12042/Happy Birthday Karrin!

Happy Birthday Karrin!
Date of Scene:	20 August 2020
Location:	Harry Dresden's Apartment
Synopsis:	Harry surprises Karrin for her birthday
Cast of Characters:	Harry Dresden, Karrin Murphy, Buffy Summers

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Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry woke up early, long before when Karirn's shift is supposed to start so he can have everything set up 'just right' for when she finally wanders out of the small bedroom and out into the living area. The fireplace is going to take the chill out of the morning air, the coffee is percolating on top of the wood-fire stove, and the scent of bacon wafts through the apartment tantalizing tastebuds with promises of salty, smoky goodness.

And then there are the balloons.

What look to be dozens of them, all blown up and strewn around the apartment floor. A mix of colors, red, blue, pink, and yellow. All of them declaring in one font or another the happiest of birthdays with varying ages announced, none of them higher than a 9.

Then there are the streamers. Strewn about the ceiling and other high anchor points of the apartment, making the place look like some kid TPed the place vigorously on Halloween night.

Finally, the cardboard banner that hangs in the middle of the room, reading 'Happy Birthday, Karen!', with the name crossed out in black marker and with 'Karrin' written in place above it.

Harry is in the kitchen, dressed in one of those tuxedo t-shirts and a pair of black pajama pants, looking like a cheap version of someone's butler as he puts together a plate on a small wooden tray, complete with a glass of milk, orange juice, and a tiny little bottle of champagne to make the mimosa.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Somewhere dimly in the back of her mind, Karrin realized her birthday was this week. On a day where she planned to work, and several, far nicer things had already occured. So, she'd dismissed it as nothing important and promptly forgotten the exact date. Long stretches of patrols make the days run together anyway. So, when she rolls over about an hour before she intends to go into shift and finds Harry not in bed, her frown is one of confusion and worry instead of excitement.

Sure, she could have laid about and been lazily greeted with breakfast in bed, but her mind's jumping to the troublesome reasons Harry could be out of bed, especially with the door of the bathroom still open. "...Mister... did Harry get a client?" She asks of the cat curled up half on her feet. The only response she gets is a vaguely annoyed, sharp toothed yawn before he settles back down. Just because THEY are awake doesn't mean the cat needs to be.

With no good explanation and her head spinning over worries, Karrin slips out of the bed and moves drowsily to the front door, still wearing nothing but one of his long, oversized t-shirts. They are perfect nightgowns on her. "...Harry, you're awake... early..." Her first words are clouded with worry, but the scents of the front room and the view hits her by the time she says early.

She stands there in shock, staring around the decorated room, just a little slack jawed. Her stomach's response is clearly more eager, rumbling wantingly at the smell of bacon and coffee. Still, she blinks. "...shit... that's... today. Isn't it."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"It was last year, when I got you that card," replies Harry as he puts the finishing touches of powdered sugar onto the pancakes he has piled on the plate. "I kind of assumed it wouldn't change. Happy birthday, Karrin! Now go sit down so I can place this in your lap and Mouse can start to beg for bacon.

Harry grabs on of the slices and tosses it to the dog, who promptly gobbles it in one bite and looks up with that doggie smile asking for more.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"...I shoulda known you were up to something food related when the horse wasn't still in the bedroom." Murphy deadpans, but she can't even make her usual sardonic voice right now. She's simply smiling too much. While he's ordered her to sit down, Karrin has a mind of her own as normal and is coming into the kitchen area with him instead.

The tuxedo shirt gets a long look and a bit of a coughed laugh, "...Classy as ever, Dresden. Maybe one of these days, we'll get you a real suit. ... though I am tempted just to tell you to wear that the next time we have to do something fancy and awful with Marcone." Then she's directly at his side, waiting a moment until he's not carrying something hot, then taking her birthday present.

It's a kiss. A very long, very warm, rather hungry kiss. She has to stand on her tip toes to do it and both arms are still around the back of his shoulders, tugging him down into the contact, but it's not the sort of kiss one does lightly. It's the deep sort that normally comes at the end of books or after barely won battles, happy to be alive, hungry for contact, and promising of more.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Don't tempt me," Harry barks with a laugh, "You know I would do it, if for nothing else just to piss him off all the more. Marcone would just sigh and shake his head and look all fatherly disappointed at me, but inside he would just be seething, and we both know how happy that would make me."

