Murphy's Desk

Karrin Murphy RP blog. Spoilers Likely. Completely open to OC/AU. This blog tends to have dark content. -- If you aren't familiar with my 'verse I have an "About Murphy" page for your perusal -- I don't bite, so shoot me a message!

[strawberrycircuits]

hello character who is desperate to be a good person; i want to play a game. in front of you is the one person you will never be able to save. you have the rest of your life to make peace with this. there are no defined repercussions if you fail, but we both know you're going to attempt to win regardless. your time starts now

[tiny-fierce]

... Well, I'm taking THAT personally.

[tiny-fierce]

That awkward moment when you realize you haven't been on here since Battleground came out.

Do I owe anyone a post who still even remembers that we were writing together?

[tiny-fierce]

Your yearly reminder that this is what 6'9" looks like next to 5'.

[tiny-fierce]

T-minus eleven days until Peace Talks is a thing I'll talk about. I should reread it, make sure Harry's story lines up with mine.

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

She nearly fumbled her phone in shock and only just barely avoided laughing out loud directly in Lea’s face.

After taking a long moment to struggle to force her face into a mask off professionalism, Murphy ended the call and tucked her phone away before holding her hand out and gesturing to Lea’s device, “may I?”

Lea kept her gaze leveled steadily at Murphy as she waited for her to compose herself.  Upon the request, she flipped her phone around and handed it over, stepping to where she could see what Murphy was doing with it.

[tiny-fierce]

She could count fifty things she preferred to having Lea at her back. But at least for now she didn’t feel like there were about to be any particular surprises. She hoped.

Trying to pretend she was dealing with her mother, Murphy patiently showed her how to access her settings and ringtones, explaining each step as she went and then offering the phone back as she stepped to the side and away, “then just pick the sound you prefer and you’re good.”

This had to be the most surreal Tuesday of her life.

[auburnsongs]

She watched closely as Murphy navigated the menus, commiting them to memory.

Lea nodded, accepting the phone back. “I see,” she commented. “That is satisfactory.” She slipped the phone back into the small dress pocket.

She moved to step away, then paused. “Do not speak of this to any other, lest you wish for me to inform my Godson of how easily you accepted my aid.”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy let her have and put away the phone, crossing her arms as she watched.

Now here’s the thing.

She had no intention of telling on Lea for not being good at technology. But she really hated being told what to do. She shared that whole authority issues problem with her tall other half.

“Harry’s not the boss of me, what’s he gonna do about it?” She just couldn’t help herself.

[auburnsongs]

Lea raised a brow at Murphy’s insolence, a slight displeased turn quirking her lips. “Do you wish to test the matter?”

[tiny-fierce]

The shorter blonde made eye contact boldly and snorted, shoving her hands in her pockets, "do YOU?"

[primechicagowizard]

tiny-fierce

She had to admit, watching the emotions scamper across his face was an exercise in fascination. For all his big tough guy persona, he sort of wore his heart directly on his sleeve if a person knew him. It probably made sense for someone whose personal motto was fuck subtle.

His reaction to Burger King got a full on laugh. “Yeah, alright, let’s go for a walk and see what strikes our fancy.” She agreed. A quick glance down confirmed faded CPD t-shirt, well loved jeans, sneakers. Sounded about right. Scooting a bit awkwardly around Dresden she made her way to a set of lockers, spinning the dial on hers and pulling a familiar weapon and holster from the depths to tuck into place at the base of her back and then a light jacket.

Prepared, she turned back around and gestured grandly, “lead the way then, wizard.”

Oh, they were doing guns tonight.

Granted, he used to carry about his own weapons in preparation for those unexpected moments that always seemed to crop up when least expected: the grocery store, the tax office. Granted nothing had ever truly happened that prompted him to whip out the thing, it was better than being caught with the pants down.

“Damn, I figured the only weapon you’d need tonight was the one in my pants, but if you insist.” He was laying it on a little thick and he knew it. He also knew if he didn’t reel it back some she was going to wallop more than just the ‘weapon’ he referred to, and not quite in the way he might wish for it to be [the part of his soul now seeped in the chill of the Winter mantle could not agree more].

