United Heroes MUSH - User contributions [en]

12063/To Russia With Love

2020-08-22T21:57:45Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/08/22 |Location=Ready Room, The Triskelion |Synopsis=Clint briefs Peggy on the next step in he and Natasha's search for Molokov. She prepares..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/08/22
|Location=Ready Room, The Triskelion
|Synopsis=Clint briefs Peggy on the next step in he and Natasha's search for Molokov. She prepares to go to Germany.
|Cast of Characters=137,150
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:137|Clint Barton (137)}} has posed:''' It's been a recovery like 'the old days'. Once his head is in the game, there is very little that can stop the Special Field Agent, and he's not only in the game, but he's almost fixated on what sort of outcome he wants. Where else can one play with all the big toys, do a good job for the world, AND take out one more cog in machine that has everything to do with your 'personal' working life? Nowhere. Clint's taken up one of the Ready Rooms, and he's packing for a trip, it's pretty obvious. He's got a gymbag off in the corner for the important stuff (he knows how to travel light in terms of personal items), and on tables, he's got arrows set in small piles, pistol cases with a case of ammunition near each, presumably in the correct calibers.. With a call set in for Ms. Peggy Carter to meet him in Ready Room 3 in the Trisk, Clint is eyeing one of the pile of what looks to be specialized arrows, looking them over carefully. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' While Peggy is still getting used to the modern uniforms and body armor, she certainly appreciates how helpful it is. So, when a possible field mission comes up, she's finally forsaken her preferred wide legged pant suits and is in something far more sleek and modern. Black, standard issue slacks and a SHIELD armored jacket, the outfit is sleek enough to show just how hour glass built Peggy Carter is. She looks a little out of time, still wearing her red lipstick and with her hair in old fashioned rolls down the side of her head, tucked into a low pony tail, but it's clear she's making the jump to modern equipment fairly easily. "...So, is this about the Molotov?" Peggy's clipped accent questions into the room as she steps in smoothly, dark eyes curious, going from the other agent down to the pile of equipment in the room. 

:'''{{#var:137|Clint Barton (137)}} has posed:''' Clint's dressed in jeans, dark purple t-shirt and boots. His sunglasses are tucked away under the handle of his gymbag, and as he catches the motion of the door, turns his head to look at the newly arrived. ""Ms. Carter, ma'am.. Hey, just on time.. and yeah. Molokov. With a 'k'. But we all like our cocktails." Potato, potahto. Setting his arrows down, Clint turns fully around to gesture at a chair while he grabs one himself and spins it backwards before doing the same. "You deserve an explanation." Keen blue eyes remain on the woman, and he watches .. everything. It's not hard to figure out why he's been given his moniker. "Me and 'Tash.. Widow. We go back aways." Just as easy to spot the Midwestern boy that is hidden under that 'Agent', too. "And, I'm sure you know you follow leads wherever it'll take you. Me, I heard something that had to be followed before it disappeared." And it wasn't the bleating of a goat, thank you! "There's something going on with some very bad men." Understatement of the year. "I'd like you to be part of the investigation." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' A faint laugh actually escapes her lips as Clint corrects her on the name, "No one's put an actual report in front of me. Whether Captain Rogers heard it wrong or I did, who knows... But *Molokov* makes far more sense. And yes, I heard a little bit about something happening over in Russia." Peggy studies him a moment longer, taking in his own paranoia and complete awareness of the room around him. There is just a slight nod of approval from her. It's a habit she understands well. Peggy folds down into the offered seat, giving the room a momentary look herself but she trusts him and his eyes, so she's not quite scouring it like she might normally. As for herself, his trained eyes can probably tell she's strapped with at least three weapons beneath that body armor and she carries herself like someone who is ready to fight at any moment, even sitting almost relaxed in a chair at SHIELD. "...So. Russia. If this has to do the Black Widow and someone named Molokov, I'm going to guess the Red Room is still partially involved. I've been watching them since '47. And I'm fluent in Russian. So, I'm here to help. All I'm missing is about the last fifty years of the story..." And Peggy doesn't look thrilled to admit that. Her intelligence being out of date is a weakness she dislikes. 

:'''{{#var:137|Clint Barton (137)}} has posed:''' It's old habits that Clint falls in to, and he's figured out what she's carrying and where. Knives, well.. that's another story, but he's pretty certain he's fine! Watching her enter, and sit down, he can't help but feel that //air// around her. It's not a press of age, not to him. It's experience, wisdom, and a large helping of 'ma'am'. There are very few that he holds in that high a regard. Even Fury is 'the Old Man'. "Russia," Clint nods. "I spend a lot of time in the Afghan theater." Even during Peg's time, it's been a hotbed. "And points east." Russia, the little '-istans and the like. "And there's some destabization going on, and I don't know what they're planning. All I know is that they're back in the region between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Back in a soviet era fort, in a pass that is really treacherous and has been used for smuggling." He smiles tightly before, "That's where they picked me up. I was able to get movement information and cripple their communication, but now it's like a beehive in an earthquake. I'm seeing tremors for miles." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The technology in SHIELD nowadays is more than a little mind blowing. Peggy's good at it, but it still takes her a moment to remember the built in computers on the various tables all around them, especially here in a ready room. She sits up a touch straighter, careful fingertips quickly running over the little display below her and bringing up what ever files she has access to with her clearance. Her nails are still carefully squared and deeply red, the small touches that says parts of her are still from a bygone era, even as she looks as stern and sleek as most modern agents. "At the end of World War II, we had information that a Red Room operative had been working in conjunction with at least one HYDRA agent. While both those assets were neutralized and imprisoned, where there is one, there are going to be... Many more. I was in and out of there all through the 70s. It's never been a stable region and..." Peggy's dark eyes pause on the file she's reading, looking back up to him with a hint of a smirk, "I doesn't seem that it's gotten much better. Just sad I wasn't around for the end of the cold war... If it ever really... ended. So. What do you know that *this* isn't telling me, and what sort of support do you need and Agent Romanova need?" 

:'''{{#var:137|Clint Barton (137)}} has posed:''' "In short?" Clint hasn't taken his eyes off the woman since coming in, but it's not anything intense. It's attentive, and, well.. personal reasons. "Afghanistan's always been screwed up. It's screwed up more. Iran's in the game, probably being played by Moscow." Officially, it's 'Moscow'. The two agents are more than aware that Russia is plagued by the cult of personality, whether it's the Primier.. er.. President, or the head of the totally non-existant GRU. Or the KGB. "They're trying something, and I really think that Molokov is trying to either take advantage, or is playing the tune." Leaning over, Clint totally gets into her space to shift a window for her for Andrei Navalny. "This guy. Anti-Kremlin. Lawyer. Now, over the years, we've seen the powers that be take out enemies with poison. We know it's poison, THEY know it's poison. It's just so toxic that we can't do anything about it. This guy was poisoned in Siberia. Tramsk. Landed in an emergency in Omsk. Now in German in a coma and on a vent." Clint takes a deep breath and pulls back to his own seat. "Me and 'Tash are gonna be headed to Tramsk and see if we can't pick up a trail. We need Omsk and Germany. And back into the pass in Tajikistan. I took out some of the fort, but they're gonna be rebuilding it. Or moving." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Peggy feels that gaze. She knows when she's being watched, evaluated so to speak. It seems she not only trusts him enough to watch her back, so she can focus on catching up on the files in front of her, but she is content to let him evaluate as he needs. There's no showing off of the older agent, no trying to prove herself. It's more like letting a wary animal get used to your presence. If he needs to study the way she works and moves to be comfortable with her in the field? Well, she appreciates his process. As for what he's seeing, everything about her speaks of a woman who is an absolute expert, comfortable in her own abilities, and not scared to admit where she falls short. The 50 year gap is probably her biggest weakness, but she's never been quiet about that. As he comes into her space, she leans just a bit to the side to give him room to pull up the most recent file. This close? She smells old fashioned too. Something of rose and vanilla oil. Clean soap in her hair. Red lips press into a deeper frown as she reads the article with a slight shake of her head, "Movements like this?... Just further serve to add powder to the keg. Little explosions everywhere, all over eastern Europe and the middle east for as long as I've been in the field. This might not set the whole thing on fire, but it's going to ruffle a lot more feathers." She mutters thoughtfully. Once she's done with the article, her dark eyes turn up to study him now, get a read on his thoughts and feelings for the whole situation. He can't profile the profiler without getting a bit of his own medicine. "I know Captain Rogers and Lieutenant Barnes are eager to assist as needed as well. If you want people taking out a compound, well... They are particularly good at destruction, in their own ways. If we think they've got more people to finish the job in Germany, I can head out that way, see what trails I can pick up... I speak most of the languages and, nowadays, am pretty good at blending in." 

:'''{{#var:137|Clint Barton (137)}} has posed:''' Well, there's sizing up, and there's lip reading tossed into the mix. It's a little bit of Clint that he hasn't yet shared with his best friend, and probably won't for a little while. He's getting back into fighting frame, and when he's close? He smells like Dial soap, some random shampoo and a touch of sweat. He's.. a guy. The mention of Rogers gets something of a lopsided smile in return. "Yeah, well.. he's a battering ram. I'm not, if you read my file. There's a bit of it in there that isn't included. I go deep, I go dark. Usually it's with 'Tash, and we could be on two different sides of the planet, and still have a mission come together." It's not bragging. It's stated as a fact. "He'll be good for the pass, but he's gotta be given decisive orders, or have him totally understand the outcome, because we can't go destabilizing Russia either." He pauses, and the smile turns into a grin as he adds, "That would be bad." Clint sobers up again, and he nods. "Omsk, I think, is going to be a dead end. It's just a landing spot. I don't know if the assassin," that's what the poisoner is, "counted on it, or not. But he's probably not their best because if he was? Navalny would be dead right now." Which, to the two seasoned agents, could mean that Germany is going to be a hot spot. "I'd say you're in for Germany." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' As he mentions Steve, Peggy cannot entirely hide her smile. There is a bit of a softness in her for the man, even as she tries to be steel otherwise. A weakness, probably, but at least he's on their side. She cannot help but chuckle softly, "You'd be surprised, the two are better at espionage than you'd expect. Dismanteling what we could of HYDRA wasn't all bombs and grenades. But.... I agree that they'd be incredibly effective in making certain that compound will never be an issue again. The quicker the better. Clint's not-quite bragging about he and Natasha earn him another smile, this one understanding. "...that's how it used to be with the Howling Commandos. I...understand when a team ... works like you're all parts of the same body. It's special when it happens. I'm glad you both have that. I'll... trust it, with your evaluation." Then he spills the same line of thinking about Omsk which she had a moment after her lips opened. Peggy nods in agreement, expression going more serious as she looks down to the display once more. "This is either going to be a very exciting, or utterly boring assignment. It's distinctly possible they didn't actually want him dead, just wanted everyone on edge to light a fire somewhere else, and he in a coma means it worked exactly. If... it didn't. They'll send in someone better. And I'll be there to intercept." With that, she saves the few notes she's taken to access in her own quarters. "Well, if I'm dismissed, it looks like I need to pack for Germany." It's still a little strange, technically being nothing more than a field agent, but Peggy's eyes are also bright with the enjoyment of getting to go OUT there again. She gives him a small salute and turns on the ball of her foot, marching out the door to go pack. 
}}

12046/Home Sweet SHIELD

2020-08-21T05:06:11Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/08/21 |Location=Ready Room, The Triskelion |Synopsis=Steve comes back from a mission with a somewhat damaged Quinjet and more questions than a..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/08/21
|Location=Ready Room, The Triskelion
|Synopsis=Steve comes back from a mission with a somewhat damaged Quinjet and more questions than answers about the Molotov. Bucky and Peggy get their own, personal debrief before sending Cap to talk to the higher ups.
|Cast of Characters=112,150,229
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:112|Steve Rogers (112)}} has posed:'''     Quinjets come and go often from the Triskelion. There is steady traffic of vehicles rising from the subterranean hanger, their engines flaring and whining, then taking off. And when they come in they sometimes use the landing pads. Just a steady traffic, accompanied by the occasional rush of personnel to get the equipment ready, to tend to the operatives and passengers.     Controlled chaos. But to a practiced eye there's a sense of order to it that only the knowledgeable and militarily inclined can really appreciate.     Which is why when that routine is broken for most people they can just sense the slight ratcheting of tensions around them. The way people move more briskly and with more purpose. Then as things heighten it becomes more apparent to everyone. For incoming Quinjet-WT-011 called in earlier a declaration of taking fire. Some damage. Nothing beyond the norm. Few had given it little thought.     But when the flight was declared it was going to use the landing strip instead of the VTOL pad, tensions rose. Then when the Quinjet came into view it was trailing smoke. Tensions rose even more. There was a flurry of activity, some emergency vehicles rolling into place.     "Whiskey Tango, you are cleared for landing." Came the call once everything was in place and then down came the jet with a roar of its engines shifting into a reverse thrust to steal the energy from the vehicle. It rolled to a stop, still smoking. The side of the jet clearly having taken some form of small arms fire seemingly except that it had penetrated some of the jet's armor which is out of the ordinary.     The ramp came down, hitting the tarmac with a clang, and out of it comes the team. Along with Captain Rogers. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' This was a strangely familiar dance. Even if she hadn't done it for thirty some years in her head, and the battlefields looked a lot different, the feelings were the same. Sometimes it was Steve who went out, her and Bucky waiting worriedly back at the convoys when in the field on missions. Sometimes it was Bucky, Steve held back with some diplomatic phone call or planning session. Sometimes it was both of them. But for every mission Peggy was allowed out on with the Howling Commandos, there was another where the field just wasn't deemed safe for a woman. So she watched and she waited. This time it was just Steve, but when the news came in that his quinjet had been damaged, she immediately commed where every Bucky was on base, "I'm going down to meet that jet. I'm sure he's fine... I... I'm still going." It was simply polite. So, in her neat pumps and wide legged, gray suit, she dashes down the SHIELD corridors towards the landing bay. No one actually lets her inside while the thing is landing, but the moment the deck is clear, smelling like the trailing smoke from those engines, she pushes through out into the tarmac, worried dark eyes watching the team as they come from the landing ramp. Steve includes. "...well... At least it wasn't an iceberg this time. And you brought her back in one piece, mostly." She states flatly, sardonic humor covering the concern in her voice. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     It is, all thing considered, a beautiful day. Sufficient sunshine, ample blue skies, a statistically slightly above average temperature. It could, on reflection and with considerable certainty, be called a nice day. It would have been even nicer if Bucky hadn't known his best friend was out in the field without him, although he's self aware enough to understand that it's probably just desserts for all the time he'd done that himself. Not to mention the before time... so we shall not mention it. Of course he was half expecting a call to come in about Steve's jet coming in damaged. Of course. Had it ever been otherwise?     So it's probably no surprise to his two old friends that James Buchanan Barnes, always the pragmatist, comes rolling down the tarmac in a SHIELD issue car, following close on the heels of the scrambled rescue vehicles. He rolls insouciantly to a stop just next to the ramp and gets out, leaving the engine running.     "You always did know how to make an entrance. Hop in you two, why walk when you can drive?" 

:'''{{#var:112|Steve Rogers (112)}} has posed:'''     The crew are unloading the jet, and the team is filing out behind Cap who had turned and been giving them companionable smiles, thumping a man or two on the chest. Medical crew rushes in and starts questioning the operatives only for Cap to lift a hand and tell them, "No casualties, though Agent Winger had a graze and is lying about it."     Which is when one of the SHIELD agents lifts his voice as he walks past, "Got my jacket more than me, Cap. Just sayin'."     But that at least gives the medicos someone to fuss over even as Steve turns back and meets Peggy's arrival with a smile. "One-piece, but apparently wasn't from lack of trying." He greets Peggy with a salute, but an easily given one offered between people who have that gift of informality between them. Pushing his helmet and mask back off of his head, he catches sight of the vehicle as it rolls up, looking very low-key in comparison to the emergency vehicles. But it's the driver that gets the man's attention.     "Buck!" Which is how he'll ever be known to the man. He gestures to Peggy with a nod, suggesting they should make use of the vehicle. So he walks up to it to greet the man with a hearty handshake. "Nice wheels." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' As he's not visibly injured in any way, the first real thing that gets Peggy's attention is the update to his uniform. Still with some of the classic colors and lines, but definitely a more modern piece, helmet included. She smiles a bit more to him, "...They got you something sleeker nowadays, didn't they? Better than the over armored dance belt." She returns the salute warmly before tipping her head in approval to the navy suit. Then that car is drawing her attention, just a moment of paranoid tension, hand instinctively moving for beneath her shoulder. Had someone tracked them in landing? Her fingertips don't even make it to her gun before she realizes who is driving. The happiness in Steve's tone as he dashes over to greet Bucky... Well, it's been a long while since Peggy smiles as wide as she does in this moment. She trails a bit behind, letting the two old friends greet before she slides up to the back seat, letting the two friends take the front. She gives Bucky a low, appreciative whistle at the car. "...Now this is a beauty. Seems you got taste in your old age, Buchanan." 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     "Still can't bring them back in one piece, can you?" Bucky half grins as he clasps Steve's hand, slapping him on the shoulder with his left. It's a healthy thump, what with the vibranium augmented metal arm hidden under his jacket, but no worse than the way they usual greet. For a second he raises an eyebrow at his friend and he tilts his head over towards Peggy, suggesting that perhaps he should do the chivalrous thing and keep the door open, as he himself heads back to the driver's door and gets back in, eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. It's not paranoia when they're really out to get you.     "Don't get too attached, it's from the motor pool." he admits to his friends as the car starts rolling down the tarmac, back towards the Triskelion proper. It's a deceptively long walk, but a relatively short drive first along the taxi way and then into the lanes reserved for VIP traffic. "You know, Steve, one day they'll start charging you for all those broken birds." 

:'''{{#var:112|Steve Rogers (112)}} has posed:'''     "You like it? I don't know. It's growing on me." The star-spangled Avenger smiles to Peggy, crinkling his nose slightly at the uniform as he sweeps a hand over it. Then his long-time partner comments about him and the flights he inevitably comes back on.     "Never could," Steve says to Bucky with a wry grin.     As for seating though? There hadn't even been any thought to it, even as Peggy makes her way toward the back seat she gets a sort of look from Cap. That is redoubled with a tilt of his head as he smiles and saunters up to the passenger side door. And opens it for her so she can get in the front. Backseat for him.     Once they're settled in their proper seats, Cap undoes the clasp of the helmet, tucking it up against his hip and then starting to undo the straps of his gauntlets. Something so normal about him as he undoes the armor and becomes more Steve and less Cap-like in some ways. Then Bucky makes the crack about him getting charged for the Quinjets as he laughs and shoots a glance at Peggy.     "I don't know, Buck. I think I got enough backpay I could cover it. For a week or two at least." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' An amused smirk pulls at Peggy's ever-red lips as she and Steve do a little dance as grabs the front door for her. "...How could I forget I'm with the utmost gentlemen? Well thank you, Captain." She tilts her head and swings down into the front bench seat instead. She stretches out, luxuriating in the old, roomy interior as her fingertips run across the dash. "...Howard had one of these. Hell, it *might* have been his... Maybe you can keep it on permanent loan, James. Half the agents nowadays wouldn't even know how to drive it properly." She tosses him a warm, thankful smile, something a bit quieter as she recognizes the few moments of comfort he's stolen all of them by picking Steve up like this. "...I'm sure you have a few war bonds still collecting dust, Steve. We paid you in enough of them since we certainly didn't have the cash. They'd be worth a terrifying amount nowadays. Toss them over to Fury and you'll be *fine*..." She's not really teasing there. She watches him vaguely in the rear view mirror, the near ritualistic act of taking off the Captain and becoming Steve. "So, are you going to share with the class what nearly took a *quinjet* down?" She inquires more somberly, dark eyes ensuring he's not hiding any injury behind that uniform. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     "They're not like the old tin cans we used to rattle around in, are they? Take some beating before they start looking like that." There is, possibly, a hint of a shade of a smidgen of reproof in that statement while Bucky drives the car to the security airlock that will take them from air-side to ground-side, and from there on the very short trip back to the Triskelion car park. The implication that if it takes something serious to damage a Quinjet, it's something that Steve would have or should have known about when going on the mission. And from there, it's a very short hop to understanding that, if such a thing were imagined, that at the very least Bucky would have liked to have had the opportunity to volunteer for the assignment. All of that in an economy of words, because verbosity is not his forte.     "I think it was Howard's, actually. They keep it at the back of the pool, nobody really drives it these days. Fitting though, wasn't it?" 

:'''{{#var:112|Steve Rogers (112)}} has posed:'''     At Peggy's query, Steve's eyebrows rise as he takes a deep breath. They know that expression, the one that declares openly with just his look that there's a story there, and a story that takes a good amount of effort telling. "Following up on Barton's recovery."     The Brooklyn Brawler looks between the two of them as he bite his lower lip for an instant when he adds, "He was tailing a man named Molotov whom he and the Widow had dealings with some time ago. Records we have show some illicit arms' deals, but talking to Nat and Clint I get the feeling there's more to the man than that."     He lifts a now bare hand and gestures over his shoulder in the direction of the Quinjet they're driving away from, "That firepower was thanks to one of his customers. Now in custody, but turned out to be a dead end. Or at least there was no actionable intel that we acquired so far. Might be more when the clean up crews finish going through the place with a fine toothed comb."     But then Bucky talks about the quality of their transport and he smiles a little roughly, "I don't know, Buck. You remember that Mitchell bomber we used for night time insertions?" He tucks his gloves into his belt and then seems reasonably at ease with his current state of comfort. "Sure it rattled and pinged, and sure sometimes the bullets would fly straight through the cargo hold without even stopping to say hello. But it got us back over and over."     There's a small smile as he straightens up in his seat, running a hand over the surface of the one beside him then adding, "Though, I have to admit, our ground transport's improved some." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Peggy goes a little more quiet as Bucky confirms this was probably Howard's car. Her fingertips run along the leather of the bench seat, giving the old cushions a bit of a squeeze. She then pops open the glove compartment, exposing the phone, lighter, and a few other... Interesting additions. "Oh yes. This was Howard's." She mutters softly, her smile a touch bitter sweet. But she goes quiet and serious as Steve begins to talk, game face on, making mental notes the whole time as her body shifts to look easily at both of the men instead of watching Steve in the rearview mirror. "If he's got that dangerous an enemy, then I'd hate to see his friends." She adds quietly, but doesn't intrude on the explanation further. She wants to hear Bucky's reactions, the two jiving off of each other when working often got to the bottom of some of the most sticky situations. She's content to listen and watch them work with that quiet, enigmatic line to her lips. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     "That thing would take you anywhere you wanted to go, as long as you remembered to pack some gum to patch the holes afterwards." Bucky remembers, a smile on his otherwise quite impassive face, glancing over to Peggy's exploration of the car's more hidden features for a moment and deciding not to add his own comments on it. It's a private moment, he can tell. Leather creaks on leather as his gloves tighten on the steering wheel fractionally to make the last turn into the building.     "Molotov? That's a name with some history. Bit of determinism at play that they turned out to be an arms dealer? Is that why Barton ended up getting stuck between the goats?" Rhetorical question, it seems, although he's not going to miss the opportunity to add some goat in the conversation. He's been ribbing Clint for days now.     "Look, if Clint's concerned, I'm sympathetic. If Nat's concerned, I'm worried. If you're concerned, I'm in. Don't try to talk me out of it." 

:'''{{#var:112|Steve Rogers (112)}} has posed:'''     "I think." Cap says, and then pauses. They know that mannerism, the words spoken and not so much a preface for him voicing his thoughts, and more for conjuring them as his mind winds through the synaptic paths to reach the decision. Usually pretty quickly.     The pause comes and goes then he adds, "That there is a lot of the story we don't know. That Clint and Natasha might know more. They also seem to have some ownership feelings about this guy." He looks up at them, meeting Bucky's eyes in the rear-view mirror. "So I think both of you can help. Though there's going to be a moment when they're going to decide either to involve us fully, or go it alone."     He takes a breath and frowns a little, "We need to be there to let them know they don't have to go it alone." Which might be a diplomatic way of saying things, but it's enough to make the other two aware. Keep an eye out. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Bucky's statement about his feelings on the case get a quiet, affirmative tilt of Peggy's head. She seems to share the sentiments of the old soldier. He voiced them better than she could anyway. She waits until the car fully stops, not getting out, but turning more fully to both of them since they aren't in motion and James can split a bit of his attention. Steve's words of advice leave her quiet, just a heartbeat or so, before she nods in agreement, "...You're not wrong. You two are also the kings of dashing off alone when perhaps a *little* more help would be useful. You might be the best to talk to them about how to take help, even if it feels like it's their back yard. I don't know Natasha... well. But I know the place she came up in. I know... it wasn't much for team work. Some old habits die hard." Something changes behind Peggy's eyes, some determination about Natasha, perhaps a new avenue to take with her. "...But they're going to want your full report about what just happened first." She looks between the door and Bucky, no real excuse to delay him from going inside and giving the report to SHIELD's current command. The fact they had this car ride was a luxury. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     "And keep a spare bird on standby in case they do try to go it alone." The engine is switched off the moment the car is back where it needs to be, and Bucky does indeed give the two passengers his undivided attention now. "Can't hurt to make sure the cavalry is ready in case they need it."     The mention of the place where Natasha came up makes his hand flex involuntarily around the steering wheel. He knows the place, knows it well. "I can talk to her, if you want. I bet we'll be saying the same things, but I can say them louder and if necessary in Russian. Wouldn't go over as well with Clint, but I think you know him better anyway, Steve."     It seems after that there's little more to say, and he gets out of the car, pocketing the keys somewhat with an air of finality. Maybe the car really has grown on him. "Go do your paperwork, Captain. Job's not done 'till it's all written down, these days." 

