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Bernie Rhodenbarr is a talented lad ([info]theburglarwho) wrote in [info]valarlogs,
@ 2012-07-27 09:58:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:!complete, barbara gordon (batgirl), bernie rhodenbarr

Who: Bernie Rhodenbarr and Barbara Gordon
What: She's making him dinner
When: Thursday night, after this exchange
Where: Barbara's place
Rating: PG, probably, some flirting from Bernie.. Will update if more!
Status: In Progress



Bernie didn't need Artie to tell him he was being ridiculous. He was an old bookseller and an appreciative customer had offered him dinner. He'd known Barbara for years, and while he'd flirted with her before--in a harmless, gentlemanly way--this was the first time he'd ever been invited over. It was much more sensible to take it at face value; She was grateful he was bringing his cat over to slaughter vermin, and was making him dinner in thanks.

Still, he couldn't help a bit of schoolboy excitement. She'd welcomed his offer of wine, and hadn't shot down his flirting yet. Of course, she could simply be in shock from the earthquakes and the invasion of the furry creatures. Best not to assume anything. He would simply expect a nice dinner, good wine, and pleasant conversation occasionally punctuated by the shrieks of Raffles' prey.

At Barbara's door, Bernie leaned on the bell with an elbow. In one hand he carried the Pinot noir, and under the other arm was Raffles.



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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-27 04:40 pm UTC (link)
Barbara felt like a nervous young girl about to embark on a first date, which was ridiculous in all ways but true nonetheless. She'd known Bernie for a while now, ever since discovering his treasure trove of a shop and it had soon become one of her favorite places to spend any free time she had. She'd considered inviting him over on a number of occasions but it had never seemed to be the right time. Or she had talked herself out of it. Maybe she should be grateful for the internet - there was less time to consider what you were saying and clicking send or post was so much easier.

She shook her head; he was expecting a thank you dinner, she told herself, nothing more. Honestly, she was old enough to know better. Not that it had stopped her trying on half her wardrobe before settling on a simple black dress. Okay, her favorite black sleeveless Prada dress with a round neck, belt detail at the waist and pleated skirt but still it was comfortable and she looked nice in it. Though she had kicked off her shoes while she bustled about in the kitchen.

Soft classical music played quietly throughout the large house via her internal sound system so when the door bell rang she heard it straight away. She made her way to the front door, checked her hair, which she had curled softly, and, minimal, make up in the mirror quickly before opening the door with a smile.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-27 05:10 pm UTC (link)
Bernie smiled back at her, feeling an odd sense of relief. He hadn't known her to dress like this for no reason. Perhaps this was a date. That might have made someone else more apprehensive, but Bernie was more relaxed knowing they were on the same page. "You look lovely," he said, offering her the bottle of wine.

The black shirt had been a mistake, Bernie realized, thanks to Raffles. Still, cat hair or no, Bernie knew his strengths, and was able to dress himself better than most of his peers. The shirt fit him well, and managed to look stylish even without a tie. He'd obviously put more care into his appearance tonight than he did at the shop. His shoes were particularly nice.

Raffles, apparently aware they were at their destination, jumped down from Bernie's arms and darted past Barbara into the house.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-27 07:58 pm UTC (link)
"Oh thank you. You look very handsome" she told him honestly, blushing slightly as her eyes ran over him. The man knew how to dress, she thought as she took the wine with thanks.

She laughed as the cat jumped down and ran into the house, "She's eager" Barbara commented as she stood back to let Bernie into her home. "Dinner won't be too long" she told him, "but I think we have time for me to show you around if you'd like?" she offered.

She thought he would particularly enjoy her library, it was her favorite room in the whole house. And the garden looked especially nice from the conservatory in the evening; as it began to get dark and the solar lights she had came on bathing the garden in various colored lights. Maybe saving that for coffee later would be a good idea.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-27 08:25 pm UTC (link)
"She's bloodthirsty," he said of the cat, smirking as he brushed away a bit of Raffle's hair. He only hoped he found all of the fluffy corpses in his store before they started to smell.

