Voice

[harrydresden]

[The device gives a horrible feedback squeal then crackles loudly all of a sudden, cuts out a bit before you finally hear Harry swearing to himself apparently close to the phone because it's really loud. And then a pause with some rustling noises like leaves or curtains.]

THERE it is.

Oh crap.

Seriously? Months of that and now we're back here? I need a freaking beer.

[ooc: Harry has been canon updated, beware the spoilers if you try to press him for what happened while he was away, if you see him in person he's a lot thinner, with more muscle and has an even cooler jacket on. Also longer hair and some temper/self-control issues.]

Comments

action?

[justamessenger]

[Dulcie went ahead and got them a pitcher. It seems like he needs it.]

yessireebob I'm going prose

[harrydresden]

Harry wandered into the more dimly lit area and glanced around until he saw the flash of pale hair and then shifts through people to get to her. Settling into the booth he smiled and nodded at her. "Hey there, you look none the worse for the wear."

[justamessenger]

"I can say the same thing about you. And here I was thinking you'd stood me up. Wanna drink?" She lounges comfortably back in the booth, Doc Marten-clad feet propped up next to her.

[harrydresden]

"Do I ever." He maneuvered himself into the booth and relaxed. "People keep jumping out at me, I almost whacked a librarian. Thought they weren't generally the adventurous type."

[justamessenger]

She laughs and pours him a glass, "I think it's curse related. They're going for the twelve days of Christmas theme this year. It's pretty cute actually."

[harrydresden]

That earned an eyebrow raise, "What day of Christmas is the jump out and give people a heart attack day?"

Taking the drink he took a heavy pull before setting it down and letting his muscles relax a little. "Cute. Only a girl would call it cute." But he seemed amused by her description. She always was cheerfully peppy about things.

[justamessenger]

"Lords a leapin', remember? You need to brush up on the classics." She grinned and took together pull at her beer. "You hang around as long as I have you learn to appreciate the wacky from the actively malicious."

[harrydresden]

"I always imagined that as a bunch of guys in tights doing those ballet leaps not dropping off roofs or out of garbage cans like assassins. It's not Ninja's leaping." He puffed a breath. "I'd feel pretty bad if I killed someone by accident. I am strung way to tight for this crap today."

[justamessenger]

"I guess even Christmas traditions have to move with the times. And ninja's are pretty cool these days."

You do seem tense, Harry. She slips a small, calloused hand against the back of his neck (yes she can reach when he's sitting down). "I hear yoga and deep breathing does wonders for that. Although I've always been a bigger believer in just getting wasted until you don't notice any more."

[harrydresden]

"You crazy kids need to get off my lawn." He grumped goodnaturedly.

When her hand slips behind his neck he pauses in surprise and then curious wariness. Women aren't in the habit of touching him like that much without also trying to kill him. "Yoga's the body pretzel thing right? I don't know if I bend those ways." He flahes a big grin at the second part though. "Inebriation amnesia! Not the wisest course of action but sometimes worthwhile."

[justamessenger]

"Wisdom's over-rated anyway." She waits until she feels him relax again before she starts moving her hand, just rubbing the back of his neck enough to let out some of the tension. He may not be used to being touched but Dulcie has a hard time getting throughout the day without putting her hands on someone.

[harrydresden]

He relaxes a little as her fingers start working in the muscles of his neck. He could get used to this. Beautiful woman touching him without wanting to kill him. It's a nice break. His eyes close and he makes a soft groaning sound. "That feels awesome."

[justamessenger]

"Small hands. More useful than you'd think." She lets her fingers dig a little deeper. She's got stronger hands than you'd think for someone her size.

[harrydresden]

OK, he's just going to lean forward and rest his chin on his hand to make it easier for you. "Whatever size they are you should charge by the minute for this. You'd make a fortune. Uh... after you finished with me I mean."

[justamessenger]

"Does that mean I can charge you? Because I should worn you I don't break out the neck messages for just about anyone, this is exclusive stuff right here." She laughs a little as she speaks. She can tell Harry is still on edge, and dammit if it doesn't set off every angel instinct she's got.

[harrydresden]

"You can charge me but I warn you I have basically no money. Squeezing blood out of a rock kinda thing." He let out a soft groan and slumped a little farther forward. "You know I think this is the most relaxed I've been in three months."

[justamessenger]

"I'm glad to help."

With the way he's slumped over it's only too easy to slide in behind him a little more, her chin resting on his shoulder.

"Did you want to talk about what happened, cowboy?"

[harrydresden]

He blinks as she presses closer, feeling a whole half of her body press up against his back. Something curls awake inside him and he takes a moment to try to club it back down.

"Uh..."

Give him a sec.

"Er, nothing much to talk about. Finally took up my mantel in my new job. Not the best job in the world."

[justamessenger]

Take all the time you need. "Which job is that?"

[harrydresden]

He tries to ignore the woman draped across him and clears his throat. "Winter Knight."

[justamessenger]

Why do you ignore, Harry, she's trying very hard not to be. "Sounds important, that."

[harrydresden]

Because THINGS lady! The mantel's hard enough to control without him letting out his inner caveman. "Eh, more like powerful but disposable."

[justamessenger]

"Eugh, gross. That's not a nice feeling," she slides the pitcher over, "You should drink more."

[harrydresden]

Harry pours himself more beer and sighs. "Well, I suppose at the very least things are starting to make some sense in my life. Which of course only make them more confusing. I thought I had things to deal with before I went back. I swear my life is like a downward spiral. You know how they say you can't sink any lower? I think you pretty much always can. You just never realize how deep things get." He took a sip and presses his lips together. It's ok to talk here no one remembers things back home. But things back home have gone all screwy so vagueness will have to do just to be safe.

[justamessenger]

"Just because there's further down to go doesn't mean you can't start trying to make your way back up."