exsiliumlogs | [open] there's a patch of snow on the ground

Date & Time: December 9-12, various times
Location: Around Winter Wonderland Exsilium; options within!
Characters: Saul & YOU!!!
Summary: A defense attorney adapts to his new environment.
Warnings: Stupidity and probably also feelings, but nothing out of the ordinary. Will update if needed.

[OPTION A, out & about —

Saul spends the bulk of his first two days planetside getting familiar with the new landscape as best he can. This involves a lot of walking and a lot of talking to people who seem entirely too suspicious of him; he can't blame them, of course, so he tries to look as non-threatening as possible.

For him, this is not difficult.

The information he gathers from those who give him the time of day is scarce, but it's better than nothing — and it leads him to the important conclusion that re-establishing the Department under the New Initiative is, perhaps, not the wisest decision right now. A lot of things are up in the air; with timeline-changing missions still in the works, he wonders whether or not it's worth the trouble.

...and then there's the little problem of so many of them still being on the moon...

He winds up dedicating a lot of his time to hanging around the building housing the Transport Pad. Mostly, he wants to keep an eye out for anyone he might know who hasn't yet decided to make the trip down (and spend some time checking in on the people who have via text), but part of his reason for being there so often is that it's warm and convenient and feels a hell of a lot safer than traveling by sled team or on foot in yeti territory.]

*

[OPTION B, along the river Thames —

All things considered, the moon is still worse.

"All things" being the relentless cold, the seemingly bottomless snow, and the angry walrus charging after him on the frozen Thames.

Fun fact: Walruses can move as quickly as a man can run. So it's a good thing Saul's on ice skates, but even that isn't enough to make him feel any better about the fact that he somehow managed to piss off a two thousand-pound tusked beast and now it's out for his blood.

But Saul! you say. What about your stupid anime powers? Surely you could take this creature down!

To which he would say, Screw you, the last thing I need to do is freak out the locals.

Not that anyone's impressed by his current display as he races down the ice, but. Details.]

*

[OPTION C, for his ~~family~~ apartment-mates —

It's weird.

Saul's thought of this place as home for a while; he's pretty sure he started using that word when his relationship with Jesse solidified and things were, for the most part, okay. And then Steph came along and it felt more real, and then they found their way to the moon and to each other and ever since then, he's known that this is where he needs to be.

But something about living in an apartment with her and Ahiru and Dick is just —

It's weird. He doesn't really think of Ahiru the way he'd think of, say, a daughter, but he knows he has a tendency to treat her that way. And when it's just the two of them, it's fine, but when Steph's around, it's different. Awkward, almost. It's nothing Steph can't defuse with a bit of playful joking, though.

But then there's Dick, who he's pretty sure hates him.

That's less weird; Dick has a perfectly valid reason and Saul hasn't tried to convince him otherwise just yet, mostly because neither of them have crossed paths at a convenient moment.

Saul finds himself home alone often, keeping the place tidy and monitoring the network and thinking. Planning. Pacing.

He needs a job, but this is the deal for now: he cleans, he cooks. He tries not to let himself get too comfortable in this new setting of theirs, because he knows better. It's difficult, though.

And weird.

Don't forget weird.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They're not mine, no.

[God. Forbid. Saul doesn't look outwardly disturbed by the thought, but on the inside? He's shrieking. He loves Ahiru, but — no.

Anyway, he's thankful that he gets to keep the hat, because let's be real — Wayne has more hair to keep his head warm, anyway. While those two work out their wardrobe, Saul just looks off to the side, trying to hide his amused smirk.]

[ Waiting until Wayne wears his gloves, Dahlia gives a small smile before reaching to hold his hand. Her countenance displays her affection, as well as a mischievous thought she communicates with a single stare: I know a way to keep us both warm.

Finally, she returns her attention to Saul, her features softening again. ]

What're their names?

[ He catches that look and raises an eyebrow to her, squeezing her hand but trying to otherwise keep any happily married dopeyness out of his expression.

He looks back at Saul. ]

Just a temporary arrangement, then?

[It's a good thing Saul missed that, seeing as he already ships it hard enough. When he hears Dahlia address him, he turns his attention back to the happy pair, then starts off walking with a wave of his hand for them to follow.]

Maybe temporary, maybe not. Ahiru's 16 — [...he thinks...] And Dick is 13. I've known Ahiru for a while; Dick's a friend of Steph's from back home.

[ Teenagers, like Saul said, but still kids. Dahlia's reminded of her own children, and she grows thoughtfully quiet as she walks alongside Wayne. ]

[ Wayne raises his eyebrow but nods, squeezing Dahlia's hand again as if he's just read her thoughts. He doesn't have to, of course; it's obvious they're both thinking along similar lines. ]

Good shelter's probably hard to come by -- smart thinking to stick together. Plus you got... more body heat.

The heating situation's not bad. [It's not great, either, but it could be worse.] Don't worry — I'll hook you up. Sticking together, right?

[He turns his head, shooting a brief smile back towards Wayne.]

I'm glad you're down here. Both of you.

[ Still cautious, Dahlia doesn't return the sentiment but offers a light joke instead. ]

I hope the damn coffee's better here.

[ Well, it's not completely a joke. ]

Right back at you, Saul. Believe me -- I wouldn't stay up there another minute even if I was getting paid for it.

[ Shockingly that's mostly true -- space is scary. He nods, reaching to pat Saul once on the shoulder. ]

Sticking together. [ Then, to Dahlia: ] Assuming there is coffee. Down here maybe they wake you up with snowballs.

[Saul grins, but the mention of snowballs makes him suddenly look grimly serious.]

That's exactly what they do. It's terrible.

[ Dahlia softly exhales, seemingly not bothered. ]

I'd like to see 'em try that with me.

[ To Dahlia, stern enough that he almost sounds serious: ]

Baby, you just got here. Don't kill anyone.

[ He looks at Saul. ]

Is there coffee? ... Food?

[So that's a joke, right? Dahlia doesn't kill people, right?]

Enough of both to go around, yeah. There's a whole underground city. What's up here isn't too bad, either. It's not like it was —

[He points skyward.]

[ Do you really want me to answer that, Saul?

Dahlia's eyes follow the gesture, and she's contemplative for a moment before replying. ]

Guess anythin' s'better than bein' stuck in space.

Grass is always greener down on the ground. Even when it's covered with snow.

[ He's feeling more optimistic already, looking up with the gesture as well before he levels his eyeline again. ]

You don't think we're going to have to go back up, are we?

[Exactly Saul's point: At least there is grass.

He shrugs.]

Your guess is as good as mine, buddy.

[open] there's a patch of snow on the ground

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