I Know You Have It;;

Audriana was downright furious. It often took a bit of effort to make her this annoyed, but she had been having a rough two days. After being commissioned to find a particularly valuable and important necklace, Aud had visited many contacts and come up with nothing. The next morning, however, she had woken up to a revelation. That git. She thought as she closed her eyes in annoyance.

And so, after checking with her remaining contacts just to be sure - though, frankly, she was quite certain - Aud showed up in Dublin as the afternoon was starting to cool off. By then, she was certain she was right in her assumption that he had snagged the necklace to spite her. She could practically see him waving it in front of her as she walked down the streets, tugging her cloak around her. The tail end of her cloak floated behind her as she turned a corner and marched up to his front door.

This time, as always, would be a time when she ended up besting him in one way or another. She always had. He seemed to be collecting objects she would come to need - how he knew, Aud couldn't say - and waiting for her to arrive. It was as if he was purposefully doing this for a chance to win. That, or he tortured himself in the fact that he knew he never would.

Letting herself in, she slammed the door and waited for him to amble his way into the front room to greet her. Aud lifted a hand to push the hood of the cloak backwards and onto her shoulders, letting her hair fall loosely, before crossing her arms over her chest.



[[OOC: She has full intentions of interrupting him if he tries to do the formal niceties of greeting her]]

It was only mid afternoon and Robin had already put his pants on.

Most of the day had been uneventful - he had woken around noon, cooked himself an omelet for breakfast/lunch, checked in on the potions brewing the the spare bathroom, and read the Daily Prophet cover to cover. Each task had been painstakingly drawn out as the young man awaited the evening, a time where he had people to meet and drinks to drink. Tonight Robin had made plans for drinks with Della, but he still had several hours left before he had to be anywhere, even with the added time of taking the bus.

Robin now sat at his kitchen counter, sipping a scotch an watching holographic miniature Quidditch players zoom around the room - a recording of their last practice. Mini Robin hit a bludger at Mini Jack and the unexpected appearance sent her into a spin as she swung to hit it away and lost her balance. Robin grinned at the memory and took another sip of his drink. He was supposed to be reviewing film to make him a better player but more than anything it was just something to do. But even though Robin wasn't enthusiastic it was the first productive thing he had done all day. Mini Kelley was swooping low, faking left, aiming, took a shot and -

BANG!

His house had just been broken into but a small crooked smile appeared on his face. "Finally." he said to himself. Though it was just the next room over, Robin took his time walking to greet the intruder. His posture was good and he held himself tall and with confidence. But Robin walked loosely as if he had all the time in the world at his disposal. As he entered the front room and saw the figure that stood there his suspicions were confirmed. She had arrived.

Part of Robin was surprised it had taken her this long. She had been to his house many times before (he wasn't exactly hiding) and the trademark way he had taken the diamonds was so obvious that frankly he was a bit disappointed she had taken so long to figure it out. It had almost been a gift to her. Robin had convinced himself that if he ever truly needed to disappear off the map and take his treasure with him he would be able to avoid her (not that this had ever been tested). But so far no treasure that he had acquired had been more valuable than the sheer entertainment of seeing her again.

Robin greeted her with an easygoing smile, as if it was no strange thing that she had broken into his home and was now staring him down with a look that could kill. "Audriana, you're looking breathtaking this afternoon. It's so good to see -"

"Give it to me."

How he deigned to call her breathtaking as she scowled at him was beyond her. Aud really had only slight confidence in her looks - she went around looking like some wild thing that had found its way onto Diagon Alley most days, after all. If she decided to dress up, perhaps then it would be more appropriate. Now and then, men that she wasn't entirely sure were sane - like Robin - would tell her that she looked nice or some such compliments like that. She most always laughed them off. Today, however, she chose to ignore it completely.

She didn't bother with any formalities anymore, though he seemed to enjoy attempting. How she had failed to realize it was him yesterday frustrated her, and she didn't want him to realize she'd been confused for a while. He probably did, though.

From her place in front of his door, she could see he was enjoying this whole ordeal. He always did, though.

Rolling her eyes, she walked towards him, circling him as she continued, "I know you took it, and I want it." She felt no need to specify - they were always playing games like this. Aud regarded him closely, half expecting him to lie, almost hoping he did. It had become tradition.