:'''{{#var:112|Steve Rogers (112)}} has posed:'''     Out of the car now and stepping around to get the door for Peggy if the timing is right. But then he gives a nod to each of them as he murmurs and points at Bucky, "You know Barnes, I knew there was a reason I kept you around." Perhaps stealing a casual jibe they'd toss back and forth now and again in the past.     He does not at the mention of paperwork as he steps back. "You're right though, I should hunker down and get that done." Cap is already backing up walking towards the Triskelion proper as he offers another of those somewhat informal salutes shared between them. "We'll catch up later."     That said he turns and starts to stride on in. 
}}

12035/A Stark Difference

2020-08-20T02:59:37Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/08/19 |Location=Operations, The Triskelion |Synopsis=Tony flies into SHIELD with an 80 billion dollar idea. Or maybe it's just a drive of too..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/08/19
|Location=Operations, The Triskelion
|Synopsis=Tony flies into SHIELD with an 80 billion dollar idea. Or maybe it's just a drive of too many memories from days gone by.
|Cast of Characters=22,150,229,1191
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' "Oh great. He's here." The flat, emotionless tone of the SHIELD communications officer perfectly expresses the complete lack of enthusiasm that he has for his job. Not so much the whole 'being a communications officer' thing, we assume he enjoys that. Rather, he seems to have some pent up animosity toward the 'he' whose arrival it's his unfortunate job to have to announce. But though the communications officer looks unimpressed, a general buzz begins to build up to palpable levels. All throughout the Control Room the word quickly spreads, and the word begins radiating outward throughout the building. Hardened SHIELD agents start to gossip with each other. A few of them even exchange giggles. After all, it's always an event when Iron Man drops by. The telltale sound of rocket engines can be heard as Iron Man does the 'dropping' part quite literally. A red and gold streak flashes past as many of the Triskelion's windows as possible on its way to the ground, leaving Rocket Boot-shaped scorch marks on the lawn when he finally lands. A blonde woman with glasses peers out of one of the windows, craning her neck to see him land. "Oooooh! He's wearing one of the Classic Armors! How vintage..." Sure enough, when the Armored Avenger enters the Triskelion's foyer he's wearing one of his first attempts at an armor, complete with the old 'Bullethead' shaped helmet. And the Rocket Boots. The new armor must be in the shop. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' While Peggy didn't have any command level duties -- either communications or operations nowadays -- it's really hard to miss the fact that half the tower has come alive in discussions of his imminent arrival. While she wasn't exactly putting off going to see him, had even reread his file a few times and couldn't help but realize how much he looked like Howard, she didn't run for the visit either. Just too many emotions and too many thoughts. But now, he is here. He deserves a proper greeting and someone a bit more official than a fan girl swooning secretary to greet him. Therefore, Peggy swallowed her worries and made her way up to the deck where he's touching down. She's in her own preferred business clothes, so looking rather vintage herself. A set of high waisted, slightly too wide legged 1940s slacks and a matching double breasted jacket, both in neatly matched charcoal plaid with wide lapels of the yesteryears. Her soft curls rest around her features in an elegant, classic frame, and her usual red is on both nails and lips. That is to say, she looks like she's walked out of a SHIELD text book about the founding days. She stands neatly at the edge of the foyer as he comes in, a polite, respectful smile on her face even as there is a slight tightness in the back of her throat at just seeing him. The vintage armor didn't help. "...Mr. Stark... I don't think anyone was expecting you today. The classic suit does you well." Her voice is even the same as old recordings, that clipped and warm British accent. 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' By the time that Peggy arrives, the source of the excitement has already removed hid helmet, and has it tucked under one of his arms. He looks relatively well. A few bags under his bloodshot eyes maybe, but nobody seems to pay much attention. Running his gauntlet-clad fingers through his hair in order to help get rid of the dreaded Helmet Head, Tony politely smiles at the fanboys and fangirls, and manages to look genuinely pleased to see each and every person that he comes across. And maybe he is? After all, you never know when one of these low-level agents will end up running the whole operation. But his smile seems a bit more genuine when he recognizes the face of the agent who helped him out the last time there was a 3F Warning, and he holds out his free hand. "Well well well... if it isn't the brave agent who took control so beautifully to protect New York from a dragon... Carter, wasn't it?" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' A gentle tilt of her head comes, respectful without being shy or submissive in any way. She offers her hand in his direction, smile warmly in place as she studies him now quite a bit closer than she was able when it was all chaos in the field and a lot of people in danger. "Indeed. It's good to finally meet you in person, Mr. Stark. I... I knew your father quite well." She admits, a touch more softly than before. Then it might hit. There were photos of her all over the house. With a much younger Howard, but it's the same face in front of him now. The black and whites from the founding of SHIELD. News articles from the 60s. Several galas before his mother was around. She's been a ghost that haunted his childhood home and now, somehow, stands there in flesh and blood. "I don't suspect you came to catch up about 3Fs or old times, though. Is there something I can help you with? If not, I can show you to one of the more comfortable rooms while I get someone else who has... a bit more of a handle on modern SHIELD issues." Peggy admits with a half smile, not too scared to admit she's still playing a lot of catch up. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     The lawn has been scorched. That's where he plays catch with Lili. No to mention, someone just flew rings around the Triskelion. It was inevitable that a certain face was going to be showing itself, attached to a head that's perched atop a body that's currently dressed in SHIELD issue combat ops gear... with a leather jacket slung over top. Some weather to be wearing gloves...     An eyebrow raises as Bucky finally gets a good view of the visitor, and there's an almost imperceptible shake of his head. "Should have known. Afternoon, Mister Stark. Going classic today?" 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' With his tousled hair, and his mustache styled very thin like a Silent Film star, Tony might also look a bit like a blast from the past. It must be a bit perplexing to meet someone's 'kid' who's already well into his forties. Some recognition does seem to dawn behind Tony's sleep-deprived eyes as he shakes her hand in a way that's both far more gentle than his armored gauntlet should allow for, and far more professional than his reputation would suggest. "You know, this is going to sound strange, but have you ever done any time travelling? Because I could have sworn that I used to have a pinup of you over my bed when I was a teenager." Okay, so at least his handshakes are professional, I guess. As he lets go of the hand, he looks a bit surprised to see The Winter Soldier here. After all, it's been a while. "Oh snap! I didn't know you worked here! Finally decided to get a job and stop traipsing around the globe committing felonies, eh?" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' A sideways smile is given to Bucky and a brief flash of brown eyes that holds something a bit more. It's the first time she's seeing Tony and, for just a moment, she gives Bucky that questioning look -- Is he as like Howard as she feels like he is? Is she wrong in that? But she doesn't linger long with it, her neutral smile returning to Tony smoothly. Even if she's clearing her throat a moment later with a slightly deeper smirk. A look she gave Howard often. "...I don't know if your father has a very strange sense of humor and yes, it was...Or you're mistaking me for someone else. But, it turns out, I have done a touch of time traveling thanks to Stark Senior and only...recently recovered myself from being stuck in a piece of his technology for about fifty years. I'm just sorry I wasn't here to know you when you were younger. I'm Margaret Carter... It seems you already know James Buchanan." She shakes his hand warmly and without fear, even if the gauntlet might look intimidating, the too-young looking woman takes it all in stride. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     "Something like that." Nope. Not a hint of a smile. Not even a twitch along the corners of the mouth, no sudden mirth in the eyes. Just... the Winter Soldier. Being Wintery. Although, at length, he does extend a hand towards Tony, a gesture of good will. "Figured I could commit felonies around the world for a better reason."     The glare is real.     Then he inclines his head towards Peggy and gives that tiny nod, that small gesture that was sometimes shared when they didn't want anyone else to overhear a decision being made, or a conclusion being reached. It seems Bucky agrees... very much his father's son. 

:'''{{#var:1191|Skye Johnson (1191)}} has posed:''' Skye slipped in quietly, and stood there watching. Eventually someone would notice her. Besides, Tony was there. Until then, she was gloating. 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' The handshaking is wrapped up without any further incident or any inappropriate remarks from Tony. Aside from this one, that is: Ha! That's one way to get rid of an ex! That Howard... amirite? Actually... I'll have to write that one down." But other than that one, there are no further inappropriate remarks. "And look! It's Agent Cloud! Boy, this really is a great day for renewing old acquaintances, isn't it?" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' After that brief look is shared with Bucky, Peggy looks back to Tony and simply arches a very dry brow at the commentary about getting rid of an ex. "...Your father and I weren't like... *That*." She states with a slightly deeper clearing of her throat. She might be blushing just a bit. One would think she was use to such implications after thirty some years of them, but she wasn't expecting it from his son. Dark eyes flicker back to Skye and she dips her head in a more respectful bit of acknowledgement to the senior agent. She steps back, making room in the conversational circle for the other woman, but also moving a bit instinctively closer to Bucky. There's nothing they should need to fight right now, but out of habit she's forming a line should they *need* to. Old habits die hard. "Mr. Stark, we're happy to stand around and play catch up with all your old friends but... I still haven't quite heard what SHIELD can do for you today? Unless you enjoy making small talk, standing around a foyer." She slightly teases, her red painted smile going a bit sardonic. Peggy is in 'Greeting diplomats' mode. A little chatty, a little respectful, a little too calm, meant to set everyone at ease. It's a mode she played for many years. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     There shouldn't be any reason to form what is essentially a defensive line, but when you've campaigned with someone for years, and they happen to be around, it's the most natural thing in the world to fall back into old habits. And the habit in this case is mutual protection. Not that Bucky expects there to be trouble ahead more than Peggy does, but when an old comrade in arms steps closer, you reciprocate.     And so he stands, with his hands clasped behind his back in the most open posture that martial bearing will allow. "And who wouldn't? It's a nice foyer. I could stand here all day and just enjoy the view." 

:'''{{#var:1191|Skye Johnson (1191)}} has posed:''' Shaking her head, Skye joins them. "Hey, Tony. Who did you want to bother today? Be nice, Agent Carter is nasty." She winks. "Besides, Winter Soldier seems out of sorts. I'm presuming you're responsible for that burnt grass out there?" Nobody messes with Lilly. Nobody. 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' "Oh, it seems like half my life is spent standing around in foyers and making small talk. It beats getting a hobby." Tony seems to be picking up on a vibe from the group, but is too accustomed to working a room to mirror their defensive energy. Instead, he seems to get slightly more effusive and friendly, despite looking a bit bleary-eyed. "But you're right, I actually had a reason for dropping by." "So what happened was, there I was, in the shower. You know, just listening to some Motorhead and cleaning the gunk out of the hole in my chest." Tony touches the spot on his armor's chestpiece where an Arc Reactor would normally be. Instead, there's some sort of dull gunmetal gray battery pack jammed into the hole. A temporary measure, surely. "When all of a sudden... BAM! I get an idea! So I got bolted into the old Mark III and flew straight here before I forgot." Looking from Skye, to Bucky, to Peggy, a warm smile still plastered on beneath his pencil mustache, Tony seems to think that explains everything. "So I'll need about 80 billion dollars." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' It's not until Tony is mentioning the hole in his chest that Peggy's eyes drop to where the arc reactor SHOULD be and is not. She's read enough of his file that any casual teasing or smile quickly drops off of her face and her dark eyes go a bit wider with concern. "...Mr. Stark, what... What happened to your reactor, and shouldn't you be in a *hospital*?" She's read enough of his file to know that it's been rather vital to keeping him alive and every over protective instinct is now kicking in. She looks between Skye and Bucky, considering that she's the only one who seems overly concerned about this, but she's used to pulling Starks out of life threatening situations. Then she's staring back at him to catch onto the last thing he said and she chokes on a bit of a laugh, a sound of pure shock. 80 billion dollars is a whole lot of inflation that her brain simply can't wrap itself around. "... I... I'm not certain 80 billion is in SHIELD's budget even *nowadays*?" She clips out, still half aghast at the number. "...What in bloody hell could cost 80 *billion* dollars??" 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     Okay. Now an eyebrow does go up. First and foremost because it's getting clearer to Bucky that Tony is here in the old suit out of necessity rather than choice, and secondly because even now it doesn't seem like he can be entirely serious.     That burnt patch of grass still hasn't been forgiven.     And so he tilts his head again, towards Peggy. "With respect, Agent Carter, I think this one needs to go to the Director." He glances over to Skye, for confirmation on his assessment. After all, he's a bit of an anachronism here. 

:'''{{#var:1191|Skye Johnson (1191)}} has posed:''' "Oooh Tony." Skye lets her brain catch up. "You're kidding, right? How the hell.. never mind. It's you. Yeah, should go through Fury." She's all concerned now. "Eighty* million?" 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' "Hey, I'm really loving the idea, Jimmy. But on second thought... maybe we shouldn't go 'straight' to the Director with this. I think Fury's still mad that I beat him so soundly last time that we played golf. But it's like I told him afterwards: 'Dude, it's not my fault you lost. Why would you challenge me to golf when you have no depth perception anyway?'" Still smiling his best About To Unveil The New Starkphone smile, Tony cranes his neck juuuust a little, in order to see around the trio of naysayers assembled before him and trying to keep his dreams from coming true. "I was thinking more like, what if we just went to the bean counters ourselves, I'll give them the short version of my proposal, and you three will get a commendation, or whatever it is they give to SHIELD agents instead of a raise." The smile falters only for a moment, just long enough for Tony to correct the math. "Er... That's BILLION, Agent Sunshine. I wouldn't even clean the gunk out of the hole in my chest for 80 million." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Peggy was no longer a director of any sorts, but she knows well what the SHIELD rumor mill is like, and that Tony hasn't even told them his idea yet but the edges of the room have gone quiet around them. She tilts her head in agreement to Bucky about the fact this SHOULD go to the director, but Tony's going on about why they shouldn't. A wry look flashes in Skye's direction and Peggy finally motions to the long hallway through the operations center. "...While I agree that this is the director's call, we don't even know what you want pitched to the bean counters. So, before too many ears get curious, why don't we all sit and talk. I swear even these modern chairs are more comfortable than standing in the middle of the foyer." And with that, unless someone immediately disagrees, Peggy turns on the ball of her T-strap heel clad foot and clicks her way down along the hall, just expecting to be followed. If no one follows, then she won't hear the pitch! But she wants to get the whole group away from too-curious eyes, and the conference room isn't that far away. 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     "I get to hear a Stark proposal." Bucky manages to keep his tone level, as he takes one step back, half turns to the conference room that Peggy is making for, and indicate the direction to Tony with a sweeping gesture of his left hand. "What joy. After you, Mister Stark." 

:'''{{#var:1191|Skye Johnson (1191)}} has posed:''' *cough* "If you can excuse me, someone should tell him." Skye 'put her hand up' and volunteered to tell him. Eighty. BILLION. Yeah, someone should let him know gently. 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' "Oh right right right... gotta keep it schtum. Because spies." Following along, Tony's very retro Rocket Boots clomp very noisily on the hard surface of the floors in the Triskelion. Not only is the old armor clunkier, affecting the way that Tony moves, but it's also much heavier, and it looks as if it's actually putting some physical strain on him to operate it. Not all of the bugs were worked out back then. But it still looks cool as hell. "So where we headed to guys? Did you ever install that giant Cone of Silence that Fury wanted? Because if he got another contractor to build it, I'm going to have hurt feelings." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' A gentle look of half sympathy, half 'You're getting the easy part' is shared in Skye's direction as the woman volunteers to go tell the big man about this potential proposal. "Good luck finding him. You know where to find us..." She echoes with a smile. But then the trio is continuing their way down to the first debriefing room Peggy can find that is out of the way. Of course, curious eyes are following them. A few younger agents trying to listen in and get a glimpse of Tony Stark's next brilliant project. Someone else mutters something about the 'retirement home on a fieldtrip', which gets them a hard, levelled look from Peggy and the rookie is quickly scampering off down the hall. But, soon enough, they're in a quiet, modern conference room with holoprojectors that run on Stark technology and overstuffed black leather chairs. "This should do. And I... believe that we advanced beyond the cone of silence. There are transponders now, but I suspect we'll be fine tucked in here. More worried about curious rookies and the rumor mill than spies." 

:'''{{#var:229|Winter Soldier (229)}} has posed:'''     'Thank you.' Bucky subvocalises to Skye, following Tony towards the briefing room. Not that he needs to keep an eye on the man, but with all that clanking about, giving him an escort is probably not a bad idea. SHIELD agents were only human, and just as liable to be star struck as anyone else.     His hearing is also pretty good, so he catches the comment over the thumping of the rocket boots on what used to be the perfectly smooth and even surface of the floor. That rookie earns himself a glare. And more than a glare, it seems, because after letting Tony into the room, he gives Peggy a meaningful look and starts after the unfortunate agent.     "You. I need a word with you, c'mhere..." 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' As the Armored Avenger clanks into the plush conference room, and the other SHIELDies begin to filter out, Tony looks around the room with something very similar to suspicion. Or as if he's checking to make sure the coast is clear. When the doors shut behind the last exiting agent, Tony turns slowly, clunkily, and sets his helmet down on the conference table with a heavy thud. A slightly sinister smile turns up one corner of his immaculately-trimmed mustache. "There. Finally alone..." It's a creepy thing to say, but the tone of his voice is more relieved than anything else. "I know who you are, obviously. Apparently Howard Stark was the world's biggest fan of Agent Peggy Carter, judging by the sheer volume of manila folders full of crap that he kept in storage." Fiddling with his helmet for a moment, Tony pulls out an old-school USB drive from somewhere within the hunk of metal. USB, and here Peggy thought that SHE was a fossil... "I had his files digitized. Actually, I built a robot that digitized his files. Either way, it's a record of all the Secret Squirrel stuff he got up to back when Sean Connery was still driving a bulletproof Aston Martin." He sets the USB drive down on the table, very close to the center, and looks up at Peggy from his slightly hunched position, for extra ominous effect. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The prospect of an 80 billion dollar invention, or headache, was apparently a brilliant enough cover to drive most everyone else away so Tony and Peggy could actually get a chance to talk alone. When he starts on about knowing who she is, her smile softens a bit, almost apologetic but also a bit relieved? A part of her wondered if she simply didn't matter. She's doing her very best to keep her emotions off her face as he speaks about all the things Howard kept around. She's too British to simply break down right there, but that familiar tightness returns to the back of her throat. She stares at him in quiet, sentimental shock for a handful of heartbeats, not quite daring to even take the files yet. As if she touched them, they'd no longer be real. She's not a coward long, though. She crosses the last few feet between herself and the younger Stark, scooping up the little USB drive between neatly squared, red nails. She looks it over with a quiet blink, pushing away a bit of glassiness threatening at the edges of her dark eyes. "Oh... Anthony. This is... It's incredibly sweet. I know I was long gone when he... died..." Was killed? Drank himself to death? Did she really even know, "And you're his legacy. But... this means the world." Dark eyes move from the drive back to the handsome man in front of her. "...I don't know how it was between you and your father. I know he had his... problems. More than I can name. But he was my best friend and we built this..." She motions to the halls behind her, "Together. I don't know how to thank you for this." 

:'''{{#var:22|Tony Stark (22)}} has posed:''' "Yeah, 'had his problems', that's as nice a way as any to say he was the World's Wealthiest Doomsday Prepper. I'm still trying to find a fourth warehouse for all the weird stuff he left behind. Notorious slob, that guy. But this stuff, the time he spent with you, I mean, he had it all organized. In its own special room. In the East Wing of Avengers Mansion." People forget that before it was called 'Avengers Mansion' it was just called 'Howard Stark's Bigass House Full of Weirdass Stuff.' Unlike Peggy, Tony doesn't seem to get especially misty-eyed about the memory of the Great Howard Stark. But then, Tony doesn't seem to remember a version of Howard that wasn't already in the throes of senility and extremely poor health. Which makes sense, given that Howard must have been like ninety when Tony was born. Or maybe he's just bitter? Poor little rich kid. With his armored hands propped against the table, Tony remains slightly bent over, looking from the USB drive back up to Peggy. "I really don't think you should thank me. Not sure I did the right thing, bringing you all this stuff. Seems like you're starting over, and here I am bringing you a truckload of Howard's baggage." He breathes in deeply, and lets out a resigned sigh. "But when you see the message he left you, maybe you'll understand why I couldn't just burn it all." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Finally, she brings herself the rest of the way over to sit near him. Neatly folded down into one of the too-modern chairs, she looks almost painfully out of time in the modern conference room with the old fashion cut of her suit and hair. She crosses her legs smoothly, sitting straight as a pin and formal as if they were in deep business negotiations. Chances are she's one of those people that fights back against emotions by getting more business like. It was simply easier. "I... appreciate the baggage, Anthony. And... the message. I didn't realize he left a message. Would you rather I play it alone?" She clearly doesn't know how comfortable or not he is with his father, but she's not assuming they are close. And yet, there's concern in her eyes. Concern for him, as she looks him over now that she's settled nearer. "I can... look things over later. I'm more worried about *you*. Without the reactor... How... How are you holding up? I know you are brilliant. Probably more brilliant than your father. But SHIELD... we have doctors, a team of scientists. We can make certain you're...okay... while you're building another one..." Then there is something she sees in his face. The smallest reaction, but maybe she's gone too far. A stiff, quiet smile crosses her features. "...Sorry. It's not my business." She stands up neatly as she sat. "If you need us, you know where SHIELD is. I... I think I might start going through a few of these things. It was nice properly meeting you, Anthony. Please, if you ever need anything... Find me. Anything at all." With that quiet promise, Peggy turns and steps from the room, leaving him alone with thoughts and the faint smell of old fashion Chanel perfume. 
}}

12023/Business at Hand

2020-08-18T04:02:53Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/08/18 |Location=Lex Luthor's Office - LexCorp Tower |Synopsis=Mercy gets a briefing from Lex on current situations that the Light and LexCorp..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/08/18
|Location=Lex Luthor's Office - LexCorp Tower
|Synopsis=Mercy gets a briefing from Lex on current situations that the Light and LexCorp both need to have resolved.
|Cast of Characters=92,9705
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' The Peacekeeper mess had been largely been resolved, but there were still issues to handle in that business. On top of that, Lex was already moving his attention to other projects. Those projects, Mercy knew from experience, would come to her attention later; She usually got the ideas when they're fleshed out enough for practical implementation. When it came to brainstorming, Lex was practically on another planet as far as the rest of humanity was concerned. To be fair to planet Earth, it wasn't far from the truth. Nonetheless, this was one of those days where Mercy had been summoned up to his office for a 'discussion'. Something had happened outside of Lex's projected timeline, and adjustments needed to be made. It was not an uncommon occurrence. Lex was good, but he was not a prophet. Variables were introduced all the time to the intended projections. Today, Lex was watching over Metropolis from the smart-glass window in the back of the floor. His black business suit was just laundered, and his hands were behind his back as he watched his domain passively. His head was tilted just enough that the light would have reflected off the back of his bald head if his head was shiny. Mercy knew the position well as his 'thinking' pose. It also doubled as 'King overlooking his domain' for visitors, if he wanted to project a sense of intimidation. Hope was, as usual, silently standing guard to one side of the massive main desk that served as the nerve center for LexCorp proper... and known to only a few, the Light. 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' Almost always at his side, Mercy had been away for just a handful of days handling a bit of business abroad. She had left just after the Peacekeeper mess finished, not wanting to leave him down a body guard until that was over, but didn't allow herself to be gone all that long. She took a red eye back last night, touched down just after 7 am, and has been catching up in Metropolis all day otherwise. The summons wasn't question, just a simple echo of, "On my way, Mr. Luthor," and she was riding the elevator up to his office. Today, she's dressed for business in the city not necessarily at his side. If she's going to be with him, her preferred black suit with the short pencil skirt that gives her a full range of physical motion is her preference. But today she had a few other meetings and wasn't expecting a fight. So, she's in an ivory, double breasted suit dress with the most delicate, well matched black pinstripes cutting through the expensive fabric. The outfit is like a blazer has been stretched just a bit longer to cross over hips and to her mid thighs, but clearly has been fitted to her curves, especially with those neat pearl buttons hugging in two lines down the front, starting just below her breasts. She crosses into the room but minutes after he's called, her high heels clicking neat and loud enough to make her presense known. She *can* slip in silently. She chooses not to in moments like this. "It seems I returned just in time, Mr. Luthor. What's on your mind?" She carries a datapad in her right hand but doesn't open it yet. All her attention is for nothing but him until she figures out the nature of this meeting. 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "Someone new was brought to my attention during the Stark Tower incident recently." Lex begins to brief her, "Stark kept an unstable AI in his tower and did the equivalent of playing with fire and got burned. During that incident, a young woman came to my attention. Her name is Berri Sundae, and I've been evaluating her for the organization." Lex takes out a notepad from his business suit, and tosses it in Mercy's direction, "all the relevant details are in there. Normally, I would handle her recruitment in the usual way via remote, but she's a confirmed telepath just coming into her ability." He glances to Mercy, "As such, she already knows I'm the pilot of the LexKnight. We need to discuss her approach." 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' The note pad is caught with neat alacrity, slightly bending at the knees to shift forward and grasp it before it hits the ground, but she's certainly not going to let it drop. The explanation of his recruitment of the woman gets a slightly confused look for just a heartbeat or two, not vocalizing a question as to why this is any different, but she is confused until he gets to the end of it. "Aaah. That is... Concerning." She moves closer to him, flipping open the note pad as her pale eyes begin to scan down all the information about Ms. Sundae. A slight frown poises across her mouth, the expression a mix of concerned and, perhaps, a bit jealous, but she's generally adept at hiding it. Standing this close, she smells of her shower from just off the plane. Something faintly coconut to her hair and the expensive vanilla oil she wears at pulse points. "If she knows already, then she either needs to be recruited and her ability to be trusted *confirmed*, or she needs to be dealt with quickly. That's not news we need getting out. Did she show any interest in being a part of the organization?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "From all indicators, she's not holding to traditional morality for her ability." Lex notes as he turns around, heading to the desk. He gestures to the center of the office/apartment with his right hand, before returning it. "Harmony, display the rooftop conversation with the subject. Audio enabled." A muted version from Lex's perspective of the conversation with Berri in New York begins, "I *think* she can be a potential asset, but I want you to be the one who handles her, from now on." Lex looks to Mercy, "I have no measure of her range or power, and for obvious reasons, we don't want her controlling the suit. If she controls you, we'll know her intentions, and I have a much better chance of rescuing you from her than the other way around." 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' "I'll have to brush up on my ASL, but that's a minor challenge compared to others." Mercy steps around the desk next to him, leaning one hip against the arm of his chair as she settles in to watch the exchange, her arms now folding thoughtfully across her chest. The frown on her perfectly burgundy painted lips is clear, not trusting the situation but not arguing it either. "Unless we're certain we can absolutely trust her, what she knows about you and the suit is potential for a disaster. I'll recruit and handle her, but if there is a hint that she's going to threaten this organization, I want permission to make her disappear. I'd rather an asset, but I won't let a... liability like that threaten the work you've done." Mercy explains flatly, as the playback wraps up. She's still holding the notepad of information, but now her pale eyes turn to fully rest on his face, the expression on her face deadly calm but also completely serious. 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "Denied." Lex states without hesitation. "She's just getting into her powers, and is at the bottom rung. She has too much potential to be an asset for a bit of doubt to be her end. Even if she doesn't commit right away, she can still be manipulated into serving the Light, with her current resources. We have plenty of indirect means of control, if it comes to that." He turns to Mercy, fully, an eyebrow raising, "the general public won't believe her, especially if I bring our resources to bear... and telepathy doesn't hold up in court." 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' As she is denied, a line of tension cuts through her body, the readying to argue with him, but she stops short the breath she was taking in to speak and just listens to him. Her expression is still closed off and a touch tense, line of dark lips uncertain about the whole matter, but she doesn't fight back. Mercy turns pale eyes to the frozen, last image on that screen, studying the young woman's entire demeanor now. Finally, she releases a low sigh. "Understood. The clean up will be a pain but it's managable. Hopefully, it won't necessary. The fact she hasn't gone to the press yet is... Reassuring." She steps over to the side of his desk and sets down his note pad, opening up and resting her own data pad along side of it so she can transfer a few quick notes and the address of the young woman's hotel. "I'll get in touch with her by tomorrow at the address she gave you, and with a traceable-by-us burner phone. The usual starting recruitment package, or do you want to sweeten the deal for her a bit more considering her personal... Assets?" Mercy watches him now, dark eyes studying every trace of emotion and line on his face. She's used to reading his body language as much as she does what he actually tells her. 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "Going for a massive financial boost right off the bat will make her think she can gouge me for more profit. She has a valuable talent, but she also needs to know her place if she wants to work her way into the big leagues." Lex notes, his Empire planning mentality in full display, "We offer her the standard mutant package, and offer her more as she proves her ability to work within long term rules." He looks to the video, "Harmony, display Stark Tower , 45 degree angle, top down." As the hologram flicks to the requested blueprint, Lex gestures to it, "It took her barely a couple minutes to find me, so we know for sure that she has the range enough for a good portion of Stark Tower. For now, we assume she has global range, and *hope* she only has Stark Tower coverage." He looks back to Mercy, "I'll leave the details to you." Then, he looks back to Harmony again, "Harmony, bring up the Carver situation report." The current status and timeline for Henry Carver pops up, "I'm going to be going to talk to Henry soon, now that the officials have an idea of what they're doing with him. I'm going to need you to bring his people under control. Babysitting the children during a mob war is not in our interests. We already have enough issues about that in New York." 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' As he pulls up the diagram, she looks over the tower but then back down, continuing to write quick notes in her datapad for the recruitment and possible gifts of Berri Sundae. She's not bothering to sit, but leanining over his desk like she naturally fits there. Whether she's doing it to show off the nice lines of her suit and the very tops of the cuban heeled thigh highs she wears, or it's just habit now to not bother sitting because she'll be back up in a moment, it's not clear. But the new fitting suit compliments her muscled frame quite well. The Carver people get a sigh from her, most certainly not looking forward to a baby sitting job, but she gives a brief nod and opens another file of notes on her datapad. "Do we have numbers on them? If they are zealots like Carver, convincing them to see logic and the way of the world will be...Difficult. They might have other assets we could leverage for their loyalty but it's going to be a fight." 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "I don't know if they were in on Henry's plan or not. The project itself was only meant for terminal patients, and he was known to be dying for a while. It'll be your job to determine who can be swayed, and who needs to be given to the local PD for a lesson." Lex continues. "Carver was less a zealot and more a man whom saw an opportunity and took it. His plan was bold in it's audacity. He didn't introduce the error into the firmware until the military test." Lex shrugs, his eyes remaining on her own as he speaks, for now. Whether or not he notices the subtle body language, he isn't commenting, "I don't imagine you'll have too much trouble getting them in line. It'll probably be a matter of backing the most obvious claim to their godfather." 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' A slight smile cuts across burgundy lips as she looks up from her data pad, meeting his handsome, serious gaze. "Considering I have yet to master the ability to be in two places at once, I'll need to tackle these one a a time. I take it order of priority is Ms. Sundae first, then the children? She's a larger liability at this moment, considering the knowledge she carries. All the technological assets are back under LexCorp control." While she trusts her instincts, it's clear she's still going to look to him for the final word. She always does. She's highly intelligent, but he's got the genius intellect and it's his company. But the half smile on her lips is one of slight regret. If she could do both at once, for him, it's clear she would. She's not slept more than a handlful of hours, having dove straight into work coming off the plane, and it's clear she's not going to stop. If she's tired, it's only, barely visible at the edges of her eyes. Her back remains straight and ready to dive into more work. 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "Berri is the priority. The mob war hasn't gone hot yet, so it can be monitored for now. I have no doubt that they know it too, and aren't looking to make a serious mess unless they know they can get away with it. We have time there." Lex confirms for her, before he starts to move back to the smart window wall. "I don't expect there will be too much trouble from either assignment. Berry has all the markers of someone looking to advance and improve their quality of life." There's a brief pause, before Lex looks at her from over his shoulder, "Before you go anywhere, get some sleep. You'll need to be on top of your game for Berri, and I don't want her thinking that I treat my employees terribly." 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' A last few notes are keyed into her datapad before she swipes it locked again, assignments in hand, she knows her jobs for the next few days. Even if it means being away from his side. Again. She turns to step away from his desk, preparing to leave, before he looks back over at her and gives an order she absolutely didn't expect. That makes her pause, a slight frown returning to her features. "You've never treated me anything but excellently. As with all your employees. I'm on top of things right now, Lex. I promise. I slept on the plane a few hours. I'm fine... I'd rather get this done and be back at your side. I dislike when you only have one guard around." She gives him a slightly warmer, more reassuring smile, a glimmer of humor behind her pale eyes. "Besides, what is it they say? I'll sleep when I'm dead. There are far more pressing things to do now than sleep." 

