[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?"]
[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.]
( 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. )
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.
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?
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.
[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?
( 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. )
( 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. )
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praevaricatio) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
everyonelives2025-10-11 07:15 am
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[And they can finalize this bullshit so that they can move on with their lives. Success.]
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( He can, and will, but needs to be a little more difficult. )
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[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.
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( 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. )
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"Thank you for calling YoungShot Casinos. This is Edith, how may I help you?"]
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( It's a longshot at YoungShot, but it's better than bringing Max to him. )
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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.]
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( 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. )
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[She leans back in the chair behind Emi's desk, rotating slightly as she listens.]
What can I do for you?
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( So, cut the shit, his tone says. Behind the smile, of course. )
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[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?
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( So, at least push that along. )
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[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.]
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( On her end, Emi replies
He really doesn't like that word.
Why can't he leave a sixty-mile radius? )
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[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?
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( 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.
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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?
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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.
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[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.]
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Anything else? )
Good talk, Felicity.
( He hangs up. What else can he say without hearing from him directly. )
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Lucky him. Glad I'm not going to be around to have to deal with it.
[She has a date with casing a mansion for a guitar.]
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Did I know you were missing Christmas?
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Ezra said he had to make a decision by New Year's Eve and you KNOW he's going to put that off for as long as possible.
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He wouldn't be Elton if he didn't.
You believe Ezra?
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I think Ezra definitely wants something from him. Whether he's willing to set aside grudges to get it? I don't know.
I am his least favorite member of the family to deal with, though.
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