[exsilium] contact

[5055034455]

№ 150



❝ This is Saul Goodman. Leave a message. ❞

Comments

[controlledvariable]

okay

[It's a pretty clear message, and what else can she really say, except, well:]

sorry

[For everything. Anything.]

I TRIED SO HARD TO LET THIS GO

[5055034455]

[Way later:]

If I get sicker, I'll let Jesse know. I promise. He'll take care of it. I don't want you exposing yourself to this if you don't have to.

also whoops 2/2

[5055034455]

[Then, hastily:]

Which is not to say that I'm okay with him getting sick instead

but I bet you're probably going on that mission thing, right? Saving the day and all that?

you tried so hard and got so far

[controlledvariable]

[She was so sure she wasn't getting a reply, that it startles her a little when she does, and Steph proceeds to spend a full long minutes just staring at the messages.]

i've been volunteering at the hospital and clinic anyway

[And sleeping there occasionally to keep Ellie company.

She doesn't know what to say in response to "saving the day and all that".]

saddest trombone

[5055034455]

How bad is it?

[controlledvariable]

i've seen worse, but it's still pretty bad. it's hitting the exiles hardest. the hospitals are understaffed and fast running out of suplies.

[5055034455]

What about the healers around here? Guys like Ashraf?

[controlledvariable]

they can take away the worst of the symptoms for a little, ease people, but they can't seem to elimate the virus completely.

and suddenly voice;

[5055034455]

[Because typing like a normal person is hard when a fever is rising, and Saul for some reason thinks his voice will give away less of how shitty he feels than suddenly typing the way Steph types would.

He just sounds tired, is all.]

Any word on a cure? Or is it too soon?

permavoice;

[controlledvariable]

[She switches to voice to make, though it's obvious she's outside somewhere, from the light sound of rain in the background.]

Too soon, the AI's sent people looking for the source of the virus, so I guess they're hoping to make a cure from that, or they'll send us back in time to fix it. Somehow.

[She sounded more optimistic when she was talking to Ellie, but she can just can't manage to keep that up.]

[5055034455]

[And from his end, there's a little silence, followed by the sound of sheets rustling.]

Are you gonna go, if they do?

[Why is he even asking.]

[controlledvariable]

You really need to ask?

[It's supposed to be a bit of a joke, but it falls flat, her tone is too gentle.]

[5055034455]

[One cough. Just one. Nothing to be alarmed about.]

It's my job to ask.

[controlledvariable]

'Cause you're my lawyer?

[She sounds less sure than she wants to.

Because she has literally no idea what to call.... them.]

[5055034455]

That's right.

[ahahaha

ahaha

aha

ha]

Looking out for your best interests and whatnot.

[controlledvariable]

[Well.]

Is that why you kissed me?

[Today in words Steph regrets as soon as they come out of her mouth.]

Sorry. Don't answer that.

[LIKE REALLY DON'T ANSWER THAT PLEASE.]

[5055034455]

[Stephanie.

Stephanie.]

Now is really not a good time for that.

[controlledvariable]

[The sound of her head thunking onto something is kind of audible.]

I know, I know. I'm sorry. Look, just-- get plenty of rest, okay? I've got enough friends in the hospital.

[5055034455]

[hahahahaha friends

friends after

all that



Maybe the weird sound coming from his end was him dropping the tablet on his face. The world may never know.]

I will.

[controlledvariable]

[The pause stretches nearly long enough to be awkward, before she manages:] I'll talk to you later, Saul.

[5055034455]

Bye, Steph. I'll call you if anything happens.

[Or she can just find him once he's in the hospital and, you know, unconscious.

At least that will explain why he didn't call...!]

[controlledvariable]

You better.

[Nevermind how awkward things are.

And with that she's just going to hang up and flop onto her bed to bemoan how terrible everything is.]