001 | video

[mcgill]

[The man seated uneasily in front of the camera probably looks familiar to anyone who knew or knew of Saul Goodman, ex-defense attorney and daytime TV judge extraordinaire. He has the same face, mostly, save for the abundance of hair on his head (which is sticking up just slightly, like he's been exposed to a stiff breeze or, in his case, static electricity) and fewer wrinkles around his eyes than anyone who got close enough to him might remember. And his smile, just like Saul's, is playfully crooked — though it's laced with a nervousness that doesn't really fit the image Saul projected whenever he had an audience. This man isn't as confident as his older lookalike, that much is clear, nor is he as brightly dressed. (A white dress shirt and a bland, striped tie are all that's currently visible.)

But he has that same ol' sparkle in his eye, and he straightens up a bit as soon as he's ready to speak, which is a habit anyone would recognize: that sudden shift from casual to professional Saul made any time he approached the bench or a business meeting.

And as for his voice — that's the same, too.

This is almost definitely Saul Goodman, but:]

Hiya. The name's Jimmy McGill. James, technically, but — I prefer Jimmy.

[He lifts his hands into view. Saul's trademark (fake) Rolex and gold pinky ring are missing, but that's because they're obscured by a pair of heavy-duty electrical gloves.]

I've got a little problem on my hands, pun only halfheartedly intended. [A laugh, one quick huff of air. Saul's laugh: Heh.] Seems the powers that be decided I should have the ability to manipulate power itself. Electricity, I mean. More specifically — [A brief pause, a swallow. He tries to play it off; there's no reason this word should bother him.] Electromagnetism. So, since I have no idea how to control an honest-to-God superpower because they're not really real where I come from, this is... uh, it's an issue. Anyone got any tips? Tricks? Ways to wake up, maybe?

[He smiles again, this time thin-lipped and a little desperate. It looks like he's on the verge of panic.]

Please?

Comments

video.

[tsunderbolt]

Whoa... Electromagnetism, you said? You managed to get a pretty handy power right there.

[ Not that she's biased or anything. But it does go without saying she'd definitely notice a message like this. ]

[mcgill]

[He's starting to realize that, but it's still scary.

And yet there he goes, looking almost proud. Like he had a hand in this. Pfft.]

Thanks. It might not be so bad, once I get used to it. Everyone I've talked to so far has been helpful. What'd you get?

[tsunderbolt]

—Oh, my power? It's something I've already had for a while, so it's nothing any of these guys gave me. But it seems like we have the same one.

[mcgill]

[!!!

FINALLY. Jimmy has to restrain himself from leaning right into his screen.]

Really?

[tsunderbolt]

Uh-huh, no lie.

[ As if to prove her point, the quickest flicker of a blueish-white spark emits from her forehead, small and unthreatening. But it does show for sure that she's got the electricity, all right. ]

And you were looking for advice, weren't you?

[ If he were closer to her age, there's no doubt that would have been followed up by some boasting of her expertise. Luckily for him, Mikoto minds her manners around adults. ]

[mcgill]

[From her forehead?

Jimmy glances at his hands, brows furrowed. Forehead, hands... where else could that come fr-

You know what? Never mind.]

Yeah, any advice I can get. The only time I had anything close to this happen was during winter back home when I was a kid. Dry air and layers of wool? Pff. That's begging to become a human lightning rod.

[tsunderbolt]

[ A grin tugs at the corners of her mouth, but Mikoto does notice the way he looks down at his hands. Given how they're gloved, it's a fairly easy guess as to why. ]

Well, at least that won't be much of a problem anymore. [ Dry air is definitely not a thing in Florida. ] But to get you started, um... You should ditch the gloves. You won't be electrocuting anything if you're not using your power, so you'll be okay.

[mcgill]

That's the problem: I can't really control it. I think it's linked to...

[ugh noooo why does he have to talk about feelings]

Let's just say I wasn't really happy about winding up here, at first. That turned out to be kinda dangerous for everyone involved.

