Magical Minds (Active/Closed)

[mistress_yuuko]

Character: Ichihara Yuuko and Harry Dresden
Content: Yuuko is curious about the character known as Harry Dresden and is pleased when he drops in on her shop
Setting: H6 Area, an old building with a painted black Monoka on the gate a sign nearby reads "Yuuko's Shop"
Time: Evening
Warnings: None, Yuuko being Yuuko

Comments

[ithehellamharry]

After the whole mess with Sin, Harry just wanted to find a place to rest. Unfortunately right after he had realized he still hadn't found a place to stay. He was currently on the hunt for a new home, or at least a really cheap hotel, when a strange sign caught his eye. It had what looked like a weird rabbit and a name that seemed vaguely familiar.

It took a minute, but Harry was able to link the name Yuuko to the woman he had talked to over the internet. The promise of a drink and good conversation drove him to step inside. It wasn't like he had anything better to do.

Stepping through the gate made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Whoever she was, she'd set up some wards that made the ones he had back home seem like child's play. Okay Dresden, probably should try to keep the sass to a minimum here. Of course thinking it, and doing it, were two very different things.

Looking around Harry called out, "Hello? It's Harry Dresden. Is this a bad time?"

[mistress_yuuko]

Yuuko cracked one eye open when she felt the shift in her wards, "Oh?" The woman sat up, finishing her fruity beverage before setting the empty glass on the table and getting up to go around to the front. There, standing in her front yard, was a tall man with an interesting aura about him that Yuuko quickly identified as magic...and something familiar about it too, she also smirked slightly when he called his name but she could tell it wasn't his whole name, he was a smart one.

"Well, I wouldn't call it bad timing myself though if I had known I was going to have company I would have dressed more for the occasion," Yuuko finally replied, making her presence known.

[ithehellamharry]

Harry turned at the sound of her voice, and tried very very hard not to stare. Yes, that certainly wasn't what Harry would consider appropriate clothes for receiving guests. He wasn't sure that was appropriate for going outside in.

Still, a part of him couldn't help but point out how the way the outfit was draped over her revealed a delightful amount of skin. That same part also noted that her picture on the journals in no way indicated just how curvy and stunning she really was. Harry could have used some forewarning in that regard.

Okay Harry, remember what you've learned. Think with your head, not your pants. Shaking his head Harry moved closer, making sure to keep his eyes above her neck. "I must say, I'm impressed by your wards. That's some high quality work."

[mistress_yuuko]

She grinned of course, Yuuko was the type of women not to care much about these sorts of things...that and she just loved the reactions she could wheedle out of people. "Oh, you noticed them," she looked towards her fence, putting her hands on her hips and admiring her work, "very persceptive of you...I'm not done with them...there's still a few more intricate things I'd like to add but it's functioning rather well for the most part." She sighed heavily, "Sadly nothing will ever top the wards of my real shop but alas I had help with that one."

Morning the loss of her shop for a moment she then perked back up and looked at Harry, "So, if I remember right you were interested in talking shop over a few drinks, yes?"

[ithehellamharry]

Harry raised an eyebrow at that. "So you're saying the wards around your home are even stronger than that? That's very cool...and kind of terrifying. The wards on my house can pretty much blow anyone who tries to force them into the next zip code, and I do have some defenses that can totally seal the apartment off, but this works on a whole other level." Harry realized he was rambling in a fashion that could be generously described as 'geeky,' and promptly shut up.

At Yuuko's suggestion he perked up as well. "After the week I've been having, a drink would be heavenly."

[mistress_yuuko]

"Well my shop is pretty special considering my client base," Yuuko muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. "And like I said I had help...but," she sighed, "some of those wards are starting to crumble back home due to certain events...I just hope my being here doesn't make them crumble faster." Maru and Moro would hopefully take care of it...and Mokona would know more or less what to do...she almost wished that bastard Clow was still around but there were only so many things that could go right.

She clasped her hands together, "But, your wards sound pretty good for just your home. Wards were just one of my specialties which is probably why these are so intricate."

"Putting business aside for the moment," she made a motion with her hands to show she was 'setting it aside,' "let's go have some drinks!" With a laugh she crossed over to Harry, grabbed his hand, and starting dragging him off to the actual shop, "To the kitchen!"

[ithehellamharry]

"And what client base would that be if you don't mind me asking?" Harry was curious about what kind of business would require wards that made his own seem like a white picket fence.

Chuckling Harry ran one hand through his hair. "Well, given the frequency with which Zombies, Vampires, Demons, and door to door salesmen come a'knocking, I've found a little extra security can come in handy."

