everyonelives | for the rest of us death will be a relief

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. )

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?

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. )

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.]

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? )

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. )

Put him on the damn phone, Felicity.

Edited 2025-11-05 06:47 (UTC)

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.]

( 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. )

[She rolls her eyes as Ezra hangs up before going back to her text messages.]

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.]

It's fine, at least it's the pretty squad and not our younger brothers.

Did I know you were missing Christmas?

No, Christmas I'll be around, but I'll snagged an invite to the Brogan Ford New Year's party.

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.

Snagged, really

He wouldn't be Elton if he didn't.

You believe Ezra?

Not literally, but close enough. I'm gonna be Cody's plus one.

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.

I knew not literally, I was just wondering if we were in plus-one territory or extra-curricular.

You don't help yourself, if we're keeping score.

Yeah, well, I didn't realize we were trying to be best friends with the guy who dumped him over a decade ago.

[Not that she was nice to him when they were actually dating, but look, she has trust issues.]

The only best friend I have is you and I kick anyone's ass that tries to come up to the plate. But, when we're in witch territory, we really should tread a little more carefully.

Minor note.

Fine. Next time he calls me and/or shows up, I'll play nice. Scout's honor.

[Not that she was ever a girl scout.]

You're holding two fingers together behind your back while you type that, aren't you?

Emi, I would never.

But I'm not promising not to finish anything he starts.

El did this to himself, we can help him through it.

Alright. I'll follow your lead, boss.

[But in her opinion, the vibes are rancid, and they should probably be more on the defensive.]

Check in tomorrow.

(no subject)

klep - 2025-11-27 01:04 (UTC) - Expand