something that just appears to be "out of place," Vic seems to be able to spot it. This combined with his intuition skills make him an excellent detective.
---------------------------------------------------< Lockpicking >---------------------------------------------------
Starting with his past as a street orphan, continuing through his career as an investigative reporter and up through his current 'occupation' as a masked vigilante, Vic has gained experience and knowledge with most common tumbler locks (Normal key locks as well as combination locks like on a safe), and how to successfully unlock them without the key or combination. While not as good as the elite of the professional thief world such as Catwoman, Vic's skill at successfully manipulating the tumblers on a lock would be on par with the likes of Robin or Nightwing.
--------------------------------------------------< Martial Arts >---------------------------------------------------
Vic Sage has been trained to the level of one of the foremost martial artists in the world by one of the best in the world. Even an infamous martial artist assassin has been heard to say Sage is the finest practicing martial artist in the world today. If he is not in the in the top 10, then he is most certainly in the top percentile of martial artists worldwide. He has a passing familiarity with dozens of different styles, but his most well-known style is the particular style of kung-fu taught by his master, which incorporates the techniques of the countless substyles. Vic has most clearly proven himself as a master of this style, and by adding a few elements of other arts and styles into his overall fighting style, he has become a truly magnificent hand-to-hand fighter. The Question is easily on par with most vigilantes in terms of combat ability, and perhaps would have a slight advantage over them. He possesses an excellent blend of both offensive and defensive capability. His fighting style does not possess any inherent weaknesses, but of course, he can be outfought by an opponent with superior skills, vastly superior numbers, or combatants with metahuman abilities to supplement their skills.
--------------------------------------------------< Melee Weapons >--------------------------------------------------
Due to Vic's martial arts background and training, he has a familiarity with most common martial arts melee weapons (Bo Staff, Tonfa, Sai..etc). He is able to use these weapons with some degree of skill, however since he rarely uses them he is not as mastered with them. However, when faced with normal opponents wielding table legs, or pool cues with little or no training, Vic would be able to defend himself. Vic has also been known to throw, toss and kick items into people and objects with a remarkable accuracy.
----------------------------------------------------< Reporter >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic has had several years of experience as a television reporter both in Hub City, as well as Gotham. His main experience comes from investigative reporting, however he is familiar with the inner workings of a TV news station, and can make a decent living as a TV news anchor or field reporter as well. His typical style lends itself more to television, but if need be he could probably make the jump to print journalism as well.
----------------------------------------------------< Security >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic has a working knowledge of Security systems, alarms, and locks. From his days as a street orphan, to an investigative reporter, to his masked career as the Question, Vic has learned about the various security systems that are used.
------------------------------------------------< Sneaking-Stealth >-------------------------------------------------
Vic is familiar with all the aspects of stealthy movement and intrusion. He knows how to walk softly, to move with minimizing sound when he needs to be sneaky. He is skilled in being able to blend into the shadows when trying to shadow someone, and how to hide when the situation calls for stealth. However, Vic sometimes tends to throw caution to the wind and rely on good old fashioned gusto, witty comments, and bravado instead of surprise to put people off guard.
---------------------------------------------------< Streetwise >----------------------------------------------------
Vic grew up on the streets of Hub City, one of the roughest cities in America. He has a good feel about how life on the streets operates, and can usually figure out who he can trust, who he can't and how to get things done. He also knows how to avoid or cause trouble within the streets. Obviously he knows Hub City best of all, but each city has it's back alleys, and though the turf may change the "rules" on the street don't tend to vary often.
--------------------------------------------------< Surveillance >---------------------------------------------------
The question is one of the most observant people in the world. It is his nature to question and to look, as well as listen. He sees patterns where other people do not, he notices things others do not. It's nothing to do with the technology but it is his questioning nature and also part his paranoid mind. That person at a curb. People, normal people, can't tell you what he was wearing, let alone reading, after they look away. Question can. He'll also tell you if that person was actually watching something else. Patterns, the lack of patterns. These are what the Question needs answered and so he looks for the answers to his questions all the time.
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< Belt Buckle >---------------------------------------------------
Vic Sage wears a special belt buckle, that has a compartment for his mask, as well as a dispenser for the adhesive gas which attaches the mask to his face, and changes the color of his clothes/hair.
------------------------------------------------------< Cards >------------------------------------------------------
Not used as much anymore, but in the past the Question has used special calling cards. These chemically coated cards appear blank, but then a chemical reaction occurs and in a wisp of smoke, a question mark appears on the card.
-------------------------------------------------------< Gas >-------------------------------------------------------
This special gas (which is released from his belt buckle)chemically adheres the Question's mask to his face, as well as altering the color of his chemically-coated clothing and hair. The gas itself can be used as a smokescreen, or even a scare tactic.
------------------------------------------------------< Mask >-------------------------------------------------------
Questions mask is made of a substance called pseudoderm. When exposed to a certain gas, it has a chemical reaction with the specially created "aftershave" lotion he uses to bond to his face and conceals his features while still allowing him to see and breathe normally.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Corruption >----------------------------------------------------
Vic hates corruption. He has seen the corruption of the government first hand under Hatch and Fermin oppress the people of Hub City. He felt the oppression when growing up in the orphanage. Vic now makes it a point to expose and fight such corruption when he finds it. Before the Question was born, Vic used to use the local TV news to detail the corruption. Now, since the Question was born, he tends to take a more fists on approach in his righteous quest to end the corruption he sees in the world.
----------------------------------------------------< Curiosity >----------------------------------------------------
Curiosity killed the cat, and almost Vic a number of times. Vic has a unrelenting "need to know." He is insatiably curious, and tends to get obsessive about finding out the answers to the questions that life poses to him. It is this curiosity that first drove him as an investigative reporter, and then later on in his vigilante activities as the Question. Quite a few times, his curiosity does get the better of him, and leads him into dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations, almost leading to his death once already when he dug to far into Hatch and Fermin's ploys early on in Hub City.
-----------------------------------------------< Emotionally Driven >------------------------------------------------
Vic is very emotionally driven. When he remains calm and keeps his temper in check he can be precise in thought, and in action. He tends to think clearer and when in a fight, he fights better. However, when Vic looses his center, and he starts to get angry and emotional his abilities seems to shift. His ability to defend himself reduces, he isn't as "clear" in thought, and his 'luck' takes a turn for the worse.
--------------------------------------------------< Philosophical >--------------------------------------------------
Always filled with questions, Vic has become more philosophical about the world since his master's teachings. His Zen philosophies tend to make his viewpoints on life's questions a bit obscure at times. Also due to his teachings, Vic tends to be a very laid back individual for the most part, but when faced with any true wrongdoing or injustice Vic's hot temper does raise its head.
---------------------------------------------------< Provocative >---------------------------------------------------
Vic tends to provoke other into trying to find out the answers to their own life questions. He can be abrasive and downright offensive when he attempts to have people look at things from different viewpoints. He doesn't shy away from the tough questions when attempting to make others seek their own answers.
-------------------------------------------------< Secret Identity >-------------------------------------------------
The identity of The Question is secret. If people found out that Vic was The Question, the people he cared about, as well as himself, would be in constant danger.
----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn >-----------------------------------------------------
There are people you sometimes just have to beat some sense into. This is Vic. Vic is stubborn. Even though he has mellowed since his early days, he still tends to have a one-track mind. Once he has a idea or thought in his head, it is nigh-impossible to sway him from his course of thought or action and in the past it has taken someone to beat sense into him before he has changed his mind about something. This unwillingness to budge on his "beliefs" gives him enough confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire at times. The problem is it gives him the confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire. His stubborn streak tends to do more harm then good at times, neglecting warnings given to him by friends, and usually ending up biting off a bit more than he can chew. However one benefit from his stubborn streak is he has a great will, and is very hard to manipulate, he isn't easily tricked or duped.
}}

Question

2017-07-31T18:07:38Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{CharacterNew |NameOnMUSH=The Question |Color=#333 |TextColor=#c1c1c1 |Char_id=157 |Img=http://i.imgur.com/UwvIFcD.jpg |FullName=Vic Sage |Gender=Male |Species=Human |Theme=D..."

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=The Question
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=157
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/UwvIFcD.jpg
|FullName=Vic Sage
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=DC
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Investigative Reporter / Vigilante
|Groups=[[Batman Family]]. [[Gotham]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I'm not a cop. I'm not a judge either. I'm just a guy who's got to have answers if he's to sleep at night.
|Height=6'2"
|Weight=185lbs
|Hair=Red
|Eyes=Blue
|Profile=The Question is a mystery. Known to be a crimefighter, he has been seen in quite a few cities from Hub City, to Gotham, to Crown City, to Metropolis, and there have even been reports of him down in the Amazon. Faceless and curious, The Question seeks the answers.
|Abilities=----------------------------------------------------< Charisma >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic is very charismatic and has a magnetic personality. His charisma is on par with those of many actors, television personalities, and musicians. As Vic, he is charming, polite, and generally easy going tending to get along with most people, as The Question, he uses his charisma to be intimidating and threatening.
--------------------------------------------------< Fast Reflexes >--------------------------------------------------
Vic's martial art training has left him with lightning fast reflexes. Due to his training, Vic has the ability to react a touch faster than most normal humans. His reactions have helped him dodge bullets, and have played part into his continued ability to breath throughout his crime fighting career.
---------------------------------------------------< Flexibility >---------------------------------------------------
Vic is incredibly flexible. Though his course of teachings, his body has become very limber. In the course of his normal meditations it is not uncommon for Vic to be in normally uncomfortable poses, such as one leg up and behind his head, or back arched to where he is almost bent in half.
----------------------------------------------------< Hardness >-----------------------------------------------------
Even though Vic has exceptional training and fast reaction time, he does tend to get hit fairly often. However, due to his physical conditioning Vic is able to take a punch (or five) and still be standing. He has also been stabbed numerous times and is able to keep on fighting. He can take a decent amount of punishment before going down, much like a professional boxer, or martial arts champion.
------------------------------------------------< Learning Ability >-------------------------------------------------
Vic has an incredible capacity to learn new things in a short amount of time when he sets his mind to it. One could say he is almost a prodigy. Vic was able to master the Martial Arts in a year, where it takes others decades of training to accomplish. This ability has helped him not only master the martial arts, but it is also a big part in why he was able to "learn" how to be a decent detective in a relatively little amount of time.
|Skills=---------------------------------------------------< Acrobatics >----------------------------------------------------
During his training with a world renown martial artist, Vic was also trained in acrobatics and gymnastics, honing his skill to an exceptional level. He is not as gifted as others, but he would do well in Olympic competition, or in the Cirque de Sole. He can easily avoid blows, roll with punches, and is also adept and tumbling and climbing.
-----------------------------------------------------< brawler >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic, before the teachings of a world renown martial artist, was primarily a brawler. He had some Martial Arts skill, but his fights tended to end up in normal fisticuffs. While his Martial Arts skills are superior, he does on occasion resort back to a flat out brawler when the need calls for it.
-----------------------------------------------< Computer Operation >------------------------------------------------
Vic is familiar with Computers. While not the elite hacker, Vic is able to recognize most operating systems, and use a computer to a normal level. Normal computer operation such as the copy and deletion of files, as well as normal maintenance like swapping a hard drive are within his ability. He might be able to even piece a network together, but once you start talking about flashing a bios, or replacing a motherboard Vic would start to ask for assistance.
---------------------------------------------------< Criminology >---------------------------------------------------
Vic has a working knowledge of Criminology, the study of crime, criminals, their behavior and also punishment. Developed mostly during his time as an investigative reporter, he also uses it to a large degree as his alter ego, the Question. He is not as proficient with the study as Batman, but is able to figure out most common crooks behavioral patterns.
------------------------------------------------< Detective Skills >-------------------------------------------------
Relying on intuition, observation and keen reasoning Vic' ability to look at a crime scene and analyze the clues is remarkable for someone with no formal training. His natural inquisitiveness and instinct don't allow much to escape detection during an investigation, and his ability to piece the clues together to form an analysis of the clues is just shy of some of the better known masked vigilantes. Complicated or scientific clues such as DNA or blood typing would be impossible for Vic without the assistance of a lab, but he does have enough experience to capture a fingerprint properly, or handle evidence at a crime so it would not be tainted.
------------------------------------------------------< Dodge >------------------------------------------------------
Trained by one of the best Vic is an expert fighter and superb athlete. He is mobile, nimble, and agile. Vic follows the saying that the best defense to not be there for the punch to hit. Though he can roll with most any fall, throw, or punch, Vic has also learned to dodge, duck and weave to have blows miss entirely. He is not as adept as most acrobatic vigilantes, but is slightly better than some, being able to even dodge bullets if he has an inclining they are coming his way.
-----------------------------------------------------< driving >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic has a slightly higher than normal skill level in regards to land based vehicles. His skill is not at professional grade, but he can and has driven at high rates of speed when being chased (or chasing someone else). In fact, Vic used to have a VW Bug that had a Porche engine, racing shocks, and a Ferarri transmission and had the ability to go over 100 miles per hour. Vic would be able to figure out how to operate most vehicles with similar functionality. (IE Cars, Buses, Light trucks up to and possible including an eighteen wheeler.)
---------------------------------------------< Intimidation-Persuasion >---------------------------------------------
Vic is a very charismatic individual and he knows how to use it. He is able to use his charm as Vic to help persuade others to see his point of view. As The Question, Vic is able to use his charsima and presence to intimidate an bully information out of people. His skill at using his natural charisma isn't as well practiced as the likes of Superman or Batman, but he is able to use it well enough to assist in his gathering of information from the common street thugs he tends to meet.
----------------------------------------------------< Intuitive >----------------------------------------------------
Vic is exceptionally intuitive. Usually his instincts are spot on, and he is able to read people, too sense when people are speaking the truth or lying to him. This combined with his keen observation skills make him an excellent detective.
------------------------------------------------< Keenly Observent >-------------------------------------------------
Vic is keenly observant. He doesn't seem to miss much. A small bloodstain on a carpet, to something that just appears to be "out of place," Vic seems to be able to spot it. This combined with his intuition skills make him an excellent detective.
---------------------------------------------------< Lockpicking >---------------------------------------------------
Starting with his past as a street orphan, continuing through his career as an investigative reporter and up through his current 'occupation' as a masked vigilante, Vic has gained experience and knowledge with most common tumbler locks (Normal key locks as well as combination locks like on a safe), and how to successfully unlock them without the key or combination. While not as good as the elite of the professional thief world such as Catwoman, Vic's skill at successfully manipulating the tumblers on a lock would be on par with the likes of Robin or Nightwing.
--------------------------------------------------< Martial Arts >---------------------------------------------------
Vic Sage has been trained to the level of one of the foremost martial artists in the world by one of the best in the world. Even an infamous martial artist assassin has been heard to say Sage is the finest practicing martial artist in the world today. If he is not in the in the top 10, then he is most certainly in the top percentile of martial artists worldwide. He has a passing familiarity with dozens of different styles, but his most well-known style is the particular style of kung-fu taught by his master, which incorporates the techniques of the countless substyles. Vic has most clearly proven himself as a master of this style, and by adding a few elements of other arts and styles into his overall fighting style, he has become a truly magnificent hand-to-hand fighter. The Question is easily on par with most vigilantes in terms of combat ability, and perhaps would have a slight advantage over them. He possesses an excellent blend of both offensive and defensive capability. His fighting style does not possess any inherent weaknesses, but of course, he can be outfought by an opponent with superior skills, vastly superior numbers, or combatants with metahuman abilities to supplement their skills.
--------------------------------------------------< Melee Weapons >--------------------------------------------------
Due to Vic's martial arts background and training, he has a familiarity with most common martial arts melee weapons (Bo Staff, Tonfa, Sai..etc). He is able to use these weapons with some degree of skill, however since he rarely uses them he is not as mastered with them. However, when faced with normal opponents wielding table legs, or pool cues with little or no training, Vic would be able to defend himself. Vic has also been known to throw, toss and kick items into people and objects with a remarkable accuracy.
----------------------------------------------------< Reporter >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic has had several years of experience as a television reporter both in Hub City, as well as Gotham. His main experience comes from investigative reporting, however he is familiar with the inner workings of a TV news station, and can make a decent living as a TV news anchor or field reporter as well. His typical style lends itself more to television, but if need be he could probably make the jump to print journalism as well.
----------------------------------------------------< Security >-----------------------------------------------------
Vic has a working knowledge of Security systems, alarms, and locks. From his days as a street orphan, to an investigative reporter, to his masked career as the Question, Vic has learned about the various security systems that are used.
------------------------------------------------< Sneaking-Stealth >-------------------------------------------------
Vic is familiar with all the aspects of stealthy movement and intrusion. He knows how to walk softly, to move with minimizing sound when he needs to be sneaky. He is skilled in being able to blend into the shadows when trying to shadow someone, and how to hide when the situation calls for stealth. However, Vic sometimes tends to throw caution to the wind and rely on good old fashioned gusto, witty comments, and bravado instead of surprise to put people off guard.
---------------------------------------------------< Streetwise >----------------------------------------------------
Vic grew up on the streets of Hub City, one of the roughest cities in America. He has a good feel about how life on the streets operates, and can usually figure out who he can trust, who he can't and how to get things done. He also knows how to avoid or cause trouble within the streets. Obviously he knows Hub City best of all, but each city has it's back alleys, and though the turf may change the "rules" on the street don't tend to vary often.
--------------------------------------------------< Surveillance >---------------------------------------------------
The question is one of the most observant people in the world. It is his nature to question and to look, as well as listen. He sees patterns where other people do not, he notices things others do not. It's nothing to do with the technology but it is his questioning nature and also part his paranoid mind. That person at a curb. People, normal people, can't tell you what he was wearing, let alone reading, after they look away. Question can. He'll also tell you if that person was actually watching something else. Patterns, the lack of patterns. These are what the Question needs answered and so he looks for the answers to his questions all the time.
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< Belt Buckle >---------------------------------------------------
Vic Sage wears a special belt buckle, that has a compartment for his mask, as well as a dispenser for the adhesive gas which attaches the mask to his face, and changes the color of his clothes/hair.
------------------------------------------------------< Cards >------------------------------------------------------
Not used as much anymore, but in the past the Question has used special calling cards. These chemically coated cards appear blank, but then a chemical reaction occurs and in a wisp of smoke, a question mark appears on the card.
-------------------------------------------------------< Gas >-------------------------------------------------------
This special gas (which is released from his belt buckle)chemically adheres the Question's mask to his face, as well as altering the color of his chemically-coated clothing and hair. The gas itself can be used as a smokescreen, or even a scare tactic.
------------------------------------------------------< Mask >-------------------------------------------------------
Questions mask is made of a substance called pseudoderm. When exposed to a certain gas, it has a chemical reaction with the specially created "aftershave" lotion he uses to bond to his face and conceals his features while still allowing him to see and breathe normally.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Corruption >----------------------------------------------------
Vic hates corruption. He has seen the corruption of the government first hand under Hatch and Fermin oppress the people of Hub City. He felt the oppression when growing up in the orphanage. Vic now makes it a point to expose and fight such corruption when he finds it. Before the Question was born, Vic used to use the local TV news to detail the corruption. Now, since the Question was born, he tends to take a more fists on approach in his righteous quest to end the corruption he sees in the world.
----------------------------------------------------< Curiosity >----------------------------------------------------
Curiosity killed the cat, and almost Vic a number of times. Vic has a unrelenting "need to know." He is insatiably curious, and tends to get obsessive about finding out the answers to the questions that life poses to him. It is this curiosity that first drove him as an investigative reporter, and then later on in his vigilante activities as the Question. Quite a few times, his curiosity does get the better of him, and leads him into dangerous and sometimes life threatening situations, almost leading to his death once already when he dug to far into Hatch and Fermin's ploys early on in Hub City.
-----------------------------------------------< Emotionally Driven >------------------------------------------------
Vic is very emotionally driven. When he remains calm and keeps his temper in check he can be precise in thought, and in action. He tends to think clearer and when in a fight, he fights better. However, when Vic looses his center, and he starts to get angry and emotional his abilities seems to shift. His ability to defend himself reduces, he isn't as "clear" in thought, and his 'luck' takes a turn for the worse.
--------------------------------------------------< Philosophical >--------------------------------------------------
Always filled with questions, Vic has become more philosophical about the world since his master's teachings. His Zen philosophies tend to make his viewpoints on life's questions a bit obscure at times. Also due to his teachings, Vic tends to be a very laid back individual for the most part, but when faced with any true wrongdoing or injustice Vic's hot temper does raise its head.
---------------------------------------------------< Provocative >---------------------------------------------------
Vic tends to provoke other into trying to find out the answers to their own life questions. He can be abrasive and downright offensive when he attempts to have people look at things from different viewpoints. He doesn't shy away from the tough questions when attempting to make others seek their own answers.
-------------------------------------------------< Secret Identity >-------------------------------------------------
The identity of The Question is secret. If people found out that Vic was The Question, the people he cared about, as well as himself, would be in constant danger.
----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn >-----------------------------------------------------
There are people you sometimes just have to beat some sense into. This is Vic. Vic is stubborn. Even though he has mellowed since his early days, he still tends to have a one-track mind. Once he has a idea or thought in his head, it is nigh-impossible to sway him from his course of thought or action and in the past it has taken someone to beat sense into him before he has changed his mind about something. This unwillingness to budge on his "beliefs" gives him enough confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire at times. The problem is it gives him the confidence to rush into a hail of gunfire. His stubborn streak tends to do more harm then good at times, neglecting warnings given to him by friends, and usually ending up biting off a bit more than he can chew. However one benefit from his stubborn streak is he has a great will, and is very hard to manipulate, he isn't easily tricked or duped.
}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T17:21:23Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=
===== Age =====
 
While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

===== Magic =====
 
See skills, under Magic.

===== Soulgaze =====
 
When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

===== Third Eye =====
 
Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.

|Skills=

===== Investigation =====
 

Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

===== Magic =====
 

As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).

|Resources=

===== .357 Magnum =====
 

Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

===== Blasting rod =====
 

A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

===== Blue Beetle =====
 

Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

===== Bob =====
 

Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

===== Cane sword =====
 

Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

===== Chalk =====
 

Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

===== Enchanted duster =====
 

One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

===== Energy-storing ring =====
 

A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

===== Shield bracelet =====
 

A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

===== Silver pentacle pendant =====
 

A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.

===== Staff =====
 

A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.

|Weaknesses=

===== Chivalrous =====
 
Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

===== Guilt Complex =====
 

Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

===== Human =====
 

While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

===== Laws of nature =====
 

His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

===== Limited Power =====
 

Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

===== No Finesse =====
 

Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

===== Stubborn =====
 

Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

===== Technological Pariah =====
 

Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

===== Wiseass =====
 

He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.

}}

1666/Follow up with the Goblin.

2017-07-31T17:06:18Z

Alamias:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/26
|Location=Harry's Office
|Synopsis=Goblin Girl shows up for an update about the drug she dropped off, and calls in some backup.
|Cast of Characters=36, 174, 219, 160
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' It is wednesday, and Sarah has an appointment. She stops in an alley a couple of blocks away and changes her motorcycle and costume over to those of Goblin Girl. She checks the alley for cameras and peepers before starting the change and checks again with her auric scanner after. Once reasonably sure she has not een spied on, she dricers ofer to Dresden's office, knocks, and walks in. She says, "It is Wednesday, so what do you have for me?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry is just coming out of the back room as GG makes her appearance in his office, his eyes shifting over to her as he walks into the office proper. "Short story? We're screwed." Except he doesn't use the word screwed. "Long story is, from what I had been able to deduce, is that we have someone out there who bound an elder demon, is taking it's blood, and turning that blood into a drug. That drug in turn is turning others into lesser demons, and if my theory is correct he who controls the blood, controls them all. Basically put, the 'Hollow Man' as people have been calling him has been turning people into demons that he controls, in unknown numbers." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl says, "Presumably using the principle of contagion to induce the transformation and the principle of similarity for the binding...meaning as long as the people remain transformed they are bound by the same spell that binds the elder demon with relatively little additional input." Sarah is brilliant at research, she may not be a practiciung Wizard or the like, but she has learned a few things. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden arches a brow at Goblin-girl. "Uh...yeah. Pretty much." Harry shakes his head and walks over to his desk, leaning his butt against the edge and crossing his arms over his chest. "Basically, if I am right, we need to banish the elder demon back to the underworld and that should free those that are transformed and under the binding spell. But in order to do that, we need to track the demon...which I might be able to do since I have it's blood, fight through any sub-minions that happen to be where the demon is being bound, fight the guy, or girl, who had bound the demon without getting our ass kicked. Unbind the demon, then kick ITS ass...etcetera, etcetera. So, as I said, we are screwed." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl notes, "I would not wear this costume if I were not pretty good at kicking tail. I will help whenever you are ready...and may be able to invite some friends." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Well far be it for me to refuse the offer of help. I plan on calling in all the markers I can on this one." says Harry with s smirk. "I may even have to get the Bat involved, loathe as I am to do it. The last thing I want to do is stroke that guy's ego." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl says, "As far as it goes, there are a lor of heroes out there who might object to someone using a drug to turn people into demons. The questin may be which ones could acually be helpful." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden nods, "Oh, I am sure there are. But the Bat is the only one I know that tends to be a pain in my ass, or the one that tends to show up in my life. Knowing my luck, he will just show up during this whole thing." He sighs, "And then there is the GCPD. I know Renee isn't going to let this go, nor is Murphy. It's going to be hairy. Maybe I can reach out to Strange." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah says, "I am pretty sure there may be some other magical types you could contact...but you are more likely to have ways of doing so than I do." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Likely. But if anyone has the most contacts it would be Strange. I will have to see if I can't get a hold of him. He isn't exactly the easiest person to reach." Harry says with a shrug. "You get your crew together, i'll get mine and we will see if we can't get a meeting of the minds. Or at least draw up a gameplan." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-Girl says, "I will try." She is not exactly a social butterfly, but she might contact Angel, he might be able to contact a few others. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden nods. "Here." says Harry as he reaches for something on his desk. He picks up a pen and scribbles something on the back of a business card. "My home number, in case you need to get a hold of me to arrange a meeting or anything." He offers the card out to GG, "We shouldn't take too long trying to put this to bed. The longer we take, the more powerful this guy is going to get." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-Girl says, "Let me step outside a moment and call someone. He is a vampire, but a goog guy. He is called Angel. If that is OK with you?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden arches his brow and narrows his eyes. "I haven't exactly had the best of luck with vampires." says Harry with a cold tone to his voice. He thinks for a moment, and then sighs. "I suppose. I can always turn him to ash if he gets uppity." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah steps outside the office so she can make a call with her cell phone, "Hello, Angel? Yes, it is Sarah, I am at Harry Dresden's place. Do you think you might stop by to consult on a case?" 

