658/Dresden Counseling Services feat. Harry and Ahri

Dresden Counseling Services feat. Harry and Ahri
Date of Scene:	22 September 2014
Location:	Dresden's Apartment
Synopsis:	Harry and Ahri talk over Kumiho issues and try to get the foxlady more exposure to people in the Union
Cast of Characters:	206, 491

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Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    It is a quiet evening in the Dresden Household. Though that's putting it strongly. Harry's place is definately a bachelor pad. A bunker of a home that's entirely second hand and a little run down but homey.

    And even Ahri will sense on her way in that there's wards, wards and more wards on this place, a defensive weaving of spells powerful enough to nuke any supernatural beasties who aren't welcome. Ahri is though. She's even got tea, as Harry bustles around in the living room. "Bluh, okay, so. How are you feeling today? Any better?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    Wonderful wonderful tea. It was something she clearly enjoyed! "Ah, not bad, no, I can't complain, actually! Not with this tea, either, it's very good," she comments as he moves all about the house. As for wards? No lens. She's clueless to their presence! Mostly. That 'being watched' feeling hasn't faded very much since she arrived. "I hope I didn't surprise you yesterday?"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    "Nah, not really. This is... uh, something that happens. You know I'm the only public wizard herein Chicago, right? Advertising and everything." A smile, and Harry sits down next to Ahri, looking at the fox lady. "And when people are serious enough to take me up on that, I get serious. Mostly. Especially lady foxes." And Foxy Ladies. But harry is a Dirty Man.

Ahri (491) has posed:
    "Well, I was told you know a lot about things so, why not come visit and ask about some of it? Multiverse is too big to figure it out alone, right?" Which is what she was going to do! In a second. Because she was working up her nerve to it. She had only talked about what she had to do to people in the League. This was... something else. She had a feeling he probably knew what she was already, though. "I will say, though? It's a very busy city."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    A grin from Harry. "Well, that's true. It's a buzy place and we're all sorta abrupt here, but..." He does look a bit at Ahri, sensing the hesitance. "Right, so, you're not the first phage I've dealt with, alright. Believe it or not, I've got plenty of... acquaintences who are vampires. I wouldn't call most of them friends, but a few."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    "A .. what?" Phage? The only phage Ahri knows of belongs in a trinity force. Which she doesn't have with her. It DOES help that he seems to know a lot of other supernatural whatchamacallits, at least. "Oh, well, I only know one vampire and he's ... weird." Vlad. Ugh. Jerk. She's dancing between confused and uncertain where to take the conversation. "I don't think I'm a vampire?"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    "Phage. Things that feed on others in the sense that... ah." He shuffles over towards one of the book cases, and pulls out a old tome. "So. There's a number of things that you end up being... similar to, but the closest one I could find of your sort would be a gumiho or kumiho. Korean variant of a kitsune. Fox spirit." He flips open a book to a old woodprint of a fox spirit 'seducing' a poor fellow with ghost bits coming out of him.

Ahri (491) has posed:
    "Ah, haha, you really do know about these things," Ahri muses before taking a look at the book. A careful eye could see her form droop just a little. "That's... mm..." Yep, he knew, no point in hiding it. "THat's what I used to do . . . a lot."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry hmphs, and matter of factly turns the book. It's written in Latin, and his Latin is extremely rusty, but... "Okay, so, that's what you did, a lot. Not so different from a friend of mine. Name's Thomas, and he's a White Court vampire. Incubus, you might call them. Sort of the male version of you, only without..." He pokes at an ear.

Ahri (491) has posed:
    A huff is her initial response. "Exactly. Did. And trying NOT to DO, Harry," she says, almost growling while she says it. "You don't have to be so blunt about it," she adds before taking another breath, sighing, "I joined the League as an alternative, but well," a shrug, "If you happened to catch my fight with Jinx... I .. lose control if I get too .. well, hungry, for lack of a better word."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry grumps. "Yeah, I caught it once you started poking around for help. Looks to me like you took down a crazy lady with a crap ton of guns in a manner that was acceptable on... whatever you call the League." He closes the book, and looks to Ahri. "The question is what do you feel about it, and why?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    A headtilt, "About what part? The league? Or me? I mean, I have to feed cause I'll end up turning back into a fox. . . Though I guess I don't know how I know that either?" Facerub. "It's all so damn complicated! There's all these emotions and I'm supposed to know things and I don't but then there are somethings I do and," she could ramble like this for a minute. easy. "I mean, I like my powers! They sent me to the Union so I could do just that and then I end up in this weird group and I can't even SAY i'm union and it's too complicated!"
Breath. Better speak now.

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry Dresden sighs, and grumbles, and plants a hand in Ahri's hair, huffing. "Slow down, Grasshopper. Slow down, you're gonna think yourself into a tizzy." Not that she hasn't already. The Wizard grumps, and just holds the hand there, trying to make some sort of contact. "Okay, let's slow this down and take it one piece at a time. You haven't been around much after the fight. But you need energy to live, right? What have you been doing since then?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    She was JUST about to rev back up, but the hand acts like a mute button, ears splaying out, and her entire next thought suddenly escapes her. A blink, a question, then she answers a bit more calmly, "Um.. well, I slipped back to the institute and was put on the Fields a few times. That's .. how I always handled it before..