As Karrin makes her way into the kitchen, Harry tries to pass over the tray without much success, placing it over to the side as Karrin comes in for that present.

As her arms wrap around him, he returns the favor by wrapping his around her waist, pulling her closer and slightly up to help bridge the distance between them.

The kiss goes on for a moment before Harry's lips pull into a grin even while still pressed to hers. Mumbling around both her lips and his, "Keep this up, and you are going to be late for work."

Meanwhile, a certain furry horse-like animal companion has decided that they are too busy to care if some of the bacon goes missing as Mouse starts to counter-surf for more off of Murphy's plate.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"... just like you shouldn't be tempting me with blowing up Rudolph's car?" Karrin mutters against his lips as she holds onto that kiss for a little longer. The comment about being late for work is just as nice a thought and she goes in for a second kiss, this one just as insistent and a little more exploring. Like she's debating the issue. She's barely broken from his lips when she murmurs, "...it is my birthday. You make very good points." Yes, that's a flirtation.

Then, out of the corner of her eyes, she catches the furry bandit's motions. He's awful close to the counter. She tilts her head just a bit to the side to see over Dresden's shoulder and laughs, pulling away from him as she warmly scolds, "Mouse! You know better, young man. Just because you have the height advantage doesn't mean everything on that level belongs to you."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Difference is I'll actually do it, because like I need any excuses to piss Marcone off," comments Harry with a laugh as Murphy moves away to scold Mouse, who turns his head over to look at her with a half-devoured piece of bacon in his maw. He gives he a sheepish doggie grin, like he understands everything, and trots off towards his bed to savor the strip of meat.

Harry sighs, reaching for the tongs to replace the bacon strips that Mouse managed to get with the extra from the pan. "I always make good points, Muprh. Sometimes you are just to smart to listen to them." The wizard winks in her direction as he offers over the tray, "Now eat, before I distract you more and your breakfast gets cold."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
A gentle shake of her head is given to Mouse, trying to look stern but utterly failing. "You know exactly what you did." She mutters to him, even a slight chuff of a laugh behind her voice. Breakfast plate claimed, not even waiting to sit until she tries some of the bacon herself, Murph pads barefoot over to the couch and flops down.

Once settled, she turns to look him over, her bare legs tucked up beneath her to show a lot of thigh beneath that shirt of his. "...I'm trying to give you my best come hither look, but... the most attractive thing about this outfit is the fact it *would* piss Marcone off. You'll have to try harder to distract me later." But she's eating voraciously, the fresh, hot food the best breakfast she's had in ages. Normally it's coffee and maybe a protein bar.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Making a plate for himself, Harry joins her over on the couch shortly after. "You know any come hither look is going to get me to come hither, Murph. It's not like I am hard to read, or play hard to get unlike some people I know." He grins, popping a bit of bacon into his mouth and chewing slowly. "But don't worry, I will most certainly be distracting you later. After you get back from work and I have a chance to get your present installed."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Short, bare legs quickly stretch out into his lap, in her favourite couch settling position (well, other than nap time. Those times are great too). She smirks at him, "I wasn't playing hard to get, I was BEING... practical and careful. And while you know how to flirt on occasion, you aren't exactly a casanova, my dear." She pops another piece of bacon in her mouth, grinning as she savours the taste, "...but your cooking is definitely winning a few points in your seduction favor." She winks.

Then her mind actually catches up with what he said. She blinks, head tilting a bit as her brain follows the very logical course of what they were talking about to what they ARE talking about. "...Harry, don't tell me you bought one of those sex swing things... I think we... I mean...there are *bases* to cover..."

Harry Dresden has posed:
HArry blinks slack jawed, a piece of bacon lifted halfway to his lips, as he stares at Murphy. The silence is deafening for a few seconds before he just guffaws, tossing his head back in one of the loudest belly laughs that he has probably ever emitted. "Wow, Murph! I mean, I know you have a history but I never expected that was part of it." Still laughing so hard that he can't even eat, he takes the slice of bacon and tosses it over at Mouse who eagerly clomps down on it. "I say a present installed and you immediately go for sex swing? What kind of guy do you think I am, or more over what kind of woman are you?!"

The wizard just grins, his head shaking lightly in amusement. "Um, no. Not a sec swing. If you must know, it is a stand alone claw foot tub. It will be a pain in the ass to fill and drain, but at least you will be able to take a hit soak bath on occasion."