He smiled as he followed her inside, nodding. "A tour? I'd like that." It wasn't often that he was in a home big enough to necessitate a tour. Bernie made a living, but antiquarian books wasn't exactly a booming market. He lived in a modest apartment filled with nice enough things, but this type of space was quite nice.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-27 08:58 pm UTC (link)
Barbara smiled as she led him further into the house, "I imagine it seems rather ridiculous that I have such a large house when there's only me" she said conscious that it was an opinion many people held, "But I've always liked having a lot of space and of course I get to display my collections" she added as she opened the door to the library.

"I might be making a mistake showing you this room first" she said as they entered, "The rest of the house won't seem as impressive I'm sure" she told him with a smile.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-27 10:04 pm UTC (link)
Bernie shook his head. "I wouldn't say that. People weren't meant to live in tiny boxes." He followed along. "I think your space is.. fantastic." The library actually gave him pause. The shelves were beautiful, and worked into the room so well it was impossible to imagine anything else in their place. There were paintings on the walls; art was another passion of Bernie's, but one he didn't have as much access to, sadly. Bernie was sure he'd supplied a number of the books, including one or two in the glass display case.

"There's nothing wrong with knowing what you like, Barbara." If he came into money, this was exactly how he would spend it. His personal library was well-stocked, but a fraction of the size and not nearly as well decorated. "Consider me impressed."

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-27 10:25 pm UTC (link)
Barbara was reassured by his words, she was glad he seemed to understand where she was coming from and didn't think the huge house was too extravagant.

She found she was holding her breath while waiting for him to take in the room and tell her what he thought. When he did she smiled and admitted, "It's my favorite room. I spent the longest time making sure it was just right" she gestured to the walls, "I do think I need more paintings but I'm a bit more picky about artwork"

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-27 10:43 pm UTC (link)
He nodded. "I know what I said about being trapped in boxes.. But I think if this were my box, I would be quite happy." He smiled. He walked into the room, taking a closer look at the books and the paintings. "These are very nice," he said. "I like your style."

Once he had taken in the room and regained some of his wits, he looked back to her. "I suppose I should have expected your home to be as beautiful as you, but you can understand why that would be hard to imagine."

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-27 10:55 pm UTC (link)
Barbara flushed but gave him a warm smile, "I think any one of these books could easily outshine me but thank you for the compliment"

She wasn't very used to receiving compliments though she did appreciate knowing he found her attractive, it was reassuring in a strange way.

"Let me show you the rest of the house" she said, aware that dinner was bubbling away and that she would hate to ruin the evening by burning anything.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-27 11:57 pm UTC (link)
Bernie smiled, pleased with her reaction. He was feeling quite confident now. He smiled, shrugging. He wouldn't mind staying in the library all evening, but it wouldn't be polite to inconvenience his host.

"There's more?" he asked playfully. He followed along, sidestepping the occasional trilling fluffball. He clasped his hands behind his back, looking around at the decor as she led him to various rooms.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 12:08 am UTC (link)
As they entered the kitchen Barbara hoped she hadn't babbled too much as she had shown him the downstairs rooms, it was just that she took great pride in her home. And she didn't have visitors all that often.

"And finally we have the kitchen" she said, "If my timings are correct dinner should be about ready"

She removed the wine he had brought from the wine chiller where she had quickly placed it before beginning to show him round. Placing it on the counter top she retrieved a corkscrew and glasses from the cupboard. "Would you mind doing the honours while I serve up?" she requested, thankful she had put the plates in the plate warmer earlier and had already set out the cutlery in the dining room. Though she had closed up the table from its long display to its more cosier form.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 12:33 am UTC (link)
Bernie had enjoyed the tour. Barbara had good taste, and he appreciated that. He hadn't been caught speechless the way he had in the library--It wasn't easy to make Bernie speechless, as Artie would have pointed out--but he had commented on her good taste.

"Certainly," he said, taking the corkscrew and bottle. He went about opening the bottle, leaning against the counter and watching Barbara as she went about her preparations.

