exsiliumlogs | (no subject)

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Date: November 1st
Location: The Observatory.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Observatory after their initial briefings. The zombie plot will not spill over into this area, this area is safe and unaffected! To face zombies, characters must leave the area, and please move to the event log with those threads.
Warnings: None.

Your arrival here has been very unceremonious. One second you were somewhere else, and now, very suddenly, your feet hit the glowing white of the Transporter pad, and you're here. You aren't alone, either. There's a crowd of others around you, each seeming just as bewildered, angry, or confused as you might feel. At the head of the group is a woman in purple robes, solemn and taciturn. She hurries over a quick overview of your intended purpose here, and gives direct answers when asked for them, but to most things she simply shows you how to access the tablet you've just been given, or tells you that the DITR's greeters will explain everything. On the tablet, you can find the history of this place and a record of what your new cohorts have experienced — although it won't have Network access for another 8 hours. Someone stands on hand to give you a weapon, and though the armory is now greatly reduced, you should be able to find something to suit you.

You're shepherded down a walkway tunnel and into the Observatory, where you will find screens mounted on three sides of the wide room. It's night outside the great wide windows, and the lunar landscape isn't much to look at right now; the only lighting comes from dull red emergency lights, but there are… noises. Listen carefully. Over the voices of your fellow Transports, now and then you might catch the sound of a scrape, or a low and muffled cry. It doesn't sound human. Are there animals up here?

You're free to explore the base, visit and use any of the VR rooms, or discover your new room and roommates, but try not to step out of any airlocks if oxygen is a requirement for your system.

Welcome to the moon base, and to the remains of Exsilium.

[[ ooc; As a note for players of current characters: please keep your root comments confined to the various groups and organizations that set up root comments to greet new characters! We highly encourage tagging around here, but since it's a log meant for new characters specifically, we ask that they be the ones to set up root threads to the entry. Thank you, and happy playing! ]]

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[What exactly does she mean by everything? She keeps mentioning things that he doesn't even know about. It's obvious by now that she isn't happy to see him, but he can't begin to fathom why.

She loves him. He loves her. They love each other. What else is there to know? Cancer? Drugs? ...Does she know about Jesse's friends? Is that what she means? Would she stop loving him, if she thought of him as a killer?

It was self-defense. But he can't explain that to her, without admitting that it was self-defense because he'd gotten wrapped up in a situation with dangerous criminals. A couple of crazy local drug dealers. Is that what she knows?

He definitely can't tell her why. That it was for her. The kids. That won't make her feel any better. And what he needs, is to make her feel better. He's not planning to sleep on the sofa tonight. He's a sick man. What he wants is to wrap his arms around Skyler and to show her just how happy he is to see her. But this situation is tricky. He doesn't understand what's going on. He can't anticipate and dissipate her moods the way he usually does when small things go wrong.

Well. He'd better say something.]

I know that it's frightening, but we can handle it. Are you alright? You look alright. Hell, you look good. The hair? That's nice. Highlights, isn't that what they call that? It looks good on you.

[He's really pulling this shit? Now?]

Mr. White.

[Jesse wants to believe in him. He really does. But that's not going to be possible if he's going to keep up this slimy act. The way Jesse's looking at him now, he's practically pleading for Walt to drop it. Do anything but lie.]

[She's been through this act for so long now, the way Walt tries to slip out of everything. No. Not again. She looks back at Jesse and shakes her head.]

Why did you bring him to me? Why didn't you go to Mike or Saul?

[Why her, Jesse? She can't do this. There's too much anger there. He took Holly, and she can't even say anything because this Walt hasn't yet committed those crimes.

But he will.

Look at him, Jesse. He's the same. She sighs and looks back at her husband.]

You never change, do you?

I thought...

[He did it because Mike and Saul want Walt dead, and Skyler doesn't. Or didn't. She told Jesse not to kill him, didn't she? But maybe she's changing her mind about that. And maybe that really is the smart thing to do. Jesse wishes he could shake sense into the man. There's still time to do things differently. There's time to make better choices. Why's he trying to play her when he has a chance to be honest?]

