controlledvariable | exsilium; ic inbox

[She's not entirely sure what to do with the text, because she feels like responding to it might just make things worse in the long run, so it's ignored, her tablet tucked back in her pocket.

She'd gone to the rooftop as soon as she'd realized it was Saul contacing her, not wanting to take the call in the apartment with Jim and Ellie wandering around. And maybe she'd wanted some air, too.

At first she'd just planned to stick to the covered areas, so she hadn't bothered with anything heavier than a sweater. A sweater that's now a little soaked, since she migrated to the edge of the rooftop at some point in the conversation. At least the rain is a light drizzle, instead of a downpour.

When she hears someone come onto the roof, she turns to look over her shoulder and just - winces.

This isn't going to go well.]

[...shit.

That was too easy. Saul actually takes a step backwards when he spots her, looking very much like a deer in the headlights.

It'd probably be too awkward to just turn around and leave, right?

Because that's totally a valid concern, at the moment. Yup.

Unsure of what to say — or whether he should say anything at all — he lifts his hand in greeting.]

[Meanwhile, Steph considers how likely she'd be to die if she jumped off the side of the building without her grapple hook.

The answer is very likely, so she rises to her feet instead, the motion graceful despite the fact she looks like a sad, drenched kitten. It takes her another moment to work up the nerve, but then she's walking over to Saul, stopping once she's in front of him.]

I'm guessing you were actually looking for me and not just taking a trip up to the roof for fun?

[Meanwhile, Saul is silently freaking out. He can't help but feel like her current state is somehow his fault — it looks like she's been up here for a while. So there's the guilt, and then there's a healthy dose of panic laid neatly on top when she starts moving toward him, which leads him to shrug his coat off and practically shove it at her.

There. A barrier. She should take it.]

The first one. I just... don't want you to think I could ever hate you. And I wanted to tell you that in person, since I was pretty sure — [He gestures, indicating the lack of a tablet in her hands.]

[What is it with dudes and giving her their coats?

But she takes Saul's, since it doesn't seem like it'd be worth arguing over, draping it over her shoulders rather than putting it on properly.]

I'm sure I've heard something about never saying never, before. [But apparently she can't work up the energy to actually say it herself.

Maybe she should've just said thanks.]

[Maybe. That might not have earned her such a look, at least — but Saul can't work up the energy to appear properly upset with her, so all she gets is a halfhearted narrowing of his eyes.]

Would you stop? Seriously. You're not being fair to yourself. And — God, standing on the roof in the rain? Really?

[No, she won't stop because she's feeling miserable and she's actually indulging that for once instead of running away and pretending everything is fine.]

I can't exactly help the rain, can I? And I've been coming up to rooftops when I needed fresh air since I was like, four. So.

[So. That's it.]

[But it's so cliche.

Whatever. If this is what she wants to do...]

You want me to get you an umbrella?

[When all else fails, being a facetious little shit:]

Nah, I was planning to take a mournful stroll along the beach later and get a little more rained on. Just for dramatic effect.

[WOW.]

Yeah? Got any good eighties music to go along with that?

[Being sarcastic is so much easier in person.]

Might I suggest Phil Collins? Either from his Genesis days or solo. Both'll do the trick.

[Eighties music just makes her think of Ellie, but she manages to keep the wince off her face. Instead, she wrinkles her nose at him]

Do I look like I have Phil Collins on my iPod?

[apparently she's judging Saul for even suggesting it.]

Edited (i am good at words) 2013-06-25 12:10 (UTC)

Wow, excuse you. Seconds Out is one of the most underrated live albums of all time.

[GOD, STEPH.]

Look, if it's not Beyonce, I don't wanna hear about it.

[WHATEVER, SAUL.]

...you're kidding, right?

[Saul looks so absolutely mortified by this that it's comical. She has to be kidding.]

[THEM'S FIGHTING WORDS.]

Are you saying there's something wrong with Beyonce?

[She'll throw him off this rooftop so help her.]

I'm saying that there's absolutely no comparison between her and Phil. Come on. Have you even heard, like, anything he's done?

[

what is happening]

I have, and I will throw you off this roof if you keep talking crazy.

[SHE'LL DO IT.]

I'm not the one talking crazy, here.

[It's entirely possible that he's trying to rile her up on purpose. Distractions! Yay!]

Beyonce. Psh.

Don't even.

[Don't even, Saul.]

Are you sure you're better? 'Cause I think you might still have a fever. It's the only explanation for why you won't admit how awesome Beyonce is.

[Oh, but he is. He so is.]

I didn't say that. But in the hierarchy of awesome, she's like... [He holds a hand about chest-level, then shakes it. Like he's not even sure she deserves to be up that high.]

No, in the hierarchy of awesome she's all the way at the top.

[Going up on tip toes and holding her hand up as high as she can? You bet.

They're really mature.]

[W o w. Kids these days. Cue the most melodramatic eyeroll Steph has likely ever seen as Saul easily holds his hand above hers without standing on his tip toes.]

Nope.

[He can't hold his hand up higher than hers if she jabs him (gently) in the ribs.]

Yes.

[Oh.

Snap.

She did not just do that.]

Wow. Resorting to physical violence. Real nice. [Muttered, as he oh-so casually reaches for her lifted hand. IF HE CAN'T WIN, NO ONE CAN.]

What can I say? I take after my dad. [Today in jokes that aren't funny!

As she neatly steps back, keeping out of reach.

It's a testament to how twisted up her thoughts are at the moment that the joke barely even registers as being something she probably shouldn't say.]

action! we're so good at this

s t a h p

you stop

you first

you're not my real dad

:(

ilu tho

yeah whatever!!

:c

no ilu too

oh ok good

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keywords tho

wow rude

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