blowfish | IC CONTACT

I don't say things I don't mean.

[That at least is true. Joel isn't a talker by nature - sometimes he'll lie to protect someone, or lie by omittance, but when he says something directly, when he offers something up, he always means it.]

Like I said, I thought I was somewhere else. I thought someone I cared about was in trouble. I don't do that stuff for fun.

[ Okay. Well. That just brings up a whole host a new questions, such as: what the fuck kinda life you lead where that's part of your routine? ]

But you're pretty good at it.

[ He feels like he's earned that one, so he lets out some nasty undertones with it. What he says next is less sarcastic and more curious. ]

Must be some real bad people you were with.

[ A beat. He's right, after all, that it's a small population at Haven. They'll run into each other again and they need to know where they stand with each other after this. ]

It's Jesse, by the way. My name.

Edited 2014-02-26 23:19 (UTC)

I've learned to do what needs to be done. My world ain't a nice place.

[He pauses, rubbing at the back of his neck.]

Joel.

Well, Joel, I'd say you owe me one and leave it at that.

[ Sincere apologies and explanations are actually much more than he expected to get, so Jesse tries it, because he might as well. Pushing his luck? Why not. His world ain't a nice place, but neither is Haven. Guys like this are useful in a tough spot.

So he buries whatever anger he's got for the opportunity of doing business. It's not like this is the first time he's almost died. ]

Sound fair?

Depends. I ain't in the habit of doin' other people's dirty work.

[He only does his own.]

[ A huff, like a laugh. ]

I dunno what I need yet, so I guess we'll see. [ Pause. ] Can't blame me for tryin', can ya?

Look, if you ever... need help with somethin', you can ask. Whether you think I owe you or not.

We're all stuck here. We gotta help each other out.

[Which god, that sounds ridiculous coming from him, but it's just the truth of their situation.]

[ Jesse flexes his hand, fingers curling in a gesture of fruitless frustration. Something Joel cannot see, for better or for worse. It dies away. ]

It doesn't matter. [ But, but. ] I might ask, though. Someday. You'd be a dick to say no.

[ Humor! ]

I've been called worse. [And some of it's even been true, so.]

Well, all right, anyway. Thanks. For not... takin' it out on Sarah.

[ Yeah, he can imagine the things Joel has been called. ]

I'd be a dick to do that.

[ He swings back, effortlessly, more honestly. There's more commentary he could add, tactless and stupid commentary, but he decides to be careful. Not to mention, Joel is actually being sincere.

God, that's almost more off-putting than the drive-by stabbing. He's so normal now, polite and measured. Offering help. ]

She seemed, uh, pretty scared. I ain't gonna make it worse on her, man.

[Jesse might be surprised at how many people would do exactly that, though.]

Well. Okay then. She's fine, she just... She's fine.

[Annnd he hangs up, because a w k w a r d.]

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