exsiliumlogs | [closed] yeah yeah and I'm alright

Entry tags:

[closed] yeah yeah and I'm alright

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And Saul has — surprisingly! — been on his best behavior, carefully keeping his own manners in check for Effie's sake.

(Which really translates to "for his sake," because he's trying to impress her, after all. It seems to be working.

Maybe. Hopefully.)

Down goes his third glass of wine and up go his eyebrows at her question. Is she serious? He can't tell. All he knows is that he's very near full and would be more than happy to finish filling up with more alcohol, but if she insists...

Better to clarify first, though.]

Everything?

There are only six to choose from.

[ She ponders the menu, the candlelight catching the shimmer in her makeup to create a soft glow. ]

Why not just try them all?

[ If he couldn't tell already, she was quite serious. More serious than she was about most things. ]

If it's a matter of money...

[Oh hell no. Saul instantly waves a hand, dismissing her concern and making that little flame flicker.]

Not at all.

[What he'd like to know is where Effie plans on putting it all.

Guess he'll find out soon enough, huh?

He beckons the waiter back over with a two-fingered come hither, then shuts the menu with all the finality of having decided and places it back in the waiter's hands.]

One of everything.

[ One of everything was exactly what they got. Pudding, cake, mousse and more; the waiter brought it all.

Effie almost squealed with delight when the small, surprisingly fancy dishes were set in front of them. She settled for an excited clap, and after downing her third and final glass of wine pushed a dessert fork towards Saul and 'dug in'- which was Capitol for take tiny bites of each one and flutter your eyelashes in mock orgasm if something struck your fancy.

Frankly, anything with this loads of sugar in miniature struck Effie's fancy when she was feeling out of sorts. ]

Oh my goodness Saul, the mousse is simply to die for.

[This is, by far, one of the strangest things he's seen in this place yet. How can she have a stomach big enough to fit all that food? She's dainty. And all that sugar — he'd go into sugar shock. Just looking at the cake has him almost going into sugar shock.

Maybe she was a hummingbird in a past life. That would make a whole lot of sense.]

Apparently.

[He's thinking of "die" in a slightly more archaic way, though.

And now that he's made a joke to amuse himself and probably only himself, he'll go ahead and try some of the mousse.]

Good, isn't it?

[ Effie's mouthfuls were tiny but numerous, darting from plate to plate with hardly any rest. She only stopped to daintily dab any small crumbs away from the corner of her decorated mouth. Each dish was about 50% gone before she looked up to Saul again, her brow furrowed with either disappointment or worry. ]

You've barely touched a thing... you're not on a diet, are you?

[He likes how she says that as though it's literally the worst possible thing he could say yes to. Not that he's going to, because he's not technically on a diet — so maybe his eating habits have been a bit weird lately, and maybe Walter's presence here has zapped his appetite much the way it did back home, but it's not technically a "diet"...

Here, Effie. He'll take another, considerably larger bite. Satisfied?]

No, no. It's great. I'm just full from dinner, that's all.

Well that's a relief.

[ She looked at him with approval, and then glanced away somewhat sheepishly before resting her fork on the corner of her plate. When all was said and done she'd polished off more than half of each one almost singlehandedly.

One might even suspect she had gone strategically easy on the main course to allow gorging on sweets later. ]

It's somewhat embarrassing to indulge around someone watching their waist.

Though I doubt it would have stopped me, I think a little indulgence was exactly what I needed.

[ She looked back up to him again with a surprisingly effusive smile. ]

Thank you for dinner.

[Yeah, he suspects as much. It's good to know she has a sweet tooth, though. He'll just go ahead and file that information away for later.

The smile catches him as off-guard as all of her eating did, and much to his own surprise, he finds himself sincerely mirroring it. She seems to be in a much better mood, and that was pretty much the whole plan, so: mission accomplished. He's apologized, distracted her from all the crap outside for a little while, and now —

He glances at his watch. It's not too late, but then again, he's been keeping odd hours. And considering all she just ate...

Unless she's not one of those people who gets sleepy after gorging themselves. That wouldn't surprise him.]

You're welcome. D'you want to head back?

[It's an offer, yes, he's more eager for her reaction to the question than an actual answer.]

[ Did she? Effie whipped out her powder case to fluff at her nose and stall for time.

What was there to head back to, really? A room full of strangers she didn't know or especially care to know? Her colleague and tributes who were less than enthused by her arrival and avoided her when possible?

