346/Morning, Take Two...

Morning, Take Two...
Date of Scene:	10 May 2017
Location:	Harry's Apartment
Synopsis:	Another awkward morning for Harry and Karrin as they struggle to find common ground about their feelings.
Cast of Characters:	Harry Dresden, Karrin Murphy, 184

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Harry Dresden has posed:
Thirty minutes. That is what Karrin asked Mister for, and that is what the cat gave them more or less. At thirty minutes and some change there is a mewling as Mister hops up onto the back of the couch. Thirty-three minutes later, Mister decides he has had just about enough and pounces onto the pair.

Harry's eyes open wide as thirty pounds of cat land on his gut and he lets out a string of expletives. "Ok..ok.. I'm up you damned feline. Christ, cat...grow some opposable thumbs already." He looks down to Murphy and sighs, "The master of the house demands his sacrifice."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
While Harry's stomach got the brunt of cat-doom-from-above, Karrin's hip got a good bit of flop and tail, jerking her awake on his shoulder, a sharp intake of breath pulling ather lips. "Dammit... Mister... I'm...damn... awake..." She rasps out, no longer finding the large ball of gray fur at all amusing. That sleep had been nice. Warm. Harry had been warm. And now they ahd to move. Really had to. She gives one last little groan and then gently begins to extract her body from around Harry, making no comment about how many parts of her were wrapped around how many parts of him. It was just so they could fit on the couch.

Really.

After halfway falling backwards off the couch, Karrin manages to stumble up onto her feet and stretch out with a loud crack of her back and pop of her left hip. She gives a little groan again. "...alright, maybe next time we get over ourselves and use a damn bed..." She mutters, padding in the direction of his little kitchen, "You better have coffee."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"In the kitchen..." groans Harry as he starts to rise from the couch, first sliding his legs off and planting his feet before moving to adjust his body to a more vertical position, his back mimicking the popping and cracking of Karrin's back. "Cabinet left of the sink."

Once he rises from the couch, Harry reaches over his head and stretches letting out another loud groan as more vertebrate pop and realign from a night on the couch. He looks to Karrin, watching her for a moment as she looks for the coffee and smiles to himself at some internal dialogue. Snapping himself out of his internal monologue, he shakes his head and moves to fix Mister his breakfast. "If we use the bed I promise to behave, Karrin. My back will thank you."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"You beast. You'll have to learn, when I say 30 minutes, I mean two hours..." Karrin mutters towards Mister, as he winds between her legs, following her into the kitchen because he really doesn't care WHO feeds him, only that he's GOING to get fed soon. And poor Bob is still just hanging out, cheek down, on the floor where Karrin knocked him last night. She's still leaving him there. Possibly because she forgot but, more likely, it's her quiet revenge. She pauses a moment, looking between cat and coffee maker, but then Dresden is moving into the kitchen and helping her from her moral crisis of help herself or feline first. So, she starts to make coffee.

"Behave? You? Should be careful, your nose is gonna start growing, you keep talking like that..." Karrin mutters gruffly, but she cannot quite hide a slight smile from her words as she pulls down coffee grinds and dumps them into a filter. She makes her coffee strong. She then looks back over to him, catching some *look* in his eyes. Perhaps the lingering edges of that smile, "...what? What's that look about? All... dopey. Don't get dopey on me, Dresden."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry pulls out some cold cuts from the icebox and drops them into Mister's dish. The feline moves to his bowl and starts to eat the offerings with a purr.

Harry start to pull the makings of a breakfast out from the icebox, and looks over to Karrin, "Please. I am a perfect gentleman. What have I ever done that would cause you to say otherwise?" The wizard smirks, taking the eggs and bacon over towards the wood fire stove, "Dopey? Really? Do I look like a dwarf, Murph?" He snorts and gives her a pointed look, opening his mouth to say something else, but thinking the wiser of it and shutting it again.

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

Harry Dresden has posed:
"And get my ass kicked for making a dwarf joke? I have better sense than that, Murph." barks Dresden with a grin. "I mean, I do have some sense of self preservation. Not much, but some."

He turns to start frying up the bacon and eggs on the stove top, spicing them up with a little salt and pepper. "But if you want to talk about last night...i'm not sure what to say. I don't regret anything, that is for sure."