His chuckling subsiding, he shakes his head again and mutters out, "Sex swing...there is more to you than I knew, Murph. I'll make a note for next year."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Yes, it came out of her mouth. No, she can't take it back. And yes, Murphy is now blushing practically up to her ears, especially as he laughs like that. She clears her throat, shaking her head a bit too insistently, "Nonono, I mean.. not that I'm opposed... whatever people want to do, they do...no shaming! You know! I just...it's not... I've just... *HEARD* things..." Implying that no, of course, a good Catholic girl like her hasn't ever used one. Of course not. She blushes a bit harder, burying herself behind a piece of toast and mock glaring at him over her plate of food.

The actual present, however, takes any actual anger out of the glare. She blinks, turning a glancing look towards his bathroom, not bothering to ask exactly how he plans to get it in here. He's a wizard, after all. She stares, half shocked again. "..A... a tub? A warm, gorgeous... tub? Oh hell, Harry... this... Breakfast would have been enough, you know? This is already more than..." Than any of her husbands did for her. But she doesn't voice that aloud, even if it's in her eyes. She really doesn't comprehend a truly nice birthday.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry just keeps grinning, "Uh huh...'heard' things," he says complete with little air quotes, "Probably from Kincaid. Just what all did you two get up to in Hawaii?" teases the wizard.

Conversation turning back to the tub, Harry nods. "A tub. It is going to take up any extra space we have in there, but I think it will be worth it. I was hoping to surprise you with it all filled up and bubbly when you got home tonight, but after the sex swing thing, I figured I should at least come clean."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
A look is leveled in his direction. "Harry. I somehow doubt you *actually* want the answer to that." Karrin mutters flatly in response to the Hawaii question. She's still a little blushed, but doesn't affirm or deny anything. The tub is a far better thought.

"You are..." Karrin stops in the devouring of her food, taking a heartbeat to look up to his face and really look at him. Something in her mind can't seem to believe he's there, her best friend and more. She's looking at him as if she expected he's a dream that is about to disappear. "... you're one of the best things that ever happened to me, Harry. You know that? I know you talk about not knowing how you deserve me but..." She shakes her head, finally taking another bite of her food, plate near empty. "Some days, I think it's the other way around."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Probably not," admits Harry. "Do you have any idea how jealous I was of him? I'm just glad he isn't around anymore, I'm not sure I could handle the competition with grace and dignity."

"Harry chuckles and starts to blush himself at Karrin's words. "Ok, now you are going to get me to blush. Stop." Harry reaches over and unscrews (classy!) the top on the champagne, pouring some into the half-filled glass of orange juice, then passes the glass over towards Murphy. "Happy Birthday, Murph."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
The glass is accepted warmly, smile softening a bit, even if this almost certainly ensures she's not going into work today. She clinks her flute against his before taking a deep, savoring sip of the stuff and sinking down a bit deeper into his lap. She sets her mostly empty plate aside, stealing the last bite off of it, but mostly content to nurse her mimosa now. "Thank you, Harry. And... it was no competition. It... is... no competition. You're someone that... Shit, Harry. I'm moving in. Actually...moving in. Kincaid was a good time but you... You're the first person in a long time to make me think maybe I was wrong about never again. And the scariest thing in my life is that some insane monster or wizard is going to take you from me. So... No competition."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden smiles softly, leaning back into the couch and taking a sip from his own glass. "Oh, don't worry Murph. You couldn't get rid of me that easily. I'm too stubborn to die. I'd probably just end up a ghost haunting you from the other side." He reaches over and pats her on the bare thigh, "Shouldn't you be getting ready for work, love? I didn't mean to delay you this much."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
A look is given from him, to the champagne, back to him. Now, Karrin is really smirking. "I just had a drink. It'd be...morally wrong to go on duty after imbibing. I guess, when I can get myself out of this chair and over to my phone..." She always keeps her cellphone in her little purse right next to the door, hopefully out of wizard frying range, though it's died more than once in the last few months and she's very happy for insurance, "I'll take a sick day. It's my birthday."