[tsunderbolt]

[ ...... Linked to one's mental state. Really?

Mikoto's expression falls flat rather quick. What the hell did she land into, some crazy comic book? Aughhh... ]

I see. Err... Have you used it intentionally yet? I'm guessing this is something where you think about using it and it just happens that way.

[mcgill]

[Jimmy's thoughts exactly.]

Not yet.

[He knows he should, though, so after a slightly awkward pause:] But I could try...?

[tsunderbolt]

Of course. You know what they say about practice; the same thing applies to powers, too. Don't think of it as something weird or foreign, it's just another skill you have like any others now.

[mcgill]

[He pauses for a moment to think about other skills, then eventually nods. Slippin' Jimmy didn't become Slippin' Jimmy overnight.

...but then there's another pause, because he wants to ask her something and he doesn't quite know how to do it. It's not a question he asks often, and certainly never one he's ever asked a teenager.

So when he finally does open his mouth, the words that come out are kind of quiet:] Will you help me?

[tsunderbolt]

[ His tentative demeanor doesn't go unnoticed, for sure—and it's probably not all that easy asking this out of some kid like her (if there's one thing Mikoto knows, it's pride). But for all the stubborn, childish, brattiness she's got, she isn't above lending a helping hand.

So, she nods. ]

I don't mind. [ With a short, playful chuckle, Mikoto lightly makes a pound at her chest with her free hand. ] 'Sides, you wouldn't find anyone else better suited for the job than me!

[mcgill]

[Jimmy smiles, but that smile only shows about half the relief he's feeling. Must! Not let! Teenage girl! Know he's counting on her help!]

Cool.

[so hip]

I dunno about you, but my schedule's pretty open. Want to meet up in a few days?

[tsunderbolt]

The only thing I've got going on is looking around.

[ Figuring this city out and all. Unlike a lot of others, getting used to one's powers isn't an issue for her, so Mikoto's focus is on plenty of other things. ]

So, I could free some time up.

[mcgill]

Yeah? Are you new too?

[tsunderbolt]

That's right. I've only been around for a day or so. It hasn't been very long at all.

[mcgill]

[Another teenager that has more chill than he does. Awesome.]

Can I ask you kind of a weird question?

[tsunderbolt]

—Hm? [ a beat. ] Sure, what is it?

[mcgill]

I'm assuming you're under 18. If I'm wrong, I apologize. But — have you been assigned some kind of legal guardian?

[tsunderbolt]

Um, no, I'm fourteen, but— [ It does strike her as something of a weird question. ] ... Do they do that here?

[mcgill]

I dunno, which is why I'm asking.

[It seems awfully irresponsible to not have a system in place for that sort of thing, but who's Jimmy to criticize? Armin's hyper-competent; maybe Mikoto is, too.]

I was a lawyer back home. Legal matters like this tend to catch my attention.

[tsunderbolt]

[ Also one hell of a rule breaker with a tendency to land herself into trouble. She definitely needs an adult. ]

Oooh... Well, I think I'll be okay. Those government guys set us all up with housing and jobs and that sorta stuff, right? I think they said I'm supposed to be attending school, too.

[ All this settling in stuff leaves a bad taste in her mouth, though. She'd really rather be home. ]

[mcgill]

School's good, but I think it's almost out. It's nearly summer here, isn't it?

[Also, what are the child labor laws in this place like?]

Maybe look into getting a tutor so you don't fall behind this summer and can start fresh in September. [A pause.] ...if you're still here, I mean. And if that's how the school calendar works...

[He trails off, frowning. There's so much he has to look into.]

Do you have any friends from home hangin' around here?

[tsunderbolt]

Is it? Maybe I'll have to look into how the calendar works here—I hear it's pretty different from how it works back home.

[ Speaking of home... ]

About that... I don't think so. I haven't heard from any of them, so I'm guessing not.