open | i'm with the party rock crew

[vaccination]

WHO: You, Jesse Pinkman, and some party people.
WHERE: A conveniently located park in Heropa.
WHEN: Saturday.
WHAT: Jesse's birthday! Turning 12. Feel free to tag in wherever or make your own sections.
WARNINGS: God only knows.

NOTE!!! Anyone is welcome to come, whether they replied to Skye's post or not. Stumble into a party, assume they saw the invite, whatever!

[For a last minute thing thrown by a two people who don't have much experience with birthday parties, it's all come together pretty well. Nevermind that they actually didn't have a place to hold the party until not too long ago (minor detail), but hey, that's what public parks are for. Covered seating, a hearty amount of streamers and cheap, brightly colored table cloths, food scattered around the tables--this is probably what a birthday party for a younger kid would look like.

Whatever, it's charming.

There's a man made lake and a few fire pits for cooking nearby, though it looks like meat was probably forgotten in favor of baked goods, chips, dip, pizza, soda, and beer.

If one pays attention, they may catch sight of Ellie and Skye exchanging high fives throughout the party. Well done, ladies.]

Comments

[hostage]

[He is, he is. And he'll be grateful for it later. Right now, however, he ducks closer and lowers his voice to get out of anyone else's ear range:]

What're you doing here?

[5055034455]

[Saul leans away, making a face.]

What the hell does it look like? Celebrating the miraculous day of your birth. Since this is, y'know, a birthday party.

[hostage]

Who told you about it?

[5055034455]

Skye. [He sounds annoyed.] She and Ellie organized the whole thing, as I'm sure you've already guessed.

[hostage]

Okay... What're you doing talking to Skye?

[5055034455]

We're pals. I brought her beer when she was having a shitty day courtesy of that crazy ex of hers and we painted our nails and talked all about you and your dreamy eyes.

[But before Jesse has a chance to freak out, Saul continues, holding up a hand:] Relax, kid. Everything's fine. I'm not gonna screw anything up for you, pinky swear.

[hostage]

[He's not relaxing. This is not a relaxed face. He's gripping that present like he could crush it in his hands. He's getting used to his new life, okay, and these two worlds shouldn't overlap like this.]

What's the story? What'd you tell her?

[5055034455]

I asked her about your involvement in her life, she put two and two together and figured out I was your lawyer. Then we talked about the Hunger Games shit you both went through.

[Then, a quirk of a smile.]

She said it sounded like you had, and I quote, a lot of respect for me. And I told her I was pretty flattered that you'd think about your lawyer in such a dire situation, so when I heard about this party, I figured I'd do something nice. Like get you that present you're about to break, and just FYI, I don't know where I put the receipt.

[hostage]

[Jesse rolls his head back. Right. That. He forgot he told her that. That wasn't supposed to get back to Saul, either. Like pretty much everything he said that day, he wouldn't have said it if he hadn't thought they were about to die.]

...Don't let it go to your head.

[Some of the tension is leaving him, however. He relaxes his hold.]

So - what? You and me are buddies now?

[5055034455]

[TOO LATE.]

Why shouldn't we be? Do I have cooties?

[hostage]

[Herpes, maybe. Or gonorrhea.]

I mean, how'd you paint it with her? We gotta get the story straight, man. She picks up on this stuff. She's a spy.

[5055034455]

[Por que no los dos?]

Oh. Yeah, I guess that's... what it must've sounded like to her. She said we seemed close, so...

[He trails off there, suddenly looking a little awkward.]

[hostage]

[If Jesse could get headaches anymore, he'd have one right now.]

Perfect.

[And Saul's right. He realizes how weird this must look, if Skye's been watching them from over there. How it doesn't jive with her assumption. Jesse doesn't glance over to see if she's looking, but it's safe to assume that she is.]

...Okay. Do something.

[5055034455]

[What?

Saul is?? Right???

???????//

He stares at Jesse like Jesse is some kind of rare and special idiot.]

Open your present, jackass.

[hostage]

[...Right.

Okay, he's opening it now. He expects it to be something stupid, but it's actually - wow. These are really nice. His shock is pretty plain on his face. Saul actually picked out a good present. A non-cactus present. Good job, Saul.]

Did she help you pick these out or something?

[5055034455]

[It's just offense upon offense upon offense today, isn't it?]

No. Jeez, what is it with you? Like I don't pay attention to my clients?

[To be fair, he doesn't. Not really, anyway. But Jesse — Jesse he likes. Jesse he feels a particular sort of investment in.]

[hostage]

[For one, Jesse doesn't even know Saul likes him, which explains that look on his face: somewhere between pleasant surprise and incredulity. He knows Saul likes his money. And thinks he's worth keeping around, enough to stop by and check he hasn't killed himself or to help him skip town. But when it comes to Saul, these gestures tend to have an ulterior motive.

They're not usually this thoughtful, however.]

Sorry.

[He feels a little bad for being so cynical.]

I just mean - You did a good job. Picking 'em out.

[5055034455]

[Don't be gross.

Saul's pleased, but he reigns it in. What Jesse gets instead is a smug smile, the kind he's used to.]

Good. Happy birthday.

[hostage]

[Too late. Jesse's getting that look on his face. You know the one. The happy puppy look.]

Thanks, Saul.

[5055034455]

[GROSS.

Even grosser is the urge to reach out and ruffle Jesse's peach fuzz. Ew.]

Yeah, yeah. You're welcome. Now go skedaddle and play pin the tail on the donkey or something.