He takes the bacon and eggs off the stove, and starts to plate them up onto a pair of wooden platters, "Well maybe I have one regret, but it's one I can live with."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"You are so lucky I'm still half asleep, and not armed, or you'd be paste on the floor, Dresden." Karrin mutters in response to his dwarf joke, though her lips still crack in a bit of a smile. She's in too good of a mood to genuinely be angry, but he does get some random bit of detrius off of his counter thrown in the direction of his head. He deserves it.

Then he's going on about last night and her expression grows more somber. Not sad, but contemplative. She says nothing for a few heartbeats, leaning over to pour out a proper dose of coffee for herself and add some liberal sugar. Once she has it, coffee nursing between her hands, she sinks back into leaning against the counter and watches him cook. "I don't regret it either. Hell... I wish it had happened sooner. The shit we go through, Harry?... We have to trust each other. Have to. And you shouldn't be doing this alone. I know you've done it a long damn time on your own but... Even wizards break..." She breathes out gently, actual concern behind her voice. Especially after everything she heard. She then blinks, "...One regret?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Letting out a little laugh as Harry ducks his head to the side to avoid the incoming projectile, "Yeah, well, I have to get them in when I can and your defenses are down. We both know you are too much woman for me, Murph. Now come and eat your breakfast...i'm told it is the most important meal of the day."

Harry pops a bit of bacon in his mouth, and his head nods in agreement with Karrin as she speaks of the trust and the need for knowledge. "No, I get it. I do. I just wanted to keep you safe...there are things out there that you just can't handle with a gun and a pair of handcuffs, and I didn't want you going off all righteous warrior and getting yourself killed." He pauses to take a sip of his coffee, "I care about you way to much."

He leans back, combing his fingers through his hair as he lets out a little sign through his nose, "I'd rather I be the one that breaks, Murph. I don't /want/ to be the one that breaks, and I try my damnedest to not to, but if comes down to you or me, I'm going to choose me. Every. Single. Time. Call it chauvinistic, call it chivalry, call it whatever you will, but damned if I am not going to take that bullet for you if I can."

He takes a forkful of eggs, and shovels them into his mouth, casting his eyes up towards heres for a moment as he ignores anything regarding regrets.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Murph takes the plate of food and her coffee, wordlessly nodding back towards the couch now that they are fed. She wasn't having this conversation awkwardly hovering in the kitchen like they were both running off to work any moment, or just having casual talk about the weather. She takes a good gulp of her coffee before speaking as they walk. "You're going to choose you, Harry. That's where you're wrong. I choose *neither* of us. We just don't break. We're stronger together, and if we can't do it, we get other people. We DON'T fail. We can't afford to fail. This city cannot afford for us to fail. You don't go into a fight planning to lose, even in the long run. You just don't. Got it?" Karrin states flatly, her voice serious enough to say this actually matters a great deal to her.

She then sets her things down and finally leans over, grabbing up Bob. "Not a word." She looks over to Harry, "He's like a bird, right? Just put a cover over him?" She takes skull and blanket from last night, bringing them over to a shelf and carefully covering him, but with actual respect this time. No need to piss off a skull, right, expecially after just leaving him there all night. It wasn't her best moment.

She then sighs and looks back to Harry. "You still didn't tell me about that regret." No, she's not going to drop it.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Oh I never go into a fight expecting to loose." Harry says as he chews on another piece of bacon. "You know me well enough to know I am a survivor. I don't know what you saw in me, and I don't want to know, but if anything I would expect you to see that. I do what I can, even if I make stupid decisions in the heat of the moment to give me any edge I think I might need."

As Karrin moves to pick up Bob, he shrugs. "Not really. The blankets won't keep him from piping up if he decides to interject his unwanted and unneeded advise. If you really don't want him spouting off, I can put him back in the lab. I'm surprised he is actually being quiet now, to be honest."

"I'm trying to be good, Harry." says a voice muffled under the blanket, "But it is oh so hard." a pause, "That's what she said.", then a snicker. "Sorry...sorry. Couldn't help myself."

Harry groans with a shake of his head. He shovels another mouthful of eggs into his mouth, and then another. Trying to avoid the unavoidable for as long as he can as he stares into his eggs. Finally, he mumbles something at unperceptable levels. "..regret...didn't...balls...you..."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
The skull gets a glare, "...I felt guilty for 2.5 seconds for letting you lay on the floor all night. That guilt is no where to be found now. Shut it or, seriously, the lab." Karrin grumbles at the thing, not removing the blanket. Talking or not, at least he doesn't have to SEE them dance their awkwardness after sleeping together the whole night, neither of them really actually having said a single THING about that yet. Details.