"Besides..." She grins wider, "You all dressed up for me. Least I can do is unwrap my present..."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Oh, really Ms. Murphy," grins Harry as he sets the glass of mimosa down on the end table, "Are you the type that unwraps her gifts slow and meticulous, trying to save the paper, or are you the kind that just tears through the paper to get at what is underneath?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"...You know..." Karrin takes another sip of her mimosa and sets it down on the table as she unfolds her legs from his lap and, decision made, makes her way over to her phone. "I'd like to say I'm the slow and meticulous sort..." There is a coy tone to her voice that isn't often there. Playing it slow now, while she texts her call off to the crew at the PD, "Taking my time for the... epic reveal..." She hits send and then looks up to him, something in her eyes like an animal on the hunt.

"...But we both know I'd be lying." And with that, she practically springs on him. The rest of the early morning is spent in activities that are most *definitely* not work, and absolutely distracting him from setting up the gift as intended. But it's also certainly a celebration, until...

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers had learned a bit late that today is Karrin's birthday, so of course she had to come out and surprise her. Ooh and she brought a gift too! Cupcakes with little pink sprinkles and candles. And a shiny silver gift box with who knows what in it. She steps up to the door of the apartment and rungs the bell, hoping she's not interrupting 'something'. "Hello! Anyone home?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Stumbling out of the bedroom in a hastily thrown on robe, his hair a disheveled mess that redefines the word 'bedhead', Harry mumbles under his breath as he makes his way towards the door. "Just a minute," he yells, picking up a now empty whipped cream can and tossing it into a bin in the corner. He gives the apartment a once over, and aside from all the balloons, the streamers, the cardboard banner and all the other birthday type decorations, the room 'seems' the be well enough in order without any evidence of what was going on in there most of the day.

He hopes anyway.

Flicking a hand and mumbling a word to deactivate the wards, Harry opens the door and peers at Buffy, pulling his robe a little more closed. "Oh, hey..." he says, calling louder over his shoulder towards the bedroom. "It's Buffy."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
While Buffy had to wait a minute or so for someone to get dressed to let her in, Mister has been waiting FAR longer as the humans have been neglecting him for *other* petting. One can practically sense the huff from the cat as he barrels into Buffy's ankles, nearly 30 lbs of drive by love, before stalking out for his afternoon hunt. Freedom!

Murphy isn't that long behind Dresden, having pulled herself into a t-shirt and a pair of her gym shorts. Granted, the t-shirt is on backwards and her bobbed hair is definitely more mussed than Buffy has ever seen it other than hung over mornings. But she definitely doesn't look like she was sleeping. The living room is in mostly celebration order, but there's a black t-shirt tossed carelessly across the coffee table, the top of it looking like one of those painted on tuxes? And another t-shirt on the floor, tossed hap hazardly.

"...Buff! Ah...hey, goodness, uh... Come in! There's coffee...somewhere. And cold bacon...and... I think we have mimosas left. Come in!" See? Everything is perfectly normal! Perfectly normal afternoon and day in this perfectly normal, quiet, boring household. At least, that's what Karrin's too wide smile says.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers stares slowly at Harry a few moments..lAnd fails at hiding the bemused smirk. Nit like that's new really. "Oh hey Darth...Errr Harry!" she chirps cheerfully as she steps in, peering around and smiles briefly at the big cat, petting his head before following Harry's gaze. Towards the bedroom. "Oh.....Oh! Did I interrupt...? Geez, I'm sorry, just wanted to say..."

Hazel eyes light up at the sight of Murphy and she smiles, stepping towards her to hug her, mindful of her cupcakes and gift. "Karrin! Happy Birthday!"

Oh Yea she noticed all the birthday streamers and mess. And overly comfy bed clothes. That bemused smile lingers on her face.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Yeah, yeah.." spouts Harry as Buffy makes fun of his attire. "I could have just answered the door naked. Next time, I won't bother with the robe, smartass."

Harry back away from the door, letting Buffy in to get to Karrin. "Don't mind me, I was just installing the swing." He glances over at Karrin and gives her a wink, before quickly moving out of arms length.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
There comes a moment in every woman's life that she wants to hug her best friend, almost goes up to hug her best friend, and then realizes that she smells like sweat and sex and stop short. Karrin's blushing, and it's not just the flush of activity, as she looks between the two. "Oh god, Buffy, thank you... You...uh... God... Thank you. It's not... interrupting. We were... uh... moving. A tub. Into the bathroom. Today's plans, you know..." Murphy is shit at lying.

