[closed] yeah yeah and I'm alright

[5055034455]

Date & Time: June 29 — July ∞
Location: Around Exsilium
Characters: Saul & TBA
Summary: A catch-all log for Saul's many business etc. meetings throughout the month, because otherwise there would be like a million logs up. Not even an exaggeration. An actual million.
Warnings: Drugs in Jesse's thread, violence in Coby's, sap in Effie's.

[Sometimes, the best way to get over something is to find a suitable distraction.

Since Saul's #1 distraction has always been work, he doesn't see why that can't be the case here as well — he may not technically be practicing law at the moment, but his skill set is undeniably useful. Extremely so. (As far as he's considered, anyway.) He doesn't need his own office or a secretary or a PI or a bodyguard to get plenty of shit done. He's Saul Goodman, for godssakes — what the hell good is he if he's not working?

His hands have been idle for too long, and look at where they've gotten him.

Devil's tools indeed.

So here he is, keeping busy. Training, doing business, drinking more coffee (and alcohol) than he probably should. Whatever works, right? Right.]

Comments

I FORGOT HE'S BLIND

[chore_boy]

[Coby glowered at Saul from across the room.

Well, he glowered at a wooden statue 2 feet to the right of Saul.]

...Do you think I'm an idiot, sir?

BEST SUBJECT LINE

[5055034455]

[Coby. Bro. That is so not comforting.]

An idiot? No. Reckless? Yes.

[chore_boy]

Not even reckless. I've told you what I can do.

[Coby extended one hand, tightening his fist. His other hand came down, swinging his sword as if to lop his arm off. When the blade came into contact with his wrist, sparks flew up instead of blood. There was a grinding noise in the air as Coby tried to saw his arm off to no avail.]

We would only waste time if you neglected to trust me.

[5055034455]

[Despite the distance and the certainty that Coby is definitely not about to cut his own arm off, Saul still flinches. Then looks vaguely nauseated.

This is what Coby will have to look forward to for a while.]

I have trust issues, man. Cut me some slack.

[chore_boy]

[At that, Coby finally found himself smiling.]

I see. Then, perhaps we need to utilize a few trust exercises.

[Saul was positioned inconveniently on the other side of the room that had an open door.]

[5055034455]

Like what?

[Like Saul trying to make a run for it and seeing what happens?

Because he is so not going to fall backwards and hope Coby catches him.]

[chore_boy]

[It wasn't simply that Coby's hand nearly disappeared. The sword vanished from his hand, suddenly embedded in the wall right besides Saul.]

I'm going to let you try and cut me.

[5055034455]

[He doesn't scream, this time, but oh, how he wants to.

One dramatic flinch later, he takes a breath and yanks the sword from the wall. If looks could kill, he'd have no need to use this thing.

Alas.]

Are you kidding me? I don't even know how to handle one of these the right way. I'll probably cut myself before I cut you!

[chore_boy]

Mr. Saul, if you can spread butter on toast, then you understand the concept of a blade. You simply hold onto it tightly and swing it at what you want to cut.

[He knew what Saul meant, but he thought that maybe--speaking about it much more casually would stun him into a little bit more confidence.]

[5055034455]

[It doesn't so much stun him into confidence as it annoys him into wanting to actually take a swing at Coby. Damn this kid and his oversimplifications and valid points and all the sirs and misters...

So, okay. He tests the weight of the sword in his hands, tightens his grip around the hilt, then walks back over to Coby and




stands there.]

You're sure about this?

[chore_boy]

Considerably more than you are.

[Though, even Coby knew that was hardly reassuring to hear. He tilted his head, noting how he 'felt' Saul was approaching him. He stood still, raising both of his hands as if in surrender.]

It's only natural to have your doubts, sir. When you approach someone with a sword, you should only mean to harm them.

[5055034455]

[Again with the sir.

Saul glowers and positions himself like he's holding a baseball bat, then takes a swing right at Coby's neck.

He's pretty sure the kid's not about to let himself lose his own head, so...]

Stop calling me that!

[chore_boy]

You're older and you're respectable!