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Okay good. Harry's hand stays there in the hair, and he grumps. "Okay, that's a start. A good start. Next step. She's a fed, but you seem upset about what you did to Jinx. Did you apologize?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    She has to think about that a moment. . . . "... No. I don't think so. I mean.. we've been on the fields on the same side and opposite, so, we know how it goes. There's no malice! ... Usually."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry nods again, and fingers rub just a bit at hair. "Have you brought this up with anyone else? Have you been trying to talk with others here in the Union?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    This question gets a grunt out of her, "I'm a 'last chancer', what do they care?" she mutters. "I went there to try and help and instead, cause of what I am, I got shoved into a group where it feels like I can't even do anything to prove myself to them. How can you WORK for the Union when you can't say you work for them???"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    The hand stops rubbing. "I was a Provisionary for a long time, you know. Uh."
    Harry rubs at the bridge of his nose with his free hand. "I'm a murderer, Ahri. Or at least, in the eyes of the people I work for here in this world. I killed my uncle with magic."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    That causes some of Ahri's anger to deflate, "You and me both," she notes, rather lowly. She did say she used to feed. A lot. It wasn't always on members of the League. She pauses, then, "erm. Sorry?" That's what she's supposed to say, right?

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry chuckles, and murmurs. "Right, so. Here's what you do. Even if you can't be... publicly identified as a Unionite... Don't be afraid to help. Do you want to make that step forward into the light? Move up in the world, prove yourself to not be a danger?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    "Of course. It's what I was trying to do in the League. They took notice and felt that I could prove it further in the Union, so that's why they sent me here," she says. She does cut herself off from looping back around to her original complaint, though. "I was able to help stop an attack on a town here a little while back.."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    "That's a good start." Harry's fingers start rubbing again, and he relaxes into the couch. "Okay, so. Do some work. Get noticed. Help people. Don't be a liability. All the things you need to be to get up and out of the LC."
    He looks at the kumiho, and those fingers stop again. "You should talk to Na'sa, she managed to get out. See what she did and what she can help you with."

Ahri (491) has posed:
"Mm... that name does sound familiar, actually," Ahri muses, settling against the couch a bit more, to. Another breath, "I've been trying to figure something out, I just haven't been able to. The whole thing with Baron Nashor was a good step but since then I've been .. um.. I can't think of the word, actually.."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry smiles, and pulls that hand up and out of hair, as he stands up and heads for the teakettle. "Reclusive. I know the feeling. I'm all cooped up in my office and world most of the time too. It's comfortable, yeh?" A smile. "Comfort's what we turn to when we're wounded."

    He taps his lips, and points. "What are you doing tomorrow afternoon and evening?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    That wasn't quite the word, but the one he offers suits just as well. "Mm.." tomorrow? "I didn't have any plans? So unless the League calls, I don't know. Did you have a thought?"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry shuffles over to his mail, plucks out a card, and hands it over to Ahri. "Doctor Dresden recommends you go out and go to the party Sir Bedivere and Arturia are throwing. Go out, mingle, be merry. Meet people. That last one is important." He taps Ahri on the forehead with the flat of the envelope. "Meet people and talk with people, got it? Even if you show up late, talk with people."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    The kumiho accepts the card, peers at it, flips it over once or twice, then glances back up at Harry with an even more crestfallen look then earlier. But. If the invitation had an address on it, and she didn't show up.. "Ah. Y-yeah," gulp. Nope, No avoiding it this time, not a chance. "...Harry, I um.." Can't read? She just can't get herself to say it.

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry blinks, and then ohs. "Ah, well." He grumps. "Then ask for a guide. Don't let that be an excuse to not show up. I'm sure you can get something on your radio to get you places." He brings another coffee mug of tea over, and plops next to Ahri again.
    "I'll be there too, so, just find me and you'll find the place."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    That gets her expression to brighten a little more. She isn't sure he caught her meaning, but the other options given meant she'd find her way there. "Thank you, Harry, for everything. Other than Anivia I think you're the only one I've really talked about these things to.. Jinx is too..." crazy, chaotic, loose, "Energetic." how polite.