The night air was the sort of pleasant that inspired people to take lovely strolls through the city streets, taking in all the sights and sounds - …. though those people probably weren’t walking in a place like Chicago. Where the only sights and sounds could actually be as traumatic as they sounded [was that someone shrieking with laughter, or have they been murdered?? Is that a car horn or did a bomb just explode???]. Still, it was nice to get out, even if the air wasn’t as fresh as they might have wanted it to be. The warmth felt good on the skin, even as the exhaust fumes filled the lungs.

He stuck his hands down into his pockets, keeping his pace casual. Not slow, but carefully measured and steady. 

“So…. how’er you doing, Murph? Um.” He sniffed and turned an eye down to look toward her. “… sorry I haven’t been around much. Things have been… interesting. I’ve missed you.” 

[tiny-fierce]

Whaddya mean tonight? Murphy didn’t go fucking anywhere sans weapon anymore. Not after Harry had died that one time. Or, well, honestly... after the Chlorofiend and the monster that found its way inside of her head she really hadn’t wanted to be without her Teddy Sig.

His attempt to make a sex joke was met with a flat blue gaze, “...right.” Okay now he was losing her a little.

She left with him, thumbs hooked in the pockets of her jeans, eyes flickering about constantly. PTSD made for a great sentinel. She was used to Chicago and its weird sounds, although knowing that some of the weird sounds were weird wasn’t really thrilling.

Her head turned toward him as he spoke, pretending not to notice his super casual efforts to keep pace with her. She walking with too long a stride for her height, but if you didn’t keep up the world left you behind. Still, she wasn’t going to be keeping pace with him unless he intended her to and she knew it.

“I’ve missed you too.” She responded softly. “And things have been... things. You know. Super unemployed. Got the BFS to keep an eye on. Getting my ass kicked on the regular by the Einherjaren. The new normal. A lot changed when you went away.”

[primechicagowizard]

tiny-fierce

She watched as he smiled and postured. He certainly was acting like the old Harry. Even if he had that odd feral chill still lingering under the surface. Perhaps she was only attuned to it because she knew what he had done, how he had sold his soul to save his daughter. If she hadn’t known, would she have seen it?

Murphy shook her head at him with a snort, “I am not dignifying that with a response, Stretch.” She teased back, even if it felt clunky. She stacked the spiral notebook on top of the thicker textbook and dropped them on the table in front of her, adding her pen to the pile.

The Brighter Future Society had a lot going for it – and the nice study-friendly living area was not the least of it. Drawing herself up from the soft couch she stretched up on her tip-toes and popped her neck. “Please tell me you have something in mind beyond Burger King. You already have plenty of tiaras.” She smirked up at him, trying to reach for familiarity just the same as him.

“No?” He looked to himself, with his dusty duster, his inappropriate t-shirt and slightly stained and torn jeans, thinking that his presentation was near to being as flawless as he could help, being kept out on an island by himself more often than not.

“Another time then.” He spread his hands, as though the general reception to the initial options he laid on the table simply couldn’t be helped! As though he’d expected to receive as much being that the ‘meal’ he had to serve would entail many, many ‘courses’ throughout the duration of the night and it simply couldn’t be a spontaneous function, not with all they already had on their plate to deal with! He shrugged in a manner that accepted that a rejection simply couldn’t be helped and he had no real choice but to reevaluate and try for a fancier plan B.

His face went carefully blank when the ‘fancier plan B’ was also effectively shut down. No Burger King??

Okay then! No problem at all. Any good detective wizard always had in his pocket a fantastic plan C as well.

“I would never dream of taking my lovely date to a ‘Burger King.’” He blew out a breath, dusting off his ‘lapel’ like he was above such places and he didn’t have a collection of cheap cardboard crowns at one point in his life. “It’s nice out. Let’s hike it on foot, see what captures our fancy.” He termed it in a way that made it sound appealing, but the truth of the matter was, he had no vehicle in which to transport. Sure they could take Murphy’s, but a walk didn’t sound so terribly bad. Besides that, as much time as he could gave with her, the better. In his humble opinion that was. He was…. he was pretty sure that Murphy herself might not think as much.

[tiny-fierce]

She had to admit, watching the emotions scamper across his face was an exercise in fascination. For all his big tough guy persona, he sort of wore his heart directly on his sleeve if a person knew him. It probably made sense for someone whose personal motto was fuck subtle.