Saul's smile was so broad and warm and she felt good for the first time since arrival. Dinner had been nice and she was a little buzzed now and felt a strange sense of calm and anxiety, knowing that this little slice of near normalcy was soon to end and that this was likely the closest she could ever get to the way things had been. ]

I don't know, do I?

[ She looked at him from over the golden compact rim, brow raised coyly. ]

[Saul is really not used to this, so much so that her response throws him for a momentary loop and he's left blinking at her. It's then that he finally thinks of Stephanie and all that happened and didn't happen between them. This leads him to knock back what little wine is left in his glass in an effort to gulp down the guilt suddenly lodged in his throat, and that leads him to feeling annoyed.

And he was doing so well, too.

Ugh.

But because he is who he is, none of that reaches the surface. He used to be good at covering up, was shit at it for a while after arriving here, and now his old skills are back and then some. So he plays off the desperate drinking as eagerness to get going, hides the hurt feelings with a playful smirk, and plucks the bill from the impeccably-timed waiter's hands.

He waves it at Effie.]

You've got until this is paid to figure it out. There aren't a whole lot of other places we can go, and this time of night isn't exactly good for sightseeing, but...

[She's free to finish that thought however she likes.]

Well.

[ Effie looked mildly irritated. Unlike Saul she was often extremely honest about her feelings and opinions, of which she had many.

It wasn't that Effie couldn't think of something to do, the opposite was true. She could think of too many circumstances, and right now all of them seemed better than simply going home to sleep and wake up to another dreary day in Exsilium.

When Saul was finished paying up she closed her compact and slipped it back into her beaded clutch, sipping at the water while mulling over her final decision. ]

You've seen my accommodations, why don't you show me yours. I've heard some buildings are better than others and I'm looking to move.

[...that was an awfully fancy way of asking to go back to his place. Then again, he's not surprised.

But then again again, he totally is.

He almost looks at his glass in a bewildered sort of way, like, Did I really drink so much that I'm hearing things?

Almost. Doesn't, though.

If he was grinning before, he's positively beaming now. It's clear that he thinks Effie's suggestion is the best thing he's heard all night, and though there's not quite any wickedness to the curve of his lips just yet, there's a twinkle in his eye that wasn't there a second ago. He straightens a little, smoothing down his tie and adjusting his collar before standing.]

I'd love to. Ready?

[Saul looked entirely too pleased by her response, but Effie was alright with that. After so many days of negativity and feeling both lost and scared she craved positivity. She was used to being surrounded by smiling, satisfied people. For all that the Capitol was criticized at least the people there were happy and enjoyed life.

Was 'freedom' really worth the misery and sacrifice? Not in her opinion, however uninformed it was.

Effie returned his look with a modest smile. ]

Very. Shall we?

[In the same way he did when they first met, he offers his arm for the taking.

There are about a dozen different ways this can go. Saul being Saul, he's already cycling through the possibilities, jumping a full five steps ahead before they're even out of the restaurant. He can't help it; this is what he does. Anticipates, predicts, prepares.

So he's a little quiet on their walk back, but that won't stop him from stealing glances over at her every so often. His gaze is a little more analytical and searching than one might expect, given the circumstances.

Never let it be said that he's predictable.

Eventually:]

You look really nice tonight, by the way.

[He still thinks she looks ridiculous, but it's a ridiculousness he's getting used to.

And maybe kind of likes, a little, if the boyish way he offers up that compliment is any indication.

ew]

[ Now it's Effie's turn to beam at him. Her pale foundation is thin today so he might even be able to see the faintest stain of pink in her cheeks. Mostly due to the wine, but some of it his compliment and attention. ]

It's so much less than I'm used to working with, but one does what they can to remain presentable no matter the circumstances.

[ Effie walks with her head a little bit higher, a bounce in her high-heeled step. At night it was more difficult to see the strife marring the streets, and she was happy for the breath of 'fresh' air after the cozy and warm restaurant and all the food they had eaten. ]

I don't like to do things half way, and a date is a date.

[And all he can think is, thank God for small miracles. That makeup of hers is going to run out soon enough and he's pretty sure they don't stock whatever it is she layers on her face around here — he just hopes she's not desperate enough to...

...actually, he has no idea what the hell else she'd use.

Makeup.

Whatever.

He's a little on edge as they stroll back toward the building that's home to Saul and so many of the other Transports, hyper-vigilant and tuned in to both Effie and their surroundings. The last thing he needs is for them to get jumped, but he also doesn't want her to notice how anxious he is. He'll just talk over it.]