She then walks back over and folds down onto the couch next to him, finally reaching for her food. The bacon is attacked first and she puts a full piece in her mouth before making a sound that could be considered absolutely dirty in response. There is nothing like good, greasy bacon. She scoops up another piece to nibble, curling her knees up against her chest, feet tucking below her. "...So, you were saying about regrets? I'm waiting, Dresden. I literally have all day. They do make us take days off, on occasion."

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

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

Harry Dresden has posed:
Taking a deep breath, Harry lets it out in a very slow and deliberate exhale. He nods once, his eyes closing as he contemplates things, his thoughts racing in his head. "That much is true." he finally admits to himself, his voice coming out in a gentle whisper as he sets his plate down on the table and combs his fingers through his hair once again in a nervous gesture.

It is the simple things, really, that can break someone. Forget torture. Waterboarding, bamboo under the fingernails or hot pokers applied to skin cause pain, but sometimes pain is what strengthens a man's resolve instead of breaking it. A light smile, the gentle caress of fingertips over bare skin...or even just someone tucking their toes under a leg in a gesture of comfortability is what can truly shatter a man's soul. Moments after the toes are comfortably tucked under his leg, he breaks. "I wanted to kiss you last night." he says, blurting it out in a cracking voice that barely registers on the audible level

He doesn't look up, staring at the floor in front of him as he continues, "Hell, Murph...Karrin, I..." He cuts himself off and looks away from her, letting out a little snort of air from his nose, "I regret not just going for it. I'm glad I didn't, because I value your friendship and my jaw being in one piece."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
She knew he was going to say that. Karrin keeps her toes where they are, a touch which is definitely, strangely, a touch more intimate than simply being friends. At least, what their friendship had been previous to this. She takes a bite of eggs and finally just sits her plate down. This isn't an eating conversation. Coffee is taken up again as there is a certain safety net in having her fingertips around her coffee mug and away from touching tempting, handsome, best-guy-in-the-world wizards who were too close for comfort. She breathes out slowly, trying to organize her thoughts. No words come for a long moment.

"...part of me is real damn sad you didn't go for it either." Karrin admits, "And...I probably wouldn't have broken your jaw." She offers that with a half smile, trying to tease, but it's not fully successful. She takes another sip of her coffee, the drink giving her time to further organize thoughts. "But... I value our friendship too. Probably more than almost... anything in the world, right now. And I tend to fuck things up real good when I'm in a relationship. Two divorces would show a pattern... it's probably not them, it's me."

Harry Dresden has posed:
The silence between them is palpable as Karrin finishes speaking. Harry just nods quietly, moving his hand to place it gently over one of the feet nestled under his leg. He leaves it there, giving it a gentle pat before breaking the silence, "And I don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to a love life myself. At least your exes are alive or not turned into something that goes bump in the night. So...yeah. Probably for the best. We would just end up making a mess of things."

He reaches over to grab his coffee, lifting it to his lips and taking a sip from it slowly. "Why risk fucking up a good thing, right? It would be stupid."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
The touch of his fingertips makes her eyes close for a moment. Comfort. Probably the only person in the world she could trust with utterly everything and now she knew it. There was no denying that. Her bare toes wiggle a bit beneath his leg, just the faintest of fond brushes. A silent press and reassurance that she is here, she enjoys this. It is good. Even as their higher brains pull them apart, fight what their bodies clearly know, her toes remain pressed close like that. His words bring a bitter sweet laugh to her lips. "One of them. The other died of cancer. He... didn't even tell me he was sick. What kind of monster was I that he couldn't even tell me he was sick?" There is *damage* there. For all the strength, no shits and will put any threat down attitude Murphy gives to the world, everyone has their demons. This is probably her's way, way deeper than she'd ever admit.

"I don't want to fuck this up, Harry. I can't. You...you deserve better than that. For all the bullshit idiot mistakes you make, you still deserve better." She confirms quietly. "...it would be stupid." Her voice is a touch softer there, not fully convinced. But mostly.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"I'm sorry, Murph. I didn't know." He breaks his thousand yard stare to turn and look at her, lowering the coffee cup back down to the table next to him. The hand resting on her foot idly strokes it much like her toes on his thigh, an absent gesture that transfers his comfort to her just as much as her toes do to him. "I'm sure he had his reasons, but I doubt you being a monster was one of them. Maybe he didn't want you to see him that way, and preferred you to remember him how he was before."