:'''{{#var:92|Lex Luthor (92)}} has posed:''' "I trust you to know your limits." Lex confirms, looking back to the wall, and out over Metropolis again. "A lot of matters need attending to, and there are only so many hours in the day. Maybe one day we'll find reliable time travel." Of course, this is Lex Luthor... if anyone could find a way to do it, it'd be him. 

:'''{{#var:9705|Mercy Graves (9705)}} has posed:''' "Yes, Mr. Luthor. I'll get started on matters now." And with that, Mercy turns on the ball of her foot and the whisper light clicks of her high heels can be heard leaving the office. Maybe one day there would be time to talk. To relax. This was, as usual, not one of those days. 
}}

12018/Family Game Night

2020-08-18T00:20:27Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/08/17 |Location=Harry Dresden's Apartment |Synopsis=Thomas and Buffy come over for a game night. Karrin and Thomas continue their heart to hea..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/08/17
|Location=Harry Dresden's Apartment
|Synopsis=Thomas and Buffy come over for a game night. Karrin and Thomas continue their heart to heart which ends in the most loving rant the Dresden household has seen in a while.
|Cast of Characters=7044,168,328,174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith wasn't sure what to make of the invitation. He'd played Arcanos once. In High school. And he was pretty sure the Storyteller had been making up most of the rules as he went along. Of course that was before Thomas hunger had awoken and he'd had about as much sex appeal as a soggy cigerette. Still he'd said yes and had arrived at Harry's apartment figuring he could help his brother get said apartment from 'Bachlor clean' to 'Actually clean' before the ladies showed up. So while simultaniously juggling a case of beer and two bags of salty treats, he rings the doorbell. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Of course, Harry never really stops working and was called away just as they were all going to have a nice, relaxing night. He promised he'd be back in plenty of time, but Karrin's already been busy making the apartment (the apartment they both jointly live in, basically) a bit more presentable. It's mainly cleaning up lots of dog fur, dust, the last of the beer cans from their McAnnally's run, and trying to move enough furnture that there'd be room for 4 people to actually play a game. She's not expecting ANYONE this early, so she hasn't really gotten ready yet herself. The ringing doorbell gets a narrow eyed look, half frowning. Maybe she's paranoid, but it is Dresden's place. She makes certain her gun is tucked into the holster at the back of her jeans and she shrugs on a BPD zip up hoodie that she keeps around over top of the tank top she was wearing to clean. A moment later, she's cracking open the door... Only to see who she SHOULD have expected. "Oh hell, Thomas...you're early. Harry's not even home yet...come in, come in." She's in bare feet and her hair messy enough that she definitely didn't get ready to come over here. Was she just living there full time? 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers actually had the day off and no school til September, so she was happy for a chance to relax..Although she's never played Arcana or whatever so hopefully it won't be too complicated. She arrives a moment after Thomas, nibbling on an ice cream cuz it's too darned hot out there today. "Sooooo how's this game work again?" 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith grins a little bit, "Harry's not home... but you are?" he asks questioningly in an innocent sounding voice. He carries the beer towards the kitchen and sets it down, then sets the bags of chips on the table. He smiles at his girlfriend. "It's sort of like when you played let's pretend when you were a little kid, only with less poking each other's eyes out with sticks and more rolling dice." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "I... was just... Cleaning a bit. Came over early." That is absolute bullshit, unless early was three days ago and hasn't even bothered going back to her place because she has that many changes of clothes here as well. There's a few other hints that Karrin lives here closer to full time, a gun cleaning kit tucked onto some bookshelves, her kevlar hanging out over a chair to dry out after the last time she had to wear it, a second robe on the back of the bathroom door. She's certainly never told either of them that she moved in, but anyone who is sharp could tell. "Hey, Buff. It's... Harry assures me it's not to hard and fun. If it's not, well, there's plenty of beer." She grins to Thomas and opens the fridge to start putting the beer inside, even if Harry would grumble about certain ales should be drank room temperature. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smirks at Thomas' over-simplified explanation. "Soooooo..We're gonna role play with imaginary characters using dice? Sounds...Weird.." Finishing the last of her ice cream with a wince -ouch, head freeze, ouch! - she glances around, noticing all the signs that Karrin's more or less moved in here full time and arches a curious brow at her BFF. "Hey, place looks...Comfy! Looks like you've done a good job of cleaning the place..So where's Harry?" 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith nods slightly, saying in a casual voice completely devoid of any sarcasm whatsoever "That was sort of my idea too, I'd come over and help HArry get cleaned up before you arived. Damn sloppy of him to leave things like a bullet proof vest just lieing about when his lady friend might be stopping over." He offers the beers over to Karrin with a smile that would melt butter. He adds to Buffy, "It's escapism, and a form of cooperative story telling. Even some big name Hollywood actors play. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A bullet proof vest that would be laughably small on Harry, not coming near down to his hips or fitting his shoulders. Sure. That's his. Karrin's cheeks just slightly begin to heat as she looks around the place and realizes just how much she really HAS made herself at home. "Ah... I mean, I... might have been here a bit...earlier. Just..." Then Buffy is giving her *that look* and she grumbles to herself. "I don't live here...all the time. Just crashed a few nights." Still rather a lie. But she's grabbing at bowls (she knows where all the bowls are) to put out food. Meanwhile, the new entrants are getting *looks*. Mister is high up on a shelf, considering the new supplicants in his kingdom and if they are worthy enough. Mouse, however, is eagerly trotting back and forward between Thomas and Buffy, trying to decide who to ask for pettings first, though Thomas is getting some very curious, slightly wary sniffing from the massive dog. "...I assume you both know Mouse and Mister... They're the true residents of the apartment." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers just smiles knowingly at Karrin, shaking her head slowly. "Well..Isn't that...Nice? Maybe I should get Thomas to clean my place before you two come over. Sounds fun!" She playfully winks and elbows Thomas softly as she says that, reaching for a beer. "So then, how do we start this fantasy role play game? cuz you know our lives are just sooo boring we're all too eager to escape em?" 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith laughs slightly, "Well I'll see what I can remember from when I used to play in school." He says with a slight smirk. "Did Harry happen to leave his copy of the Rulebook laying Around Karrin, in so much as that you might have seen it while you were...cleaning?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Mouse is insistant. He's excited to see other people and now Buffy is getting a big, shaggy nose beneath her hand and 100+ pounds of dog leaning against her legs, his tail thumping hard on the floor for having someone else to give him attention. Karrin smirks down to the dog, "...Oh calm down. You're just trying to be cute now, I know that look." She teases him, like he might actually understand her words. His head does tilt a bit, shaggy brows raising slightly at Murph as he gives a little huffing bark. "Uh... I think it's on the tall shelf over there. He keeps most of his gaming books up." Or maybe she's just short. "And, I dunno... having pretend crisis might actually be fun. A good distraction, at least. And if I slug my ex husband in a pretend world, I don't get an assault charge." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers chuckles as Mouse nudges her and she leans down to scratch him, just as her phone buzzes. th a sigh she glances at the number and rises to her feet. "Ugh it's the magic box, I gotta take this.." she leans over to give Thomas a quick peck on the lips, "Be back soon!" and she steps in the next room to take the call. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith laughs a little at the dog and reaches down to give the beastie's head a playful scritch behind the ears before walking up to the shealf and taking down the book. It's not fair, he doesn't even have to stand on tip toes. He sighs as Buffy takes a call, giving her that lovingly exasperated look that anyone who has ever been in a relationship would recognise as "Come on, you promised..." Still he lets her take her call, carring the book back to the table "Haave you rolled up alread Murph?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A look is given towards Buffy with a slightly deeper frown, and a tiny sigh of 'Oh god, save me from these boys! You're not going to leave me alone?' But she understands work too. "You owe me a drink and a night that isn't spent rolling dice, if we're losing you..." She mutters after Buffy, but gives a casual wave to the woman, feelings not hurt too badly. Then it's just her and Thomas, Mouse quite content to trot over to him and after a few experimental sniffs, he gives Thomas' hand several eager licks and is pressing against the taller man just as happily as he did Buffy. Karrin just shakes her head, half grinning at the dog, "You are incorrigable. They're not going to feed you any more than your dad does. Don't be a soft touch, Thomas. He gets plenty of snacks already." Now that it's clear who is there, she shrugs out of the hoodie she pulled on and removes the gun she'd slipped down her back, to lock it in the drawer that has specially been fitted with a lock just for her weapons. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith grins a bit as he ruffles Mouse's mane. "And besides, I'm pretty sure potato chips are no good for dog's anyway. But if the game runs long, I promise to slip you some pizza crust later, okay?" he says with a conspiritorial wink. He takes one of the warm beers out of the case and presses his thumb under the cap. The cap pops off the bottle like a flipped coin, and then Thomas swats it away, sending it zipping across the room to land in the trash can. The worsst part? He does it without even looking like he is trying to show off! He smiles a bit and walks over to the hanging portrate that he gifted Harry, smiling a serine smile and asks, "So have you thought about what we talked about?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, if she had hopes that she was going to be able to dodge this part of that conversation, clearly those hopes are dashed. Karrin steps over to him and grabs a beer herself, because she definitely needs a beer in hand for that talk. Pale eyes flicker to the door, double checking that Harry isn't coming back down the stairs because god forbid he actually hear how she might feel. Easier to take a good shot of beer about it and move on. Her eyes flicker momentarily to the portrait above the fire place as well, thinking back to the night they were talking around it. "...Not... exactly. We both still have a lot on our plates and things are working just fine like... Like they are now. Though he did ask if we could... take a vacation together. Just a few days off. That's... a lot. Not going away or anything, of course, just... sitting in and watching bad movies." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith laughs a little bit and shakes his head. "Go someplace. Empty Night, if you stay here all that will happen after the first two days is you'll spend a week cleaning your gun and he'll be in his la-bore-itory doing things that will most likely explode. I know a travel agent, have you ever been to Hawaii?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Oh god no. I mean...I have. That was the *first* marriage's honeymoon. I think Hawaii is cursed. And... going away is a... Big jump. Hell, taking two days off isn't something either of us just *does*. I think baby steps are perfectly fine and cleaning a gun can be very relaxing. Incredibly so." Karrin insists rather firmly, taking another gulp of her beer and then turning back into the kitchen area. There are snacks *somewhere* here. Something she can busy herself cooking so she really doesn't have to look at Thomas while she dodges questions about why they haven't had that conversation yet. Ah yes, mini corndog things. The perfect distraction for a game night that she is capable of probably cooking without burning. Now she just needs to find cookie trays in Harry's kitchen. The moving between cabinets and the like means she's far less likely to hear him coming in. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Unbeknownst to Karrin, Harry has made his way home, but not through the conventional means of the front door. No, today the wizard Dresden is trying out a new way. Something simple, nothing to crazy like a route to the jungles of Mexico or anything like that, but a quick jaunt through the Never-Never from his office to his apartment. Little did he know that his Godmother has an abode just on the other side of his lab, complete with man eating things and other such nasties. Yeah, let's not go that way again. Regardless of the troubles getting home caused, he made it in less time than the Bludhaven traffic would have allowed, so the Wizard slowly starts to open the trapdoor to the lab, just to make sure nobody is standing over it. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith turns away from the portrait, `Now, be a good boy and look out for your little brother Thomas. I love you~ the memory still as fresh as when he and HArry soulgazed. "Alright, forget Hawaii. How about New York? Metropolis? Disney Wor--No.. No Harry would break Disney world and no one wants that. My point is, you /should/ take a step. You two have been in a comfortable rut for ages. And lets be honest here KArrin, how you two feel about each other? It's as plain as the /nose/ on your face." Bit of an odd inflection on the word 'nose' there. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Completely oblivious to the fact that Harry might be anywhere near, Thomas earns himself a very firm glare across her shoulder as he comments on her nose. "You're the one who had to get... nosy about it." Not exactly meant to be a pun but she definitely gets what he's implying. "And we are *not* in a *rut*. We are perfectly comfortable just... living as we do, spending time together, and not doing anything that might... Put too much pressure on that. Yes. It's comfortable. It also *works*. I'm not going to mess that off by flying off somewhere exotic with him and then suddenly we... We have nothing but each other for two days. He'll get sick of me before the first day is out." Finally, a cookie sheet is located. She puts it down on the stove top a little too stiffly, not exactly mad, but this entire conversation puts her on edge. "..I'd really rather not scare him away. What we have is fine." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith begins opening bags of snacks for her to put on the tray, shaking his head a little bit. "People stay in ruts /because/ they are perfectly comfortable. And that can be nice too, Heck I love when me and Buffy can just have a night of Netflix and Chillling... but a little spice never hurts now and then. And my brother is not going to get bored of you. I ...knows... that for a fact." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' About to announce his presence to everyone, Harry opens his mouth...and then promptly closes it again as he hears the conversation going on above him. Thomas? Oh, right..game night. But this doesn't sound like game night, this sounds...much more personal. Slowly lowering the trap door again to just be open enough to hear, the wizard hooks himself onto the little ladder that leads up to the apartment from the lab. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "... That was awful. I should kick you out of the apartment for that pun alone. And here I thought you were supposed to be sexy and suave?" Karrin glares at him, lips pulled into a firm smirk at the pun. She does well remember how it burnt him to touch her, though, and she's careful not to accidentally brush skin as they lay out frozen mini corn dogs on that cookie tray. It feels entirely too normal. Comfortably so. Cooking with a man who could practically be her brother-in-law, waiting for Harry to come home? Even this felt nice, no matter how much she denied it. "Look, Thomas... I know what you...felt. What you saw. And I guess... I guess you can't fake that. I also know that everything changes the moment you start tossing that word around or acting like things are...Forever... when relationships are lucky to last a few years at all, even if you ARE trying. I'm not gonna fuck this up by... making it more than it is. Did that twice before and...Harry deserves better." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith sighs a bit. "Harry /loves/ you, Karrin. " He says calmly, "You /love/ Harry. I have a burn scar on my fingertip to /prove/ these facts are indisputable." He goes to preheat the oven for her, calm and casual. "Empty night, who cares about /forever/? You're both mortal. Tomorrow either one of you could end up dieing trying to rescue a bus load of nuns from a runaway truck full of devil's food cakes. You've got /Now/. Now is all that matters, because if you were to live a hundred or more years /now/ will never come again." He pauses, then adds "But far be it for me to put my /nose/ where it isn't wanted." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry blinks, long and slow, as he listens to this conversation. He looks back to where the way was just opened as if debating whether or not that the man eating things on the other side are a better option than popping out of the trap door at this point. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That gets a long few heartbeats of silence from her because, love it or hate it, she knows he's right. Finally, she mutters quietly, "...I took a lot of defensive driving classes. I think I could manage to save those nuns without anyone getting hurt. The devil's food can be remade." Because yes, that was the entire point of this conversation. Now, all the snacks are laid out and there is literally nothing left to do with her hands to distract herself other than pick up a beer and drink a far too deep gulp of it. Nothing in the world makes Karrin Murphy as nervous and wary as these sorts of conversations. She's a tiny ball of frustrated blonde tension and has no clue how to escape. Blue eyes flicker up to meet Thomas' after another long silence. "... I know you're right, but... what I've got now is pretty damn good. I just...don't want to mess that up. He means too much to me." She mutters softly. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith places a hand on her shoulder, leans down and kisses her forehead. a kiss he can do because he is in no way trying to feed on her. "If this were an Akedio torniment, or a sharpshooting compition, or any other damn thing in the world, would you ever consider 'Good Enough' anywhere close to good enough?"he asks gently but firmly. "if he means that much to you, why would you be willing to settle for anything less then everything?" He steps away getting his beer and taking a long drink. Tell you what, take your vacation to like New York. I'll call Lara and she'll set you up with... an outfit...for your first night there that will having him looking at rings by the time you leave." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry knows he shouldn't be listening in. He knows it. It's a breach of trust. Karrin will probably murder him if she ever found out he was eavesdropping like this. But he just can't help himself, so he remains there, unable to tear himself away from the conversation. But that doesn't stop a rather large mastiff from blowing his cover. Letting out a wuffle, the walking carpet pads his way over towards the trapdoor and starts to paw at it, wuffling some more. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "... I don't know if *I* could handle a night in a dress Lara Raith would... plan for me." Karrin is only half joking there, but that gentle kiss against her forehead gets a momentary closing of her eyes. Family. It felt good, even being on this end of it. She exhales slowly against him and reaches up to give his shoulder a bit of a squeeze. "...You're... incredibly frustrating when you're being smart, you know that?" She mutters to him with the threat of a grin on her lips. It's meant to be a thank you. Then Mouse is sniffling at the trap door without barking. That's... strange. Probably not a threat, but she has no clue who'd or what would be down there other than... Oh no. Did he somehow come home that way? Karrin steps quickly over and looks towards Mouse, "... How long has he been down there?" Like Mouse could tell her. She then leans down and stares into the darkness of the lab, eyes a bit too wide, "... how long have you been down there?" She might actually have gone just a bit pale now. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith smirks a little bit, "Oh I'm annoying all the time, it's just especially noticible when I step out of my 'Just a pretty face' persona and act like someone with two brain cels to rub together." Which is of course his way of saying "You're welcome. Dolt." Of course then Mouse is making a fuss and KArrin reveals the peeping Harry. "Well this just got interesting." He mutters to himself, tossing the now empty bottle over his shoulder and perfectlly into the recyling bin before opening another. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers had slipped out to deal with a 'minor emergency' at the Magic Box and she returns a few hours later looking quite winded and bruised and scratched up, muttering about 'those damn imps again..' As she kicks off her shoes and reaches for a much needed beer, she peers at the table and arches a brow. "Sooo how's the game going? Can't believe you're still playing?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Nope, nope, nope...not listening in at all. As soon as Mouse makes his way over to give him away, Harry drops down the ladder and feigns like he has just arrived via the way, just starting up the ladder again as Karrin opens the trap door. "I don't know, seconds? Just came in from the office." Not technically a lie, all those seconds just happen to add up to a minute or more.. "Why?" Now, time to deflect, "Did you know that Lea has a summer cottage on the other side of my lab?! With man eating worms and everything! Remind me not to come home that way again." He crawls his way up the rest of the ladder and looks around, "Oh, hey Thomas. What did I miss? 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Thomas got a very firm wrinkle of Karrin's nose with that annoying comment, but it's all washed away in the pure panic of trying to figure out if Harry actually heard their conversation or not. Murphy is *definitely* not acting herself, like someone who got caught in the middle of a crime, more like. Mouse looks between the two and gives a sound that is very much like a doggie huff at Harry's explanation of how long he's been there. Yes, Harry is being stared down by his *dog* over that little white lie. Murph looks between the two, trying to piece it together, but Harry's casual words and distraction are fairly effective. As is Buffy's return. "...Uh.. Oh god, yeah, we're supposed to be playing a game. Uh... no, we didn't... start. Just making some food. Corn dogs. You know." She looks over to the kitchen, three beers already gone. "We... we're gonna need more beer. Maybe I should run out for some beer." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith rolls his eyes, "Karrin, I would remind you that we already put most of a /case/ in the fridge. I don't think the four of us will be drinking /that/ much, do you?" he shoots a wicked grin at Buffy and gives heer an "I'll explain later." Look before giving her a more serious look. "Sweetheart, why don't you sit down. You look like you went through the wringer." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Making his way up and out of the trapdoor, Harry lets it close behind him just as the somewhat British disembodied voice of Bob starts to say something, but it is quickly muffled by the thick wooden door slamming closed. "Oh, man, I totally forgot it was game night," Harry says apologetically. "You guys start without me....and did somebody say beer?" Harry makes his way towards the kitchen, sheading out of his duster on the way, to open the old fashioned ice box and grab himself a beer. Oh! Look! Corn dogs, something he can stuff in his mouth so he doesn't ask about what kind of outfit Lara would make. Ahem. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers yawns, "Don't mind if I do.." she mutters as she takes another long swing of beer and drops tiredly on sofa. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is a momentarily worried look in Buffy's direction, realizing just how drained the woman seems, but Thomas knows her just as well and he doesn't seem too worried. "We'll save you some beers. Just relax, Buff." It's far easier to take care of other people than herself. She then looks back towards Harry, relaxing by inches as she seems to accept that he didn't hear a single thing that was said. She's still not answered Thomas about New York, or the possible dress from Lara, but to bring it up would mean more questions now. "Yes. Game night! Everyone was...asking questions about just how these characters and dice work, and that's your expertise, Dresden, but we'll all give it a go. This is going to be the...strangest... double date kind of...Thing... ever. I mean, not that this is a double *date*, friends can play games too... Just... You know." Yeah, she's pulling out two more beers, one for her and one silently handed in Harry's direction. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' A big party about being in love with a Slayer? Knowing that she /will/ come home with scrapes and bruises and worse all over her. Knowing that if he tries to mother her she'll just come to resent him for it in time. Still when Buffy's eye drop closed without her even taking a sip froom her beer, Thomas walks over and gently takes it from her hand. He then gestures towards Harry to hand him the duster, and assuming that he does so, covers his significant lover with the massive garment. "Can we still play with three people?" he asks, his tone only slightly lower in deferance to the sleeping woman?"I'm not opposed to something more traditional if not?" 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers probably wouldnt want to be overly fussed over or coddled like she can't take care of herself, but she's happy for a (hopefully cool) blanket to shade her as she sleeps. Hopefully she didn't bring one of those darned imps back with her but you never know! 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Taking the beer from Karrin, Harry pops the top off of it and takes a healthy swallow. "My thing? Hell's bells, this is Billy's thing. There is a reason I end up playing the dumb Barbarian, so I don't have to think about any of it and just roll some dice. Didn't Billy make it? He was going to run something." Harry shrugs a shoulder, "I mean, I can pull out Clue or something like that." Harry passes off his coat to Thomas and takes another sip, "Or Monopoly. Monopoly is always fun." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Yours, you idiot. You might have been half asleep and a little tipsy but... something about brotherly bonding and you'd probably be able to figure out how to run it. I just happened to send the invite. And Billy sent his apologies, had a run into something on the way home." Karrin laughs a bit more, realizing none of them really have any clue about what they are doing. She arches both brows as Harry suggests Monopoly. She's now looking at him like he's grown a second head. "...Harry. Monopoly destroys families. Monopoly is how you disown your second cousin before dinner. I don't remember ever playing a single game that DIDN'T come to screaming and at least one beer bottle being thrown." Granted, that's Murphy's rather outspoken Irish family. There might be reasons she's hesitant to settle into a more committed life. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith nods solomnly in full agreement with Karrin on this score. "As a matter of fact, I make it a very personal policy to never play Monopoly with anyone who carries a side arm, kills monsters professionally, or has burned down more then three buildings." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Hey," exclaims Harry, "at least one of those buildings was NOT MY FAULT!" The wizard grumbles as he makes his way to the little cupboard which tries to pretend it is a hall closet of some sort. "Well, fine, Monopoly is out...just because you can't handle the stress. And here I thought you had no fear, Murph. I'm disappointed. Thomas, you LIVE god damned Monopoly. I know who your family is, remember." Harry starts pulling out some other games. Life, UNO, Sorry and Risk, Betrayal at House on the HIll, and the aforementioned Star Wars Monopoly. "Pick your poison." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Now Harry is calling her scared? Murphy glares at both of them, the other parts of the conversation (the actually scary ones) echoing in the back of her head as she crosses her arms over her chest and just firmly smirks, "I am *not* scared of monopoly, I just... Like not wanting to actively murder either of you. I'm not scared of much of *anything*, frankly, there's just certain things which require a little more delicate a touch." That comment is given straight towards Thomas, definitely not talking about board games for a moment there. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith raises an eyebrow and that wicked smirk comes to the vampires lips. "Oh I'm sure Harry was just /picking/ on you KArrin. Nothing to get your /nose/ out of joint about." He picks up Betral at the House on the Hill and adds, "This seems like the most grown up option. Plain as the /nose/ on your face, wouldn't you agree Murph?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Looking from Karrin to Thomas and back, Harry arches a brow. "Betrayal is snot Karrin's kind of game. Can you imagine if she picked the omen that lead to the event? She might just blow the whole thing. I mean, she may just have to picket or just get overcome with nostril-ga." Harry tries to think of more puns, but falls short and shrugs his shoulder, taking a sip of his beer. "Seriously, what is with the nose joke, Thomas?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Oh no. Harry's joined in on it now. He doesn't even know and he's joined in. Karrin's blue eyes tick over from the unnerved and frustrated to the actually angry. Eventually, short and hot headed just spills into being hot headed and when Karrin Murphy's temper is up, there's generally nothing stopping it. That means, while this was not the time, place, or way she ever wanted to tell Harry everything, it's coming out of her mouth in a two-beers-and-too-many-puns filled rage rant. She sets her third beer down and squares off, facing Harry dead on, but Thomas gets a sideways glare that is enough that lesser men would catch fire under that gaze. "He burned himself on my nose! That's what's with the jokes. He burned himself because he can't feed on someone who is in love... and loved back, apparently. And when he tried, he was burnt. He did it to prove a point and it fucking worked but it's not a point I know what to do with... but, yes, by proof of brotherly love and white court flaws....I love you, Harry Dresden. And he insists that you, apparently, feel the same because it has to go both ways! So... There! Now you know!" 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith smirks ever so slightly, opens another beer in the silence immediately following Karrin's little rant. He takes a long slow draw and adds "What she said." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden blinks as the ire in Karrin boils over and slats all over the room. As she squares up with him, the much taller wizard looks down to the short cop, the slow form of a smile emerges on his face as she continues on and on until finally she is done, glaring at him with her hands on her hips in that you-would-never-tell-her-to-her-face-adorable way she has when she is just that irate. Harry reaches a hand up calmly, bops he on the nose, and in his best Han Solo impersonation says, "I know." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry lets that beat for a almost tooooo long moment, making it seem like that is all he is going to say before he follows through with "I love you, too, Karrin." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Anger is easier than fear, so Karrin is still firmly boiling in that anger stage, hands on her hips and fingernails grinding just a bit into her own hip bones because it means she's not actually going to swing on Harry or Thomas. The vampire's entirely too calm, self-satisfied commentary gets him a look that still could kill, but she's trying not to fall into the pure terror of having bared her soul to the too-tall man in front of her. When he bops her on the nose, her eyes narrow even more. "... I'm going to kill you one of these... days..." But then he's continuing. And he says it. Just like that. That easy. She blinks at him, the fire in her her eyes suddenly going out as she pushes back a sudden glassiness there. She is not going to cry in front of them. She simply *can't*. "...Oh... well, then. I... I guess that's... good. Since we're... all... on the same page. Good..." She shakes her head at both of them, letting out a slightly shaking breath. "You two are *impossible*... how we didn't know you were related before, I will NEVER understand." But she's still not really looking at them. She's gotta get those tears under control. She turns back for her abandoned beer. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith smirks just a little bit, bit as he takes the box over to the table, giving the two lovers just a few moments to sort themselves out. A cocky, self assured smile on his face as he call out "I've got dibs on Ox Bellows. I got a nasty feeling I'm going to need all the Physical stats I can get in this.." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry can't help but grin at Karrin's stammering, the flailing that comes with suddenly lost anger. He takes the couple steps forward and places his arms over the smaller cop's shoulders to give her a bit of a squeeze, leaning his head down to give her a kiss on the cheek before releasing her and walking over towards Thomas, "I don't think we are going to have to wait for the event for her to come after us." "She is going to be out for blood," Harry chortles as he picks up the character cards and starts to look for Zoe. 
}}