[Whatever noise a sword made when it hit steel was exactly what could be heard when Saul swung it into Coby's neck, right on his jugular. It rung fairly loud in the room, but all that was accomplished had been a few stray sparks flying up from Coby's skin. The sword, well crafted, didn't look to have taken any damage.]

It's natural that I should call you that!

[5055034455]

[OH GOD HE ACTUALLY HIT HIM. Saul doesn't notice that the sword is fine, or that Coby is fine, because he's too busy dropping said sword and almost cutting off his own damn foot.]

Jesus!

[chore_boy]

[Coby caught the blade of the sword between two fingers before it spun to the ground, huffing away from Saul's general direction.]

Why do you want to learn to fight, Mr. Goodman?

[There had been an endless number of reasons for anyone. Plenty of lies and only a handful of truths. If Saul lied to him, he would easily find out. With his Observation in use, he was essentially a heart-rate reader.]

Because, you're beginning to sound as bad as I did when I started training.

[5055034455]

[Saul could come up with any number of bullshit answers that wouldn't be completely untrue, like how he's always wanted to have cool abilities, or how he wants to impress the ladies, or anything that isn't the one real reason why, but — screw it. What reason does he have to lie to Coby?

He takes a breath, steadying himself from the panic of using that sword.]

There are people I need to be able to protect.

[chore_boy]

That's no good, sir. You don't usually talk like that.

[Coby smiled at that, but not so much to make fun of Saul. It was because Saul said something corny enough that he, himself, could have been the originator of that idea.

Coby spun the sword through the air and caught it by the handle, flipping it and sheathing it in the same gesture.]

The problem is, what I'm going to teach you won't resemble what a normal 'guardian' would use. Unfortunately, the Six Styles are designed for killing. While you can make the most of them to help others, are you comfortable with that?

[5055034455]

[Saul's scowling, half because he's a tsun in a suit and half because Coby's being a showoff.

Hmph.

But the question makes the scowl fade to a more serious look, one that has Saul briefly dropping his gaze to the floor in consideration.]

I don't have to use them, right? I mean, I can just rely on the strength, maybe adapt some of the things I learn...? We're not talking, you know, accidentally decapitating someone with my bare hands, are we?

[chore_boy]

[Being showy came with being baller, Saul. It would be wise to consider the path of the baller.

Coby just sort of stumbled into it.]

If you think that's a necessary method to protect those who you value, who am I to argue? This is a reprehensible style--one that turns you into a weapon.

Regardless if you learn all the techniques, sir--regardless of how you use them, you'll still be dangerous.

[5055034455]

[Saul's never thought of himself as capable of being dangerous in that way. In other ways, sure, but he talks his way out of trouble and the last time he had to throw a punch was all the way back in law school.

But yes, he thinks it's necessary. When he thinks of Jesse and Steph especially — it's necessary.

But still.]

We'll take it slow, then.

[chore_boy]

It's good to know you're serious.

[Coby added, plainly--not intending to sound malicious or suspecting towards Saul at all. It was just something he'd gotten used to.]

I would be able to tell if you were lying, by the way. My observation allows me insight into motivation as well as a heightened sense of empathy.

[Not that it was a hundred percent accurate, but hey, there were worse things to be.]

[5055034455]

[We'll take "Most Alarming Statements Saul Has Ever Heard" for $600, Alex!

Up go Saul's eyebrows, and he takes a step back.]

So you're... like, psychic?

[chore_boy]

Not exactly. I'm certain that you understand the fact that we can only see in one direction at a time, right?

[Coby was only really good at exposition, honestly.]

[5055034455]

[Actually, Saul likes it when explanations aren't quite so blunt.

So, he nods, silently urging Coby to continue.]

[chore_boy]

'The Will of Observation' heightens your senses to an immense degree. It enhances almost all your senses.

I can hear voices at times, but it's more so my perception of a person's heart beat, breathing and posture. It's not that I can hear words--just the 'tone' someone's feelings take.

[At that, he realized--]

So, I'm not quite a psychic. Sort of just really aware of things.