He offers up a small smile, the corners of his mouth raising just a fraction of an inch. "As for what I deserve? I'll be the judge of that, Murph. Hell's bells, I can tell you that if I deserved anything it would sure as hell be lower in quality than you. You are not giving yourself enough credit. I know you, Murph. You can't bullshit me with that."

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

Harry Dresden has posed:
Turning his palm face up, he takes her hand in his and closes his fingers over it gently. "You know, pot. I'm aware I'm black." The corner of his lip twerks up a bit, a slight amusement at her words. "Do you forget that it went both ways? I know exactly who you are, Karrin Murphy, and you do not get to say you are not good enough for anyone...ever."

He keeps his fingers loosely curled around her hand, not letting go but not preventing her from removing it either. "You know that saying...the one that goes something like 'The Truth will set you free' or something like that?" He pauses. "It's utter bullshit."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
A long look is levelled in his direction, pale eyes skeptical and yet she KNOWS he's right. Karrin hates it when he's right. She much better likes it when she's got some ammo against him, but right now they've seen to the darkest corners of each other's souls and are still sitting there. So, really, it can't be that bad. With a long sigh, she just gives his fingertips a tight squeeze. A quiet show of gratitude even if her proud heart doesn't quite bring herself to say it. That bittersweet smile flickers across her mouth again but, when it comes to matters of romance and that side of the heart? She's still not quite ready to give in. Who knew if she'd ever be again.

So, as he goes on, she arches a brow, listening. The comment about utter bullshit is the first thing in a while to draw an actual laugh to her lips, but it's so unexpected that she chokes out that brief cough of a laugh and blinks, "That...is not where I thought you were going with this. But... what brought that on? Look, I get that you think it's more dangerous. But really, Harry, I was going to chase after this shit anyway. Between you, Michael and SI? I'm in. It's better that I know. Your enemies are my enemies, they always were... Now, at least, I just sorta know who is coming after me."

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

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

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Oh for the love of..." says a muffled voice from under the blanket. "Will you two just get over yourselves?! Kiss each other already, or do /something/ but if you aren't going to, then just smash me now so I don't have to continue to hear this drivil."

Harry closes his eyes, and turns very slowly towards the hidden skull. "That's it." he says, as he slowly rises...letting Karrin's hand go at the last possible moment before he reaches for the blanket covered skull, "Back to the lab you go."

He turns to Karrin and gives her an apologetic smile, "Sorry, i'll be back in a moment. If you want to freshen up, the bathroom is just off the bedroom door to the right. I'll warn you now, I don't have hot water. Don't want to risk a water heater explosion. There are spare towels under the sink."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
The muffled voice gets a TRUE death glare, even if a small bit of pink climbs up Karrin's cheeks. She's still murdering Bob with her eyes and the ONLY thing that actually saves him from smashing is the fact that Harry finally does get up to go put him away. One last squeeze of his hand and Karrin lets go. She downs the rest of her coffee like it was a shot of whiskey and pushes herself up into standing.

"Probably for the best. I don't know what you call murdering a skull with an intelligence, but I'm soon to figure it out. And..." She groans low, "No hot water? You're *killin'* me..." Murphy whimpers, heading towards the bathroom. Though, if Harry's ears are particularly sharp, he might hear the very faintest mutter, "...probably could do with a cold shower anyway..." She confesses. It's been a while. A long while.

A minute later, the sound of that cold water running can be heard. It'll be the fastest shower she's ever taken, but it helps wash away a lot and perhaps wake her up away from those tempting thoughts that are sure to ruin what good friendship they do have.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry has always prided himself on being able to listen. Really listen."You an me both." he comments to Murphy as she heads towards the bedroom.

Harry moves one of the rugs from the floor, pulling it aside to reveal the door in the floor leading down to his sub-basement lab. He neglects putting on the heavy robe he usually wears to cut the chill and just moves down the folding steps into the depths below. There are some harsh words in a raised tone that echo up from the door to the lab.

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

Harry Dresden has posed:
Coming up to Murphy in a towel wasn't exactly what he expected. He looks at her for a moment. Eyes lingering on her long enough to just be on the verge of staring before he quickly turns away, clearing his throat as he walks back towards the kitchenette, stopping on the way to pick up the coffee cups.

"Yeah, sorry. Something I've just gotten used to. Didn't need a gas explosion from a malfunctioning water heater on my worry list. I used to heat water on the stove to take a bath, but I had to get rid of the tub. Not enough room."