[Hmm. What most people regard as a good thing, Skyler is reacting very unfavorably to. Does he change? Not really. Not in the time that she's known him, no. He was different once, but when the wind got knocked out of his sails professionally, he never did get it back.

Recently, he's been thinking about that. Maybe, Skyler is right, even if she seems to mean something else. Not that he knows what, exactly, but maybe...maybe she doesn't want him to have the answers this time.

Does she want to hear what he's thinking? He can't remember the last time she actively participated in an actual conversation with him, anyway.

Maybe that can change, too. If it's change that Skyler wants, she's in luck. Walter has been thinking all about making some changes.

Jesse is still more or less invisible to him. He sees that exchange, bristles for a moment and then tamps it down like a dark, bitter shot of espresso. He'll deal with that later. Right now, he needs to do something about his apparently rocky marriage.]

No, honey. I don't. But you know, I've been thinking that it might be time to start.

[She's not sure if it's Jesse shaking or just herself, but she's noticed her hands now, and the rage that has built up.

What is she supposed to do? Is she taking him back? Is that what he expects? Is that what Jesse expects? Is she supposed to fix this, fix him? Out of anyone, Jesse should know Walt doesn't do what he doesn't want to.

And now she feels like he's placating her. Patching things over until he can get his bearings.

No. Her jaw clenches. This is not about him. This is not about fixing him. This is about keeping every last person safe here.]

Don't lie, Walter. You're at the beginning. You're just starting your empire, starting all the lies and manipulation. [This is probably more headstrong than this Walt has ever seen her. But if she has to play on his level to make sure people are safe, then she'll go down however she has to.]

I can't stand here and talk to you like you aren't the same man who took Holly from me. You haven't even held her, yet, have you? Well guess what, you missed her birth. How does that make you feel? [Her eyes squint at him, narrow and hard before she looks back at Jesse.]

Call Saul. I can't do this.

Edited 2013-11-07 08:16 (UTC)

[Jesse expected nothing but hoped for everything, in the way that hapless dreamers do. He is shaking, not with rage and not even with fear. He's heartbroken. For just a moment, he'd seen this man and felt so much longing for a time when everything was simple and pure - as much as these things can be simple and pure, being blackmailed and manipulated into cooking and selling crystal methamphetamine by your former chemistry teacher.

But that's the thing, isn't it? There was never anything good about it. It was always ugly and twisted. This man has always been a liar. And he will always choose the worst path and try to drag everyone else down with him.

Jesse says nothing. He reaches into his pocket and hits the panic button.

He feels like he might as well be pulling a trigger.]

[That...is a lot to take in all at once.

Take Holly? No, he hasn't. He isn't that man. And he isn't lying, either. CHange is exactly what this is.

This...empire. That's what she'd said. Empire. Absurdly, a thrill runs through him. It's going to work. His family will be taken care of. He'll be-what? Some kind of drug kingpin, whatever they're called?

Well. That news could be worse.

It's now, however, that he notices Jesse. That movement. What, exactly, was that movement? It was surprisingly deliberate for a boy who can't seem to stop shaking.

And why is Jesse shaking? Why is Skyler throwing him to whatever wolves seem to be waiting in the wings?

It's obviously time to leave. This time, his eyes are on Jesse, but his words are directed at Skyler.]

We'll talk later.

[She just stands there sort of frozen, knowing what Jesse did. But Walt's words run straight through her, and while it isn't the same voice as he used when he called her to tell her about Hank, it's still haunting enough. Mostly because she doesn't want to talk to him. She wants nothing to do with him.

If she thought last month was bad, this month is turning out worse already.]

[Jesse's voice is tremulous, too, when he says:]

Mr. White, I think you'd better hold on a second.

