because the lives of the wicked should be made brief

[somanyadjectives]

Comments

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Donna nods, and then pulls up Harvey's calendar because of course she didn't take herself off it when she moved on from being his secretary.]

Wednesday morning.

[praevaricatio]

Wednesday morning.

( And to that, he leaves her. And tries to slip out unnoticed. (10) for stealth.

He doesn't recognize Carroll as he passes by his office, does recognize Connor Walsh, famous from the news, and of course, Jessica, when she's handled his affairs. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Jessica gives him a nod of acknowledgement as he passes and he almost, almost, makes it out clean. But just as he's heading to the front door, a familiar face comes off the elevator, eyes widening in surprise when he sees him.

"Ezra?"]

[praevaricatio]

( He's caught completely off guard and doesn't catch how convenient this might be. (8) Talk about a blast from the past. He stops, looking around him, trying to make it casual. He can't be here much longer. (9). )

Elton, what are you - How long has it been?

[thefaxwhisperer]

["Too long. Wow. You look great."

He makes his way closer, clapping a hand on his shoulder gently.

"Are you in a rush? We should have lunch. Catch up."]

[praevaricatio]

I'd love that, really. But, yeah. I have to get upstate. In-laws.

( Should they be this friendly? Is that the most casual way of telling your ex you're married? Maybe he knows. News travels through those circles. )

Does Pearson Specter ( Etc "" "" "" ) represent you?

[thefaxwhisperer]

["Jessica's been handling estate things for my family for a while. I was just here to drop off some paperwork."

Which he will do right now, passing it off to the receptionist and trusting it will get where it needs to go. If not, he can fix it later. He's not letting Ezra out of his sight just yet.

"Are you sure you don't have time for a drink? I'll buy."]

[praevaricatio]

( Time for a drink? His sense motive has his antennae up (14), and he eyes him. )

Nonalcoholic? There's a cafeteria downstairs.

( There isn't, he needs to buy some time, does Elton know that? He's on radio silent or he could do something else. It all just feels coincidental. )

Or, better yet. There's a client lounge. Best spa-water in town.

( With four walls of glass. )

Come on, follow me.

( He does his best to alert Donna (13) to knock a priceless vase, sorry, off the desk and Jessica (5) to drop some art. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Elton does follow, watching Ezra as he moves and gentle course correcting with magic. Donna misses (10), and Jessica does notice, but doesn't put together why (7), and just returns to her office, leaving the two of them alone in the lounge.

"You seem tense. Did I say something wrong?"]

[praevaricatio]

( Either he's being undermined, or, he's under stress. Turned away, he pours them both cups of water. Facing his ex-boyfriend now, he tries to give him a smile as he crosses the divide of the lounge, handing his cup over. (10). )

I'm always tense in this building. Legal affairs are always so highbrow. I remember when my parents handled it all, you know.

( He pulls out a rolling chair and sits, gestures for him to join. )

I have a little time before I have to meet up with David. ( which might strike a chord, and it's a lie (7) ) Are you an East Coaster now? What's California going to do without us.

[thefaxwhisperer]

[It helps to know it's a lie. Elton knows that the husband is tucked away behind closed doors.

"I'm just here for business, currently. But it may turn into something permanent. I'm being considered for a job offer."

Which is close enough to the truth. He's been promised power if he can bring in his wayward ex. He intends to prove himself up for the challenge.]

[praevaricatio]

A job offer. Really. Getting out of the holistic business?

( He sips at his water, trying to be more cool, calm, and casual. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[He shrugs. "Best to keep your options open. Never know when an opportunity is going to knock on your door." Especially one that's as juicy as what the Gainors have presented him with.

The Gauntlet is a rising tide, even if it is a red one.]

[praevaricatio]

I remember when you would never go past the 10. Now, 3,000 miles away. How are your parents handling this?

( Do they know? )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[They do not, they just think he's on vacation. Boy will they be surprised when they find out. He looks sheepish.

"I haven't told them yet. I figure better not to worry them until things are certain."]

[praevaricatio]

Better to ask for forgiveness. Taking a page out of my husband's playbook.

( He jokes, but it reads disingenuous, as he occupies himself with another sip of water. But, he watches him when he says the word "husband." But, he seems to be sheepish in all forms (3). Something's not right. Maybe he just doesn't feel right. )

I'm surprised I didn't get a message from Logan. Let me guess, you didn't tag yourself. On account of the surprise.

( Dating an influencer was never easy. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

["Sometimes it's best to stay off the grid."

Elton tips his head to the side, studying him briefly as he picks up on his tension.

"Everything okay, Ez? You seem a little stressed."]

[praevaricatio]

I'm always stressed in this building.

( He knows how transparent he's being, so he goes for a hail Mary he thinks Elton wouldn't see coming. He hopes this isn't close to jinxing territory. (19 Deception) )

Okay. Look. I'm here because I had a preliminary meeting. I wanted to know my options. If I divorce David.

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Elton's eyes widen because he can tell it's a play, but there's a part of him that wonders if maybe it is a little bit true (18). "Shit, really? I thought ... you two seemed so solid."]

[praevaricatio]

Just because we're solid doesn't mean we're standing on solid ground. I knew what I married into.

( And maybe that's the problem. )

So, imagine my surprise when I have that meaning and then, and then I run into you.

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Elton raises an eyebrow, playing it casual.

"I always did have impeccable timing."]

[praevaricatio]

And impeccable modesty. Don't give yourself all the credit. Things have been tough for a while now.

( He walks a very delicate tightrope, staying sat back, not indicating interest or attraction. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Elton shrugs, before tipping his head to the side. "I'm sure they have."

He can't really bring himself to feel bad for David because ... why would he? Instead, he finds a very tentative angle he could potentially play.

"Are you still doing the doctor thing?"]

[praevaricatio]

Doing the doctor thing?

( How diminishing. )

Monroe's dead list getting out put that on hold indefinitely. Were you on it?

[thefaxwhisperer]

[Elton shrugs. "If I was they didn't find me. But I was keeping a fairly low profile at the time."

He heard about it though. What a mess.]