He refills the coffee and brings the two cups back over, offering Karrin hers as he takes a sip from his. "I might be able to call a favor or two in to see about finding a way to get hot water here....you know...if the need ever arose."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
His staring gets a good smirk, "Oh, come on, Dresden. You've seen way more before. Calves and shoulders are gonna get you going?" Of course, these are *Murphy's* calves and shoulders, a night after they spent the evening sleeping together. Things have changed, as they both admitted. She's just still sort of trying to dance around pretending that they haven't.

She steps back over to accept that cup of coffee, trying not to shiver but it's chilly down here after that shower and she's not used to a basement apartment, she's used to her grandmother's cozy old house that always smelled just SLIGHTLY of mothballs, but she's gotten used to it by now and it's home. For all it's doilies and pinkness. She nestles back down into his couch, still just in that towel because the thought of taking it off to get dressed would be ice cold agony right now. "You know... the hot water heater at my house is so ancient it probably wouldn't blink at you. Just... saying. I mean, not that... it's... Never mind. I'm still waking up. Never mind."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden smirks with a shrug. In for a penny, in for a pound. "I'm just glad I have big towels, but it isn't so much what I can see...it's the thought of what I can't."

He lets out a little snort before sipping at his coffee, "Yeah, yeah...I get it. Maybe I will try the shower at your place sometime and see if I manage not to cause it to fritz." He pauses as a thought comes to him, "Will I have to kneel down to get my head under the faucet? Something tells me it wasn't built for someone as tall as I am."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"My legs are still long enough to kick you, you know. Your hip is right there. It wouldn't even be hard." Karrin mock growls out, shaking her head slowly, "In truth, I pity you. All you have are short jokes. That's all you can come up with? And here I thought wizards were supposed to be inventive or something. So passe`." Karrin half grins, but she's still in too decent a mood to be pissed. What is this good mood thing? She's not certain how she feels about it. It's weird.

She then settles down against him a bit more, stealing some of his heat after that far too cold shower as she lets the second cup of coffee finish turning her into an active person. That person is now remembering the wide world of OTHER obligations she has in front of her. A day off from being a cop just meant a million other matters to handle. "...So... the Batman came up to me the other night again. Trying to get the coin back. He didn't really buy the Church thing. I have a feeling he's going to try to growl at Michael about it. I almost want to watch. Still... I don't think it's the last of this. And there's another strange smuggler coming through town *not* related to the coin... but someone else sent in a super quiet clean up crew. Someone who shoots as good as I do, if not better... and has a metal arm, if not entire torso. It was... strange."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry is quiet for a moment, and then lets out a little chuckle. "Well, that is because it wasn't supposed to be a short joke. I was actually being serious...it's rare to find a showered I can actually stand under." He gives Karrin a grin, and slide a hand around her shoulders to help her curl in and steal some heat. "I should really get the fire going again."

At the mention of the Batman, and the guy with the metal arm, Harry purses his lips. "I should meet this Batguy sometime. If he goes after Michael or the coin... Let's just say if Michael is right and Batman is wrong, I don't want to see the consequences of what can happen. If that coin does hold the essence of a fallen angel, and it gets into someone like Batman's head? We're fucked."

Harry's fingers idly trace patterns in light touches against Karrin's shoulder absentmindedly, "And this is what I mean. Guys with metal arms? How are we supposed to compete with that? Metal arms, people that run around faster than the speed of sound, aliens that shoot heat beams out of there eyes...it's all so bizarre. And that is coming from a guy that can summon a demon to get information...not that Chauncy is all that bad a guy."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Not a single word is said about that touch against her bare shoulder. If both of them pretend it isn't happening, maybe they can carry on enjoying it without over thinking it? Perhaps that would be their relationship for the next god knows how long. Perhaps that would be okay. Without Bob to call them out on it, Karrin can almost relax into the touch without over thinking things. She just sinks into his arm, happily leeching his warmth as she nurses that second mug of coffee. "...Oh. Well. No promises about the shower, but it's worth a try. Murphys aren't exactly... height gifted folks." Karrin admits with a gruff little laugh.

It doesn't last. THe conversations about Batman and all the other strange things they are up against, it's enough to draw her back to the concerning heaviness of reality. "I think the Coin will be fine. Michael is good at inspiring faith in others. Even the Batman. But... I don't regret giving it to the Church. Even if it pisses off Gotham's biggest vigilante. The guy is technically a criminal anyway, he can go screw himself if he wants to cause an issue." Karrin grumbles. "...as for the metal arm. I... think he's on our side? Think? I also have a feeling you could look at him wrong and shut down the whole machine. Seemed like a lot of delicate cyber netics there. I could be wrong. So... I give us a fighting chance. I'd put money on us. At least."

