EXSILIUM - contact.

[hostage]

UNIT№409



_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

Comments

[hostage]

[And that immediately concerns Jesse.]

What's up?

[affections]

( He might be able to tell her face in in her hands by how she is slightly muffled. )

Um, well. My sister-in-law is here and she's saying things that make absolutely no sense whatsoever.

( A slow exhale. A bit more brightly, but cautious: ) Would it be all right with you if she took my room, for a while? I'll have the sofa, I just-- she's the most annoying person in the world, but she's family. You know?

[hostage]

Oh - yeah. Yeah, no problem. Is she gonna be cool with, um...

[You know. The obvious drug abuse and sex marathons that typically go down in 409.]

[affections]

Most likely not, but she'll have to deal with it. It's our home, not hers.

( Poppy and Jules: they have problems. )

Stealth might be wise to avoid her voicing her opinion, but she might be politer around people that aren't me.

( family )

[hostage]

Nah, nah. I don't wanna freak her out. Her first week and everything.

[affections]

Yes. Of course, you're right.

( She sounds tired. ) Her name's Poppy. I'd say she's about a Category Four, in hurricane terms, but it feels more like a Five.

[hostage]

So basically... I oughta stay outta her way.

[affections]

In all honesty? She might like you. She loves most people that aren't me.

( To be fair, Jules is antagonistic as fuck. No one is good enough for her brother. )

[hostage]

I don't trust anybody that don't love you.

[affections]

( Ah, okay. That gets a bit of a smile out of her, and her voice gives her away. )

You're getting all sentimental, Mr. Pinkman. None of that, now. What if people talk?

( surely that would be the biggest scandal of apartment 409. )

[hostage]

What, am I embarrassing you?

[affections]

I think the months I've been here is the longest stretch I've lived anywhere at all, since we left Oxford. I'm, shall we say, unaccustomed to such attachments.

( A brief pause. ) It's nice. ( Just to clarify, there. )

[hostage]

Couldn'ta asked for a better roommate. I mean it.

[affections]

There are certain things that could be improved on.

( Such as, for example, her needing to occasionally kill people. )

We need to have a bit of a chat, later. In person. There's some things you should know about my home.

( It's not really fair that Lisbeth knows more than him. She needs to fill Lisbeth in on some information, too. )

[hostage]

[Well, that sounds mildly serious. But Jesse assumes it's about the in-laws.]

We could do it right now, if you want? I was just about to head home.

[affections]

Yes. We can do that.

( Oh God. Facing the music. )

I'll put the kettle on.

( It's the solution to everything. )

[hostage]

[Jesse's there about ten minutes later, smelling vaguely like a meth lab. (Sorry.) He peeks into the kitchen as soon as he arrives.]

Hey.

[affections]

Hiiiii.

( But imagine some extra iiiiiiiii dragging that out, as she passes him a nice soothing cup of tea. Not coffee, right now. Just tea. )

Good day?

( Stop avoiding it, Jules. )

[hostage]

Fine, I guess.

[No one died or got melted. Good work, team. He sips the tea politely, though he's not a huge fan.]

What about you?

[affections]

Poppy's here. I apparently have a wife that I don't know about in the future. ( a sip of tea. )

So good, yes. Perfect.

[hostage]

Oh, hey, congrats! That's like one of the best things to find out, right?

[affections]

I have no idea who this person is or what might have addled their judgment to marry me.

( Okay, hang on she is grabbing his wrist and leading him to the sofa. ) Remember how I said there was something you needed to know?

[hostage]

[Jesse's about to argue that Jules would make a perfect wife, but - more pressing matters. He allows himself to be led and settles onto the couch.]

Right, yeah.

[affections]

( She appreciates the focus, really. Jules doesn't sit, though. Pacing is definitely a thing that's happening. )

Um. Right, okay. Well. In the course of your time in Exsilium, have you ever-- met people who weren't human? Strictly rhetorically speaking.

( Chewing them nails. )

[hostage]

Um, yeah. Of course, yeah.