( open ) ; tell me about the days where your body feels nothing like a body

[spellslots]

who: Taako + you
what: A spa day, a fight with a god, and a bad time
when: Novemeber
where: Around!!
warnings: Violence in the threads with Thor & Dodger. Vague Thor 3 spoilers in the thread with Thor.



cisco; tired little laughs, gold-lie promises

[They've all had a shitty month and it feels like a perfect excuse to splash out a little at the fanciest fucking spa Taako can get them into; he catered an event here a few months ago and made sure to keep in touch with the event manager, so the discount isn't anything to scoff at, and he's gone all out in the treatments they're getting.

But after a massage (nice), manicure (even nicer), and a dip in the pool (hella nice), Taako has dragged Cisco to try out the sauna where they can chill for a little while. He tried to bring a glass of sparkling in but was gently deterred by one of the staff, which is rude but probably for the best, since he's already on his way to decidely tipsy.

On the plus side, that helps him finally bring up something that's been on his mind for a while; once Taako is comfortable and the room is full of steam, he casts a lazy look at Cisco.]

Can I ask you a question, my man?

thor; what's a god to a nonbeliever?

[If he's being honest with himself, this is probably a very bad idea, but Taako tries not to be honest with himself and anyway, he's been itching for another fight since the tangle with the cultists, as if that wasn't quite satisfying enough. Or maybe he's just finally remembered how fun it is to wreck some dipshits, since things are so damn quiet in the Quarantine. Either way, there isn't any real danger in what he's doing here; Thor might hurt him, but he won't kill Taako, and there's not much else that a potion can't fix.

It's been a long time since he's had to prepare for a one on one, but Taako doesn't get too involved with it (a lot of his attention has gone towards studying the books he borrowed from the cultists), he gets dressed in his regular adventuring gear and makes sure he's got all his useful items on him, just in case he can use any of them. The umbra staff is in his hand, as per usual, and he has a little mental list of spells that he thinks will work for this. He can't exactly predict how the fight will go, but he knows what his personal priorities are and has a handful of backups in mind. His hair is braided out of the way and he's left most of his jewellery at home, just in case.

Between Bryn, Loki and the members if the IPRE in the Quarantine, they've got a little crowd nearby to watch the show, and that only makes Taako more into it, because he gets to show off.]

You ready to go, or are you gonna need a little more time to warm up?

[He's just being a shit, but it's good natured.]

open; now I've got you here I'll never lead you back

[The month starts of… mostly fine; there's the awkwardness with Magnus and Taako finds himself a little more irritable than usual, but he's brushed it off as a side effect of everything dredged up by the ghosts and the memories he's been forced to share and relive. He'll get over it eventually, and at least he has a project to throw himself into. The handful of books he brought back from the cultists hideout are full of weird and interesting magic that he wants to decipher, if only to make sure no one does that shit again.

By the fourth, he's starts to feel as though someone's watching him whenever he leaves the house, and he starts picking up the pace whenever he has something to do outside, eschewing taxis out of some misplaced worry that they aren't safe. He ends up on Garyl a lot, since he's faster on Garyl than he is on foot, and no one can mess with the illusory horse that he summoned. It makes of a bit of a curious look, this stupid wizard elf making his way through the streets on a unicorn, but it offers him a sense of safety that he's struggling to maintain, right now.

As more time passes the feelings start to get worse, enough that a visit from Cisco and way too many security cameras don’t help to alleviate the paranoia. He has a feeling it must be someone from the cult, having escaped during the fighting and coming back for the items he took, which makes him more eager to figure out the magic in them so he can know how to protect himself.

Every day, he carefully reinforces the wards around their house, stretching them out a little further each time, bolstering them with small spells that don't just block, but also harm anyone who tries to get past them. The magic around the houses shifts from protective to violent, something that's echoed in the way Taako conducts himself.

He's short and sharp with people whenever he has to interact with them, whether it's at the markets or clothes shopping or out at a bar. For a long time, he tries to push past the paranoia to maintain his usual routine, but that just gives him more places to feel snappish and irritated, and it paints a bigger target on his back for whoever's watching him. Even going out for a drink becomes a struggle; he picks a fight with someone because he's sure they were watching him and ends up getting swiftly escorted out after throwing a bunch of lightning around.

Despite everything going on, he's always immaculately put together, more so than usual, as if he can cover up how rattled he's feeling by making sure his outfit and hair are always perfect. The same can't be said for the state of his room; while he's not the tidiest person in the world, it grows worse during the month, as he eschews things like cleaning up in favour of practicing spells and still trying to decipher those fucking books.

It's gonna be a long month.]