[At the same time, he drops his shield so that Skyler can finally hear his thoughts. He lays his hand on her arm again to draw her attention and hopes she's listening - with a thousand apologies for the emotion that must be coming along with it - as he thinks loudly: I'm giving you telekinesis. Stop him if he tries to run. They're coming.]

I'll bet you do.

[He doesn't know exactly what is going on, but whatever it is, the fact that they couldn't wait to be rid of him a few minutes ago and now he's being asked to stay...that's no coincidence.

The fact that Jesse is Skyler's source of comfort? That's probably no coincidence either.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this situation isn't going to fall in his favor. He's made an enemy out of Jesse, or maybe, Jesse has made an enemy out of him.

So, that's that, then.

Walter turns and starts to walk away.]

[It's happening faster than she can even make sense of, but her deer in the headlights look turns to surprise when she can suddenly hear Jesse. There's a lot going on around her, even in the hallway-- though most of it is Skyler not wanting to think about what is going on in Walt's head. Any of it.

But then there's the transference, and Skyler is wondering why Jesse doesn't just do it. But if Saul's coming, if Mike's coming, then everything is going to be okay.]

I thought you said you wanted change. [Did she blow it? She finally speaks up and for the love of God, she hopes she's doing this telekinesis thing right. She just tries to keep Walt in place long enough for someone to get there.]

[He fucked up. He fucked up. He fucked up so bad. That thought keeps buzzing around in Jesse's head, a constant white noise that he doesn't mean for Skyler to hear. He's so afraid. He fucked this up and now Walt's going to kill him.

Jesse looks around briefly, searching for a sign of Mike or Steph or Saul, but he doesn't let himself look for long before his wide eyes turn back to Skyler. You're doing it, he tries to encourage her. Just keep thinking about holding him still. You can do this.]

[Whatever Saul expected to walk in on isn't what he sees, and it's then that he kicks himself for being so damn stupid — so what if they had a plan? Why did he think that would ever work? Why did he think, No, no, Jesse's been through this before, he can handle it?

So.

Stupid.

They should've stuck to what they did last time: let Steph keep watch so Saul could be the first to —

But he's not sure that would have worked, not now. Not when Walter looks the way he does. Christ. What's going on? And where the hell are the others?

In spite of all the confusion and fear and wonder over just how badly Jesse and Skyler managed to fuck this up, Saul's expression is neutral and calm when he approaches Walt just as he starts to walk away.]

Whoa, whoa. What's goin' on over here?

[The words from Skyler do make him pause, briefly. It's a slap in the face, and he isn't expecting it. Skyler doesn't mess with people, but that's exactly what she's doing now, as far as he can tell.

She's messing with his head. So that Jesse Pinkman can do...something. He doesn't know what, but he doesn't intent to stick around and find out. Skyler gets one last regretful glance, because he hates to leave her behind. But she's chosen her side in whatever madness Pinkman has acquired over the leap of time, and the time to change her mind isn't right now.

When a nosy stranger shows up, Walter moves his course to the side just quickly enough to avoid brushing up against the man. God, he hates nosy neighbors.]

It's a private matter.

[She can feel Jesse's fear almost as if it's her own, and she wants to say something or be reassuring, but she knows Walt now thinks it's a him versus Jesse thing. If she stops to do anything, she could lose whatever control she has over this power as well.

It's a relief when Saul appears. She tries to give him a smile, a 'look, we tried' sort of grin.]

Walt, this is our lawyer, Saul Goodman. From the ads. [Because yes, she has to mention that.]

[Relief washes over Jesse when Saul appears, only to be replaced with shame a second later. He doesn't know how it all turned so bad so fast. He'd started off good - at least, he thinks so. But from there he spirals into self-flagellating thoughts and admonitions that sound suspiciously like Walt's voice in his head. That noise lasts only a moment before Jesse realizes that Skyler can still hear, and then he closes himself off so his mind goes silent to her again.

She probably doesn't need him anymore, so he lets go of her and draws his hands up to his neck as he retreats. Just a couple steps, still waiting to be dismissed formally. They might still need him. God knows what for, but...]