She reaches forward, taking the box curiously and the cupcakes. "God...these look good. I... look, I haven't showered or done anything today...let me...Just... Stay put a few. Harry, make her a plate...I'll be back and open these..." Then Murph makes a fast retreat into the bathroom, after setting things on the coffee table. A cold shower will help things, for once, a LOT.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks all the more as he suggests alternatives. "Ummm that's okay, Harry." she arches a curious brow though, "Swing? in the apartment...?" ohhh what did she walk into? "Hmmm is this a bad time? I can come back..." when she opens the box she'll find a pair of ornately decorated daggers. "Figured you can't always fight at a distance. They might come in handy, hope you like em.."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry chuckles, watching as Karrin runs off to leave him hanging and handling the situation. Shaking his head, Harry replies, "It's an inside joke, Buffy. Don't worry about it. What can I get you? Beer? Bacon...assuming Mouse hasn't eaten it all that is. I'm sure there is other things roaming around the cabinets if I search hard enough."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, "Heh, suuuure, if you say so. I'm just glad things are going well between you two.." she just winks at him, holding out the tray of super cute baby pink and blue cupcakes with candles. "Ummm well I brought cupcakes! Figured I'd turn all the lights off, and surprise her later, though I imagine none of us wants to sing 'happy birthday' like a bunch of juveniles. Still I like to look at candles in cakes. Even mini cakes." ok so she's weird. so sue her. "Well, beer is always good if you have some.l"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden reaches out and takes the cupcakes from Buffy and nods, walking them over towards the small kitchenette area. "Says who? I have no problem what so ever singing Happy Birthday to her in a very loud, very off-key tone. You all don't have to sing if you don't want."

He sets the cupcakes down on the counter before moving over to the icebox and grabbing himself a Coke, and a beer for Buffy, and makes his way back over towards her. "Feel free to have a seat. Just move balloons or whatever out of the way."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers oohs, "I've never heard you sing before, but I'm sure it'd be amusing.." she grins and winks, following him to the kitchen, grabbing the offered beer with a nod and smile. "Thanks! You know what the funny thing is? Spike's birthday is today too...Of course being a vampire, he's probably sleeping right now.." yeaaah, Buffy and her shady friends. But hey, Thomas didn't turn out to be so bad, right?

Harry Dresden has posed:
"I have the voice of an angel...who is being dipped into a vat of hot oil and has nothing but chain-smoked nothing but unfiltered cigarettes for the last 30 years." smirks Harry, "But that doesn't mean I won't do it just to embarrass her, or myself. I welcome the indignity!"
R"Spike...that's the bleached blonde one, right? I'm sure Karrin is thrilled she shares her birthday with him. We should ask her if she wants a party when she gets out of the shower."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers chuckles a bit, shaking her head. "Really? I'm sure you're exaggerating. Probably just need to practice more. Don't you ever sing in the shower? Or..Talk to....Uh.." right, Karrin was worried he was talking to someone. Or imagining things. Best not to bring that up..

"Yeah, that's him. The guy that everyone seems to think I'm dating. Or dated. Even Thomas. Which I didn't. And am not doing so currently. Or ever.." she sighs, "Honestly, I'm not sure what to do about him. Sure, he's helped me out a bunch of times, but the moment that chip stops working, I'm sure I'll be at the top of his hit list.." Buffy also seems troubled by other things. Which she doesn't exactly voice. But it's there in her troubled eyes.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"No, really, I'm horrible. Trust me, you don't really want to hear me sing. I'm the kind of guy that gets paid to stop singing." Harry takes a sip of his Code and hands over the beer, "I don't see the dilemma, really. If his is a vampire and you think that the chip is going to fail and in doing so he is going to start killing you or anyone else, then dust him. Seems simple enough to me. Stop it from being a problem before it it one."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers sighs, shaking her head slowly as she sips the beer. "Only it's not so simple. I mean, okay fine, so he tried to blockade everyone in highschool,and kill us off one by one before we broke free and my mom hit him with an axe. And sure, he kidnapped Angel and nearly sacrificed him to save his beloved Drusilla. And yes, Drusilla DID eventually kill a fellow slayer and friend.."

