dresden_kink | Dressing Room

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Dressing Room

Ack! Close the door; people are changing in here!

This post is for RPG shenanigans. The rules stand. A short refresher: don't be an asshole.

This post-specifics: multiple characters are okay. Characters specific to alternate verses are okay. OCs are okay. Your journal coming in to hang too is okay. There isn't a formal scenario here; it's an open sandbox where all characters and community-watchers can come and play. If your thread is going adult-only, put up a notice in the subject line. If it's going into trigger territory, don't be an asshole: no noncon-noncon'ing anyone, watchers included. Don't start OOC shit.

And have a blast!

(Don't have a dreamwidth account for your character(s)? Go check out

dw_codesharing. If there's nothing on the first page, dig deep. Lots get missed, especially when new codes go out. Also, check out the code sharing post.)

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[Harry doesn't laugh, just smiles sadly. He's something of an expert in using bad jokes to make life seem less terrifying and hopeless. He can relate.] I know. S'why it's better to know. You can protect yourself if you know. You can protect the people around you. [And he doesn't mean in the abstract-- Harry's sure Daniel's capable of that.]

[Harry sputters.] No! It's not like that. [Goddamn Marcone... Why is he always the lesser evil?] John is... not an ally, but he's not as bad as some of the things out there. And, well, he's Baron now, which is my fault, but... [Harry stops, rubs his face.] I want to see him behind bars, but maybe not while all his possible successors are worse than he is. Until then... [He trails off, shrugging some more.]

[Daniel frowns, thinking on that. All of that.] "Baron? For real baron? What does he do?" Baron. Which means... well. He doesn't really know. But it sounds important. Like he could protect the people are him, too. And John, eh? "Sounds like you know him okay. ...But it sucks, huh?"

Self-styled. His real title's Free-Holding Lord. You can ask your dad about the Accords sometime. He must've heard of them in his Knighthood. [God, talking about Marcone was uncomfortable. Harry wanted to hate him, but really couldn't. He should've been easy to categorize. Mafia is bad. Simple, right? If only.] I know him. And... yeah, it sucks, but-- and I'll deny saying this to my dying day, Daniel-- but when push comes to shove, he'll do the right thing. Or maybe I can just make him do the right thing. I don't know. I try not to think about it.

"Accords." [His face wrinkled up.; he recognized the word. Well, obviously he recognized the WORD. But he recognized the way it was used, too.] "I've heard that before." Maybe not from Dad, but... "The thing where ...fairies and wizards and even Denarians all sign up and the rules are really old school. Like." Not "right of the first night", Carpenter, jeeze. Braveheart is not a history lesson. "Kings and stuff." Good recovery.

[He considered Marcone again-- well, he'd never met the guy, but Molly had pointed him out in the news, in news papers, and he'd searched him a few times online, when Dad was still recovering and they didn't know if he'd ever walk again and Molly kept blaming Marcone and crying and all the lights in the house died in the same hour. He was part of their family history in a way, a really messed up way. This big hole no one really named but he was pretty sure his parents must have talked about, when no one else was listening, and everyone walked around him like when Nan fell asleep on the couch when she visited. Yeah, this was kind of uncomfy territory. But...]

"I didn't know you could just... sign up. I thought you had to be magic."

[Make him do the right thing. "No offence, Harry, you guys sound... weird. Does he really help?" [Hey, give a boy a cupcake, he drops the Mr.]

[The idea of John Marcone exercising droit de seigneur would likely break Harry's brain. He lifts his hand and seesaws it to and fro.] Eeh. I think most of the supernatural community thought so too. Marcone's the first straight to do it. There's no rules against vanilla mortals being Signatories though. He got the paperwork, got the signatures. He's in. Which, you know... that's my fault. I didn't really think that one through. [It felt significant that Marcone had managed to pull that off, though Harry couldn't figure out the implications just yet.]

['Mr. Dresden' can be saved for the Baron-Lords and suspicious police officers. 'Harry' smiles a bit at hearing Daniel loosening up a bit. It fades when he thinks about the 'weird' though.] Uh. Heh. Yeah, but I don't think anyone could have a normal relationship with someone who tried to buy them like he did me. Long story. [He clears his throat.] Yeah, he helps. At least, he helps me. Sometimes I'm on a case that involves him, but I pretend he doesn't exist the rest of the time. Helps me sleep at night.