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''     "Hi! Sarah...right. I gave you my card...sure, I think I can do that. Text me the address, and I will head there as soon as I can. " 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah sends Angel the address...angel probasbly still does not know how to look it up on his phone. How long he takes to arrive will depend on how he travels. 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-Girl steps inside and says, "Angel is on his way. Hopefully it will not take long." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden leans back against his desk and sighs, muttering a word and waving his hands towards the front door to deactivate his wards...just in case. "As long as he doesn't try to eat me or any of my friends, we should be cool. If he makes a move, though. All bets are off." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' "I have never seen him try to eat anyone, he seems to be about the nicest Vampire you could hope to meet," Replies Goblin-girl. Of course, he has not net her in this getup...but he does know about Sarah's powers... 

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''     The sound of a older model car arriving outside, then a knock on the door announces Angel's arrival. Waiting patiently outside, Angel waits to be allowed inside. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Giving Goblin-girl a look for a moment, Harry sighs and looks to the door of his office as there is a knock. "Come in." says the wizard, as he leans against his desk, facing the door with his arms crossed over his chest. He looks a little tense, but trying to look relaxed. 

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''     Opening the door, Angel moves inside catiously, his eyes scanning every inch of the room. "Sarah?" Angel asks quietly, making sure he has the right place. Finally, his eyes find Harry, and he blinks. "I'm Angel." Angel waves over his shoulder, and says, "This is Fred. What can we do to help?" 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah is dressed funny, in a padded costume with a green scale pattern on the body suit, with a goblin masked helmet, and a purple long vest, gloves, boots, and hat. Her eyes on the mask are yellow (but not currently glowing). Still, Angel's vampire senses tell him it IS Sarah Osborn, no matter how she is dressed. Her scent is unmistakable as is the sound of her heartbeat. She says, "Come in Angel, and nice to see you Winifred, it has been a long time." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden glances between Angel and GG, then back to the vampire. "Harry Dresden." he says as he looks at Angel, taking a deep breath and deciding to give the vampire the benefit of the doubt as he walks forward to offer his hand. "Thank you for coming. Goblin-girl over here says you might be able to help us with something we have encountered, it's not pretty." He looks over to Fred, and nods to her with a small smile. "I guess I will just come out and say it. We have someone who has bound an elder demon, has been syphoning and using it's blood to make a drug, which in turn has been turning the users into minor demons under control of the elder, whom is under control of whomever bound it. Fun huh!" 

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''     "Nice to see you again Sarah." Angel nods towards her, and notes that it is her. Angel then adds cautiously. "Harry. Dresden," Something about that sounds familiar. After a few seconds though, he shrugs and nods.     Angel peers at Harry carefully, sensing something...and accepts the welcome. When Harry explains why they are here, Angel says, "Now that sounds...interesting. I know that Fred has some things she would like you to help her with as well, so quid pro quo." Angel adds, "An elder demon. Forces no one should play with." 

:'''{{#var:160|Winifred Burkle (160)}} has posed:''' From behind Angel's shoulder is a slim waif of a girl. It was hard - if not impossible to see her behind the tall and imposing figure of the vampire in front of her. When she heard that Angel had a call involving the very Wizard she wanted to contact about a certain case, she all but insisted that she come along. Not that it really was much insisting rather than just asking Angel if she could. The brunette physicist clutches at her hands in front of her, nodding in greeting to both Sarah and Harry. Her mouth opens to start to ask about the quo to Angel's quid when Harry tells them that someone has been bound to an elder demon. Blinking a few times, she closes her mouth and listens. Despite her desperation in the moment, she looks between Sarah and Harry. For now folding her arms instead of holding her hands in front of her, as if physically trying to hold her own request inside. 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl states, "I have seen this stuff in action. It apparently works like a normal addictve drug at first, but after a few hits it transforms you physically. Men get striong and armored, wemen less strong but really fast and agile. I say 5 victims, but they mentioned there were more somewhere else."" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden arches a brow at Angel when he mentions Fred wanting to talk to him, and the taller than Angel man peers to where Fred is hiding, giving her a bit of a wave. "Miss. I'll talk to you in a moment, ok?" He looks back to Angel and nods, "Yeah, no shit. Nobody should be playing with demons at all, but an elder is about 10 times worse. And this guy has it bound. That means some scary amounts of power to be tossing around. Just be glad you didn't see the binding site, it wasn't pretty." Harry's face turns a bit green as he flashes back to that image, his wizards sight not letting him forget. 

:'''{{#var:219|Angel (219)}} has posed:'''     Angel nods, and crosses his arms across his chest. "I'm impressed Harry. You know your stuff." Angel does look impressed. He turns to look at Sarah, and nods, saying, "Interesting Sarah. Sounds like a darkness we need to take out." Turning back to Harry, Angel says, "I bet it wasn't pretty. Huh. Well, we will help in any way we can."     Angel looks back and Fred, and says, "If we can get their help for the other problem we talked about, great. And in return, maybe we can help them out?" Angel nods, and steps back. "Anything I can do, let me know. I'll let you guys talk, and we can go from there. Fred has my utmost confidence." 

:'''{{#var:160|Winifred Burkle (160)}} has posed:''' Stepping out from behind Angel a bit, Fred nods to Harry and listens to the explanation from Sarah. "Oh sure," she replies to Harry, waving one hand as she does it. "I get it. Elder Gods are bad news. One day you've got on guy going 'C'thulhu Fhtagn' and the next it's a whole mess of people in wet robes out int he ocean trying to get him back from R'lyeh. Not anything anybody properly wants except them, 'course." She hears about what's been done to four or five people and when Angel says they can help if Harry helps them, she nods. "'Course. If you can help, that'd be...I'd be grateful. If you can't, though, I'm not about to let some cultist run about out of spite." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah notes, "Cultist may be the wront tem, from the sounds of it the summoner is in charge...in a cult it is usually the other way around." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' After giving Angel a 'Of course I know my stuff...hello, Wizard' look, Harry can't help but chuckle a bit at Fred. "Hell's bells! Elder demon, not Elder god. If this was an Elder god, I would just be bending over and kissing my ass goodbye without even trying to think of a strategy to defeat it. From what I can it is what GG said, one guy with a bunch of power. Stop him, stop the demon, save the city? World? How did that line go in that show?" He shrugs, "As far as helping you, what do you need?" A woman in trouble? This is Dresden, he can't say no. He just isn't wired that way. 

:'''{{#var:160|Winifred Burkle (160)}} has posed:''' "Oh!" Fred blinks a few times. "Demon, right, not God. And a summoner, not a cult." It's possible that she is distracted by her own reasons for being here. "That's a lot better, yeah. Though, probably still a lot of robes and chanting. Do you guys need us to help track 'em down?" She assumes that with a full blown Wizard the pair don't need the mystical help. Though, it's certainly possible. A glance is, again, given between the two in an attempt to figure out how she and Angel can help them. As for why she's here, her hands return to wringing in front of her. "I need your help tracking someone down. I've got Angel, and it's not that Angel isn't amazing at what he does, but I think we need all the help we can get. I saw your ad and thought, well, magic sounds like a good place to find some of that. Help, that is." She takes a breath, since that was a bit of a mouthful. She looks up to Harry, not exactly pleading, but certainly looking like a woman desperate for solutions. "Anyway, I need to find him. He was kidnapped by an assassin with a metal arm. I know he's in trouble and he needs help." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah might be able to help, but right now se is not being asked, she does say, "I could probably find some relevant files on assassins with metal arms...was that an EXTRA arm or a replacement arm?" There is Sidearm for instance...who has extra arms, then there are others with one are replaced. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "I'll use whatever help I can get. I don't know if I can handle tackling this summoner, and elder demon, and any lesser demons that may be around all by myself. I'm good, but I am not that good. I'm hoping to be able to track the demon by the blood sample I have, but if that doesn't work I might have to move to other options." He rolls a shoulder, before looking to Fred as she talks about the other issue. "Assassin. Metal Arm? Huh." Why does that sound familiar to him? Didn't Karrin mention someone like that to him? Maybe, he will have to ask her. "Yeah, of course. If you have something of his like hair, blood, or finger nail clippings, that will be the best way to locate him. Otherwise, an item of his that he is close to may work, or the blood of a relative if they are close." 

:'''{{#var:160|Winifred Burkle (160)}} has posed:''' "We could certainly help with that. Done more'n our fair share of hunting down and stopping creatures that are preying on folks. Helping the helpless and all." It's even on their cards! Fred's hands again cross instead of wringing, realizing it's not doing much for her 'ability to help image'. "If we get a starting point, we can figure that out...though first I gotta find Sam." Hunting down demons is beneficial to everyone, but she has a priority at the moment. "That would be great," Fred tells Sarah, eyes switching to her as she does so. "It's a replacement arm, I think. I actually never asked if it was an additional arm, though I woulda thought someone woulda mentioned it if he had three arms. 'Course, it's possible I just didn't ask the right questions. Sometimes I forget to ask about those details." Harry's willingness to help and seeming easy answer is met with a look of absolute and utter hope and relief. "I can get you something like that. I've been trying to get in touch with his brother. Would a brother's blood work? If not, I'm sure I could find some hair. And I've also got something of his he carried around for years. Would that work if I can't get any of the others?" 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Goblin-girl comments, "I offered to pay Harry for his help, but he had another client already on the Demon case. He does need to get money coming in though, he has expenses like this office and is car repairs to deal with." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Familial blood could work. I know I have done it from mother to daughter, so siblings should have the same properties. I won't know for sure until I try...but yes, if that doesn't work something he carried around would likely be a good secondary option." says Harry with a nod as he thinks about it. He looks over to G kind of quizzically, "While I appreciate the sentiment, I can manage my own accounts payable." He smiles, "I'm sure Ms. Burke and I can come to an agreeable arrangement, though I believe that Mister...Angel..." he shrugs, "...covered that in the guid pro quo offer. They are going to help with the demon, I help with the tracking." 

:'''{{#var:160|Winifred Burkle (160)}} has posed:''' Fred blinks a few times at Sarah as she brings up the payment, cheeks blushing just a little. "Oh! 'Course. I thought Angel said it was all exchange. I've got some money saved away, Mr. Dresden, I'd be glad to pay whatever you want if I've got it. Otherwise I'll pay you back over time either with helping or with more money as I get it." After a moment, she adds as if hoping to assure him this is worth his while, "Sam's a Hunter and he's smart, he'd be able to help track and stop these demons once we find him." When she hears that both blood and the lockpicks will hopefully be sufficient, she exhales a bit, relieved. It would have crushed her to realize she found someone to help, but didn't have the right ingredients for him to actually do it. "Thank you, Mr. Dresden. Thank you so much." She beams from Harry to Sarah. "We'll be real helpful, too. Promise." As if not wanting to spoil that, she starts to pull Angel out the door, handing out the Angel Investigations card with her own phone number on it to both Sarah and Harry as she does so. "Thank you both. Call us soon as you need." 

:'''{{#var:36|Goblin-Girl (36)}} has posed:''' Sarah pens a number on the card fred giver Harry, "This is a pre-paid cell phone, not sure you will be able to call me, but if you can this is the number to reach me." She knows Harry has a magical problem with technology...though she is uncertain of the particulars. 
}}

1661/Information Overload

2017-07-31T17:05:10Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/26 |Location=Harrys Office |Synopsis=Harry does research into a drug that has hit the street, and finds some disturbing news |Cast of Chara..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/26
|Location=Harrys Office
|Synopsis=Harry does research into a drug that has hit the street, and finds some disturbing news
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' What time is it? Harry had no idea. The sun could still be up or have set hours ago, but Harry has been in the back lab of his office for hours now doing research and talking to Bob. There is a sign on the front door of the office that says 'closed' to keep him from being disturbed by random clients, even though he hates the possibility of driving away any source of income...but sometimes you just need privacy. Like when you are dealing with the type of things Harry is dealing with right now in his lab. Things like depleted uranium for one. Try explaining that to someone, if they even could tell what it is. "Bob, once again. Are you sure that this is going to work? I don't like wasting this stuff. It's hard to get and expensive as hell." "Oh Harry, you care too much about the little things like cost. It should work. I'm 99% sure it will have a reaction. 90% sure it will not explode and about 50% sure it will actually do what you want." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Of course, Karrin has never cared about the signs on his door, and she's pretty much complicit in everything he's DOING in his office right now. So, without knocking, the short blonde steps in using her key. She is careful to be certain no one was over her shoulder, just in case he was in the front room. Or perhaps because she's still not shaken that paranoia since her time with Two-Face. But, he's not in the front office. So, the blonde moves back, actually knocking once there before pushing the door open unbeckoned. She's got one hand full of a tray of something that smells like coffee and horrible for you donuts. "You have missed lunch and dinner, so I brought you health food to carry on." Karrin deadpans, closer and closer to her old self every day, but it's been a rough go. She's still also not actually spoken to anyone about what happened. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry has been so involved in his experiments and speaking to Bob, that he doesn't even hear the door open, or knock on the door. It isn't until Karrin speaks that his concentration in broken and he starts, jumping and letting out a "GAAH!" as he turns to face her. "Hell's bells! Karrin, you just about gave me a heart attack." Harry exclaims with a shake of his head as he glance to her, "But you bring ambrosia, so all is forgiven. Gimmie." Harry moves forward with his hand out making a grasping motion as he moves towards the coffee, leaning down to offer a kiss to Karrin when he is in range. "You are a goddess, Murph. Don't anyone tell you anything different." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slight arch comes to her brow as he protests that she almost gave him a heart attack, "Really? Me? If your heart hasn't given out yet, Harry, I don't even know if that's possible." And she's happy for it. She then steps closer, leaning up and into that kiss, letting it linger just a bit longer than is probably proper but her give-a-damns have long ago gone out the door. She then hands over the coffee and leans her hip against the back table, blue eyes surveying the work beneath him. "...so, what's the progress for you hermiting yourself a dozen hours in this moldy place, hm? You surely have...Something? Or has Bob been distracting you with his lacking taste in erotica?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh, it's threatened to more than once." says Harry after the kiss, picking up one of the coffee cups from the tray and lifting it to his lips for a sip making a happy little noise of contentment. "But so far i've been to stubborn to actually let it stop on me. Go me." He grins, taking another sip from the coffee as he makes his way back over to the work table. "So far, the progress has been slow. I've managed to take the sample that I got from Goblin-girl and narrow it down to what I think is, I shit you not, demon blood...mixed with an addictive substance like heroin. I was just about to try and see if I could separate out the base components. Bob has been remarkably helpful in not allowing me to blow myself up yet." "I do my best, boss." The skull shifts on the table to look towards Karrin. " Hello, Hot stuff." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You know, if you keep that up, Bob, I *will* muzzle you." Karrin mutters in the skull's direction, her voice a teasing bit of a growl, but she's actually somewhat gotten used to the strange knowledge spirit. He's just a part of what is weirdly beginning to feel like home. So, with that threat levied, she takes her own coffee and comes up behind Harry to look over the things on the table a bit deeper. Half curious, half worried about what she might see there. Especially as he mentions demon blood. But, apparently, this isn't any completely vicious blood magic he has to do. He just has... "...Harry...what is *that*?" She points at the Uranium, a brow arching as high up her forehead as it can go, "And how does it help you figure out the thing we need to know? I mean, don't stop. Keep it up. I'm here to help, but... how the HELL did you get that?" Yes, she actually has suspicious of what it is already. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Promises, promises" the skull says to Karrin, turning back to look at the items on the table, "But only if you promise to wear leather." Harry thwaps the skull with the butt of a pencil and groans. "Shut up, Bob." Harry takes another sip of the coffee and turns to stare at the table in front of him, "Depleted uranium." he says nonchalantly. "If this works as intended, it will weigh down the properties of the demon's blood and separate it out so I can get a cleaner sample than the one that has the drugs added. If not." He shrugs. "As far as where I got it, you don't want to know...I love yoooou." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You're pushing it, mister." Karrin grumbles to Bob, but she seems content made by the defense of her honor with a pencil butt. She shakes her head slowly and looks back up to Dresden, knowing the spell before them is actually rather more important than disciplining the skull. A slow breath out through her nose as she gazes between the depleted uranium, Dresden, and the Uranium again. "You are so lucky you're pretty." She mutters beneath her breath, arms folding over her neat chest and a touch of impatience crossing her features. While she accepts all of this, it doesn't mean she has to be comfortable about it. "... Alright, well...go on. Don't mind me. I'm not going anywhere but I won't stop you. Just...do it." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Aren't I though?" says Harry with a chuckle as he looks down at the items on the table. "You might want to stand back a bit...just in case." He glances over to Karrin and gives her a soft little reassuring smile. He turns back to the table and takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he centers himself, focusing on his task. Taking a pinch of the uranium dust, Harry moves his hand over the vial of blood and closes his eyes, chanting something in feaux-latin as he sprinkles the dust over the vial. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Just in case. You're really reassuring, Dresden, you know that?" Murphy deadpans, but she does carefully take a few steps back, leaning against the far chair instead of the table he's working on. She keeps her arms folded across her chest and tries to look casual, even as she can feel her breath starting to shallow just a bit and her pulse rate ticking up. Just breathe through it, Karrin. There is NOTHING to fear here -- other than uranium blowing up. Right? It's fine. SHe's still far more jumpy than she used to be and that is hard. So, she keeps forcibly controlling her own breathing as she watches him finish the working. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' When the dust is done falling, Harry places his hand over the vial and speaks one final word. There is a rush of energy in the room while a soft glowing light emanating from the vial under his hand. Harry takes a deep breath and opens his eyes, looking at the back of his hand. "Well, here goes nothing." Harry removes his hand from the vial, and the liquid inside has separated into two, much like if dressing sits out two long. He grins, exclaiming "BOOYAA! Who's the man? I'm the man! Karrin, can you hand me the vials behind you? And the syringe?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's taking all her meditation to keep her own pulse calm, but Karrin is doing it. She hasn't trained in martial arts for years to not know her own body. Still, she jumps a bit too much as he screams booyah, her eyes going too wide. It's just a momentary slip and then she shakes it off, breathing out unsteadily, "Damn, Dresden... talk about heart attacks. Yes, fine... fine..." She mutters beneath her breath. Then she's turning back, hands mostly steady as she gathers both of the vials requested and then the syringe. She's careful not to drop a thing, but actually does take some concentration and focus. "Here... and just what did you plan to do if I *wasn't* here, hmm?" She asks with a smirk and a pointed look. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden glances at Karrin and opens his mouth, then closes it again. "Hrm." He lifts his shoulder in a shrug and smiles, "I probably would have gotten off my ass and gotten them myself? You being there was just helpful." He grins, taking the offered items from Karrin and going to work separating the blood from the drug. "I can't tell you how much this all reminds me of Victor Sells, Karrin. The 'new drug' the demonic summonings, the 'Hollow man" shit. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was him...but I watch him die." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You are so lucky you are holding something that is highly dangerous, Dresden, or I'd have the perfect kidney punch on you right now. Smart ass." Karrin grumbles, but she's finally brought the things over and set them down next to him. She now lingers and leans just a bit closer, since the most dangerous part of the work seems to be over, and while she's been off duty she has done all she can to actually learn about the ways he works. It's given her something to keep her mind occupied doing. Blue eyes narrow on his motions, tracking the blood as it is syringed into those vials. Her lips set in a quiet, unhappy line as she considers it all. "I... remember that. And just because it's not him doesn't mean someone didn't get his notes, or copy cat... or... hell, a demon brought him back from the dead? Can they do that? Please tell me they can't do that..." Karrin murmurs flatly. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Stranger things have happened. I don't know about a demon bringing him back, but he certainly could have been made into a ghost." says Harry with a sigh. "I know that isn't the type of news you wanted to hear, but I told you I would never lie to you again." He leans back to look at her, "The summoning we found wasn't a demon doing something to someone, it was someone doing something to a demon. So, whomever is doing this called up some big nasty for a purpose, and I /think/ I figured it out. God help us if I am right." He looks back the the vials on the table, "Bob. Run an analysis on the blood. Please tell me I am wrong." The eye sockets int he skull light up and wash over the vial, "No can do, Harry. You're right. It IS demon blood. A pretty powerful one too." Harry crosses his arms over his chest, "Fuck." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "What. Harry? What?" Karrin has a thousand other questions, including about the ghost, but none of that matters right now. Right now, the fact that Harry looks half sick and is cursing is what matters. She looks between him and Bob, her blue eyes now fierce with the panic of someone who has no clue what is going on and really doesn't like it. "So help me god, if one of you doesn't explain what that look on your face is right now... WHat is going on?" She demands. And then she actually shuts up so she can give them time to actually explain. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden takes in a deep breath and sighs, looking over to Karrin. "Long story short? Looks like someone is spiking demon blood and selling it as a drug. And it isn't a pansy ass demon either." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slow breath is released and Karrin drags her hand across her face, trying to page through the possibilities that her non-practioner mind knows. "...So...one, this is still a drug. It's addictive and getting onto the streets. That's bad no matter what. But... two... well, explain to me how bad the demon part of this could make it? Could this demon be summoned by his blood? Possess the people who have injested it? What makes this so much worse? Because I know it's so much worse..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden taps his pencil on the desk as he stares at the vial. "Yes, it is a drug. The is what this part is here." he motions to the clear liquid in the vial with his pencil. "This part is the demon blood." he motions to the black viscous fluid in the vial. "I think the summoning we found, where the..." he swallows "...sacrifice was made called forth an elder demon, and whoever is doing this...Hollow Man, has the demon bound and is taking its blood. Using it to make the drug." "If the demon escapes its binding, we're fucked. If the Hollow Man sends the demon after us, we're fucked. So if and when we find this guy, we need to be extremely careful. As far as the drug, from what I have been told by you and Goblin-girl....don't ask...the drug has some transformative properties. It is turning folks into lesser demons, and if they all have a blood connection, that means the guy who controls the blood...well. He controls them all." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Silence lingers for far too long, Karrin piecing through everything he's told her, time and again, looking for a hole. But there is no hole. They are fucked, completely fucked. She has to acknowledge that. The blonde slowly takes a deep breath in through her nose, shaking her head quietly, "...it's never easy, is it? It's never going to get better..." She mutters that beneath her breath, as much to herself as him. How long have they been defending and protecting this city? What progress have they made? It's just another heartbeat or two of despair she allows herself before gently picking herself up from leaning there and giving him a faint smile, "...well then... I guess you should tell Montoya and earn your consultant pay. I'm not allowed anywhere near this case, remember? Then...we start preparing defenses. What else can we do? Can we... neutralize it somehow?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "We do what we always do when we face insurmountable odds and certain death, Murph." says Harry, flashing a small smile. "We hike up our boots, gird our loins, and go kick it's ass." He looks back to the vial, "I'll let Renee know, sure. I'll also let this Goblin-girl know. Maybe we can get some backup on this that we don't know about yet. We've been in situations like this before, Karrin. We will get through this." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "We will. I just... " Karrin pauses, looking down a moment, not wanting to utter her doubts. To say it out loud might mean she's not doing just fine, as she keeps saying. She just stares at the floor a few heartbeats, lost somewhere else, before she shakes it off and drags one hand down her face once more. "Never mind. We've got this." She gives him one of those smiles once again. She's good at that smile. The everything is fine smile. "...I'll go home and start some actual dinner. You talk to Renee and anyone else, then come home. Maybe we get some sleep tonight before we actually start kicking something's ass?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden is quiet for a moment as he watches Karrin, before he reaches his hand up to cup her chin in his palm, lifting her eyes to his. "Karrin. It's ok to be scared. Hell's bells, i'm terrified. But we will get through this. Hell, I've just managed to break you own enough to date me, I am not going to give that up so soon..." he says with a wink. "I'll go down to the GCPD and see if I can't catch her. It shouldn't take me long, then we can go home and forget about this for the evening. Tomorrow, I'll see what markers I have to call in." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde allows her chin to be caught. She looks up, staring him in the eye without fear now. They've seen each other before, and will again, straight to each other's souls. There is nothing else that needs hidden. Karrin takes in a deep breath, giving the slightest of nods before she turns her head and presses a quiet kiss to the inside of his hand. "... I love you. We will get through this." She whispers quietly. That was the mantra she had to remember. It was what mattered. Then, after leaning up for the most gentle, brief, but earnest proper kisses possible, she pulls back and moves for the door. "I'll see you in an hour. Just one hour. Dinner will be hot. Don't be late or I'll kick your ass, Dresden, and feed your dinner to Mouse." She gives him one little wink and then moves for the door and out. 
}}

1515/Body of an angel..