So — I live with two other guys. They're not around often, so you might not get to meet them, but if the place is a mess, it's their fault.

[No, really. Saul tries to keep the place tidy in spite of the perpetual drunkenness of Unit 409. It doesn't always work, as far as he's concerned.]

I'll forgive it.

Just this once.

[ The passive threat was followed by a smile, which meant she was only half serious- Effie was in a generous mood. Saul's arm was comforting and the night was still young and with a few cups of wine in her she was more willing to relax her standard of etiquette.

Saul's nervousness goes completely unnoticed because she is too busy looking around them, having mostly avoided the outdoors since arriving. The thought they might be attacked simply doesn't register to her, because she's from the Capitol where that sort of behaviour simply does not exist.

Punishment by death is a pretty good deterrent of minor crimes. ]

Are we almost there? I think you should make us some coffee, I don't want to catch a chill.

[Implying that she may be at his apartment again in the future...?

Saul lifts his free hand, mocking the three-fingered Scout salute. You know what that salute looks an awful lot like? The one used by residents of District 12.]

It'll be impeccably clean in the future. Promise.

[That's not actually a promise he can keep, but it's the thought that counts. Maybe. Anyway, he smiles at her suggestion, tilting his head to one side as they walk. Coffee. Sure. He'll warm her up with coffee.]

Almost. I've gotta warn you, though — the coffee's not great.

[ Her face paled considerably at his gesture, tugging away from his slightly with an uncomfortable expression.

Effie hated it. Why people would continue to do something that only caused trouble and death she just didn't understand. It was that selfish notion of rebellion that had twisted the Games and created this mess.

She couldn't think of coffee when all she saw was blood, and remembered how their tour had taken a turn for the worst. ]

Don't do that near me.

Edited 2013-07-25 18:07 (UTC)

[He blinks, taken aback by her reaction. Did she have a bad experience with a pack of rowdy Scouts, or what?

...does her world even have Scouts? He doubts it. His money is on this being one of those instances where one gesture means something entirely different to someone from another culture. Such is his luck.]

What, the salute I just did? It's used by Scout groups, in my world. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts... uh. Others.

Just don't.

[ Her words were more hissed than spoken, pulling his hand down if it still lingered anywhere above his waist.

Even more oddly than her violent reaction may have been the fact that even as her fingers clamped onto his wrist they were trembling, match the subtle flicker of fear in her heavily lashed and lined eyes. ]

I don't care who does it in your world, but in mine it could get you and I killed.

We don't know who is here, or who may be watching and I won't be seen with you if you continue to do it.

Edited 2013-07-25 18:25 (UTC)

[And instead of telling her to calm down, instead of telling her that there are plenty of people around here who'd kill them regardless of whether they're doing three-fingered salutes or flipping someone off, he frowns sympathetically and twists his hand around. Now, instead of clutching his wrist, she'll find that their fingers are laced together.

He understands her fear. It's the same fear he's lived with since his own arrival: that all the dangers of home would find their way back to him eventually, and they have. (Or it has, rather. He has.)

So Saul's voice is soft and quiet when he says:] Sorry.

[ Effie was certain she would remain upset and anxious for the rest of the night. Even moreso than usual because their impromptu date had been going so well, and she had actually found some sliver of enjoyment in this terrible city only to have it ruined.

Now she was mad at Saul, and Saul would be confused and either get mad at her back or simply be callous or apathetic. They would probably never go out again and she would be stuck chasing after Katniss and Peeta or never to leave her room because there was honestly nothing worth leaving for.

Then instead of pulling away and calling her silly or stupid or getting angry, Saul simply held her hand and apologized- absolutely the last response she had expected.

She didn't let go of his hand, and the irritation left her like an uncomfortably held breath, unwanted tears welling in her eyes. ]

I'm so tired of all this.

Edited 2013-07-25 18:51 (UTC)

[He understands that, too. Her exhaustion.

And while he was also expecting a different reaction — like a swift pull away, an angry glare, a threatening grumble of don't touch me — he's almost glad for the one he receives instead. He knows how to deal with this; Jesse's practically a well of tears threatening to overflow at any moment all the time, and though it was difficult to deal with at first, Saul eventually learned that what works best is to just be as solid and reassuring a presence as possible. The same approach worked with Stephanie, too.

So that's what he does now, squeezing Effie's hand and leaning a little closer.]

It gets easier.

Edited 2013-07-25 19:05 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject