for the rest of us death will be a relief

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[praevaricatio]

We're in charge.

( The mantle doesn't quite feel like his. But, he'll grow into it. He can already feel the darker parts of that latching onto his heart. Don't ask. )

[tearhiseyesout]

[He might one day, but before he can, Jaqueline and Max swan in to draw both of their attention.]

We lost your ex.

[To Ezra.]

He seems to have slipped out while we were doing all that murder. So did Hallewell, but he's a separate, less immediate problem.

[praevaricatio]

We?

( Really not a bone of contention Max needs, who shakes his head, like what even are you. This isn't a contest. Pay attention. )

No one had him on a real leash?

[tearhiseyesout]

No, and I didn't get a chance to get a bead on him because they had us all sequestered.

[Jaqueline is only a Find My Friends for her actual friends. New Guy doesn't count.]

Sierra was tracking down her parents to make sure they were dead, and I was wrangling minions. Do you three have a good excuse for what you were doing?

[David opens his mouth, before sighing. "We'll find him. Max isn't in incredible pain so I'm assuming he hasn't gone far."]

[praevaricatio]

Not that he knows not to go far.

( But Ezra wasn't about to explain everything to him, nor was he able to, having been sequestered himself. )

He probably went to a casino his sister's family owns. There's one here in Baltimore. If we confirm that, then we can let him cool his heels while Max works on his marriage pitch.

( Max flips Ezra the bird.

"He's your ex." )

College ex. I was pre-med and we...

( "Yeah, yeah," Max says, huffing. "How are we going to confirm?" )

I would call.

[tearhiseyesout]

Great. You do that. Once you confirm, we'll go get him and that'll be that.

[And they can finalize this bullshit so that they can move on with their lives. Success.]

[praevaricatio]

He's not my husband.

( He can, and will, but needs to be a little more difficult. )

[tearhiseyesout]

No, but you're the only one of us who actually knows him and we need him back.

[Ezra is the direct line.]

And I don't think he'd pick up for the rest of us. He might pick up for you if he has anything related to a guilty conscience.

[praevaricatio]

I don't know him like that.

( Not anymore. )

Fine. I'll try. But, it's not like I have his number, so I'll have to call the casino.

( He sighs, pulling his phone out, searching the web. Finding the number. He connects the call and sees who he's put through to. )

[klep]

[The phone rings once, twice, then the line clicks to life, revealing a cool, professional customer service voice of the front desk agent on the other side.

"Thank you for calling YoungShot Casinos. This is Edith, how may I help you?"]

[praevaricatio]

Yes, I'm trying to reach a friend I believe is currently staying at your casino. Elton Zhao.

( It's a longshot at YoungShot, but it's better than bringing Max to him. )

[klep]

[Edith is preparing to give her professional "oh so sorry, we're not allowed to give out any information about guests" but when he says "Elton Zhao," that name puts this in a very different conversation. The Azuma siblings had put an alert out regarding their wayward step sibling, asking that any mention of Elton be redirected to their offices.

So instead of a dismissal, Ezra hears: "Please hold."

Then, nothing but the most annoying hold music. In fact, it almost feels like the hold music goes on for too long because the person in Emi's office to take this call is going to listen to the very short front of the call, and go through the cameras to see if they do actually have Elton, before the line finally clicks over and Ezra hears a familiar voice.]

Hey, Ezra. Long time.

[He doesn't give his name, But Felicity's got good ears.]

[praevaricatio]

Felicity. You're still affiliated.

( On the one hand, there is a nostalgia for simpler times in his tone. On the other, he always thought she was one of the other shoes to drop. Never quite accepting him. Never understanding how secretive her friend really was. )

[klep]

Sure. Affiliated. We'll go with that.

[She leans back in the chair behind Emi's desk, rotating slightly as she listens.]

What can I do for you?

[praevaricatio]

You already know, or you wouldn't have diverted the call. I need to speak to Elton.

( So, cut the shit, his tone says. Behind the smile, of course. )

[klep]

Well, now, Ezra, you know what they say about assumptions.

[Her tone is ever so casual, not giving anything away just yet.]

Elton's been missing for a few months now. We have protocols set up to divert calls mentioning him because we're worried.

[She says as she watches Emi and Elton chat at the bar. Nothing she's said is a lie though.]

Do you happen to know something?

[praevaricatio]

I know he can't travel more than sixty miles outside of his new husband's radius, so pass that along when you do see him. He will be in a lot of pain if not.

( So, at least push that along. )

[klep]

Husband.

[That's new and interesting information she's going to take with a grain of salt.]

Well, if he checks in, I'll be sure to let him know.

[She will send a text to Emi as she speaks though: Ezra on the phone. Says Elton has a new husband and can't leave a sixty mile radius of him?

Might as well cover their bases.]

[praevaricatio]

He has until New Years Eve. Say that, too. If you're gatekeeping, Felicity...

( On her end, Emi replies

He really doesn't like that word.

Why can't he leave a sixty-mile radius? )

[klep]

You know me, Ezra. Trust no witch. And didn't you dump him? Literal years ago? So I'm not really sure why I have to tell you anything. I can gatekeep whatever I want. It's my literal job.

[Felicity doesn't have to play nice, but more to the point she doesn't really play nice with anyone.

I'll see what I can get him to tell me. He also says he only has until New Year's Eve for whatever it is.

But since he's here and offering information:]

Why the radius? And the time limit? Some kind of curse?

[praevaricatio]

He practically made me dump him and I'm not rehashing a breakup from over ten years ago with not even his sister, damn it, Felicity. ...But, while we're at it, add in, he's off the hook for turning me in, selling me out and almost getting everyone killed. And yes, his husband does want to see him. Sorry. Has to see him. It's written.

( So mote it fucking be. Since she's taking the tone, he'll take one back.

Is he bluffing? )

If it's a curse, he signed himself up for it. But, no. It's a gift. One, he signed, sealed, and needs to deliver. And the radius is because until he returns, the seal has a radius.

[klep]

[I dunno. He said there's no hard feelings for selling him out? But his "husband" has to see him. Something he signed himself up for?

Felicity has never been great at reading Ezra in the first place (2) and it takes a second to parse through some of that.]

What exactly is he delivering? Beyond himself. And if he doesn't see his "husband" before New Year's what happens? Is he going to explode? His brain going to melt? What?

[praevaricatio]

( Not "husband." Husband. With, now I'm guessing, a magical fucking tether.

Felicity has never given him a real chance. )

He put himself in the middle of this. And he needs to make good. He has power coming to him, power he cannot turn away. And he doesn't want to. Not this. He --

( "Spoiler alert," Max says, arms crossed, head hung. )

Put him on the damn phone, Felicity.

[klep]

As I said, Ezra. I don't have him.

[Which isn't a lie, because she doesn't. Emi does.]

But if I see him, I'll be sure to pass the message along. Anything else?

[Now he's talking about power he can't turn away? Ezra's really allergic to being specific.]

[praevaricatio]

( El took him into the belly of the beast. I'm not surprised. I think I'm getting a better picture. He's in for a rude awakening. And I'm not just talking about Ken and Hiro.

Anything else? )

Good talk, Felicity.

( He hangs up. What else can he say without hearing from him directly. )