Agreed. I don't think it's safe for any of us to linger longer than we need to. There's just the issue of money.
[ And no, she's not volunteering him, just stating facts. ]
I'd like to see what jobs are on offer for people like us, or what their plan is around us being able to fend for ourselves. Whatever will help us to get out of here quicker. [ A beat. ] Viktor too.
[ In all actuality, she'd meant a broader idea of the three of them simply getting out of dodge. Jayce's suggestion, however, gives her pause...because she hasn't even considered the full cost and what a living situation might look like. She likely can't afford to live on her own, can she? Not unless she finds something smaller. And she'd make do with that but--
She can hear it in Jayce's tone. Mel looks at the device for a moment, considering. ]
It's a smart plan, if he's agreeable. If not, we can look into other options. You and him will need some kind of lab space, wouldn't you?
[ Is it more cost effective to find some kind of space they can build out? She's going to need a map to look at properties... ]
[ Talking about this only on audio doesn't feel right, so he switches his device to video. She'll see his face pop up on the screen - ]
Oh, right - that would be ideal. [ It's not that he's surprised, exactly, that she's asking what they would need/want to get work done, but it makes him feel a certain way - comes off as a kind of sheepishness in his expression. ]
... I don't think he'll be agreeable. But - we have some time.
[ Ah, there he is. Mel smiles for a moment at the picture before she turns her own camera on. The smile stays, too. ]
I think he'd agree to live with you.
[ How many times has she heard they'd be working well into the night in the lab? She'd never really asked if they slept there but assumed it. She doesn't think Jayce is the factor here. ]
No matter what we decide on, we can make it work. Even just finding something close by, where we aren't far from one another-- [ She doesn't realize at first that she's making assurances with him. It's not placation. It's just... Something about seeing him that way makes her want to assuage his concerns. And to stand behind what she says. If it'll make Jayce happy, then it's fine.
Although, she's never moved in with someone before. That'd be...new.
Mel looks askance for a moment, as if needing to collect herself. She's catching herself sticking to something pragmatic when this is...not the time for it. Her gaze returns to his face. ] It'll depend on the budget. But we should tour the city. Get a better idea where we'd like to live.
[ His smile softens and warms when she turns on her video, though it becomes a little strained when she says Viktor would agree - things have been awkward, and he'd be lying if he said a part of him didn't regret telling Viktor about using the Hexcore. He still hasn't told him about the corruption spreading to the Undercity, or what they found in the hexvault... it all feels too tenuous now.
He'll tell her about that later, and also about what Patho-Gen told them - how the Augmenters were originally tested on the terminally ill. Their promise that it would heal Viktor, too. ]
Let's go for a walk later.
[ His smile shifts, more earnest again. He's been out already, trying to get a lay of the land from the maps they were given. But it'd be nice to go together. ]
[ Mel sees the shift, unsure what she's just said that's caused it. Was it about living close by but not together? ...Well, she can see that. She's being noncommittal and vague about it, didn't immediately say yes, let's move in together. But Jayce moves on well enough, and she makes a mental note to ask about it later.
For now, her smile warms for him, real and unfettered. ]
I'd like that. Meet me at the entrance at [ handwaves some random time ]? Maybe we can find a proper map while we're at it.
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[ Which means near instant communication at all times, unless disabled. ]
Right. [ Another pause as he rubs his face, frustrated. ]
I think... I don't know. [ He promised they'd figure everything out together, though. He tries again: ]
We can't stay here. In this building.
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[ And no, she's not volunteering him, just stating facts. ]
I'd like to see what jobs are on offer for people like us, or what their plan is around us being able to fend for ourselves. Whatever will help us to get out of here quicker. [ A beat. ] Viktor too.
no subject
His tone lightens a bit, warming: ]
Viktor too. We could get a bigger place if it's the three of us splitting the rent. [ then, quickly clarifying: ] If that's what you meant, I mean -
[ These are NOT the circumstances he envisioned asking Mel Medarda to move in with him. ]
no subject
She can hear it in Jayce's tone. Mel looks at the device for a moment, considering. ]
It's a smart plan, if he's agreeable. If not, we can look into other options. You and him will need some kind of lab space, wouldn't you?
[ Is it more cost effective to find some kind of space they can build out? She's going to need a map to look at properties... ]
switching to video;
Oh, right - that would be ideal. [ It's not that he's surprised, exactly, that she's asking what they would need/want to get work done, but it makes him feel a certain way - comes off as a kind of sheepishness in his expression. ]
... I don't think he'll be agreeable. But - we have some time.
[ To figure out the best approach. ]
video;
I think he'd agree to live with you.
[ How many times has she heard they'd be working well into the night in the lab? She'd never really asked if they slept there but assumed it. She doesn't think Jayce is the factor here. ]
No matter what we decide on, we can make it work. Even just finding something close by, where we aren't far from one another-- [ She doesn't realize at first that she's making assurances with him. It's not placation. It's just... Something about seeing him that way makes her want to assuage his concerns. And to stand behind what she says. If it'll make Jayce happy, then it's fine.
Although, she's never moved in with someone before. That'd be...new.
Mel looks askance for a moment, as if needing to collect herself. She's catching herself sticking to something pragmatic when this is...not the time for it. Her gaze returns to his face. ] It'll depend on the budget. But we should tour the city. Get a better idea where we'd like to live.
[ Spend time together. ]
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He'll tell her about that later, and also about what Patho-Gen told them - how the Augmenters were originally tested on the terminally ill. Their promise that it would heal Viktor, too. ]
Let's go for a walk later.
[ His smile shifts, more earnest again. He's been out already, trying to get a lay of the land from the maps they were given. But it'd be nice to go together. ]
no subject
For now, her smile warms for him, real and unfettered. ]
I'd like that. Meet me at the entrance at [ handwaves some random time ]? Maybe we can find a proper map while we're at it.