[Open Season]

[freeholding]

[You wanna play? Let's play. Leave a comment.]

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[open]

[freeholding]

[The good Baron is in his city, feel free to run into him, set up an appointment, or just show up without one.]

[forzare]

[ Yes Alex, we'll take "just show up without one" for three-hundred please.

Since this city is apparently big enough for two of them, with just a teeny bit of warping and fraying where they meet up. Invitations are for squares, unless they're necessary for safety-of-passage and business like that. Not that they had business to do. No, not a lick of it. Not them! Gosh, that's like saying the north and south ends of magnets didn't wind up smacking into each other when in close proximity. Or that when you spilled bleach on your jeans, it didn't leave big stains. ]

will follow any lead you give, btw

[freeholding]

[ Ah. Well, it's been too long since Dresden made a nuisance of himself. Really, John was becoming too productive and efficient-- it was only fair to his enemies that the occasional wizard road-block fell across his path.

Upon Dresden's arrival, John moves to shut down his computer. He had been reading Gard's report on the Malk surge in Bucktown, but clearly that will have to wait.

He doesn't say anything though. He simply sighs, as dramatically and long-sufferingly as he can get away with.]

oh no don't tell me that i'm notorious for bad decisions!

[forzare]

Hiya John. [ Harry's all mock-smiles and elbows as he leans himself right on the edge of John's desk, drumming his fingers across the surface, presumably to the only-slightly-mangled tune of 'The Lone Ranger'. Suffer away, sweetheart. ] How's my least-favorite person in the whole wide world doing?

oh god. idk. harry hiding under John's skirt from something? upside of local Accord Signatories?

[freeholding]

[ The Windows shut-down tune sounds just as Dresden wanders too close, and John exhales hard through his nose. Not that he can't afford a new computer very easily, but the set-up time is an unnecessary delay. And the people working tech support don't deal well with Gard. ]

Harry, [ Because one day, Dresden will slip and forget to be affronted at John's attempts at playing friendly. ] do you expect me to believe I rank lower than, say, Archleone?

"hiding under john's skirts" oh BOYS!

[forzare]

[ Shame about that computer, John. The hard drive might have needed some remodeling, you never know. Harry give it a cursory look, but since it's not something that belongs to someone - well, that isn't Marcone - he isn't terribly bothered about his proximity to it. ]

I expect you to consider it. [ Harry's a shit liar; fact. Though he does wag a finger at his so-called "least favorite" (if that's the case, why was he even there) over being called "Harry". As usual. ] Have to keep you guessing. Oh, and your guy at the front door will wake up in a few hours.

8D

[freeholding]

[ John hooks his ankle on the cord under the desk and unplugs the system entirely. Just in case.

Dresden is a shit liar, though he's gotten better over the years. Not enough to sell that one, though. John gives him an unimpressed look, making eye contact hard and fast, like a chiding reminder to Dresden of who he's dealing with. ]

That was unnecessary. My people are under instruction to give your visits a certain level of priority. [A small, exasperated headshake.] What do you need this time?

john's got the biggest skirts to hide under in allllll of chicago!!

[forzare]

[ Ruin all the fun, why doesn't he? Well, since the computer has been effectively spared from potential catastrophe, Harry sees no reason why he can't talk his half-perched self and turn it into fully-perched self on the desk. ] He looked a little lethargic, so I gave him permission to take a nap while I went to visit his boss. [ and make a nuisance of himself that's all, really that's all. ]

I don't need anything. You got quiet, ergo - I got curious.

Only at the Baton of River North on Saturday nights, baby

[freeholding]

[ So Dresden isn't going to just get to the point. Now, if John dared to take out his phone in a wizard's presence, he could message Gard and ask what the supernatural gossip network said about what was Dresden's life-threatening flavor of the week. Alas. ] Such behavior from a Council Warden. What will your superiors say? [ John's tone is dry as a desert; he's never cared for the White Council, especially since becoming aware of the business they conducted in Chicago. ]

[ Dresden does not show up without needing something. Every instance of their meeting has be the set up or subsequent payment of a debt. At the moment, they don't owe each other anything, so clearly Dresden's about to ask a favor. John smiles, a quick flash of teeth and leans back in his executive chair. ] You need something. Out with it, Harry; I have things I should be tending to.

the question begs asking: sequins or leather?

[forzare]

They'd say: "bequeathing naptime upon mortals in need is illegal, off with his head". [ Marcone was a Freeholding Baron, which meant he was pretty-freaking-much in the know, so why hold back on the extra helping of sarcasm when it came to a governing body he thought poorly of and was quintessentially stuck with. Grr, argh and all that jazz.

