Where There&#x27;s Smoke, There&#x27;s a Spirit

A certain wizard is going to find a certain smoke spirit dressed only in some very skimpy bow-themed lingerie reclining on his bed. "Mmm... Merry Christmas, Harry. I thought I'd come and share some holiday cheer with you."

"Jingle bells…"Instead of hells bells. Harry stood at the foot of the door with his hand rubbing at the stuble on his face. Astonished that something like this was possible,“Merry Christmas indeed. A very merry Christmas present.”

"You've been a good boy, haven't you, wizard?" She slid up sensually to rest on her knees, the bells along the ribbons over her hips jingling merrily. She arched up a little and smirked.

"Are you going to open your present?"

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[That was at least the second time she’s used ‘Harry’ instead of ‘wizard’. He felt like that meant something. On another note, she confessed to having multiple meaningless relations. Harry couldn’t truly confide in that. Seeing as how Akane was one out of a very select few of people he’s slept with.

Which brought on another line of questioning. He pointed to the burn on his chest and looked her in the eyes.]

Seeing as how I’ve been branded like cattle for you. I was wondering, just a thought really. I mean- nothing serious. The question can be ignored. I just wanted to know.

What are we? I mean relationship wise. I just wanted to know, off chance, what this was.

[He looked off at the fire away from her gaze. A little embarrassed at how that came out. He was pretty sure what this was. Exactly, it is what it is. A meeting between two people with like interests. That was probably what she’d say. It was what it is, is what it is.]

[ She rolled her shoulder in a shrug. ]

Relationships as humans usually define them are… borderline meaningless for someone like me. But, like you said earlier, I have invested much more time and effort into you than i usually would. So take that as you will. Mmm… I haven’t decided yet, what we are.

I’m hardly marriage material for someone like you, after all, wizard.

[ She gave him a soft smile and brought her pipe to her lips, reclining in the air while facing him. ]

Let us just enjoy each other’s company for now. The future will come when it means to.

Well when you put it so elegantly. It’s hard for me not to envision a vast space of knoweldge to grasp. That relationships are a mortal matter. Yet, they define loyalty. I have your loyalty in a fleeting moment of time. You also have mine.

That’s good enough for me.

[He got up after setting her aside gently. Always so gentle with a being that probably didn’t feel pain. Another paranormal entity that normally Harry should fear, yet enjoys her company.

He placed more wood in the fire. Noted that he should go out to the country and either chop some wood for himself or buy it.

Harry even lit another incense and went about his table. Letters, bills, and even a law suit letter. Dam that guy for suing him. Good luck. Not like Harry had much to give.

He returned to the couch and made a click of his tongue.]

I need another case pretty soon. Way things are going.

[He rubbed at the back of his neck. SI hadn’t called with strange occurances in at least two months. Now he was just reaching for straws for small time cases.]

Unless I count the Case of The Handsome Enenra that dwells within the Dresden home.

You're more than welcome to investigate that case.

[ She stood up and moved over to the fire, dipping her fingers into the flames, enjoying the heat. ]

... I suspect you'd object to it, but I could always scare up a few cases for you. Mmm... A little conartistry run on some... unsavoury people who could do with a little financial relief. Give them a good fright and let them pay your fees for a few nights.

[ She gave a languid shrug and smiled at Harry. ]

Just a suggestion, of course.

#ic #reluctantwarden

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[That was at least the second time she’s used ‘Harry’ instead of ‘wizard’. He felt like that meant something. On another note, she confessed to having multiple meaningless relations. Harry couldn’t truly confide in that. Seeing as how Akane was one out of a very select few of people he’s slept with.

Which brought on another line of questioning. He pointed to the burn on his chest and looked her in the eyes.]

Seeing as how I’ve been branded like cattle for you. I was wondering, just a thought really. I mean- nothing serious. The question can be ignored. I just wanted to know.

What are we? I mean relationship wise. I just wanted to know, off chance, what this was.