2017-07-31T17:03:52Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/17 |Location=Harry's Office |Synopsis=Harry meets an Angel, but he doesn't know that. |Cast of Characters=1185, 174 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/17
|Location=Harry's Office
|Synopsis=Harry meets an Angel, but he doesn't know that.
|Cast of Characters=1185, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Living in Hell's Kitchen isn't good for much. But it does make one appreciate New York City when comparing it to Gotham. Angela carefully walks along the sidewalk, knowing precisely where she is going as she glances back and forth. Once she arrives at the office building, she opens the door, pausing a moment at the open doorway before stepping inside, her eyes darting around with curiosity. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Be with you in a minute!" comes a voice from the back hallway. There is a clutter of noise, then a muttering of voices and a few moments later one Harry Dresden makes his way from the back hall glancing in the direction of his guest. "Hi there. I wasn't expecting anyone at the office today and was working on something in the back room. Please, take a seat." HArry motions to the chair that is opposite the desk, and moves around to the other side to flop back into his own chair, "I'm Harry Dresden, how may I help you?" 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela arches a brow, "Well, I wouldn't want to interrupt your potion brewing..." She smiles a little, then takes a seat, steepling her fingers, "Sorry, you don't see many people being perfectly open with 'Wizard for Hire' in the Yellow Pages. Even in Gotham City."     She hmms, "But, well, I guess my question for you is one of general information, if that's something you'd feel comfortable answering. I had a bit of a strange encounter last evening." Her head tilts a bit, and she smiles a little. It's pretty infectious, as she ohs, "Oh, Angela Davis. I should have started with that, I suppose." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry lets out a little chuckle, "They need to simmer anyway. I've got some time for a chat before I have to get back to them." He shrugs his shoulder, the remnants of the chuckle staying on his face as a small smile, "As far as I know I am the only one that actually advertises. I mean, I heard that John Constantine has one of those web page things, but I have never had anyone check." He leans back in his chair, his smile faltering ever so slightly as thoughts of fifty dollars a day plus expenses fly from his thoughts, folding his arms over his chest He looks towards Angela and nods with a small sigh, "Nice to meet you Ms. Davis. I'll answer what I can, sure." 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela catches the look, and smiles wryly, "Oh, believe me Mister Dresden, I'm not intending to waste your time without compensation. As one independent operator to another, though I focus more on blacksmithing." She gives him a wry expression, "I saw someone give a... curse, I suppose you could call it, to another individual. Not to say that the man in question didn't deserve it, but I just want to rest assured that there's nothing more insidious going on with the person in question." She sounds remarkably serious, not kidding around with that at all. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden arches his brow, leaning forward in his chair as he places his elbows on the desk, steepling his fingers in front of him as he looks over Angela. "A curse you say? How do you know it was a curse? What kind of curse? Curses themselves can range in potency and severity, but if someone is tossing them out at all that is serious enough to merit some investigation." 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela hmms, "Well, she wadded up a little piece of paper and threw it at the boy in question. The next thing you know, he drops a replica sword I crafted for him that he paid for, and it bounces into the street and is run over by a passing van." She smirks, "As I said, considering what he did to get the money, I'm not saying he didn't have it coming. Frankly she did a kindness compared to what I was thinking, but I digress."     Angela leans forward a bit, "Magic doesn't bother me, Mister Dresden, but magic is like a sword. It stands for justice if justly used, if that makes sense." Her lips quirk a bit, "I just want to make sure that is the case here, more than anything else." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden listens as Angela speaks, a quizzical look on his face as she explains the details of the situation. "So someone, a she, wadded up paper and tossed it causing a boy to drop a sword? Do I have that right?" He reaches up and rubs at his chin, "I can't say that I am familiar with what type of curses that could be, but in the grand scheme of things that seems more like a prank than something dastardly. But, if this person has that type of power, it could certainly be used for something more sinister." He reaches over and grabs a pad of paper and a pen, "Do you have any other details? Something I might be able to go on to find this girl or boy? And what was it the boy did to justify this in your eyes?" 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela rolls her eyes a bit, "To pay me, the boy basically cheated his girlfriend out of money that they promised to vacation together." She frowns, "She did claim to be a police officer, Gotham City, though I didn't get a name from her. Just the badge. But there was..." She trails off, then looks wryly at Harry, before just saying it, "When the paper hit him, his aura seemed to be infected with something, some kind of misfortune. And right after that, he dropped the sword and it bounced into traffic." She decides not to be coy since, well, Harry IS a wizard. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry studies the woman before him for a moment, narrowing his eyes. "His aura. You have some semblance of the gift yourself then, I take it?" he asks as he crosses his arms over his chest again. "If this person can manipulate someone's fortune then she could really cause some serious harm if she intends to use it with more malice than just dropping something. If she puts intent into it, it could end up an entropy curse, and having been on the end of one of those before it is not something I wish on anyone." 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela gets a wry look on her face, "I'm no wizard or anything like it. But I have some talents I've picked up over the years." She smiles a bit towards Harry, "Let's just say that my boss thinks very highly of you. If this was regarding official business, I'd just go through channels. But this is just something very minor that I wish confirmed, as far as her intent is concerned." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It always seems that for every answer Harry manages to get in life, it just comes with more questions. "Your boss? Proper channels? Who is your boss? What, is this some type of recruitment test or something?" Harry sighs, lifting a hand to rub at the bridge of his nose while he takes a deep breath. "In any case, I am going to need to know more information before I can look into this. You don't happen to have a name? Or baring that some blood? Fingernail? Hair? Something I can use to track this person down at all?" 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela rubs her head, "Not /yet/, no... she does claim to be on the Gotham City police department, and she speaks fluent Cantonese." Her eyes flicker over towards Harry, and she shakes her head, "I'm not trying to recruit you. Hire you for this, perhaps, but that's another story." She starts sounding a bit testy, "This isn't something my superiors want done, and she's not an infernalist or anything like that. I just want..." She sighs and slumps back in her chair, "I just don't want her to be something bad. Something I can't see."     Angela then looks at Dresden, "If you want to know who I am, you have to keep it a secret. If you can swear to that, I'll tell you." And so it goes, the woman gazing intently towards Harry. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden hrms, leaning back into his chair as he rubs at his chin. "Ok, then, I guess I will have to try and track her down the old fashioned way." He writes a few notes on the pad of paper down in front of him, "GCPD, Speaks Cantonese...Murph might be able to help narrow this down." he mutters to himself before speaking a bit louder "I charge $50 a day, plus expenses. What do you want me to do when I find her, Ms. Davis?" His eyes shift back up to Angela and narrow again, "Ok, now that is a bit ominous...Should I know who you are? To me, you are just Ms. Davis that has some slight ability to read someone's aura. Whose boss apparently finds me in favor. I'm not sure I want to know anymore. Those things tend to come with a price tag." 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela actually laughs at that, "They do, don't they?" She shakes her head, "You don't need to know who I am, but... well, I guess I just want to make sure that she's on the, how you say, 'up and up'?" She hmms, "Basically, just that she has a clean bill of health in the supernatural sense." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden taps his pen on the pad of paper as he thinks, watching the angel as he tries to take a measure of her. "Only way to know that would be to talk to her, Ms. Davis. It's not like I can wave my hand and take a full measure of a man, or woman. I can do many things, but I can't see what what evil lurks in the hearts of men. I leave that to The Shadow." 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela looks wry at that, "You know, you'd think after so long..." She sighs, "You're right, of course. But I suspect I needed to, what's the word... vent?" She smiles back at Harry, "Vent, yes, I needed to vent. But I do appreciate the feedback, Harry Dresden. This woman had a very quick wit and a karmic sense of justice. Those are things I can appreciate." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden drops the pen onto the pad of paper and sighs, "I'll see what I can dig up on her. Maybe I have a friend that has some insight, and with the brief description I might at least be able to get an ID. If I can get that, then I can track her down and have a chat with her. I can't promise anything, but if I get any feeling she isn't on the 'up and up' as you say, I will let you know. I am going to need your contact information." Harry reaches onto a little holder on his desk and slides over his own business card, "Here is my card if you can think of anything else that might help with the investigation." 

:'''{{#var:1185|Angela Davis (1185)}} has posed:'''     Angela nods slightly, "Of course, here..." She rifles in her purse, retrieving her wallet and sliding Harry her business card. And five twenties, as she adds, "And I do appreciate it, Harry Dresden. I'll put in a good word." With whom, she doesn't exactly say, but she smiles and walks out. It's actually a pretty nice walk, all things considered. Either she's crazy, or knows a lot more than she says. Or possibly both. 
}}

1396/Recovery...

2017-07-31T17:03:18Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/10 |Location=Harry's Apartment/Crime Scene |Synopsis=Harry gets called to consult on a crime scene, a very horrific crime scene. |Cast of C..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/10
|Location=Harry's Apartment/Crime Scene
|Synopsis=Harry gets called to consult on a crime scene, a very horrific crime scene.
|Cast of Characters=168, 174, 1037
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's been a week or so since Karrin and Harry ran into each other in an alleyway, she having just escaped Two-Face's 'assistance' (kidnapping) and Harry the fae realms. Since then, one would have to be hard pressed to think of a night Karrin didn't stay at Harry's place, though she's said nothing about it. Just like things are supposed to be that way. The nightmares have come every night, at least once. Not of his Aunt's doing this time. The flash backs, however, have lessened. Karrin's trying to ignore it all, like nothing is wrong in the least. IT's easier that way. And every day she applies to the office to try and get back on duty. Everyday she is denied. Today is no different. So, having gone over to the precinct in the morning only to be denied by the force's shrink, again, Karrin has been looking for something to distract her. She's trying to give him room, not wanting to cling, but she's angry, stir crazy, and the gym didn't help. She's also not looking the best, some of that weight and muscle she put on before having come off over the last few days. Her hand shakes, the smallest bit, when she's drinking her coffee. She wants more of that drug, and that's making things worse. So, after deciding that being alone is worse than bothering him at the office, she's decided to come here. She's still in a pissy mood. The door opens while she almost seems mid-venting. "Damm know it all shrink thinks he can tell me I'm not fit for duty. He's lucky I didn't put his face through his desk." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "And that reaction, right there, might be the reason /why/ he said no, Karrin." says Harry as he wipes some dust off one of the file cabinets in his office. Yeah, likely not the best way to deal with the venting Murphy, but since when has Harry ever been smart about things. Harry glances over to Karrin and offers a small smile, "I know you are itching to get back, but you need time to recover. You don't get over something like...whatever the hell he did to you...overnight, or even after a week. You'll get back to work soon, Karrin, but you can't push it." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A little grunt is given in Harry's direction as he comments as to why the psychologist said no. Karrin just stares at him a heartbear or two. "...One, I didn't ask your opinion and two, whose side are you on here?" Grumpy Karrin is grumpy. Withdrawal is a bitch. She stalks over to the chair across from his desk and flips it around so she can straddle the thing, clearly just making herself comfortable, especially since he doesn't have clients. "I'm recovered. That's what he *did* to me. He got me up on my feet. Recovered. If...if I didn't want another hit of that damn drug so badly the backs of my HANDS are itching right now, I'd say it was almost f*cking ideal what he did. He got me fit for duty again and now they won't actually LET me go on duty." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden chuckles lightly, shaking his head ever so slightly as he glances over to Karrin, "You know whose side I'm on, Karrin. That doesn't mean I am going to always agree with you, though. Hell's bells, just because we are 'a thing' now, doesn't mean we aren't going to disagree. In fact, I think the opposite is more likely to be true." He moves over to wipe down another file cabinet, the lack of faerie cleaners in his office as opposed to this apartment evident by the collection of dust bunnies. "You body is physically recovered, sure, but mentally? Tell me, when was the last time you had a night without a nightmare? It hasn't been since you have been back. You know how I know, because I have been sleeping next to you. Psychic trauma take time to recover from. Remember how long it took for you to recover from Kravos?" He hates to bring it up, but he has to drive the point home somehow. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "This isn't about f*cking KRAVOS." Karrin snaps at him, far quicker and louder than she should. She then pauses, holding back and forcing herself to take a deeper, slower breath. She knows his point is made and that is half the reason she's pissed. ANd that's just making his point further. Karrin sighs slowly, dragging one hand across her face and sinking forward in the chair a bit more. She's just quiet now, partially resigned, and that just makes it worse. "...Sorry. I should...go back home tonight. Let YOU get some night's sleep, at least... Rest." Karrin murmurs quietly, a touch of genuine apology behind her husky voice. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' If being snapped at bothers Harry, he doesn't show it. He just continues to dust the one cabinet while she yells at him, turning when she is done and making her apology. "Fuck no." Harry says with a shake of his head, "I'd rather be there to hold you when you are having a nightmare, then being at home worrying about you. If you go home to sleep, you might as well expect company. And you have the bigger bed, so Mouse may just make himself comfortable as well." Harry turns back to dusting the file cabinets, "I'm serious, Karrin. I'm not leaving you alone if I can help it. You're lucky I give you privacy in the bathroom at this point." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You worry too much, Dresden. It's not good for your heart and it's wearing off on your dog." Karrin mutters casually, good natured grumbling behind her tired voice, but no actual anger any longer. The moodswing passed as quick as it came, but the poor precinct head shrink is probably right -- she shouldn't be carrying a gun or anywhere near duty right now. Karrin lets out another, longer breath, silently contemplating just WHAT to do here. Why she bothered him at work. That itching behind her eyes. She finally stands up, motions restlessly uncomfortable, and stalks over towards wherever he keeps his coffee pot, "Please tell me you have coffee on, at least... You're a wizard, you should see the future and know I need coffee." She's grasping for jokes now, keeping things lightly hearted and quipy. It's easier that way. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Ring. Ring Ring. RINGRING. Ring. Ring. ... Ring.     Harry's phone is ringing. Renee might very well know Karrin is there. But, with her phone, the department could inspect and find out she was calling Karrin. With a call to Harry, though? Well. That's business, isn't it? She's following protocol. A grey liine of protocol, at best. But. Protocol, nevertheless. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry arches a brow and give Karrin that look that says, 'What, are you kidding me?' as his brow raises and he smirks, "Of course there is coffee. What do you take me for, a neanderthal? I don't need to be a wizard to know that future." Harry turns back around and starts to wipe the file cabinet down as the phone rings. He glances at the phone, then to Karrin, "Of course I worry. It's my job to worry, and Mouse is just fine as he is..all however many pounds of fluffy love he has to give you. Hold that thought." he says as he moves over to the desk, lifting the receiver and speaking into it, 'Dresden.' 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You're gonna make that dog turn gray before he's full grown. Whenever he stops growing. *IF* he stops growing." Karrin mutters, not having missed the fact that Mouse has very quickly outpaced the size of a medium dog and is barely a few months old. And has dinner plate paws. But her voice has a loving amusement behind it also. "He's going to eat you out of house and home." She mutters casually as she moves to pour the much needed coffee. Small talk is comforting. But then the phone is ringing. The first sharp ring of sound and Karrin half jumps out of her skin, heart in her throat again. Still so easily startled. But she takes a breath, pulls back the reaction and then Karrin's brows arch, pale eyes flickering towards it. She nods for him to get it, since it's just a damn phone. She also busies herself putting an almost diabetic level of sugar in her coffee. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "Dresden. Get over to the warehouse district. You've got 10 minutes." There's a pause. A heavy, pregnant sort of pause that Harry has heard all to often follows. Bad news is coming. "I hope you haven't had lunch." She takes a breath, then, exhaling the stressed tones in her voice. "You can bring a friend. She just can't be there in an official capacity. I didn't say that, either." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Well, hello to you too, Detective Montoya..." Harry says into the phone as he glances over to Karrin. "You need me at the warehouse district in 10 minutes, don't eat lunch and bring a friend. Sounds lovely. You always know just the right things to make my heart all a flutter." He pauses for a moment, eyeing Karrin for a moment before letting out a little sigh, "I have a feeling I have a friend coming even if I didn't think they should...so I guess we will see you in a few." He pauses to let Renee respond, covering the mouthpiece on the old rotary phone, "Sounds like your partner has a juicy one. Are you up for this, Karrin? You can't be there officially." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Mid-pouring coffee, Karrin tries not to overhear, but she totally over hears. Especially as Dresden says Montoya's name. AND repeats everything. Her brows arch, stopping halfway through her pouring and turning her slender frame around to face Dresden. He gets a bit of a glare and smirk as he comments about not thinking she should come, but the look in her eyes says he's right. She's coming. "..Renee is ... just the best." SHe mutters as he hangs up, sounding utterly relieved at having SOMETHING to do. Then she knocks back a gulp of her coffee and steps back over to grab her car keys. "I'm up for it. Better than sitting around itching my hands. Work is just what I need. Come on, let's go. I'll even drive." SHe did finally pick up her car from Mercy, but then she pauses. "...wait. I can't be anywhere near this. YOu should maybe drive. They know my car." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     When Harry and Karrin do finally arrive, it's not a hard place to miss. Several police cars, the rolling sirens silent, but colorful. The police tape. And, the flat foots keeping curious workers out, some of whom are milling about outside the lines to see what has happened, and what news they can get.     "Montoya is waiting for you inside," says one of the officers. He looks at Karrin, frowning. "She said you were with Dresden as his consultant. I didn't see you, okay?" He lifts the tape for Harry, and Karrin both.     The warehouse was one of those recently abandoned along the waterfront. Another failed business. Equipment wrapped up. "This way," Carmichael says, sneering some at Dresden. "Don't go messing anything up," he warns, with typical Carmichael disdain. "Murphy." The man nods to his former partner, glad to see her.     "Leave the nice people alone, Carmicheal. Let them in."     'In' consists of - a very gruesome sight. The floor, the walls, even the ceiling are covered in sticky, half-drying blood. What once a woman's body is strewn about the room. One arm is in the left corner, hanging from a rope. Another arm is in the right corner, also hanging. Corresponding legs have also been ripped asunder from her body and lay flat onto either side, just below the arms, wires tied to ankles.     And suspended in the middle of the room, a headless torso. Hooks sunk into the woman's back, the body swinging slightly as the industrial fans blow down on it.     The head? Lips sewn shut. And eyes removed.     "Fifth week," says Montoya, quietly. "To the minute. Fifth week. Fifth body." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry was all polite and smiles to the various officers that he met along the way, offering his little laminated consultants id to those that he didn't know. Carmichael gets a nod and a smirk, "I know how this works, Ron." Harry says in a 'I know already' voice, giving the the grizzled cop a half-smile. But then he enters into the warehouse. He was warned not to have lunch, but that doesn't help when you actually come face to face with the scene. "Hells bells..." is quietly uttered, as Harry closes his eyes for a moment, steadying himself to once again look at the scene laid out in front of him. He takes a few deep breaths, before he opens his eyes to once again look at the scene, just taking in the details and pushing away the fact that this used to be a human being not to long ago. "Fifth. Right. The other ones you mentioned." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:'''     As they approach the scene, Karrin tries to get a bit smaller in Harry's car. She's pulled on an over sized hoodie from the back seat and a beat up old cap. She's still pretty obviously herself, however, especially to officers who have worked with her for years. "I have no clue how Montoya thinks I'm gonna pull this off..." She mutters beneath her breath as they park, but she's determined to try. So, off they go.     She slips out of the car with Harry, walking a bit more slumped that usual and hidden in her plain get up. It's not fooling anyone. A bittersweet smile crosses her lips to see Carmichael and she gives him a half nod, "Carmichael. Good... good to see you." She mutters. She doesn't push conversation with anyone else, though. She walks straight and steady. She keeps slightly shaking hands in her pockets. No one will see her sweat. Just a normal day and everything is fine, right? Once they are inside, however, her steps close. She doesn't puke. SHe doesn't even gag. She's been in this business long enough to have seem similiar and even some worse, but that doesn't make this much easier. She just swallows back quietly, trying no tto breathe through her nose at the scent as she reaches a single, reassuring hand up to the back of Dresden's arm. She nods silently. They should keep walking. She's careful to steer clear of any blood while they move towards her partner. "This... is the string of killings you were talking about before, right? This one looks... more bloody than the others, if I'm not wrong?" Karrin asks quietly. She then looks up again, staring quietly at the head. "...I wonder what is sewn into her mouth." Just a guess, but probably a good one. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Murphy, more than Harry, will recognize that the officers Renee picked? All those who, while they might or might not have any love for Harry, owe Murphy for one thing or another.     "See," says Renee, "Already earning your consulting fee, Murphy. It's a good thing I can choose my own consultants until you get back." She gives Karrin a nod that says it all: I got your back.     Then she nods, "Yes. This is - by far the most violent." She pauses, signals Harry and Karrin to follow her, "Noticed this on a check on the room's perimeter." And, within the room, sonewhat soiled and soaked in the sticky blood at parts, there's a circular outline in what appears to be a chalky substance. Salt. Chalk. Flour. Or, some other white powder.     "You mentioned last time we talked some kind of ritual. These things are getting progrssively worse. Every time. We need to stop them. Now." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden is trying not to puke. It's written all over his face, which is pale and has little beads of sweat on his forehead. He takes a few more deep breaths as he follows Renee into the scene, he squats down as they reach the circular outline, Harry's face twisting up in a grimace as he looks at the line of the circle. "Looks to be the remains of a circle of power." He glances at the body parts strewn around the room. Noting the placement of the torso and head, then arms and legs. "Did you find anything else? Voids in the blood where something might have been at..." he reaches into his pocket and looks at a compass, "..that point there?" he mutters pointing to the North. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Seeing the look on Harry's face, Murphy's hand comes up and she gives the back of his arm a gentle, steadying squeeze. She still looks somewhat ashen around the edges, but her hand has stopped shaking. Crisis mode lets out just enough adrenaline that withdrawals can be put to the back of her head right now. "Breath through your mouth, it's not so bad then." She recommends quietly, having been to far too many of these scenes. She then picks her way closer to the head, leaning over to examine the stitches without touching them, "...I hope the coroner is on the way. These stitches were either done after death or, at least, unconsciousness. She didn't fight them. I'd put a hundred bucks on there being something in her mouth. And... Dresden, can you tell what kind of ritual this would be? If it is a circle of power?" 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "There was something circular, set into the ground. Missing," Renee confirms to Harry. "Bottom of a stand, to something. About four inches in diameter. Cup, maybe. Small stand. Light fixture. Candle holder. We don't know. Forensics is still sweeping the place."     The stiches are cruel. And, clearly hastily put in. Leather. Not thread. Thin, but leather, nonetheless.     "Couldn't find the eyes, either. Only body parts that seem to be gone. So that makes it heart. Eyes. Fingernails. Blood. And hair. One item, from each of the five victims." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Nodding once to Renee, Harry closes his eyes and takes another deep breath, through his mouth per Karrin's suggestion to try an alleviate the nausea he is feeling. "I really, really, really don't want to have to do this." Harry says as his eyes remain closed, "I don't want to have to look at this place though my sight...but it might give an answer or two as to what happened here." He plops down from the squat to a sitting position, making sure he doesn't disturb anything as best as he can. "If I end up loosing my mind or something, Karrin, well...you know." Things better left unsaid in all the mixed company. "I'll try to reiterate what I see as best as I can. You may want to take notes." And with that, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden opens his eyes, and his wizard's sight, and views the scene of the murder in the way only a wizard can. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The commentary about the eyes makes Karrin smirk a bit darkly, "I'd also bet.. maybe the eyes are in her mouth. But... if such things have been straight up missing from all the other scenes, I could be wrong. Still..." Karrin stands up, beginning to scan over the scene for any other clues she or others might be missing otherwise. Then she realizes what Harry is doing and her eyes go wide. If Renee had ANY doubt that the blonde loves the man, that'd be wiped totally away by the look on Karrin's face right now. SHe clearly loves him and the thought of what Harry is about to do freezes her heart in her chest, "Harry! Don't..." But it's too late. Of course he's stubborn. Of course he opens his sight. She dashes back to his side to catch him if he falls. HOpefully Renee will be ready with the paper. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     The Sight.     It can be a frightening thing. And this is no exception.     Dresden has seen Murphy, at least once, with the Sight, no doubt. Except this time, while there are still the azure swords in her hand, and her soul is still blazing, there are more wounds than ever there were before, several across her face and temple, where a nail is embedded into her flesh.     Montoya is different, but similiar. She bears no swords. Yet, both her hands are filled with a similiar blue flame to that of Murphy's Swords, and a handgun of crimson-blood fire is in one of those hands. Across her neck, and her body, the remnants of broken chains, rusting, and wounds across her flesh where those chains once chaffed against flesh by the weights which are no longer there. Some personal hardship - and victory. Other wounds cover her, too. Cuts, across her arms, one across her stomach near her liver.     And those are the most pleasant things about the room. With the Sight, the room is not just bathed in blood, the walls are alive with it, living waterfalls of the stuff. And the amount of dark energy is like a weight unto itself. If ever there was anything good here, it has been torn asunder like flimsy wallpaper, set on fire, the ashes dipped in demonic power, and then burned again. Things crawl. Boneless, maggot-like creatures, wallowing in the blood along the floor, half-human, half-monster, lidless eyes and gaping, deep-swallowing mouths, like larvae feeding. There is desperation. There is pain.     The body is filled with nails. Leather stiches, streched, where the limbs were ripped out reach out to each other, forming a strange, sickly web.     And, in the North. Where the circular spot was, there is a shadow. Deep. Man-shaped. As if someone had - erased themselves from the Sight. Or, were causing a blindness there to those who might look.     The womans mouth bulges, strains against the sewing. As if she were about to vomit and could neither spit it out, or swallow. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The moment Harry opens his eyes, he looks to Karrin. Something he knows that will be if not pleasant to look at, at least familiar. He blinks, his face frowning as he looks at her, eyes slightly narrowed as he mutters '...what the hell did they do to you?" His face tracks over to Renee, seeing her as he hasn't seen her before. He chuffs out a breath as he looks at her briefly, "...good for you." Then he takes one more deep breath, and moves his eyes to the room. And screams He shuts his eyes, recoiling back into Karrin, while he tries to block the vision, but it has already been seen, and thus a permanent fixture in the recesses of his mind. Resigned to his course of action, he opens his eyes again and looks. "...stars and stones. Poor girl. This...binding ritual of some sort. I don't want to know what the hell required this." He reaches up and wipes some spittle from his mouth, eyes wide as he continues to look around. "...so much blood..." He clears his throat, rambling off details. "Human sacrifice. Trying to bind something. Whoever did it tried to erase themselves from the sight. Shadow. Human shaped. Male? Can't tell. Tall enough?" He closes his eyes again, turning and burying his face into Karrin's arms. "Need air...or a bucket." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The moment Harry opened his eyes, Karrin was ready for the scream. She wasn't ready for that look of pain in his gaze as he looks HER over, even if the corresponding look of pride about Renee does get a faint smile from her. She knew she had a good partner, but that look just confirms it. But there is no time to consider the personal visions, because then Harry is screaming and Karrin's arms wrap tight around him. She holds him for dear life, letting him lean and hide against her. She doesn't let go, arms tightening even as he dares open his eyes again. "Don't puke on Montoya's crime scene, they won't invite us back. Come on. Breathe. You can keep it together. Or... " Then she looks up to Renee, "I'm gonna get him outside. We've all been there before. Let me know what the coroner finds out about her mouth." She murmurs, before tryign to lead Harry to the door and out into fresh air. She remains wrapped around him protectively the whole time, letting him breathe her scent instead of the room's. Remind him of the good things as best she can. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "Right." Renee looks concerned for Harry, too. Surprised, as the Wizard Consultant For Hire screams a scream of blood curdling terror. "Right. Go on. I'll talk to you both later. Thanks, Murphy. Dresden." Renee lifts her hand up, to excuse them. "I'll take the rest of it from here. Murphy, make sure I get those notes from him, when he's able," she says, with practical manner. "And, I'll be by his office to talk to him about the final forensic and corner findings later."     Her mouth sets hard. "We need to catch these bastards." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden lets himself be led outside the crime scene, where he promptly finds the closest bush to puke in. Thankfully, he took Renee's advice and skipped eating lunch prior to coming over, so it is mostly bile and water. He wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand, head lowered and taking in a few deep breaths before he looks over to Karrin, "I don't know how you get used to seeing things like that, Karrin," he murmurs "That is some epic level fucked uppery in there." He glances back to the warehouse entrance, a small shudder washing over his body, his hand shaking a bit. "And whatever they bound in there? It's unholy. Has to be demonic....at best. If I had to lay a bet though, I might say outsider." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Thanks, Montoya. We'll get back to you soon, I promise." Karrin calls over her shoulder to her partner, worry clear in her bloodshot blue eyes. Then she's getting Dresden outside fast as her short legs can take both of them, which is pretty damn fast when she's determined to go somewhere. Once they are there, she lets him lean over a bush and she doesn't pull or look away either. Puke is no more gross than inside. She's pretty immune to it after all these years. "I...don't know how I did either. I don't think you ever get used to it you just get used to having to manage... reactions." Karrin admits with a half shrug. Then she listens, her head tilting to the side, "Outsider...? No, it's... okay. Just... breathe. You can write the report after it's not so fresh. It's alright. Let's... get home. There isn't anything else we can see here until we get the coroner's report. Come on." SHe squeezes his shoulders quite gently, trying to get him to the car. 
}}