John's not stupid, anyone who gets it in their head that he might be, even for a moment, probably deserves what's coming for them. No, he's so far from stupid and so far above merely "intelligent" that he's practically omniscient when it comes to matters. So, in that regard, the smile prompts a faint scowl from the wizard, but little other animosity because hell, he does need something, but he's never going to come straight out with it. ] I need a nap, and your settee in the lobby looks comfy. Let me use it for a few hours and I won't nuke your hard drive when I leave.

.... i don't understand, are those mutually exclusive in some way? 8D

[freeholding]

[ John nods. They understand each other, at least. And the part of John's mind that is always number-crunching makes a mark in a mental column, cross-section of the White Council and Harry Dresden rows: Becoming Warden has not cured Dresden's disdain for the Council. Good to know, the enemy of my enemy, et cetera. ]

[ Let's take a stab in the dark, John thinks, and gets up. ] Well, if that is all you require, my sofa is free. While you do that, I'll just go about my business. You don't need me for an evening nap. [ Unless of course Dresden does. ]

((OOC: Bedtime, but omg, having a ball with this, eeeee! Will reply in morning.))

well played, i say. well played, and touche...

[forzare]

[ What Harry needs happens to be that sofa he's been eyeballing as purposefully as he can in the hopes that Marcone will stop looking at him, contemplating his words, and then reading him like The Chicago Tribune. Barons get smug, wizards get uppity as a result. Things go south and sour, and Harry can't enjoy the benefits of a power nap on that really comfy couch. That's what he needs, yeah...

He'll keep telling himself it's that, and make sure his voice is nice and bright and dismissive and just the right tone for getting this sharp-eyed git off his case. ] Why Baron, it's like you read my mind. Shame on you, spoiling the surprise like that. Now, I have a date with your furniture, you'll have to excuse me.

((OOC: Sleep well! I'm glad you're enjoying it, I'm having so much fun too, ohgosh. ))

[freeholding]

[ John sees you eyeballing that sofa, Dresden. He'd even let you have it, no charge, except... ]

Of course if you were here to take advantage of my protection as Signatory of the Unseelie Accords and I were to leave, you would be open prey for whatever you're theoretically hiding from. [ he says casually as he puts a few things into his briefcase. ] But since this is just a friendly check-in, I'm sure that's not necessary.

[forzare]

[ If a look could set something on fire, the room would have gone up in flames. A tight silence settles across Harry's mouth in the wake of Marcone's words, and he fights to react just as casually. A glance across the briefcase (across John's hands as he manipulates the situation as well as he does the tools of his making), and Harry's jaw tightens. ] Open season is year-round, you know. Okay - I'm here for your Title. You being attached to it is an annoyance, but I'm going to take advantage of it regardless.

[ And with that, he's going to crash onto the couch with purpose and kick his legs up onto the cushions. ] Leave if you're gonna'. I won't stop you.

[freeholding]

[ So there's no clear way to wrest a debt marker out of Dresden. Such a shame. The stakes between them are so often even, John sometimes dreams of what it would be like to hold a favor over Dresden's head.

But perhaps another day.

John sets the prop down-- because the briefcase was never anything more than a prop-- and smiles, walking over to where Dresden has stretched himself out. He is nothing but angles and ridiculously long lines sprawled over designer furniture. Dresden is a splotch in an otherwise immaculate office, but John hardly minds.

He sits lightly on the far arm of the sofa. ] Being a man in my position, you get to make your own hours. I won't place you under my official protection because you are being exceptionally annoying today, [ and stiffing John his favor, ] but I could order us some Thai.

[forzare]

It's hard to count sheep when you're turning up and devouring half the flock, [ he grouses, and opens an eye. All the better to see Marcone with, and keep a steady focus on him. At the mention of being "exceptionally annoying", however, he grinned nice and wide. Smiles of the Dresden-variation tended to be obnoxious, especially in lieu of the idea that he was exactly that. ]

Then what, we'll sit around and talk shop and paint each others toenails? Ivy got there first. I've got a twenty. Take it and I won't turn down the food.

[freeholding]

[ John returns Dresden's smile in kind, but darker and far more predatory. Though Dresden's always been refreshingly immune to such posturing, old habits die hard and this is a dance they've done before. ] See this from my point of view, Harry. It is a very rare thing to have you in my presence both voluntarily and without clear and present danger. Do you fault me for taking advantage? I would have thought you'd be the last person to do that.

[ He returns to his desk briefly, just long enough to shoot off a message to his PA, a summons for food. ] Now now, you're already infringing on my hospitality, why not do it all the way? I'll pay.

[forzare]

See from y--? I'm not going to sit up.

[ Lazily, he gestures between the two of them, heedless of that insanely predatory smile. If anything, it stirs him to act out a little more. The most he moves is to twist at the hip so he can keep an eye on The Devil Wears Armani and scowl after him. Fine, if he was going to play hardball, Harry'd be stashing his twenty somewhere in the room to be found at a later date. ] So, we're actually taking advantage of each other? Nifty.