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    "She is... excitable. Yes." He chuckles a bit, before sipping at his tea and sighing through his nose. "Mmmmh, now then. That's two issues. Well, three." He blinks and looks over at Ahri. "Have you found a place to stay here that isn't with the Institute?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
A shake of her head is given, "I've managed on my own a fair bit, but, nothing permanent," Ahri responds, glancing back. "Used to it, you know?"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry nods, and hmmms. "Then find a nice place if you can. A Home is important." The word Home is spoken with some meaning and carries a sense of belonging. "Being with people and having people around, even for a spirit like yourself... it's an anchor." He pokes an ear again. "And that will help you have something to come back to. Even if you do something foolish."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    Ahri seems to go quiet for a moment, "Well," beat, "That's what I've seen the League as for a while, but something here would be a lot more convenient." More thinking. "I'm not sure where I could stay, Harry. Money isn't something I have a lot of."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry snorts. "Right so. Working for the Union gets you at least a stipend. It keeps me in this place well enough and pays for some of my magical supplies. It's not always a fortune, but... well." He smiles. "Housing is a start."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    "Well, hold on." Harry pulls out a little crystal with a carefully braided wire on it that just fits around his ear. An actual crystal radio!

Ahri (491) has posed:
    Blink. "Wait. I get paid?!" It was probably in the documentation she couldn't read. Oh this changes everything! "I will get -right- on that! Why didn't I thinkn to ask about that- Oh, what's that?" A radio? A more sensible and convenient radio?! How useful!

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry smiles at Ahri's look, before pulling the radio off from around his ear, and handing it to her. "Here, you want it? I've got a couple around here. They're not that hard to make for me. Also, there's your answer right from your Not A Boss Of A Group That Surely Doesn't Exist and Why Am I Even Suggesting That It Does?"

Ahri (491) has posed:
    A bright smile, "Well then, I have about 2 months pay I need to collect! Heh. Figures, I missed something along the way, thank you!" That actually earns the man a hug whether he likes it or not. The offered radio is accepted too, "Thank you, again. This is becoming a really good night, Harry."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    And then Harry ooofs a bit in the hug, one hand lifting up with the tea to keep it from splashing as he wobbles a bit from the kumiho's embrace. There's a flush of color on his cheeks as well. "Hrrnph, yeah, well, that was the reaction I found out when I collected a year's worth of back wages myself, so... good on you for finding out." His free hand comes up to hug her back.

Ahri (491) has posed:
    SNUG. Release. Happy Vixen. "I'll be sure to find you tomorrow, too! It'll be another great day and a fun night!" Well, she has her energy back, no doubt of that. "Wait, a year's worth? That had to be nice."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Well, that's... uh. Harry blushes a bit more, and adjusts his shirt as he's released, grumbling. "It was pretty swank, yeah. Got me out of arrears on a bunch of stuff and paid for another rebuild of my car. So... I'm sitting at least comfortably now."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    A quick nod, "Good, good." A pause. "So for this 'thing' tomorrow, do I need to know anything or dress a certain way or have some strange human ettitquite i'm not familiar with?"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry hrumphs. "Uh."
    A blink. Crap. "Uh." Oh dear. "I'm not sure."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    That actually gets a laugh out of Ahri, "Well then it can be awkward for both of us!" Amused? Yes. Entertained? A bit. Is Harry cute when he's blushing? A little.

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    "Uh, usually I just show up to these things without my usual wizard crap. That's not exactly polite to show up at a social gathering where you've got Hospitality and carry enough staves and wands and crap to blow up a medium sized house."

Ahri (491) has posed:
That gets Ahri to ponder a little, but she shrugs, "Well, I take my spirit orb everywhere, that's not going to change. Thankfully, it hides itself pretty well," she notes, tugging on the small gem on her necklace, "See?"

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Definately not looking at cleavage, looking at gem. "I figured that was something important. It was sorta setting off a few alarms in my head." Harry looks back up at Arhi's face, and keeps looking there. "I figured... like a soul gem or something similar."

Ahri (491) has posed:
"It's .. um. someone called it a 'focus' at the Institute. I can't use any of my powers without it, and a few of them are empowered further through its use. This is just how it looks when I'm not using it," Ahri explains. "I'd show you but I don't want to do something I'll regret later."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry's blush sort of blanches. "Yeah, I'd really not recommend using your powers in here, my wards wouldn't appreciate that." He grumps, and plants his hand in her hair again to try and steady himself. Foxes are like cats, right, that's calming.

Ahri (491) has posed:
    Mrf. Nup. not using it then. And she doesn't seem to mind the patting when it happens. "See? Glad I didn't, then," she says from under that hand. "You ok?" Why did he need to steady himself? Did she miss something?

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry grumps, and sighs. "I dunno, just feel like I signed something or something, iI dunno. Not like a bad feeling, just..."

Ahri (491) has posed:
    That gets her to take on a worried look before nudging the tea he was holding at her, "I'm not going to use it, Harry. It doesn't sound like your wards are as passive as the ones I'm used to dealing with."

Harry Dresden (206) has posed:
    Harry blinks at that. "Oh, well... the wards here stood up to an attack by a rampaging fae beast. Giant gruff out for blood, and before that the minions of an Dead God." He grumps. "These are wards that can kill a person."

    Also a scruff at Ahri's hair. "Also I'm not sure why I said the second."

Ahri (491) has posed:
"Well, if you have all the wards it keeps you safe, so, I would be happy to have them too, Harry," she points out. "I just don't want to upset them, that's all."