1273/Caring for Karrin

2017-07-31T17:01:23Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/03 |Location=MacAnally's Pub |Synopsis=Harry meet Renee to talk about Karrin's recovery |Cast of Characters=1037, 174 |pretty=yes }} {{Pose..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/03
|Location=MacAnally's Pub
|Synopsis=Harry meet Renee to talk about Karrin's recovery
|Cast of Characters=1037, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     McAnallys Pub. Of course, mostly filled with the sorts that are like Harry. Hedge wizards, minor spellcasters, divinators, and the like. But, it -is- a public bar. And, while certainly no hot spot, the occasional person who isn't among that category does wander in.     Thus, it's by pure coincidence that during the lunch shift, next day after she'd left with Karrin to the precinct, Renee Montoya finds herself in the pub, eating one of the wood-stove cooked burgers, a pint of the rather fine ale seated before herself as she sits alone, working old school. Sure, she might have some technological stuff. A cell phone. Other smaller things. But Renee seems to favor the pencil and paper, for taking notes in her little book. She's reviewing them, now with a slow consideration, unmindful of her surroundings it'd seem. Lost, in the problem-solving. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' If Harry isn't at home, or out working on a case, it's a good bet that you might find him at Mac's. He is a regular of the establishment, with its 13 tables, 13 columns, 13 barstools, which are all placed randomly to disrupt the gathering magics of the usual customers. He opens the door, heading down the stairs that lower into the room as he calls out to Mac "An ale and steak sandwich, please, Mac. Stick em on my tab, and keep the ale's coming." He doesn't notice Renee right away. People tend not to be too nosy in a place like this, but it also isn't an overly large establishment. It only takes a quick look around to catch sight of the Latina Detective. There is a slight twitch of his user lip as he changes direction to walk towards her table. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee doesn't look up. She hasn't looked up. But, she heard Harry's voice ordering. It's a quiet place, hard not to catch when people are talking at normal levels and the wood of the place, the lack of walls, due to the columns and the fans, and the small amount of tables. can lend to such voices carrying.     She hears the footsteps approaching. "Afternoon, Dresden," she says, sounding polite enough. Maybe even sincere about it.     "Murphy's at home. She has to get cleared for service again, but it won't be a problem for her. I wouldn't worry." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Polite? Damn. That takes some of the wind out of his sails. "Detective Montoya. It would have at least been nice to give me a heads up you two were leaving. So I didn't have a fuckin' panic attack when I came out of my lab." He sighs, setting his staff up against the table and pulling out a seat, not bothering to ask for an invitation. "Glad to hear she is doing better, but I'll worry all the same until she gives me reason not to. It comes with the job description of being her...friend." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "You need to get more food," Renee replies in kind to Harry, dryly. There had been one cleaned pan, and an empty can of Hormel's Chili she'd managed to find that wasn't quite outdated in Harry's pantry, to make Karrin something to eat, after the other's shower.     She adds, "I don't want to see what you have down in your basement, if you keep talking skulls in your living room, Dresden. And Karrin wanted to get it over with." Meaning, going, talking to, the precint. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden looks around the pub as Renee mentioned Bob, and gives her a look "Ixnay the talk of the Kullsay, okay? Not something to be talked about publicly. And I should have had plenty of coldcuts in the ice box? Unless Mouse has grown opposable thumbs without my knowledge." Harry folds his arms over his chest, "And even if I would have let you into the lab, which I wouldn't have, you could have at the very least tapped a foot on the door or something." He pauses for a few moments, moving over to get his food from the bar, before heading back to the table. "How is she doing, since you were the last person to see her? I wish you would have at least taken Mouse with you." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Ah. Right. Ixnay. Renee nods, and obliges the ixnay request, "You going to sit down, or, just stand there like you're arguing about a parking ticket with me?"     She finally closes her pocket-sized notebook, tucking it into an inside jacket pocket, and the pencil goes with it. She then turns her attention to the burger, "She's Murphy," Renee says, mildly. "She can deal with shit. That's probably one reason I got assigned to be her partner." Renee doesn't clarify exactly what that reason is, but, Harry can probably guess Renee means that she can handle shit too. They're a lot alike, in many fashions, Renee, and Karrin.     "She won't forget. But, she's not going to let it stop her from being who she is. Or, affect what she does. And, Chief ordered a 48 hour watch on her. She's fine." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Sliding into one of the seats, he lifts and takes a bite from the steak sandwich in front of him. He washes it down with a sip from his ale, and sighs. "I know Karrin, Detective. I know her better than you do, and certainly I have known her longer. We have been through a ton of shit together, so I don't need you telling me what she can or can't handle. I know." He probably didn't mean it to come out as harsh as it did, but sometimes worry leads to quick and tempers get the best of the overly tall wizard. "I'm glad tho hear she seems to be at least doing ok from her ordeal." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee finishes her bite of burger, her eyes moving to read Harry's expression, as well as listen to his words. "Mmmm-hmmm," is all she says, to Harry's little explosive tirade in defense of his friendship with Karrin. Or, whatever it is. "If you know, then you wouldn't have asked," she points out with a very small, lopsided twist upwards to the corner of her lip. She stares at him a long moment, to let the point sink home, before she nods.     "She has to be cleared. Then she and I will get back to work, full force, on these murders." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden grumbles, slowly wizard is slowly. "I asked how she was doing, not if she could handle it, Detective. Being able to handle shit, and being ok at a moment of time are two very different things. I can handle being sick, but still end up puking my guts out into a trashcan." He takes another sip of his ale, probably a longer pull that would be normal under other circumstances. "Once she is cleared, i'm sure 'we' will be working on these murders. What you are dealing with isn't human, as far as I can tell. At the very least I have to assume she 'cleared' me in your eyes, since you aren't sitting here dangling handcuffs in my face or anything." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "I can get them out, if you like," Renee shoots back, without missing a beat. "They'd look awfully good on you. They'd go with your other bracelet." Yes. Renee noticed that the other night. And, quite possibly caught a glimmer of it beneath the sleeves of Harry's duster. It would appear that Renee, perhaps, has a bit of a bite to her in the sarcasm department.     "She confirmed what you told me, yes. And, we got the full story at the precint, once she'd gotten cleaned up, and some food in her."     Renee considers Harry longer, "I'm glad you don't take things so personally." That's probably about as good as an apology as Harry is going to get from her. Whether Renee is bad at apologies, or feels her actions were justified in the line of duty? Well. That remains a mystery. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry smirks, "Wouldn't be the first time I wore a pair, as you are aware. Hell's bells, I should just wear some as a normal fashion accessory. Then when I am walking around with a broken pair on my wrists, it won't be as suspicious. I should make a focus out of them for some type of restraint spell." He seems to ponder that for a moment as he takes another long pull of his ale, finishing the bottle and motioning over to Mac for a new one. He scoffs, a genuine smile coming to his face for a brief second, "If I took getting accused, arrested or threatened with being arrested personally, I wouldn't have the relationship I have with Karrin now. Stars and stones, she chipped my tooth once, and I am still dating her." Well, if Montoya didn't know already, she would know soon enough about Harry and Karrin. "I lived with the threat of having my head chopped off for decades. Now that...that I am still bitter about to be honest." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee hardly seems surprised about Harry and Karrin. Either she already deduced it, or Karrin had told her previously. Either way, she takes a deep pull of the ale, giving it a second, surprised, and maybe even pleased look before taking a second, slower sip. "Suppose I'd be bitter too, if someone was headhunting me. I'd probably track them down, and beat the crap out of them. And then throw them in prison for life. Maybe Arkham."     She notes, "Damn good ale, here. Might have to come here more often." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry smirks a little, "It wasn't a person, it was an organization. A whole organization. I'm good, but I am not that good. I'm still young compared to a lot of those wizards, and I have a lot to learn to even be on par with them. As powerful as I am, I don't have the control or power they have. Not a chance in hell I would be able to stand up to one of them in a fight, let alone all of them." He takes a pull from his fresh bottle and nods, "Oh, yeah. Mac has the best home-brew around. You won't find better. I'm just glad he caters to the supernatural community. Makes coming here easy, but I would suggest maybe leaving your cellphone outside. In here, it is likely to fritz out." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "I've got enough on my plate. I'll let you do the Wizarding," Renee mentions, without a jealous bone in her body of Harry's Super Fantastic Awesome And Reality Altering Cool Wizarding Powers <tm>.     She considers her next question, then asks Harry, "So. You work with the Bat?" Curious, more than accusatory. And the question is phrased it seems more personal, than business, at least, as far as Renee's concerned. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry snorts mid pull, threatening to cover himself with ale from the nostrils before he manages to choke it back and swallow. "Work with the bat? No. No, I don't work with that self-righteous asshole." Harry sets the bottle down, and picks up a napkin to wipe at his nose, "The one run in I had with him, he was trying to tell me he knew better about a cursed object than the guy whose job it was to track down the coins. Wanted us to give it back to him instead of lock it away in a vault so nobody could get to it. The guy threw one of those damned bat shaped things at me. No. I don't work with the Bat." He pauses, folding his arms over his chest again, "I know Karrin does, or did. I don't think he has spoken to her since the whole coin thing." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee merely nods, once. She'll have to ask Karrin about the 'whole coin thing', and doesn't mention if she's met, or seen the Bat before. Certainly at some point she had to. But, she doesn't press the issue any further. It's no secret how protective Batman is of Gotham. "Just curious," she says. "You never know who his agents are, around here."     She finishes off the ale, then exhales, and rubs her eyes a little bit. "I'll call you if I find anything else out, on the murders," she tells Harry. "Probably, in another week." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "If you don't, I'm sure Karrin will." says Harry with a roll of his shoulder, taking a sip of ale. "She usually calls me to consult on this type of thing." "As far as the Bat is concerned, don't get me wrong. I appreciate what he does for the city, and if he ever came to me for help...help that I would actually want to give him anyway, I would likely do it. Just, I couldn't give him what he wanted. I can't just hand over cursed objects just because he wants it, you know?" 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee exhales, "Don't you guys have some - team or something," as she pinches the bridge of her nose. But it's a rhetorical question, she already knows the answer. "Just, try to play nice. It's hard enough with half the police force trying to arrest him, and his crew." And most of those? The dirty cops. But not all.     "If it makes you feel any better, Karrin told me that she thought your place was the safest in Gotham City. Which is why she came to you. And didn't call in, at first." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "If there is a team, I'm not on it. I don't have any super secret decoder ring or anything." Harry says with a shrug as he lifts the bottle to his lips again. He takes another swig, then uses the bottle neck as a pointer, gesturing at Renee, "Oh, that reminds me. You're damned lucky that I had my wards deactivated, which is a very rare thing. Usually I put them back up as soon as I walk back in the door, but I had you and didn't know where things were going. Had you and Karrin left without letting me know, and they were activated? Let's just say it would be bad. My place is safe for a reason. If, or when..likely when..you come back by, don't just try to walk in and out. It could be...explosive." He glances at his watch, pursing his lips. "Damn. I need to get going." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "See you later, Dresden. I'll tell Karrin you're pissed at us for not knocking on your basement door." The last, apparently, is a friendly quip. She's probably not going to say that. Maybe.     But then Harry is warning her about the wards. She nods, once, frowning, some. Even though she knows Dresden means well, the idea of him having that kind of - power - over someone in his place doesn't sit too well with her. Just the idea of it. "Remind me not to visit your place very often," she says back, still in a quip. "See you." 
}}

1256/No good deed

2017-07-31T16:59:54Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/02 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=Harry saves Karrin, only to almost get arrested by Renee Montoya |Cast of Characters=174, 1037, 16..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/02
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Harry saves Karrin, only to almost get arrested by Renee Montoya
|Cast of Characters=174, 1037, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's been less than an hour since Harry 'saved' Karrin from the clutches of Two-Face. Less than an hour since he found her stumbling down an alleyway, seemingly healed from her gunshot wound, but not entirely lucid. He brought her back to his apartment, and the one thing she said before she passed out was to let Renee know. Who the hell is Renee?! Harry leaves his apartment, locking the door and setting the wards before making his way to the parking lot and towards his trusty steed, the Blue Beetle (no relation to Ted). He looks at his notebook, "Renee Montoya. Guess the best place to start would be Karrin's office. This would be so much easier if I could use a computer...or even Karrin's phone." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     It's funny how the fate works. Renee had been on her way -to- Harry's. She knew the address. Karrin had it in her logbook in her office. And, Renee was a very thorough officer.     She -also- knew that she'd found Harry's card, on a new murder victim. The woman had come into Harry about suspecting her son was up to something odd as he'd been missing for a few days, but hadn't followed through with anything yet. And, while Renee was very aware that Karrin often used Harry for her cases, she was also aware that Harry'd been brought in at least once, for witholding evidence.     2 + 2 = 4. And, suspecting Harry Dresden, Wizard for Hire, knows something, her own beat up car pulls up in front of his rental with a whirring engine, and she parks it. The door is shut, hard, and sporting a suit, and loose tie, Detective Renee Montoya recognizes Harry from his picture. It'd be hard, not to. "Harry Dresden," she says, in a tone that Harry knows all too well. Karrin's used it multiple times. As have many of his friends.     Harry is in trouble. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Pausing mid reach for the handle of the Beetle, Harry slowly turns his head to gaze upon the bearer of that voice. Not expecting trouble, Harry is sans coat, since Karrin is passed out inside using it as a blanket, sans staff, and sans rod because he just didn't expect to need them for this quick errand. He is just dressed in a pair of jeans, a button up shirt and a pair of sneakers, and a small bracelet adorned with little shields on his left wrist. "Yes?" he says curiously. "My office hours are 10-5...oh wait. This isn't my office! Guess you can catch me there sometime, now if you don't mind...i'm in a hurry." He continues reaching forward to open the car door. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "Not anymore," says Renee, quietly. "I'll give you the courtesy of hearing you out in your apartment because Murphy values your contributions. But, if you insist, we can do this back at the station and make it official. Either way, Dresden, we're doing it," she says, flatly. And before Harry can do much, she's got a hand on the door to that beetle.     "Your choice."     She watches his expression, then follows through after a beat with, "I'm Murphy's new partner, Renee Montoya. We'll be working together quite a bit, I imagine. So, let's not get this off on a bad foot, shall we?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry's eyes narrow a bit as Renee starts her little spiel, up and until the point that Renee mentions her name. Then his eyes open wider and his lips curl up into a grin, "Oh! Hey! I was just coming to try and find you at the station! I've got Karrin, she wanted me to come and find you. Come on!" Harry, not thinking much about that just sounded, turns from the car and makes a move to head back towards the stairs to the basement apartment. "She's just down here. Come on." 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee, while not a seasoned detective - in fact, she's one of the youngest detectives ever in GCPD history, didn't get there by pulling people out of the hole they dig for themselves. Instead, she hands Harry the perverbial shovel, "Lead the way," is all she says, one hand dipping into her pocket briefly.     Then, the spunky latina detective moves to follow Harry into his apartment, where he's apparently keeping Karrin. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' With a wave of his hand, Harry disables the magical wards that protect his basement apartment and fumbles with the key for a moment before sticking the key into the lock and opening the heavy metal door by shoving against it with his shoulder, "Sorry. Door sticks. Demon attack." Harry shoves the door all the way open, "Karrin?" he says lightly as he walks inside, "I found your partner." He turns to Renee with a smile,, "Right this way, Detective." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Of course, Harry's basement apartment, full of mis-matched rugs, furniture, four legged beasts and various magical paraphernalia is not the most comforting place. ALmost no windows. Cold floors. A hidden trap door, the fireplace with mostly burned clothing in it right now. Something that suspiciously looks like a skull on the table, watching over the body on the couch. And then there is that body. Karrin Murphy looks suspiciously well, just dead to the world asleep. She's in nothing but a long teeshirt, having half pushed Harry's duster off of her in her rest. Her blonde hair is greasy and clinging to her features, but her frame is perhaps even MORE muscular than when she went missing. And not, you know... Shot? No bandages. NOTHING, her arm and chest look perfectly normal. She's also so dead asleep that she doesn't wake up to Dresden's call. Hell, the collapsed, slightly uncomfortable looking way she's stretched across the couch? Maybe she's drugged. Who knows. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee closes the door behind her, quietly. But, purposefully. It'll hold Harry up if he needs to make a run for it. Her eyes slide over the apartment, assessing it, briefly eyeing the creepy skull for a few moments before her eyes move along and then settle on the half-naked, barely covered, dead-to-the-world Karrin Murphy. She's not pale. And, after watching her some, Renee can see the slow rise-and-fall of the other woman's chest. Karrin isn't dead.     Renee's eyes move to Harry, then. "So, you've been keeping her here."     Renee doesn't give Dresden a chance to respond, instead, pulling out two evidence bags. The first she presses into his hand, "Care to explain why I also found this, in Jasmine Harris' apartment? She was found dead last night. Her heart was missing."     The other two evidence bags are held out. One, holding a rubber-cement impression of inhuman, and certainly not normal canine or feline clawmarks, the second holding a plaster version of a huge, clawed footprint. Not animal. At least, no regular animal on earth. Maybe something else, entirely.     "So," presses Renee, "You're holding a missing dective which the department has been going -crazy- to find in your apartment unclothed, and passed out - and you seem to be involved in a string of unsolved murders that seemed to be tied to a recent string of missing persons, and possibly Murphy. Jasmine Harris was the fourth."     She eyes Harry. Much like Karrin does, when Karrin is upset. "Start explaining. Now." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry's smile slowly changes into a scowl as Renne starts talking, and that scowl only worsens as she continues to speak. When she is finally done, Harry spits out, "Hell's bells lady, I JUST found her, less than an hour ago. Did you miss the part 5 minutes ago where I said I was on my way to come and find you? Well, let me say it again. I. WAS. JUST. COMING. TO. FIND. YOU. Karrin wanted to come here, she didn't want to go to the hospital. And you know as well as I that Two-Face took her, it was all over the gad damned news." The bag is pressed into his hand and he glances down at it, brow furrowed in a quizzical expression, "I have no idea who...What was the name? Is. People come into my office and take a card all the time...ok maybe not /all/ the time, but there are any number of ways she might have had one." He shoves it back at her. The other two bags are glanced at, his eyes squinting slightly as he examines the claw marks and footprint. "Where did you find these? These look like they could be demonic in origin." he says as he reaches out to try and take the plaster cast. "Or Lupe Garou...god help us it it is another one of those. Barely survived the last one. Tell me that these murders aren't only happening on the 3 days of the full moon." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' And Karrin, for all her tough guy, put together attitude, is dead to the world with sleep right now. However, a mountain of a puppy dog, who had been flubbed on the floor right next to her in a guardian sort of manner, now raises his big fluffy head in Renee's direction. He doesn't exactly growl, but he does stand up, putting his dark and ridiclously fluffy body directly between Karrin and Renee. The dog could almost be a full grown medium sized dog now, but from the dinner plate size of his paws, he's probably still a young pup. And he's trying to figure out just what to do about Renee, but he doesn't seem all that happy about it. Harry didn't sound happy. Mouse wasn't happy. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "Yes. That's what you said," Renee agrees, with the tone of someone who doubts that Harry is being entirely truthful about his motives for being so eager. "And yes. We all know Two-Face abducted her." That, at least, Harry seems to have going for him. Likely if the kidnapper had been unknown, Dresden would already be in cuffs. But then, Montoya is about as protective of Murphy as Dresden is. And probably just as stubborn as Murphy by the way she's acting.     "They're exactly one week apart. All at night." Renee moves over to Karrin, to check the other woman's pulse, find out of it's erratic, or not. If she's been drugged, or not. The dog is noted, but otherwise ignored as if she doesn't intimidate easily. Probably a perfect partner, for Karrin.     "So, tell me why you didn't phone the precint when you found her. You have a -missing- officer, half naked, and dead asleep in your apartment. Who had a bullet in her chest three days ago. And, doesn't now."     She adds, then, "Dresden, I know you've held out on Murphy before. Quite a few times. I know she's arrested you for witholding evidence before, too. I hope we're not playing that game, right now."     Montoya pauses, "Why don't you tell me how she came to be here. We'll start there. Then we'll move to the murders." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden says, "Mouse. Down." Harry says to the dog, "She is just doing her job...even though she is barking totally up the wrong tree." He looks to Renee, remaining where he is as Renee moves to go check on Karrin, keeping his arms loosely at his side, "Uh, maybe because...as I have said, but will say once again for the cheap seats...I just found her. I don't have a cell phone, I barely have a working phone here at the apartment. I was coming to find you. Hell, until Karrin told me she had a new partner about 15 minutes ago, before she passed out, I didn't even know you existed. Couldn't exactly flash up the bat signal for you know, could I? Fuck, where is Rawlins or Stallings when you need them." Harry shakes his head and starts to move towards the kitchen, probably to get a Coke. "I cast a tracking spell about an hour ago to track down Karrin. And as I was going down an alley to find where she was, I found her running down the alley I was heading down. After calming her down, I wrapped her in my coat and I brought her here. She made the decision to come here and not the hospital. Made sure she was comfortable, then left to come and find you." he pauses, "I don't know what Two-Face did to her, but she was mentioning pills. Some sort of treatment that healed her shoulder up. As for her being half naeked, well, she is better dressed now than when I found her. She was in some playboy bunny type thing, the remains of which you will find in the fire. Karrin threw it in there. The only thing I am withholding from you right now, Detective, is my ire at this bullshit."" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin's pulse is somewhat thready, but steady. Her skin is cool and clammy, touched with dried salt of a heavy sweat which seems to have passed. She still doesn't really stir from the couch which is hellishly inconvenient because she could probably clear all this up, but eventually one can be terrified into pure exhaustion and the need for a deep, healing sort of sleep. Mouse gives a little sound that isn't exactly a growl, but is on the edge of a worried whimper, as if he was asking Harry 'Are you sure?' and his doggy head cocks a bit to the side. Then, ever so slowly, Renee's wrist of the hand that was touching Karrin gets a huuuuge doggie lick and a wet nose. He's being awful gentle, but he might actually be trying to reassure the woman? Surely a dog is not so smart. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "Let's get one thing straight, Dresden. I should be bringing you into the station, right now. And I should be calling the precint. And a bus, for Murphy. I haven't. Yet. Carmichael already would have. So you can be thankful that I'm here, and not him." Renee gives Harry a pointed look. "And I've been looking for her, against the direction of the chief the last week. Which is how I came upon those. THe first was missed in the initial investigation." A nod, to the rubber-cement impression. "And I find her here. It's suspicious, to say the least."     Her hand is nosed by Mouse, and she reluctantly, but obligingly scratchs the huge head of the dog. She doesn't say anything more, but Harry can probably already discern she's going to verify the informationw with Murphy, when the woman wakes.     "The third murder, where I found those clawmarks, the victim was drained of blood," she tells Harry. "The fourth was missing her heart. All have been female victims. One week apart. The first two may not be related. But each victim has died in a different manner." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry remains quiet for a few moments as he reaches into the icebox, one that uses real ice, and retrieves himself a Coke. He shuts the icebox and pauses for a moment before saying, perhaps through clenched teeth, "Can I get you anything, detective?" He pops open the Coke, taking a swig as he turns to look back at Renee, "So, sounds to me that the only reason you aren't arresting me at the moment is because you would be just as much trouble with your boss as I am with you. Got it." Harry lets a little smirk form on his face, leaning against the counter and shaking his head, "Hell, I can't help but respect that, Detective. Though I expect that if you did arrest me, Karrin might not be to happy about that herself. Well, either that, or she would end up laughing at me." He sighs, "Karrin being here isn't really all that much of a surprise, if you know us. Despite the past you keep bringing up, Karrin and I...we're friends." He looks back toward the impressions, "Well...at least it isn't a Lupe Garou. Those things are nightmares. I can do some research, but it might take me some time to figure out what may have made those claws. Do you have anything else to go on besides the clawmarks, and the ritual type murders? What was taken from the first two victims?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman still doesn't wake. To be sleeping through touch and conversation? It probably means she desperately needs the rest. Mouse leans happily into the scritching of Renee's fingertips and shifts his body weight a bit more to lean against her legs. At least it seems she's being accepted as a part of the family by the fur face. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     "Chief thought I'd get too invested in the case. Carmichael is heading it up," Renee replies to Harry, moving to cover Karrin up a little more from the evil lecherous Harry Dresden. Or, maybe just because it's respectful. Having read through a lot of Karrin's files, and knowing her in brief passing, Renee feels like she has a sister in the force with the other woman. Two peas in a pod, so to speak. "When she's offiically back, I'm sure I'll get to know the both of you quite well. I got the impression this is going to be a long term assignment." She does not go into the personal details of how she got shoved into the department which is perhaps the least favorable for Detectives in the GCPD.     "The first victim was shot in the head. It was revealed post autopsy that her hair had been cut, post mortem. Second victim was strangled to death. All of her fingernails had been cut down to the quick." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Do me a favor, while you are over there." Harry says to Renee as he looks to the skull on the table, "Toss that small blanket over the skull. Teach him that it isn't polite to be a lech. Bob, be glad Karrin didn't wake up or she would have smashed your skull in. Next time, you get locked up if I can't trust you." Harry looks back to Renee, studying her carefully for a few moments before he sighs, "Likely you will, so I hope you have an open mind about things, Detective. Just remember Karrin trusts me. It took time, and we have been through some weird shit together in order to solidify our relationship, but there is trust. I hope, once Karrin can clear the air, that you and I can possibly develop a level of trust as well." He looks to Karrin, concern on his face. "I think the reason she didn't want to go back to the hospital was because Two-Face already grabbed her from there. Since she escaped, he is likely looking for her. This is likely the safest place she could think of in her state." He shrugs, looking back to the evidence bags, "Hair, nails, blood and heart? Sounds ritualistic, though I have no idea what ritual." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The skull just slightly rattles around on the table, like it might be moving on it's own, and then lights flicker in the eyes. A voice seemingly out of no where echoes, from the skull, though it's mouth doesn't move: "Harry, you told me to watch her. I just thought, well... Maybe it'd be better if I watched her a little closer. You're the one that gave her that shirt. I'm just doing my job!" And then, no doubt, SOMEONE Is going to toss a blanket over him like an annoying bird. The lights get a bit more muffled, "No appreciation!" Before flickering out again. 

