kore_logs | We've got nothing to prove

Wow, who taught you how to knock? After a few minutes, the door swings open slowly to reveal Kenzi with her forearm leaning against the doorframe, kinda standing all slant-like, and her other hand on her hip. Oh hey, it's that one guy! The one she totally tackled by the fountain a while ago. The one that hangs out with Jesse a lot. Other Jesse. The one that-- ... hey. Hey. She raises her eyebrow as high as it will possibly go. Don't let the attitude hit you, Pinkman, stand back.

"Nope. Nobody's here. They all went to a really intense spin class. I'm not even here. This is a high-tech holographic recording. Leave your message at the beep." Just.... gonna stare at you. For a while. In uncomfortable silence until-- "Beep!" There we go.

The silence gets him, has him moving from foot to foot after a solid few seconds, before he starts to ask, "So he's not-"

And then she beeps at him. Jesse's eyes shut for a moment, like he's already completely done with this situation. This girl is freaking off her nut. Jesse doesn't even know what a spin class is.

"Alright," he says slowly, opens his eyes and holds up a hand with his palm splayed. "Message. Yo, Finch, I'm tryin' to hit you up but I'm kinda runnin' into a roadblock." It's short and sassy and it's got a real familiar haircut. His hand drops by his side, a shrug of his shoulders to follow. "Seriously, he here?"

Heh. Worth it. But seriously, Kenz, focus. So he is here to see Jesse. Obviously. She's less of a roadblock and more a security check right now. No one gets in without passing inspection! What are your intentions? Where's your badge? Are you currently carrying any pointy objects?!

... So maybe she's a little paranoid. Can you blame her?

"That depends. Why do you need to see him? Obviously it's something you have to do face-to-face or you would have just called and asked him to meet you. Right?" Awh yeah, she's still got it! Wow, she actually really misses investigating stuff. "Spill! Is your super special sci-fi wrist-comm broken? Or did you mess up?"

AND IF YOU MESSED UP, IS JESSE UPSET AND DOES SHE HAVE TO FIX IT?! Better start talking, buddy, because she's not moving. Now she's even got her arms crossed over her chest, doing her best to look intimidating as hell!

"What?"

Jesus. This chick's got some skills. It's a minor observation, but Jesse's checking his communicator as if out of habit, drops his arm by his side again and fixes her with a squinted look. He should've called first. It's a thought he's going to keep repeating to himself until he can go back in time to do it correctly.

But he's gotta answer her some time or another, he can't just sit there staring at her until she moves, because she's obviously not going to. Feisty little thing. Whatever, he's gonna play it innocent right now. His business isn't hers. "Can't a guy just drop by to hang out?" Don't you have like some people to push into some fountains?

"Can't a girl just hang out with a guy that dropped by to see another guy? Or better yet, can't a girl just hang out in front of the door to her house, directly in the way and not moving?" She stretches her arms up over her head nonchalantly like she's limbering up her arm muscles and ends up filling the entire door frame with what little there is of her.

Nope. No fountain-pushing appointments. Her schedule is completely free and clear for the unforeseeable future. She smiles sweetly.

"Well. Since you're here, and I'm here, and the way inside seems to be blocked off somehow, weird. Wonder how that happened. Anyway, why don't we get to know each other a little better? I think we kind of got off to a bad and mildly insane start. I don't normally hallucinate about old ladies, promise." Do you normally supply people she cares about with drugs?

Oh, for fuck's sake -

"I don't- even-" he starts off confusedly or maybe just frustrated, and then Jesse settles into his feet more, shoulders slouching down like he knows he's in for the long haul here. He wets his lips, folds his hands behind his back and leans in a little, bends that bit just so he's more at her height than he normally is.

"Yeah. Hi." It takes him a beat to drum up their first meeting, enough to remember her name. "Kenzi." It's Kenzi, right? "You're off the hook for the tacklin'. Promise." Okay, so he was holding it against her for the most of this conversation so far, though it really was during- that whole crazy week. When most of everyone was off their rocker. He really can't hold it against her, and so he promptly drops it. "Ya always hold up guests on the porch like this or'm I a special case?"

She nods. It is indeed Kenzi, and she's pleased that she left an impression! And probably some bruises. And hopefully a deep, emotional scar, but she doesn't want to get greedy or anything! She'll settle for the name.

So she leans forward, too, looking completely serious when she says, "The specialest. Though you totes shoulda seen what happened to the last guy I had to interrogate." Heh. Yeah.