11893/Strange Reunions

2020-08-09T05:09:37Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/08/03 |Location=Lower Manhattan, Manhattan |Synopsis=The last time Peggy and Spike saw each other, WWII was young. Now they encounter on a str..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/08/03
|Location=Lower Manhattan, Manhattan
|Synopsis=The last time Peggy and Spike saw each other, WWII was young. Now they encounter on a street in painfully modern New York, both ghosts of each other's past.
|Cast of Characters=150,103
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' After entirely too much testing, interviews, interrogations, research, and reaffirming of her identity, SHIELD finally settled on the fact that Peggy Carter was who she said she was. She came back out of time, into a whole different world, and life is strange. She's been adjusting as she can, and today that involves getting out. Just... seeing the city. Walking streets she once knew which are very different. She walks a little too slow, her dark eyes a touch too wide. She's in a dress that would be perfect in 1946 as much as it is today, retro styles back in, the dark green fabric hugging her hourglass curves beneath the pencil skirt in that retro style. She still moves naturally sleek on her high heels. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      Spike is...well Spike. The usual look for him. Jeans, long sleeve t-shirt, and the overcoat that is almost as much his trademark as the bleach blonde hair. Currently he is closing his Zippo, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He's usually at ease with his surroundings and very little surprises him, but a blast from his past can do that for a person.      Slowing as his eyes take you in and he even stops in the street. His mouth fails to hold the cigarette in place and the new cancer stick hits the ground and rolls away a few inches,"Bloody hell." he mutters in shock finally. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Peggy hasn't quite noticed him yet. She looks like an impossibility out of another time, a lovely young tourist walking through New York City just after V-E day. Not quite as young as that first night they met, when she was still soft with youth and a little too wide eyed. Maybe another ten years of age on her frame and a few more curves. She slows her walking to entirely stop, uncertain where she intends to go. The city that was her home has changed so much. Finally, she turns around on the ball of her foot and begins back the way she came, directly towards him. That's when she feels his eyes on her. Her dark gaze locks with his and she stops dead in her tracks. That... shouldn't be possible. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      Finally shaking off the initial shock, Spike leans down to get the cigarette back. Not that he smokes yet, he just stares for a long time. He raises the cigarette to his mouth finally and takes a slow drag. His brow furrows and he exhales at last,"One of us should still be walking at this point and he's me. You aren't like me as near as I can tell so..." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Where there might have been fear in her eyes before, the fear he inspired in her that night in the little ramshackle cottage, she's grown out of such things now. The quiet confidence mirrored behind her dark eyes is something far heavier, more mature, than the young spitfire girl she was at the start of the last world war. She paces a few steps closer to him, even her body language as she crosses the street is more self assured, and a coy sort of smile crosses her ever perfectly red painted lips. "A lady has her secrets. I...will admit I never thought I'd see you again." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      Watching her with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity he takes another drag from his cigarette. Exhaling he finally manages,"I am pretty sure that would have been better for both of us."      He still can't shake something about this,"You're not like me. I can tell. You are still like the one I met, but more confident and capable." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Finally, she comes within a few feet of him. Not violating the personal bubble of respectful space, but right on the edge of it. Probably closer than is safe, considering the things she knows about him. She's definitely not like him, still very much alive, breathing, skin flushed with health even if her pulse has kicked up a notch or two at encountering the man. She smells of amber oil and some old fashioned vanilla soap. "No, I am not like you. Still very much alive if... adjusting to this time. And several more decades of experience will change a woman. I suppose that is part of growing up in a war...and after." In the 50s and 60s, her face was in the news more than once. Director of SHIELD, an international protective organization. She gave press conferences and public notices after certain disasters. She doesn't seem to have aged an inch since those times. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "You look pretty much the same as you did in the last commercial I saw." he admits. A drag off his cigarette and he exhales away from you since you are so close,"Super secret agent. I thought you would have grown old, retired, and died a long time ago." Charming devil he isn't. One thing different about him, he doesn't seem to be trying to set you up for feeding. In fact his body language is mostly passive, with just a hint of wanting and anxiety. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' That actually gets a bit of a laugh from her, not having even remembered some of those old TV spots when things were still mainly in black and white. Howard always did like the attention. Peggy's eyes narrow a bit more on him, looking his attractive frame up and down, not bothering to hide the fact she's probably mentally profiling him as they speak. "Life sometimes has other plans. Besides, I don't think I could ever retire. Married to the job, mostly... keeps a girl young. You, however... You have changed. You at leas don't seem to be actively... hunting any more. I thought the next time I saw you would kill one of us." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      There is a smirk as you laugh and he takes the last drag, exhales, and tosses the used death stick away,"Life sometimes does have other plans." he agrees. Never retiring doesn't fit into his world since it was never a part of his life...well at least not since he was in his thirties.      He reaches up and touches his head with his forefinger,"There wasn't an Agent Carter to save me last time a government took me prisoner. The result being they shoved a microchip into my head. Any aggressive activity towards a human results in a powerful electrical charge causes me mind blistering pain." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' There is a quiet moment from her there, a trace of almost anger across her face. Apparently, she's still rather justice minded, even if it means the man across from her is suddenly far less of a threat than he had been in the past. Her jaw tightens thoughtfully, "...I suppose if it means your freedom, that is... Better than nothing. But putting something in a creature to change it's base nature and entire demeanor feels... wrong. Brain washing at best. A quiet and eternal torture at worst. And I can almost bet which government did it to you as well..." The one that she fought for and with all those years. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "Considering I haven't been in any country other than this one for a very long time I think it is a dead giveaway." he replies with a hint of sarcasm. Not to you, but rather to the country that neutered him mostly.      He takes a moment to look you over again and comments,"So you look good. Look a lot more competent than last we met. You were still pretty wide eyed and innocent then." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' She gives a slight tilt of her head, gesturing him to walk with her as she continues her stroll. There was no reason to keep talking in the middle of the street, but she's not opposed to his conversation. Perhaps she's just considering a place a little more private, or a little less likely to attract eyes for either of their strange qualities. "...This is also not the country I'd have expected either of us to have ended up in." She admits with a small chuckle, bemused at life over all. As Peggy continues their slow walking, to any outside eyes they could be old friends or new lovers simply enjoying the evening together, he actually gets a laugh out of her when he addresses their first meeting. "If...I'm not mistake, that was my first year of service. I was 18. I don't know if innocent is the word, but... I had a lot of learning to do. For good or for ill, war is a strict teacher and I was up to the task..." She turns dark eyes up to his gaze, daring to meet it for a heartbeat or two. "You look...far more in control. But I don't know if that is you, or the leash they put on you." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He falls in step beside you easy enough, talking in a hushed conversational tone,"How did we get here?" he mutters lightly and snorts a little. He takes out a cigarette and lights up.      He considers her comments and admits,"Maybe naive yet. No idea what was out there until you encountered it up close." He takes a long drag and echales,"Oh yes. I am very controlled. I heard a bloke say this is somthing like having a leash shoved up your ass." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' An actual wince crosses her features when he describes what the control is like. Peggy doesn't look thrilled on the government's behalf. She just gives a slight shake of her head, "You don't teach someone to be better by chaining them... But then, I don't suppose you ever actually had a care to be better? Still, you did let me go that night..." She studies him as she drops that memory into the air between them. A night he did not murder her and had no chip in his head. "I had saved your life. But... you were half starved already, had been tortured for days... You had every opportunity to kill a young, somewhat niave girl. Oh, I'd have fought like hell but I suspect you would have gotten the upper hand. I didn't have half the tricks up my sleep then as I do now..." SHIELD has been good to her. A secretive, chesire cat like smile stretching across her lips at the thought. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "I watched over you that night." he comments and takes another hit. He exhales and shakes his head,"Despite popular belief we aren't all monsters...." he pauses and shakes his head,"...scratch that. We are, but some of us know what it is to owe a debt and live up to it."      He looks ahead of the path a while and adds,"There was aother one on the loose. He was mad with hunger and willing to anything. He didn't make it and when it was done I decided we were even. When the sun started to rise I hit a small farm for blood and went to ground to hide from the sun."      He smirks a little and mutters,"I have killed two vampire slayers, nearly killed two others." he tells you,"You wouldn't have made it. Believe me I wanted to. You were young, strong, perfect, and pure. All the things that makes at vampire's blood run faster." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The last bit of commentary on what makes a vampire's blood run actually makes Peggy fully laugh, "And now I'm old, wizened, bitter, disciplined, and sardonic. Much less of a treat, I promise you." Even if Peggy barely looked a decade older than she had that night. Somehow, she's eternally caught in her mid-thirties, at the height of health and form, her frame somehow more fit and trained now than she had been then. But the war wasn't easy for anyone, and she was very new in the game. "Well, I suppose I'm a lucky lady you keep your debts, and there's a lot of unlucky nazis out there that I got to live through that night. Many others have tried to kill me since. No one quite succeeded. One...he came very close. But that was a gunman, not a vampire." She says that last word a bit more quietly, still not wanting to drawn unnecessary eyes. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "So were two people out of time." he mutters softly as you continue to walk together,"I don't know as far as that goes. There's something to be said for a woman with experience. She's less likely to break." That was a little much, but he is a vampire. There is a demon inside even if he can't hurt her per say.      "Debts are paid. You own me nothing and I own you nothing." he agrees,"Who knew you would go on to be a super spy. Like I said, your name would pop up now and then over the years after." He takes another drag and exhales,"A gunman? You really do know how to make friends don't you?" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The comment about being less likely to break actually earns a grin from her and a sideways look of amusement. Maybe flirtation? Maybe not. But Peggy isn't put off by the comment. She just chuckles huskily, "I am a very... Very hard woman to break. Many have tried." That comment is made with quiet pride behind her voice. Not arrogance, just a woman who very much knows her strength and value. She's not shy and blushing or trying to hide it. "It got harder to hide the more prominent SHIELD became. Someone needed to be a face to the outside world, so others could live in the shadows. I spend over a decade as a spy. Being a director..." She shrugs slightly as she slows down outside a old apartment building. "Let me change the world in other ways. Show lots of young women what sort of potential they had. And others would rather I was silenced. Only one assassin ever got *that* close." There is something bittersweet across her face about that. "... There isn't much room for friends in spy games." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "You're an amazing woman. No question." he comments as the two of you continue to walk. He looks up towards the buidling as the two of you slow down. The stories of the things you have been through do interest him, but there's no pushing.      He takes what he can get as she tells her story,"Assassins are never dull. I have had a few upclose looks at several from multiple eras. I was a little better equipped to survive bullets. He considers a quiet moment and tells you,"Friends can be more trouble than they are worth. You just need one or two worthwile sorts and the rest can toss off." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Her dark eyes flicker back to the older building. It wasn't anything fancy. She probably could afford far nicer with her past career. But it looks like it was standing back when she moved to New York City and she clearly has a fondness for all things from her home era. "Well, I don't know if we would be the sort of trouble that is worth it, but... You know where I live now. I trust that nose and brain of yours to figure out the rest, if you ever wanted to come properly visit. It's rare to see someone from... Before. We got an interesting start. No reason to end that story now..." And with that, she turns on the ball of her foot, old key going into the iron gate over the front door to get it open before she and move inside. It wasn't an invitation to come up now, but certainly one for the future. She flashes him one last, knowing smile across her shoulder before she disappears in side. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      It's been a long time since someone invited him back to anything so it is a little surprising. He returns that smile she offers, a little lop sided, but a smile. Once she vanishes inside he turns his attention to the street again and starts walking towards his original destination. Sure he's walked the wrong way for a while, but there is something to be said about finding an old accquaintance. For him even more so. 
}}

11871/Digging Up the Past: A Few Questions...

2020-08-04T04:45:13Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/07/30 |Location=Wade Shaw's Condo, Claridge's, Midtown Manhattan |Synopsis=Karrin has questions. Nick has a grenade. |Cast of Characters=9039,..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/07/30
|Location=Wade Shaw's Condo, Claridge's, Midtown Manhattan
|Synopsis=Karrin has questions. Nick has a grenade.
|Cast of Characters=9039,168
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' With a warning call given announcing an impending arrival to the condo, Nick has been moving around to make the place presentable. Ie. Shove all of the scattered bit Wade's laundry under his loft bed. Yes, it doesn't hide it but it makes it clear whose mess is whose. Also in consideration, Nick threw on a shirt to go with the sleep pants and has a kettle prepped. Based on when she gessed she'd be over, he already has the stove on. Which... left him with some time to kill while waiting so he's now back on the sofa, looking to the years old unfinished song in one of his notebooks. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It's not too much longer before Karrin Murphy is gently knocking at the door, looking her usual self when he opens it in greeting. Perhaps a little older and a little more worn tired, but never the less, Karrin Murphy. Most of the bruising is gone from her face except for the faintest bit by her temple and she's not walking gingerly any more, though her clawed shoulder is still bandaged beneath her t-shirt. "Hey, stranger. Been a minute." She flashes him a smile with a curiously worried look, stepping into the apartment and giving him a once over to see if he's showing any signs of being in trouble, physically or mentally. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' The arrival was expected, so the transition of getting her into the condo was seamless. The notebook was closed and set down upon the table as he walked to the door of the studio condo. The lock was undone and access was granted. There was no invite in because...well. Factor in what some friends do. But upon Karrin stepping in, he was already closing the door and heading over to the counter to grab a couple mugs. In the brief glimpse of his face, there was a smile but it was a tired one. But it's not very different from his usual smiles. So things seem...normal? Whatever's considered normal for this group anyways. No new marks. The scar on his lower right forearm is old and is the only real source of asymmetry looking to the musician from behind. "Tea or Cocoa?" He asks. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Oh... tea, probably, this time of night. Something herbal if you have it. I should pretend to tell myself I'm going to sleep later." Karrin states with a tired, wry smirk across her lips. She politely slips out of her sneakers at the edge of the room and pads in her socks over to the closest comfortable chair, gingerly sinking down into it and tucking her feet below her. She's relaxing a bit more at seeing he doesn't look any worse for wear this week. "How's things been? I...honestly feel like it's been months since we just talked and it probably has been, mostly my fault. Between Harry and Buffy, I feel like things never stop..." She's trying to make nicer talk before getting down to it, a touch of guilt that she's been out of touch so long in her husky voice. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' At the answer, Nick reaches up into the cabinet to pull out a couple packets of chamomile. Putting one in each mug. He folds his arms and turns, leaning into the corner where the nub of counter next to the fridge meets with the slightly larger portion of counter adjacent to the oven. He looks to the stove. "Yeah it's been months. But I do live further away from you guys and I'm bouncing all over the place with my work. So- understandable. New York's a busy place too." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Well, let me know the next time you come into town, and I won't just bother you because I got questions to ask about a thing, sound good? Maybe we'll drag you out to a bar to actually relax for once. Something we could all use..." Murphy sighed, but that was a pretty good sign she had something on her mind other than a general catch up. She leans forward a bit more, body shifting to fully face him... "...don't suppose you know anything about a DEA agent named Schiwzer or...why they might be looking into you?" 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' Nick gives a bit of a nod, "Alright. Fair enough. It's been awhile since I had one of those steak sandwiches." As Karrin drifts to her question, he looks away from the stove to look over towards her. "Schwizer?" He repeats, head tilting, "No... I'd think I'd remember someone coming up to me calling themselves that. I mean yeah, I've been booked at clubs and bars where I kind of questioned the place when I got there but- Other than play music, get a beer and head out, that's about the level of interaction I do there." He pauses, "DEA's looking into me?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A slight grimace comes to her face as he clearly doesn't seem to know a thing. Karrin studies him several heartbeats longer, trying to piece together if maybe, just maybe, he's pulling one over on her. But she's know him far too long, knew his family, and there isn't an inch of her instincts that says he's to blame for this. So, Karrin exhales a long breath and unfolds her feet from beneath her, so she can sit up straigher and maybe look a bit more professional. "You...or your mother's file, at least. It's gone missing and some asshole agent from the DEA came questioning me about it." 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' The kettle gives a low, half-assed whistle but Nick pays it no mind as the mention of his mother seems to get a diffent reaction. He straightens up, backside shifting away from the counter despite him staying in the corner area "You mean a file on mom's murder?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin stands, so she can walk over to the kitchen area and join him, meeting him face to face for the uncomfortable conversation to be had. "Yeah, that's...what I'm assuming, though he tried to play it off as not a big deal. That file is missing and this agent was sniffing around to see if maybe you were to blame. I told him to screw off but... There's concerns. And I have no clue why." 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' Nick frowns, glancing down in thought. "...dammit." He turns his head to look to the pot as it starts whistling more, pulling it from the burner, "Karrin, I know you're a great cop but, please leave this one alone." He slides the mug over and pours in the water. "I had an unwelcome visitor back in May. He was asking questions, one of which being what I remembered of the robbery." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' If he really wanted her to leave it alone, those were not the words to use. Karrin stares at him with slightly wider eyes, concern across her face but also protective interest as well. "...This isn't just about being a good cop, it's about being a friend, Nick. So...Out with it. Because the DEA already pulled me in and if you are in trouble, I'm not just going to pretend like I don't know anything. So... best you spill and we can figure out how best to handle this together." 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' The filled mug is slid back as he adds water into the second mug. "I came home to find Punisher sitting on the other side of that wall." He nods in the direction of the portion of the condo where the bathroom extends out to give a bit of a privacy wall. "So... yes I'd rather you not go poking at that guy. Seems HE was trying to figure out the reason I got targted outside of the shelter that one time and 'dumb luck' wasn't an acceptable answer and somehow it led to him having questions about the robbery." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "The Punisher... were there some... news articles about him?" Karrin asks, not having kept up with vigilantes, as it were, but she still looks interested and quite serious about this all. "I've poked at more dangerous guys before and, honestly, if we are both trying to help you... Better to have more minds on the case. Unless you really are trying to hide something, from him too, and you're in trouble with him and the cops. Then..." She exhales, taking one of the steeping mugs of tea to let it linger between her hands, warming fingertips. "Then you and I have some planning to do. But... Nick, you gotta tell me what's going on. Let me *help* you." 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' Karrin, Nick replies, gritting his teeth as he sets the kettle back down, turning to hand her one of the mugs, "I'm not resisting. I'm flat out telling you what happened. Punisher showed up. Had a nice little firearms side chat with me on the sofa. He asked his questions. I answered. He gave me the grenade and left." He turns, grabbing his own mug to move over to the kitchen table. "Grenade was a toy. But certainly looked real in the dark." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Those ever-worried blue eyes study him a bit harder, but she seems to accept that he really doesn't know anything beyond that. Karrin lets out a little breath of concern, but gives him a small nod as she blows across her tea. "So... I need to go find this Punisher, is what I'm hearing, and we'll figure out things from there." Then her tired mind catches on something else he said and she jerks eyes up. "Wait...what... GRENADE?! He handed you a grenade?! WHY? OKay, back up... tell me *exactly* what in hell happened when he came..." 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' Nick pauses, "Well, actually. When I think about it, it was less 'hand it over' and more 'throw it' Either way good news is the grenade he was holding was fake." He gives a nod. "And I phantasmed first chance I could take, so if he had tried shooting me he'd have been in for a surprise." He pauses, "...I also changed the locks after he left." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The abject shock in her face is clear, and a mix of protective anger along side of worry as she stands from her chair. Karrin needs to pace the room for this conversation. "...It's... a... GRENADE. You could have been killed! Or, even if you phantamsed fast enough, the amount of other people that could be hurt... Shit, Nick. This guy is insane. And what's his interest in you and this file now? What questions whas he asking?" Karrin stops her pacing to land blue eyes on him as she spills those questions. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' "Yes. I agree. He is nuts." Nick replies, reponse slow and deliberate as he gives a slow nod, "And I couldn't tell if the grenade was real or what he loaded the gun with. Which is why when he asked me to sit. I SAT. And when he asked me questions. I ANSWERED. And when I was sure he wasn't planning to kill anyone, asked if he could at least put the grenade down." He pauses, "Which would be when he threw it. It's a toy but at a glance, well, I'm not military. Looked real to me." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Better safe than sorry with...anything like that. Including a mad man. So...what questions was he asking? Why do you think he was doing this to YOU? And if he took that file.... The question is why." Karrin states as much as she's asking him, not enough information for her to piece it out herself, but it's clear the short blonde is planning on being in this mess with him. Her expression is too protectively worried and her tone too firm to be willing to drop this. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' "I don't know Karrin," Nick mutters, "I seem to have this knack for being in the wrong place at the right time and it's getting REALLY old. So of course when I go dropping supplies off at a shelter, it's at a time someone's targeting random people off the street. And of course when I'm the random person that gets targed, I get a nice tabloid photo out of it. And of COURSE it turns out that Punisher's been looking into that... He gestures to the other room. "Fast forward. Questions over there about how the shelter relates to mom." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin slowly begins her pacing once more, hands folded across her chest in a slightly closed off, but mostly lost in thought position. She was still to restlessly worried about it to actually sit down, so pacing a hole in his carpet is the next best option. "...I'm actually going to make a guess he's not necessarily targetting you, but something to do with your mother. Or is interested in her for... who knows what reason. Any guesses?" 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' Nick grows quiet. Frown deepening. "He said that the case smelled of Fed involvement." Pale eyes shift over to look to Karrin's, "You said a DEA agent was asking questions?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Yeah. And now... he's missing, from what I can tell. Hasn't been seen since yesterday. He was a jack ass and certainly making some presumptions but... he was still from the DEA and his credentials were official enough to get my ass drug all the way out to the Gotham police department for a sit down with my old captain. So, this isn't any light threat. And... so what if the Feds are involved? Feds are assholes but, in general, they are doing their job." Karrin murmurs quietly, stopping in her tracks so she can turn and study Nick's face instead, maybe pick up on some hint or emotions that he's not going to tell her invoice. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' "At the mention of the agent being missing, a brow rises. "What?" Nick asks, "Yesterday?" The momentary glint of confusion fades into more of being impressed before fading back to the previous look. "So...what you're talking about has been this month?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Yeah. I mean, I spoke to the DEA agent like...last week. Was checking in on things when I heard he was missing. So, this has all been real recent here. Why? When did the psycho show up at your apartment playing the most dangerous game of hot potato?" Karrin asks flatly, finally settling out of her pacing enough that she can sink back down to grab at the cup he made her earlier and take a deep drink of it, now that the steaming beverage is mostly drinkable. It's something to do with restless hands and worried eyes which isn't just interrogating her friend. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' "Back in May." Nick repeats, pausing, "Haven't heard from him since. Figured he'd moved on. Also, again, the grenade was fake. It's in the desk drawer if you want to look at it." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "I know it was fake, but it was still a THREAT too, Nick. He was playing head games with you and there's still clearly shit going on here. So...I guess he's the next person I have to find." Karrin states simply, that rather determined look on her features and the set of her lips in a line which says she's absolutely not going to give up this hunt, even if he asks otherwise. She's made up her mind. "I'm still curious what questions he was asking about your mother but... I guess I'll have to ask him myself." 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' "Well, it was awhile back and I wasn't really making an effort to memorize what he was asking." Nick replies, "But, basically he had me walk through what I remembered of the robbery." He pauses, "So that's a 'no' on wanting to look at the grenade, right?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...I trust your word about the grenade. If it wasn't a fake, I... suspect someone would already be blown up." Karrin sighs and unfolds, having just finished her drink and her mind is running a million miles an hour trying to figure out how she'll track this Punisher down. "...Well, at least you know now that...the case is still open, and people are sniffing. I don't know that I can do much more on this end, but I'm not going to drop it and I'll try to keep the heat off you as best I can." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...And give be that grenade or I'm gonna go fish it out before someone else actually thinks you have a dangerous weapon in this apartment." Karrin states in that tone of voice that says she is absolutely not joking, or going to take no for an answer. 

