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[controlledvariable]

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[controlledvariable]

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

Yes.

[5055034455]

[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.]

[controlledvariable]

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.]

[5055034455]

[Stephanie. Saul's just going to pretend like he didn't hear that, okay? He pouts, pressing a hand to his ribs.]

I could sue you for assault and battery, you know.

[controlledvariable]

We're in an anarchy, Mr. Goodman, you can't sue me for anything.

[Take that.]

[5055034455]

You wanna bet?

[Because he's pretty sure that if there's one person here who can figure out how to file a lawsuit in the absence of the law, it's probably him.]

[controlledvariable]

[No don't make it a challenge. That's her one weakness.]

Yup.

[WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT.]

[5055034455]

[His, too. One of. That and betting and like twenty other things, including her.]

Yeah? How much?

[controlledvariable]

[There's a moment, amongst the easy banter, where she forgets about all the tension between them and nearly suggests a kiss. Thankfull, her brain catches up with her before her mouth can get her into trouble.]

A hundred marques?

[5055034455]

[There was a moment where he was kind of hoping that would be her suggestion.

A hundred marques is pretty good, though.

He smirks, clasps his hands behind his back, and leisurely steps forward.]

I have no witnesses to back me up on this, unfortunately, but gee, your honor, I've got this crick in my neck that just wasn't there before Miss Brown attacked me...

[controlledvariable]

[She watches the little display with obvious amusement, before offering him a lazy shrug.]

You've gotta find a judge first, Saul.

[Also it's weird when he calls her Miss Brown.]

[5055034455]

Easy.

[He's walking around her in a wide circle, now, smirk giving way to a toothy grin.]

[controlledvariable]

[That's-- no that shouldn't be allowed.

She's watching him as he circles her, but stays standing exactly where is as some kind of defiance against his smugness.]

They have to be qualified, not just someone dude you grabbed off the street and gave a gavel to.

[5055034455]

What, you really think I'd just find some schmuck to play court with me? This is serious business, Miss Brown.

[He turns on his toe, switching directions.]

So what I'm wondering now is who's gonna defend you if I'm the plaintiff?

[controlledvariable]

[She isn't entirely sure what happened, here, but she would like it stop right now because it's a little unnerving.

She licks her lips, pushing wet hair back from her face as she keeps watching him.]

There's that other lawyer here, I'm sure I could convince her to help me out.

[Some... how...

Help.]

[5055034455]

Who, Karimov? [He chuckles, shakes his head.] God, she'd love that.

[Also wow is that a terrifying thought: Sonya defending Steph against him. That's nightmare material.]

[controlledvariable]

[Yes? That one. Steph hasn't been paying as much attention to the network as she normally would.]

See, I'm all set. And you're still down a judge.

[5055034455]

[Saul has to stop himself, then, because instinct almost has him wonder aloud who might not like Stephanie around here. And that's not playful; that's just malicious.

He stops behind her, head cocked to one side.]

I'll find someone.

[controlledvariable]

[Somehow it feels like turning around is letting him win, so she's just watching him over her shoulder.]

If you say so. [so very skeptical] I'd like my marques in cash, rather than on one of the debit cards. Just for when you're paying up.

[He doesn't have a monopoly on being smug.]

[5055034455]

[Was he that close to her a few seconds ago?]

Cash, of course. Lawyers prefer being paid in cash, anyway, so that'll make Sonya happy.

[Legal fees, Steph.]

[controlledvariable]

[help.]

What, you think I can't convince her to represent me for free?

[no really.

help.]

[5055034455]

[Don't worry, Steph; he's not stupid enough to move any closer. Because.

No.

He's pretty sure there's a gravity/orbit metaphor hiding somewhere in here, but he doesn't care to look for it. He shrugs, then pushes his wet hair back. Why are they still out here?]

Maybe.

[controlledvariable]

Definitely.

[Maybe if she keeps trying to be smug she'll stop being... unsettled by every Saul is doing.]

I'm good with lawyers.

[Wait no can take that back it's too close to actual flirting ABORT ABORT.]

[5055034455]

[...he tried so hard and got so far...

Pop goes Steph's little bubble of personal space as Saul places a hand on her arm, still grinning. And also wanting to throw himself off the building a little.]

I dunno if you're her type.

[controlledvariable]

[She might, possibly, maybe just a little, gulp at the touch, realizing just how terrible an idea this was. Pretending that they could just joke around like there wasn't... anything between them.]

I'm everyone's type.

[why]