Seriously, Pinkman, it's not just you. Not all guests are potential threats! It's just incredibly difficult to be a gracious and welcoming host to people you don't know much about when the people you're trying to protect are prone to getting eaten by vicious animals, stab wounds, sudden disappearances, freaky powers, face punches, and general stupidity. It's a lot to look out for and she's not getting hazard pay for this bodyguard gig.

But he seems okay so far. She watches him another few seconds before side-stepping enough to let him through the door and nodding towards the couch in the living room. "Have a seat, Mr. Pinkman. You've passed the first trial! Congrats, you suave, suave, manly man. You're one step closer to hanging out with your boy-crush. Good job." A beat, "Unless... you don't want to talk to Jesse anymore?" How important is this to you, Pinkman? Important enough to deal with this clearly unstable individual?

You bet your ass this is another test.

Edited 2013-05-27 19:58 (UTC)

It's hard to take her seriously when she's got that tiny, adorable little voice. Jesse huffs a laugh at first, peers back at her just as seriously. "Yeah? What'd you do, talk 'im to death?"

She's stepping aside, though, and that's gotta be a good sign. He's passed one of her weirdo tests for now, and he straightens and drops his hands, glances from the inside of the house to her and back before he finally and almost warily steps in. Kenzi's not the only one who has to be on high alert. She's probably harmless unless he fucks around with her people, he's guessing. But then again she might not be.

Still, she lives with Finch, she lives with Galen, they're not running for the hills, and so he's going to meander his way towards the couch - slowly, with a passive, 'gee thanks', doesn't even make it there before he turns on a heel to look back at Kenzi again. "He ain't-" Boy-crush, honestly. "Yeah, I still gotta talk to him, but he ain't even here, is he?" he decides on instead. "It's kinda important, so just- I don't know. Do your tests or whatever." Everyone who comes into this house must really want to talk to its inhabitants. "I'm game."

Oooooh, defensive! Now that is adorable, forget her totally tough and intimidating voice! But he says it's important. He really wants to talk to him. She's mildly concerned, but slowly giving in. "I could be mistaken about that spin class."

But he's gonna go with it?! Really? Okay. Kenzi just grins and perches on the arm of the couch, crouching with her hands folded in her lap. So it begins. The very important series of questions that will determine whether or not she's gonna tell him where Jesse is.

"Rebel Alliance or the Empire?"

That's it. That's the first question. The most important question, actually.

"Uh-huh." Seriously, what the hell was a spin class? He's on the brink of asking but he's pretty sure he's supposed to just, like, understand the joke. Whatever. It's not important.

The first question looks like it catches him off guard. There's a few seconds' pause and a flash of disbelief that crosses his face. When it settles, he just looks offended that she'd even ask him such a thing. "That even a question? Han Solo all the way, yo."

... Damn. The grin gets wider and she slides off the arm, onto the couch proper. We'll just totally ignore the fact that Finch's freaking satanic powers are typically found on the dark side of the force, especially since she's not sure who she should be talking to about that junk anyway. Not important. Actually, there was one rebel ally that could use it for sure-- okay, no. Kenzi, focus. Important things happening in front of you, stop getting sidetracked.

"You're stranded on a deserted island-- or ... a technology deprived cape town with no access to the outside world, but in this particular cape town, you have a CD player! No iTunes, just a regular CD player. But you only get three CD's! Which three do you choose? GO!" Also a very important question. Almost done, Pinkman. Don't mess it up.

An important question? More like the most difficult one of his life. Sort of. Jesse actually moves closer to the couch now, makes his own minute advances and plops down next to her on it. Just like he's earning her trust that little bit at a time, she's earning his right back. "Jesus," he remarks aloud, holds up a finger like he's going to start ticking off on each of them, but there's another silence before he actually answers.

"The Chronic. Ya know, Dr Dre," he lists off first, because that one's an obvious. "Totally revolutionized East Coast rap, yo." Maybe it's something about the way she dresses but he has a feeling she's going to be vaguely disappointed on his choices. Doesn't make him too self-conscious but it does make him choose even more carefully than he would have usually.

"Kanye's Graduation." The last one takes about another full minute before he answers, and it's with a huff of a laugh that seems ironic to him for some reason. "Biggie's Born to Die." And then he turns his head, peering at her with a bit of a challenge in his expression. Does he pass or not?

Oh my god, okay, this is about where she'd start feeling bad for tackling the poor guy if she hadn't been tackling him to try to save his life from a crazy, old fae lady. You're welcome. Right now, she's glad she did because this guy is a lot like the people she used to hang out with back home. Alright. Yeah, okay, she approves. He's totally allowed to hang with her Jesse whenever, not that she'd ever be able to tell Finch otherwise anyway! Nah, this guy's alright. Nice work, Pinkman.