Comments

[worldsaway]

[Thor is not so concerned about his safety, but he rarely is. He quite often leaves his better judgment at home with his ability to think ahead, so obviously he doesn't see how this could go poorly.

More often than not, he faces enemies without imagining a negative outcome. He feels it greatly increases his chances of winning when he pretends he knows he's some sort of unstoppable force.

Naturally, he looks perfectly calm when Taako asks him his question. He responds by flipping his hammer in his hand, raising a brow when he does.]

On the count of three, or shall I give you the first move?

[spellslots]

[Here's the thing: Taako doesn't believe in such thing as a fair fight, it's something made up by people who have power, to keep the status quo. So as soon as Thor indicates that he's ready to go, Taako grins.

And casts Evaard's black tentacles.

In a twenty foot circle around Thor, thick black tentacles appear out of the ground, each of them ten feet long, and they immediately try to grab and crush Thor.

Taako has no doubt that Thor will be able to fight them off but like - it's funny? So he's doing it.]

Try not to have too much fun in there, pumpkin!

[worldsaway]

[Just as Taako doesn't take long to make his move, Thor doesn't take long to fight back. The second those tentacles are launching at him, he's spinning his hammer to fight back those in his immediate vicinity. He takes a few more swipes for good measure before he takes a step back, launching himself upward off the ground so he can throw himself back down with the force of his hammer.

When his hammer hits the ground, the dirt begins to split with flashes of electricity that flash up the tentacles and stun them until they go limp. When they're accounted for, Thor doesn't waste time throwing himself and the hammer toward Taako.

He probably lied about protecting the face, because he's aiming to kick Taako in his.]

[spellslots]

[Aside from the amusement factor, this particular spell does serve a purpose; Taako now has an idea of exactly what the hammer can do, and it gives him a good read on Thor's strength. It also gives him a couple seconds to prepare his next spell, which is blink.

As Thor rushes forward, Taako disappears completely, having slipped into the ethereal plane. He uses his six seconds to move as far away as possible, putting his back against a tree, so that he's almost leaning casually when he reappears.]

You're gonna have to be a little quicker than that, my man.

[What he wants: Thor to throw the hammer at him. He figures a little taunting might help.]

[worldsaway]

[It's a trick Thor knows well, though not well enough to detect it from a distance.

Thor is able to hit the ground and skid to a stop without too much struggle. The hard thump his feet make when he hits the ground makes for a pretty clear indicator of what was coming for Taako's face.

He isn't much for battle banter, not when he's taking Taako's advice to heart and moving quickly.

He twirls mjolnir by the strap and flings it toward Taako and the tree.]

[spellslots]

[Aw, thanks Thor.

Taako taps the umbra staff against the tree and ducks just as a doorway appears on the bark, a nice portal for mjolnir to go through. Unless Thor calls it back very quickly, Taako's going to drop the spell and disappear the doorway, leaving the hammer trapped in a pocket dimension.]

[worldsaway]

[When thrown, mjolnir moves extremely fast. When called back, it can take.. some time. Thor is quick to react the second Taako moves, but it's not enough to pull his hammer back toward him before it's engulfed by the portal.

He gives Taako a momentary, dark look before it turns to exasperation.]

Are you going to hit me now?

[He asks, he doesn't make a move to attack but stands his ground to brace himself for whatever else Taako has up his sleeve.]

[spellslots]

[Taako laughs when he's successful on that ploy, straightening back up and absently brushing himself off, as if he has all the time in the world. He knows Thor isn't powerless with mjolnir, but it's a start.]

Don't worry, darling, I'll give it back once we're done.

[In answer to Thor's actual question, Taako just throws a hand out, casting circle of death; a black sphere of energy springs into existence around Thor, draining his life force, essentially, because that's how necromancy works!

If he rolls a 15 or higher it'll only hurt half as much.]

[worldsaway]

[The odds are in Thor's favour, because Taako's spell isn't as effective as it could be. It is, however, unpleasant.

It's like a dizzy spell has come over Thor. His mind is foggy and he feels a strong sense of fatigue overwhelming him.

Unpleasant as it is, he can push through it. Without his hammer, his attack options are limited, but he's surrounded by endless resources in this environment.

Which is to say he's going to kick a nearby rock up into his hands so he can pelt it swiftly at Taako's head.]

[spellslots]

[Okay, that wasn't as effective as he thought it was going to be, but that's - fine, he can adapt and he's already trying to think of what spell to cast next when Thor fucking throws a rock at him. It's so surprising that he doesn't manage to dodge in time, but he at least gets an arm up to protect his face.

Taako hisses in pain, about 75% sure he heard something crack in his arm.]

What the fuck, dude, you said you'd leave my face out of it!

[He tosses out the first spell that comes to mind, which is cloudkill, creating a fog of poisonous gas around Thor.]

