exsilium | 009 ↔ video

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'd say you need to get out more, but you're probably lucky, not knowing how stupid people can be.

[She gets Steph is probably just teasing, but Ellie can't stop her posture from stiffening juuuuust the slightest bit.]

Pretty sure I know.

[And she's not even talking about home.]

[She doesn't miss that, and something softens in her expression in response.]

Sorry, that was me being stupid.

[Ellie shrugs.]

Don't worry about it.

[She decides to switch for private for the next part.]

How've you been doing, kiddo?

Alright. [Miserably, on the inside. She hates the snow and hates the paranoia and memories it brings.] I fucking hate the snow, though.

You?

I'm not bad, I don't mind the snow that much.

[She's too relieved at being off the moonbase]

Maybe we should go on a mission sometime, though. Find somewhere tropical.

[Tropical. Ellie doesn't dare mention planning to check out Hawaii with Jesse. She's not even entirely sure he wasn't just humoring her. Then again... not like it matters much anymore. Still. It's not a place she really wants to go to anymore.]

I'd rather visit a real arcade if we're gonna go anywhere. I don't really do tropical, either.

I think we can wrangle that, and California's nice in summer.

[Just - thinking of places to go.

She misses the sunshine.]