:'''{{#var:1037|Renee Montoya (1037)}} has posed:'''     Renee looks at Harry oddly, when he talks about the skull having a personality, or needing a lesson. "We'll see," she tells Harry, somewhat briskly. "I've seen my share of weird shit." Like faceless men. Batwomen. Killer Croc. Clayface. Among others.     "You don't mind if I stay, until Karrin wakes up, do you?" She's half-asking. Half-telling. And it's uncertain if she'd honor Harry's request if he told her he'd rather she not remain.     Yet, as she's retrieving the blanket, the skull seems to speak, and Renee quickly tosses the blanket over it, "But," she says, warily, "That is the first talking skull I've seen." Her mouth sets, and she walks over to the kitchen to take one of the coke's Harry previously offered to her. "Thanks." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry lets out a nod, offering over the Coke to Renee as she approaches, "No problem. If that eases your feelings, you are welcome to stay. Hell, Karrin will likely be glad to see you when she wakes up. She is the one that told me to go find you." He rolls his shoulder in a shrug and then looks to the no covered skill on the table, "That's Bob. He is my research assistant. He can be a pain in my ass, but he is also invaluable in matters of things arcane. He's also a lech." Harry sighs, pushing off the counter and heading over towards the skull, "He also needs to keep his mouth shut when we have company. Come on, Bob. Let's go have a little talk in the lab, and if you can be helpful maybe, just maybe, I won't tell Karrin you were leering at her." He glances back towards Renee as he moves to the trapdoor, flipping it open. "I'll be downstairs if you need me." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "But, Harry! There's TWO of them now! And they could probably both murder you with their thighs alone! This isn't fair, Harry! I never get out! I just want to loook...." And Bob's voice gets even MORE muffled by the blanket being wrapped around his skull. Letch indeed. Meanwhile, on the couch, Karrin shift slightly. Still asleep, but a quiet, terrified little whimper escapes her throat. It's the most frightened sound either of them have ever heard from her, a core-deep terror just barely breaking the surface. She settles in a moment later, back to sleep, but something is very, very wrong deep down. 
}}

1211/A Strange Meeting.

2017-07-31T16:59:00Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/06/29 |Location=Outside of Harry's apartment |Synopsis=Doctor Strange pays a visit to Harry Dresden |Cast of Characters=174, 71 |pretty=yes }}..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/29
|Location=Outside of Harry's apartment
|Synopsis=Doctor Strange pays a visit to Harry Dresden
|Cast of Characters=174, 71
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry's apartment in the basement of a Gotham boarding house is tiny and cold, but at least it is neat. The faries that come and clean it daily must have just left since the scent of pine, not pine cleaner but real pine, is still heavy in the air. Harry is just leaving the apartment, his wards having been lowered so he can step through the metal door that bars entry into his particular sanctum sanctorum. He looks hurried, worried, and by the looks of him having had very little sleep. 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' A single spark pops in the center of the alley sudden. One spark becomes two...two becomes four and they begin to form a swirling ball of light. The ball of light begins to expand outward in an array of colorful golden sparks as the fabric of reality splits and a door begins to form. As the portal opens the blast of cold air flows into the room to reveal a snow capped mountain on the other side. A single figure walks through the door and pauses a moment. Stephen's blood red cloak moving unnaturally around him as he looks around. His fingers glow and the door remains open but a barriar of magic keeps the cold air from turning the alleyway into a freezer. Dr. Strange's eyes fall on Harry and he looks him up and down as he says calmly, "Mr. Dresden." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As soon as the sparks start, Harry is on the defensive. He has been in enough 'surprise' situations that he doesn't take any chances. He lifts his left hand, shaking out the shield bracelet on that hand and forcing his will into the focus, causing a semi-transparent blue half dome of energy to form between him and the opening gateway. His right hand reaches into his duster, drawing his blasting rod and pre-charging it as well, the runes on the rod, as well as its tip, starting to glow a orange-red. When Strange appears through the passage, Harry narrows his bloodshot eyes slightly. It would be hard for someone like Dresden to NOT know who the Sorcerer Supreme is, even if they don't tend to subscribe to the same magical theory or laws. "Dr. Strange, isn't it." says Harry warily. "What brings you to my door?" Noticably, the light from the shield or rod does not dim, remaining charged and ready to be used as needed. 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he cocks his eyebrow at the swell of magic within the man, Stephen says calmly, "I bare you no ill will Mr. Dresden. You have been...busy here in Gotham. I have been keeping an eye on your activities." He looks down at the bracelet, "Interesting relic." The curiousity setting in before he blinks and shakes his head slightly, "But that is not why I am here. I have come to meet you face to face. I wanted too...see you for myself." He folds his hands behind his back, "You look...tired Mr. Dresden. Is there anything I can help you with?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The light from the shield bracelet dims slightly as the wizard takes a hard look at the Sorcerer Supreme, before it fades completely as Harry lowers his arm to his side. The rod, however, remains in his right hand, the tip glowing a dull orange. "Yeah, well, that remains to be seen doesn't it? Wouldn't be the first time I have been sucker punched by someone claiming to not hold me any 'ill will'. Here I am, you've seen me." Harry shrugs, "I'm just busy is all. To many things to do, not enough time to do them all in. I'm sure you know how that is." 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he nods slowly, "I am curious Mr. Dresden...what is your area of expertise in the mystic arts?" Stephen places two fingers over the Eye of Agamotto tracing it absently out of habit or thought. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry arches a brow, finally letting the power dissipate from his blasting rod as he allows it to drop back down into his duster. "My area of expertise? I'm pretty damned good at Thaumaturgy, or anything that deals in raw power. I'm also no slouch at making things go boom, or combat magic in general. Things like veils, or delicate magics are not really my forte." 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he presses his lips into a fine line, Stephen nods slowly, "So..." He turns to look up at the sky and the sceneage of Gotham. "This city has a dark heart..." He wrinkles his nose before looking back at Harry, "How many people have you killed?" As he folds his hands behind his back, "Because I need to know how...dark your heart is before I go any futher with my...proposal." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry frowns, "I guess that all depends on what you count as 'people'. Do you count Lupe Garou, or Vampires, or Fairies in that definition, or are you strictly talking flesh and blood mortal humans as people? Do you count death by indirect means 'killing' them? Or point blank fireboat to the chest? Do you count just by magic, or with a gun?" Harry rolls a shoulder, "The answer varies depending on your intent of the question, Strange. I don't take life lightly, I am no murderer if that is what you are going after. Anyone...or thing...I have killed was in self defense. I've had people itching to prove me wrong in that regard, people hoping to see me take a life so they can take mine." 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he nods slowly, "Well..." He runs two fingers over the amulet around his neck, "Do you know what this is? It is the Eye of Agamotto. It is said that he is the wizard who created magic. Others feel he is the source of all magic. Some...its just a bad ass relic. Regardless...it allows me to see...things. As much as I would like to take your word for it. I don't trust many people until they have earned...and I trust even mystical people less. You know that everything we do comes with a price." As he takes a step closer, "I want to read your soul Mr. Dresden and see if you are telling me the true. For a lack of better terms. I want to see how pure your soul real is. Because..." He smirks like a Cheshire Cat, "I might have a proposal that tickles your interest...if you pass." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Huh. Typically that is what I use a soul gaze for. Must be mighty handy to be able to use a focus for that. When I do it I get stuck with what I see forever, in perfect clarity, and whomever I soul gaze gets to look into my soul right back." Harry says as he glances at the medallion. "All the benefits without any of the nasty side effects. Sounds like cheating to me." Harry looks from the medallion back to Stephen's face, but doesn't meet his eyes. "If you want to scan me with your thing, I ask one thing before you do. Swear to me by your power that it does what you say, and nothing more." 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he shakes his head, "No." Stephen lowers his hand from the Eye and pauses before he explains, "Because it does more than just that. My secrets are my own and as Sorcerer Supereme. I have many...just as you. However, what I can promise you is that I am only going to read how pure your soul is. The Eye will take into account all of the times you have killed for self defense...but blood is blood. I have blood on my hands. However, it has been in the defense of my own life or those innocence people of this planet. The demons from the various planes of existance have no interest in innocence life. I do. However, I do understand if you do not wish to be scan. But for us to go any further...you must take a leap of faith." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden frowns, tapping his fingers agains his leg as he studies the man in the red cape. "Well, I can tell you this much. If you count vampires among the 'blood is blood', then I have certainly spilled my fair share." Dresden reaches up and rubs at the back of his neck, and then shrugs his shoulders once more. "Do your worst I guess." 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he nods slowly, Stephen turns to face Harry and says calmly, "You will feel a simple...tingle. Nothing more." Stephen claps his hands and the flows of magic seem to pulse from around his body. His hands begin to move in precise almost robotic movements over the amulet as the Eye begins to glow and open. The white nimbus growing brighter and brighter as it baths the entire area in light, including Harry. As it remains for a moment a simple golden nimbus surrounds Harry's body but does not shine quite purely. It is dim and wavers. Stephen watches the man intently and nods slowly before he brings his hands up over his head in a wide arc and a thunderous clap echoes through the alley. The glowing Eye winks out and he smiles softly, "As I suspected...you have good in your heart still, Mr. Dresden. But...it wavers from time to time as if you questioned you were doing good in the world." He folds his hands behind his back, "How would you like to do some good in the world?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Do some good in the world? Hell's bells, man, that is what I have /been/ trying to do. If I didn't want to be a force for 'good' I wouldn't be risking my life out there for people. I could easily just be sitting in my lab doing wizardy things without having to fight off Lupe Garou or Vampires, or dark sorcerers." Harry shakes his head, "Do I think it is not worth it sometimes? Maybe, like when it costs me the people I love. But I still stick my damned neck out every day." 

:'''{{#var:71|Doctor Strange (71)}} has posed:''' As he nods slowly, "Then..." With a flick of his wrist, the air before Harry wavers and a replic of the Eye floats in front of him. "This is a key. This will provide you with an opportunity that I would like to discuss with you more in detail. If you wear the amulet and say my name. You will be transported to the Sanctumn." As he turns and steps through the barrair the cloak snapping around Stephen's body in annoyance. "When you have some time to discuss in detail my proposal. My home will be open to you. Until then Mr. Dresden...be safe." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Plucking the amulet from the air, Harry takes a look at it in his hand before shoving it into the pocket of his duster. "Alright, Strange. I'll think about it." 
}}

747/Another night, another nightmare, another day

2017-07-31T16:58:11Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/06/01 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=Another talk about 'us' from Karrin and Harry |Cast of Characters=168, 174 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/01
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Another talk about 'us' from Karrin and Harry
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slow sigh escapes her lips, trying to summon up some snark, something to just put things back to normal, but she's not quite there yet. So she just takes another, deeper drink of her ale. Then, slowly, she just sinks to the side. Not exactly into his arms, but to the point that her shoulder is leaning against his. THere is physical contact, and that alone helps a lot. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just... woke up a little rough." She admits softly. It must have been bad for her to say it. Her free hand comes down to bury itself in Mouse's fur, even as the pup stretches out on Dresden's lap. Dogs help everything. "Take all the time you need. We're awake now...eveyrthing's fine. It was just a fucking dream. No... no rush." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Wether it is a subconscious act or something he now just feels comfortable doing, Harry's arm raises and he slips it over Karrin's shoulders to pull her in closer when she leans up against him. "You and me both." he says quietly. "Not the best way I have ever woken up. Not even in the top 100." He falls quiet, using the silence to open up his ale, flicking the top off with his thumb. He lifts the bottle to his lips and take a long pull from it. "I'm sorry." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While she hadn't consciously planned for Harry to do that when she nudged in closer on the couch, there was a whole lot of her that wanted it and she didn't even realize until she felt his arm wrapping across the back of her shoulders. She lets out a slow, calmer breath, some inches of tension dropping from her shoulders as she tucks in against his lanky frame a bit tighter. Karrin has never been a needy or clingy person but, this morning, she'll take it. She takes another deep drink of her ale, half smirking at his apology, "You have no reason to be sorry. You didn't put that shit in our heads, and those charms were working perfectly fine until then. I'm willing to be whoever is doing this... they tried to figure a way around. Or put energy behind it, or something to break through. Because that was vicious and personal. That is someone who knows you." Knows *them*. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Not just for the dreams, though I /am/ sorry about those. No, I'm sorry about the fighting. Maybe it has been the heated emotions between us that broke down the barrier." He rolls one of his shoulders in a shrug and takes another long pull from his beer. "You're right about one thing though, whoever or whatever is doing this had made it personal. I'll have to bite the bullet and go see Lea, see if it is her or not...and if it is tell her to back the fuck off." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As she realizes his apology isn't about the dreams, it's about so much more and it's far more personal, Karrin just sighs. She drains another gilp of her beer and then sets the bottle down so she can let her head fully sink to the side against his shoulder. She breathes in slow and deep there, barely noticing that she's laying against a half naked Harry and that's all bare skin. It's his scent which is more reassuring than anything. "No...I... I'm sorry too, Harry. Shit. I... don't know if I know how to love someone and not pick a fight. It's... just habit at this point. Awful, shitty habits." Karrin admits, not too proud to admit her failings, this being one of the worst among them. "But... I don't want to fight with you. Part of the reason I keep...fighting this. Self defeating and crazy sounding, I know." She rasps those words out quietly against his shoulder and collarbone. At least she's more calm now. Exhaustion will do that to a person. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "You know what?" Harry says, brushing his fingertips against her shoulder in a light caress as he speaks, "I know how this is going to sound, but I'd rather spend my time fighting with you and having you in my life than the alternative. Yes, that is corny and cheesy, but it's the truth. So...whatever this is. Whatever it becomes, or doesn't become...I'm not going anywhere. We all got baggage, Hell's bells I have my fair share. Your bad habits are what makes you, you...and I wouldn't change them." He turns and leans down to brush his lips gently on the top of her head, "We will get through this." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Blue eyes press shut even tighter than before, against a sting of tears she really didn't expect to cry this morning. "...damn... stubborn man..." Karrin rasps out, but there is no actual anger behind her voice at all. It sounds more so grateful, loving, and a touch overwhelmed. She turns her head into that kiss, savouring the touch and taking a moment to breathe in his scent deeper. "...We will get through it. We always do. Maybe... we can start by trying to sleep again? I won't even make you take the couch. At least if things go to shit in dreams, we aren't waking up alone..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry lets out a little chuckle after pulling his lips back from the kiss, "I've been called worse and I'm sure Ebenezer would agree with you. Come on, lets see if we can't at least get you some sleep. Knowing you, you will be going to work so you need the rest." He shifts ever so slightly, leaning forward as he turns his torso towards Karrin, slipping his free arm under her legs and standing to lift her up in a carry. He makes his way towards the bedroom with her in his arms, a soft, contented, smile on his lips. "Of course we will get through it, it's what we do. I'd like to see Batman take down a Lupe Garou like we did. I mean, he wouldn't even know the first thing about trying to lift a curse from..." And that is when his towel falls off. Harry clears his throat, his skin becoming a bit flush, "Um..Murph...Close your eyes. Whatever you do, don't look down." 
}}

692/Another day....

2017-07-31T16:55:51Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/06/01 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=After dying in a dream, Karrin comes to comfort Harry |Cast of Characters=174, 168 |pretty=yes }}..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/06/01
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=After dying in a dream, Karrin comes to comfort Harry
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The dog licks help clean the sweat from his skin, but don't do much to calm his nerves. He pants, much like the dog, trying to catch his breath for a minute before he raises his hand and places it on Mouse's head. "I'm ok." he says shakily. "I'll be ok, Mouse." He sits there for a minute more, running his fingers through the dog's fur before he stands and makes his way towards the shower. He strips off his boxers, stepping into the shower stall and turning on the water. There is no use waiting for it to warm, because it never does. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Dying, even in a dream, is never pleasant. Part of Murphy hopes that it was just her horrible brain torturing itself with some weird repressed guilt. The rest of her cannot help but see the parallels to that last dream that she had with Harry in it, but it's taking her a few moments, laying awake in her grandmother's old, four poster bed, staring up at the ceiling as she works on catching her breath. Without an animal companions, Harry, or even Kincaid around, there is nothing but the sound of her own rushing heart in her ears to keep her company. It's not comfortable. So, after a few too many minutes, she rolls over, grabbing at the phone on her bedside table. She knows Harry *has* a phone downstairs... whether it's ringing or not, functional or not, she doesn't know. But she dials the number. It rings. And rings. Because showers and poor timing. Karrin swears and just pulls herself up out of the bed. It's only a ten minute ride to his apartment. She's on the wards. For the second time in as many weeks, she gets in her car and makes the drive to Dresden's in nothing but her night shorts and shirt. By the time he's out of the shower, she's actually in his living room, curled into the corner of the couch's cushions, her feet tucked beneath her and Mouse half in her lap. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The shower helps wake him up and wash the sweat off at least. It doesn't do anything at all for his sense of well being or nerves. He wanders out of the shower, wrapping his waist in a towel, and heads for the kitchen to get himself a beer. And there is a Murphy. It is unexpected, after the last time. He didn't expect to see her in his apartment in the middle of the night again. He pauses at the doorway of his bedroom, clutching the towel a bit tighter. "Hey Murph." He glances back towards his room for a moment, then shrugs and continues on his way towards the kitchenette. "Can I get you something?" He says it as casual as he can, but his eyes linger on her for a moment longer than perhaps necessary. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman can hear the forced casual tone in his voice. She knows him too well. Not to mention the long look he's giving her, mirroring her own slightly too haunted gaze. Murphy takes in a deep breath and buries her hand a bit deeper into Mouse's scruff. That's reassuring, at least. The damn dog really had become a quickly essential part of their lives. "Dresden." She echoes his too-casual greeting. Like they were passing in a coffee shop, or something. "...Just... one of those nights again. Rough dreams. Maybe we need to brush up those... charms again. Or just get really completely wasted on Mac's ale. I haven't decided yet. But... well... It's good to see you. Glad I didn't wake you up. Might... well... I could really do with passing out on this couch again tonight. If that's not too awkward." She's rambling. It's not something she does a lot except when she's really rattled. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden says, "You too?" Harry says with a sigh and slight bow of his head. He grabs two beers from the icebox, pauses, then grabs two more. He makes his way over to the couch and offers two beers over to Karrin. "You know you don't have to ask permission, Murph. You know you can come and stay whenever you want. Hell's bells, you don't even have to sleep on the couch. You can have the bed. Just let me get some pants on." He glances down at the towel and then back up to Muprhy, "I should probably do that anyway." he says as he takes a seat on the other end of the couch, leaving the middle space between them." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...for once, I am not actually tempted to jump your bones and ride you to exhaustion, Harry. I just sort of want to sit here and... be very happy you're alright. And I'm still breathing. And Mac's ale still tastes good." Murphy states flatly, even if those words would strongly imply there are a lot of other times she IS tempted to jump his bones. Which is probably very much true. She accepts the beer, knocking back a deep, long gulp of it. And then another. She's not savoring it right now, she's just drinking. "So...I think you are safe in your towel." Meanwhile, Mouse wiggles out from under Karrin's hand and over to Harry, stepping up in his lap and sprawling out over those legs. Harry's well and trapped now, but at least he's covered. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden arches an eyebrow at the words Karrin uses. He opens his mouth to says something...most likely snarky...but then closes it again. "I'm glad you're ok." he finally does say, laying his hand on Mouse when the dog crawls up into his lap. There is another long pause, the silence slightly awkward as neither of them are giving each other the shit they usually do. Finally he breaks the silence after he takes a sip of the beer, "Give me a few moments to get my head back in order, and I will wake Bob up and do something about these charms." 
}}

461/The morning after...