Then her brain catches up to what he's just said and she blinks, sitting up straighter. "...Wait...what? Demon?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"An honest to god hot shower. I don't know the last time I had one of those. It'd be worth kneeling in show shower I think. Getting back up may be a problem, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Maybe I can come up with a containment spell to prevent me from frying technology for a while." mutters Harry, fingertips still idly playing with the skin on her shoulder. If she isn't going to stop him, he isn't going to stop. He is enjoying the closeness wth someone he hasn't had in far to long. If this is the new normal, well...it could be worse.

"I hope so. I'd like to think that he might err on the side of caution with something like this, and if anyone can make him see reason it would be Michael." Harry says with a nod, "How do you set up a meeting with him, anyway? Do you use what spotlight thing?" He takes a sip of his coffee, savoring the warmth and bitterness of the liquid for a moment before swallowing, "Huh. I never thought about it that way. I guess I shouldn't worry to much about the robots in any case. I'm a natural debutant for them."

"Who? Chauncy? Chaunzaggoroth is a demon from the underworld I used to call on occasion to get information. Hamrless really, as far as demons go. Kept trying to recruit me to his side, but he's a demon...thats what they do. Last time I used him was during that whole Lupe Garou fiasco, when I was trying to find MacFinn before..." He stops talking, knowing she knows the rest of that story just as well as he does. "In any case, I don't use him anymore. We had a falling out, and in any case I know I wouldn't be able to afford the price for his service anymore."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Instinctively, inch by inch, Murphy sinks a bit closer. She's not exactly melting into him, she's more so just relaxing after the ice cold shower in the torture chamber that he calls his bathroom. Still, the heat of his arm is very nice and it's helping erase the memories of no hot water heater in his place. She takes another gulp of her coffee, smirking at the thought of the Bat signal, "God no. The man stalks me. He shows up next to my car to growl at me before disappearing into the shadows. If he keeps it up, I'm gonna think the Batman has a crush on me or something. It's really kind of creepy." Karrin mutters about the local vigilante, no fear in her tone. She really just sounds annoyed.

"...and...why would the price be too high? Wait. Never mind. That's good. You shouldn't be summoning demons anyway. Stop it." Karrin lightly swats at his leg, but there is no heart behind it. She's doing it just because that's what a friend should do. And that situation had turned messy.

It's late morning on some random week day, but the Dresden apartment is suspiciously quiet and calm. Karrin's car is parked outside, the little Mazda fairly easy blending into the background, but one might recognize it if they knew what to look for. Downstairs, the pair are currently curled on the couch, fresh coffee and empty plates of breakfast in front of them. Mister is lounging with a full belly halfway between the kitchen and the living area. Oh, and Murphy is in nothing but a towel, her hair freshly damp, with Harry's arm around her shoulder. They might almost be accused of cuddling on the couch.

Don't dare tell them that.

Molly (184) has posed:
The warded state of Harry's hidea--um, his headquarters knows the blue-haired minx who wanders down to the door. Her hyper-modern clothing comes with its own dashes of colour, twinkling bits of LED lights buried into the cobweb blackness of her skirt. She has a motorcycle jacket to keep her warm and the same high-speed bike outside probably belongs to someone else. She, however, is the rider. The shiny helmet sitting on the seat has the frosty finish matching the young woman's general veneer.

The key jangling off a ring with a chibi sorcerer type figurine is slipped into the lock, deadbolt flipped, and whatever magic hums in the air gets a real chance to know her. Or not see her as a threat. She's not a demon! Just a horrible girl about twenty, maybe less.

The door opens and Molly Carpenter slips through a second later. Not wasting any time standing outside, that's for sure. Her gaze flits about the place. All is normal except for... for...

Canoodling.

"Hey, Harry, I brought you extra whipped cream with your waffles!" she cheerfully notes, holding up the paper bag. It could hold a live grenade. It could hold a box of waffles. She is pure mischief incarnate.

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden says, "I should turn the tides on him. Locate him with a tracking spell and just show up unannounced with my duster billowing out behind me." Harry utters with a chuckle, "See if he like it. Though, about 2 seconds later I'd probably be on the floor with me head between my legs kissing my ass goodbye."