[This is such a goddamn mess. Saul can't even look at Skyler or Jesse because he knows his mask will slip immediately — if he can keep his focus on Walt, he can keep pretending.

So he steps over, blocking Walt's path when he tries to leave, offering a beaming smile and his right hand.]

Saul Goodman, just like the missus said. Howdy. Hate to barge in on your "private matter," but alas — my clients' business is my business, so when this ol' Jedi senses a disturbance in the Force...

[Need he go on?

Walt gets it, surely.]

[He's not about to shake Saul's hand. A frustrated glare is all Saul gets out of him. The conversation is still, just like always, directed solely at Skyler.]

Why do we have a lawyer, honey? He can't be here to manage my estate.

[And now the glare slides away from Saul and focuses on that little asshole who is trying to invoke powers of invisibility as they speak.]

Or maybe you meant someone else when you said "our lawyer?" Is that it?

[Jesse doesn't get it. Why's Mr. White looking at him?]

I don't know you got him. You never tell me anything. [Remember?]

I know he helped launder the money or gave you the idea of it. It's why we bought the car wash. He's yours and Jesse's lawyer. And mine. [She sort of supposes.]

What car wash? Skyler, I'm sorry for not telling you about the cancer. And that batch of methamphetamine I cooked up in the middle of the desert. It seems to be a pretty sore point for you, but really, I have no idea what you're talking about. At all!

There was almost a second batch, but our friend Jesse here made a terrible mistake and that didn't end according to plan. That's it. That is all of the secrets I have to tell. Before that, I think the biggest secret we had was that I hate your blue dress. Now that we have that out of the way, why don't you just get off of my ass? Okay, honey? I really just need you to get off of my ass.

[Actually, he doesn't remember Skyler. That. Hasn't happened yet. But this rant, while it's a surprising outburst to him, probably sounds familiar to you.

And Saul? You're getting shoved aside right about now.]

Get out of my way, Mr...Goodman, was it? This is no longer your business. You're fired.

[The past few weeks have tested everything Walt ever thought he knew about, well, anything. But he is not about to let his wife leave him for a fool like Jesse. If it takes some drastic measures, then, fine. Drastic measures it is.]

Edited (hit send too soon stupid mobile...) 2013-11-12 05:03 (UTC)

[Oh, what a son of a bitch.

Saul lets himself be pushed, even making it a point to stumble back slightly, before he frowns and dusts off his jacket.]

Obviously, we're not all on the same page, here.

[The look he shoots Skyler is clear: Stop. Talking. When he turns his attention back to Walt, the look has vanished; in its stead now is a tight little smile.]

Unfortunately, Mr. White, you can't fire me. Since my practice is back in Albuquerque and we're on the moon... [He waves a dismissive hand.] Technicalities. Anyway, have either of these two — or anyone — been so kind as to give you the welcome speech yet? And not just the one you heard when you showed up, but the one that explains the concept of time travel? Because I think that might be where all this confusion and — frankly unnecessary — hostility is coming in.

[Saul is so much better at this than she is, and really they really should have tried to call him in sooner. But she's still trying to cope with the fact that Walt is even here, and not exactly the Walt they all were expecting.

So she just keeps her mouth shut now.]

[This "lawyer" who clearly isn't versed in international law, let alone inter dimensional law, is a new annoyance. But Walt really doesn't give a shit about him at the moment. His focus is still on Skyler. He moves toward her, arms reaching out-

No. He doesn't move toward her. Something is holding him in place. He freezes, a look of panic clearly written across his face. Something is wrong, here. Something is much more wrong than he'd even imagined. The panic is clear in his voice when he speaks, though he manages to hold his tone mostly steady. There's a thinness and tightness to his speech that isn't usual.]

What's going on here?

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Haven't you seen the show tho Skyler it's all about how Walt changes duh

hahahahaha Sky is so not amused

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