Once she had come back to where she'd started, standing in front of him once more, she leveled her gaze on him, searching his outfit for pockets. Was it on him? She was being paid extremely good money to return the necklace and she would not allow him to take it away from her. She had yet to fail one of her assignments and wasn't about to start today. Then again, she always seemed to find some way to retrieve what she sought.


[OOC: Outfit! ]

Robin rolled his eyes a little, tolerating her slow circle around him. It served as both a minor threat and an inspection. Robin could feel her eyes boring into his back and he took an odd pleasure at the sensation. He let out a low chuckle and when she made it back to his front he caught her gaze and held it.

"I'm sorry, darling. I don't know to what you are referring." he responded, his voice sugar-coated with a false innocence and his eyes wide. It was an obvious lie, and he knew she knew it, but it was more fun this way. It always had been. Even the first time they met things had been similar to this.. Of course the formalities had been dropped and the passive aggressiveness had grown but what else would you expect. She hadn't hated him the first time they had met. Now? Well, she didn't exactly look thrilled to be in his company.

Robin could see the way her eyes flickered over him, searching for any hint to the necklaces whereabouts. He had kept it in the house, partly because he was too lazy to find a better spot to keep it and partly because he had suspected she would be here to retrieve it sooner than later. The safe it was stored in was secure but far from impenetrable. He had better. In fact, he had better in the same house. But it didn't matter now. She was here and the chance to move it had passed.

How typical.

Knowing he wasn't a fan of her observing him just made it all the more fun, admittedly. Realizing that, like she had grown to expect, she would be there longer than she would've intended, Audriana undid the clasp at her throat which kept the cloak around her, pulling off the sheet of fabric. Glancing around, she thought she recalled a chair being in the next room. She brushed past him and tossed the cloak on the chair before turning back to look at him.

Smirking at his reply, she nodded as though she believed him. "Indeed? Well, you know quite well how often I've been here to search for things. Do you really expect that I won't find it?"

It was, perhaps, a rather low blow all things considered. He'd been more than helpful in the past, but their game had become something of a habit for the both of them. In the end, she assumed she would get what she wanted regardless of how the story went. So she didn't mind playing along. Not at all.

She tossed her cloak and Robin's eyebrows raised slightly. "Please, make yourself at home." he commented, sarcasm tinging his tone. Despite his words, the bemused smile that still lingered on his face was enough to show his enjoyment at the scene that was unfolding. It was the same story every time but somehow neither party had tired of its antics. Besides, how could he be annoyed with her? He would have asked her to stay anyway.

She had moved into the next room and Robin followed her. He had to keep an eye on Audriana because he was sure she would have no qualms about tearing his house apart to find what she was looking for. The necklace wasn't even that valuable.. her reputation was. Robin leaned in the doorway to the kitchen and listened to her speak. He shrugged, innocence still plastered on his face, and responded. "I really don't know what you're talking about." Robin moved closer, coming right up to where she stood and dropped the innocence out of his eyes.

They were close now, probably less than a foot apart, as Robin brought his crooked smirk near to to Audriana's determined face. "And even if I did, why on Earth would I ever give it to you?" He leaned back slightly and shrugged, as if indifferent to the situation. "That would be rather pointless, don't you think?"

Robin was not particularly concerned about the location and owner of this necklace. There were others in his possession that were much more valuable and he was actually concerned about. His own mother's jewelry box had about five necklaces that cost more than this one. The only real reason Robin had stolen it was half out of boredom and half because it belonged to one of Audriana's clients. She had worked for them before and he knew she would be called if it went missing. He had been bored and cured it by creating a pain in her ass.

Not that he would admit it, but Robin sometimes really wanted to see Audriana Swan. Not that he missed her exactly - he didn't know her nearly well enough for that - but he wanted to know her. He knew she was a special girl. The fire in her eyes fascinated him in a way he couldn't explain. Even when they hadn't seen each other in months he could recall her face from memory in an instant. She was unforgettable.

Audriana gave him a sarcastic, closed-mouth smile at his equally sarcastic comments. She was fully aware that Robin knew perfectly well what she wanted. But her pride, as well as his stubbornness made this difficult. Was it wrong that she found such amusement in letting him think he could win, then taking it from him? Because she did.

Aud wondered if he could feel her determination from where he stood. That question in her mind didn't linger long, for he was walking towards her until he stood over her. She had to keep her hand from reaching up to the necklace Natalia had left her, which hid under the top of her dark green shirt. Setting her hands on her hips instead, she glowered up at him.