[He looked off at the fire away from her gaze. A little embarrassed at how that came out. He was pretty sure what this was. Exactly, it is what it is. A meeting between two people with like interests. That was probably what she’d say. It was what it is, is what it is.]

[ She rolled her shoulder in a shrug. ]

Relationships as humans usually define them are... borderline meaningless for someone like me. But, like you said earlier, I have invested much more time and effort into you than i usually would. So take that as you will. Mmm... I haven't decided yet, what we are.

I'm hardly marriage material for someone like you, after all, wizard.

[ She gave him a soft smile and brought her pipe to her lips, reclining in the air while facing him. ]

Let us just enjoy each other's company for now. The future will come when it means to.

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[His ego balloon inflated a little bit after her words. It was nice to hear someone talking about the good he can do. He’s saved lives in the past, protected people, but that’s only a small amount compared to his other cases.

The ego balloon deflated a bit after his thoughts came back. Memories of those who have died while under his care. Sure, he wasn’t Superman, but that didn’t matter much when saving is still your job.

He wrapped his arms tight and brought her in. His cheek pressed against her chest while he snorted at her words.]

Let me? I thought it was a given that you’d go along with me on a case or let me take you out on the town.

I’m a pretty comical sight in day to day activities, as well. So I hope you’ll let me.

[He kissed the top of her chest and looked over at the fire. It was getting low.]

My jobs sometimes get a little hairy.

[A pun never hurt.]

I just do what I can to get the job done. Not exactly the most cleanest way to get done, but I at least get it done.

[ Akane pet him while he spoke, shifting a little to make him more comfortable against her chest. He was so terrified of losing her. How many had he lost before? ]

One day you’re going to squeeze me in half, wizard.

And nothing about me is really a given. I’m a capricious and flighty enenra, after all. You’re always welcome to entertain me, however.

Perhaps I’ll even lend you a hand with things. Mmm. I used to enjoy working with the mob, all the way back in the day. Besides, it’s not as if I can die again~

[ Of course, there were certain ways she could be destroyed or disrupted enough it would take some time for her to reform, but it was rare for anyone to even guess at what she was, rarer still for them to know how to handle her. ]

I make a very good distraction.

[A part of Harry was very much against Akane going on a dangerous case with him. The thought of her getting hurt, even if she couldn’t, was a fear.

He did look up how an enenra could die, and he came up short. Not a damn thing in any of his books about weaknesses and such. Not that he looked it up in case she’d try to go against him, just on the off chance that someone might be after her.]

Do you have many enemies? At all? I can only imagine how many love striken men or women would kill to have you back in their lives.

[He didn’t know about her hedonistic lifestyle at all. As far as he knew, he was the the only one in her life. The PI instinct in him told him otherwise.]

I don’t have to worry about love sick exes knocking on my door do I?

[He comedically looked back at the the door with wide open eyes and smiled. He should most likely check his mail from the office to find some cases. Some people walked in, others sent in letters out of fear for reputation. ]

[ Akane just laughed at his questions and pat his cheek. ]

Wizard, even if they did want me back, it's almost impossible to track someone who changes their appearance as frequently as I do. Mmm. And many of them never get my name.

I don't tend to have many exes for the simple reason I make it clear to most people there isn't a relationship involved.

As for enemies, I can't imagine I have many. I can't even think of any off the top of my head. I doubt anyone with the power to oppose you would even consider looking at a smoke spirit like me, anyway.

[ She fixed her eyes on him and smiled. Of course, there had been a few conflicts throughout her existence. Hardly anything that could come back to bite either of them in the ass, though. A former lover who'd misunderstood the interaction, a spouse who'd walked in on their partner's infidelity. Most were gone already. ]

You worry far too much, Harry.

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[His ego balloon inflated a little bit after her words. It was nice to hear someone talking about the good he can do. He’s saved lives in the past, protected people, but that’s only a small amount compared to his other cases.

The ego balloon deflated a bit after his thoughts came back. Memories of those who have died while under his care. Sure, he wasn’t Superman, but that didn’t matter much when saving is still your job.