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:''' Nick starts to open his mouth but closes it as she reinforces her stated decision to look into it. He bites his lip briefly but at the mention of the grenade he grumbles. "...Right desk drawer." He mutters, turning to pick up his drink. The desk drawer is a tad crowded but sure enough, inside, sitting next to an old envelope wrapped in an bag is a rather lightweight but visibly convincing toy grenade, also in a bag. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The cop stalks over to the desk as he tells her where it is. Karrin's hand hesitates over that other letter, probably too curious for her own good, but she's already stuck her nose deeply in his life. So, Karrin swallows back her curiosity and scoops up the bag, pulling it open just a moment to be certain she got the right thing. It looked uncomfortably real enough. She sighs and turns back to him. "I...should get back south. We should actually get a drink and relax some nice but...I'll let you know if I come across anything, Nick. And you do the same. Alright? We're in this together." She gives him one last, heavy look before moving for the door. 
}}

11874/Pyjama party!

2020-08-03T15:35:14Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/07/30 |Location=Apartment 214, Hugo Building |Synopsis=Buffy, Willow and Karrin have a girls night where there is just enough beer to be hones..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/07/30
|Location=Apartment 214, Hugo Building
|Synopsis=Buffy, Willow and Karrin have a girls night where there is just enough beer to be honest about some feelings they have for the guys.
|Cast of Characters=328,168,190
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' It's a dark and stormy night outside, with thunder and lightning, hail and wind and all that fun stuff. But that's okay because the girls are having a pyjama party and with all the loud music and partying going on, who even has time to notice the storm outside? Buffy is dressed in her yummy sushi pyjamas and carries a jug of fruit punch and a bowl of popcorn to the coffee table in the living room before she flops down in front of the tv. "So! What shall we watch tonight? This is gonna be Soo exciting! When's the last time we had a pyjama party? Oh yeah, I got some beer in the fridge too! I'll grab those later.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It took a bit of convincing for Karrin to even come out, she wasn't really a pajamas and wine night kind of girl, but eventually Buffy's insistence won out. It generally does. Karrin's pjs are a pair of loose black yoga pants and a GCPD t-shirt she's had for maybe a decade, but they are comfortable and that's what matters. Her shoulder is still bandaged from the deep wounds of last week, but the arm is far more useable. Same with her ribs. Most of the bruising has faded, at least. "...Beer... beer would be very... nice." She mutters. She might not be much injured any more, but she looks like a zombie. A woman who maybe got 2 hours sleep the night before, if that. It's been a rough week for sleep at all. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers chuckles, knowing Willow at least is not a big drinker, "Of course! I'll be right back!" and she grabs a few beers, both those fun flavoured ones and the regular ones, popping open a lime beer and handing Karrin one. "Sooo how have you been? You..lSeem tired.." she eyes her with concern and those wounds still trouble her. Buffy always has to remind herself that ordinary humans don't heal overnight like she does. "Hmm, I need to drop by and visit Harry too, hope he's doing okay. I guess I've been busy lately.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The offer of a beer is a lifesaver. Karrin exhales a breath of relief and tilts her head in thanks as she pops open the top and takes a deep, long drink of it. If she was going to forget what messiness happened earlier, she was going to do it on half a dozen beers and a stupid rom-com. She plops back down into the couch, shoes now off, her feet drawing up below her tiny frame. "Run...ragged. Work is... Well, the ex-husband is being a dick and making things extra challenging. Harry and I are..." She sighs, considering how to say it, "Not exactly fighting, but it's...complicated. Shitty thing to be with a... friend." She doesn't need to get into it, though, so... Distractions. She smiles a bit, "I talked to Thomas the other night. He's... I think he's good for you. If... a nosy bastard." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow didn't drink (much), that was true! "I feel kinda like the odd man out." She sits on the couch, on the end, and curls up with her feet under her. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smiles at Willow, "Its okay, that's why I brought the lunch! Hey Wil, you've met Karrin before right? And vice versa?" she does offer Wil a glass of lunch before nodding thoughtfully. "Yeah, it's kinda frustrating always having to defend Thomas, trying to explain that to people that I'm not just another of his hapless lust victims. Heck, we were friends for a while, I even dated someone else for a bit before he and I got close.." She sighs, a soft, fond smile on her face as she explains how things very surprisingly slowly developed between them. "..But anyway, he's probably only nosy because you're dating his brother Afterall." she grins, "To be honest, I'm kinda curious too.About you and Harry that is.l" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A half smile is given to Willow and a lofting of her beer in a quiet toast, "Don't worry, this shit is awful for you, but sometimes you just need something to relax and it's the best I've found. Better if you can get through without it." Her expression is wry as she says that. Then she's looking back to Buffy and arching a brow just a bit higher at the commentary on Thomas, "I... well... He gave me a... tiny touch. I guess I can see the... advantages there." Karrin's almost blushing at the memory of it all. But her eyes drop nearly immediately when Buffy asks about Harry. She shakes her head, "Not...dating. Not really. Just... we're close. We spend time together. We back each other up. Dating would be... a bit far." Her voice is a bit more husky than before. that exhaustion she's feeling somehow deepening at the thought of it alone. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' "Thank you!" Willow takes the bowl, and sits with it. "I really have to say, he wasn't who I'd picked for you." She still doesn't get it, but.. "Well sorta. Once, but this is nice." And, "I am quite aware, I don't like it. Sheesh, you people forget I am the same age." She throws popcorn. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smiles faintly at Willow and shrugs, "Yeaaah I get that a lot but you know, at least he doesn't turn into a psycho killer every time we...." she blushes suddenly, laughing nervously as she glances between the two of them and grabs a handful of popcorn to munch on. "Yknow, how about an action movie?" yeah, indirection is the best as she pours through potential movies to watch. Still, her gaze echoes Karrin's, staring at the floor, looking very self conscious. "I....Love him. A lot. And it's not just..That between us." another nervous blush and laugh, chancing a glance at the other two. "He's amazing, smart, funny, sensitive and sweet. Plus he's as strong as I am, so I dont have to worry about him getting hurt. Much.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...And who were you going to pick for her, Willow? Come on, I missed something here..." Karrin asks, happily ducking any other questions of her and Harry, as the gathering focuses on Buffy's love life which is, by far, more interesting. Karrin smiles a bit more over her beer as she watches her best friend go on about the man. "I... I'd say he probably loves you too, but... I wonder how that works. With...his... Sort. Isn't love like their...Kryptonite, of sorts? Maybe it doesn't count if it's YOUR lover..." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' "I got to know John. He.. I don't know. There was a girl." Shrugs. "He was interesting. He took me to the Justice League. Anyways, I'm not innocent." Karrin's question got through. "For Buffy? Spike. Maybe. Possibly Angel." She grins, "Spike AND Angel." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smirks, "Angel has the whole cursed soul and we've..Moved on. And Spike? Really?" she laughs, "I know he's got an unhealthy obsession with me, but that's all it is. He doesn't even have a soul and I'm...Not even sure what to do about him..." but to Willow she arches a curious brow. "Oh Constantine you mean?" Buffy smiles, "Whatever happened to him? Did you and him have a....Thing? And what about that girl, Tara was it?How about Zach, he's nice.." she smiles gently at Willow, oh no, she's not going unscathed in this.. To Karrin, she just blushes profusely, and decides to go for music instead of a movie just now. Anything but slow ro,antic music at that. "Oh, you know, Thomas always made sure to let me know that *true* love is extremely rare, but, I....." she blushes some more taking a looooong sip of her beeer. And totally doesn't answer that. "What about you, Karrin? What are your true feelings for Harry? You guys seem more than just...Good friends.." she grins. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Oh..." That's all Karrin says about the rarity of true love. She's gone strangely quiet now, actually, drinking her beer faster than even the long week deserves. A curious smile crosses her face after a while and she looks back towards Willow, "John? Constantine? I don't even remeber if I heard about this one before. Guess he got away but... well, he's got to be better than Spike. Thomas is certainly better than Spike. From what I've heard...ANYONE is better than Spike." Another gulp of beer and somehow, miraculalous, Karrin has finished her first before they've even decided on a movie. It was probably going to be a music night, it seems. She unfolds from the couch and moves for the kitchen to get another, "And, as I said...Harry and I are close. We work well together. That's... about it." She's not a great liar. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' "With John?" Willow grimaces. "He smelled like a used subway station. No. He was a teacher, like Giles. He buggered off to England. Well, he stayed, I came home. I can still use the House of Mystery libraries. She likes me. But John, no." Willow shrugs. "You forget Oz too. I don't know. And I haven't seen Zach for a while.. wait, you think he likes me?" *blinks blinks* 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers sighs and shrugs, "Spike's...He's well, complicated. He's helped me plenty of times, he's got my back, he's.." she sighs, "He's even been a friend when I needed someone to talk to, heck he helped me fend off those Denarians that attacked you and Harry the other day Karrin. I suppose he's at least trying. And, he..." she looks away, blushing suddenly, looking very self conscious about something as she tries hard not to smile but smiles anyway. "But enough about me, it's not like my love life is that interesting!" Buffy laughs nervously.Oh, they dont know the half of it.. "Sooo...You and Harry are just...Close, hmm?" she grins, peering at her intently, "Are you sure that's all? You never once wonder, 'what if?' I mean, sure he's a giant awkward moody scarecrow that sets off anything remotely electrical when he's cranky, and drives a tiny clown car but...He seems lonely..." As for Willow, Buffy just shrugs, "Thought you were over Oz? But tell me more bout you and Zach? He seems nice, seems to like you too. Didn't you say he was lonely too? All that abandonment issue stuff with being a...Uh...Fallen Angel, if that's even what he really is?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Fallen angel? You're dating a *fallen angel*??" Karrin asks rather too quickly of Willow, that being a good distraction from her having to consider her and Harry. It's something she's been avoiding thinking about since she talked to Thomas. She's got another beer in hand and cracks it open with the comfort of someone who uses this as a security blanket maybe a bit too often, but at least she works out enough that it doesn't show. She turns back to step towards the living room, but instead just leans in the kitchen door, watching the other pair as she sips on her beer and smirks a touch more at Buffy. "If you're not letting me duck questions about Harry, we're gonna grill you about Spike. And... I dunno. Whatever Harry is... I'm 2 divorces for 2 marriages and he sure as shit doesn't deserve to be number three." But it hurts something in her to say that. She doesn't want to admit she's probably what is wrong but... there it is. 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' "Buffy, would you go out if someone just because you were lonely?" Willow speaks very quietly. "I don't know. How could you fall for someone when you aren't telling yourself the truth. Is what you and Thomas feels the same? I'd wait for the real thing, or something closer. But I have to think about it. Lonely isn't enough." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers nods to Willow. "Of course I wouldn't, and neither should you, but I think he needs friends." she shrugs, "Not trying to push you two together as more than that, just curious is all.." Buffy smiles, "Though to be honest, I did kinda pity Thomas at first, I thought he was lonely, even surrounded by swooning girls, wanted to save him from himself. Maybe I want to save Spike too, even if things are tricky with him..." She shrugs at Karrin, "Ohh, they're not dating but they are good friends at least? And to be fair I dint think Zach is anything like the Denarians. He's more like a...Forgotten Angel? a grunt in an army, left behind because he was no longer needed, not entirely sure what to make of him but he seems harmless enough." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The explanation of Zach's status lets Karrin relax a little more than she did before, exhaling a slower breath and now crossing the rest of the way back into the room. If she stayed in the kitchen, she'd be too tempted to down this beer and go for another. At this rate, she'd catch up on sleep by passing out on Buffy's couch. "...That makes... A bit more sense. Sorry, after the Denarians were sniffing around last week, I'm a little... on edge." For a moment, she stares at something in the window. A double take. Whatever she thought she saw wasn't there. She slowly sinks back down into the chair. "As for Thomas... I think he... was a bit lonely. I still don't blame Harry for being pissed that he didn't speak up sooner. But... it'll be good for both of them, once they get over their pride. And he does care for you, Buffy... a lot. So... we care for him. I told him that I'd move mountains to keep him safe, as long as he keeps treating you and Harry right. And if he doesn't?...Well, I'll move one of those mountains on him." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smiles and nods, "Yeaaaah, tried to explain that to Harry but he just grumbled, you know how he is with me, "You never listen, and you date vampires so your sanity is questionable, blah, blah..." she puts on her best Harry impression and laughs, "But honestly I'm glad he has you to..,To take care of him. You know, since Iminvolved wuth his brother, guess that makes you and Harry family too. And you know? I think I'm a really lucky person to have Thomas in my life, he could have any girl he wanted but he chose me, for some reason." She smiles, glad that Karrin is no longer asking her deeper questions about her complicated issues surrounding Spike..Or how she DID get over frying Thomas every time she touched him. "Hey, how about some dancing? I like this song!" she grins, turning up the volume and jumping to her feet to dance to the upbeat song. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A tired little laugh escapes Karrin's lips, giving Buffy a gentle shake of her head, "I am not near drunk enough to even think about dancing. I'm still... really curious how you and Thomas... How you don't fry him, if you love him? I'm not questioning your love, like... Not my place to judge. Love is messy as shit and I'm clearly awful at it. But... isn't that the way it works? Makes the...good of his touch a little rough, probably." Karrin's faintly blushing again, just remembering what that single contact was like. "...I also think I might have a heart attack if that lasted longer than a moment. It's...gotta be great, but... Intense." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers stands up and starts dancing, already on her third beer by now. A bit relaxed, a bit drunk. She just grins and winks at Karrin, "Mmm wouldn't you like to know! I'll never tell and I'll kill Spike if he ever tells!" and honestly, putting it that way makes it sound like *something* happened between her and Spike. "And I've got the super healing and stamina to take it, remember? That's why I'm the perfect girl for him..." she smiles as she twirls some more, once again, offering up very sparse, very vague information that can be easily misconstrued. She laughs and reaches out a hand to Willow and Murph, "Cmon, lets have some fuuun!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Amused blue eyes watch the tipsy Buffy dancing around like that, her brows both lofting as she can read the dodging bullshit in that answer. Karrin considers dropping it as she sips her beer again but remains quiet for just a few moments, savoring the taste of the good brew. Finally, she smirks to Buffy, "I know you're dodging the question. I can tell when you're trying to bullshit me, you know? I'm sure Willow here can too. I'm not gonna make you spill, but it's really not fair to ask about Harry and I when...there's barely anything to even TELL about, then dodge your own juicy questions." 

:'''{{#var:190|Willow Rosenberg (190)}} has posed:''' Willow nods. "You better tell her, she will do it regardless." For Zach, Willow makes a note to check on him. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers swallows as Karrin adds some more pressure, "Ummmm is it really that important? I mean..It's not something I'm exactly proud of, although I....I'm thankful for Willow and, um...Spike for finding me after. I just...You know...Made a mistake and he forgave me, like he always does....Maybe I dont deserve him...I dunno...Why did he forgive me?" she sighs, closing her eyes, feeling dizzy as she leans against the wall to steady herself. This clearly troubles her. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Honestly, I was more curious about things with Thomas, Buffy... if he's the one you really care for and you're planning on spending a lot of your life with? That's what I'm interested in hearing. But...don't push yourself. We can shove on a movie and forget it all for tonight." Karrin states simply, a touch of earnest concern behind her tone as she sees Buffy lean against the wall. Worried momma dog, yes, but Karrin knows when to back off. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers frowns a bit, hugging her arms as she glances at Karrin. Aside from Thomas and Willow, she's the other most important person in her life, but.."There was...Only one way I could be with Thomas. After he risked his life to save me from certain death at Armastus' hands. He..." she smiles at the memory, "He kissed me...And blistered his lips that night. I knew I couldn't have a normal life with him so I left, tried to resign, avoided him for a week.." She closes her eyes, and maybe it's the alcohol in her that makes her more willing to spill but..."Came back to drop off my resignation letter and I...Heard him upstairs, having...Having 'fun' with two women...I got drunk, really drunk. Chatted up a nice guy. We got to dancing...Kissing....Other things.." Buffy sighs, looking away, thoroughly ashamed of herself but she's been keeping this in for too long. "I...Woke up in his...His bed, his house, badly hung over, stumbled out in the middle of the night. Spike walked me home, kept me company as he made me drink lots of water and Tylenol..We..Talked a lot. Cuddled a lot. I....Nearly kissed him, told him I'm only using him to feel better, he didn't care, he was just happy to be with me.."     She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath. "He was...A perfect gentleman, tucked me into bed and left. The next day, Thomas wasn't even mad at me, told me he never even slept with another woman even though he was starved. He just..Touched em once and knocked em out. He accepted me back, because he knew that was the only way we could be together.." her voice is soft at the end, quiet. Tears in her eyes. "I....Love him to death, but I...I did him wrong..Why did he forgive me?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' As tipsy Buffy actually spills the whole story, Karrin sits up straighter, listening as attentively as a best friend does. She pats the couch next to her for Buffy to sit and silently reaches an arm up and around the back of Buffy's shoulders. Karrin pulls her in tight, partially a hug, partially just letting the woman lean against her smaller, fit frame. It was worth sore ribs for this. "...Fuck, Buffy, we...we've all done stupid shit like that before." Maybe even just last night, if Karrin is honest with herself. "...Thomas took you back because... he cares. And he knows we aren't perfect. And...emotions are complicated. But, if it's real....It's real. And that means the world." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers just gives a sigh, flopping down next to Karrin. "Yeah, guess it does, just....I doubted him. If even for an instant, I doubted him, and..he never doubted me. I just..I can't screw up again if I do, he might not..." she shakes her head, "The other night, I was freaking out about the coin and Spike and so I sneaked into his apartment and started snooping around. Didn't find anything but Spike caught me and I had to think up a quick excuse. I tried to lower his guard, let him think I was into him so I could figure out his true motives. he....He kissed me..And I let him. Heck, a part of me wanted to punch him hard. And another part..Almost enjoyed the kiss.." She swallows, "I'm definitely not in love with Spike but I...Theres an attraction there, you know?" Buffy sighs, sinking against Karrin, "Dammit Karrin, I'm such an idiot. Thomas is such an amazing person, and I keep nearly screwing up...." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Honestly...I thought you were dating both of them for a bit there. If I were you...I'd just keep being honest with Thomas. He's going to have to take people on too, to feed, if nothing else. Maybe you both are a bit... more open, so to speak, but still love each other very deeply. It's... dishonesty which kills things more than anything else in the world." Karrin admits softly, her voice distant with thoughts for several moments. She probably could use her own advice, but right now she's just hugging Buffy and letting the beer and the night relax both of them. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers shakes her head, "See that's the thing...He doesn't. Because I can heal quickly, or something to do with me having a powerful soul...He could feed on me almost indefinitely and I'll always recover. I'm like a bottomless pit of energy for him and he doesn't need anyone else." She squeezes her eyes shut as she hugs Karrin, "I just want him, only him...No one else. Just wish Spike would quit..confusing me, tempting me.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin's fingertips run gently up and down the outside of Buffy's arm, reassuring but also without judgment. She knows emotions are messy and, as much as Karrin seems to be skeptical sometimes, she does clearly care about Buffy. She squeezes her shoulders a bit tighter, though her body winces a moment, ribs complaining about the twisting and close touch. She still doesn't care. "Spike is... a trouble maker. One who basks in the mess he can make and the attention it gets him. If you realy, really don't care for him...don't mess up a good thing. I know you have willpower. Just...use it. You're almost as stubborn as I am when you want to me." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers blinks, remembering that Karrin *is* recovering from an injury Afterall. "Omigosh! I'm sooo sorry! I forgot." she pulls away a bit, trying to be more gentle with her. "Yeaaah, he's a trouble maker, and I really don't like how he's cozying up with Willow and Dawn either. That really needs to stop, just..l kinda feel bad for him too, you know? he's kinda..Helpless with that chip.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Nono, no! It's fine. I'm... getting used to it. Ribs are the worst injuries, just annoying and painful. It'll pass. I'm fine. Another beer and I won't feel a thing." Karrin admits with a wider grin, giving Buffy a little wink there, her cheeks already slightly flushed with the booze but not too much. She's not quite as tipsy as her friend. "And Spike has lived this damn long, whatever... Chip, or whatever, he's managing to work perfectly fine with it. Don't let him play into your pity. He doesn't need it. I saw what he did, he can take care of himself." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers nods slowly and smirks, taking another swig of beer. "Heh..You're good people Karrin, Harry sure is lucky to have you, I mean..You're smart, tough, fast, strong, you're not afraid to stand up to the things that go bump in the night, even without any powers. You've broken your ribs, injured yourself, probably nearly died multiple times and you just shrug it off like that? Are you for real..?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, that's going to make her blush even more. Karrin is not accustomed to compliments. She clears her throat, looking a little awkwardly around the room as she shakes her head. "I...I'm not that special. Hell, if you ask the PD, I'm a pain in the ass who is under an IA investigation. *Again*." Other reasons she's drinking. "But... thanks. You're pretty damn fantastic yourself and probably the strongest woman I've ever met so... I'm in good company. And Thomas better realize what he has." She levels gaze with Buffy for just a moment, trying to search, really see, if the woman cares that much about Thomas, "...Since he's really worth it to you. If he is." She's STILL ducking Harry questions. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smirks and punches Karrin softly on the shoulder, "You're awesome, Karrin, and I'm sure Harry feels the same way about you too. Cmon, I've seen how you look at him, when you two brush against each other or share a brief kiss, pretending to be all casual..And since I just revealed my deepest darkest secrets about the greatest love of my life, I think you owe my one, hmm?" she grins and winks at her. "So...How do you *really* feel about Harry?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The silence is heavy. Karrin stares back into her bestie's eyes, not really having an argument to that one. She then knocks back the rest of her beer and just stands up off the couch, needing another one if she's going to do this. She starts talking around it, slightly, from the kitchen, "You want a beer too? I need beer." She pulls out two just in case. They'll drink them. Popping the caps casually, she begins, "You know... I've walked down that aisle twice. Said I love you, twice... I do, twice. Joined my life to someone else...twice. And signed divorce papers twice. Once is a concidence. Twice...is a pattern." She admits quietly, coming back to Buffy's side with the booze. "I... I guess I love him. Hell. I know... I love him. Thomas burned bright as day the one moment he touched me. He did it on purpose, to prove a fucking point, but... How do I do that to some I *love*?" 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smirks and nods, "Beer sounds good, thanks!" her hazel eyes follow the other woman to the kitchen, sighing, stretching back in the sofa, listening patiently, "You know...Love is a funny thing. I loved once before and lost. My previous boyfriend was.." you guessed it, "A vampire..With a soul. Loved him to death, only didn't realize that he was under a curse. A curse that took away his soul when he experienced perfect happiness...With me." She sighs, drawing out a long silence, shrugging, "He turned evil, opened a portal to hell, I had to kill him to save the world moments after Willow's spell to re-em soul him worked....Since then, been on a few short dates but nothing serious until Thomas..." she smiles fondly as she thinks of her beloved. "I don't think it's true that you have one soul mate and that's it. Maybe one can love multiple people, maybe those people are there to serve a purpose, to teach you a lesson, make you a stronger person..Doesn't mean it's was a waste or mistake. I..Still love Angel in my own. way, even if we can't be together. Ever. But you and Harry? You seem happy together. And if Thomas says it's true love, then it is. You should talk to him, chances are, he feels the same way. And it's scary but it's a conversation you need to have." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The small blonde listens quietly, exhaustion and skepticism till in her eyes, but she doesn't interrupt. She softens a bit when the whole story about Angel comes out. She knew bits and pieces, but not everything. A slow, low breath is released as she sinks deeper back in the couch. "...That's... awful. I guess I'm double glad you found Thomas now... And will triple destroy him if he ever hurts you." Karrin's jaw tightens simply at the thought. But Buffy is still talking, and she has beer, all the better to drown these uncomfortable feelings. She sighs deeper at the end, her free hand dragging across her face. "Thomas says...it's gotta be both ways for...him to feel it. So, probably. Which is terrifying. I sorta just planned to...stop spending the night there for a while until it wore off. Better that than losing him in a divorce. I just...I don't want to fuck up what we have with... Love. It's easier to just... ignore it and go as is normal. So...tired to sleep at home last night. Couldn't sleep. Ended up slipping into his place at like... 3 am. He was talking in the shower. I thought he had a woman over. I was... so mad..." More beer to hide the embarrassment, "But... no one was there. We just ended up going to sleep, easier not to talk about it, but... Fuck. I don't know." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smiles softly, closing her eyes, "Thomas is amazing. He's incredibly insightful, more than people give him credit for, he sees things that others dint, and makes you confront difficult situations that you'd rather avoid. Too bad he's not so wise when it comes to him and Harry.."she shrugs. "Just because you're in love with him doesn't mean you have to marry him. Just..Take things slow, get the truth out, take things from there." She frowns a bit, "Wait, what? Who was he talking to? You need to confront him about that, he shouldn't be keeping secrets from you!" Buffy is kinda mad about that. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Yeah, Thomas... he's better at people than I gave him credit for. Even if I'm a bit pissed at him for shoving my nose in this whole...Love thing. It was easier when I could just ignore it. Harry and I had a good thing not talking about the... Thing... at all. Roommates with benefits. That was fine. Love... love is complicated and it's all Thomas' fault." Karrin grumbles, a smile slightly hiding beneath her smirk, but she's still incredibly torn about this all. Then the questions of who Harry was talking to comes and she shakes her head, "Honestly, I don't think it was anyone. He doesn't have a phone... they blow up around him. And there was no one there. He says he was talking to himself and, honestly... Harry's crazy enough sometimes to be doing that. It was just... strange." 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers shrugs, "Heh, maybe...Maybe not, he's a wizard, maybe he was talking to a ghost or something? Either way, he should trust you enough to be honest with you..I dint think it hurts to ask him about it.." she shrugs, "As for me...I really should...Talk to Thomas.." Buffy frowns, not sure how that will go but... 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "I mean...if you love him, and are seeing him, and want to spend the next part of your life with him, which all seems like you do... Then yes. Yes you should." Not that Karrin isn't being the biggest hypocrite about this ever. "He really does care for you too. I'm... I'm glad. I'm happy for both of you. Honestly." Her hand comes out to squeeze Buffy's knee a moment, almost older sisterly in her touch. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers nods slowly and smiles "Yea...I know. You should too. Talk to Harry I mean." she smirks, "Geez, this night sure turned it odd, didn't it? Didn't imagine I'd spent the night spilling out my deepest darkest secrets to you, you know?" she grins "But it feels good to get stuff out in the open.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "It does. And... I might talk to him. Eventually. Just gonna enjoy what we have now a little longer." Karrin gives a half laugh at the commentary on the night. "Yeah, but... it was good. That's what friends are for. However, there is more beer and some actual movies to watch, if we'd like to just relax?" She grins, sinking back deeper in the couch so they can actually pick a movie. 
}}

11868/Couldn't Sleep...