2017-07-31T16:52:54Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/17 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=The morning after the failed attempt to talk to Karrin about important things |Cast of Characters=..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/17
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=The morning after the failed attempt to talk to Karrin about important things
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' One of the worst things about getting old? Hangovers. They sneak up on you without warning and are infinitely worse than the youthful days of being able to drink until dawn and barely feel it the next day. It's like every year the headaches get worse. This morning, after having drank far too much and not having had a single bit of food? Karrin feels like she's sixty. It's the headache that wakes her up first, though she's comfortably curled in his arms and most of her body is happily at ease, the pounding behind her temples finally wins over the comforting ease of sleeping against her best friend. Karrin gives a low, little groan, turning her head against his chest and burying her eyes a bit deeper against his throat. There wasn't much light in the basement apartment, but anything was too much right now. A few quiet curses escape her lips as she tries to shift closer to him and go back to sleep. It's not going to work. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There isn't many things that rival a hangover for the worst way to wake up. While Karrin starts to stir, the mattress she has been using lets out a little groan of his own. He isn't hungover, his pain not coming from his head but it emanates from elsewhere. Sleeping in a sitting up position as he leaned against the back of the couch, Murphy in his lap, has done a number on his lower back. This stiffness in his neck from not having any support just adds to the discomfort. As she shifts again to try and get comfortable, he shifts a bit more to try and help her lay more against his lap and the sharp twang of pain caused by unsatisfaction hits causing him to let out another, more gutteral groan. "OH Hell's bells.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman is awake enough that she really isn't going back to sleep, no matter how hard she tries. Murphy is unaware of just WHY he's cursing, but she certainly can agree with the sentiment. A little moan escapes into his neck, not the happy sort, and she mutters drowsily. "You...can say that again. I mixed. God...why did I mix? Shoulda stuck with the scotch..." Her words are half mumbled, half concealed in his flesh, and each one probably echoes a nice brush of breath against his throat in ways that don't help any issue he's having. But she's not panicked or pulled away yet, that's a good sign. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Slipping his arm around her, he pulls her in close for a brief hug and a peck to the top of the head, "Because you had a rough day. It's alright, just rel.." and then there is a knock at the door which brings another curse from the wizard, this one a little more vulgar. "Maybe they will just go away..." No such luck. There is another knock at the door and this one disturbs Mouse, whose head lifts a little and looks to the door to the apartment with a bark. Harry lets out a sigh, and starts to try and slip out from under Karrin without disturbing her too much. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A protesting groan escapes her lips as Mouse barks at the door, Karrin swatting a hand very lightly in the pup's direction, "Shhhh...Mouse. Maybe, uh... take a cue from your name. Your aunt has a headache." She grumbles. She counts as dog-aunt, right? Well, now she does! The peck from Harry gets a little smile, though, secret and hidden against his throat. She half returns the hug, almost not quite wanting to let go, but it seems the person at the door is rather insistent. She sighs and shifts back, letting him get up. He might be trying not to disturb her but, really, she's awake now. She shifts forward, feet resting on the floor and elbows on her knees as she rubs fingertips across her eyes and tries to shake off the worst of the hangover. It's not really helping, but it was worth a try. "...please tell me you have anti-hangover magic. You're a wizard. You can do anything." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Moving hurts. If it isn't his back or neck, it is...other places. Harry tries not to let the pain show, but he definitely seems to be walking a little more gingerly than normal. "If I knew ahead of time, I could have made a potion, but I didn't. Best I can offer you is some alka-seltzer and aspirin." He makes his way to the door and cracks it open, looking out the crack to see who it is. The sight of a small blue pixie catches him by surprise. "Harry Dresden? My lady bid me come tell thee that A bat man and soldier are telling her to get them a cursed infernal coin from her father. They are located at Nantwich Skytrain station, and she bids you come and make haste." The pixie's job done, it zips off into the sky. "Stars and stones.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Leaning forward still, Karrin sighs deeply, "...Useless to me. What sort of wizard doesn't keep hang over cures just on hand..." she mutters gruffly, but there is an underlying slight chuckle behind her voice. She's clearly teasing him. Not quite as ginger as he's moving, but definitely not fast, the woman unfolds from the couch and tries stretching. Several things pop in her back. "...getting old sucks." She echoes the pops. Then her brain catches up with what is being said at the door and she blinks. "...What? Dammit... shit. I'll take that asprin now, Harry. And... we should move. I don't trust Batman and Molly not to kill each other. Both their egos are... Immense." At least she's still dressed. It's a quick matter of pulling on boots, though the look in her eyes definitely echoes a headache. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The information takes a brief moment to register before it clicks in his head. Whatever pain he is in, he pushes aside for the moment as there is something far more important to be handled. "Aspirin is in the top drawer by the sink." Harry exclaims as he starts to get his gear by the door together, at least one good thing about falling asleep fully dressed is that you don't have to worry about that. "Let's go!" 
}}

431/Just another day

2017-07-31T16:51:39Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/05/15 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=Harry tries to tell Karrin something important, but she is way to tired. |Cast of Characters=174,..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/05/15
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Harry tries to tell Karrin something important, but she is way to tired.
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' For Harry Dresden, being injured is par for the course, but it doesn't prevent the wizard from a serious case of cabin fever. Having been 'resting' for the last few days, Harry slipped out for a few hours to run some errands, only recently arriving back home to his basement apartment. There is a fire lit in the fireplace, casting an ambient orange-red glow over the rest of the one room apartment, as well as a couple candles placed sporadically to add more light to otherwise darkened corners. Mouse and Mister both lay curled up on the couch, one on each end, with the cat still eyeing the dog warily. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, he did give her a key to the place. That means Karrin no longer feels the need to knock. Or, perhaps her head is just ten million other places now and she's halfway into a rant mentally so she doesn't want to pause that by being polite. Who knows. But the sound of the spare key in his lock can be heard and a heartbeat later short and fiesty comes down, news paper in her hand, eyes shining with anger and cheeks flushed with whatever yelling she did in the car. "...Did you see this? DID YOU SEE THIS?! The JOKER. The fucking JOKER! NO wonder we are striking. This city is going to go to hell. HOW THE HELL DO I WORK FOR HIM?!" No hullo, no smile, no hug or checking on just how injured he still is. Karrin plops in and slams the newspaper down on the table. She really looks ready to murder something. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Putting the last of the groceries away, the tall wizard reaches into the icebox and produces a pair of beer bottles upon hearing the lock in the door. He opens both and sets them onto the little counter the separates the kitchenette from the rest of the apartment. He pauses for a second, and then reaches under the counter and slides a bottle of scotch next to the beers as well. When Karrin finally opens the door and starts commenting on the happenings in the city, Harry lets out a little nod. "Yeah, I saw. I can't believe it. It has to be a, well, joke. No pun intended. They can't honestly think this is going to work. I just want to know where your pointed eared friend is during all this. I can't imagine he endorses this idea." Harry leans against the counter with a little bit of a wince even as the puppy bounds off the couch and makes his way over toward Karrin's side, raising a little paw and batting at her leg. Harry shrugs a shoulder, "Maybe it's time to take all that vacation time you have saved up." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's like he expected this or something. Once Karrin has finished with her slightly overly dramatic entrance -- she REALLY needed to get that out of her system -- she narrows her eyes and looks around the place. Two ales. Scotch. Yeah, he'd clearly seen the paper. She's about to stalk over in that direction, probably grabbing for a belt of the scotch first, but then suddenly there is a large puppy paw batting at her leg and she looks down at the little fluff ball. "...You.. are probably very good for my blood pressure." She mutters to the pup, simply UNABLE to continue cursing in front of him. She then leans over and scoops the little guy up, giving his head a good scratch before moving past the couch and leaning over to give Mister some love too. She doesn't want him to feel neglected! Once that is done, still with her puppy luggage, she moves to the kitchen and does grab for the scotch. "I'm considering joining everyone else on strike. I am... I have no clue where Batman is but I really want to give him a piece of my mind. But then...what the hell ACTUALLY happens to the innocent citizens of Gotham? Do we just fu... uh... fudging..." She should not swear in front of maybe intelligent puppy, right? "abandon them?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' He can't help it. As much as he tries, Harry can't help the little smile that forms on his lips as Karrin's fury is derailed by the four legged fluff ball. The little ball of fur wuffles a bit as he is picked up, and then once settled in her arms gives her a lick to the cheek. "Of course not.", Harry says with a snort, "We don't abandon anyone, we just fight the good fight without being behind the protection of a badge....well, you do anyway. I've never really had that particular shield to fall behind." Harry reaches into the icebox and pulls out a Coke, pressing the ice cold can to his shoulder. "Strike. Take your vacation. Do something that gets you out of having to actually take orders from that madman." He pops the Coke open and takes a swig before replacing the can to his shoulder, "I'd say even quit if you have to. I'm sure you can find something with another agency." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' With the adept talent with alcohol that only someone named Murphy can have, Karrin opens the bottle of scotch one handed, her other palm still cradling that puppy, and she actually knocks back a good belt of it without hesitation and even without much of a wince following. Apparently, the plan for THIS evening was to get completely shit faced. Who knew if she'd even ate. She then leans instinctively a bit closer to that puppy's lick, he really was helping her not entirely lose her mind, but the words Harry offers make her look a little ill. "...Harry... it's not about falling behind a shield. It's about making certain the people KNOW who the good guys are. It's about... protecting and serving. I took an *oath*, Harry... I made a promise to this city a long time ago. And yes, it involves that badge. I've... been nothing but a cop my entire adult life for a reason. I'm a damn GOOD cop. If... if we all run, then the people won't know WHO to trust. There's no where for people to turn. You can't trust vigilantes. And, no offense, how much of Gotham do you think takes seriously the wizard in the yellow pages?" SHe doesn't say it insultingly, but with a flat practiality to her voice. "...I... I'm a cop. I can't quit. I made a promise." She reiterates. But there's a touch of fear behind there too. She doesn't know how to be anything BUT a cop. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Taking the Coke from his shoulder, he takes another pull from it. "The you be the best damn cop you can be under these circumstances, Murph. You let the public know that you are there for them, get the word out that even under the most bizarre and dire of circumstances that there are those of you on the force that will not give up or give in. Use your connections, call your friends on SPECTRE...hell, call Jack Ryder and give him an interview. Let the public know that you are not going to give up, or give in, and even if it takes working under a lunatic you will be there for them." Harry takes another quaff from the can, "And to answer your question, judging by the amount of disposable income I have in mu bank account, I would say the percentage of people that take me seriously is very, very low." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's only then, when he TAKES the can from his shoulder, that Karrin realizes he's still nursing injuries. She knew, but her brain hadn't really been there yet. The blonde lets out a slow breath, trying to calm that too quick trip of her heart, easing into it all now. "...Sorry, Harry. You certainly don't deserve this anger. How are you doing?" She nods to the shoulder, some gentle concern now actually hooding at her eyes. She takes another shot of the scotch, this one making her wince a bit before she puts it down and lets her fingertips focus on scritching into puppy scruff. THat makes things better, certainly. "...The interview thing isn't a bad idea. I might end up getting myself fired if I...uh... Imply that we aren't all backing our illustrious commissioner. I guess I don't care. Are rogue cops a thing? Shit, Harry... I... I don't know how to do this." She admits softly, not quite meeting his eyes. It breaks something in her to admit that. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden shrugs the good shoulder as the corner of his lip raises in a bit of a smirk, "It's fine, Murph. I've gotten used to being on this side of your wrath, for slights imagined or otherwise. I mean, at least you aren't throwing me into handcuffs and trying to arrest me, so I call this a win." "I'm healing. I managed to make it out of the house today and took a drive over to Bludhaven. They have a magic shop over there that actually is legit. I needed to pick up some supplies and decided to check it out. Ran into a pair of hedge witches there, it was interesting. But not important." He sets the can of Coke down and slides a butt cheek onto the counter to half-sit on it. "I wish had the answers for you, Murph. But it wouldn't be the first time the cops didn't show solidarity for their commissioner. I mean, didn't Gordon do the same before he became the commish? Seemed to do ok for him in the end." He smiles a soft smile, reaching his hand over to place on top of hers, giving Mouse a ruffle in the process, "It's ok to be scared, Karrin. I'll let you in on a little secret, i'm terrified about what I am doing about ninety-five percent of the time. If you asked me at any given moment if I knew what I was doing, I would have to say no if I was being honest." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...I'm not scared." Karrin immediately bounces back, a defense mechanism FAR more than it is the truth. Mouse gives a little, obstinant yelp at that and, though she might imagine it, a doggy raised eyebrow. She stares down at the pup. "Harry. Your dog is giving me flack. Tell him to stop giving me that look." She smirks, but it's really probably the same look HARRY is giving her, so she just sighs and sinks to the side on the counter as well, right next to Harry. Enough that her lower ribs can brush against his hip. "Yeah...Gordon did that too. Gotham's always been messed up. I... guess I just keep trying. The interview thing is a good idea. I'll do that. See where it gets me." She murmurs, staring into the dim room in front of her, the drowsy warmth of too much booze, too fast on an empty stomach is now sinking into her limbs quite nicely. "...and you're pretty damn good at hiding how scared you are. Just not that you know what you're doing. We're all full well aware you have no clue what the hell you're doing." She teases him lightly, giving a gentle poke with her elbow. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Letting out a little snort, the wizard elbows back gently. "Hey, there isn't a manual for the sort of things that I have to do. I have to make it up as I go along. Sue me, but you won't get much." "GCPD would be fools if they let you go, Murphy...but given who the city just chose to be the GCPD Commissioner, I think they have gone past fools straight into insane. Regardless of what happens, i'll be there to support you, you know that. If you loose the badge you can work with me as a PI, or I'm sure the feds would want someone of your caliber, or there is always Bludhaven or New York or even Metroplois. I am sure you can get a job as a cop elsewhere." He smirks, "Maybe you can get a skin tight suit with a cape and run around on rooftops. That seems to be all the rage now as well. Let's see, what could we call you? Batwoman..no, that's taken now isn't it? Batgirl is taken. Robin...taken. Hrmm. Sparrow? Finch?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You just want to see me in a skin tight suit." Karrin states flatly, the look she's giving him as deadpan as her voice. Her smirk deepens, but she doesn't look like her head is literally ready to explode any longer, so that's a good sign. She lets out a long breath and leans against him just a bit deeper. "We'll start with an interview. If I can get the radio or paper to take me... we'll go from there. I need to set up some sort of... anonymous line. Or shit, just give them my desk line, as... as long as the commissioner leaves it connected. Some way for people to get through. An email address, maybe..." SHe's just talking aloud, now, the scotch helping her brain to ramble between good and bad ideas. "You should be resting, you know that. After your adventures today... don't want to push it too hard. You want me to take a look at those ribs again?" Karrin seems done focusing on self-care for the moment. She's not good at drowning in pity overly long, it doesn't sit well in her heart. So, now she focuses on him, though she's scooping up the open bottle of ale and has hands full between it and the puppy, though Mouse is now getting wriggly as he is a pup and she clearly doesn't need face licking QUITE so much as she did before. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Opeing his mouth to say something, Harry just ends up closing it again, replacing whatever words he was going to utter with the sound of him swallowing a mouthful of Coke instead. He nods his head once, in agreement and understanding. "Sounds like a plan." At the comment about him resting, he shrugs his good shoulder, "It was just a drive and a quick shopping trip. I don't think I did anything that could damage myself to much. But if you are just trying to get my shirt off..." The wizard grins and finishes the Coke in one long pull, tossing the can into the recycle bin. "...who am I to try and stop you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde turns towards him, head tilting and a DEEP smirk dancing across her lips. "...So, you managed to actually bite your tongue on whatever idiotic thing you were going to say about the skin tight suit... But then totally blew it by shirtless comments? You're already in trouble, might as well go for the whole hog." Karrin teases him, setting the dog down so she can swat at his arm, though in a spot she knows isn't injured. Mouse immediately takes off running in some overly energetic puppy circles because Puppy. She then nods towards the couch, "...but come on. I can at least see how worried I should be and how green your bruises are. Has the shoulder popped out again at all?" Karrin asks, concern trumping how angry she is at him. She really has no anger LEFT In her right now, having burnt most of it out at the news paper. Her walk is a little less than a straight line, a good sign she probably didn't eat a damn thing before she came here, but she manages over to the couch smoothly enough and plops down there. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Letting out a good belt of laughter, Harry follows her over to the couch. "Hey, I wouldn't be me if you weren't mad at me about some comment or another. If I didn't get you at least riled up by one sentence in a conversation you would think I was some alien dopploganger or Fae imposter. Besides, I've already gotten close enough to skin tight." He moves to stand in front of where she sat on the couch, moving gingerly as he moves to slide the t-shirt up and over his head. "No, it's stayed in place. I can feel a bit of grinding when I move it, but it's not to bad." He winces a bit as he moves to get the shirt over his head. "The bruising looks like...well...bruising. All greens and purples and funky yellow colors." True to his word, the bruises are exactly that, all the various bruse colors radiating from the impact point of the slug and moving out to cover a good portion of his shoulder and upper chest/back area. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Fair enough. I can't expect you to be THAT intelligent." Karrin teases gently, taking a good belt from the beer and then resting the bottle down so she now has two free hands to look over his injuries before she actually gets any more tipsy. Her fingertips are quite warm, for once, the blessings of alcohol despite the forever chill of a basement apartment. "...Sorry I wasn't back over to rewrap those ribs. Work has been a bit... well... You know." SHe does sound genuinely guilty about that, though, as she sees the miserable amounts of bruising on his shoulder and chest. She knows it's in that looks worse before it gets better stage, but it's still uncomfortable. Shifting closer, she starts that careful trace of her fingertips along his ribs, checking to see that none of them seem to have popped out of place. "I'll re-wrap them. And you really should sling that shoulder until it stops grinding. I mean, unless you like doing possible permanent damage to yourself. That's all up to you." She deadpans, her breath gentle against his neck as she speaks, tone far softer than the implication of her rough and tumble words. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "It's fine, Murph." Harry says with a smile, "I know you have been busy, and it isn't like I am not a big boy. I can take care of myself alright. I took it easy, so the lack of wrapping shouldn't be to detrimental to my recovery...but it was either leave the wrapping on, or take a shower and I needed a shower." He doesn't wince to much as his ribs are prodded. They seem to be healing well enough, but still tender to the touch. He shrugs his shoulder, glancing from his shoulder down to Murphy, "I'm sure I can find something to makeshift a sling for the arm. Hell, I probably have one around here somewhere from the last time I needed one." The gentle breath caressing his naked neck causes his skin to ripple in little goosebumps and he gives the barest of shivers. "I think...I need to stoke the fire some more." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "I think you need to keep your ass put until I make certain you don't shake yourself apart again, Capiche?" Murphy half growls at him, finishing her probing and pulling quickly away. Whether she even realized what sort of affect her proximity had or not, it's not clear. She then heads for the bathroom, looking where she's found the ace bandages and various things before. Mouse, having finished tearing around the house like a mad man, trots back over to Harry and looks up to him almost patiently. It's not the 'need to go out' look. It's the 'so what are you going to do about this?' look. He gives a little yip in the direction of tipsy-Murphy in the bathroom, then back towards Harry before his jaw lolls open in little doggie grin and he pads up to put his paws up on Harry's lap. Mister, of course, not to be out done, immediately gets up from where he's been curled up on the couch and prowls over to Harry, head butting his shoulder and rubbing up against his arm in back and forth paces. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Looking after Karrin, Harry watches the doorway she passed through until he is batted by a puppy paw. "What?" exclaims the wizard as the breaks his gaze towards the bedroom and looks down at Mouse. "Don't give me that look. You haven't been here long enough to be able to give me that look, Mouse. As I have told Bob, It's complicated." He reaches down and ruffles the puppy's head with one hand, and giving Mister his due worship with the other. He calls out to Murphy, "If I have a sling, it's likely under the sink. If it isn't there, check the dresser...left side, third drawer down. Behind the boxers." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The fact that Karrin doesn't complain about going behind his boxers means she's either REALLY that tipsy or, more so, they are simply just that close. "Got it!" She calls, ducking out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. It's about another two minutes before she returns, Mister now having taken the chance to settle down RIGHT on Harry's thigh and half curl up, which means Harry's going to be pinned to the couch for a while. Coming back with ace bandage and sling, "Victory." Karrin declares, sinking down behind him once more and starting the familiar, warm dance of wrapping that ace bandage. She's careful, pulling it just tight enough to give support to those ribs without strangling him. Her motions are a bit more languid for the booze running through her, but this activity is practically done by muscle memory alone these days. ANd her breath is there, against his neck, the side of his face, too close to be anything but tempting. "I forgot you were a boxers guy. When did you get the ones with little hearts on them? Are those actual *silk*?" She asks, not totally able to hide the faint giggle behind her voice. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Looking up from Mouse and Mister when Karrin returns, Harry pulls his lips into the hint of a smirk, "Yes, they are silk, I got them from Susan before...you know. At least you didn't rifle through them too much. You might have found the blue ones with the duckies on them that I ended up wearing when I busted out of Bianca's. It was either that, or going about free willy...and I wasn't about to die naked. If I am going to die naked, it's going to be doing something fun if I can help it." Harry raises his hands to let Murphy have better access to his chest, resting his hands on her shoulders, his fingers absentmindedly rubbing gently across her shoulders in a light massage. In a obviously teasing voice he exclaims, "At least I keep my unmentionables in a drawer, Murphy. Not tossed behind the bed." It's like he can't help himself, really. The idiot. "Actually, I think that is a point in your favor, not mine. I'm going to have to toss some random underwear around the apartment just for the illusionary effect." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It doesn't take too much longer for Karrin to finish wrapping those ribs, especially with his hands on her shoulders, massaging against the far too tight tendons there. While the booze is helping, Karrin has been operating on 110 percent anger for HOURS now and the remenants of that are clearly left over in her body. She's often tense, regular strength training will do that, but she also often stretches well. She's clearly NOT done that today. But the brush of his fingertips on her shoulders are enough to get a little moan of sore approval from her lips. It felt good. Then she finishes securing those little metal stays, about to pull back and say she's done, when she looks up and realizes he's *right there*. So close. Hands on her shoulders, half naked, talking about her unmentionables. This should be far more romantic, if he wasn't running his mouth about things that make her blush. She clears her throat, trying to get some control. "...How... how do those bandages feel?" But her mind has been totally derailed by other thoughts. She's trying to get the professionalism back. It's a lot harder two shots and half a beer in. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' If Harry has any idea the conflict that Karrin is feeling inside, he doesn't seem to acknowledge it. He lifts his hands from her shoulders for a moment, stretching his arms over his head slowly and then twisting to one side, then the other. "They feel fine, Murph. Nice and tight." He places his hands back onto her shoulders and rubs the tension there with a bit more forethought than as an idea gesture, "You're tense, Karrin. Turn around, let me work on these shoulders for a bit. It's the least I can do." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Safer that way, really. She's not feeling anything, right? Nor is he, surely. Karrin blinks as he pulls away, taking in a deep breath to try and clear her head, calm her pulse. This was HARRY, after all. She gives him a slightly distracted nod, "Good. Then on with the sling and you'll be all set." She clips out, a bit overcompensatingly professional. This was just business. Of course. Then he's going on about working on her shoulders and she cocks a single brow, staring up to his dark eyes. "And what happened to giving that shoulder a rest? Fighting with my knots certain isn't going to do you any good. I'm fine. Really." She's not, but she narrows eyes in a touch of worry at that still quite purple and green shoulder. She's still not pulled back, though. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Let me worry about my shoulder." Harry says with a sigh, "I promise if it starts to bother me I will stop using it, but at the very least I can use my hands and my hands don't hurt. Now stop arguing and turn around. Hell's bells, let me do something nice for you for a change." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Mmph." Is Karrin's big, dramatic, completely verbal argument. She narrows her eyes at him like she's waiting for a surprise to pop up somewhere, but he's got her on this one. "When'd you get smart?" She grumbles. She then shifts and turns around, reaching down to abruptly peel out of the teeshirt she's wearing because she's just tipsy enough to not be thinking about it, and one doesn't actually work on shoulders through a teeshirt. Fortunately, she's in a sports bra that covers more than most bikinis, so this shouldn't be *too* distracting, right? She's got a few extra bruises herself, things that weren't there before, but it's been a bit since he's seen her unclothed. There's the same old scars -- a knife wound, two different bullet wounds, some shrapnel scars. It's simply Murphy. A map on her skin of a life lead in the fight. She reaches a hand out for her beer, taking another sip of it, letting it nurse between her fingertips. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' When Karrin turns around and whips her shirt off Harry does pause a moment, clearly not expecting that. Looks like he was expecting to work though a t-shirt after all. Still, the brief moment of surprise is quickly pushed aside with a muttering of 'Stars and stones' just under his breath as he moves his hands back to her shoulders. The grip is firm, his fingers moving along the taught muscles between her neck and her shoulders as his thumbs dig into her skin to break apart the mess of knots they have become. There is slightly more pressure applied to the right side where his hand and shoulder can bare a little more effort, but the left is doing a decent job as well. "Looks like I'm not the only one that should be taking it easy." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While Karrin doesn't necessarily see it in herself, for those who appreciate a nicely toned woman, she's definitely a pretty sight. Lithe lines, the faintest hints of indentation with muscle and tone. Her hair short enough to expose the clear line of her neck. She was lovely, in that short (very short) Amazonian kind of way. "Hmm?" She asks drowsily, as she hears him muttering SOMETHING about stones, but doesn't catch it all. She's just leaning into those strong hands she trusts. She did need this. Another good gulp is taken of her beer, though she suddenly needs a hand free for Mister, who isn't getting enough attention from Harry, so he comes over to Karrin's lap. She murmurs gently to him, rubbing behind his ears. "Yes, you are still king here. I promise..." She half teases, but her voice is almost more drowsy now. Until he hits a particularly awful knot and she just hisses, "Daaaaaamnn ....eeeegh... " She doesn't tell him to stop, but that definitely hurts. "'mfine. Certainly had worse. Just the job. Especially now." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Yeah, where have I heard that before?" comments Harry as he works on that particularly nasty knot in her shoulder. "I swear I have heard someone use that same excuse and have heard you bitch back at someone for using that excuse. For the life of me I can't remember...it's on the tip of my tongue." He clucks his tongue for effect, "Oh, I am sure it will come to me eventually." He sighs, working at the knot a bit more with his string hand, "I should really get some massage oil from the bathroom so I don't rub your skin raw doing this." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You keep *massage oil* here? Harry Dresden. You're more of a scamp than I realized." Karrin states with a tone that hints to the fact that she is probably more tipsy than she realizes, because the under tone of those words was DEFINITELY flirtatious. Not chiding. She's pleasantly surprised, tossing him a flushed grin across her shoulder. But then she just shakes her head, "You also are a smart ass and it's not always attractive, you know. Stop being... Right, dammit. That's my job." Her nose wrinkles in that horribly cute way that she'd hate if she realized how cute it was. She then sinks back into his hands and just sighs, still idly rubbing at Mister's ears, but he's finally getting through some of that tension in her muscles. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Believe it or not, I have actually had a woman here before and she was, as remarkable as this may sound, less dressed than you are. We even did some adult things. I know, shocking right?! " Harry gives a little good natured grin to Karrin as she turns to look at him, as he continues to work on the knot in that shoulder. "We just have to face facts. We are both work-a-holics, and don't know when to quit. I knew that about you when we first met. Not many cops are going to see a Troll and just shrug it off." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "My innocent ears. Adult things, Harry. You have a child here. What is that young, impressionable mind going to learn." Murphy nods towards the half snoozing Mouse, her tone all relaxed, light teasing. She's definitely feeling better in multiple ways. A deeper sigh escapes her lips as he speaks about not knowing when to quit. "I know... and... that troll was trouble. Just because I saw a thing that shouldn't exist didn't mean I should stop doing my job. It's Gotham. There have been stranger things out there." Karrin mutters, leaning back into his hands, a bit closer than before. She might be trying to tempt him. Or, well, she might be half falling asleep. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Glancing over at Mouse, Harry smirks, "You mean the child over there that licks his own butt? I don't think he is going to care about what I do as long as I keep feeding him and taking him out for walks. Isn't that right, Mouse? I don't think the talk, or even the action, of 'adult things' are going to phase him." He turns to look back at Mouse, "But i'll let you know right now...cold dog noses are not appreciated in sensitive areas. Got it?" As Karrin leans back, Harry adjusts his hands to make it more comfortable for her. His fingers press more towards the collarbone and hallow of the throat now than her back. He leans his head forward and places a light peck on the top of her head, "I know, but that is also how I knew you were good people. Well, that and you didn't arrest me that time, even though I was wanted on an APB. You believed me and the girl...most cops would have just arrested me and Nick on her parents word. Like i'd kidnap a kid." He snorts, looking over to Mouse again, "You're a stowaway, I didn't mean to keep you, fuzzball." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Another little groan, especially as he gets the often neglected upper chest muscles. Karrin carries so much tension, constantly (really, they both do) it's no surprise that parts of her have been so sorely neglected. "You are... dangerously good at this." The mutters in drowsy approval, her head turning into that peck lazily. Maybe she didn't realize he did it. Then she's leaning against him fully, half wrapped in the warmth of his arms, and there is nothing simple friendship about any of this. But then, it was never really simple between them. "...You... You're a good man. I could tell that. There was no reason for you to lie. The whole situation smelled. You might be an idiot but... you're a trustable idiot. I knew that from day one." She mutters, tired and approving, a weird line of gratitude behind her voice. It was so important to have someone she could trust. She gives another tired laugh at the comment concerning the dog. "I...have a feeling he's the one that kept YOU, Harry. Even Mister likes him, I can tell. He's just putting up a fight because he's trying to be a grumpy old man." She digs fingertips deeper into Mister's scruff, getting a deep, rumbling purr. She's probably not wrong. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry's fingers dip dangerously close to aspect of Karrin's chest he doesn't intend, he isn't paying that close attention. He just is idly rubbing the tension his fingertips find as he talks. "Thanks." he utters as he continues to rub the muscles under the skin. Lighter now and not as deep not he chest as he was kneading her shoulders. "I can be an idiot, but I am one of those lovable idiots. Like your Uncle Steve or Eurkel from that TV show." He looks over at Mouse, and smiles. "You're probably right. I am half inclined to believe he stowed away on purpose." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Is this the weird wizard equivalent of a massage train? Wizard, cop, cat. With at least two of them making low, happy sounds. Harry must be doing something right. "..You are WAY more loveable than my Uncle Steve." Karrin deadpans. But then his hand is dipping a bit lower and she drowsily blinks. "Hey there, cowboy. You keep doing than and you better plan on doing something else about it." She mutters throatily, definitely relaxed enough to have just completely let her guard down. To sink into the temptation of his hands, the easier night, the things they keep dancing around but the higher functions of her brain keep stopping. Occasionally she can shut those off, quite occasionally. This seems to be one of those nights. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Huh?" Harry looks down over Karrin's shoulder and his fingers stop moving. "Oh." he says quietly, but doesn't pull back his fingers right away. He is quiet for a minute, his fingers still lightly caressing her upper chest but making no move lower or higher than their current position. "Sorry." he says a bit sheepishly, slowly moving to trail his fingers slowly towards her collarbone, just a bit higher but not by much. His thumbs trace the curve of her neck where it meets the shoulder, lighting dragon his nail across the skin. "Maybe, uh...maybe I should stop." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The lowering of inhibitions might be exactly what they needed to happen. But it might also make it extra awkward in the morning. Was Karrin more herself now, or was it the scotch? That's always the question. Still, she leans a bit closer to him, another happy sound coming from her throat even as his fingertips stroke up her throat, making her pulse skip a bit in interesting ways that certainly aren't about relaxing. "...Stop? Why? Isn't this... what we're supposed to be figuring out how to do? Relax?" He finally got her there. Fully relaxed, almost half asleep, really, leaning against his chest, her head lulling back against his good shoulder as she's half sprawled. "Don't be sorry, Harry. I... came here for this. For... you. I knew you'd...make me sane. Talk me down off the ledge. You always do. You... make things better." She mutters, half rambling, because she's clearly forgotten all the times he's made things SO MUCH WORSE too. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is an audible gulp that comes from Harry's throat as he swallows. "Mur..." he starts to say, and then changes his mind to, "...Karrin. I think maybe you might have had a little to much to drink. As hard as this is, and trust me...it's hard...I think maybe I should...take a shower or something, before I...." He takes a deep breath and slips one hand to cup the side of her face, turning it to face him. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' And there it is. The very reason she feels safe with him, the reason he IS a good guy, and she knows it. Even when everything in his body might be screaming to make choices, she's willing, wanting... He doesn't. Karrin's eyes drowsily flutter back open, head turning at that cupping hand against her face. She's frowning, her brow furrowed a touch, torn between the things she wants and that tiny voice in the back of her head saying he's right. That voice is so quiet right now. "'m...stupid, Harry. About this stuff... always have been... fucked up both my marriages... better if I just... screw around with the bad boys, the ones like Kincaid... Harvey... well, Harvey wasn't always bad, but... you know, no strings... nothing to get you stuck. I'd get...stuck with you, Harry. I want to get stuck... and that's dangerous." Rambling seductive goes to rambling maudelin pretty damn fast. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Karrin," he says, muttering almost as much to himself as to her, "Shut the fuck up." Then he moves to kiss her. Slowly he moves forward, giving plenty of time for her to move or pull away as his lips seek hers. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Hmm?" Karrin asks, half asleep, as he says her name. Her eyes are flickering shut again. He's relaxed her into a nice puddle of uselessness. THey don't reopen, even if she gives him a half laugh as he tells her to shut up. "...fine... 'sleep..." She half mutters. It was probably a full sentence in her head. And just as he's moving into kiss her, well... He gets a nice lip full of temple as she sinks forward into straight up dozing against him. She was probably going for his shoulder. That looked comfortable. She slumps just a bit to the side, head making it's way there a moment later. Utterly oblivious to the leap he FINALLY managed to take. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Just his luck isn't it. When lips touch temple, he places the kiss gently against her skin and leans back, a small little smile forming across his lips. He shakes his head, the laughter erupting from his throat only to be choked back to a muted cackle since he doesn't want to wake her. "Stars and stones, Karrin..." He gives her another small little kiss on the top of the head, and stitches out against the couch to try and get as comfortable as he can. He mutters to himself as he pulls her to sleep against his chest, "I so need a cold shower." he groans as he flops his head back against the couch and sighs. 
}}