"Nice. All acceptable answers. Lucky for you, this is a non-genre-discriminatory musical household. And I just might have a soft spot for gangsta rap." She raises her fist for him to bump because they are officially cool! She's just gotta ask one more thing. One more question, that's it.

"... Soooooooo, are you here to apologize? Did you guys get in a fight?" He hasn't told her anything, it's just a guess. Only a friend with a mighty need to say sorry would put up with Kenzi's bullshit attitude and all-around jerkery. The guilt must be pretty bad. She knows that feeling. It's not fun. And now she actually wants to help. "I could go get him."

He feels some small feeling of accomplishment that he passed all her stupid little tests - kinda cute, not as annoying as he thought they were going to be. She's not half bad, he guesses. Now that she's not taking a first class ticket into Crazytown.

But seriously? She's into that? Color him surprised. He's gonna see that fistbump and raise her a reciprocation, even lets his mouth turn up in a bit of a smirk at one of the corners when he does so. "Ya even like the good stuff," he says. "None'a that Pitbull bullshit on the radio."

She's asking him the money question now - wasn't too hard to gather what was going on from what she already knew. "It ain't-" he starts, cross, and then Jesse claps his hands together, lets a sort of prayer symbol fall lazily between his knees as he tilts his head back to the ceiling with a sigh. It takes every ounce of his being not to just snap that it's none of her business.

"Sorta," he admits finally, puts his head back down and looks across the room rather than back at her, maybe a little guilty. "Kinda- think I messed up." He's had people he's hung out with, sure, even been through some deep shit with. But he's never properly had a good friend like Finch, with all the talking and crap. He's not really sure how this works.

He should totally feel accomplished. Passing the trials of awesomeness isn't for the faint of heart! Or dweebs. It's not for dweebs. Dweebs need not apply.

She appreciates the way he cut himself off. She knows she pushes buttons and it probably took a lot of restraint, but she also legitimately feels like it is her business which is half the problem most of the time. But it's not like it's malicious or out spite or anything, her intentions are good.

"Hey, I bet you anything I've messed up with him way worse than you and he still forgave me, so... I mean-- just don' sweat it, dude. He's a pretty forgiving guy for such a stubborn jerkwad." She smiles, resting her arm across the back of the couch and tilting her head. Seriously, Jesse, don't freak. "Real friends fight sometimes, so just think of this as a sign that you're doing it right!" Stay positive!

The pep talk definitely isn't a bad thing. It kind of makes him wrinkle his nose a little, almost doubtfully. He doesn't do too much right lately. It's nice to hear, even if it's from a borderline stranger.

"Yeah?" he says at first, a hopeful little thing as he looks back at her, rubbing his hands together in a fashion that's bordering on nervous. Of course, it doesn't last long; his face kinda sets into an expression that's less soft, more machismo as he waves a hand passively, his knee bouncing up and down as he does so.

"I mean, he's like a little bitch if he doesn't," he adds. "Wasn't even that bad." Yeah. And that's why he's here the next day looking to apologize or something along the same lines.

... Kenzi would like to reply, really, she would. But right now, she's too busy wrapping her arms around her stomach, all doubled over with laughter. Give her a minute. Oh my god. Okay... okay, she can breathe again.

She claps a hand on Pinkman's shoulder, just grinning. "Do not call him that to his face. He probably won't ever forgive you. Holy heck, you're my hero." And honestly, it probably WASN'T even that bad. Really. Definitely not as bad as vampire/werewolf fights. Certainly not as bad as MURDERING HIM! Nah, he's probably fine.

"And hey, if he does end up being a little bitch, we can just find you a new boy-crush! Wait-- ... manfriend." So much better. Yeah, she's smirking. She's doing it on purpose.

What's- going on, for a moment she's laughing and he almost looks confused, didn't think what he said was too funny. But he breaks into a half a proud smile when her hand lands on his shoulder, gives a shrug and claps his hands onto his knees. "Only if he's legit bein' a little bitch!" he admits, way more confidence than he's actually feeling.

Come on, boy-crush, and he opens his mouth like he's going to protest, but she's correcting herself before he can. Shuts his mouth, the grumble apparent on his face. "Uh-huh." Cuz that's going to happen. "Maybe we oughta host auditions."

"I would totally volunteer if it wasn't for my complete and utter lack of a dong. The second I grow some manbits, put me on the bff short list. Deal?" And since he passed every test with flying colours, handled every bit of attitude she threw at him, and she's pretty sure he'snot carrying a weapon... he earned a shot at making it right with his actual bff.

