Bad habits make for good memories.

[hostage]

WHO: Jesse Pinkman & OPEN
WHERE: Heropa & Maurtia Falls
WHEN: June
WHAT: It's a catch-all for everyday situations involving Jesse.
WARNINGS: ...Drugs. Like. Obviously.

HEROPA - YOUTH CENTER

[As soon as the kids' painting class lets out, Jesse hops outside for a cigarette. It's more out of habit than need, these days. Nicotine does nothing for him. Nothing does anything for him. But he likes it: the smoke in his lungs combined with the sweet summer air around him, salt on the breeze and the sun on his skin. He keeps away from the building's entrance - doesn't want to make the children breathe second-hand smoke, of course - and wanders the grounds instead. It's a good chance to survey the area for any creeps lurking around, too. The place doesn't have much in the way of security, and if there's one "heroic" job he's willing to do, it's protecting these kids.]

MAURTIA FALLS - RED BRANCH

[It's funny. He's been living in Pennsylvania for over a month, but he couldn't be assed to explore the place very much. Honestly, he doesn't like Pennsylvania. There's not nearly as much sun as he's used to and it just isn't his scene. Downright gloomy, sometimes. But he's slowly getting used to it, and his leisurely exploration finally leads him to the imPort pub on the outskirts of town. It's cool-looking, at least. Not a place to hang out on the regular, but definitely a place to look at. He snaps a few photos as he hops up the steps, and does the same when he walks in. That's going on his instagram, for sure.]

HEROPA - THE STREETS

[It's about time for dinner. Jesse never cooks for himself - he doesn't need to save the money and it's lonely as hell eating in his apartment by himself - so he heads straight from work into town to scope out the options. Sometimes he'll choose pizza. Sometimes tacos or a burger. Sometimes he just grabs ice cream, because he's a responsible adult. Anyway, he parks his stupid banana-yellow convertible off the street and hops out to look around. There's probably someplace he hasn't tried yet. He'll just walk until he finds a good one.]

MAURTIA FALLS #001 - CLOSED TO GREED

[It's the worst time of night, when Jesse has to come back to this place. Half the time, he doesn't even bother. It's often hotels for him, wherever he happened to just be partying. But since he couldn't land a girl for tonight, Jesse comes shuffling into his government-sponsored apartment as soon as the bars close. He smells strongly of liquor but he isn't remotely drunk, which is his curse, really. No one should have to be this sober. He tosses his jacket over the nearest chair and opens the fridge to grab a beer, not quite ready to sleep yet. He rummages around for some leftovers, too, but they're all gone. That's great. The roommate probably ate them again. He heaves a mildly irritated sigh and wanders out of the kitchen, chugging his beer.]

AT THE DRIVE-IN - CLOSED TO SKYE

[Okay... So he was honestly only half-paying attention to the movie, if that. He's been mostly focused on Skye, because he's a teenage boy at heart, and who really goes to a drive-in to watch the movie? But now the credits are rolling and the engines of the cars around them are starting up. Jesse sits back and looks up at the starry sky over their heads, letting out a quiet laugh.]

Over already, huh.

Comments

[hackitude]

I'm not sure my nose is really an erogenous zone. Just putting it out there.

[hostage]

But it's really cute.

[hackitude]

... My nose is?

[Skye puts a hand over her nose self consciously for second, tapping it with her fingertips.]

Yeah. Well. Your... all of you. Is cute. So there.

[hostage]

I'll take cute. I was going for badass and rugged, but cute works.

[hackitude]

... Okay, maybe a little bit rugged. Jury's still out on badass.

[hostage]

Sooooo if I said our next date oughta be skydiving, does that bump me up a little?

[hackitude]

Seriously? What are you gonna do if I actually take you up on it?

[hostage]

You think I never jumped outta a plane before?

[hackitude]

... Um. ... I don't know. Have you? ... I mean. 'Cause. Most people haven't. I live on one and I haven't.

[hostage]

Okay, here's your cheat sheet guide to me: if most people would say, "holy shit, that sounds stupid and reckless and dangerous," then it's probably on the list of shit I done.

[hackitude]

Yeah? Is that your segue to your next sentence: "And then there was that time I wrestled a bear"?

[hostage]

They don't have bears where I'm from. But I could try it.

[hackitude]

I... don't think they have bears in Florida either. Probably. ... I hope.

[hostage]

They got 'em up in Pennsylvania. You think I oughta take bets a bear couldn't kill me, make some extra cash?

[hackitude]

What? Is this some kind of-- crazy... macho... trying to impress me thing? No. Don't fight a bear, dumbass.

[hostage]

[He doubles over, laughing.]

I'm kidding, oh my god. I'm not gonna go get mauled by a bear!

[hackitude]

[Relaxing slightly at that and grinning in response]

Well... good. 'Cause I'm not retrieving your sorry ass if you do.

[hostage]

I would never make you do that. I'm a gentleman. I always retrieve my own sorry ass.

[hackitude]

[That earns Jesse a snort, a grin and a friendly shove on the shoulder with her free hand-- in that order.]

You're so full of it.

[hostage]

What'd I do now?!

[hackitude]

Nothing. [Skye tidies off the remains of her ice cream.] I just-- ["I'm annoyed about your ENTIRE EXISTENCE." But she can't say that.] ... Hey, where are we, anyway? [Skye hasn't been paying attention to where they've been walking since they left the malt shop at all.]

[hostage]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if we accidentally walked into another random-ass universe?

[But seriously, he knows where they are. She wanted the park, so he's leading her that way. He's just... going to take a moment to scoop the last bits of ice cream into his mouth before maybe informing her.]

[hackitude]

Man, don't even joke. I'm just getting used to this one.

[hostage]

Least we wouldn't be alone?

[hackitude]

... True.

And hey who knows, maybe the next universe on is better than this one. Maybe they have... unicorns.