His reaction to Burger King got a full on laugh. “Yeah, alright, let’s go for a walk and see what strikes our fancy.” She agreed. A quick glance down confirmed faded CPD t-shirt, well loved jeans, sneakers. Sounded about right. Scooting a bit awkwardly around Dresden she made her way to a set of lockers, spinning the dial on hers and pulling a familiar weapon and holster from the depths to tuck into place at the base of her back and then a light jacket.

Prepared, she turned back around and gestured grandly, “lead the way then, wizard.”

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

She nearly fumbled her phone in shock and only just barely avoided laughing out loud directly in Lea’s face.

After taking a long moment to struggle to force her face into a mask off professionalism, Murphy ended the call and tucked her phone away before holding her hand out and gesturing to Lea’s device, “may I?”

Lea kept her gaze leveled steadily at Murphy as she waited for her to compose herself.  Upon the request, she flipped her phone around and handed it over, stepping to where she could see what Murphy was doing with it.

[tiny-fierce]

She could count fifty things she preferred to having Lea at her back. But at least for now she didn’t feel like there were about to be any particular surprises. She hoped.

Trying to pretend she was dealing with her mother, Murphy patiently showed her how to access her settings and ringtones, explaining each step as she went and then offering the phone back as she stepped to the side and away, “then just pick the sound you prefer and you’re good.”

This had to be the most surreal Tuesday of her life.

[auburnsongs]

She watched closely as Murphy navigated the menus, commiting them to memory.

Lea nodded, accepting the phone back. “I see,” she commented. “That is satisfactory.” She slipped the phone back into the small dress pocket.

She moved to step away, then paused. “Do not speak of this to any other, lest you wish for me to inform my Godson of how easily you accepted my aid.”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy let her have and put away the phone, crossing her arms as she watched.

Now here's the thing.

She had no intention of telling on Lea for not being good at technology. But she really hated being told what to do. She shared that whole authority issues problem with her tall other half.

"Harry's not the boss of me, what's he gonna do about it?" She just couldn't help herself.

[primechicagowizard]

@tiny-fierce

continued:

The smile on his face broadened a touch at her slow acceptance of his casual request, but that hardly mattered, so long as she HAD accepted. He nodded, pushing off from his flimsy perch, rubbing his thumb along his nose like he’d won some sort of marathon and he was due a little recognition. He was of an obvious cheeky state of mind which may or may not have a place there at that particular moment, but when did Harry ever much consider the words that were about to blast out of his mouth. Indeed, often times he wondered if there was anything out there that could stop it from happening if he himself failed!

“Great! So I guess the only question that remains is, are we talking appetizers here, OR—” He gestured toward himself. “— the whole meal?” He wiggled his brow, “Eh, eh??”

It had been a while, too long, perhaps, since he’d sat and had a proper chat with Karrin. Certainly not since adopting the role of the Winter Knight. He figured it was time to break the ice, so to speak, dip his toes in the water and… reforge the bonds the he’d royally fucked up. 

Naturally, instead of addressing the issues head on, he chose to make an ass of himself.

[tiny-fierce]

She watched as he smiled and postured. He certainly was acting like the old Harry. Even if he had that odd feral chill still lingering under the surface. Perhaps she was only attuned to it because she knew what he had done, how he had sold his soul to save his daughter. If she hadn’t known, would she have seen it?

Murphy shook her head at him with a snort, “I am not dignifying that with a response, Stretch.” She teased back, even if it felt clunky. She stacked the spiral notebook on top of the thicker textbook and dropped them on the table in front of her, adding her pen to the pile.

The Brighter Future Society had a lot going for it -- and the nice study-friendly living area was not the least of it. Drawing herself up from the soft couch she stretched up on her tip-toes and popped her neck. “Please tell me you have something in mind beyond Burger King. You already have plenty of tiaras.” She smirked up at him, trying to reach for familiarity just the same as him.

[tiny-fierce]

"What's cookin,' good-looking?'" Harry sat down, rather leaned, against the armrest of a recliner chair, folding his arms across his chest. It seemed a rather defensive position to take and maybe it was in some small way. To protect her from him and him from her respectively. "Wanna go out to eat? Talk a bit?"