316/The morning after

2017-07-31T16:49:58Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/05 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=After a soulgaze and passing out on the couch, Karrin and Harry wake the next morning to awkwardn..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/05
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=After a soulgaze and passing out on the couch, Karrin and Harry wake the next morning to awkwardness
|Cast of Characters=168, 174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Sleep wasn't really an easy thing for either of them. Even with the charms, they both had their own monster completely free of whatever mess Harry's godmother had been slipping into their dreams. But tucked into a safe place, near someone who was warm, familiar, and smelled strangely like home, Karrin had the best night of sleep she'd managed in ages. Even if she wasn't really made to be sleeping on a couch any more, and her back would be complaining tomorrow. It was worth it. Still half asleep, she instinctively curls in a bit closer against his neck, where she's drapped half across him still. Somewhere in the night, they'd both gone vertical, he stretched out haphazardly on the couch and she curled in against his side. A still mostly asleep smile crosses her lips, head burying in against his shoulder, away from the dim light that basement window allows to spill in the room. She gives a little sound of a grow as a lawn mower starts up somewhere over their heads, protesting in hopes it will shut off, but it won't considering it's not actually a lawn mower but the purr of Mister, who has made his way back and is perched above them on the couch, tail swishing against both their heads. Someone is hungry and only being semi-subtle about it. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' The couch wasn't meant to sleep on, this is true. Even less so for someone six foot nine...and then to add a second person to the mix, even if she is five foot nothing? It's a miracle they stayed on the couch at all. The swish, swish, swish of Mister's tail on his head makes Harry bat at the cat while he is still half-asleep. A low mumble escapes his lips, "Go away." but it is promptly replied to with a meow and a bat with a paw. Harry bats at the cat again, and tries to snuggle in closer to Murphy with an audible grumble. "I don't want to get up, Murph." says Harry quietly, an arm instinctively pulling her in a bit closer. "If I get up this ends, and I am not sure I am ready to let it...whatever this is, anyway. I don't want to read anything into it that isn't there." He half opens his eyes, and then closes them again to block his eyes from the light. "I could spend the day just laying here." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There was no denying something had changed. Harry had told her *everything*. Karrin felt like she'd seen every corner of his soul. Hell, she even spilled a few things herself. The divorce. Her family. Her damn sister. They fell asleep like this and they knew damned well what they were doing when they did it. But there was still that line drawn -- falling asleep on the couch, not moving to the bed. Pretending that they just passed out like this, that it probably meant nothing... A amall moan of protest escapes her throat, but she doesn't scramble and pull away like that first morning in her bed. She presses closer as his arm pulled her tighter. It felt *good*. This... was going to be a problem. But for the moment, Karrin enjoyed it. The faint sound of his heart against her ear, the gentle motion of his breath, his lanky arm around her compact frame. She lets her leg settle between his. "...if I open my eyes... I'm gonna have to move and we're gonna have to go back to pretending this... didn't happen... and I don't really think I want to do that either." Karrin mutters half asleep against his throat. Only to be thwacked in the head by Mister's tail again. "...Dammit, Mister." She half growls. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "We can just stay here..." says the wizard, "Keep our eyes closed for as long as possible, but sooner or later we are going to have to face the day." Harry sighs softly, slipping his other arm around her to clasps his hands at the small of her back, "If I don't feed him eventually, he will resort to laying his 30 pounds right on my bladder. I wish I could get Bob to feed him." "Like I would...i'm still under the table. You left me here, Harry! After all I've done.." "Shut up, Bob." Harry cracks his eyes half open again, "Do we have to pretend this didn't happen Karrin? It's not like we ended up...you know." "Not for my lack of trying!" the skull quips, but Harry ignores. "All we did was end up falling asleep, human contact. Nothing we have to feel guilty about." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...probably best nothing happened. I don't think I could move in here, Harry. I'd murder your roommates." Karrin rasps out, though good naturedly, especially as she listens to that thrumming purr above them. While they're complaining about Mister, her one hand does reach up, between her nose and his chin, so she can get to the heavily furred gray side of the big gray cat and bury her fingertips into a soothing, tender scratch. She liked the beast, for all the complaints. And it was a momentary distraction from actually deciding what to do about the situation between them. "...Nothing too feel guilty, if... if I remember this happened... I might want to do it again. That's... a dangerous road to walk." Karrin finally admits. She still hasn't budged from his side, though, her hips fitting nicely against his side, leg over his hips, calf between his thighs. She'd managed to find just the way to tuck herself against him over the night as he sprawled over the too-small couch. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Woah, woah, woah...slow down Tex. Nobody said anything about moving in." Harry says with a chuckle, shaking his head ever so slightly. "I mean, I have my bachelor pad just how I like it, and you would come in with your doilies and pink ruffles..." His mouth breaks out into a grin, shifting slightly to be able to look down at her face, "Just be glad I don't have a dog. I mean, Mister takes up enough room as it is." He is quiet for a moment, thinking about what Karrin has said, an almost imperceptible turn of his lips from jovial to disappointment before they settle on neutral. "If. If you remember. What are you saying, Karrin? Are you asking me to remove you memories? I can't do that, it is a violation against the laws of magic. But I am sure I can find someone not bound my the laws if that is what you really want." He sighs, releasing one of his hands from her back and lifting it to run his fingers through his hair. "They may even be able to remove the memories of the soul gaze from you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Shit, Harry..." The moment she hears that disappointment in his voice, and he's actually talking about removing memories, Karrin picks up her head enough she can look down into his eyes. Her hand comes back to rest against his chest, but she's not pulling away. She just looks at him. "I didn't mean it like that. Damn... I was teasing. Mostly. I... remember. I want to remember. I... I wouldn't trade last night for the world and it means... Everything that you trust me like that." Karrin is about to say more, studying his eyes now with the freedom they never had before, but something in her still stops. There is still fear. Not of him, but of opening herself up more. Of hoping too much. Diving in too deeply. Her hand presses a bit tighter into his chest. "I... I'm certainly not moving in. No... but I'm not going anywhere either." She breathes out, softer than before. Almost a promise. Then she tiredly glares at Mister over his head, "...hey, Mister. Can you, like... give us thirty more minutes? As a favor?" And like the cat actually understands, he thumps down off the couch and strides confidently away into the other room, leaving them in blessed silence once more. Karrin blinks, "I...didn't think that'd work." But she's not complaining. She then sinks herself back down against him, finding that nestled spot once more. A slow smile creeps across her face. "...30 more minutes. Then we'll worry about it." She breathes out against his neck. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "It's not like I would blame you, Murph. Shit got real last night. It's enough to make most people think they are loosing their grip on sanity, so who could blame you if you just wanted to go back to blissful ignorance?" Harry says softly as he finds her eyes with his, "But I'm glad. It's nice to be able to talk to you about it all. To look you in the eyes and actually talk to you. I think it might kill me if I had to try and take it all back." Harry just stares into her eyes for a quiet moment, his head moving a minute distance towards hers, but stopping himself just before she lowers her head back down. Once her head lowers, he lets out a little sigh of relief? Regret? "Right." he says, clearing his throat as she nestles back down against him, "Thirty minutes. Because in thirty minutes, this will be even easier to deal with." 
}}