2020-07-29T23:17:59Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/07/29 |Location=Harry Dresden's Office, Kingston Falls |Synopsis=Karrin comes over late to find Harry rather out of sorts. And out of clothes...."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/07/29
|Location=Harry Dresden's Office, Kingston Falls
|Synopsis=Karrin comes over late to find Harry rather out of sorts. And out of clothes.
|Cast of Characters=168,174
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A brief text, almost terse, came from Karrin earlier that night: *Staying at my place a few nights. Don't worry. Talk later.* She hadn't wanted him to think something was wrong, but she also really wasn't up to having that conversation. Especially not having that conversation because a VAMPIRE told her to have it. So, that was it. The ensuing few hours was a happy hunting ground for Lash who both sensed his confusion and hurt, and was doing her best to tempt his loneliness. Little bits of 'You knew it was too good to last.' and 'She didn't deserve you anyway.' were a strange mix of the bits peppered into the conversation. Now, however, it's well after 3 am and the night has probably, finally, calmed down for Harry. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Sitting on the couch of his apartment in the dim light of the embers still glowing in the fireplace, Harry drops the empty bottle of Mac's brew onto the growing pile of glass by his side, where it clinks off one of the other five bottles and rolls under the couch. Mouse looks up, his big doggie head giving Harry a once over as he wuffles before laying his head back down. "You know what Lash," Harry slurs aloud to the empty room, "I'd tell you to just go fuck yourself, but since you are in my head it would just be telling me to go fuck myself. I think I've been fucked enough thankyouverymuch...so just shut up." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The woman shifts through the space, unseen to anyone but him, however she moves through the room like it half belongs to her. She's getting comfortable there. She steps elegantly across from the edge of the fireplace to his side, sinking down onto the couch. It even feels like the old cushions press beneath her, and that there is a warmer body at his side once more. While his words were rough, the expression on her face is a bit softer now. "...Sorry. I shouldn't... I don't suppose it's my business. But you *do* deserve... Better. Someone who will always be here. Who wants to be a part of your life." She inches just a touch closer. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry sighs, rubbing at his temples. "Lady, I keep telling you that you are barking up the wrong tree here. I don't want you, and I don't know how many times I have to say it." Sure, it was this shadow's job to stick around and keep trying, but that means nothing to Harry. "It isn't your business, and while I admit that sometimes, just sometimes, you can be helpful to have around that doesn't mean I want you sharing space inside my head. At some point, somehow, I will be rid of you." The wizard stands and makes his way over towards the icebox to grab another bottle, cursing to himself when he finds it to be the last in the box. Opening it with a flip of his thumb, Harry takes a swallow as he makes his way towards the bedroom, stripping down for bed on the way and leaving a trail in his wake. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' So much for being stubborn and not letting herself get drawn down into commitment. One night off when she'd planned on staying the night, and Karrin was bit of a wreck. After watching the ceiling for hours, she finally gave up, tossed a jacket on over her t-shirt and pajama pants, and drove over to his house. Even if she just crawled into bed with his sleeping form, it'd be better than staring at the ceiling replaying the conversation with Thomas over and over. So, a little after three, the sound of very quiet footsteps on the stairs can be heard, then the turn of a familiar key in the lock. She's trying to be as quiet as humanly possible, not wanting to wake him up while he's still recovering. But, hell, she is too, moving gingerly was the name of the game with cracked ribs, and there's two animals who might not care what time of the night its. Still, Karrin's doing her best to just be a shadow as she pushes his door open and slips into the apartment. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Mouse knows who it is even before the key hits the lock, his tail thumping as she opens the door. Mister as per usual bodychecks her shins in greeting before going back to his perch, the warm spot Harry just left on the couch. Harry isn't seen in the main room, just the leftover bottles and trail of clothes that lead to the bedroom, the faint sound of running water coming from behind the semi-cracked door, along with Harry's barely audible voice. "I said enough. Let me get some rest. God sometimes you really are insatiable." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Shhh...shh... yes, hello, yes, you are very good." Karrin coos to Mouse gently, scratching at his ears for the three seconds she gets before there is a body check to the legs and she stumbles just a touch backwards, her hand moving from Mouse down to Mister to get right down around his chin and those happy-cat areas, "Yes...missed you too. Goodness, it's been barely a day." Her whispered voice comes affectionately. She already felt better just for being here. Karrin swings the door shut, though it's a bit harder than she planned. She's still getting used to the heavy door. The sound of water from the other room is enough to make her feel a little less guilty about it as she starts, "Harry, I..." And then he's talking. To someone else. An... insatiable... someone else. Karrin stands there, utterly silent a few moments, listening in numb shock. A thousand feelings through her and none of them are good. "...never... mind." Karrin whispers to herself, turning back to the door to go. The door definitely slams behind her this time. Lash is sitting on his bathroom sink now. Whether Harry really hears Karrin or not, there's something in his brain that did because her eyes turn to the outside room for a moment before looking back at him. "I think she's mad..." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Huh?!" Harry says confused as he glanses the way Lash's eyes flit. "Who's mad?" Harry opens the bedroom door, grabbing a towel that he wraps around his waist as he does, and heads out into the living area of the apartment. Sotting Mouse and Mister over by the door, Harry arches a brow and moves that way to give Mouse a ruffle on the head. The mastiff, in return, noses Harry towards the door. "What's going on boy?" Then it hits him. Her scent. Murph isn't one that wears much in the way of perfumes or makeup, but the subtle ones she does wear are indelibly printed on Harry's mind. A mind that hits rewing and plays the last few minutes over in excruciating slow motion. The words said flash like neon in his brain, "Oh HELL'S BELLS! Murph!" he cries out as he pulls the door to the apartment open and rushes out, only to have the towel catch on the handle and tear away leaving him in nothing more than what God gave him. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Fortunately, it was late at night and all the guest parking was full, so Karrin's not back in her car yet because she's having to hoof it two blocks away to get to where she ended up being able to find street parking for her car. She's also walking through tears that she refuses to call tears, but hearing him with another woman on the night she thought maybe, just maybe, her feelings for him were returned? Well, a lady is allowed a few tears on occasion. She's walking a bit too fast, though, and it's not until the outside door smacks shut that she turns aroud to see, well... Everything. *Everything, eveyrthing*. Karrin blinks watery eyes back at the very naked Dresden on his front walk, his state of dress doing no less to convince her mind that he wasn't having some wild middle of the night shower sex. She chokes out a bit of a cough and looks away again, "Dammit, Harry, just...go back in and finish who you... what... you were doing! This is public indecency!" She whisper hisses across the lawn before turning back away and starting for her car again. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry looks down, looks back up at Karrin and shakes his head vigorously. "No...nonononono. Nothing like that is going on!" He at least has a moment of clarity enough to cover himself with his hands. "Come back to the apartment...Hell's Bells, Murph, it's cold out here." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That's enough to stop her. She knows the tiny window exits of the apartment well enough that she'd have seen if there was a girl climbing free somewhere. No one else has left his place. Karrin slowly turns back towards him, taking in all the glory of the too-tall, too-pale Dresden in his birthday suit before she just sighs. "...Fine. I'm not staying... but fine. Before someone calls the cops." She half smirks saying that, but follows him back towards his apartment. She tries to hide rubbing her eyes with jacket's sleeve because he doesn't need to know they weren't dry. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' At least she agreed to come back to the apartment. Harry turns around, turns out there was a full moon out tonight after all, and heads down the stairs. He pushes open the door, grabbing the dropped towel and tossing it around his waist for some modicum of decency and waits, holding it open for Karrin to enter the apartment...and also making sure she doesn't turn around while his back is turned. "Coffee?" he asks, a sheepish smile on his face as he looks down at the blonde. If he notices the crying, or the drying, he is smart enough to not mention it. That would only serve to piss her off. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Uh... no. I...I'm not staying long. If you got a girl hiding somewhere in there... " Something clenches in Karrin to even consider that, "Wouldn't want her suffocating in the closet too long. Or him. I don't just." Karrin isn't even coming in far enough to sit down. She's standing on the edge of the living room, eyes puffy with sleeplessness and the tears she totally didn't cry upon leaving the first time. He'll recognize her pajama pants, a loose set of sweats with a Muay Thai studio's logo on them. Her blond hair is messy and slightly sticking up from where she tossed and turn on it damp. She sticks her hands into the pockets of her sweat jacket for something to simply do with them other than fidget. Her blue eyes trace over the series of bottles around the table, the bottle caps. "Looks like you were having quite a party." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' "Yeah. A party of one," sighs Harry. "Stars and stones Murphy," he almost pleads, "...search the place and if you find someone shoot them because they shouldn't be here. I'm the only one in the place, that walks on two legs anyway." He doesn't move from the front door after he shuts it behind him, almost blocking the way out. "If you don't believe ME, then ask Mouse. I'm the only one here. Seriously, go check." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Heavy silence hangs in the air as he insists that no one is there. Karrin wanted to trust him. She did trust him. Still, she stares at him now with the most wary, untrusting eyes he's seen in a long time. It hurt. It hurt a lot to think he had someone else in the shower, which probably drives Thomas' statement home all the more. "I... I don't need to... search your place. Damn, Harry..." She exhales a deep breath, shoulders dropping like some strings were cut, and moves to go collapse down on his couch. Mouse knew. He always knew. As the dog comes over and puts his big head in her lap, she buries both her fingertips into his fur, taking some centering warmth from that drooly horse of a dog. "So...if you weren't screwing someone in the shower, who is so insatiable you were talking to them in your bathroom?" It's not like he has a cellphone... 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden snorts at the question, shoulders easing up a bit as Karrin moves to go sit over at the couch. Seeing her sit and start to ruffle Mouse, Harry moves towards the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. Staying or not, she will want some. "Myself. I was talking to myself. I haven't been able to get my brain to shut the hell up all night since you texted." It's not a lie. It might not be the entire truth, but it is not a lie. Setting the pot onto the wood stove, Harry makes his way over to sit in his chair, leaving Karrin her space for now. He tries to sit enough to keep his modesty intact, but it is just a towel. "The beers were because I was trying to drown it out, or pass out. One or the other. Neither worked." He looks at Murphy for a while, quiet, before he looks away and sighs, "So...what did I do this time?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' A single, skeptical brow arches in his direction as he admits he was talking to himself and not an inch of it seems a lie. Karrin listens quietly, her eyes more on Mouse than on Harry, but as he asks about what he did, her expression jerks back up in his direction. She sighs deeply, shaking her head, "Nothing. Honestly, Harry, you... you didn't do anything." That is completely true, her eyes a bit pinched in guilt at him thinking he did. "I just thought... I don't know. Maybe space was a... good idea. Been a long week." That's not so much the truth or, well, only a tiny slice of it, as she looks back down to Mouse's ears which she cups in her fingertips and stretches out, long and lovingly. "I've been here a lot...lately. Didn't want either of us thinking... we were... Stuck, or something. You know." 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' As the coffee percolates Harry leans back into the chair, smoothing the towel down as best he can. "Is that what you feel? Stuck?" Harry says with a slight edge of anger to his voice, "I knew it. You hate it out here over in Bludhaven and want to go back over the bridge, don't you? Well assuming the NYPD takes you back, which they should because you are a damn good cop,your house is still over here regardless of if you stay with me or not." He stands abruptly, pacing back towards the kitchen, "Unless you plan on selling your place and getting somewhere over in the boroughs somewhere. Is that what you are doing? Moving on? Well fine, don't let me stop you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The scent of coffee through the air is as reassuring as his words were quietly infuriating. But he keeps talking, putting words and assumptions in her mouth which had never crossed her mind once before. "Harry, no... I..." And he's still talking. Now she's getting just a bit mad, sitting up straighter on the couch and pausing in her attentions for Mouse as she just stares at him across the apartment. Even being naked wasn't distracting her now. "God, no...Harry! Stop! Just *stop*. Hell. I never said that. Not once. I'm the one shoving into your space, staying here every night... Joining you on cases. I just... I wanted... If you wanted some of your own space and life back, I didn't want us getting... in... Too deep. Or... hell, I don't know." She sighs and moves to stand. "I should go. I...talked to Thomas tonight. You should talk to him. He... cares about you. A whole lot." And she's moving for the door. 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden stops. Finally. His mouth still open to say something equally as stupid as the rest of his drunken ranting has been, but he stops. Slowly it closes, and he reaches a hand up to his head to rub at his forehead. "Hell's bells, Murph, don't you think I would say something if I didn't want you here?! I *want* you here. I *want* you in on the cases, and even if *I* didn't, Buffy would drag you in anyway and you are way to stubborn to stay away. Trust me, I've TRIED to keep you out of things, and that ended up with me in jail more often than not." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That's enough to stop her. He might be drunk, but he's honest. She knows that anger in his voice, and the disbelief too. There's no way Harry Dresden was making up a single inch of what he said. She takes one step closer to him and then just leans forward, her head against his chest, just leaning there without really hugging, but touching. She takes a deep breath against his skin, slow and deep. Steadying. This felt more like home than anything and, with Thomas' words echoing in her head from earlier in the night, it all made sense. It made a terrifying amount of sense. She doesn't dare look up, but he might feel a brush of moisture from her eyelashes as she whispers quietly, "I... want to be here too. And that's... terrifying." At least she said it out loud. Two divorces later, she can admit it's all terrifying again. She presses a bit closer to him, "...can we just go to bed?" 

:'''{{#var:174|Harry Dresden (174)}} has posed:''' Harry Dresden places his arms around Karrin, giving her a hug as he drops his head down to rest on top of hers. "Yes." It is a simple reply to her question as he turns her around and leads her over towards the bedroom area. They get about three steps towards the door before the towel falls off. 
}}

11858/Cops and Vampires.

2020-07-29T04:00:59Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/07/28 |Location=The Magic Box, Sunnydale |Synopsis=Thomas And Karrin have a deep heart to heart, and a little fist to jaw. |Cast of Characters..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/07/28
|Location=The Magic Box, Sunnydale
|Synopsis=Thomas And Karrin have a deep heart to heart, and a little fist to jaw.
|Cast of Characters=168,7044
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' While Karrin often works out at the local gym with most of the other PD, she didn't really care for anyone at work to see just how bruised up she still is and the fact her ribs are still taped. So, she's gone the slightly longer drive to Buffy's place, the gym there perfectly serviceable, and she's less likely to get questions about her injuries. She's been here a good bit now, already through her warm up and working into a deep sweat as she alternates through punch and kicks combos on a bag that looks like it possibly weighs more than she does. She's in nothing but a sports bra, black shorts, and running shoes tonight. Her ribs are still tension wrapped and ugly purple bruising peeks out of under it as well as across her left shoulder where it's not gauze bandaged. Whatever injuries she has, she seems determined to work through them as she's barely pulling her punches and is moving fast enough to get her heart rate up into a cardio activity level. She'll just pay for it tomorrow. Her short hair sticks to her forehead in a few errant waves of sweat strewn locks. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith comes into the hidden gym wearing a pair of karate pants and a sleaveless shirt. a Pink sleaveless shirt. A bright pink sleaveless shirt that reads "Don't laugh, it's your girlfriend's shirt." When he sees the gym is in use he pauses for just a moment but then heads down in, diliberately making enough noise to announce his presence without startling the woman. "Hate to see the other guy." He says amused as he heads over to the bench press. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "The other guys... almost killed... Your brother." Karrin noticed him pretty much the moment he came in. It might be her years of highly honed cop instincts or her striking amount of paranoia. Or maybe it was the EYE SEARING SHIRT he's wearing. She tosses a momentarily look over her shoulder, staring at the outfit with a smirk before giving a husky, low chuckle and turning back towards the bag so she can continue through her combination. She's barely missed a beat even in talking to him, though she's a little out of breath from the pain. Her regular routine is just muscle memory by now. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' "Oh? Did you leave enough to bury?" he asks casually, checking the weight (Which is an almost unholy amount) and then slipping beneath the bar. "I take it he told you that I told him what Buffy told you I told her?" He asks in a mildly amused tone. Poor Harry is always the last to know important things. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "No, my magic cop powers just deduced it by the way you smelled walking in the room." Karrin states flatly, just a hint of teasing in her voice, though she does pause a moment as she catches sight of just how much weight he's putting on that thing. "Uh...do you want a... spot, over there?" She knew vampires were strong. She wasn't quite sure how strong. The first question draws a slightly longer look to her features, not thrilled with the answer, which is probably why it takes so long. "...and not..exactly. They got away but we all survived too and got the objective out of their hands to the people who'd protect it, so...I'll consider that a win." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith eyes her playfully and says in a dry voice, "No thanks, I'm just doing low weight high reps. Don't wanna bulk up too much." Of course if the small woman tried to spot him it's likely that it'd be no good. The bar likely weighs more then she does. He lays down and effortlessly begins working the weight. His long lean muscles rippling slightly with the seemingly minimal effort. Even when he /isn't/ applying his Come hither, which he isn't, the man still looks like Bowfelx's gift to women. "They got away, you got away sounds more like a draw in my book.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The coins were NOT something Karrin wanted to tempt another possible monster with. So, she's silent a few moments, considering how to explain this that her ego doesn't hurt too much but she doesn't give away valuable information. "We had an artifact the church needed recovered. We got it to the church safely. The things attacking us couldn't enter holy ground. We achieved our mission objective and no one died. I'll consider that a win." Karrin states flatly, trying not to sound completely defensive but there is an edge of defensiveness in her breathless voice. She's also hitting the bag a bit harder than she was. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith ahhs slightly, moving the bar with diliberate slowness, working the little muscles required not to just hold but stabilize the weight. Still it doesn't seem to be effecting his breatheing yet. "I see, so you achieved your heist as well as got away. I can see how that would be counted as a win." he says with a smile. He preforms perhaps twenty reps and then places the bar back. "Did Harry say anything...about...you know..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Honestly, she's probably pushed ribs too much tonight already. Having this conversation into a punching bag is difficult and, depending on how it goes, she'd probably rather have it while sparring him. So she stops in her my rote combination, carefully beginning to unwrap her right hand, but it's really only to adjust the wrap to being tighter again, as it loosened since she started. It also gives her something to do with her hands and eyes other than stare at her lover's brother's body which was... incredibly... Stare-worthy. She walks to his side, but she doesn't look. Too much. "Yeah. He... was in quite the state after you told him. Looks like he went easy enough on you, though..." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith rolls his eyes slightly and touches his perfectly straight nose. "He mushed my nose. Buffy set it for me then...well she helped me recover the energy I needed to heal it. Otherwise it might still be in a splint and that would be just awful for business." He says mildly amused. He's used to being stared at by beautiful women, and certainly doesn't mind. He gets himself a water and tosses one to Karrin. "And what about now? Is he still...in a state?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The toss of the water is a bit quick, but Karrin catches it smoothly even if she's doing her best not to stare at him. Eventually, she just looks. She takes a breath and drinks all of him in, noting the raw sex appeal, yes, but she otherwise seems mostly unaffected. She has her mind on other people. Probably the one she's talking about. Her own skin glistens with sweat from the fact she was pushing herself and, other than the bruises, she's a pretty lovely sight herself if you like tiny, toned to hell women. Her entire body has been trained to make every inch a weapon. "He's.... well, hurt, for one. We're all still recovering from the fight. And still hurting that you hid it from him. That... we all did. Not that it was Buffy or my's place to tell him first, but... the fact we all knew and you didn't tell him until NOW? He...he feels betrayed. He doesn't know how to trust it and, hell, Harry has trust issues to BEGIN with." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith snorts slightly, just a touch of bitterness in his tone. "You should try it from my perspective. Sure I got to know mom for a few years. Long enough to remember a birthday or two. The smell of her Shampoo. Then she /abandoned/ me. Left me to be raised by /literal/ sexual preditors. I almosted hated her for that. When I found out about Harry? I /wanted/ to hate him for it. Wanted to hate him almost as much as I wanted to love him. Can you imagine what that was like?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There's a long moment of silence from Karrin as she listens to that and weighs it all. Her clear blue eyes soften, just a few levels. She finally sighs and sinks down onto the weight bench closest to his so they can actually *talk* without having some strange work out distraction between them. The expression on her face, or perhaps it's just the emotions he's tasting from her, are a mix of wariness but protectiveness. And that protectiveness has now been turned on *him*. "...I can't say I can imagine. I...had my family mostly in tact growing up until..." She doesn't finish that statement, she just takes a good pull of her water. "...I was lucky. Mostly. But that's shitty and what your mother did to you was *shit*. What your family did to you was worse. But Harry isn't...He's not either of those people. He didn't choose this either." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith nods slightly and tilts his head back a bit. "I know that." he says softly. He isn't crying but his eyes glisten. "But at the same token, it was... hard. I'm a monster KArrin. A very pretty Monster but a monster none the less. I've killed in the past. The first time I was only 17. Likely I'll have to kill again in the future. How do I just say "Oh, by the way, this woman you've practically deified growing up? She used to run around with a man that..." He closes his eyes and shakes his head unable to continue with that train of thought. "And what if he rejects me? What if I tell him and his reaction is to punch me in the face?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That gets a slightly deeper smirk from her, and a levelling of those blue eyes. While she knows looking a monster in the eyes isn't always the smartest idea, it's a show of trust on her part that she's trying to seek out Thomas'. To get him to meet her gaze. "Thomas. You did it. You said exactly that... and he did that. And then some, if he was honest about using the rings. But he didn't kill you and... he's..." She sighs, "He's not going to reject you. Buffy sees something damn worth it in you and Harry will too. Harry *wants* family. He wants it so bad it's killing him. I see it in his eyes every mor... time I visit." Not morning. They don't tell people about the mornings. She's not living with him, nope, of course not. "He's terrified because you... you have done awful things. You might again. But he'll want to help you too... To be a better person. And if anyone knows ANYTHING about forgiveness, about being better... It's Harry Dresden." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith says, "His rings?" Thomas asks in a mildly baffled tone... then his eyes look, well not angry but super freaking annoyed. "I knew there was no way he could have hit me that hard! It was like getting punched by a Buick!" he says touching his nose again as if the memory pained him. "I just wish..." He sighs, "I wish people understood that there is someething /real/ with me and Buffy. YEs I feed on her, but that is part of the package. I never thought there would be someone I could be with. Not long term. Because eventually I would drain them dry. Is that part of Buffy's apeal? Empty Night, of course it is. But she's also smart. Funny. She engages me on levels I can't begin to explain. She's sexy as hell. Why do people keep telling us we are no good for each other?"" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Silence lingers for a handful of heartbeats and she's studying him. Studying him deeper than she has any right to, perhaps, with the sort of look that is meant to pierce through to someone's soul. No, she doesn't have a soul gaze, she just has that of a woman who has seen a lot, knows when she's being bullshitted, and is weighting his life on the edge of the hair that are these words. Finally, she lets go of a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. "Look... Buffy cares about you. A hell of a lot. And she's smart. She's smart, tough, and a fully grown woman. I know I'd be pissed as hell of people tried to tell me who I could and couldn't see. If you two are happy? I'm...happy for you. Honestly. Between Buff and Harry? ...You're part of the family, Thomas. I'm not used to having... not... humans, in the family. But you are. I will move mountains to keep you safe, if needed, because you are part of this. But if you dare... DARE... hurt them. If you break her or get him hurt or killed...? I will hunt you down. And I won't stop. Every mountain I moved to protect you I will pile ontop of your grave until you are so far in earth the world forgets you ever breathed air." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith chuckles slightly and sighs a bit, "Consider it likewise." He says amused, "You break my little brother's heart Ms. Murphy, regardless of how he feels about me, you and I will have to have words. Big ones. Like Hippopotumus." He takes a deep brath and lets it out shakily. "Now if I could only save my little /sister/ then everything would be perfect." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Now her eyes abruptly drop away, looking back to the water bottle in her hands for no where better to go. "Uh...Harry and I aren't...exactly... like *that*, Thomas. I mean... we're close. He's my best friend. I'm not going to hurt him, I swear. But...Understood." Then Karrin's eyes narrow, head tilting just a bit at the comment of his little sister. The look on her face is torn, tempted to help but also knowing it's a bad idea, "What happened to your sister? SHe's not...Harry's, right?" 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith raises an eyebrow and says simply, "Uh huh. And I can get you a great deal on the Golden Gate Bridge." the corner of his lip turning up in a slight smirk. "Look Murphy, I don't care what you wanna call it. Dating, friends with benifits, cultists who summon the beast with two backs..." he shrugs. "All I know is that, even if Buffy were not in the picture, and even if Harry were not my brother... I would be very leary trying to feed on you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Well, of course you would, because the moment I realized what you were doing I would kick your f*cking ass, Thomas. I know I'm just mortal, but I've learned more than a few tricks in my day and I'm no one's barbeque." Karrin sits up straighter, actually a little offended he's even considered feeding on her. She clearly has no clue why he'd be wary about it other than the fact that she's tougher than she looks. "And if you taking what you need from Buffy works, and she agrees... or even enjoys it, and she's not sick off of it and you don't have to hurt anyone else, well... I think that's just a possibility we don't even have to examine. You're not hurting Buffy and it's working. So, that's that." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith raises his hands in defence and tries very hard not to laugh at Karrin's reaction, mostly because he doesn't want a broken nose."Empty Night, that's not what I meant at all." He says with a chuckle, though his own pride forces him to add, "Though if i truely did try to feed on you, you'd never know it and would see yourself as a willing participant." He shakes his head. "Look, Black court has Garlic and Holy Symbols, right? The Red Court has their bellies. Do you think the White Court don't have their own weaknesses?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Ice blue eyes give him a skeptical look as he mentions the fact she'd never know, but she doesn't push back quite yet. It's looking like she might be getting some valuable information on how to hurt White Court vampires and while she has no plans on using it against him, not now at least, it'll be helpful for the future. "...Yes, I've got some notes about the things... the vampires.. that Harry's fought before. I can't say I've gone up against one of your type. Yet. But I still don't see...where this is going?" She's forgotten her water, staring at him in simple confusion now, "And what that has to do with Harry..." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' "Love." He says simply. "True Love. If the last person who you...to put it delicately, had carnal knowledge of loved you and you love them in return... it puts an aura of protection around you. An Aura of sactification you might say. And it's got to be Real, pure, true love. Like Westley and Buttercup, none of that Romeo and julliet bullshit. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That makes her go deadly still for a moment, like a deer just catching a car's headlights. Love. He thought she and Harry...? Karrin stares at him, not immediately denying it but there's a bit more blood drained from her face than anything else this conversation. Finally, she gives a little, rough laugh and stands up to move back towards a punching bag. THat's a good place for distraction. "I... well... That's a little hard to set up when doing a sting... But I think you're.. probably... We're not really like... *That*." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith snorts slightly at that. "Feel free to dilude yourself Ms. Murphy, if you must. But people with that level of True love? They give off a..sense. An Aura. A warning to my kind that says 'This one is off limits, feed at your own peril.' And if you were to walk into my Club, wearing dental floss and a smile and putting off the aura you are putting off right now?" He shakes his head "I wouldn't even buy you a drink." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The response is silence. Silence and then heavy, trained fists shoving themselves into the punching bag instead of having to form words in response to that. It was easier than really thinking about the fact that a predator trained in sensing these things called her on the carpet about it. Finally, between punches, she grunts out quietly. "I care for your brother very much, Thomas, and I'd change the world for him if I could. But that doesn't mean we're... in that amount of emotion for each other. And even if we were, our lives are too dangerous to bother with such things. We watch each other's backs. That's all." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith raises an eyebrow and walks to the other side of the bag, gripping it firmly. Steadying it for her and letting her hit it a few times. and then asks, in a soft, almost soothing voice "Would you trust me to do something, with the understanding that if I were to betray that trust first you, then Buffy would likely kick my ass so far up between my shoulderblades I'd have to wear pigtails to use the bathroom?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Her jaw grits even tighter as she stares up at him, blue eyes slightly too wide with the adrenaline that's kicked into full gear running through her system now. She can face the worst of monsters, but talking about her feelings? That's a real terror situation. Karrin glares at him suspiciously, "You're not...wrong about that. Not to mention doing something to hurt his best friend would really mess up your chances of actually earning Harry's trust, so... what do you have mind?" 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith doesn't answer directlly. Instead he holds up one solitary finger and, almost playfully taps her on the nose with it. The feeling in that instant is...intense. Hot, and wicked. Like making out with a stranger wicked. Like 'not being so drunk that you don't know you are going to regret hooking up with your ex, but being drunk enough not to care right now' wicked. The thought that, "if the Incubus could make you feel that with just a touch, less then a second, what could he do with a kiss? Or more?' is impossible to /not/ have. But then it is over in the blink of an eye. Thomas meanwhile, obviously did not enjoy the experiance as much. Letting out a hissing "Empty Night," and shaking his hand furiously. Then carefully he holds his finger up and shows her the large developing blister. Like he brushed his finger agienst a red hot stove coil. He looks her dead in the eye and says in a calm, cool voice. "You /love/ my brother. My Brother /loves/ you. Whatever hangups you two think you have. Get over them. Take it from someone who knows how rare and precious that is. You can't afford to waste a second of it pussyfooting around. " 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Well, that touch isn't exactly what she expected. A shiver of pure pleasure and a bit of thrill goes through her and while she breathes through it, Karrin can suddenly see why this is so damn tempting. "...You and Buffy do... that... all the time?" She breathes out raggedly, suddenly needing a girls' night with Buffy very much with some questions on her mind. But the rest of the statement, and that clear blister on his finger, is enough to send the world spinning. It's easy to deny when there's no proof. When life is far too distracting to ever get into that conversation. But that being right in front of her, that made it nearly impossible. Then, suddenly, there's a rather violent right cross coming his direction. And then an upper cut, and her arm hovers just close to his throat without actually making skin contact. It's a hold by threat alone, but her expression is ice cold. "...Don't you... Dare... Tell him that, or what you saw. Just because I might feel something doesn't mean he does, and if you ruin my relationship with my *best friend* I will bring every inch of this anger down on you and finish this job. Just...forget it. Thomas. Forget we ever had this talk. Forget anything about Harry and I. Your his brother. That's all that matters." 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith gets hit. Again. Sheesh this is getting to be a habit. Still it should be pointed out that he not only maintains his feet but only takes a small step back from the blows. He spits out a globule of pink bloody saliva and looks her hard in the eyes. "That's where you are wrong." He says with a calm that conveys "No matter how many times you hit me, I'm going to get this out.' He wipes the blood from his lip and looks her in the eye, "It's got to be a two way street. True love does not exist in a vacuum. For you to do this?" he holds his hand up so that she can see the still growing blister, "It /has/ to go both ways. That is the way it works. So listen very carefully. Get. Over. Yourselves. Make it work." He jerks away, fast enough to be almost a blurr and strong enough to either break any grip or drag her ten feet with him. "I've got to get back to the Club. Drop by some time. Drinks are on the house." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "...Oh." That's the best response Karrin has to Thomas' insistance that it has to be both ways. There goes a thousand excuses she's told herself a hundred nights over, up in smoke with a single white court vampire's love test. Maybe it was a trick, but her blue eyes searching his mostly unphased eyes, it certainly doesn't seem so. "...Sorry." She mutters, finally, the biggest apology he was going to get for the punch, but at least it was something. "I'll... think it over. But... don't bother Harry wth this. He's going through.. a lot. You work on your relationships, and I'll work on mine, and... let's just...leave it there." She begins to move on the bag again, needing to get out a lot more emotions in a way she knows how. "...I'll come by with Buffy, sometime. It...was good seeing you, Thomas." But she's not looking at him now, just the bag. She'll be there half the night at this rate. 

