The Universe's Mixer

"I'll be just another minute," Matt said softly, eyes on the blonde lingering in the threshold of the door to his office. He offered Rose a smile and then returned his attention to his computer. Fluidly, his fingers moved over the keyboard. It was something of his own design, small bumps of Braille to represent the appropriate letters. The screen was blank to his vision, even with the Sonic Sense, but it spoke softly to him. He was finishing up the last of his appeal for Edward Nashton and his set trial. Matt hated that he allowed himself to agree to help a criminal, but that was how things went sometimes. He didn't always love and cherish every aspect of his position but he was a public servant in more ways than one, so his natural affinity to help always seemed to shine through. Even when it was up against a terrible odd.

Matt had finished the paperwork for the Nashton girl, too, though he was hesitant to call her. The last time they had met, over lunch at a place that was more fitting of Rose due to its charm and elegance, Effie had surprised him. Not just with her attire and the confidence she pretended to carry herself in, but with the conversation exchanged. There was some good in her. He knew it because he could sense it. Even if she didn't think she had it in her. And Matt couldn't actually blame her for being the way she was. She was a product of serious misfortune, and sometimes even good people got dragged down into the water and couldnt find the strength to swim back toward the sun. He had been there, himself. Never as wild and careless as she was, but he had seen the darker parts of himself shine through. He didn't let them consume him, though.

"....according to City Law section fifty part two, subsection G, paragraph nine..."


The computer continued to chatter away.

Finally satisfied, Matt saved the document, breathed out a sigh of relief and sat back in his chair. If he had to defend Eddie he would do it the same way he always did, with ferocity and passion. Matt would never admit he was the best defense attorney in the entire state, his reputation spoke volumes enough for him. He didn't need to say it. He had a feeling The City, too, would know in due time just what he was capable of. Not that he cared what anyone else thought about his practices. Well, except for Rose. Matt did care what she thought. It showed in the way he carried himself around her that he respected her opinion and valued her insight.

Leeloo had discovered rooftops.

More specifically, she'd discovered rooftops at midnight.

It quickly turned into a game. How far could she travel in a single sprint without having to pause for any reason? How high could she go while choosing only rooftop-to-rooftop jumps that went up? And then, when she noticed she was in a darker part of town with more lights that were destroyed, she learned a new twist to the game. How many could she protect?

She'd never felt this alive; she'd never felt as if she'd fit so well anywhere before.

As she stood over a group of mostly-unconscious lumps of muscle and ill intent, the only thanks she got was a pair of slender footfalls fleeing down the unlit street. It was enough, though. She grinned, then grasped the drainpipe attached to the side of the building where she stood, pulled herself up quickly enough - bracing her foot briefly on the nearby trash bin - until she was back again on the rooftops.

Running.