My good mood lasted for all of two seconds that it took me to turn away from the phone and find myself in a company of two very tall (and I don’t use that definition lightly) and heavyset men waiting a polite – but not very great – distance away. Behind their backs I spied a dark blue Cadillac with tinted windows.
“Can I help you gentlemen?” I asked politely looking around for cops and finding none. I mean, come on, the crime scene is just two steps away – where is everybody when you need some mundane protection?
“Get in the car,” one of the men growled in what he presumed to be a threatening manner. Unfortunately for him I was mostly amused – he couldn’t hold a candle to Morgan on a good day. The second man moved to the Caddy and opened the rear door.
“And why would I want to do that?” I infused my voice with sincere curiosity at the same time readying my force-rings in case I had to demonstrate some magically-powered aikido moves.
“Mr. Dresden,” came a voice from inside the car, “I was hoping to discuss a business proposition with you. Would you like a lift to your office?”
“And you would be?” I made a few tentative steps to the open door and bent down to look inside.
“My name is John Marcone.”
Right. I should have guessed.
It was ironic in a twisted way to meet a person who was a criminal in the eyes of mundane law. On the one hand I could be considered a criminal myself; on the other Gentleman Johnny had done no wrong on my side of the fence. He was also a man of principles that were much more rigid that was common for his line of work and in an abstract kind of way I could almost respect it.
The man himself was an epitome of casualness: sports jacket and jeans, relaxed posture, a welcoming expression and smile-creases in the corners of his eyes. All that didn’t really disguise the sense of power not that much unlike my own – an almost physical manifestation of a strong will.
I reminded myself that if I wasn’t afraid of a big bad Warden, then I shouldn’t get scared of a plain vanilla mortal. Even if he was a mafia kingpin. And had goons. Who most assuredly had an assortment of deadly weapons stashed under their ill-fitting suit jackets… Way to reassure yourself, Harry!
I quickly reminded myself that I wasn’t all that helpless either. In fact, I had an element of surprise on my side – even if Marcone heard rumors about me being a wizard he could hardly take them seriously. My hands itched to demonstrate him why you shouldn’t strong-arm your friendly neighborhood magus into your car, but discretion that Johnny had been painstakingly instilling in me for years prevailed. No need to preemptively antagonize the local crime lord – it wouldn’t bode well for my chances of undisturbed life in the city.
Internal debates resolved I pasted the best business smile on my face and got in the car. “Pleased to meet you.”
Marcone smirked, clearly taking my ready compliance as a sign of intimidation. I clenched my teeth – what little of my fear still remained was quickly transforming into anger. It further solidified while I listened to an offer of a paid vacation for the next couple of weeks. My admittedly limited amount of patience ran out when my ‘fee’ was raised for the third time.
“I don’t need you money!” I exploded, instantly frying the car’s radio. “Or government’s money for that matter. I don’t think you understand what happened, John.” I almost cringed at the inherent wrongness of calling this… stranger by that name and made a note to always address him as Marcone. “Those people were killed using magic. That means that neither police with their laws and regulations nor you and your big guns will be able to handle whoever’s doing it. This is on my side of the fence and I am the only one equipped with power and knowledge to solve it.” Not to mention, I’m the one with my head on the chopping block as a prime suspect for the murders in the eyes of White Council. “Luckily for you I’m already hired so you won’t even have to pay for my services in solving this matter, and trust me, you’ll need professional help with this one.”
During my little speech Marcone listened intently and somewhere at the back of my head I had an uncomfortable feeling of being unscrambled and thoroughly analyzed. He took in everything – my words, my aborted gestures, my expressions… it was quite unsettling.
I was relieved to see that we were just a block away from my office building so Marcone didn’t have time to object.
“Oh, look how time flies!” I exclaimed with exaggerated surprise glancing out of the window. “Seems it’s my stop already. It was a pleasure meeting you, and if you ever need my help don’t hesitate to make an appointment in my office during business hours,” I advised with a hint of reproach. Then without waiting for his driver – a guy so large he seemed to have trouble just folding into a car – to pull up, I sent my will into the engine. To my great satisfaction it coughed pitifully and died.
“Thanks for the ride!” I said cheerfully and got out of.
Judging by the absence of gunshots from behind me either Marcone was too surprised by my brazen attitude or too polite to have a shootout in the middle of the street.
It was only when I passed third floor on my way up that I became aware of a very disturbing fact. Usually I’m very careful about looking other people in the eye – a moment too long and I’m inadvertently thrown into their souls. But during my talk with Marcone I held his gaze for an awfully long time without triggering a soulgaze.
~!~
whew, I had fun writing this. Hope I didn’t disappoint those who’d waited for the fateful first meeting XD I’m still not going to rewrite Storm Front, just a couple of scenes with Morgan (whom I love, btw).
So many details I want to pick out and admire. Like how Harry's still wary of Marcone, but acknowledges his respect for him. And how this makes him more explanatory and less antagonistic. And how he cooks the car engine, just because he can. So much love.
And what a way to handle the soulgaze (that wasn't)! It's surprising that someone normally so careful about eye contact wouldn't even notice until afterwards, but perhaps it's a subconscious connection? I like where this is going.
So does Harry start to believe that Marcone isn't really human because of no soulgaze? Or does he go right to wondering if this is the same Johnny he talks to regularly? Or that he is someone else he has already soulgazed? Is a mindlink something that preempts the possibility of a soulgaze then?
Ack, why would you say that and then not post the link!? I'm glad you did say something though because otherwise I'd have thought this was yet another abandoned kink-meme fill...