:'''{{#var:7044|Thomas Raith (7044)}} has posed:''' Thomas Raith hesitates just a second and then nods slightly in her direction, acknowleging the appology and his own stance softening just a little bit. "I'll leave it alone, for now. But try to work it out, for both your sakes." he heads for the steps and pauses to add, "Oh? And that was /nothing compared to what me and Buffy do...all the time." He says giving her a positively wicked grin and taking the stairs three at a time. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "Oh god, Thomas, I did NOT need to know that much about my best friend's sex life!" Karrin calls out the door after him, a few more punches echoing into the bag, but they aren't quite as violent as before. 
}}

11834/Once Upon a War, 1939

2020-07-26T05:21:46Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=1939/12/19 |Location=Rural France, December 1939 |Synopsis=After saving Spike from a Third Reich experimental lab in late 1939, Margaret Carter rea..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=1939/12/19
|Location=Rural France, December 1939
|Synopsis=After saving Spike from a Third Reich experimental lab in late 1939, Margaret Carter realizes that monsters don't just wear gray uniforms. Tension ensues in an abandoned resistence cabin on the French countryside.
|Cast of Characters=103,150
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      There are a lot things that William the Bloody can claim in the years since he was sired, but this is a first. After being caught by a government agency from Germany he was experimented on. If only he knew what the future would bring.      Rescued by an American agent he's thus far been too happy to still be undead. Peggy something. He's been too glad to be free to worry about too much other than that. Crash down to hide in an abandoned house until the sun goes down. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The rescue wasn't exactly smooth, but it was as precise and smooth as these things could be. The facility where he was being kept was a small lab, he the only 'patient', at the moment. A primary experiment before the Germans see if it's worth capturing more of his type. After the series of tests, torture, violence, and other awful things they put him through, they have probably found that yes, the vampiric kind are definitely worth recruiting. Hopefully Peggy shot her way in and blew the place up before they got that information back to high command, but she really has no clue. Her entire goal was to get the 'innocent' out of there. How little she knows what that innocent actually is. While he may have protested a bit on their escape, Peggy's clipped British accent was firm about 'No time for talking, they've still got people on us.' She's carried them deeper into the French hills, well away from the lab they were in. Partially in a stolen Nazi car, then that was ditched and they've been on foot through the heavy forest for the last hour. Finally, she stopped them long enough to listen. Really listen. Nothing behind them. Nothing ahead. Nothing but an abandoned cottage in the icy December rain and the fact that even a young agent like Margaret Carter is still only human, and she needs to stop for the night. So, with a few shoves of her shoulder, she pushes the door off the lock and in they stumble to the dark, if dry, room. "...glad the place hadn't... fallen in yet." She mutters in her British accented French. She doesn't even know if he speaks English yet. Her French is fluent enough. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He winces as he waits for the threshold to keep him from entering. It's not like she can invite him in. He looks a little suprised as well as beat down. Still, it's good to at least be away from the lab and those that have been cutting and prodding him.      There is a slur of speech as he responds int French,"Give it time." The French is broken, but at least the words all made sense put together,"Are you sure about this?" he asks, mentally a little muddled from all the attention he got in the labs." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The threshold is, pretty much, non existent. This house hasn't been used in a long time, probably since even before the war started. The resistance has kept it in tact enough as a good pass through place, the only reason Peggy knows it, but it's no one's home. Still, the agent does not seem to understand why the man (who is seemingly in better form that her despite being prisoner far too long) hesitates at the door. Her exhausted brain also processes just how slow and broken his french is. She thought it was because he was drugged, but now she blinks and tries in English. "...Are you one of *ours*?" Her Manchester accent is heavily clear, the Queen's English clipped and far more perfect from her lips than even her French. "Never mind, just...get in here and get dry. It's bloody well freezing out there." And while she was still lightly bleeding, the bullet graze to her upper shoulder not having been seen to at all, she operates on adrenaline and spite. They wouldn't make it without a fire, so that's her goal now. "...they better have left me wood..." She mutters, picking her way in the darkness to the old woodstove. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      His cockney accent is impossible to miss,"In a manner of speaking." he comments and walks in. Closing the door and looks around tries to shake things off. He might have been a little drugged as well.      He walks into the next room to look around, leaning on the door jamb for a minute. The mention of wood gets a raise of his brow, but he doesn't comment. Drugged or not he's starting to realize a few things...like they are alone and he's going to need blood soon. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The woman is no-nonsense, just as she was when she rescued him. She'd done it mostly in French, having assumed wrongly that he was a native, but she wasn't much of a person for chit chat. "...Sit down. There should be a couch and a cot against the wall. There's jars of water and some rations in a crate around here somewhere." Her clipped words come quickly as she crouches down in front of the wood stove, breathing the smallest sigh of relief as she does find some dry wood stacked next to it. Her injured arm is less useful than she'd like, so she's doing most of the work off handed, but she shoves several logs into the stove and then grabs for the fireplace matches. "...we'll need to restock this place when we leave... or I'll have to. They left it proper last time." And, as the strike of a match slightly brightens the room, it's clear the old cottage was remade as a safe house at some point over the last months. A crate of rations, some first aid supplies, and three cots against the wall. Scratchy wool blankets. No personal supplies or family treasures. This is no one's home. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He sees that there is nobody else is in the house and that seems to make him relax a little. It's not like he's not healing right now as the two of you speak and he turns back towards you,"Rations?"      He takes a step and staggers, leaning back against the wall for a moment,"What the bloody hell did they do to me?" he growls and puts his hand against his head, trying to make the world stop moving when it shouldn't. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' "Sodium Barbital, from the smell and the bottles I saw in there... enough to kill an elephant. I don't know how you're breathing I... I'm just glad you still are." Peggy admits quietly, tossing him a worried, brown eyed look across her shoulder, especially as she sees him stumbling to lean against the wall. "And that's just what they had you on today. I have... a few files.. there wasn't time to read. But just sit down and keep steady. As soon as I get us some heat we'll give you a look over. Stop being stubborn about it." Peggy huffs out gently, hiding her concern beneath stubborn orders. She looks back to the woodstove then, blowing across the little bit of tinder that she found, trying to ensure at least one of the logs catches as she perches there on her high heels. She's in a get up that looks far more appropriate for one of the local inn keep girls, a pair of T-strap heels and a plain black dress with little white flowers, her hair done in the fashionable curls that only take a few pins, and a heavy cardigan overtop. It's that cardigan which hides her weapons, various supplies, where she has the file hidden...everything she needs to actually do her job without attractin attention. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He staggers over to the couch and takes a seat,"I guess I don't die good enough to other people's liking." He staggers once more and takes a seat on the couch. He's not there yet, still a little shook, so might as well mess with her some until he gets his facilities about him,"Breathing is a funny thing."      He really isn't breathing of course, but from where she is she can't see that. He studies her and the way she moves. Nods in approval as he assesses the situation,"So what is your next play after you get out of this one?" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The way she moves is like a highly trained, fairly dangerous agent posing as a local inn girl and using every inch of her feminine wiles to make everyone under estimate her. Pretty. Still fairly young, probably barely 20 honestly, but she's made of curves that are only tamed by the fact that she's built a fair bit of muscle in training and she's done just enough make up to be distracting. Granted, the icy rain has made much of it streak and flattened her curls, but there is something quite vibrant about the determination in her face as she builts that fire. She has certainly not noticed his lack of breathing, most of her still assuming he's just an unlucky prisoner. "Breathing is rather essential, I'd think, so please, do keep trying to do it and I'll do the same." Peggy flashes him a teasing smile across her shoulder, face finally a bit more lit by the wood stove fire. Once she's certain it's going, she unfolds from the crouch, only slightly stumbling from exhaustion and that blood loss at her shoulder. She takes a moment to pull herself together. She can't afford for her body to give out now. She moves to lighting two more small laterns in the old cottage. "Out of...this one? Depends what you mean by get out? There's an SOE base about 3 clicks from here. I'll get you there, they can get you proper medical care and back to England, and I pick up my next assignment." She's then coming to his side, the most essential business of heat and light done. She offers him a jar of stale water. "You look parched." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He watches each movement, trying to gauge her capabilities despite being highly stoned. The problem is sometimes he is too cocky for his own good. So when she walks over with the water he decides to make a play. He plays it cool initially.      He takes the water in his hand and he takes a shallow drink. His face screws up at the flavor. Setting the glass aside he admits,"I think I want something. Warmer." he replies and his face shifts, forehead thickening and his fangs lowering. He's a demon, grattitude isn't really a thing. Fortunately for you he's still too stoned to move so fast and face plants on the floor. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' That is... not what she expects to see when she offers water to the man she saved. Fangs. Those were almost certainly fangs. Maybe she's lost too much blood. Maybe she inhaled something she shouldn't. Or maybe vampires exist. She's not certain. But the pure shock of being hit on my something that momentarily does not look entirely human is enough for her to miss the fact that he's also still too drugged to do it smoothly and is suddenly face planting. "Oh hell." She mutters, dropping into a crouch and leaning down to gently scoop him up from the floor. She smells like sweat, blood, military issue soap, and woman. It's probably not a smell that helps. But she carefully tries to direct him up onto the couch again. "...take it easy there, casanova. What... do you mean... Warmer?" She asks warily, now staring at him with slightly too-wide eyes as she tries to see if he's injured anywhere else. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      When she helps him back up his head hangs loosely and he falls back on the couch. Oh she saw right. Crinkly forehead and fangs. Vampire no question. He lifts a finger to say something and falls back against the couch, head looking at the ceiling trying to not count the lights,"      One hand raises and he almost touches the blood on your shoulder, then the arm falls to the couch. He leans forward and that's about it, falling back again,"Bloody Hell!" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Fangs. Strange forehead. Strange eyes. Margaret Carter stares at him for several long moments, her mind slowly putting together the things she heard in German. Vampire. They were saying it. She thought it was teasing, but they said it. She stares at him a bit closer, "I... look...I suspect... you're...hungry..." She stammers out, this slow revelation actually throwing her entire world order for a loop at the moment, but Peggy is a little too controlled to completely freak out. So. Vampires exist. She takes in a deep, controlling breath, trying to calm her panic, but her pulse now leaps in her throat far worst than when she was facing Nazis. "... are you a ... Vampir?" She pronouns the word in German first, but then repeats in English, "Vampire? Are you real?.. Are you what they said??" Peggy carefully pulls herself away from him, out of touching range, as she drags the few papers she stole from the lab crumpled out of her pocket. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He tries to lurch out of the couch again...falls back again,"Vampire yes." he replies and sighs when his drugged self can't gets more than one step towards her,"Evil and blood thirsty." Yeah he looks evil doesn't he?      He finally quits trying to get up for the moment and sighs again,"Note to self, eat anyone that even thinks about bringing sodium barbatol into the same room with me." He's not moving fast, and more or less falling deeper into the couch. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' "It might be more than that. They... I'd say they were trying to kill you, but if you're not... Human..." Peggy is still wrapping her brain around that possibility, "Then I suspect they were trying to... *almost* kill you." She grimaces at him. She looks over the paper for a few moments. "Bloody hell. They gave you Barbital, horse tranqualizers, a mild form of arsenic, and morphine... just to name a few. Any human would be dead..." Those papers alone confirm he cannot be mortal. She then sets the papers down. She can't let herself just continue to bleed forever, especially with a vampire around. She shifts to pick up the gauze from the rations trunk, and the cleaning alcohol. She's keeping herself a decent distance from him, but scent of blood fills the room as she carefully peels off her cardigan. "...If you are evil and blood thirsty, I have no issue finding the way to put you down permanently. But you haven't killed me yet, and I know those men are evil. They are more than blood thirsty. And you were their victim. And now... with the information they have on you... They're going to want more of you." Peggy admits with a brow furrowed frown. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      His coordination may be coming back. He manages to sit on the edge of the couch. There is a smile that slowly spreads across his,"They weren't trying to kill me." he replies with a laugh that is ice cold,"They were trying to find a way to control me and those like me. To make us the Third Reich's new division,"Human bodies with demon souls inside willing to kill anything and anyone."      He eyes the blood you are trying to quell and sighs,"You are right about one thing. You got me away from them and they will likely coming looking for us both." He waggles his eye brows and looks towards the other room,"You want to hide in there all day? See what the night brings?" He really can do the creepy when it suits him. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The stern Brit pauses in her careful cleaning of the bullet graze, pressing the gauze into her bare shoulder to try and stop some of the bleeding, but also to cut the scent of blood off from the room. She stares over at him, considering the pale face and that hang-dog grin that screams trouble. It's the first time Peggy considers that she might be the prey in this situation. A slow breath quickly pushes back that thought. "What is your name? Before I explain to you a few things about your current situation and the beginning of this war in front of you, I would prefer your name, young man." She smirks at him as she catches some sort of reaction to her calling him young, "Yes. I realize you are probably decades if not centuries older than I am. I do not know how... being a Vampir..." She still uses the German pronunciation for it, it feels safer some how, "Words. But as long as you keep acting like a hormonal, horny teenage boy, I'm going to call you young man. So. Young Man. What is your name?" 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      Oh she is the prey. There is no question about that. His thoughts are clearing and his balance will follow. Maybe he's playing with his food and maybe he just isn't recovered enough. A hand covers his heart as if she wounds him.      "William to few, Spike to all." he replies. The shaky in his voice starting to clear. He rests his elbows on his knees and he shrugs,"Make no mistake pet. I don't want to shag you. I want to eat you. Once I have your blood in my system I should be able to make my way out of this country." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Exhausted, cold, and slightly low on blood, Peggy is still sharp enough to realize when she's in a dangerous situation. At least, when she gives herself a moment to take time and look it all over, like she is right now. Dark eyes stare back at him, drinking in all of the thirst in Spike's features and that very dangerous, slowly sharpening look from him. She takes in a slow breath to calm her own heart and keep herself focused. Slowly, she takes another few steps back and she turns her bleeding shoulder away from him, so she can clean it without direct temptation. "Spike, then. My name is Margaret Carter. I'm an agent with the SOE. If I go missing, they will know. Now... I could be your food, or we could work on the same side, which is making certain the Reich doesn't get control of... more of your people. Some of my superiors would say to put you down like a rabid dog. I... think... everyone deserves a chance. So. You can work with me or you can work with them. But if you eat me... then it's over. Whoever else the Germans take of your kind... there will be no one of the allies coming for them. It's a miracle I was there for you." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He laughs softly and rolls his neck. His eyes start to focus on you a lot more,"Well Margret Carter. If you are going to know about vampires you should know things. Things like we really don't give a toss about one another." The predator in him starting to rise stronger and he suddenly pushes from the couch and lands smoothly on his feet.      This is starting to look decidedly bad for Agent Carter and he rolls his neck a few times,"I suppose I should thank you for setting me free though. That place wasn't pleasant. As for your superiors, well now who asked them?" He eyes you for a moment,"Tell ya what. How 'bout I give you a ten second head start?" Sociopath...it's a thing. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' The fire was going. It was warm, her arm was only starting to feel better as she wraps the tight bandage across the lascerated flesh and around her bicep, securing it as best possible. Everything was looking up. Except for the fact that her rescue was maybe just as dangerous as the people she rescued him from. Peggy stares at him hard with slightly too-wide eyes. While she'd like to hold her ground, be as stern as possible, she's also young. Not even a year into service. This is the strangest, most terrifying thing she's faced yet. Nazis, she understood. Hungry vampires?... She wasn't so certain. "William. I understand you are hungry and you are... strong. But you are also still drugged, I have several guns, other drugs, and I did save your life. I will give you a small amount of blood for you to get control of yourself, or I will put you down and run... and I remember where the car is better than you do. You have two options. Do not be a bloody idiot about it." No matter how scared she is, how her pulse leaps in her throat, she talks a good game. The tone of her voice is like a nanny scolding a naughty dog. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He was shaky before, but his legs are strong again and he takes a step towards you,"Oh you understand how hungry I am?" he comments and turns his head to the side,"I was drugged yes, but that is starting to fade away." He takes another step and adds,"A lot of things are fading away."      "So you know. Bullets are like bee stings to me." he advises,"You can shoot me and I'll keep coming. Putting me down takes special knowledge and skill beyond your years." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Instinctively, Peggy takes another step backwards. Slightly towards the door. She's already making mental calculations to go for the car, but she doesn't quite run yet. She takes a slower breath to keep herself calm and quietly shrugs back into the cardigan, covering those bandages any any scent of fresh blood in the room. "Well, I suppose that's true. But I know certain drugs work on you and I'm quite trained. Beyond that...I did save your life. We are, at this moment, nominally on the same side. You could control yourself like a half sane sentient being and we can work to get through this together, or we can fight and abandon each other. I will manage either circumstance, but I feel like the former might be wiser for both our survival. Even if it's purely selfish ... eating me... is short term satisfaction for long term loss. I promise you that." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "Certain drugs do work." he replies and takes another step,"Of course you have to have them in you hand with a delivery method." He stalks you and waits for the one miscalculation. Getting the door open, just waiting for one or two more steps before he makes his move,"I suppose I could make you a vampire to repay you for your kindness."      His hunger is obvious and his restraint is better than some might think,"You do keep thinking about the idea that you will come out on top of this." he comments,"Like somehow you will win the day and beat the monster that is over a century old." Each step and movement makes it clear he has one thing on his mind and unfortunately for her it isn't romance. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Romance wouldn't be a thing the woman cares for either, but she is slowly circling her way over to the door. A bittersweet smile crosses her young features, making her look a dozen years older than she is. A girl of 20 shouldn't be near so tired as she is right now, but war does that to people. "No, William... I do not think I will win the day. We are at war. The world is in shambles. The best I can hope for is... survival. And then to survive another day, and one after that. And that maybe England will survive a few more months, and maybe a few years. Maybe our homeland will survive. Maybe... those monsters that captured you and their ilk will end up in the ground. But I know I do not get out of this alive... I accepted that when I signed the contract. The best ...win I can hope for is dawn. And then another after that. And if...if I manage that? It will be enough." She finishes as she stops at the door, hand on the knob... 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      There is that little moment between certainty and trying to find the door knob. That's all it takes. Two fast strides and he has her pressed up against the door. He is strong. Really strong.      His face is close to yours and he tells you,"It doesn't look like you're going to see the next dawn now does it?" He studies her face for a long time,"You know, the more you fear the the purer the blood." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' She's caught. He's stronger than she is, now that he's worked through most of the drugs. Faster than she is. She could try and run for the car, but he'd easily overtake her. Not taking the ten second head start may have been her fatal mistake, but she didn't. Now she's there, in the catch of his arms, and she stares up at him with her heart hammering too hard against her sternum. Somehow, she controls the fear in her face. Maybe she's just stared down death a little too often already for her age. "...then... I do not see the next dawn." She admits softly, a sick little laugh behind it. "I knew it would happen. In this war, I suspected. I am sad it's at the hands of someone I rescued instead of taking out one of the Third Reich." She gives him the most bittersweet smile, a tired laugh escaping her barely controlled breath. "...I've dreamt of my death before. I always hoped I would go down taking out a Nazi. Considering I killed at least a dozen today... I suppose it's as good a time to go as any." 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      "Make no mistake. I appreciate the rescue pet." he replies and turns his head to one side a moment,"I was in need and there you were." He starts to move his head towards your neck and adds,"You are brave, even in the face of certain death."      His fangs prick your neck, then he pulls back thinking something over. Evil or not, Spike has certain things about him that nobody understands,"A dozen Nazis by yourself?" You can see a little blood on each fang though he's distracted now,"That changes things doesn't it?" 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' For all the ways that Margaret Carter expected to die, being drank dry by a vampire on her own turf? That was not on the list. But he has her. She's seen his recovered strength, she knows his speed, and fighting would just make it a messy, mewling death. So, she's facing it full and open. No fear, no begging. Simple, quiet acceptance and noble dignity as befits a proper British lady and agent. Her eyes shut as his teeth brush her throat, pulse leaping far faster beneath her skin that the expression on her face, but then he stops. A breathless sort of laugh escapes her still red painted lips. "Did you think there were only 2 scientists working on you, William? Four scientists, two adminstrators, 4 guards, and at least two soldiers from the local base to get through before I even got to the lab where they held you. I did not start my service as a killer but I do not hesitate to kill those who would kill me and mine. You, for today, were one of mine. When I got to you, they were dead or unconscious, and I burned the building after. So, heaven damn me or hell embrace me, I killed 12 nazis today. If I had to, I'd do it again tomorrow. I don't know what that changes but... I'm just sad that the man I saved is the one who takes my life and I didn't go down fighting one of those bastards." Every word she says smells of truth. Painfully young, but she's that brave and that practical. The only thing that has quickened her pulse is the imminent threat of death, not anything she's spoken. She does not lie in her last moments. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      There aren't many things that impress him or even give him a moment of consideration, but this,"You killed a dozen people and you are just a human." he mutters and sighs. His index finger touches each wound on your neck and the licks the blood from his finger. Young, fresh, and adrenalized.      He scowls darkly and he pushes the door open behind you. A hand on each shoulder and he turns you so your back is to the room instead of outside. He takes a step back into the night and points at you,"You got me out of a bind and you killed a lot of the things that were causing me pain. It gets you a pass Margaret Carter. We're even. Remember that. If we cross paths again, whatever happens happens." 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' Those heavy, chocolate eyes study him for a long moment, especially as he reaches to her throat. She doesn't move, doesn't dare give him more access, but she also doesn't shy away. Peggy will take whatever is coming to her. She stares death in the face and she does not turn. His commentary gets the strangest little smile from her. "I'm not just a human. I'm SOE." Which is still just a human. But it's the badge of courage she can wear to get her through the rest of days... And then he's turning her and she's pushed back into the cabin. She doesn't know if this is a good sign, but she'll take it. She moves slowly over to the water, picking one up to get some hydration in her just in case she has to run. As she drinks, she speaks, looking quietly in his direction. "I'd do it again, for what it's worth. You might be a monster. But.. it's what you are. They're human and they chose evil. I'd save you any day over them..." She drinks deep of the water, no fear in her eyees. She has the keys, her cardigan, her gun. If things go badly, she'll run. For now, she watches him and she recharges in what little ways she can. 