Kenzi stands up on the cushion and climbs over the couch, heading for the stairs. "Wait here! Brb. Don't go anywhere, okay? I'll go get him." Because friendship is important! And this is probably going to be adorable. Just give her some time, Pinkman, climbing on a roof is freaking difficult in these boots.

After what was probably a lot of sad, pouty faces, pleases, recaps of epic star wars references and some arm punches, Kenzi returns with the other Jesse. And maybe even nudges him towards the couch a little. And watches with her hands clasped under her chin and an excited expression on her face. Privacy? What privacy?

He is just the tiniest bit grumpy when he comes down from the roof. He had a weird day yesterday and woke up with that stupid anxiety back in his chest, so he's not all that great. But Kenzi has a way of getting him down, and while he doesn't exactly look happy, at least he's here. Jesse shoves his hands in his pockets and stands next to the couch, refusing to sit.

"Ay." Jesse grouches at Pinkman, glancing at Kenzi. Aw, come on, ladyface, you have to give the men time to have boytalk.

Jesse stands as soon as Kenzi comes back, the other Jesse in tow. His fingers are picking at his jeans again, restless as he regards Finch with a nod. "Sup." And then, with a half a hand gesture to Kenzi, "Thanks."

But then Finch isn't the only one looking at Kenzi. Once he's done letting his eyes flicker guiltily from Finch and the floor and back, Jesse's skritching a hand over his head, rubbing semi-nervous fingers into his scalp. "You, uh," he starts, eyes narrowing a little in question. She hasn't ducked out of the room yet, and he's really not sure why he was expecting that in the first place, way she was. "You gonna watch or what?"

There is a joke here... and she opens her mouth to say so-- but it could ruin the potential for manly forgiveness and hopefully hugs or something, so she promptly shuts her mouth shut on that front.

But don't think she's leaving quietly! Gotta get the exaggerated eyerolling in there and a big, huffy sigh, and maybe one pleading pout to see if they'll let her-- nope. No dice. Okay fine. "I'm going! I'm going. Holy crap. Don't blame me when you're kicking yourselves later for not using my epic moderating skills. I've watched a lot of trashy, daytime talk shows." So there. She points to both of her eyes with one hand before pointing back at the two men a few times as she disappears into the kitchen.

Good luck. And you're welcome!

As always, he's amused by Kenzi, no matter how grumpy he is. She gets up and he reaches to pinch her as she passes, making a face at her as she goes. He knows she's going to probably listen, but whatever. This is fine. Whatever Pinkman wants to talk about, he'll listen, even if he's still bitchy about what went down between them. It has to be important enough if Pinkman was willing to sit through Kenzi's interrogation.

Sniff. Jesse rubs at his nose, and sits on the arm of the couch, glancing at Pinkman. What did you want, huh?

He owes her a beer or something. She got him down and everything, and the guy doesn't look the happiest about being here. Maybe it was too soon or something. Should've let it cool a couple of days. Too late for that shit now.

Jesse keeps standing, his hoodie sleeves shifting over his fingers as he threads them together a few times and picks at his nails, and he's all but pacing back and forth, not really thinking about the idea if Kenzi is listening in on them or not. "So, um," he starts lamely, gestures vaguely at Finch before nothing else really makes its way out. The air goes stale for a moment or two before all that pent up energy comes out in one fell swoop.

"Look, I was bein' a real dick, alright?" he starts off instead, spreads his arms wide for a beat before they fall by his sides again, starts pacing a few steps back and forth as he keeps the momentum going. "All that crap I was sayin' back there, about like the, the- kickin' puppies or whatever the hell else crap I was spewin', I was just spewin', man, alright? Ya asked and I started talkin' and shit got outta hand and," he looks back to Finch, points a hand to him again, "and-and, I mean, I prob'ly said some shit that shouldn't'a gone down."

He stops walking, the nervous energy back as he threads his fingers together again, shifts from foot to foot in his place. "Prob'ly."

Honestly, all Jesse actually needs is for Pinkman to say that he was being a dick. Because that alone means, for Jesse, that Pinkman knows he was an asshole. Which is fine, because Jesse probably was too. So the rest of it? The rant just gets a slow-forming smile out of Jesse, and he lets Pinkman go until he runs out of steam. Maybe it's mean, but whatever. After a moment of just watching Pinkman, Jesse speaks up.

"So yer done acting like a five year old, I see." Aw, come on, Finch, you're going to scare him off from actually apologizing.

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