Karrin glanced up from the book she had in her lap, pausing the pen with which she was scribbling in a spiral notebook. A blonde brow raised as she considered him and his request.

With a shrug she closed the book and clicked the pen, “I could eat.”

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

She nearly fumbled her phone in shock and only just barely avoided laughing out loud directly in Lea’s face.

After taking a long moment to struggle to force her face into a mask off professionalism, Murphy ended the call and tucked her phone away before holding her hand out and gesturing to Lea’s device, “may I?”

Lea kept her gaze leveled steadily at Murphy as she waited for her to compose herself.  Upon the request, she flipped her phone around and handed it over, stepping to where she could see what Murphy was doing with it.

[tiny-fierce]

She could count fifty things she preferred to having Lea at her back. But at least for now she didn't feel like there were about to be any particular surprises. She hoped.

Trying to pretend she was dealing with her mother, Murphy patiently showed her how to access her settings and ringtones, explaining each step as she went and then offering the phone back as she stepped to the side and away, "then just pick the sound you prefer and you're good."

This had to be the most surreal Tuesday of her life.

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

Sheer reflex had one of those crossed arms coming up to swat her hand away, Karrin stumbling back a step, really glad her back wasn’t to the cliff’s edge this time. “Don’t touch me.” Her head hurt but her pride was aching pretty badly too.

Lea’s response earned nothing but a derisive snort, “Well surely someone so reasonable as you are would know not to ask something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.” She shot back defensively. Now her pride was really wounded. She already felt stupid enough for having accepted help from a Faerie. She could just hear Harry shouting you did what?!

“Manners, child,” she chided, but allowed her hand to be swatted away with only a quick turn of her fingernail to catch at the skin as it was diverted.

She laughed at the phrasing Murphy used, and shook her head.  Such poor wording.  “Of course I wouldn’t ask for something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.  Whether you could, though, is another matter.“

Though it wouldn’t be equivalent to ask something particularly dangerous of her.  Lea had hardly put herself in danger by her actions, after all.  This stubborn human didn’t need to be told that, though.

Lea tilted her head, thinking for a moment.  “Since you insist… You have a mobile phone?”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy winced at the scrape of the nail against her skin, rubbing a defensive hand against the uncomfortably vulnerable skin under her chin while glowering up at the woman. The more terrified she was the easier it was to posture.

Like a bristling kitten compared to the Mountain Lion in front of her. Which she would kill someone for using as a comparison in earshot.

“it’s bad manners to touch without asking.” She muttered back.

Murphy was about to make a snide comment about overly pedantic Faeries and their arrogance, but was waylaid by the question. “Do I… Uh.” She wasn’t sure what she had expected, probably some ‘go bring me the heart of a Komodo Dragon’ sort of bullshit. But certainly not this. “uh, yeah, I do.”

[auburnsongs]

The defiance was amusing, but it did seem time to move on from playing.

Lea nodded as Murphy answered. “Good.”

She pulled out a cell phone of her own from a small pocket of her dress, unlocked it, and entered a phone number on the screen. “To start, I want you to call this number with your phone.”

[tiny-fierce]

… Did she just…

Murphy blinked several times in unabashed bewilderment. Did she actually have a full on concussion? Had she died in the fall? Was this some sort of crazed final moments thing where her brain chemicals were screwing with her?

She legitimately gaped, open-mouthed, at the taller woman for several beats as if waiting for the punchline.

Finally, she slid her own phone from her pocket and copied the number.

Before pressing send her mind rebooted enough to manage, “ … Why? Who is this? Say what?”

[auburnsongs]

Oh dear, had she broken the poor thing? If it was that easy, she would have to have a word with her Godson.

But finally Murphy seemed to recover enough to at least follow instructions. Almost.

“Call it,” she replied evenly, “let it ring, and I will then tell you what help I need from you.”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy narrowed her eyes, even though her head was playing a fun game of heartbeat bongos in her ears, “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that. Why won’t you tell me who I’m calling?” She returned, suspicious.

[auburnsongs]

Lea sighed. What did it matter, when she simply said to let it ring? “Such obstinance. It is my number, child. Call it.”