Rest of the fic is here (http://dresden-kink.dreamwidth.org/1001.html?thread=29161#cmt29161) (If I somehow missed a link in the thread to the overflow post, nevermind this post).
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timeasmymeasure
My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2011-03-29 11:07 pm (UTC)“Can I help you gentlemen?” I asked politely looking around for cops and finding none. I mean, come on, the crime scene is just two steps away – where is everybody when you need some mundane protection?
“Get in the car,” one of the men growled in what he presumed to be a threatening manner. Unfortunately for him I was mostly amused – he couldn’t hold a candle to Morgan on a good day. The second man moved to the Caddy and opened the rear door.
“And why would I want to do that?” I infused my voice with sincere curiosity at the same time readying my force-rings in case I had to demonstrate some magically-powered aikido moves.
“Mr. Dresden,” came a voice from inside the car, “I was hoping to discuss a business proposition with you. Would you like a lift to your office?”
“And you would be?” I made a few tentative steps to the open door and bent down to look inside.
“My name is John Marcone.”
Right. I should have guessed.
It was ironic in a twisted way to meet a person who was a criminal in the eyes of mundane law. On the one hand I could be considered a criminal myself; on the other Gentleman Johnny had done no wrong on my side of the fence. He was also a man of principles that were much more rigid that was common for his line of work and in an abstract kind of way I could almost respect it.
The man himself was an epitome of casualness: sports jacket and jeans, relaxed posture, a welcoming expression and smile-creases in the corners of his eyes. All that didn’t really disguise the sense of power not that much unlike my own – an almost physical manifestation of a strong will.
I reminded myself that if I wasn’t afraid of a big bad Warden, then I shouldn’t get scared of a plain vanilla mortal. Even if he was a mafia kingpin. And had goons. Who most assuredly had an assortment of deadly weapons stashed under their ill-fitting suit jackets… Way to reassure yourself, Harry!
I quickly reminded myself that I wasn’t all that helpless either. In fact, I had an element of surprise on my side – even if Marcone heard rumors about me being a wizard he could hardly take them seriously. My hands itched to demonstrate him why you shouldn’t strong-arm your friendly neighborhood magus into your car, but discretion that Johnny had been painstakingly instilling in me for years prevailed. No need to preemptively antagonize the local crime lord – it wouldn’t bode well for my chances of undisturbed life in the city.
Internal debates resolved I pasted the best business smile on my face and got in the car. “Pleased to meet you.”
Marcone smirked, clearly taking my ready compliance as a sign of intimidation. I clenched my teeth – what little of my fear still remained was quickly transforming into anger. It further solidified while I listened to an offer of a paid vacation for the next couple of weeks. My admittedly limited amount of patience ran out when my ‘fee’ was raised for the third time.
“I don’t need you money!” I exploded, instantly frying the car’s radio. “Or government’s money for that matter. I don’t think you understand what happened, John.” I almost cringed at the inherent wrongness of calling this… stranger by that name and made a note to always address him as Marcone. “Those people were killed using magic. That means that neither police with their laws and regulations nor you and your big guns will be able to handle whoever’s doing it. This is on my side of the fence and I am the only one equipped with power and knowledge to solve it.” Not to mention, I’m the one with my head on the chopping block as a prime suspect for the murders in the eyes of White Council. “Luckily for you I’m already hired so you won’t even have to pay for my services in solving this matter, and trust me, you’ll need professional help with this one.”
During my little speech Marcone listened intently and somewhere at the back of my head I had an uncomfortable feeling of being unscrambled and thoroughly analyzed. He took in everything – my words, my aborted gestures, my expressions… it was quite unsettling.
I was relieved to see that we were just a block away from my office building so Marcone didn’t have time to object.
“Oh, look how time flies!” I exclaimed with exaggerated surprise glancing out of the window. “Seems it’s my stop already. It was a pleasure meeting you, and if you ever need my help don’t hesitate to make an appointment in my office during business hours,” I advised with a hint of reproach. Then without waiting for his driver – a guy so large he seemed to have trouble just folding into a car – to pull up, I sent my will into the engine. To my great satisfaction it coughed pitifully and died.
“Thanks for the ride!” I said cheerfully and got out of.
Judging by the absence of gunshots from behind me either Marcone was too surprised by my brazen attitude or too polite to have a shootout in the middle of the street.
It was only when I passed third floor on my way up that I became aware of a very disturbing fact. Usually I’m very careful about looking other people in the eye – a moment too long and I’m inadvertently thrown into their souls. But during my talk with Marcone I held his gaze for an awfully long time without triggering a soulgaze.
whew, I had fun writing this. Hope I didn’t disappoint those who’d waited for the fateful first meeting XD
I’m still not going to rewrite Storm Front, just a couple of scenes with Morgan (whom I love, btw).
Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2011-03-29 11:29 pm (UTC)Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2011-03-30 01:50 am (UTC)And what a way to handle the soulgaze (that wasn't)! It's surprising that someone normally so careful about eye contact wouldn't even notice until afterwards, but perhaps it's a subconscious connection? I like where this is going.
Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2011-03-30 06:40 am (UTC)Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2013-06-26 03:51 am (UTC)Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2013-07-07 07:49 am (UTC)Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2013-10-06 02:16 pm (UTC)Rest of the fic is here (http://dresden-kink.dreamwidth.org/1001.html?thread=29161#cmt29161)
(If I somehow missed a link in the thread to the overflow post, nevermind this post).
Re: My (not so) Imaginary Friend (6/9?)
Date: 2015-08-16 06:01 pm (UTC)