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

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

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.]

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[Taako may be a little justified; someone has been watching him, although probably not who he thinks. The fact is that Dodger is still very low on things to do, and people-watching tends to keep his mind off things. When he notices Taako getting snappish, that sparks his interest, and he keeps watching him more closely.

After that barfight Dodger decides to bother him in person. He teleports nearby and turns invisible while he follows the elf. For a good five minutes Taako is alone, and then Dodger is suddenly just... there. He finds it a fun trick to play on people who are used to his teleportation.]

Who's got you glancing over your shoulder so much? You piss off Thawne or something?

[He could not think of a person he'd less like to see right now; Taako jumps a little when Dodger suddenly appears, already casting shield before he even hears the question, and that makes him bark out a laugh.]

Holy fuck, would you keep up? We broke up months ago, shitnuts.

[ When Taako had first mentioned a spa day, Cisco hadn't thought it was actually going to happen. It seemed like one of those things that people always say they should splurge in and do 'one of these days' but never actually get around to. But, evidently, he'd been underestimating Taako's hustle and his resolve, because lo and behold, here they are.

Cisco had been a little nervous about the whole thing at first, in that way that made him a little louder and brighter and more giggly than usual. Gradually, though, he had settled in; the sauna is really relaxing him in a way that nothing which came before had quite managed to do. It's just him and Taako, not any employees around to worry about acting correctly in front of, and the heat of the sauna is awesome, especially since the weather has begun to turn colder. Cisco's always been someone who preferred heat to cold.

So he is thoroughly blissed out when Taako asks if he can ask a question, which is unusual enough that Cisco opens his eyes. Uncommon, for Taako to ask permission to talk about something. It must be something important, or uncomfortable. Or it's the setup for a joke. Cisco gives a little shrug, and then, in case it got lost in the steam, answers: ]

Sure, go for it.

Is it-- [In retrospect, he should've planned what question he was going to ask before he got started down this path, but he's never been great at wording things.] Are siblings usually fucked up?

If someone's worried about someone watching them, they generally pissed off a police officer. [He replies evenly.] Trust me, I keep up with your love life just fine.

[His eyes are drawn warily to the shield, though... It's been a while, but Taako's magic still rubs him the wrong way.]

Don't waste your magic. I'm here out of curiosity, that's all.

What fucking reality do you live in, you think I give a shit about the cops, or you?

[Actually, fuck this, Taako throws his hands up in the air and starts walking again. He doesn't need to deal with Dodger's bullshit right now. Or ever, but especially not right now.]

[Taako gets a few feet away before Dodger teleports, appearing in a flash of sparks to block his path.]

You should know by now you can't get rid of me that easily. [He cocks his head.] You're not the nervous type. What's got you itching?

Istus give me strength.

[Taako is not a praying sort of guy, but he could really use a little fate right now.]

If you want to get your ass kicked again, you can just ask.

[He bristles a bit, but Taako isn't getting the benefit of seeing him stressed. He pauses to light a cigarette before shaking his head.]

You're the only one starting shit right now. I'm just asking questions.

Nah, you absolute shitstain, I am trying to walk the fuck away before I kill you.

[Honestly, he doesn't need to be on edge to make that threat, but he knows it's a bad idea, especially in the middle of the street, when he's already caused commotion.

So he's going to try to sidestep and keep walking.]

Uncreative insults. Something's really fucking you up, huh.

[Well, if there's one thing he's noticed, it's that Taako will give him information if he's frustrated enough. Dodger falls into step alongside him, keeping a safe distance of a few feet.]

Your sister still around? I haven't seen her much.

And you're playing the bullshit 'ask about my sister' game, that's the best you've got?

[He snaps his fingers, idly casting Evaard's black tentacles around Dodger's feet. Taako knows he can just teleport away, but maybe one of them will get a good hit in before it happens.]

[For a moment, it's clearly obvious that the fact alone that there's magic happening has Dodger afraid. But that means that before the tentacles have properly formed, he's already teleported away. Unfortunately, the size of the tentacle field is also just barely larger than he can teleport through, so that forces him to teleport twice in a row and his breathing picks up a bit as he doggedly follows Taako.]

I'm asking questions. It's not a game, I'm just curious. You wanna stop acting paranoid for three seconds?

[Taako laughs, a little meaner this time, and gestures again to create a cloud of gas floating around Dodger, something else for him to teleport to avoid.]

I mean, I think I am pretty justified in not wanting to have a chat with the chucklefuck who tried to kill me.

The past is the past-

[He teleports again, this time twitching with a mix of frustration and discomfort. Taako is tiring him out and he doesn't like it one bit.]

This might surprise you but I've got interests outside of ruining your life. And currently, I've got nothing against you. So stop trying to fucking hurt me, yeah? You're the only one fighting.

It doesn't work like that!

[There's a hitch in his voice that he hates, born both out of the paranoia that's been dogging his steps for the last few days and the fact that he hates the fact that Dodger made him afraid.

So maybe wants to enjoy this a little bit, which is why he casts faithful hound; there's the sound of barking at Taako's heels, though there's nothing visible there, and Dodger better move quick if he doesn't want to get bitten.]