[tiny-fierce]

Her expression was a bit mutinous, but she couldn’t directly think of any way this could hurt her. So, with a sigh, she tapped the speaker phone symbol and then hit send.

[auburnsongs]

There was a moment of silence, and then the phone in Lea’s hand lit up and started cheerfully playing “Do you want to build a snowman?”

“I want you to show me how to change the ringtone,” Lea stated levelly.

[tiny-fierce]

She nearly fumbled her phone in shock and only just barely avoided laughing out loud directly in Lea's face.

After taking a long moment to struggle to force her face into a mask off professionalism, Murphy ended the call and tucked her phone away before holding her hand out and gesturing to Lea's device, "may I?"

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

Sheer reflex had one of those crossed arms coming up to swat her hand away, Karrin stumbling back a step, really glad her back wasn’t to the cliff’s edge this time. “Don’t touch me.” Her head hurt but her pride was aching pretty badly too.

Lea’s response earned nothing but a derisive snort, “Well surely someone so reasonable as you are would know not to ask something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.” She shot back defensively. Now her pride was really wounded. She already felt stupid enough for having accepted help from a Faerie. She could just hear Harry shouting you did what?!

“Manners, child,” she chided, but allowed her hand to be swatted away with only a quick turn of her fingernail to catch at the skin as it was diverted.

She laughed at the phrasing Murphy used, and shook her head.  Such poor wording.  “Of course I wouldn’t ask for something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.  Whether you could, though, is another matter.“

Though it wouldn’t be equivalent to ask something particularly dangerous of her.  Lea had hardly put herself in danger by her actions, after all.  This stubborn human didn’t need to be told that, though.

Lea tilted her head, thinking for a moment.  “Since you insist… You have a mobile phone?”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy winced at the scrape of the nail against her skin, rubbing a defensive hand against the uncomfortably vulnerable skin under her chin while glowering up at the woman. The more terrified she was the easier it was to posture.

Like a bristling kitten compared to the Mountain Lion in front of her. Which she would kill someone for using as a comparison in earshot.

“it’s bad manners to touch without asking.” She muttered back.

Murphy was about to make a snide comment about overly pedantic Faeries and their arrogance, but was waylaid by the question. “Do I… Uh.” She wasn’t sure what she had expected, probably some ‘go bring me the heart of a Komodo Dragon’ sort of bullshit. But certainly not this. “uh, yeah, I do.”

[auburnsongs]

The defiance was amusing, but it did seem time to move on from playing.

Lea nodded as Murphy answered. “Good.”

She pulled out a cell phone of her own from a small pocket of her dress, unlocked it, and entered a phone number on the screen. “To start, I want you to call this number with your phone.”

[tiny-fierce]

… Did she just…

Murphy blinked several times in unabashed bewilderment. Did she actually have a full on concussion? Had she died in the fall? Was this some sort of crazed final moments thing where her brain chemicals were screwing with her?

She legitimately gaped, open-mouthed, at the taller woman for several beats as if waiting for the punchline.

Finally, she slid her own phone from her pocket and copied the number.

Before pressing send her mind rebooted enough to manage, “ … Why? Who is this? Say what?”

[auburnsongs]

Oh dear, had she broken the poor thing? If it was that easy, she would have to have a word with her Godson.

But finally Murphy seemed to recover enough to at least follow instructions. Almost.

“Call it,” she replied evenly, “let it ring, and I will then tell you what help I need from you.”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy narrowed her eyes, even though her head was playing a fun game of heartbeat bongos in her ears, “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that. Why won’t you tell me who I’m calling?” She returned, suspicious.

[auburnsongs]

Lea sighed. What did it matter, when she simply said to let it ring? “Such obstinance. It is my number, child. Call it.”

[tiny-fierce]

Her expression was a bit mutinous, but she couldn't directly think of any way this could hurt her. So, with a sigh, she tapped the speaker phone symbol and then hit send.

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

Sheer reflex had one of those crossed arms coming up to swat her hand away, Karrin stumbling back a step, really glad her back wasn’t to the cliff’s edge this time. “Don’t touch me.” Her head hurt but her pride was aching pretty badly too.

Lea’s response earned nothing but a derisive snort, “Well surely someone so reasonable as you are would know not to ask something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.” She shot back defensively. Now her pride was really wounded. She already felt stupid enough for having accepted help from a Faerie. She could just hear Harry shouting you did what?!