[Heh. Straight. Don't smirk, Daniel.] "Your fault? What, did you force it on him?"

[He eyes the bench, shuffles a little closer on the path Goes for it and steals the edge, swinging his backpack off to cradle against his front.]

"...buy you? For real? Cha-ching?"

[Normal relationship. With a mob boss. Yup. Daniel's backbrain isn't drawing little hearts around you guys or anything, nope, although that put a bit of a damper on it. Actually, it's way too intrigued by the idea of getting to make a differences against nightmares without being his father or sister, so it's working quiet overtime. But maybe a few hearts.] "Your life sounds insane. All I have worry about passing my midterms." Mostly.

[Harry can't hear you over the sound of how gloriously heteronormative he is.] No, it... I needed his help. And I didn't want to just ask because, trust me on this, you never ever want to be in John Marcone's debt. So I offered him the application to get into the Accords and to be one of his co-signers. So I created the monster. At least in part.

[Harry laughs openly and scoots over, moving the cupcake box so it's not taking up so much of the bench.] Hell's bells, Daniel, I'm not going to bite.

For real. Cha-ching. He wanted me to be his pet wizard. I told him where he could stick his collar. He tried it again when I was about to be killed by lycanthropes. Then he wanted these FBI guys to hand me over to him-- it's a thing with him. With us. Whichever. [He thinks about that.] Wow, my life is kind of weird.

Midterms would scare me. I just got my GED. College is unknown territory for me.

[Huh. More to think about. File it away, Daniel. This visit has been more educational that he realizes.

He laughs, cheeks going a little red. Embarrassed. ] "Sorry, sorry- I didn't know if you wanted me bugging you or if you wanted to keep reading or something. Thanks." [He shifts a little closer, so one butt cheek isn't hanging off the edge of the bench, smiles awkwardly. He likes Harry; he doesn't get to see him very often. And it's kind of weird seeing him with Molly or his dad or someone Harry's actually friends with there.]

[Collar. A thing with them. His eyes widen a little-- not like that. Okay, only a little like that. Because he's hormonal and stressed and still discovering himself.] "Wow. That's hardcore. I can honestly say that no one has ever tried to buy me. And you still work with him?"

[He laughs again, less embarrassed, just amused.] "Yeah, right. Midterms stack up to-- fairies and vampires and the mafia. College isn't so bad. It's just like high school, only better, and not always all day. ...Okay, sort of like high school. Fewer assholes." [Don't let your mother hear you say that, Daneil.] "Too many people for that. More people like you. At least if it's a big enough school, I guess. Ha. You can learn a lot of stuff you didn't know about."

[He squints one eye, remembering.] "A lot of stuff. You hear about that ah-- human sexuality class?"

So long as you are not bothering me with a job, we're good. Days off don't happen too often for me. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop here. [He belatedly realizes that sounds a little callous.] Unless you need me for something. I mean... [A shrug.] I'm here for you. If you do need.

[Harry shifts, self-conscious and looking anywhere but at Daniel.] With him? If I need to. He's... a criminal scumbag mafia overlord, but he's actually not as bad as ninety percent of the Big Bads I have to tackle on a weekly basis so... But I don't work for him. Ever.

[A Carpenter swearing? Wow, Daniel must be really striking out on his own. Harry grins.] I hope "people like me" is a good thing. Don't have much experience with any of that, myself. Different type of childhood. [He doesn't elaborate further than that.]

[Oh, is he turning red? Maybe.] The one with the-- no, um. I haven't. [Yeah, that's convincing.]

[Daniel held his hands up, palms out, laughing while he spoke.] "No shoe-dropping here. I am strictly boring, man. No supernatural drama. But-- thanks. Yeah." [Because if he ever did need help. It was nice to know who to go to.

And really, he should be nicer to the guy and stop bugging him about the Marcone thing. But it was sticking in his head like something important, and it was sort of funny, to see the guy who did magic and saved lives get all squirmy about something. But he's not a jerk.] "Got it. Criminal. But only the human type. And no buying or working for. Like you would, anyway." [Harry's his dad's friend. Of course he's a good guy.

But that blush, ha. Okay, that's funny.] "Not at all, huh? It made the news and everything. Glad I didn't tell my folks I picked that course up." [Because he had a lot of questions, and it was a really popular course. But it so wasn't a conversation he was having with his parents, God. That was enough to pour ice water on his inner-snickering.]