"You would give it to me," She informed him seriously, "because even if you didn't, I'd find it. And you know it." The fact that she would go through his house for it was implied. Looking back and forth between his eyes, she smirked as she lifted her chin. She wasn't backing down, and Robin probably realized as much. Why else would he be toying with her?

She felt, because Robin liked to get a rise out of her, this would be going on for a long time between the two of them. She didn't mean just that day, either. She would be back at his house, and they both knew it. She found herself wanting to get him to react in a similar way to how he was able to get her to act. There was a fire in both of them, and it was going to cause the both of them to clash as always. There was one thing, though, that Audriana would never allow herself to accept. Somewhere, inside her, she knew that - were either of them slightly different in personality - she would find him attractive. That wasn't okay by her. Relationships weren't something she did, and it wouldn't ever be possible with Robin anyways.

Audriana considered moving into yet another room just to see if he would follow, but didn't really want him to think she was backing down from the closeness of his stance. Instead, she glanced at his furniture, sent him another steely glance, and began picking things up on the closest table, pretending she could find the necklace under one of his belongings.

They stood, eyes locked, and for a moment Robin wondered if they would ever move again. Both were too stubborn to back down or admit defeat. Robin supposed that was why they had hung around each other for so long - neither would accept not having the last word.

Audriana was rummaging through Quidditch paperwork, seemingly undaunted by the task of turning over every leaf in the apartment. She must have been sure that Robin would cave in and tell her. Robin shook his head and chuckled, amused by her defiant tone. She wouldn't find it unless he told her, that much he was certain of. But if she played nicely he might be willing to give up the treasure. "By all means, go ahead." He said nonchalantly, gesturing towards the pile of paper on the table, and giving her an open invitation to search to her hearts content.

This might be awhile.

Robin moved further into the room and sat down at the bar stool that he had occupied before Audriana's arrival. With a flick he lined up the miniature holograms and made the disappear. (If he was having a guest he should tidy up.) Robin picked up his half drained glass and took a long sip, his eyes following Audriana's movements, though his own posture suggested relaxation.

"Would you like a drink?" he called over to her. The normality of this question amused Robin and he grinned to himself. To a stranger it might look as if the two were friends or lovers, rather than.. whatever they were.

Her hair fell like a curtain between the two of them as she moved the papers to the side, pretending she expected the necklace to just be sitting there. After this long he should have learned to hide things more properly anyways. After he spoke, she looked up, slowly putting the papers back where she had found them. Her dark eyes looked at him carefully and Audriana momentarily wondered if he cared at all what she thought of him. After this long she doubted he could.

She nearly laughed when he offered her a drink. Glancing at his glass, she smirked. "You should know by now that I'll say yes." Giving him a once over with her eyes she added, "I'll take the strongest thing you've got. Goodness knows I'll need it."

Audriana knew she could have just sat down next to him and drank whatever he gave her for a while, but she felt the need to appear to be just as determined as she was when she'd slammed his door. Either way, she'd talk him into it, she knew. But that didn't mean that she could just drop the act. It was like breaking the unspoken rules.

"What will it take for you to give me what I want?" She asked finally, setting her hands on the top of the bar where he had been sitting. Her voice was still stern and demanding, though in her mind she could feel some of the ice warming up.

[[OOC: Robin's house ]]

Robin grinned. Yes, he did know. He always seemed to know with Audriana. He stood from his seat by the island and moved to a large liquor cabinet by the wall. He opened it's glass doors and examined the contents before picking a ruby red liqueur and pouring it into a crystal glass for Aud. At her next statement he stopped mid-motion, a wide grin expanding over his face. He turned slowly to face Audriana, passing her drink at an equal pace, his eyes dancing with the possibilities the game had turned into. "Now that changes things." he said, his mind racing.

What did he want? Nothing really. There was no point or master plan to bringing Audriana here. It was for his own entertainment, ego, and the possibility of just once coming out a winner in their game. So what did he want? Just for the entertainment of her company to continue. He relaxed and leaned against the island next to her. Robin smiled and made eye contact with Audriana. Robin wasn't a good man but he certainly wasn't a cruel one, as was evident by his next question. "Do you like Quidditch, Ms. Swan?" Out of all things, what he was going to request of her was one of the kindest his brain had generated. Fun, even. If you didn't mind giant foam fingers and wearing Falcon jerseys with his name plastered across it's back.