He poured two glasses and brought them to the table.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 06:19 am UTC (link)
Barbara served up quickly and efficiently, moving around her kitchen with ease. The meal was simple - Italian sausage fettuccine in a light tomato sauce - but it was usually tasty. She considered putting her shoes back on but it seemed pointless now so instead she brought the plates to the table and gestured to Bernie to sit before she did the same.

She smiled as they sat across from one another, "What should we toast to?" she asked as she picked up her wine glass.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 03:26 pm UTC (link)
Bernie picked up his glass, pondering for a moment. There was her beauty. A beautiful woman was always worth toasting. Or they could hope for the store's quick recovery.

Then there was a yowl and a high pitched trill from a nearby room. Bernie smirked at the intrusion. "To Raffles?" She was the reason for the evening, after all.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 07:57 pm UTC (link)
Barbara laughed as they heard Raffles making a kill, "To Raffles" she agreed clinking her glass to his, "And her charming owner" she added with a smile.

"So tell me, now that Raffles has taken care of the furry menaces in the store is it still looking like chaos? Did they damage any of the books?" she asked, hoping the disruption wasn't going to cause him too many problems.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 08:11 pm UTC (link)
Bernie smiled, a playful arch to his eyebrow as she mentioned his charm. He sipped the Pinot, leaning back in his chair. "Well, they certainly stalled the clean-up process. But I don't think they caused any damage on top of what the quake did. Thankfully they didn't try to eat the books."

He was planning to start the last stage of cleanup this evening, but he much preferred Barbara's suggestion. "Your library appeared to be undamaged."

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 08:35 pm UTC (link)
"That's definitely good to hear" Barbara told him, the thought of the annoying creatures damaging or eating the books was terrible especially after they managed to escape earthquake damage.

"A few books were dislodged from their shelves but overall very little of concern, I've been very lucky throughout the whole house really" she told him, "It was obviously built very well"

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 08:53 pm UTC (link)
Bernie nodded. "That's good. I guess I know where to take shelter the next time the earth shakes." He could've thrown in a wink, but that might have been a bit too on-the-nose. She would have to settle for his grin. If she wanted to interpret that as an invitation to make the ground shake, who was he to argue?

"This is excellent," he commented of the food after swallowing a few bites.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 09:13 pm UTC (link)
"You're very welcome here on any ground shaking occasion" she told him with a grin of her own. Barbara wasn't the most practiced when it came to flirting, in fact she rather thought she was bad at it but with Bernie she found it came slightly easier to her.

"Thank you" she replied, "It's simple but I always find those are the meals people tend to enjoy more"

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 09:33 pm UTC (link)
Bernie seemed very at ease. She was pretty and interested in him--a good combination. Her book collection was definitely up to his standards. He hadn't come into the evening expecting anything, per se, but hopefully things were going better than he could've hoped. Regardless of where the evening went later, they were both enjoying themselves.

"Agreed. Wouldn't want the food to distract from the company, as herculean a task that might be, in this case."

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 09:59 pm UTC (link)
Barbara blushed but smiled her thanks at the compliment, another yowl followed by a couple more squeaks interrupted her reply.

She chuckled, "Raffles will deserve a treat after all the hunting she's doing" Barbara said, "If word gets around you'll be loaning her out to everyone will a furry problem"

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 10:06 pm UTC (link)
Bernie grinned. "My friend Artie has already requested to be next in line. He has a shop near mine. The Warehouse?" Maybe she'd been there before. If she hadn't, Bernie would have to recommend it once the place was back open. It was definitely the sort of place someone like Barbara would enjoy.

He sipped his wine. "He didn't offer me dinner, though." The stingy bastard. Bernie smirked.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 10:13 pm UTC (link)
"I don't think I've come across it" she admitted, "I don't get as much time to shop as I'd like". There was always some sort of board or business meeting to attend, she really needed to actually reduce the ones she actually attended rather than just thinking about it.

"I'm glad I don't have to worry about dinner competition" she replied with a smile.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 10:39 pm UTC (link)
"Oh, you should stop by," Bernie said, animated. Not just because he liked giving his friend business, either. "Just around the corner from Barnegat Books. The best collection of antiques I've seen--Might even find a painting or two there. He was hit harder than I was, though, by the earthquake. Hasn't opened back up, yet."

