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[5055034455]

[There's something different about Saul today.

He's seated in front of the camera, as usual, and he's in a suit, also as usual, but —

Oh, maybe it's the fact that Stephanie's leaning against his shoulders as he speaks, which takes away all possibility of him being his usual, businesslike self.

It might be that.]

Hey, everyone. As some of you've noticed, Jesse Pinkman went home a couple of weeks ago. Since there was some concern over the cookie situation last month, we — [With a brief nod upward, toward Steph — ] Figured that we'd harness some of the holiday spirit that's been goin' around and make sure this month's newbies are fed and clothed. Feferi will be taking care of handing out jackets and whatnot on the first, and Steph and I will be manning the cookie table alongside anyone else who decides to join us.

[Without missing a beat, Steph adds:]

Might even see if I can get one of those big urns to put hot cocoa in, to help warm the newbies up, and us, if we're hanging around there for a while. Any chance you can help out with that, Ella?

[She gives the camera a bright smile, which is mostly for Ella's sake. Sorry about abusing your powers.]

What we're not gonna do is make a party of it. I know that kinda sucks, but we just don't have the space, so the plan is that everyone who wants to can bake a couple batches in their own ovens, then bring them to our place sometime on the thirty first. If you don't know the address already and you're planning to help out, I'll give it to you here. [But she's not - just giving it out on the network openly.] If you need ingredients, let me know; I went on a mission and made sure we had plenty of stuff so I can give you flour or sugar or choc chips. Same goes for the recipe. Annnnd if you need help getting cookies to us, speak up, and we'll work something out.

[For a second, it looks like she's about to wrap it up, but then something else occurs to her.]

Speaking of parties, I dunno if anyone's doing anything for New Year's Eve, but if they are, can everyone try to get the cookies to me before like - seven, so I can still go out. Thanks.

[At which point Saul looks up and over at her, feigning a pout.]

Sorry, so we can go out.

[And then he's all smiles.

Before the feed clicks off, he adds another "thanks," and away they go.]

[Then, a private text to Sonya from Steph, sent only moments later:] sonya, i know you're smart enough to put two and two together, but please don't say anything to anyone else. it's not something that needs to be spread around.

Comments

voice, private

[anklets]

[Amongst all the holiday chatter, both this post and those from all the rest of the month, one of these things is not like the others.]

I hadn't realised he'd left. [ bittersweetly, she thinks it's better for Jesse that he isn't here, after all that he'd- done ]

voice, private

[5055034455]

I think it slipped under more than a few radars. I'm sorry if you would've liked knowing sooner — things have been a little hectic with all the adjusting we've had to do since the move.

voice, private

[anklets]

We weren't close. [ a callous thing, so she softens it: ] He was kind to me. I'd hoped for the chance to repay him, before everything...

[ well. before everything. ]

permavoice, permaprivate

[5055034455]

He's kind to a lot of people.

[Saul says this with a smile, despite the sadness he's feeling, and is careful to keep it in present tense. Don't let it show, Goodman. Don't give anyone reason to be suspicious.]

But Jesse's perceptive. I bet he knew you were thankful.

[anklets]

I'm not sure he did, [ matter-of-factly, though it isn't out of any unkindness ] but thank you for saying, Mister Goodman. And I'm sorry if it was a friend you lost to that fickle machine.

[He speaks as though he knew Jesse well.]

[5055034455]

People come and go all the time. He's not the first.

[But he was the most important.

At least he's back home now.

Maybe.]

So there's always the chance he'll come back.

[anklets]

[Come back the way Allen had come back, a glimpse into a future where the light she has always trusted to see in him has become smothered?]

Yeah. [ slightly bitter ] There is.

[5055034455]

[...it'll be a lot like that, actually.

ha ha ha]

For now, though, we're still interested in some extra hands on the cookie deck. Did you ever help out at the baking parties before?

[anklets]

[ ha ha ha ha ] I haven't, actually.

[5055034455]

Ah. Got any experience baking, or...?

[anklets]

Oh, plenty.

[5055034455]

Oh! Good. That's good. You want to lend us a hand in the effort?

[anklets]

I could lend both, if you'll have them.

[5055034455]

Gladly. Thank you, Lenalee. Will you need supplies?

[anklets]

I... may.

[ this creepy castle didn't come stocked with baking ingredients, what is the world coming to ]

[5055034455]

Let us know when you're sure, then. We'll get you what you need.

[anklets]

Mm. [ muted ] Thank you, Mister Goodman.