Wake me when the food's here. [ like hell if he's actually going to do anything but close his eyes and play pretend while in Marcone's company ]

[freeholding]

[ That crack about his height was uncalled for, Dresden. Not everyone can be as absurdly tall as you. Since his back's to Dresden, John indulges in an eye roll.

There is enough time to power on his computer and print out the Malk report before food shows up. One upside of owning almost every building on the block is speedy delivery from the tenants. John would never confirm or deny that the excellent Thai place at street level was part of why he purchased this building.

Once food arrives, John puts it on the table nearest Harry and shakes the wizard's shoulder, gently, just in case he is actually asleep. ]

so, i'm totally unable to keep away from this thread.

[forzare]

[ Yes, but the opportunity presented itself, and Harry's a bit of an opportunist when it comes to getting under your skin, Marcone. Even if it means he'll get it in spades later, or taken out of his hide even.

Harry doesn't plan to sleep, since he's not that comfortable in the Baron's presence (that one he's particularly aware of, and can't help but be attentive towards), but neither was he able to guess that Marcone'd be giving him a shake awake. The result is a twitch of his knee, the back of his hand automatically flying back to smack the hand away defensively, before he remembers where he is and takes stock of everything. ]

Oh hell, [ he tries for casual, and fumbles for the Thai. ] That smells delicious, come to papa.

EXCELLENT. i am so fucking rusty tho ugh

[freeholding]

[ John smiles, this time a lot less threatening. The smell of fresh food will do that to anyone. He settles in on the opposite side of the coffee table from Harry and unpacks the containers from the white plastic bag they arrived in. ]

There's Pad Thai, satay, a few curries... [ There is also duck bame, but John liberates that for himself the moment he spots it; that he is not sharing. ] And some Thai iced tea, if you like.

a bit of oil, a bit of manipulation and you'll be good as new! :D

[forzare]

[ He sits up, swinging his legs off the couch and onto the floor before he stretches out for the food. If someone had told him he'd be having an impromptu meal with John fucking Marcone at some point that day, he'd have laughed. But food was food, and he needed to buy himself a little more time to think and gather his wizardy wits about him before walking out that front door. ]

You know it was just because you were the closest, yeah? [ He mutters it around a mouthful of noodles, swallows, and looks across the table pointedly. Who are you trying to convince, Harry? Then a sly smirk: ] Thanks for the grub, though.

.... fuck that icon should come with a warning

[freeholding]

[ John considers the wizard on his floor for a moment, thinking about height differences and how he'd much prefer easier eye contact. Nathan would call it an unhealthy obsession, how much John goes out of his way to lock eyes with Dresden like a right of conquest. Luckily, Nathan isn't here to stop John from being ridiculous.

He slides off his suit jacket, slings it along the back of a chair, then slides to the ground in an almost conspicuously graceful manner. His legs fold into a loose lotus, and he resumes tucking into his bame. ]

I didn't ask, but if you say so. [ John's lips twitch. The wizard doth protest so very loudly. ] Thank you for the excuse. Without your interruption, I was due for a financial briefing. [ A wince. ]

his face should come with a damn warning...

[forzare]

[ Tucking his knees under the table awkwardly, Harry sticks his elbows on the table and tucks into the rest of the food with such a voracity and disregard for table manners that someone who did not know him might have thought he was raised. Employing that age old method of "eat everything lest someone take it away", he kept his mouth full (and himself quiet), because otherwise he was going to keep making smart quips and sharp digs at Marcone. The so-called "least favorite" that he was having a damn meal with. It was a little disturbing. Not to mention the way the man kept staring. In return, he kept avoiding the eye contact, save for when he would pull faces at his host. ]

Just a disclaimer. [ Considering it was just plain weird, especially when he began to think about it. ] Gee, John. You lead such a wild and colorful life. Financial briefings, tell me more! Especially about the part with all the numbers and paperwork.

... sudden mental "Toxic" by Britney Spears. thanks.

[freeholding]

[ Watching Dresden move is oddly fascinating. John's never had the opportunity, given how most of their meetings involve hurling insults for ten minutes before parting ways or being pre-occupied with some fatal danger. Dresden moves like Jack Skellington had drunk enough to forget how motor functions worked.

God, what was Dresden like when drunk? Did his legs just give out for the rest of his body's own good?

John's so intently considering that he almost misses what's being said. ]

Well, there are only so many priceless Catholic relics I can get my hands on. [ A long sip of Thai tea. ] I don't keep track of much of the numbers. That's what the accounting department is for. Or are you looking for freelance work? [ John's fairly sure Dresden barely manages his taxes in the electronic age... ]