Edited 2017-11-04 13:10 (UTC)

Can you just-

[Instead of teleporting he holds his hands out and a ring of fire curls around his legs. Which... does nothing to stop the hound, and a second later it's ripped into Dodger's leg.]

Fuck! [Now he teleports, close enough to grab Taako by the shoulder and growl at him.] Call whatever the fuck you're doing off, now.

[ It's during one of those nights when Taako is escorted out of one bar, with it's dim light pooling out into the street as the door opens, Taako is pushed unceremoniously out, and then the door shuts again. The abbreviated commotion of the encounter prompts Aoba to remove his headphones and drape them around his neck. ]

...Mn?

[ He doesn't recognize him at first. He's really only seen Taako's profile, and on a tiny little screen there's very little justice done when you meet the immaculate elf in the flesh. Aoba finds himself openly staring in a hushed silence. For some reason, 'wizard' seems to conjure (hah) the mental image of some wizened figure with an untamed beard. Then again, all he knows about wizards is from video games. And, you know, Taako himself. But there he is, looking like he just walked out of a hair salon, put together despite being manhandled out of a venue. Aoba realizes perhaps a little too late that he's staring and jolts himself out of it, lifting his hand to wave as he trots a little closer. ]

Taako-san! [ It might not be the best idea for him to be closing in on him like that, certainly not just calling out for his attention, but Aoba has no idea he's even on edge. He's just excited to have had the good fortune to run into him like this. ] Good evening!

[He stumbles a little with that grab, but holds his ground.]

For sure, pumpkin.

[The words are dripping with sarcasm, but Taako banishes the hound and all the other lingering spell effects; he's burning through his energy here but he doesn't care.

Because he's already reaching for another spell, dipping into Barold's speciality here with eyebite. Taako's eyes go black and inky, and he focuses on the sickness aspect of the spell, just for shits and fucking giggles. Even if Dodger saves on the wisdom throw against his 17, Taako knows the dude is scared of magic, so he figures this will have the desire effect either way.]

[There's a whole slew of insults or potential spells on the tip of Taako's tongue, but he bites down on them when someone calls his name, curling his hands into fists as he tries to even out his breathing.

The first thing he does, before even looking at Aoba, is to tap a finger against his own shoulder so his familiar can pop into this plane; the mongoose nudges against Taako's cheek and then hops down and away, slipping back into the bar. This serves the purpose of giving Taako's eyes on the man he's sure was following him, as well as giving him a few seconds to compose himself.

When he finally gives his attention to Aoba, he grins in a way that's totally fucking fake, but, well, he's made a life built on fake]

Hail and well met, my man. [Half the reason Taako uses nicknames so freely is because it's a great excuse when he can't remember someone's name.] What's got you out so late?

[Is it late? His boyfriend is practically nocturnal and Taako himself only needs four hours of sleep so sometimes he loses track of what's normal for humans to be out and about.]

[Well... the eye thing was actually cool, he was digging that. The feeling of his stomach twisting in a knot as his health drains away, not so much. He can see now that altruism is just as useless as he thought it was. Still, Dodger is a determined man, and his steel grip on Taako's shoulder stays even as he feels distinctly like throwing up.]

Stop... doing shit to me. [He growls through gritted teeth.] Before I roast you alive. You are pissing me the fuck off.

Lemme say this for you real slow, cause apparently you're so fucking stupid you haven't got the hint yet.

[The spell is still ongoing, he can hold it for a minute and he's enjoying this too much to let it go before then.]

Leave. Me. Alone.

[He shudders, and a ripple of flames runs over his skin.]

You're the one who started this. Just keep that in mind, yeah?

[Because boy, attacking him seems so much more productive than being the better man in this situation. And now Dodger is shooting fire out of the hand that's holding Taako, letting it run rampant across the area of his shoulder.]

[Taako hisses in a sharp breath, gritting his teeth against the sudden pain, but he's been in pain plenty of times before and it's not enough to make him lose focus.

He slips into the ethereal plane, where Dodger can't touch him, and uses his six seconds there to keep walking, the one thing he's been trying to do this whole time.

When he reappears, he tosses a lazy magic missile in Dodger's direction.]

Stop following me before I fucking kill you.

[ Aoba brightens at the unusual greeting, only familiar because he's a nerd who enjoys games and is aware of retro ones like the old bit RPGs that was uploaded into his Coil despite every measure he took to delete it. 'Hail and well met' sounds so old school.

And that suddenly makes Aoba keenly aware that he has no idea how to respond. There's an awkward few beats of silence, complete with a frozen, slightly crooked smile. But while he's at a loss for words, Taako's far smoother. Practiced, perhaps, at filling up those empty places in between sentences to make up for any lack of genuine anything. Aoba is unaware -- relieved, actually. ]

Working... I wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow, but we ran out of material to salvage so I'm heading home.

[ Because there's nothing quite like sleeping in your own bed. His own... since when did this place become 'home' for him? That's... something he'll think about later.

It's very late. Late enough that pretty much everything open is of the after hours variety. Bars, dives, the occasional midnight cafe or 24 hour convenience store. Aoba glances at the door that had slammed shut and arrested his attention in the first place and asks: ]

...What about you? Calling it an early night or is that place just not your scene?

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

i had to

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total random encounter

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i rolled a 6

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