"My name, or the last bit of it anyway." Harry says to Murphy with a shrug, "Names uttered from the lips of whom they belong to have power. Having my full name would let Chauncy have some power over me, and trust me...I'm not going to let that happen."

When the door is unlocked and opened, Harry looks up from his place on the couch towards the doorway, "Um...Hi, Grasshopper. Did we have an apointment today?" Harry reaches up and combs his fingers through his hair as he looks to the blue haired girl. "We've already eaten...but thanks? Um...there is coffee on the stove, and probably some leftover bacon." He glances from Karrin to Molly and then back, a sheepish smile forming over his face as he shrugs a shoulder, "Maybe I should start a fire.""

Karrin Murphy has posed:
This is utterly the last thing Murphy expected or knows how to handle right now. Sure, she can pretend a lot of things didn't happen, but once Molly *Carpenter* sees her in nothing but a towel, sitting curled up on Harry's couch? There'd be no denying it now. Or living it down. Murphy's blue eyes go panic wide for a moment or two, considering just how to handle this crisis. Does she pull away from him, insist it didn't happen? Act perfectly normal? Other than looking a little sheepish, Harry seems to be opting for the latter matter. Karrin clears her throat slightly and does finally sit up, straightening herself neatly and trying to look as professional as someone possibly can in nothing but a towel.

"...Ah, Miss Carpenter. Good morning. I... I didn't realize I was interrupting a lesson. And I'm sure Harry could use some extra cream for his *coffee*, if nothing else..." Murphy states that last bit with just a little steel behind her tone, not giving into that mischief in the least. She then straightens up, moving for the bathroom. "...I should start the day, though... If you'll excuse me." Karrin disappears into that bathroom, making quick work of getting back into her clothes.

To Molly's keen eyes and trouble sense, however, they are NO DOUBT yesterday's clothes. Completely wrinkled. Karrin Murphy is doing the walk of shame out of the bathroom, even if she's doing it with her head held high.

Molly (184) has posed:
Molly Carpenter. Daughter of Mr. Michael, beloved of God and angels, and Charity scares us all to death Carpenter.

The swingy skirt and bright smile grow brighter by about four hundred watts. "I'm sorry, Harry didn't tell me he was expecting company." Other than her, was he expecting anyone? The saucy little minx is Miss Manners when she's gotta be. Call it years of practice with lots of siblings. She holds her hands together, fingers lacing in front of her. Rolling forward, she stands on her tiptoes. "I'm sorry, I didn't know I was interrupting you. It is lovely to see you, too, Ms. Murphy." Her smile is full of sunshine and butter be melting, all. Especially because she's squarely staring at Harry rather than the absence of clothes. "I can come back in a few hours. You'll have time to go about your visit without me interrupting."

A friendly wiggle of her fingers waves to Mister. The fluffy full feline cannot be ignored. Not when he's right there, nope. She bends. Fluffy side petting will ensue.

Karrin hopefully gets a graceful exit to find some clothes. The raise of her eyebrows says VOLUMES to Harry, lots and lots. Her mouth goes into a wider grin. "Don't you tell me... I should have brought a bottle of whipped cream. Ooh, some maraschino cherries. Anything else you want me to nip out for?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
For what it is worth, Harry is still dressed and the clothes he is in look like they have been slept in with as wrinkled as they are. The wizard just looks between the Winter Lady and Murphy, his smile faltering as things start to dissolve into...well, reality. Panic starts to get hold of him as he stands, taking few steps after the Lieutenant. "Murph...Karrin...I didn't know she was going to come over. You don't have to go..." is about as far as he gets before the bedroom door closes in his face.

He turns to Molly, combing his fingers through his hair in that nervous tick of his as he looks to the faire queen. He still has a hard time not thinking of her as just his apprentice. "Molly, nothing happened. We just fell asleep on the couch, she took a shower. It wasn't what it looked like." Well, it was...they really were cuddling on the couch.

Finally, he just gives up and flops back onto the couch, "Hell's bells."

Molly (184) has posed:
"There's enough for two. You don't have to miss out a late lunch and it'll keep until then." Eminent practicality in a pint-sized grin, hard to lose out on. Molly beams even brighter. "They're from Coco Fandango, the waffles are to die for. Whenever you're ready, chow down, right?"