Carpenters are never boring, kid. Maybe you're not the Fist of God or a wizardess, but you're not boring. [It was kind of refreshing to hear about vanilla troubles. It was nice, domestic, just like everything about the Carpenters.]

But... [He's quite for a long moment, wondering how to put this.] In the mundane realm, avoid him at all costs. But if, by some insane chance, you get into some supernatural trouble and you can't reach your family or me, Chicago is his territory and he might be able to help you. In theory. [There was the matter that Daniel was a kid and, oh yeah, a Carpenter. That would mean something to Marcone. Harry knew it.] Like I said, the thing with Marcone's complicated.

[Harry turns redder.] Okay, maybe I did read about it. A little. You... did you go to... [He gestures a little helplessly.] The demonstration?

[He shakes his head, mumbling quietly,] Why do you need a class on that? How complex could it be?

[He smiled--surprised.] "I can tell you all about my day if that's what you think. Woke up, went to the cafeteria for breakfast. Ate toast. Cereal. Eggs. Some bacon." [Growing boy, dammit. Sort of.] "Had a shower. Packed a bag. Took the L to Addison. Walked home. Ate a sandwich. Gave Mom my laundry. Walked back to the L. Came here. Went to Buckingham fountain, came this way. Met you. You still awake, there?"

[He frowned, gentle frivolity gone. He didn't want to think about Chicago with Harry gone. The things he only half knew where out there, waiting in the dark. Fear. He pulled his backpack a little closer.

His dad-- Dad had known. And he'd always stopped things from making it home with him. No matter how tired he was. Things were safe. And Harry, yeah. He wasn't his DAD. God no. But, he did the same sort of thing. When stuff made it to their house. He stopped it.[

"...You think that'll ever happen?" [His voice was small and he cleared his throat, trying to fill it up.] "I mean. That I couldn't get to you?"

[But that BLUSH. And really, Harry? You're like. An adult. Shouldn't you know this stuff?] "Haa. Um, yeah."

[He scratches the back of his head, looks at the ground, anywhere but Harry's face...] "A friend I'm taking the class with thought we should go. It was okay. It wasn't like. You know. It was educational." [His ears are on FIRE, and he balls his hands in his backpack to keep from trying to cover them.] "It wasn't actually sexy or anything.

"But it's a really good class! I've learned a lot, things I hadn't really even heard about before. I don't always agree with the prof, but you don't have to, you know? And um. Yeah. People are complex. It's good to remember that." [And it had been nice, to get more of a perspective The GLBTQ club was pretty great, but really, he only went because they were his friends and to be a good boyfriend. This was different; it was reassuring; it wasn't just him and his friends alone in everything. And there was a LOT of everything.]

[He feigns falling sleep, head tipping back, letting loose a snore before jerking back 'awake'.] Sorry, what'd I miss? Hey, maybe it's not action packed, but it's not like my Friday last week. Come back to me when you get lost in the Nevernever and have to convince your fairy godmother that a Fae curse isn't going to make your life easier. [Nothing was scarier than Lea wanting to help Harry out.]

[Oh, hell, he's scared the kid. Way to go, Harry, you asshole. It's not like Daniel has trauma over being attacked by Winter Fae or anything, stars.] As I said, it's an insane chance, but... you know. Maybe I'm away on Warden business or something? Just... keep it in mind. [He winces, feeling guilty for putting the possibility in Daniel's mind. But if it saved him someday, it'd be worth it.]

Educa-- Really? I must be getting old. I don't see how watching a woman--- watching that would teach anything. [If he gets any redder, he may pass out. But he remembers the Arturo Genosa case and just being on the set of that porno was too much for him, and he was focusing on the malocchio. Signing up for a class like this?] A wild guess here, but I'm assuming Charity and Michael don't know you signed up for that class?

[His grudging laughter cuts short, turns into a just-supressed snicker.] "You have a fairy godmother." [And before he can help it, much as he KNOWS fairies aren't what Disney makes them, he's imagining Harry riding in a pumpkin carriage in a Cinderella gown, scowling like only he can, and bippity-boppity-boo he can FEEL his face going red oh God Daniel Don't. Laugh.

...Of course, there are always worse things to think about.] "Gotcha. In case of emergencies. Break mod-boss. Better safe than sorry, right?"