[worldsaway]

It's not where I was aiming.

[He says, bitterly. He's a little sensitive about losing his hammer, though it's certainly made things interesting.

The next spell Taako casts is considerably more effective, and it's nearly enough to bring Thor to his knees. It's almost instinctive for Thor to summon rain clouds, and thunder rumbles overhead in warning.

He needs to close the distance between himself and Taako anyway, so it's a logical progression for Thor to try break through the fog by charging toward Taako. He's debilitated by the poison, but his desire to escape only enhances his speed.

Thor launches at Taako, trying to tackle him to the ground. It starts to rain lightly, but it's building up.]

[spellslots]

Fuck!

[Taako manages to cast fire shield just as Thor comes at him, which doesn't stop Thor from tackling him to the ground, but it is going to make the experience rather painful. Flames wreathe Taako's body, exploding on impact to burn Thor, not for a huge amount of damage but it might be enough to discourage this wrestling from going any further.]

[worldsaway]

[The burning is painful enough to make Thor cry out, but he doesn't want to squander his chance now that he nearly has Taako pinned.

The difficulty here is that Thor almost instantly moves for a punch, but momentarily considers that he shouldn't break his promise to Taako's face. He can smack him all the same, and his legs move to tighten over Taako to try keep him in place.

Thor's hand raises, with the intent to smack Taako in the chest and wind him, but when his hand draws upward it makes sparks flicker over his palm and fingers.

It shifts his attention, because the sensation is strange. His hand moves instead to grip Taako's throat. Not hard enough to kill, but to warn.]

What are you doing to me?

[He asks, voice rough. He probably doesn't realise the electricity is going from his fingers to Taako's neck. His eyes are starting to glow faintly, but he's not aware of it.]

[spellslots]

[Hey this is bad maybe?

This is definitely bad; Taako makes a strangled sound when Thor grabs him and the electricity arcs across his skin. It's not the worst pain in the world but it's a little bit scary, because he knows that he's not doing this, and Thor doesn't seem to be in control of it either.

Taako doesn't fuck around with damaging spells, he wants out, so he quickly casts misty step and disappears from beneath Thor in a swirl of silver mist, reappearing thirty feet away, putting a hand protectively over his throat.]

I'm not doing this shit, that's you!

[ post-fight ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Well. That had been different. Loki had always been somewhat cognizant of Thor's raw power, but he, like everyone else, had assumed it was linked to Mjolnir. Certainly Loki has never seen Thor display it without the hammer on hand. When Thor mentions their father, Loki stiffens, deliberately looking away. Of course. Another lie. It seems like they'll never end. Perhaps Odin should trade titles with him instead.

But Thor seems more pensive than usual, shaken even. So Loki makes his way down, clapping him on his shoulder. He could still feel the hum of electricity under Thor's skin. ]

Brother.

[Audience]

[umbrastaff]

[ Lup is having a really good time in the audience, and she's obnoxiously loud in her cheering - and booing. ]

FOUL! Kick his arse so far up his body that he can toss his own salad!

[...it will only get worse from there. You're welcome.]

[scholiast]

(Lucretia is lounging next to Lup in a sunhat with a wide brim; she's half watching the fight, half using it as an excuse to get some good figure and gesture drawing in. Her sketchbook is propped open in her lap and she's doodling Thor throwing his hammer, arm outstretched.)

What's happening?

[umbrastaff]

He went for... Luce are you even watching!?

[Come on, her brother is kicking ass here!]

[ in the audience ]

[dothelokimotion]

[inlaid]

[...well that was surprising.

Bryn jumps to her feet as well, eyes wide in surprise. Thor's a warrior, her can handle fighting without his hammer probably, but that was a neat little trick that definitely gives Taako more of an advantage. She stares at the Asgardian and Taako, and then looks over to Loki with a choked out laugh.]

Oooh, he does not look happy about that at all.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shrugs nonchalantly as he settles back in his seat with a big grin. ]

He's too attached to that hammer. It gets a little disturbing sometimes.

[inlaid]

[It takes her a moment to sit back down as well, and she looks around her to notice--oh, the popcorn spilled. Blight.]

Mm, well he doesn't bring it into the bedroom so he's not so far gone.

[dothelokimotion]

He doesn't?

[ Loki clicks his tongue cryptically. ]

What a shame.

[inlaid]

[Bryn lifts a brow.]

Now you have me curious. Do you think I should be insisting otherwise?

[This conversation is totally normal.]

[dothelokimotion]

Mjolnir does have many uses. All of which Thor is intimately familiar with, I'm sure.

[ Is this knowledge Loki should have? Probably not. Does he have it? . . . Better not to ask. ]