And really she should stop there because this doesn't look good for Spike. "..But since the chip, he's..Well he has literally saved my life and the lives of my friends and families multiple times, and he's really...Been there, as a..A friend I guess? And even if things are pretty bad between us lately since I.....Deceived him....Well, what if I was wrong? What if there *is* good in him, in spite of the lack of soul?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Ok, yeah, so I guess that would complicate things. But if it is only the chip that is keeping him from killing everyone, is it also the chip that forces him to help? Or does he just do that on his own." Harry takes a sip of Coke, "Oh, and I would suggest keeping me away from him. Last thing you want is that chip shorting out or failing because I'm around."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers hmms and shakes her head, taking another swig. "The chip only prevents him from harming non-demons. It doesn't compel him to do anything beyond that. So, when he's risked his life countless times to protect my sister for instance, it makes me wonder if...I dunno, he's more than your average vampire..I mean, is that even possible? I know real love is rare among vamps, but he and Drusilla experienced real love. And now.."

She pauses a long moment, taking another swig. "Well he..Claims to be in love with, with 'someone else'".whys she look so flustered all of a sudden?

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry isn't dumb. Sometimes he may not be observant, but he isn't dumb. "Someone else," he replies, "Uh huh. Must be this other person Muffy I have heard about. Looks an awful lot like you, but is of course obviously not you."

Harry shrugs, "I don't know. I honestly don't. Maybe he is? Wouldn't be the first time that something was different about something we took for granted. Maybe he is different, but the question remains...would you trust him if he didn't have that chip?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Finally, far more put together, showered, and less blushing pink, Karrin steps out of the bedroom. She's still in non-work clothes, but has put on a nicer pair of jeans and a comfortable black tank instead of hastily pulled on pajamas. "...Sorry about that. Glad we didn't scare you away." She admits, looking curiously between the two. She caught the very tail end of that conversation and lofts a brow towards Buffy, "Spike, I'm assuming... and Harry does ask a good question." She mutters as she ducks over to the coffee table to steal one of the cupcakes and the box.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blushes a bit, shaking her head quickly, "Heey, don't tease, it's not like I enjoy being a vamp magnet..Besides I'm still in love with your brother, even if he's crazy busy with his club suddenly becoming super popular.." she seems quite sad about that, though she nods, "Seems I always seem to find the exceptions to the rule..."

And finally Karrin returns and she shrugs.

"Yeahh...It's nothing really, just...I once considered him a close friend and confidante, right up until he left recently, then suddenly came back and was...Different, all bitter and angry. I mean, it didn't help that I'd called father foothill to ensure the coin was safely tucked away, and it was briefly misplaced by someone else...I panicked, figured after Spike's sudden interest in the coin, he might have sneaked it out, being a potential way to get rid of the chip's control.."

She falls into silence a few moments, staring up at the portrait of Margaret Le Fay..."Okay, so I felt it necessary to....Deceive him, to sneak in and search fir the coin. Thankfully Forthill called back and the coin was found but.."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Seeing Karrin all clean, dressed, and not smelling of adult activities, Harry looks between the two woman and starts to slowly back towards the bedroom. "That doesn't answer the question, Buffy. Would you trust him if he didn't have the chip? It's a yes or no question, and depending on that answer I think you have yours. Now, if you will excuse me for a moment, I need to go take my own shower and maybe put something on other than a robe."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Karrin leans up on her tip toes, stealing a quiet kiss from Harry before she lets him go off to the shower, her non-cupcake filled hand swatting at his behind just a moment. She waits until he's gone before turning a pointed, blue eyed look back at Buffy. "...Don't dare tell him I said this but... he's got a point. He can be awful observant when he wants to be." Karrin admits softly, a little chuckle beneath her breath.

She then takes another bite of the cupcake before settling it down and curiously beginning to open the box. She can poke at Buffy's emotional uncertainty and satisfy her curiosity at the same time.

Buffy Summers has posed:
"See you later, Harry.." she frowns a bit, shaking her head as she watches Harry leave, "But that's the point, isn't it? I.....Do t know. I really want to trust him. But knowing that chip might or might not be the only reason he's being 'helpful', that an an unhealthy obsession.l..." she shrugs and sighs, flopping on the couch, "I dunno..."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
When Buffy finally manages to answer, Karrin actually pauses in opening her gift. She's more concerned about Buffy than she is a gift that will still be there in five minutes, though she has it cradled in her lap now, like a child who doesn't want to leave a new favourite item behind. "... The little bit I know of the chip, and I COULD be wrong... is not that it makes him helpful. It's that it means it can't be HARMFUL. But...if he's actively helping, doing better?...Buff, that might actually just be...*him*."