He grinned. "Artie couldn't possibly compete in that arena. For one, he'd look horrible in that dress."

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 10:51 pm UTC (link)
Barbara grinned enjoying seeing Bernie so enthused, "I'll definitely go" she promised him, "maybe you could show me around when he re-opens?" she suggested, "It sounds like you know it well"

Barbara laughed, "In that case I'll definitely keep that in mind when choosing any future outfits" she told him.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-28 10:58 pm UTC (link)
Bernie laughed. "I could try. I never understood his organizational system, even before the quake shuffled things around." But he doubted she was interested just for the tour. He gave her a wink. "I'd love to join you, though. We can get lost together."

He nodded sagely. "Nothing a middle-aged man could pull off. Good rule of thumb."

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-28 11:21 pm UTC (link)
"Maybe the quake shuffling will encourage more order" she suggested, though by the sounds of it Bernie's friend was happily disorganized, "Always more fun than getting lost alone and who knows what we might find"

"I thought so" Barbara teased, "Thankfully my wardrobe doesn't contain any tweed or cardigans so I think we'll be okay"

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-29 03:02 am UTC (link)
Bernie chuckled. "Maybe so! I'm certainly using it as an excuse to rearrange some things." Somehow Artie knew where everything was at the Warehouse, which constantly impressed Bernie. "Hm, who knows, indeed. He does have a backroom," Bernie said, waggling his eyebrows at her. Less and less subtle as the wine disappeared.

"I don't know, I could see you in tweed." That should not be a thing, really it shouldn't. But what antiquarian bookdealer didn't have a sexy librarian fetish? It would be stranger for him not to, if you thought about it.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-29 08:32 am UTC (link)
"Really?" Barbara replied, laughing at the eyebrow waggle, "I imagine there's all kinds of discoveries to be made in there" she added with a teasing smile.

"You think so? I'm not convinced" she told him, "Maybe I should try it out then see what you think. I'm always open to expanding my wardrobe" Barbara was fairly sure it was a combination of wine and Bernie which was making her far more relaxed than usual, she kind of liked it though.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-29 02:23 pm UTC (link)
Oh, he was positive Artie would find something large and heavy to hit him with if he knew what Bernie was plotting. But they were just teasing. If they found themselves in need of a backroom, Bernie would gladly offer his own before taking her to the Warehouse. He had the key to his own, and he knew the last time he'd cleaned.

Bernie had finished his dinner. He poured the last of the wine into their glasses. "Can I help you wash up?"

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-29 02:56 pm UTC (link)
Barbara shook her head, "I'll load the dishwasher later" she told him with a smile.

"Shall we move into the conservatory?" she suggested, "I think it's dark enough that the garden should be coming to life" she added, the multicolored solar lights should be starting to come on which would look lovely and some of them illuminated the flowers nicely.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-29 03:15 pm UTC (link)
Bernie smiled, nodding. "Certainly." He stood, picking up his wineglass. It was the first Bernie had heard of darkness bringing gardens to life, but he followed along without question.

As they entered the conservatory, though, Bernie saw just what she meant. The lights were a nice touch.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-29 03:31 pm UTC (link)
Entering the conservatory Barbara was glad to see she had been right, the garden was looking lovely.

"I'm not very green-fingered" she told Bernie as they sat down, "But I love to see different flowers in a garden, it makes it so bright and I wanted to be able to see them in the evenings too"

Her gardener took great care of all of the plants and flowers, she watered when she was here and did as much as she could but she couldn't really claim responsibility for how nice it all looked.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-29 04:07 pm UTC (link)
"To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower," Bernie quoted, though his gaze was focused on Barbara, not the lights or the plants.

It was nice to be sitting next to her, rather than across from her. His own not-green fingers had moved to lightly stroke her hair.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-29 05:02 pm UTC (link)
"Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour" Barbara quoted in return as she smiled at him, her head unconsciously tilting towards his fingers.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-29 05:17 pm UTC (link)
"And she knows poetry, too!" Bernie said, a hand his forehead as he exaggerated a swoon. "Be still my heart." He was being silly, but it certainly felt like a moment. If he hadn't already had her phone number, he would've made damned sure to get it now.