286/Anyone home

2017-07-31T16:47:21Z

Alamias: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/07/03 |Location=Harry's Apartment |Synopsis=Harry fills Karrin in on everything |Cast of Characters=174, 168 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses |Poses=:''..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/07/03
|Location=Harry's Apartment
|Synopsis=Harry fills Karrin in on everything
|Cast of Characters=174, 168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' It's been a long week for one Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, between sleepless nights and Denarius coins surfacing, not to mention the magic swords and demonic thugs that he had a run in with as well. So Harry is at home and taking a night off for once, sitting on one of the second hand but comfortable couches that serve as his furniture. "Bob, I don't want to hear it." he says to the skull perched on the coffee table next to him. "I brought you up from the basement, but I am not going to rent any porn. Hell's bells, I don't even own a TV!" "But Harry..." says the skull in its crisp British accent, "You could always just rent a t..." "I said no, Bob! Now shut up and let me read in peace." "But Harry...Star Wars..." Harry turns his head and stares at the skull, "That new one is out now, isn't it." He sighs, "I don't know if they will let me since I fried the last one..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Even Murphy realizes that, eventually, she's a little too harsh on her friend. Between the still-healing gunshot wound to her shoulder, the woman in the hospital, the escaped assassin and the dreams, she's been extra snippy to him. But the dream-charm helped and after a good night's rest, her conscience kicked in. So, armed with a pizza topped with literally everything and a six pack from Mac's, she's come to apologize with goods, if not exactly words. Somestimes beer is better. The sound of knocking mainly comes from the heavy toe of her steel-toed boots on the outside of his door, her hands firmly filled with the goods. However, she realizes how kicking at his door might sound a heartbeat later and she calls into the room, "It's Murph. Let me in or you don't get any beer." Mainly because she might drop it, that arm still not back to full strength with the chunk taken out of it and the stitches. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Oh..a booty call!" the skull says as the twin points of orange lights in the eye sockets glow a bit brighter. "Shut up, Bob." Harry mutters as he slowly drags himself from the couch, tossing the blanket that was draped over his legs over the skull as he walks past. "You be quiet." "But, Harry, I want to wa.." "SHUT UP, BOB!" As he makes his way too the door, he calls "I'm on the way, Murph." Reaching the door, he mutters a few words under his breath to disable the ward and then unlocks the door. He opens it, giving it a good tug, and gives the Lieutenant a smile. "Beer? Did I hear you say beer?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slight nod down to the dark ale of Mac's in her hand and she lifts it, but there is a faint grimace of pain, her shoulder really not liking that motion, "Take it before I drop it and we both cry." Because crying over spilled ale, especially if it's Mac's? Absolutely a mature adult thing to do. She probably should have taken a few days off with that arm, but no one was willing to tell her that. Or, if they did, she didn't listen. Once she's handed off the precious goods, she carries the XL Chicago pizza into the room, the scent of it still hot and fresh. She must have picked it up and come straight here. She's in jeans, an old teeshirt and her preferred leather jacket, having the day off for onces. "...Were you just talking to someone? I swear I heard voices?...Something about a... Booty...Call?" Her eyes narrow at his face, trying to decide if she should be grumpy about that, or amused. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Uh...must have been the TV." Harry says quickly as he moves to grab the beer from Karrin's injured arm. He gives a glare at the now blanketed skull and mutters something unintelligible under his breath before turning his gaze back to Karrin, "Please, come in. The pizza smells delicious." He moves aside, allowing Karrin entrance to the basement apartment, the familiar tapestries on the walls and rugs underfoot. The only light coming from the fire in the fireplace, which casts it's yellow-orange glow across the room. "I'll get us some plates." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That makes her brow furrow. "...You don't have a TV. The last one you rented burnt out. That's why you can't even sit close to mine." Karrin's eyes narrow on him, suspicions up, especially as she follows her eyes to that weirdly shaped blanket on the shelf. She steps inside, curiously trying to figure out what's under it without being UTTERLY obvious. "It better be good, they put an entire farm on it. The meat parts and the veggie parts. Just not the fish parts. Anchovies are disgusting." Karrin admits flatly, handing the pizza box off to him as well and letting him head for the little kitchen area as she creeps closer to that blanket. What was under there? Some old childhood doll? A mirror glass to another dimension? She slowly picks up the edge of the blanket when his back is turned getting plates. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry is busy in the little alcove kitchen, looking for a pair of clean plates to put the pizza on as Karrin picks up the blanket. He doesn't seem to notice. Underneath the blanket is Bob, all skull like and quiet with the orange lights of his eyes extinguished, for now anyway. "Oh, yeah...so I don't. Hrm... Would you believe it was the wind?" He looks over and gives a sheepish smile to Karrin, his eyes casting a glance towards the blanket covered skull that she is now peering at. He clears his throat and turns back to plate pizza, bringing the plates and a couple opened bottles of beer back over to the couch. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, now she's been caught in the act, might as well fess up to it. Karrin's eyes narrow at the skull, then look back to Harry, then back to the skull, before she just folds back the blanket and leaves it open air to the room. Her hand rests on her hip, staring at him skeptically. "...Harry." She begins, voice perfectly calm, if on the edge of bemused. "... were you talking to a... Skull... when I came in? I mean, is this a Yorick thing? Are you going full on Hamlet on me? I guess it's... a traditional way to go crazy, if nothing else..." She's trying to hide the faint laughter from her voice, but it's hard, the more ridiculous this sounds the more she talks about it. "Some people talk to their plants, they think it helps them grow, or something. Some people even talk to their pets, but Mister assaulted me on the walkway outside... You talk to skulls. Shit. We need to get you out of the house more." She clearly doesn't believe it was the wind. She saw where his eyes went almost immediately, her attention to detail a blessing and a curse some days. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Setting the plates of pizza down onto the table, he hands over one of the bottles of beer to Karrin and takes a long pull from the other. "No, if I was doing Yorick it would have been more, "Alas poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio...a man of infinite jest...etcetera, etcetera. I don't recall there being anything about booty calls in Hamlet." He pulls the blanket off of Bob and offers its warmth to Karrin, sitting down on the couch as he takes another pull from his beer as he looks from Karrin to Bob and back. "Besides, Bob is a much bigger pain in the ass than Yorick ever was." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's always cold in this basement, probably something to do with it being a basement. Being that Karrin doesn't care to get her muddy boots all over his couch, she takes a moment to quickly unlace them and kick them aside near the door before she comes over to accept the blanket fully and plop down on his could, small frame burrito'd up in the blanket, with a freshly opened beer and a slice of pizza. She looks incredibly content, for just a moment. And just a bit cute, curled up like that. Don't dare tell her so. "...Bob. You have a... skull. It looks like a real skull... and you named it *BOB*. Not like... Ravendarkhart! Or... Lord Skullington. Or... even, I don't know, Marius! Something DIGNIFIED. But no. You named it Bob." Karrin still thinks the thing is quite empty, like his strange good luck charm or imaginary friend. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden shrugs. "He needed a name, I was sixteen. Bob seemed to be a good fit. I couldn't exactly keep calling him 'Spirit' could I? Well I suppose I could have since he answered to it for centuries before I named him...but still, Bob was shorter." He glances over at Karrin, taking a bite of his pizza and chewing slowly, "Anyway, he...uh...well. He like romance novels...the smuttier the better. For someone with a lack of a body, he certainly has a thing for sex." The lights in the eye sockets flick to life, and the skull turns slightly on the table to face the two, 'Well if you would let me OUT every once in a while, you wouldn't have to placate me with a textual representation. I could experience..." "The last time I let you out, you started an orgy!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A good slug of her beer and Karrin's shoulders drop almost an inch. She needed this as much as Harry did, even if she's given no explanation or actual apology as to why she's come over, and has still spent half the time rousing him about the weird skull on his table. She sets the beer down and pulls her plate into her lap, though his words about centuries and romance novels make Karrin look even more skeptical, "You're...really attached to your little imaginary friend over there, aren't you? Damn, you've made up a full back story for him and everythi-" OH GOD IT TALKS! Karrin NEARLY loses her pizza straight on the floor as lights fill the sockets and the thing turns to face both of them, responding in a way she doesn't even really understand. She saves her pizza, which has slid off her plate when she upended her lap, by the edge of the crust, dragging it back onto the plate quickly. Feet now flat on the floor, she stares at the skull, breathing out raggedly a moment or two. "Oh god... what? You... you were ACTUALLY talking to the skull. And it was talking back. WHAT?!" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden can't help himself. He laughs. It starts off as a chuckle, but soon erupts into a full blown belly laugh. "Oh...oh god. The look on your face... Priceless." It takes him a moment to gather himself, turning to face the skull, "I thought I told you to be quiet." "But Harry...you were droning on an on about me, so I figured it was ok to say hi." The skull turns to face Karrin, "Hi, Karrin. You're as cute as Harr.." "BOB!" the wizard growls out, cutting the spirit of intellect off before it can say any more. "Ixnay on the Utecay talk!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Carefully, skull-boy, I can punt you at least 45 yards to make a field goal and Harry doesn't have that kind of room in this apartment. I'm not *cute*." Karrin insists, with that slight wrinkle to her nose that, as ever, somehow makes her even MORE cute because she's being stubborn about it. Don't dare tell her so. She lets her free hand rest against her chest for a moment, trying to make certain her heart is still inside as she processes all this new information with her normal level of deadpan snark. The more snarky, the more her brain is in freak out mode somewhere in the dark, quiet recesses of her skull. But she can handle it. Then she's looking at Harry, blue eyes narrowing slightly, "...you tell your skull -- named BOB," no, she's still not letting that go, "that I'm *cute*? And talk to him about booty calls? What are you two, 16 year old boys?" She asks, glaring suspiciously between the pair before she finally goes back to taking that over due bite of pizza, her world view adjusted just enough she can consider food again. Besides, Chicago pizza makes everything better. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Uh-oh Harry. Storms a brewing. "I may have, in the past, mentioned the fact that you could be considered as such by someone who wasn't privy to your more gruff personification. I would never call you cute." Not to your face anyway. "But Harry, you said just the other day..." Shut up, Bob!" The skull huffs, an impressive feat for something that has no lungs or lips, but then falls silent. "And I wasn't talking booty calls. I told you, Bob has a obsession." "Well, too be fair, Harry, you haven't had a woman in years. I was hoping that since you said you ended up in bed..." "I said shut up, Bob!" the wizard exclaims through gritted teeth.. Beer. He needs more beer. Harry drains the bottle and reaches for another. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde wants to be mad about the cute thing, but as the dear skull just pours out poor Harry's deepest secrets, her own amusement mingles with just a bit of pity and most of that anger is quickly quashed. Karrin's pale eyes flicker from skull, to man, back to skull again, not entirely hiding her slight grin behind the deep gulp of beer she's taking. She hasn't quite finished her's yet, but she's certainly taking more liberal gulps than usual. They needed it after this week. "...Shit, Harry. Years? I had no clue. I guess I really should go easier on you. No wonder you're such an idiot. All your blood's caught up in, well...You know." She gives a slightly conspiratorial wink in Bob's direction. Karrin's gotten very good at going from being utterly freaked out by to just pretty much accepting 'this is life now' anything of a supernatural bent. It's just become a more sane way to operate. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' There is a flush to Harry's face as Karrin speaks to him of his lack of female companionship. "I've been busy." he says in his defense. "Besides, not many people are as open and understanding about my life as you are, Karrin. You literally just met a spirit of intellect no more than a few minutes ago, and here you are joking around with it about my sex life." "Whose joking, Harry." says the skull, "I mean when I say it has been years, I mean..." "One more word, Bob, and I am going to smash you with a hammer." Harry rubs the bridge of his nose before taking another health pull from his beer. "Long story short, I don't date much." He takes a bite of pizza, since the act of chewing will prevent more words from escaping his lips. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "A spirit of intellect..." Karrin echoes, now a touch more curiosity behind her voice. She might be taking this all in stride, but that doesn't mean she's not curious and a bit wary. She just has learned never to let them see you scared. "...Useful friend to have. Even if he is a horn dog." Karrin deadpans, giving the eye-less sockets a little, accusing smirk. She takes another gulp of beer, finishing off her own bottle and nodding for Harry to open another. "...gimmie. I brought, that means you're the bartender." And she doesn't feel like reaching that far. Digging into the rest of her pizza while she waits for the next beer, Karrin's blue eyes stretch over from Bob to fully take in Dresden. She's silent for several long heartbeats, something heavy behind her eyes that goes beyond beer and pizza but she's just not daring to speak. Finally, she forces herself to look away, trying to shake off those thoughts. She tucks her feet back up on the couch, cold toes tucking against the side of his leg because it's there and he is warm. She might not even notice it's happening, or so she pretends. "Better that way. Dating leads to marriage, which leads to divorce. Better to just stay married to work." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Passing over another beer, Harry sighs, "Bob's invaluable, which is probably why I haven't smashed him years ago. He is a magical encyclopedia and one hell of a lab assistant. He knows magical formula for potions and spells covering centuries of time. He works for romance novels. Trashy ones." "And porn." says the Skull. "Thanks, boss, I have a fondness for you too, which is why I want to see you happy...well that and..." "Just stop and leave it there, Bob. The next words were likely something I don't want to hear." Harry smirks and takes another sip of his beer. As Karrin moves her feet to warm up against his leg, Harry absently places a hand down over them, adding just a hint more warmth as he look over to Karrin, "Now Murph, I know even you aren't that cynical. After all, I don't think those panties behind your bed were there since your last marriage." It's his time to smirk. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' If Karrin hadn't downed an entire beer before she finished her first slice of pizza, she probably wouldn't let him hold her feet like that, but she's feeling just relaxed enough to let herself enjoy something for once. So she does. A slightly softer smile dares slip across her lips as she relaxes into the touch and downs another good sip of the beer, breath coming easier, body relaxed for the first time in a week. "How did you find panties behind her bed, Harry? Wait, more importantly, what color were they?" The spirit quickly comes back to life hearing that, some pep in his lighted step, so to speak. Karrin just turned an icy glare on him, deep smirk on her lips, "Can we just shove him in a junk drawer or something, until he learns his manners?" Karrin half growls out, a definite, teasing threat in her voice, but there's a hint of heat climbing up her cheeks also. "...and no. But that wasn't... dating. That was just... letting off some steam, you know. He's almost never in town, so no strings. Works out that way." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden glances over at Bob with a shake of his head, "None of your damned business, Bob." He pauses as a slight smirk comes over his face. After all, she has been ribbing him all night, so why not return the favor, "Pink. Now shut up or I am going to put you back in the lab." He looks over to Karrin and shrugs, "Yeah well, I still don't buy it, Murph. I know you well enough to know you don't really feel that way, even if you try to convince yourself that you do." He rubs the covered feet idly, just enjoying the human contact as he takes another sip of his beer, before trading the bottle for his pizza slice. "For fuck's sake, if anyone should be that jaded about love and marriage it should be me. I caused the death of my first love, and my last girlfriend ran away after I asked her to marry me." HArry takes another bite of his slice, chewing slowly. "You may be divorced, but at least your ex-husband isn't a half-vampire." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slightly skeptical brow climbs up her forehead as she watches the tall man across the couch from her. "...You haven't met my ex-husband. No foolish creature would ever condemn the world to having him around for eternal life. But if men were harpies, well..." Karrin groans a bit, with the familiar, tired annoyance of someone trapped in something that went loveless long before it broke free. Her toes instinctively, almost reassuringly curl against his leg, a silent assent to the brush of his hand over her feet. It really was comforting, just that single point of human contact. They could almost pretend their lives were normal, on nights like this. "...I...I didn't know you asked Susan to marry you. That's who it was, right? That...crazy reporter woman?" Murphy only remembers one woman coming and going, dimly, a while back. There is no accusation in her voice or even teasing about this, when normally she'd be joshing him about almost anything, she lets this be. Just opening the door enough that if he needs to talk it out or vent, she's listening. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Yeah", Harry confirms with a nod. "She got caught up in my crazy life, and it didn't end well for her. Nobody deserves that. Nobody." Bob pipes up, but in a more soft and somber tone that his usual, "Harry spent every waking moment for close to a year trying to find a cure for her. No luck." Harry glances over at the skull with a frown. He opens his mouth to say something, but then decides against it and guzzles more beer down his gullet instead. Another bottle gone. "Sorry. Didn't mean to derail the evening into a night of self pity." He gives a quick little smile, "Bob was trying to get me to rent another TV so we could watch the new Star Wars movie." "And porn." quips the skull. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Shit...I wondered what happened last year. I felt like every time I picked up the phone you were out of town. Thought you were just avoiding me..." Karrin's voice is a bit quieter, any of the anger she felt this week completely gone. She doesn't exactly pity him, but there is defintiely an ache behind her voice. She takes one last, deep gulp of her beer and sets it down before reaching one hand over to his hand and grabbing the back with warmer fingertips, trying to get him to look at her. Even if they still don't quite meet eyes. She still forgets to routinely avoid it. "...Harry. For all that I bitch at you -- and trust me, I'm not going to stop bitching at you -- you're a good man. There is a reason people *choose* to return to your side. And we do choose it. We're all adults. We could CHOOSE to fuck off, you know? But we don't. We keep coming back. You have to let us have those choices and some part of you has to realize that maybe, just maybe, there's something in you worth fighting beside, okay? So... whatever happened to Susan, however poorly it went, she made that choice to be there. It's not all on your shoulders. Unless you picked up a phone and told some damn vampire where she was, it's not all on you." She's not even thinking about Star Wars and porn right now, though Bob gets a brief glare. "Shut up. This is adult time." She mutters to the skull before looking back to Harry. Of course, Bob is thousands of years old, a Karrin-glare isn't going to do a thing to him, "Yes. Adult time. That's exactly what I'm talking about." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden's eyes close as Karrin touches the back of his hand, the touch of flesh to flesh sending a shiver along his spine and his skin to break out in tiny goosebumps. He looks over at her, focusing on her nose more than her eyes, a trick he uses to avoid the soulgaze but still look in a person's face. "I know." he says in a voice that is just a few decibels above a whisper. "She told me as much herself. Still, if it wasn't for me, she would never have been in that mess. She wouldn't have had the option to even make the choice that caused her to go to that party. Fuck Murph, she wouldn't have even had any real confirmation that vampires and the supernatural." He takes a one deep breath, and then another. "It's why I haven't told you everything either. Maybe I should." "Haaaarrrry? Are you sure this is such a good idea?" questions Bob, the orange lights in his eyes narrowing down to pinpricks. "Stuff it, Bob! Maybe if she knows everything, then she will be able to make better choices!" He looks back to Karrin, "But if I tell you, there is no going back. There is no more blissful ignorance. If the wrong people find out you know this, it could get you killed...or worse." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As Harry starts to doubt, after Bob cutting in, Murphy's fingertips tighten on the back of his hand, some sort of passionate insistance behind her touch. Her back straightens and, while he's not looking directly into her eyes, it's close enough he can see the stubborn flare of anger and determination behind them. If she had any doubts before, she doesn't now. "...Can I just put him in the fridge, Dresden? How do you shut up a skull?" Karrin doesn't seem to be joking, her jaw tight. But her eyes don't leave Harry. "And I am not her. I'm a cop. I'm IN this. I've been in this since BEFORE I knew you, I've waded in, confused as all hell, and nearly been killed already. I'm tired of being in the dark and I'm not going to STOP doing what I'm doing. I'll do it with or without you, so I'd much rather have every weapon, every tool possible, to keep myself and my people alive. There was no going back for me years ago. I'm not scared of being killed. I'm not scared of worse. I'm scared of failing people I care about because I didn't know *enough*...didn't do enough. So *help me*. Help me so I can help you. Because I'm here. I'm not going away." Her fingertips completely wrap around his hand, head tilting down, actually searching for his eyes, even as she knows what that might mean. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Taking a rather large and deep centering breath through his nose, Harry nods once. "Alright." he says quietly, lifting his gaze ever so slightly and daring to let her gaze meet his. It doesn't take long for them to be drawn into the soul gaze. Time seems to stop for a moment as they peer into each others soul, but the reality is only a fleeting second or two. "MY god, Karrin..." he says in awe and surprise. "You're beautiful." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' In truth, Karrin didn't quite think he'd do it. She felt like they'd be in this dance for years, even if it'd already been a handful of years already. But she took the jump and the moment his eyes meet her pale blue gaze, there is no going back. She stares for a moment that feels like hours and, when it's over, she really can't say anything. Tears glimmer in her eyes and her hand suddenly moves from his, but not far. Her arms are around him. Not in the passionate, toss him down on the couch and ravish him way, but in the way that says she wants to hold on tight and never let go. Whatever she saw brought on the tightest embrace she's ever give him, small frame wrapped in tight, her hair against his cheek, the light scent of her fruity shampoo and something vanilla beneath it. "...God...Harry. You're not alone. And you are the best man I know. Even if your an idiot. I... I wish you knew it. You're not alone." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As a rule, he doesn't ask what people see when they soul gaze him, the truth is it terrifies him what they might see, so he didn't know what to expect after the soul gaze. An embrace wasn't on the top of his list. Harry blinks in surprise as Karrin is suddenly holding him, his arms instinctively moving to wrap around her in as much of a move to support her as to hold her close to him. He brings a hand up to the back of her head, his fingers entwining in her hair as he returns the hug. It's just as well she has her face to his back, so she doesn't see the tears in his own eyes. "You're an angel, Murph." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The blonde might not see his tears, but he can probably hear the crackle behind her voice that indicates he's not the only one, "There's a lot of people on this planet who'd disagree, Dresden... but, we do what we can." We. Not I. Karrin just holds on tightly for a while, her head sinking to the side, half tucking into his neck. She's either forgotten or is conveniently ignoring the fact there is still a knowledge spirit on the table right in front of them. Her frame fits nicely in his arms, just small enough to sort of tuck in and disappear. She takes a deep breath of his scent, head starting to turn... "Oh, will the two of you just screw and get it over with?" Echoes the glowing lights in the skull on the table. Murphy's body stiffens in Dresden's grasp and, without even turning around, she grabs the empty bottle of ale on the side table and tosses it in a perfect throw just enough to knock Bob off the table and onto the rug below. "...How do you murder a spirit, Harry?" She mutters against his neck with a muffled, quiet laugh. Her cheek is suddenly warmer against his ear. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "You don't.." says Harry in a mumble, more interested in the smell of Karrin's hair and the flush of her cheek than anything related to do with the Bob at the moment. "At best, you banish them back to the NeverNever. Which is exactly what is going to happen if he doesn't shut the fuck up." Bob grumbles from under the table, where he rolled under after being knocked off. "What? Just because you are too much of a coward to actually act on anything, does that make me the bad guy? Mortals. I'll never understand them." Harry sighs, tentatively pulling away from Karrin slightly, reluctant to let go. "I promised you answers." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is a weird throng of... is that disappointment? in her chest as they pull away, but Murphy quickly reaches one hand up, rubbing at her eyes. "...You got mold in this basement or something? Damn allergies..." She gruffly rasps, because emotions are still awkward and they are still bros. Though she shifts just enough that her feet return to being pressed against him and her back turns so she's facing him instead of the coffee table. She picks up her fresh beer, nursing it against her knees which are slightly curled up. There's a lot of her offered to touch. He could put that hand on her feet, or her legs still, or probably even around her shoulders, she's close enough, but she's keeping comfortably turned at him so she can see his gaze now as they are speaking. "Yeah. Answers would be... real good, right about now. Because I'm not going anywhere and I got a feeling things are just going to get worse." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Moves his hands slightly, placing his hand on her knee and lighting wrapping his arm around her leg in some odd kind of hug. He doesn't comment on her crying, in fact goes to help strengthen the ruse by agreeing with her as he wipes at his own eyes, "Yeah. Sometimes the basement gets a little dusty." He grabs the box of tissue from under the coffee table and hands it over to her. He takes another deep breath, now no longer afraid to, he looks into her eyes and give a slight smile. "Well, I guess we start from the beginning." He starts talking. He starts with the death of his mother at his birth, moves on to his father and the traveling magic show, then his father's death. Then onto Justin. Elaine. He who walks behind. The White Council, the doom of Damocles. The shadow man, Bianca, Susan, Werewolves....everything. He doesn't leavea a damned thing out as he spills it all out. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman listens. She listens unselfishly and openly. During the night, her hands go from pizza and beer to idly on his knee. Her feet go from against his thigh to her legs draped across his lap. More idly comfortable, affectionate, but not sexual. Just tender. Karrin asks questions, intelligent ones, filling in some gaps that he probably didn't even realize he was leaving out. Lots of questions about weaknesses - silver. Fire. True love. Why the White Council are such pricks. Eventually, by the end of the night, she just nods in slow understanding. "...I...I think I know...now. That I know...nothing..." Karrin breathes out, a crackled, bittersweet, slightly scared laugh behind it. A smart laugh. She's just wise enough to be terrified. "...it's late. We... I'm just gonna... Nap. We should nap. Have that lead to check in four hours." But the couch was comfortable. In truth? They'd both been half nodding off for the last thirty minutes. So, while it's not his bed, she does sink a bit more to the side, still stretched against him, and within not too long, both of them are dozing off on the couch, leaving the last slice of pizza for Mister when he comes back in come morning... 
}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T16:42:45Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=
== Age ==
 
While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

== Magic ==
 
See skills, under Magic.

== Soulgaze ==
 
When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

== Third Eye ==
 
Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.

|Skills=
== Investigation ==
 

Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

== Magic ==
 

As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).

|Resources=
== .357 Magnum ==
 

Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

== Blasting rod ==
 

A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

== Blue Beetle ==
 

Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

== Bob ==
 

Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

== Cane sword ==
 

Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

== chalk ==
 

Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

== Enchanted duster ==
 

One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

== Energy-storing ring ==
 

A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

== Shield bracelet ==
 

A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

== Silver pentacle pendant ==
 

A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.

== Staff ==
 

A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.

|Weaknesses=
== Chivalrous ==
 
Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

== Guilt Complex ==
 

Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

== Human ==
 

While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

== Laws of nature ==
 

His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

== Limited Power ==
 

Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

== No Finesse ==
 

Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

== Stubborn ==
 

Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

== Technological Pariah ==
 

Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

== Wiseass ==
 

He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.

}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T16:34:06Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=-------------------------------------------------------< Age > 

While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > 

See skills, under Magic.

----------------------------------------------------< Soulgaze > 

When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

----------------------------------------------------< Third Eye > 

Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.
|Skills=--------------------------------------------------< Investigation > 

Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > 

As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).

|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< .357 Magnum > 

Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

--------------------------------------------------< Blasting rod > 

A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

---------------------------------------------------< Blue Beetle > 

Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

-------------------------------------------------------< Bob > 

Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

---------------------------------------------------< Cane sword > 

Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

------------------------------------------------------< chalk > 

Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

------------------------------------------------< Enchanted duster > 

One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

-----------------------------------------------< Energy-storing ring > 

A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

-------------------------------------------------< Shield bracelet > 

A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

---------------------------------------------< Silver pentacle pendant > 

A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.
------------------------------------------------------< Staff > 

A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Chivalrous > 
Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

--------------------------------------------------< Guilt Complex > 
Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

------------------------------------------------------< Human > 
While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

-------------------------------------------------< Laws of nature > 
His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

--------------------------------------------------< Limited Power > 
Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

---------------------------------------------------< No Finesse > 
Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn > 
Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

----------------------------------------------< Technological Pariah > 
Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Wiseass > 
He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.
}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T16:33:13Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=-------------------------------------------------------< Age > 

While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > 

See skills, under Magic.

----------------------------------------------------< Soulgaze > 

When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

----------------------------------------------------< Third Eye > 

Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.
|Skills=--------------------------------------------------< Investigation > 

Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > 

As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< .357 Magnum > 

Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

--------------------------------------------------< Blasting rod > 

A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

---------------------------------------------------< Blue Beetle > 

Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

-------------------------------------------------------< Bob > 

Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

---------------------------------------------------< Cane sword > 

Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

------------------------------------------------------< chalk > 

Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

------------------------------------------------< Enchanted duster > 

One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

-----------------------------------------------< Energy-storing ring > 

A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

-------------------------------------------------< Shield bracelet > 

A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

---------------------------------------------< Silver pentacle pendant > 

A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.

------------------------------------------------------< Staff > 

A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Chivalrous > 
Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

--------------------------------------------------< Guilt Complex > 
Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

------------------------------------------------------< Human > 
While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

-------------------------------------------------< Laws of nature > 
His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

--------------------------------------------------< Limited Power > 
Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

---------------------------------------------------< No Finesse > 
Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn > 
Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

----------------------------------------------< Technological Pariah > 
Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Wiseass > 
He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.

}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T16:31:22Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=-------------------------------------------------------< Age > While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > See skills, under Magic.

----------------------------------------------------< Soulgaze > When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

----------------------------------------------------< Third Eye > Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.
|Skills=--------------------------------------------------< Investigation > Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< .357 Magnum > Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

--------------------------------------------------< Blasting rod > A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

---------------------------------------------------< Blue Beetle > Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

-------------------------------------------------------< Bob > Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

---------------------------------------------------< Cane sword > 
Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

------------------------------------------------------< chalk > 
Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

------------------------------------------------< Enchanted duster > 
One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

-----------------------------------------------< Energy-storing ring > 
A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

-------------------------------------------------< Shield bracelet > 
A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

---------------------------------------------< Silver pentacle pendant > 
A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.

------------------------------------------------------< Staff > 
A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Chivalrous > 
Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

--------------------------------------------------< Guilt Complex > 
Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

------------------------------------------------------< Human > 
While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

-------------------------------------------------< Laws of nature > 
His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

--------------------------------------------------< Limited Power > 
Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

---------------------------------------------------< No Finesse > 
Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn > 
Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

----------------------------------------------< Technological Pariah > 
Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Wiseass > 
He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.

}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T16:30:28Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=-------------------------------------------------------< Age > While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > See skills, under Magic.

----------------------------------------------------< Soulgaze > When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

----------------------------------------------------< Third Eye > Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.
|Skills=--------------------------------------------------< Investigation > Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< .357 Magnum > Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

--------------------------------------------------< Blasting rod > A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

---------------------------------------------------< Blue Beetle > Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

-------------------------------------------------------< Bob > Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

---------------------------------------------------< Cane sword > 
Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

------------------------------------------------------< chalk > 
Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

------------------------------------------------< Enchanted duster > 
One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

-----------------------------------------------< Energy-storing ring > 
A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

-------------------------------------------------< Shield bracelet > 
A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

---------------------------------------------< Silver pentacle pendant > 
A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.

------------------------------------------------------< Staff > 
A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Chivalrous > 
Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

--------------------------------------------------< Guilt Complex > 
Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

------------------------------------------------------< Human > 
While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

-------------------------------------------------< Laws of nature > 
His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

--------------------------------------------------< Limited Power > 
Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

---------------------------------------------------< No Finesse > 
Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn > 
Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

----------------------------------------------< Technological Pariah > 
Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Wiseass > 
He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.

}}

Harry Dresden

2017-07-31T16:28:06Z

Alamias:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Harry Dresden
|Color=#333
|TextColor=#c1c1c1
|Char_id=174
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/aV8s3RR.jpg
|FullName=Harry Dresden
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Other
|Chartype=FC
|Active=Active
|Occupation=Wizard
|Groups=[[Gotham]], [[Mystic Arts]], [[Street Level]]
|Quote=I don't want to live in a world where the strong rule and the weak cower. I'd rather make a place where things are a little quieter. Where trolls stay the hell under their bridges and where elves don't come swooping out to snatch children from their cradles. Where vampires respect the limits, and where the faeries mind their p's and q's. My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I'm in the book.
|PAge=35
|AAge=35
|DOB=October 31, 1985
|Height=205.74 cm
|Weight=113 kg
|Hair=Brown
|Eyes=Brown
|Profile=Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator and the country's only wizard listed in the yellow pages (Constantine has the internet covered, the bastard). Based out of an office in Gotham he specializes in Paranormal crimes and finding lost items. Harry finds frequent work consulting for the Gotham Police Department's SPECTRE unit. Harry is an extremely powerful wizard when it comes to raw talent but often has problems focusing his magic without using a wand, staff other focus.
|Abilities=-------------------------------------------------------< Age > 
While for all intents and purposes Harry is a human mortal, being a Wizard does grant him an extended longevity. Wizards tend to live for centuries before they die of natural causes. Unnatural causes are a different story entirely.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > 
See skills, under Magic.

----------------------------------------------------< Soulgaze > 
When Harry meets someone's gaze for more than a few seconds, a soulgaze occurs. It gives the other a window into their soul, which can't be faked. It doesn't relay specific information (you can't use it to interrogate someone), but it does give one a vague impression on whether they're trustworthy or not, or if they've been psychically harmed, etc. Much like the third eye, what is seen can never be forgotten, and this can only happen once per person. Only creatures with a soul can be soulgazed.

----------------------------------------------------< Third Eye > 
Harry has the wizard ability to open his third eye. This takes a moment of concentration, but once opened he sees the world it 'really' is. People can be viewed as a manifestation of their being (Good people can look angelic, bad people can look demonicetc). Building, surroundings and everything else also take on manifestations. Such as a house where death has happened can have skulls around it, or a building that might have had a fire can be shown shrouded in flames. Whatever is seen, can never be forgotten.
|Skills=--------------------------------------------------< Investigation > 
Harry is a licensed private investigator, having trained with Nick Christian. He knows how to gather clues, and ask the right questions. Magic doesn't tend to hurt with some of his investigation skill as well, such as tracking spells.

------------------------------------------------------< Magic > 
As one of the most powerful younger wizards of the White Council, Harry has a large repertoire of magical powers. His skills at evocation, or 'quick and dirty' magic, aka "kaboom magic", aka "battle magic", lean toward large blasts of fire and force, sometimes using wind, he also has some skill with earth (usually manipulating gravity) and lightning magic. He has considerable magical brute strength, though his control is somewhat lacking. For this reason, Harry is ofttimes referred to as a magical 'thug'. Harry is skilled with battle magic. Casting shields, fireballs, columns of force and hurricane gale winds on command. He is able to cast without a focus, but the effects tend to be less controlled and usually end up more powerful than intended. With the focuses he carries with him, his precision and control increases greatly. Harry is also skilled in thaumaturgy, or ritual spells. Given enough time there is virtually no limit to what Harry can accomplish. He is skilled enough to do quick and dirty tracking spells on the fly with just some chalk and a strand of hair, or more difficult spells such as summoning and voodoo dolls (thought he tries not to stray into the black).
|Resources=---------------------------------------------------< .357 Magnum > 
Harry tends to carry around a .357 Magnum revolver in his duster, as well as some extra ammo. This isn't exactly legal, but that doesn't stop him.

--------------------------------------------------< Blasting rod > 
A rod used for channeling fire spells. Made of wood and carved with intricate runes. When being used, the runes glow red and wisps of wood smoke emit from them. Tends to be lashed to the inside of his duster with a long leather cord.

---------------------------------------------------< Blue Beetle > 
Harry has an old VW bug, named the Blue Beetle. Once, it was all blue. Now, it sports on green door, one red door, a primer white hood with claw marks. It runs, most the time. Harry keeps supplies he may need in the storage space within the hood.

-------------------------------------------------------< Bob > 
Bob the Skull is a intellect spirit that resides inside an intricately carved human skill. Bob is an invaluable resource as his knowledge of the arcane is vast. He helps Harry with formulae for potions, information on supernatural creatures, information on the laws of magic and how they change over time, etcetera. Bob has been 'alive' for centuries, and all his knowledge is at Harry's beck and call...usually for the price of some trashy romance novels.

---------------------------------------------------< Cane sword >----------------------------------------------------

Not carried very often, Harry owns a can that is able to channel earth-based magic. The cane is Victorian and has a slender thirty-inch steel blade inside.

------------------------------------------------------< chalk >------------------------------------------------------

Harry tends to carry around a lump of chalk in the pocket of his duster, used for creating quick magical circles.

------------------------------------------------< Enchanted duster >-------------------------------------------------

One of his signature pieces of gear, a long leather coat enchanted to work as armor against various attacks. The enchantments are strong enough to stop a round from a high caliber rifle.

-----------------------------------------------< Energy-storing ring >-----------------------------------------------

A copper ring, which is enchanted to store a small fraction of kinetic energy into it every time Harry's arm moves. This energy can be released all at once as a burst of force.

-------------------------------------------------< Shield bracelet >-------------------------------------------------

A bracelet with tiny medieval shield charms on it. Used for creating force fields. The bracelet is a simple silver construction, the shields copper.

---------------------------------------------< Silver pentacle pendant >---------------------------------------------

A pendant Harry inherited from his mother. Used as a focus for various spells, most notably to cast a warm ambient light.

------------------------------------------------------< Staff >------------------------------------------------------

A long staff used for channeling magic. Also works well as a bludgeoning weapon. Made from a part of an old oak tree that was struck by lightning.
|Weaknesses=---------------------------------------------------< Chivalrous >----------------------------------------------------

Harry has a large chivalrous streak that gets him into trouble a lot. He can't help himself if he perceives a damsel in distress situation.

--------------------------------------------------< Guilt Complex >--------------------------------------------------

Harry also has a guilt complex, and can get very depressed if he feels he has hurt innocents or failed to protect people.

------------------------------------------------------< Human >------------------------------------------------------

While Harry has a lot of power and skills available to him, at the end of the day he is fundamentally a human being, and is subject to every human frailty.

-------------------------------------------------< Laws of nature >--------------------------------------------------

His magic is subject to the nature of the environment he is in, so he has to keep in mind the laws of physics, and while he can bend them he cannot break them entirely.

--------------------------------------------------< Limited Power >--------------------------------------------------

Using magic drains him, and like any muscle if he pushes it too hard he can hurt himself.

---------------------------------------------------< No Finesse >----------------------------------------------------

Harry has difficulty with more delicate magic, causing him to rely on complex rituals and magical tools to handle spells that require finesse.

----------------------------------------------------< Stubborn >-----------------------------------------------------

Harry can be impulsive and stubborn when he wants to be, and is a bit thickheaded about people at times.

----------------------------------------------< Technological Pariah >-----------------------------------------------

Harry causes most modern technology to eventually short out, and the more complex the tech the more likely it is to fail spectacularly.

-----------------------------------------------------< Wiseass >-----------------------------------------------------

He tends to mouth off at inopportune times. Even when he knows it is a bad idea, and likely to cause him pain and suffering, he chooses to throw caution to the wind and let his tongue loose.

}}