:'''{{#var:103|Spike (103)}} has posed:'''      He stands at the door for a long moment. She will never know how close she came to being a body on the floor. His eyes say he's hungry, but she's off the menu,"Watch your back out there Margaret Carter of SOE. There are a lot of bad things in the world."      With that, he turns and heads out into the night. The promise of someone else's blood and a cigarette hang in his thoughts. Well, your blood first, but he's taken that off the list of options....tonight. A few moments later and he is not to be seen or heard. 

:'''{{#var:150|Peggy Carter (150)}} has posed:''' As he's speaking, and even in the initial wake of his disappearance, Peggy does not move an inch from her protected, strong stance near the rations crate. She just stands and watches him like a very faintly disappointed drill sergeant. While her words might not be what saved her, she meant them and she wasn't going to cave on her stance. She meant every inch of it. Now, however, he's disappeared and she's alone in the cabin. She takes a few moments to ensure he's gone, but there is nothing but silence and the crackle of the wood stove around her. She shakily steps over to the edge of that cot where they sat before and weakly sinks down into it. "...my god... Holy... My god..." She exhales out shakily. She doesn't sob, but a few tears escape as she leans over and, in the last few solitary moments of her day, lets herself fall to unseen pieces that she'd never around someone else. Tomorrow is another day and she'll put herself back together. Tonight, however... Vampires are real. Nazis are awful. And Peggy isn't sure how to exist in a world when she's surrounded by nothing but evil... 
}}

11832/Witches and Wizards and Highlanders, Oh My!

2020-07-25T22:17:21Z

Eskirpan: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/07/25 |Location=Karrin Murphy's House - Sunnydale |Synopsis=Murphy brings some of the scooby gang over to give the low down on Denarian coins...."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/07/25
|Location=Karrin Murphy's House - Sunnydale
|Synopsis=Murphy brings some of the scooby gang over to give the low down on Denarian coins. Prue invites another immortal to the party and Murph begins to wonder just how many strange things there are in this world.
|Cast of Characters=168,1479,328,7885
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The coins. They all needed to talk. Maybe Dresden didn't want to tell Prue what she had but Karrin isn't as stubborn as him so, if Buffy says she trusts Prue, Karrin trusts that. She's invited the ladies over for a talk about 'important things', and tea, and some whiskey in that tea for anyone who partakes because goodness they are going to need it. Karrin's place is just a touch messier than her normal neat-as-a-pin, mainly there is more than a bit of dust hanging around because she's not been spending time here, but it would take a sharp eye to notice that. She's in comfortable clothes, yoga pants and an old GCPD t-shirt across the tension bandage on her ribs. This is meant to be a comfortable visit. 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue's outside and knocking on the door. Karrin wanted to talk, sure. Karrin wanted to talk about stuff, so why not? Prue drops by and is, yes, outside knocking on the door as she waits. What's up with the Fort Knox door anyway? The house is, least in her estiatnion, cute... Not that Prue wants to say that to somebody who was going to bodycheck people who want her to dance. Five feet of grrrrr angry lady? Prue's not wanting to tangle with her, not yet at least. On the other hand she's brought snacks and cocoa and donuts and....yes, it's all in a box, a box of goodies however. In short... Donuts, cocoa, beer, and a few books. Prue's in 'supportive' mode. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers has been here before so the doilies are not a surprise to her. She arrives a few moments after Prue, waiting on the doorstep, nodding to her. "How's it going, Prue? Haven't seen your sister Piper in a while.Hope she's well.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' It takes a moment or two to get up and get the door open, bending was always the worst with injured ribs, but Karrin's pulling it open thirty second after Buffy arrives, a tired smile on her features and her hair still a bit damp from a shower. "Good timing. ... Did you bring beer? I like you better already." She grins at Prue and nods both of them in to her entirely-too-girlie house. She's made a little nest for herself on the couch and there's a bottle of asprin out on the coffee table along with coffee, water, a handle of Jack and a bag of chips. "Sit down. I have tea on if you want it. Or we can just skip to the whiskey and beer. This might be a whiskey conversation." 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue grins to Karrin, "I brought a box of things" she says mysteriously, or at least tries to...given the box is both half open and at Prue's hip it's not hard for anyone to see what's in it. "Yeah I brought beer, donuts, books and cocoa. Couldn't find any good chick flicks" Prue nods and then laughs, "Piper's good. She's ru off her feet at P3 though so you're stuck with me I'm afraid. Wait, isn't it too early for alcohol?" To Prue it is. For some...never too early for drinking. Like, say, Karrin. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers smirks at Prue, "We'll, good thing one of us remembered. And that's too bad, I should hang out more at P3, just been so busy lately. But maybe one day I can meet your other sister too, I hear she's pretty feisty." she grins, then smiles to Karrin, "Rough night? Beer sounds good, mmm and donuts! But I suppose there will be serious talk too, huh." oh well.She follows her in and takes a seat, smiling at doilies, "I missed this place.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "I..." Karrin looks around the place, really *looks*, and winces just a bit, "Need to dust. My grandmother would be up in arms." She's only half joking about that. But it's definitely strange that she hasn't kept up with the cleaning. But the world is a strange place. She chuckles a bit to Prue with an arched brow, "Sure, on a work day. But...day off? All bets are off. Still, I've got the tea, sit down and I'll bring the pot out." Karrin makes her way into the kitchen, moving just a bit slower than usual but hiding it fairly well. A few moments later she's carrying out a lovely little tea set that definitely matches the house, and a box of various flavored teas. SHe's not quite so fancy to have loose leaf, but at least it's not all Salada. "...I'd say we both had a bit of a...rough evening this week, Buff. You just bounce back a bit faster, it seems. And yeah." SHe gives Prue a bit of a look, "I'd... like to talk. Prue. You're the one that notified Dresden about that coin, weren't you?" Karrin doesn't dance around the issue. 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue takes a seat andlooks around with the trained eye of, well, of a woman who works with antiques and auctions them off. Looking over to Karrin, Prue sets the box on the floor, bends down and opens it fully. "Take your pick from what's in here. Don't mind the books, they are for just flipping through once you've got through beer and donuts, I couldn't get any nachos" Prue adds with a smirk. Prue's not thinking Karrin's place is that bad. Though her sole interaction with Murph has been, well, off the clock, for both of them. Prue's gone from a 'Hello this is Bucklands how may I help you' to a 'Alright what needs discussing and I swear I will toss anyone into a wall who dares me to dance to the Macarena....' type woman. "The coin? yes it came in a collection from upstate New York actually. So" Prue says. "I can probably track it back to where it came from but the coin in question was part of a collection. So" Pue says pulling out a glazed chocolate donut, because...ah what the hell, fighting demons and vampires keeps her in sape...Prue chomps into it. Somewhere, a cartoon 'om nom nom' sound is playing as Prue chews on it quietly and glances to Murph. "Beer's in the box" she says once she's finished eating andd swallows. "Bought decent stuff I hope. Piper said it was good for college kids stressing about finals" 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers is already popping a beer as she settles in comfortably. Seems she is familiar with this place and definitely is a far better healer than the other girls here. She just shrugs, "No biggie, just glad you helped us out on the warehouse raid, though I was surprised you showed up..But I know you're a tough lady, sounds or not. I appreciate your help as always." She leans forward in her seat, peering thoughtfully at the two of them as coins are mentioned. "So, tell me more about those coins..They created those ugly monsters we fought? Denarians?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Definitely a beer conversation. Karrin nods to the tea set, "Help yourself, Prue. There's a bunch of different bags, that's as fancy as I get, but it's all decent stuff." She's grabbing up a donut and a beer herself, though as Buffy opens the beer she gives a little chuckle, following suit. "It's...not quite one of Mac's brews, but it'll do. If you feel like going a little wild and partaking in the day time, Prue, tell me and we'll crack those out as well." She tilts her bottle over to clink with Buffy's, a casual gesture of old friends, almost supersition to do at this point, and after a good slug of the drink, she starts. "This...doesn't leave this room. Harry or Michael might be pissed that I'm telling you at all, but I trust you, Buffy, and Buffy trusts you, Prue, and if you're going to be in contact with those things... Well, we... got lucky this time. If one ever comes through again, I want you to know what you're dealing with." She sighs, sinking back into the couch a bit deeper as she tries to figure where to start, "...either of you know how much Judas was paid to screw over Jesus?" 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' "No I don't" Prue says and sticks to donuts and tea. Because if somebody is going to be sober in this discussion, it better be the auctioneer. Prue doesn't need to be drunk and not understand things. "Alright, so" Prue offers pouring herself tea. "How does that relate to the coins? Mr. Dresden said something about Judas being paid too but I was more worrie about that coin getting out of my auction house" Prue shrugs and sips her tea elicately. As delicately as somebody with telekinesis can, if she sneezes, there'll be a whole stack of building contracts flying out the door...followed by the wall, and the roof, thanks gravity. You're always bringing a good thing down... Prue sets her tea down and looks to Karrin then Buffy. "Next time? You mean there's more than just one of those things? I didn't touch it, no. I took a picture, showed it to that wizard P.I. and it went from there" 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers grins and chinks her can against Karrin's. Good times and all. Talk of Jesus and Judas though gets a raised brow from her. "Um...I'm guessing this is related somehow? Was it like, forty coins or something?" she frowns, "Oh, wait a minute..Those coins, denarians couns.." yeah she doesn't like where this is going.. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "You might be one of the smartest people I've ever met, Prue, because calling Harry when you did and not touching the thing was the very safest course of action and is probably why you can still sit here with us right now..." Karrin murmurs earnestly, the expression on her face somehow making her look a decade older as she considers the things. Buffy's rarely seen Karrin look scared, and she's not exactly terrified now, but these things scare her. They are one of the few things in the world that give us pause. "...It was 30 pieces of silver... what Judas was paid. Those 30 pieces, somehow, were so tainted with evil they were inhabited by demons. Or, maybe, became demons themselves. Or maybe they always were, and that's how the devil put them in the world. I'm not sure the exact specifics. I don't even know if the church is.. Those demons are called Denarians." 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      The call was made. The antiquities dealer responded. Duncan arrives at the address given. It doesn't take a long time and there is the sound of a knock on the door. He glances back over his shoulder, curious about the surrounding neighborhood and those milling around it. You don't like this long without paying attention to things. 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue listens intently. "I deal with demons" she says and gets up heading for the door...it's right about now Karrin really should put a peephole in the door. Prue's not got X-ray vision. Unlike, say, hm....unlike, say, mutants. Prue's just a regular old witch and yet...she opens the door, ready to throw whoever or whatever is out there back away from the lot if neeed. Instead she spies Duncan. "Hey, you showed up. C'mon in. hey Karrin, I got a friend here who works in aintiques too" Prue offers and half turns. "Mind if he joins us?" Translation: More people to discuss the coins, get drunk on beer and oh yeah, eat donuts and sip tea too. Prue may need to run out and get more food at this rate... 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers sighs, shaking her head, taking another sip of beer. "Geez. I guess that's the fallen angel connection huh? So we're basically talking about cursed demon coins..And there are seriously 30 of those creatures out there? Like those two weren't bad enough..Well they're definitely different from Zach.." She glances to the door, smiles and waves to Duncan, "Heey, didn't know you were into antiques like Prue, that's cool. Good to see you again.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' Karrin is about to say something more, but then there's a knock. She wasn't expecting anyone else and Harry hasn't knocked in ages so her paranoia radar is already keying off. She shifts to maybe get up, but Prue didn't seem surprised and was already on her way to the door. Instead, Karrin frowns a bit more and nods for her to open it as she reaches into the little drawer on the end table beneath her lamp. She doesn't draw the gun out or even unsafety it yet, but her hand is very ready. Instead, Prue seems to know -- to even expect -- the man at the door. And Buffy does as well. Karrin takes a slow breath in through her nose to calm the adrenaline suddenly rushing through her system and forces a smile on her face. "...Ah... of... Course. Come in. Pardon me for not getting up." She slowly slides the gun drawer back shut again. Nothing to see here. "I'm Karrin Murphy...welcome to my ... House. There's beer, tea, water, whiskey, and donuts. You don't start anything with me, I won't start anything with you." But the tone of her voice says she will not be scared to finish it. "...Buff. Prue. You... actually trust this man with your lives? Because we can talk this through later." There might be a reason the small blonde woman was quite so dour. But then, the heavy bandage across her bare left shoulder and the brusing on her face is enough to say she's probably had a long week. 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      Duncan looks amused initially at Prue's comment,"Of course." He offers her a smile and looks over the house quick to see those around. Noting Buffy he offers a polite smile,"Miss Summers. It's good to see you again."      His attention moves to Karrin and he offers a nod. A nod to her as well and he replies,"Thank you Miss Murphy." he adds. He considers her expression and leaves the question unasked.      Instead he looks between the three women and asks,"What can do for you ladies tonight?" He's noting if not professional. A look to Buffy and nods,"I do. I must not have given you a card. Slipping in my old age." 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue looks to Buffy then Karrin. "Yes I know him, he works with antiques in Starling" Prue says and sits back down looking to Duncan. Prue getss another donut and chews on it, waving Duncan over to the chairs. We do trust him" Prue offers to Karrin and shuts up again, no need to anger the lady with the police connections. Alright then...Prue likes not being shot at or shot, nah... Instead she thinks more on the whole coins thing. "So what she said" Prue says gesturing a donut to Buffy, We're dealing with cursed coins? Alright, I can look into it" Prue offers looking hopeful. 

:'''{{#var:328|Buffy Summers (328)}} has posed:''' Buffy Summers regards Duncan thoughtfully, nodding slowly. She doesn't know him as well as Prue but Prue seems to trust him and she trusts Prue Soo.."Well that's cool, I think Thomas bought me a thoughtful gift from your store once." she smirks, "Antique battle axe. Just what a girl needs." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "And...do you have a name, Antiques-Dealer-From-Sterling?" Murphy asks with a still slightly wary, raised eyebrow, but it seems she's offering a peace deal a moment later as she brings another one of the beers out and slides it in his direction on a doily on the elegant antique coffee table. She then nods him into one of the fancy, but still pretty darn comfortable chairs, before looking back to the women. "If he messes this up, it's on you. Harry's gonna be pissed I was talking about this at all. And...is that the axe you were using the other night, Buff? That was... Impressive, to say the least. I'll give Thomas this, he does have taste." But she takes another hard gulp of Prue's beer, letting it relax her shoulders a touch as she continues. "So yes. The coin you had was a part of 30 of these... Coins. They all have the demon in them. When someone's skin touches them..." Like her's did, if for just a moment, "The demon...generally, immediately takes over their body. Or, at least, starts trying to possess their mind. The denarians that we know of...the bodies might be old, but they are just...bodies. The original owners definitely aren't... In control any more. The demons are. They get way stronger, generally can transform into whatever that demon's shape is, like the gorilla-bear-man we saw the other night, are impossible hard to kill... and want to make certain the whole set of coins is... Out there, possessing bodies, doing the devil's work. The church has been trying to lock these coins away for a... very long time." 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      The question of trust getting tossed around certainly gets his attention. He looks between each woman again, pausing at Prue to express a moment of askance, but settles for learning as it goes.      He glances to Buffy and considers a moment,"Thomas...Raith. I remember that axe. I wasn't aware you were the one who was getting it. As I think of it, the weapon suits you. I hope it serves you well."      His attention moves to Karrin and he replies,"Duncan MacLeod." At least he doesn't add "of the clan MacLeod" in the exchance. He takes the beer that is offered to him,"Thank you." He falls silent and starts to listen to the description coins and the raises a brow at the mention of the demons and possession,"How old are these coins? What caused the curse?" Ahh yes, the analysis portion of the understanding, he just missed. 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' "Oh sure, that's romantic" Prue says. "Buy your girl a battle axe. What're you doing with it, chopping vegetables?" she smiles, oh she's not a axes. Not when she can throw things with her mind. GIve Prue an axe. Give her TK...and Prue just gets more dangerous. Prue listens quietly, listening intently. "He's got a business card, here" Prue offers pulling Duncan's business card out of her pocket and sliding it over. Beer goes from Karrin to Duncan. Business card goes from Prue to Karrin. Not quite an equal trade but... Prue nods. "It's all on there I believe. Number checks out. And he was in the museum looking over things so" Prue shrugs and sips her tea more. "Mr. Antiques Dealer from Vancouver is kind of a long name and a mouthful don't you think?" Prue adds with a quiet, wry smile then gives a nod to Duncan. "Judas got paid, coins are evil. I just summed up the last few beers worth of discussion into what...six words?" Prue asks. "Seriously though. Judas got paid to screw over Christ, and the pieces of silver are bad news. You ever heard of Denarians?" Prue asks. "That's what we're dealing with. I had one come across my desk the other day and wondered if you'd ever run into any of the thirty bits of silver?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The card is taken with a thoughtful look, Murphy studying it quietly, lips pressed in a long line, but then she seems to accept whatever she sees and sets it down on the coffee table next to the hurricane candle vase, so it's safe and can be put away later. Prue's explanation gets a quiet nod of affirmation from Murphy, the woman having summarized it well enough without the rambling that comes out of having faced two of them most recently. "Prue's got the short of it. These coins are those pieces of silver, they are inhabited by demons, and... we just had a cross with one. It's now being secured and sent away by the church but...two others of these Denarians did their very best to kill us." She nods to her own bandaged shoulder and over towards Buffy, "Before we got it safely behind holy ground. That's the only saving...grace.. No pun intended. Holy ground really does seem to keep these things out." 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue shivers, "So my question is what was one doing in a coin collection in upstate NY?" she ponders between sips of tea. That's enough to get her head spinning. A coin, hiding in among other coins. "I'm not liking that much. Did I happen to get shipped a collection with the hope somebody would think I'd handle the coin in question?" Prue asks and keeps her tea in hand. "I didn't. I took a photo and went and found Harry. You know, he seems nice enough but he doesn't have a computer, what's up with that?" Oh if only Prue knew the full story... She looks over to Duncan and waits, then shifts her gaze to Karrin and Buffy again. "So how many are out there in the wild do you think?" 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      "The cursed coins of Judas." he mutters softly and nods,"I've been around long enough to hear stories. Not long enough to have ever crossed paths with them that I am aware of." he admits,"The bearers are very protective and obbssessed with them as I undertands them."      He frowns and adds,"I have encountered dark spirits and demons. There are a lot of ancient things in this world that aren't of this world in my experience." To Prue he suggests,"If a demon is in one, the demon will do their level best to get the coin to someone to get out." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' That makes her eyes narrow just a bit at Duncan. He talks like a wizard, like someone who knows these things beyond a regular art dealer. Murphy studies him through clear, careful blue eyes, reevaluating her initial take on the man but not interrupting either. Prue's question draws her gaze as well and she gives a long breath of consideration. "Chances are... someone put it into that collection. These things just don't get...Out. When the host of one of the coins dies, it goes back into being just a coin, yes, but those are coins the demons want to get into another host body quickly. And if the church manages to recover it, they are...quite locked away." She can't entirely hide her frown thinking about the church's security, considering one just got out, it seems. "So...either someone was trying to get you ridden by one of these things. Or someone they thought you'd take it to. I would almost guarantee it was planted there, and that's...worrisome." Karrin laughs a bit about Harry. "Harry's... not computer...Friendly. Something about his magic. It's...complicated. Don't let him get in your car." Karrin winks, only half teasing. "We know of a dozen or so out there right now...probably another dozen with the church. But these thigs... are hard to keep out of circulation. As MacLeod there said, an intelligent demon presence means that thing wants to get back into action every time it's put down." 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue shakes her head, "Great, so a witch, a coin expert on demons and an art dealer who knows about historical things are sat in your house drinking and figuring this out" Prue surmises. "So my question is was it random or did somebody study me and think oh Prue's a good host?" she muses, tea cup empty she pours a second one and stares into it for a moment or two. Mostly since Prue's figuring this out ever so slowly on her own. Prue shakes her head again, running a hand through her hair. "Alright...so they are intelligent things, alright" Prue murmurs. 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      You don't live this long without learning how to read people. Duncan takes a drink of the beer and offers to Karrin,"There is a lot more to me than an antiquities dealer. You're right." he admits with a shrug,"I have had cursed items and similar things come into my possession, but I've also studied such things to make sure I know what I am getting myself in to."      He consideres Prue's question and admits,"You were likely a target of convenience from the coin's perspective. You were there, you have influence, and probably the demon saw something in you that attracted it to you." He looks to Karrin and offers,"Some time if you want we can sit down and have a talk about such things. I am above the board on every level, but I can see why you might not see it that way." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' "I'm not a witch..." Karrin states with a confused blink, "I'm just a cop... Oh. Wait. I'm the expert. So... *You're* the witch?!" Karrin's eyes go a bit wider as she now stares at Prue in a far more curious manner. That changes things dramatically. "Buffy...you really don't keep boring friends, do you?" She mutters, as she gives a casual wave to her friend who has to bow out. Life never slows down, she understands that. Once she makes certain the door shuts again safely (she still might be paranoid), she looks back at the two. "...If you're a witch, I know they've been trying to get a coin into Dresden for a while. Possible they are targetting magic users and, yes, you absolutely were the point of that. The fact you called Dresden to help was just a bonus..." She grimaces at the thought. Then it's back to Duncan and she nods in quiet agreement to his assessment of the situation. "I don't know that the coins themselves physically have sentience, but... there's certainly parts of the universe guiding them to where other Denarians want them to be." And, for a heartbeat or two, her eyes are very distant. Lost somewhere else, thinking about something else. But she tries to shake it off before too long. "MacLeod, I'd...like that very much. If you are as trustable as they say, we could use a few more people with sharp minds about them considering all this stuff. And if you aren't, well...I can generally sniff things out pretty quick, and I'll handle you as needed." It's not really a threat, just a simple promise from a woman who has confidence in her skills. 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue gives Karrin a look. "Do you want me to climb up on the bonfire now or later?" she asks. "I'm not an evil witch. I fight those for a living. If that demon did try anything I'dd do my best to send it back, even if I came up short" Prue nods with certainty in her eyes. "Not all witches are inherently evil" Prue explains and sips her tea again. "I mean, Buffy hangs around with one too, and I've met her, she's the most helpful soul you could find in the area" Willow, that is. "I just keep to myself and my sisters and fight evil on a daily basis, you know? Kind of like what we all do. Just with more evil involved" 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      Though he didn't really give it too much consideration at first, Duncan does smile a little bit at the mention of Prue being a witch. He doesn't comment, just takes a drink of the beer. He doesn't seem too bothered by the cop's statement. Instead he looks at her for a long moment and finally nods,"What I tell you needs to stay between us. Buffy seems OK as well, but that's the line."      He takes another drink and looks from Prue and and Murphy and back to Prue again,"Detective Murphy will find a solid trail back, then there will be a strange stop. You'll find my name somewhere else and there will be a strange end before the start of the story."      He crosses his arms over his chest and to both of them, though maybe a little more towards Prue on the personal level and Karrin on the professional level,"I am Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod. I was born in the highlands of Scottland in 1592. I cannot die." That heavy handed enough for anyone,"I can be killed in a specific way, but I cannot die." 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' The suddenly spill of inisistance that Prue is not a bad witch makes Karrin just blink. While the cop's eyes are often accusatory, this was not one of those moments. She blinks again and just laughs a little, gently shaking her head, "Prue, Prue, hun... Breathe, it's okay. I ... really didn't think you were an evil witch. God knows I dat-... work with Dresden enough, and he's in the damn *phone book* as a *wizard*. I mostly know what I'm getting myself into and it's who people are, not what they do, which really makes them good at your back or someone I might have to put down some day. I never, not for one moment, thought you were in that second category." Karrin's voice is flat but honest. She doesn't mince words when it comes to these things... But she really wasn't expecting the other news. Any worries or reassurances she felt like Prue moreso needed are suddenly melting away as she processes what in the worlds Duncan is saying. She stares at him in dead silence for a handful of heartbeats, trying to process exactly what she's hearing. "Oh." Well, she gets that much of a sound out, at least. "That...sounds... rather exhausting, Mr. MacLeod. Are you a vampire, then?" That she can understand. She's wrapped her mind around immortal vampire sometime in the last few years. 

:'''{{#var:1479|Prue Halliwell (1479)}} has posed:''' Prue doesn't mince words much either, Piper on the other hand would have snarked Murph to death by now...still, though Prue looks relieved with a nervous laugh. Oh, good. Karrin doesn't think she's a bad witch. Nah. Wait till she meets Phoebe. Or something like that. Prue just settles back listening to Karrin and Duncan talk, making mental notes of things to look up on Monday when she heads to work. Because no. Nope, she's not sacrificing her weekend to figure this out. It can, and will if she has her way, wait till Monday morning thank you very much... 

:'''{{#var:7885|Duncan (7885)}} has posed:'''      He shakes his head and makes a face at the mention of vampire,"No, not even close." he assures her. Placing his hand infront of the window he doesn't start to burn. He wasn't smoking when he came in the door either,"You'll find crosses do not bother me in any way and in fact I have a long history around holy ground of any sort." He nods towards the couch and adds,"The pistol you likely have over there won't kill me. It will hurt, but not for long."      Well, at least nobody has freaked out yet. The pair seem to take it better than most do and at least he doesn't have to kill himself and come back from the dead for them to at least accept him on some level. 

:'''{{#var:168|Karrin Murphy (168)}} has posed:''' There is a momentarily amused look on Murphy's features, especially since he did lay out a research trail for them already. "...Alright. Not-vampire-Immortal. I'll... look into things and see how close I can get. Then you get to fill in the blanks after, if we're going to work together. But, I'm glad we're all being... Honest. Now, let's actually drink beer and relax for a little bit before something else comes banging down the door..." Murphy winks to them both as she says that and leans forward, only slightly wincing at the gingerness of her ribs, to bring out the rest of the beers and donuts. The next while is spent in actually lighter, more comfortable conversation before Murphy makes some excuse to get her house back to herself -- namely so she can soak her sore ribs without showing anyone just how much it still hurts. 
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