The paper bag is put down where Mister won't immediately besiege it with his kitty dreams of being a Crusading knight or an infidel slayer or something. Mew, mew, die fiend! The flicker of little lights continues. Blue, green, and violet shine in motion. She ventures a hasty back pedal and peeks up at the door, then gets her hands on it. "Later, Harry gator. It'll keep, you can learn about the guy trying to make the city a *whole* lot of winter forever after you're done. It's all good. Give hugs and snugs to your pretty police bug!"

Exeunt Molly.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
The woman is still a cop. She can get dressed in 45 seconds flat. Really, it takes her about two minutes, but not too much longer and Murphy is coming back out of the back room, Harry's slightly desperate words still echoing in her head. She gives him a half understanding smile, "I know, Dresden. It's fine. Don't panic. It's not like I'm going to stop talking to you for a week. I'm sure you're doing to do something idiotic and I'll need to yell at you within a few days." Karrin gives him a teasing little smile and a small wink, looking straight in his direction, reassing for a heartbeat or two, before she settles down to grab at her boots.

That might be something else Molly notices, if she's paying attention at all and not just spoiling Mister even more rotten -- Karrin looked him in the eyes. Directly in the eyes. Karrin is saying nothing about it as she quickly laces up her squat, rather ugly, steel toed boots. "Molly, try not to torture him too much. I know it's thorough fun, but he's a man and he only has so much blood supply to go so many places..." But then the young woman is already making her exit as well.

Damn. Did Molly literally only stop in to make it awkward? Karrin gives a little smirk and a glare at her back, "...I am not a bug." She mutters before leaning down to finish tying her boots. "...But I SHOULD get moving. I still need to check in on about three leads and see what I can clean up after the Posada mess." Also known as Karrin plans to work on her day off. She always works on her day off. Besides, she was fully dressed now.

Harry Dresden has posed:
As Molly leaves, Harry lifts his fingers and starts rubbing at his temples while he shakes his head slowly. He is quiet for a moment of reflection on the comedy of errors in just happened before he looks over to Karrin then back a the door, "Wait...what? Guy trying to make the city winter?"

He looks back to Karrin as she starts to lace up her boots, "You're probably right. I'm sure I'll do something asinine within the week. At least the last 12 hours or so were relatively free of idiocy." The wizard manages a small smile, rising up from the couch and making the few steps over towards Karrin. He braves this new paradigm he thinks the two have and reaches out to put a hand on her shoulder, "Call me if you need anything, Murph."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Boots in place, rumpled shirt across her fit figure, hair still drying and smelling like his soap, Murphy looks up to him as he rests that hand on her shoulder. Even with Molly's little intrusion, she's having enough courage to at least keep at this level. If anything, she's lingering a bit closer. Maybe waiting? Hoping? Maybe not. But her fingertips come up, gently resting on the sides of his ribs for lack of anywhere else to go. Despite the rush into clothes, she didn't quite seem eager to leave.

"...I'd say this was a pretty good track record of 12 hours, Dresden... you might be onto something here." She murmurs softly, a smile stealing across her lips which wasn't a smirk, for once. Wasn't a tease. It was just a soft smile, mixed with gratitude and a strangely fond look. She could get used to this. "I'll call. Only if you promise the same.'

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry nods, "I will."

Slipping his hand from her shoulder to her upper back, he pulls her in closer for a genuine hug. They have been playing the half hugging not really committing to a real embrace game all night and morning, so if she is going to leave he is damned well going to give her a proper hug as a sendoff.

He looks down at her, a small but genuine smile on his face as he gazes into her eyes for a moment, "Be safe, Karrin." He lowers his head, bending at the waist ever so slightly to close the distance, aiming to plant an affectionate kiss on the top of her forehead.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
The hug is perfect. It's more than she could have asked for and exactly what she needed. Karrin leans up into the hug, pressing her small, taunt frame against him and wrapping him up so tightly it's like they could drown in each other. That hug says so much more than she can actually speak, her head pressed into his neck, breathing so deeply of his scent. She holds on a few heartbeats longer than necessary before pulling back just enough to accept the kiss.

No short jokes. No punch to his jaw. Just a quiet smile and a momentary shutting of her eyes. It was going to be a good day, starting like that. "...You too, Harry. Call. If you need *anything*... call." She whispers, but inches from his mouth. She gives his ribs one more squeeze and then reluctantly lets go. A moment later she's turning and disappearing up the steps, almost knocked over as Mister goes flying out before her. "MISTER!" She huffs as she goes with loving annoyance...

Her car can be heard starting up a minute later, and then she is gone.