He wrapped his arms tight and brought her in. His cheek pressed against her chest while he snorted at her words.]

Let me? I thought it was a given that you’d go along with me on a case or let me take you out on the town.

I’m a pretty comical sight in day to day activities, as well. So I hope you’ll let me.

[He kissed the top of her chest and looked over at the fire. It was getting low.]

My jobs sometimes get a little hairy.

[A pun never hurt.]

I just do what I can to get the job done. Not exactly the most cleanest way to get done, but I at least get it done.

[ Akane pet him while he spoke, shifting a little to make him more comfortable against her chest. He was so terrified of losing her. How many had he lost before? ]

One day you're going to squeeze me in half, wizard.

And nothing about me is really a given. I'm a capricious and flighty enenra, after all. You're always welcome to entertain me, however.

Perhaps I'll even lend you a hand with things. Mmm. I used to enjoy working with the mob, all the way back in the day. Besides, it's not as if I can die again~

[ Of course, there were certain ways she could be destroyed or disrupted enough it would take some time for her to reform, but it was rare for anyone to even guess at what she was, rarer still for them to know how to handle her. ]

I make a very good distraction.

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[Harry felt the pain for only a second before she kissed the spot. Normally, he’d be against such a thing. Good news is that if she were to ever turn on him, he’d gather a spell to destroy it. Then again, he trusted her for some reason. Maybe it was his male white knight mind, or the fact that she never gave him a reason not to trust her. Either way, he had a way to contact her now.]

A burn that doubles as a beeper. Good times. Maybe it’s not so bad after all.

[He got his arms around her and brought her warm nonexistent body close. She’d never truly understand how much he enjoyed the closeness. It was too nice for words. He kissed her right on the lips with a hand on her cheek. He brought his other hand up to her cheek and finally let the kiss go after what seemed like minutes to him.]

Any trick you play on me couldn’t possibly be as bad as you up and leaving. That would be the worst trick you could play. Ever seen a sad wizard? It’s not pretty.

Mmm. Certainly more useful than a normal burn.

[ It really was endearing, the way he was constantly drawing her in, pressing her as close as he could, kissing her and holding her. It did make her wonder just how many people had left him. She supposed it must be hard for mortal humans to stay by a wizard as infamous and as prone to danger as Harry was.

The good thing about Akane was that she didn’t need to breathe. Didn’t get tired. Didn’t get sore lips or have any of the other messy problems usually involved in making out. ]

I don’t think I’ll be trying to make you sad any time soon. Especially after I’ve invested so much time to see you happy.

Giving you a little fright or a bit of a surprise, though? Well. That would just be amusing.

[ She grinned at him. Brushed a finger over the little seal and made it feel good. ]

I do admit I find having my mark on you to be quite attractive. It looks nice.

You have invested a lot of time and energy into everything about me. I gave you a key to my place, you gave me a pseudo cell phone tattoo, you make my bed less lonely, and even I’m less lonely.

[There was embarrassment in his words. It was a strange loathsome telling of truth. Harry was alone, that’s the truth. Undeniably true that every woman is his life stayed away or left entirely. One could never understand that feeling unless they lived through it. Harry’s circumstances were almost always because he was a wizard, went through hell, and never could live a normal life.

Harry rubbed his chin with his fingers and sighed.]

You’ve been good to me. I don’t have a reason not to trust you, Akane. And if the mark makes me that much more pretty, then so be it.

Well, wizard, I shall have to endeavour to keep being good to you. You've given me no reason so far not to.

Besides, it's nice to find a practitioner that doesn't attempt to bind everything around him to his will. And you are endearing, in your own way.

[ She brought his fingers to her own face, leaning into his big paw of a hand. ]

Mmm. You are so young. And reckless. Like a wildfire. And almost as fun. I should let you take me out some time. Show me what you do to amuse yourself out there.

Maybe I might even follow you on one of your cases... See you in action. Drawing in all that power to remove your enemies. I bet you look beautiful working the forces of nature to your will.

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[Harry felt the pain for only a second before she kissed the spot. Normally, he’d be against such a thing. Good news is that if she were to ever turn on him, he’d gather a spell to destroy it. Then again, he trusted her for some reason. Maybe it was his male white knight mind, or the fact that she never gave him a reason not to trust her. Either way, he had a way to contact her now.]

A burn that doubles as a beeper. Good times. Maybe it’s not so bad after all.

[He got his arms around her and brought her warm nonexistent body close. She’d never truly understand how much he enjoyed the closeness. It was too nice for words. He kissed her right on the lips with a hand on her cheek. He brought his other hand up to her cheek and finally let the kiss go after what seemed like minutes to him.]

Any trick you play on me couldn’t possibly be as bad as you up and leaving. That would be the worst trick you could play. Ever seen a sad wizard? It’s not pretty.

#ic #kemuriko #reluctantwarden

Mmm. Certainly more useful than a normal burn.

[ It really was endearing, the way he was constantly drawing her in, pressing her as close as he could, kissing her and holding her. It did make her wonder just how many people had left him. She supposed it must be hard for mortal humans to stay by a wizard as infamous and as prone to danger as Harry was.

The good thing about Akane was that she didn't need to breathe. Didn't get tired. Didn't get sore lips or have any of the other messy problems usually involved in making out. ]

I don't think I'll be trying to make you sad any time soon. Especially after I've invested so much time to see you happy.

Giving you a little fright or a bit of a surprise, though? Well. That would just be amusing.

[ She grinned at him. Brushed a finger over the little seal and made it feel good. ]

I do admit I find having my mark on you to be quite attractive. It looks nice.

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[He knew that the pain was still there. It was an illusion like nearly everything else. The basket of tricks that belong to an otherworldly being with power. Then again, he didn’t see her that way. He chose not to.

He chose to see a woman that came along every so often and gave a shit. It’s nice to have someone care even if it’s neutral ground. It’s better than his damned lonely days in his dinky home.]

You have something for me to be able to get in contact with you? Pray tell. Is it smoke signals? Chief Plays With Fire Dresden, sends out smoke signals. Call for nookie and warm company.

[Always thinking he’s funnier than he really is. Akane wasn’t a nookie call. She was a little more than that to Harry. A friend? That’s closer to the truth in his books. He already knew by now that she wasn’t the type to be tied down to a singular person.]

No, seriously. How can I get ahold of you? If I were so inclined as to have a chat to see you again.

Also, nice touch on making me feel special. I do love a dash of spice to my ego.

[Feels good to be one of the few. Score one for Dresden.]

It’d cause you a little more pain, but in the grand scheme of things it would be minor. I burn my… I think you’d call it a ‘seal’… into your skin. Whenever you wish to contact me, just channel some of your power through it. Light a fire nearby or find one and I’ll be there all the quicker.

[ She produced a hanko seal from her pocket. If he had examined it with his Sight, he would have seen that it, like her pipe, was odd. A slightly different energy to the rest of her. Something more tangible, real. The seal would be about the size of a dime. ]

Is that acceptable to you, Harry? The choice of placement would be yours.

Well I’ve heard of commitment, but that’s a lot different than a ring. You like me, you really like me.

[Or she just wants to mark the wizard to keep track of his movements. Hard to tell really. Is it a bad thing, good thing? To be marked for life by Akane. She better stick around. The paranoia kicked in a little, but hell, you only have one life.

He pointed to the right side above his chest near his heart. ]

Go ahead and burn me. Maybe I’ll find a new kink. Just don’t let this be a trick. Also, I’m counting this as a Christmas present.

#ic #kemuriko #reluctantwarden

It's not as if the burn won't heal on its own in time, Harry.

Mmm. I'd need to reapply it again in a few years, probably. If we're both still around.

[ She gently caressed his cheek, then ran her hand over the skin above his heart. Now if that wasn't a gesture of trust from a wizard, she didn't know what was. The hanko seal Akane was using was the least formal one she could manifest. It was a stylised design of her assumed surname 'Hinosaka' in kanji, and would let Harry send the equivalent of a spiritual GPS signal to her. Strictly one-way, for her anyway, and without much other use. Harry might be able to use it to find her using magic, but it would be far more difficult than if she had used her most official inkan, which would be the equivalent of stamping her True Name with a direct link to her core. ]

You certainly are an interesting one, wizard.

[ She pressed the end of the seal to her lips, and when she pulled it back, the end of the stone was glowing red. She quickly pressed it into his skin before withdrawing it, slipping it away again. Akane let Harry feel it for just a moment before she brought her lips to the newly burned seal, taking the pain with it once more. ]

When I want to trick you, wizard, it will be for something far more entertaining.

[ A familiar presence returns to Harry's little basement home. She's going to slip down his fireplace and lounge in front of it on one of the rugs, legs crossed daintily in the air above her. ]

"Well c’mon everybody and let’s get together tonight. I got some money in my jeans, and I’m really gonna spend it right." Harry sung a song by the sex pistols as he made himself a late night snack. Standing there in only his boxers with his back turned to Akane. Made himself some eggs and bacon for dinner.

[He knew that the pain was still there. It was an illusion like nearly everything else. The basket of tricks that belong to an otherworldly being with power. Then again, he didn’t see her that way. He chose not to.

He chose to see a woman that came along every so often and gave a shit. It’s nice to have someone care even if it’s neutral ground. It’s better than his damned lonely days in his dinky home.]

You have something for me to be able to get in contact with you? Pray tell. Is it smoke signals? Chief Plays With Fire Dresden, sends out smoke signals. Call for nookie and warm company.

[Always thinking he’s funnier than he really is. Akane wasn’t a nookie call. She was a little more than that to Harry. A friend? That’s closer to the truth in his books. He already knew by now that she wasn’t the type to be tied down to a singular person.]

No, seriously. How can I get ahold of you? If I were so inclined as to have a chat to see you again.

Also, nice touch on making me feel special. I do love a dash of spice to my ego.

[Feels good to be one of the few. Score one for Dresden.]

It'd cause you a little more pain, but in the grand scheme of things it would be minor. I burn my... I think you'd call it a 'seal'... into your skin. Whenever you wish to contact me, just channel some of your power through it. Light a fire nearby or find one and I'll be there all the quicker.

[ She produced a hanko seal from her pocket. If he had examined it with his Sight, he would have seen that it, like her pipe, was odd. A slightly different energy to the rest of her. Something more tangible, real. The seal would be about the size of a dime. ]

Is that acceptable to you, Harry? The choice of placement would be yours.

lukewrenarchive-deactivated2017

[Okay, why does she keep touching him, goddammit. He took a step back, pulling away. He doesn’t trust flattery. He’s a big disaster and he knows it, and everybody else knows it too.]

…I live here, actually.

Guess y’ain’t been here since then, but yeah. I’ve set my shit up in one of the back rooms.

[He shrugged and crossed his arms a bit defensively. He didn’t know what to think of Akane yet, except that she was too touchy-feely and too big on flattery. He was waiting for the punch line.]

lukewrenarchive-deactivated2017

Oh?

Forgive me. I usually don’t pay too much attention to what happens in here any more. I travel a lot.

[ She laughed quietly and drifted down to stand on the ground. ]

Mmm. You’re awfully paranoid, you know.

Yeah, it’s fine. I don’ really make m’self too….prominent around here, I guess.

M’jus’ kinna here.

No big deal.

[He shrugged and watched her movement pretty closely.]

Hey, y’don’ git scars like these from bein’ too friendly.

Wait. Wait I mean.

….I mean, y’don’t git scars like these….from bein’….oh fuck it, I ain’t paranoid, m’careful.

[He kept any venom out of his voice this time. Just sighing and rolling his eyes at himself. He’s TRYING not to be an ass even if he’s very paranoid. It’s a self-improvement thing.]