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers nods and sighs, sitting next to her. "..,Maybe, I guess. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt...Not that it matters now, yknow, since things went sour between us and he's all Grr and stuff at me.." she even makes the fangs wuth her fingers to emphasize that point.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Karrin's free hand comes over to give Buffy's knee a bit of a squeeze. "Man as old as he is, I don't know that he'll stay that angry for long... You're important in his life, like it or not. I'd have to do more than just fight side by side with him to really give you my opinion, but...he's been damn good in a pinch. Both times. He's had our back, at that warehouse and the fight around the church... That counts for more with me than most." Karrin states gently, trying to give her approval without really shoving Buffy in that direction.

She gives Buffy's leg one more squeeze before her eyes slightly drift off to a corner of the room, the thoughts of the church fight distracting in some way. Her mind is firmly elsewhere for a moment or two before she tries to shake it off, forcing herself to refocus. "..So... Can I open this?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers bites her lip, not looking so convinced, "I dunno...I mean...I want him to be happy, if that's even possible with a soulless vampire, even if...If I'm being honest, I'd be a bit jealous.." she shrugs, taking another sip of beer as she sets the cupcake, candle lit in front of her.

"Go ahead, this is your big day, your cake, your gift...I hope you like it."

Oh yeah, she notices Karrin's mind drifting off, looking elsewhere and she smirks, "You alrught?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Eagerly, Karrin pulls the box open, answer Harry's earlier question of if she opens her presents fast or slow. She's no more patient with this one, really. She blinks as she sees the daggers, gaze going a bit wider, "Oh Buff... these are..." She carefully pulls one out, testing the balance in her hand and the weight of it. Small enough to fit her palm perfectly. She grins the way a woman utterly in love with weapons does when she gets a new piece. "These are *perfect*. And a hell of a lot more pretty than the switch blades I used to carry." She tests the other one, perfectly weighted as well. An excellent set. "You know just what to get a girl."

Then the question of her drifting off comes and Karrin frowns, firmly avoiding looking into that corner that had caught her eyes. "...Fine. Fine. Just...thinking of that fight at the church. It was a rough one, is all. Spike really helped...save all of us." While none of her words are lies, they aren't the whole truth either.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers grins and nods, "Glad you like ' em, I find daggers are pretty versatile, compact and they even have these cool cases to protect em from cutting stuff up." she seems just as excited talking about weapons. No doubt, Buffy has received many as gifts from Thomas. She just smirks at her. "Oh yeah? Sounds like your thoughts are elsewhere but I won't push..I'm just glad you two are finally honest with each other.."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"...I need a few dozen stakes as well, but there's some things a dagger will take care of that guns won't, I've found. So, it's nice to have a proper set. Next will be holster shopping..." Karrin sounds more excited to do that than she would be to go dress or shoe shopping. She really isn't your average sort of gal.

As Buffy mentions not pushing it, she tilts her head in a moment of silent thanks, but gives no more explanation. Her eyes just flicker a heartbeat longer to that corner of the room and then she's done with it. "... I decided to take the day off, so we have been... Being very... *Honest* with each other." Her cheeks pinken just a bit again. "But I need to get out a few hours so he can finish installing the birthday present. He got a claw foot tub... which might be the nicest thing a boyfriend or husband has ever done for me. But fighting it into the place is not something I'm looking forward to..." She states with a slight chuckle.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, "If you pop open the wooden handles they have hidden spikes at the end too." she motions to the buttons in the handles. Heh, There's this really cool antiques place you should check out...And auction house." Yea, they're both weapon nerds aren't they?

She just grins at Karrin's candid response and nods, "Oooh I see..Welll I don't mean to interrupt, but I really should pay my respects to Spike..Feel free to come along too!"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"Just let me tell Harry, and I think I'd love to take a trip to Spike's." Partially to make certain Buffy is safe, partially to actually get a better read on the situation than she can in a few too-fast fights. Karrin goes up to the door of Harry's bedroom and knocks, calling through it. "Harry, I'm headed out with Buffy for a few hours so you can fight with the tub. Good luck. I'll be back. Love you!" And, with that, Karrin pulls on her black combat boots and follows Buffy out the door, resetting the wards after her.