[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

[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.

[5055034455]

Huh.

[This just keeps getting weirder. He's suddenly way too conscious of his own feelings, which right now boil down to "wildly uncomfortable." If he's uncomfortable, does that mean he's making Coby uncomfortable?

If he's made more uncomfortable by that thought — what then?

Exactly how much is Coby picking up from him?]

So more like a human lie detector?

[chore_boy]

Unless someone's a very proficient liar.

A lot more people tend to be that than you think. Though, I have the benefit of knowing it's very difficult to focus on a lie when you're confused.

[Especially given the fact that Saul was just shocked out of his mind for awhile by the weird nonsense going on with Coby.

He did it on purpose, admittedly--but, Coby would never say he was above tricking people into revealing themselves. He investigated other military captains, after all.]

[5055034455]

[Saul thinks he's a proficient liar.

Or used to be, anyway.

He doesn't like where this conversation is going.]

Can I try to punch you again?

[chore_boy]

Not quite yet. I was going to say--you improved a little with your second swing, but we may need to start with the basics.

[Coby walked to the center of the room and pulled himself into a proper stance.]

So, you'll need to actually know how to properly throw a punch if I'm going to let you hit me. Otherwise, you'll definitely break your hand. [He left that one hanging right where it was.]

[5055034455]

[Ugh.

He heaves a sigh and a half, pausing to run his hand through his hair and re-evaluate the situation he's gotten himself into.

Short version: IT SUCKS. This was a stupid decision.

Stupider yet is that he doesn't want to back out of it.]

Yeah, okay, Miyagi Junior. Let's go.