“Manners, child,” she chided, but allowed her hand to be swatted away with only a quick turn of her fingernail to catch at the skin as it was diverted.

She laughed at the phrasing Murphy used, and shook her head.  Such poor wording.  “Of course I wouldn’t ask for something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.  Whether you could, though, is another matter.“

Though it wouldn’t be equivalent to ask something particularly dangerous of her.  Lea had hardly put herself in danger by her actions, after all.  This stubborn human didn’t need to be told that, though.

Lea tilted her head, thinking for a moment.  “Since you insist… You have a mobile phone?”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy winced at the scrape of the nail against her skin, rubbing a defensive hand against the uncomfortably vulnerable skin under her chin while glowering up at the woman. The more terrified she was the easier it was to posture.

Like a bristling kitten compared to the Mountain Lion in front of her. Which she would kill someone for using as a comparison in earshot.

“it’s bad manners to touch without asking.” She muttered back.

Murphy was about to make a snide comment about overly pedantic Faeries and their arrogance, but was waylaid by the question. “Do I… Uh.” She wasn’t sure what she had expected, probably some ‘go bring me the heart of a Komodo Dragon’ sort of bullshit. But certainly not this. “uh, yeah, I do.”

[auburnsongs]

The defiance was amusing, but it did seem time to move on from playing.

Lea nodded as Murphy answered. “Good.”

She pulled out a cell phone of her own from a small pocket of her dress, unlocked it, and entered a phone number on the screen. “To start, I want you to call this number with your phone.”

[tiny-fierce]

… Did she just…

Murphy blinked several times in unabashed bewilderment. Did she actually have a full on concussion? Had she died in the fall? Was this some sort of crazed final moments thing where her brain chemicals were screwing with her?

She legitimately gaped, open-mouthed, at the taller woman for several beats as if waiting for the punchline.

Finally, she slid her own phone from her pocket and copied the number.

Before pressing send her mind rebooted enough to manage, “ … Why? Who is this? Say what?”

[auburnsongs]

Oh dear, had she broken the poor thing? If it was that easy, she would have to have a word with her Godson.

But finally Murphy seemed to recover enough to at least follow instructions. Almost.

“Call it,” she replied evenly, “let it ring, and I will then tell you what help I need from you.”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy narrowed her eyes, even though her head was playing a fun game of heartbeat bongos in her ears, "I don't know if I'm comfortable with that. Why won't you tell me who I'm calling?" She returned, suspicious.

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

Sheer reflex had one of those crossed arms coming up to swat her hand away, Karrin stumbling back a step, really glad her back wasn’t to the cliff’s edge this time. “Don’t touch me.” Her head hurt but her pride was aching pretty badly too.

Lea’s response earned nothing but a derisive snort, “Well surely someone so reasonable as you are would know not to ask something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.” She shot back defensively. Now her pride was really wounded. She already felt stupid enough for having accepted help from a Faerie. She could just hear Harry shouting you did what?!

“Manners, child,” she chided, but allowed her hand to be swatted away with only a quick turn of her fingernail to catch at the skin as it was diverted.

She laughed at the phrasing Murphy used, and shook her head.  Such poor wording.  “Of course I wouldn’t ask for something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.  Whether you could, though, is another matter.“

Though it wouldn’t be equivalent to ask something particularly dangerous of her.  Lea had hardly put herself in danger by her actions, after all.  This stubborn human didn’t need to be told that, though.

Lea tilted her head, thinking for a moment.  “Since you insist… You have a mobile phone?”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy winced at the scrape of the nail against her skin, rubbing a defensive hand against the uncomfortably vulnerable skin under her chin while glowering up at the woman. The more terrified she was the easier it was to posture.

Like a bristling kitten compared to the Mountain Lion in front of her. Which she would kill someone for using as a comparison in earshot.

“it’s bad manners to touch without asking.” She muttered back.

Murphy was about to make a snide comment about overly pedantic Faeries and their arrogance, but was waylaid by the question. “Do I… Uh.” She wasn’t sure what she had expected, probably some ‘go bring me the heart of a Komodo Dragon’ sort of bullshit. But certainly not this. “uh, yeah, I do.”

[auburnsongs]

The defiance was amusing, but it did seem time to move on from playing.

Lea nodded as Murphy answered. “Good.”

She pulled out a cell phone of her own from a small pocket of her dress, unlocked it, and entered a phone number on the screen. “To start, I want you to call this number with your phone.”

[tiny-fierce]

... Did she just...

Murphy blinked several times in unabashed bewilderment. Did she actually have a full on concussion? Had she died in the fall? Was this some sort of crazed final moments thing where her brain chemicals were screwing with her?

She legitimately gaped, open-mouthed, at the taller woman for several beats as if waiting for the punchline.

Finally, she slid her own phone from her pocket and copied the number.

Before pressing send her mind rebooted enough to manage, " ... Why? Who is this? Say what?"

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

Sheer reflex had one of those crossed arms coming up to swat her hand away, Karrin stumbling back a step, really glad her back wasn’t to the cliff’s edge this time. “Don’t touch me.” Her head hurt but her pride was aching pretty badly too.

Lea’s response earned nothing but a derisive snort, “Well surely someone so reasonable as you are would know not to ask something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.” She shot back defensively. Now her pride was really wounded. She already felt stupid enough for having accepted help from a Faerie. She could just hear Harry shouting you did what?!

“Manners, child,” she chided, but allowed her hand to be swatted away with only a quick turn of her fingernail to catch at the skin as it was diverted.

She laughed at the phrasing Murphy used, and shook her head.  Such poor wording.  “Of course I wouldn’t ask for something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.  Whether you could, though, is another matter.“

Though it wouldn’t be equivalent to ask something particularly dangerous of her.  Lea had hardly put herself in danger by her actions, after all.  This stubborn human didn’t need to be told that, though.

Lea tilted her head, thinking for a moment.  “Since you insist… You have a mobile phone?”

[tiny-fierce]

Murphy winced at the scrape of the nail against her skin, rubbing a defensive hand against the uncomfortably vulnerable skin under her chin while glowering up at the woman. The more terrified she was the easier it was to posture.

Like a bristling kitten compared to the Mountain Lion in front of her. Which she would kill someone for using as a comparison in earshot.

"it's bad manners to touch without asking." She muttered back.

Murphy was about to make a snide comment about overly pedantic Faeries and their arrogance, but was waylaid by the question. "Do I... Uh." She wasn't sure what she had expected, probably some 'go bring me the heart of a Komodo Dragon' sort of bullshit. But certainly not this. "uh, yeah, I do."

[auburnsongs]

tiny-fierce​:

The first surprise fall had been plenty thank you.

She didn’t like that long catlike stare coming her way. It was making her feel like a bird in front of a cat. And there was not much more Murphy hated than feeling like that. She was not good at being prey.

It was sheer, unadulterated stubbornness – her, stubborn? – that drew her to spread her legs slightly, brace her knees, cross her arms, and cock her chin up like her five feet would somehow suddenly become tall enough to stare down the much taller woman before her.

“Let’s say there’ll be no checking in, thanks very much.” She pursed her lips, “I’m steady as can be. What do you want from me?”

…shit. No. That was too open. Ugh. She was no good at this. Dresden was the worst teacher.

Lea closed the distance between her and Murphy, moving to place a finger under that obstinately-lifted chin.  No wonder Harry liked this one so much.

“Are you?“  She asked, her smile showing teeth.  “And are you ready, now, to do whatever it is I want from you in return for my help?  Think carefully on your answer, dear.”

Really, she was being more than fair with this one.  Offering to postpone the favor until she was more capable of completing it.  If she were not so dear to Harry, Lea would not be nearly so accommodating.

[tiny-fierce]

Sheer reflex had one of those crossed arms coming up to swat her hand away, Karrin stumbling back a step, really glad her back wasn’t to the cliff’s edge this time. “Don’t touch me.” Her head hurt but her pride was aching pretty badly too.

Lea’s response earned nothing but a derisive snort, “Well surely someone so reasonable as you are would know not to ask something a mortal couldn’t accomplish.” She shot back defensively. Now her pride was really wounded. She already felt stupid enough for having accepted help from a Faerie. She could just hear Harry shouting you did what?!