He couldn't help but smile at how animated she was, it was endearing in its own way. Allowing himself to be dragged in her wake Harry said, "That's the best idea I've heard all week."

[mistress_yuuko]

Yuuko tapped her chin, "Oh a little of this, a little of that." She laughed because she knew the answer was much to vague, "Anyone who can see my shop I help...this one is a little more open because I don't have the power to make those sorts of charms...however I serve people from anywhere." She smiled cryptically, "Other worlds for example."

The kitchen she led him to was surprisingly modern given the rest of the house's appearance and Yuuko went right for the fridge, opening it and pulling out two bottles of beer. She then turned and then set one before the wizard before taking her own and popping the top off of it, "Ah~ it's so nice to have another drinking buddy." Yuuko wasted no time in knocking back some of the booze.

[ithehellamharry]

Harry sighed and wondered if an inability to give a straight answer was encoded in the same genes that influenced magical aptitude. "Magic does tend to bring out the more...unusual clientele. Otherwise they're usually desperate or lazy."

The wizard steered clear of her refrigerator, so as to not blow out her electronics. Of course, the very fact that she had one told Harry that whatever Yuuko's magic was, it worked on a very different set of rules from his own. Accepting the beer gratefully, he popped the top off and took a swig, though his enthusiasm was nothing next to Yuuko's. Still, he grinned and said, "I can drink to that."

[mistress_yuuko]

"I deal more with the desperate," Yuuko replied off-handedly. It was usually those who had no where else to turn and would give anything to get what they want that came to her. Their determination was half the reason she could grant them their wishes.

Yuuko sat down near Harry, lazily tracing her hand around the rim of her bottle, "So, if I recall my information right you were looking for a place to do business from as well as a place to stay?"

[ithehellamharry]

Harry sighed, "Yeah, me to." People usually had to be pretty desperate to consider calling a man who listed himself as a wizard to solve their problems.

Taking another swig, Harry contemplated Yuuko for a second, before answering, "That's right. I seem to keep getting pulled into helping in different situations here, and that has seriously cut into my house hunting time."

[mistress_yuuko]

Yuuko shrugged, "It happens, lending a helping hand can be rather distracting from personal needs." A slow grin started to spread as the gears started to turn in her head, "Tell you what, you can stay here if you like. I have plenty of room. All you have to do is help me out...maybe share your customer base or even some of your magical knowledge." She did enjoy learning new things after all.

"Besides, I'm used to a far noisier house and the quiet is starting to get to me."

[ithehellamharry]

"Don't I know it."

Harry mused on the offer for a moment as he took a drink. There would be a catch of course, there was always a catch. On the other hand, Harry was self aware enough to know that there would be a catch no matter where he went, and at least here the price seemed good and the beer was even better.

Plus, Harry had to admit he was naturally curious about how Yuuko's magic worked, and he couldn't resist an opportunity to learn more about it for himself. Rubbing his chin Harry nodded and said, "That sounds like a pretty good offer to me actually. I must admit that your wards have perked my interest, and I'm not sure the city needs two competing purveyors of magic goods and services. You handle the advice, I do the leg work?"

Harry shook his head, "Yeah, I've gotten used to having a lot of roommates, of varying levels of pain in the ass-ness. I imagine staying here will be a nice change of pace. Unless you have a perverted skull hanging around somewhere..."

[mistress_yuuko]

"I could show you a thing or two," she replied, glad he was interested and doubting he got the double meaning in her words. She smiled, "I like this arrangement...and it would probably be better to work with advice...I'm not sure many of the people here could afford my usual prices." Of course, she wasn't even able to grant a wish like, say, getting out of here so it probably wouldn't be too bad after all.

She laughed, "No, no perverted skull. Although, that does sound like fun...you just have to put up with me that's all." What she meant by that Harry would soon learn most likely. "So," she continued, "It's a deal then?"

[ithehellamharry]

The double meaning went clear over his head. "Sounds like a sweet deal for both of us. So, do you just want to shake? I don't do contracts signed in blood."

Of course, that line about only having to put up with her...Harry suddenly got the same feeling he did when walking into a trap he knew was coming, but knew he'd have to set off anyway.

Harry would just have to tell himself he was being paranoid right up until he was proven right. Hell's bells he hated being right.

[mistress_yuuko]

Yuuko laughed, "No, no. I don't generally take those either. A handshake is fine," she paused before turning and pulling out another bottle of alcohol and two small shot glasses, "Or we can take a shot to it." Her grin was devilish, "Whichever you prefer."

She liked this Harry guy, she really did. She could tell he was going to be a LOT of fun, not like Watanuki but fun none-the-less. Plus, it would be nice to have someone around who could help without having to charge. It was one of her limitations for being as powerful as she was.