[And if mob-boss required emergencies weren't bad enough...] "Ohgodno. I mean. No. They don't. Um. Pleasedon'ttellthem. It's a good class! It's not a-a How To manual or anything. It's learning about people. Culture. Other cultures. The history and stuff. But. I just don't need that conversation. They're my parents." [He will never make fun of your fairy godmother, Harry, please he promises.]

[Harry watches Daniel turn red with suppressed laughter. He sighs.] Oh, go ahead and laugh. I've heard it all before.

Right. And if he wants a favor from you-- [Harry would be surprised if he did, but Marcone might be in a ruthless mood.] --tell him it's on my tab. I can handle him. If he tries to deny you shelter, tell him I'll set his estate up in Winnetka on fire. All of it.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! [Hands up, placating gestures are a go.] Breathe, Daniel, breathe. I'm not going to say anything. This is between us. I was just... surprised. I've watched you kids grow up and never really expected you to branch out like that. [He reconsiders.] Okay, maybe Molly would, now that I think about it...

[He slaps his hand over his mouth anyway, trying to hold in the laughter. It doesn't really work, and he snorts his way through what is pretty much a giggle fit.] "Sorry, Harry. It's not-- it's just. Fairy godmother. Little singing mice. Handsome prince." [Your face. A tiara. Glass slippers.]

"Wait. Back up. Now I'm suppose to threaten the mob boss I'm going to for help? Theoretically going to for help." [His face twisted sideways. This was getting... kind of nuts.] "No wonder your life is crazy.

...Oh God. Not cool, man. That's my sister!"

[Harry makes a "go on" motion with his hand, nodding along.] Yeah, yeah, it's hilarious. At least I get to be the handsome prince, right? I can live with that. [While Daniel's thinking Cinderella, Harry's thinking knight in shining armor.]

Um. Yeah. But not really. It's just me threatening him through you. Don't worry, he won't disappear you for being mouthy. I think he likes when someone dares to talk back to him.

[Harry thinks about what he just said and pulls a face.] Ugh, no! I only meant-- rebellion! The sex thing! I mean, Molly was-- nevermind. Nevermind. I said nothing. Especially nothing about sex. Ever.

"Umm. Sure. Even handsome princes get to go to the ball, right?" [In a ball gown. Tiara. Glass slippers. Setting the first guy that tried to kiss his hand on fire. Yup]

"Yeah, as long as he doesn't decide to shoot the messenger, right?" [But... this whole Baron thing. It's kind of intriguing. He's not saying he likes the idea of a mob boss having that kind of power or anything. But Harry's pretty much vouched for the guy. And there's something to this, he's sure of it. It just need to percolate for a while.

Aaaand he covers his ears. Not listeniiiing.] "SO HEY. CUBS SEASON'S STARTED."

[Oh, what? They're doing that? Harry eyes Daniel suspiciously.] You... you cast me as the girl, didn't you? [8| There is nothing girlish about him, faerie godmother aside. It's not his fault his mother didn't think that through when she set it up.]

He won't. He knows I'd go nuclear on him if he did. And... you're a kid, sort of. He doesn't hurt kids. You're fine. [Vouching? No, never. Harry's just informing. Marcone's still a scumbag murderous bastard. No cognitive dissonance here.]

[Harry laughs openly.] Yes, must protect virgin ears from such talk. Sports, right. Cubs! They won, no thanks to Zambrano. Yeeeep.

[Oops. He winced.] "Sorry, Harry. Just the image. You know. Disney. Stroke of midnight." [No harm meant. Macho pride all in place, right?]

"I'm 20!" [...He's 20!]

"Heh. Not much you can say about that game other than that it was a Cub's game. Inside and out."

You know, the stroke of midnight thing doesn't make much sense, magic wise. The turn of the day depends on were the sun is. Midnight wouldn't mean anything to the Fae...

So you are, kid. So you are. [Oh, the youngsters these days, so eager to be adults.]

Still. First game. We must all make our pilgrimage to Wrigley. [He bows his head reverently. Then scarfs down another cupcake. Om nom nom.]

[Oh. Um.] "...Stroke of noon?" [Er?

His eyes squinched. He knew when he was being made fun of... but it was Harry. He'd snarked back at Daniel's MOM. It was just what he did, right?]

"Be the tradition," he agreed. "No matter how painful."

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Dressing Room

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mun will be here only intermittently for a few hours

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