His hand slipped further into her hair as he turned to face her more fully. Now or never, as they said. He leaned in to place a kiss on her neck, reasonably sure she wouldn't hit him for it.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-29 05:28 pm UTC (link)
Barbara laughed softy at his antics, "Everybody should know William Blake" she told him with a smile.

As he turned towards her Barbara felt her heart rate increase in speed and at the touch of his lips on her neck she turned her head giving him better access.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-29 06:03 pm UTC (link)
Well, if she was going to help him along, it would be rude not to accept. His lips moved up to hers, kissing her with more confidence. One hand was still in her hair, and the other moved to her waist.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-29 06:22 pm UTC (link)
Barbara returned the kiss as she placed one hand on his chest whilst sliding the other up around his neck to let her fingers slide into the hair at his nape.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-30 03:15 pm UTC (link)
One thing about being an avid reader is that sometimes you just read whatever people laid down in front of you. Unfortunately, sometimes that was less William Blake and more Seventeen magazine. Something that had stuck with Bernie was a column titled 'How to Kiss a Boy.' The article advised teenage girls to put a hand on their boyfriend's chest to 'keep it slow'.

Bernie wasn't sure how much stock he would put in teen magazine advice, and it was unlikely that Barbara had read the same article. Still, he didn't want to push her. He was fine with this moving at her pace. There was a little less urgency in his kiss, now, but his hands still played lightly along her hair and waist.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-30 03:59 pm UTC (link)
Barbara hadn't read any such magazine article, in actual fact the sole reason for her hand placement was to stop it wandering anywhere else. She was determined not to come across as easy or desperate, although if he kept kissing her like he was she may throw caution to the wind and end up straddling him on the conservatory sofa.

Although they had known each other a while this was still their first date and Barbara didn't want to rush anything, not at the risk of their friendship. She valued Bernie far too much to risk losing him like that. They hadn't talked about whatever relationship this may turn into yet they were already making out like two horny teenagers.

You're thinking too much, she told herself, just enjoy it. Taking her own advice she stopped thinking and instead enjoyed kissing and being kissed by this lovely man, sliding her other hand up to his nape.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-30 05:57 pm UTC (link)
Bernie wouldn't have objected to that course of action in the least. He didn't get caught up in all that prudish nonsense. They were both adults, and regardless of where the evening ended, he'd enjoyed himself a good deal.

He pulled away, caressing her cheek. "Quite the tour," he said playfully, gazing into her eyes. He was refraining from quoting any more poetry--that would just be unfair.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-30 07:13 pm UTC (link)
Barbara smiled in return, "I aim to please" she replied teasingly as the tips of her fingers were still unconsciously playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-30 08:12 pm UTC (link)
Bernie lifted an eyebrow. "Well, in that case..." He grinned, leaning in to kiss her again--

--When Raffles careened into the room and pounced between the two of them, yowling like the ninja cat she was.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-30 08:17 pm UTC (link)
Barbara was startled but as she realized it was Raffles she laughed, "You may have amazing furry killing skills but your timing is terrible" she told the cat as she moved one of her hands and stroked her soft fur.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-30 09:39 pm UTC (link)
Bernie chuckled, shaking his head. "You little rat," he addressed Raffles, scratching between her ears.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-30 09:49 pm UTC (link)
"By the sound of it she's done her job though" Barbara said as she listened for the squeak of the furry nuisances but instead heard only silence. "You deserve a treat" she added to Raffles who was now enjoying a belly rub.

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[info]theburglarwho
2012-07-30 09:56 pm UTC (link)
Bernie smirked. Raffles looked quite pleased with herself, treat or no treat. Pretending to be a mighty lioness, no doubt. Though Bernie wasn't sure lions purred quite so loudly. "I think she likes you," he remarked.

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[info]barbara_g
2012-07-30 10:09 pm UTC (link)
Barbara smiled, "I like her too" she said as she continued petting the purring cat, "If I didn't travel so much for work I'd love a pet" she admitted.

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