[open] remember when i put meaningful things in subject lines

[spellslots]

who: taako
what: monster fighting + general nonsense
when: late march
where: around!
warnings: violence for any flooding threads



on this week's episode of River Monsters ; ota

[It's been a while since Taako's really had to stretch his magic out; there was the stuff with the cult, sure, but that was a minor little mess and this is like, a bunch of river monsters. Totally different ballgame. If he's being honest with himself, this is something he kind of misses about being away from Fearun and out of the cycles. Because yeah, it's a lot safe not running around fighting random monsters or possessed arcanists or whatever, but blasting shit with spells is just a little bit fun.

There's been enough time since remembering Lup that he's stopped relying quite so heavily on fire spells, especially when he doubts fire will do much against crocodiles and lizards with thick skin. He relies on lightning and energy instead, a few necromantic spells to drain the life out of the creatures, with the occasional confusion spell thrown in, turning them on each other.

At one point, one of them moves a little quicker than anticipated while he's dealing with another, and suddenly Taako is knocked aside by a scaled tale, disappearing into the underbrush with a startled yelp followed by a roughly exhaled hachi machi.

But it’s okay! Because instead of his regular adventuring gear, he's got a sweet as hell superhero costume, courtesy of one Cisco Ramon, coolest person in the Quarantine. It's made from similar material as the Flash's costume, just in purples and blues instead of red and yellow (because really, red and yellow? Pick a better palette, Barry). There might have been some arguments over exactly how fancy it needed to be, versus actual functionality, but at the end of the day Taako trusted Cisco enough to give him most of the creative control. What really matters is that it means he can take a hit like that and only lose maybe 15 HP, allowing him to get right back up again.

Now he's gonna toss a fireball, just because he's kinda pissed.]

day to day ; pre-existing cr

out and about
[Taako is a social creature. He can handle being alone, sure, the ten years in Fearun made that abundantly clear, but that doesn't mean he likes it. It's much nicer to be surrounded by attention and affection in the form of friendship. And after the last few shitty months, he's aware that he hasn't exactly been present in other peoples' lives. Sampremi and the kigu party rectified some of that, but a one off catch up doesn't quite cut it. So he slips back into old habits eagerly, sending out texts to anyone who's company he's fond of. It's often as simple as an offer to join him for lunch/brunch/dinner/coffee, though occasionally he does tailor requests to someone's interests, a mention of a new store they might like, or a band playing he thinks they'd be into. After spending the last months feeling bitter and trapped in the Quarantine, he's reaching out and reconnecting in an attempt to remind himself that it's not all terrible.]

around the house
[For anyone who has the amazing privilege of being welcome at the IPRE (minus Lucretia) residence, Taako tends to flit in and out during the day and night, not really beholden to any particular schedule. He's pretty content with an even mix of getting out and being a homebody, though it tends to tip more towards the latter on days he has a lot of orders to get through for work. Spending several hours in the kitchen isn't much of a struggle for him, but it does mean that once he's done he'd prefer to just chill out watching a movie or listening to music, rather than going out.

There's enough to do around the house to keep himself occupied, especially considering the place is full up these days. If Merle or Davenport show up, they're gonna have to look at getting a bigger place.]

Comments

[rapsheet]

[ Kravitz has been ready for a while, essentially - standing in front of the mirror, changing and changing his outfit in small ways, which is much easier to do when your clothes are technically part of you but no less frustrating. Worse, maybe, for having this much control over it. Still, by the time Taako appears he's about reached something he likes and is mostly just fussing with tiny design elements for something to do so that he doesn't go out of his mind with nerves.

Because he is definitely nervous. Trying not to be, but... he's never exactly been the suave, confident type when it comes to things like this. Their first date was an accident on his part. He'd expected it to be more of an argument than anything else, so he hadn't had this period of psyching himself out about it beforehand. They're not exactly starting from scratch, of course - but they may as well be, considering how long it's been for Taako, and the... unique circumstances.

It'll be okay, he keeps telling himself. It isn't as if they're total strangers.

He tries not to think about the part where that's exactly the problem.

The knock on the doorframe actually makes him jump a little, startled; though the advantage to that is that it serves to shake him out of his thoughts pretty quickly. ]

Ah - hello, love, I was just...

[ It's likely not exactly a first for Taako seeing someone lose their train of thought just looking at him, but here it is again, in case he's forgotten what that looks like. A lot of mushy poetic bullshit like every time I think I've seen you as beautiful as you can get, you one-up yourself again springs to mind - but Kravitz decides he'll spare him that much. Waxing lyrical isn't exactly first date stuff, after all. Even second. ]

You look amazing.

[spellslots]

[It isn't a first, but it's... different when it's someone who's opinion he actually cares about, and Kravitz certainly falls into that category, regardless of the difficulties of the situation. Taako's smile is warm, delighted, rather than the smugness that might be there if it were anyone else complimenting him.]

Can I assume that means you like it? I'm not really a suit guy, but it doesn't hurt to shake things up sometimes.

[rapsheet]

I do.

[ Kravitz steps forward, for once not trying to hide the way he looks at Taako like he hung the moon. ]

I can't say it's what I expected, but nothing ever is with you.

[ The words that might have echoed regret another time come instead with an appreciative chuckle. Being unpredictable might not be the easiest thing about Taako, but it's definitely one of the best. ]

[spellslots]

I sure hope not, that'd be a fate worse than death.

[He never wants to be the kind of person who just settles for something comfortable, rather than trying new things.]

You look fucking amazing, as always.

[Taako moves to meet Kravitz halfway, under the pretense of idly smoothing down the lapel of Kravitz's jacket, but he's really there to steal a kiss, a move he makes after waiting all of two seconds.

None of this is certain, but he likes spending time with Kravitz and he likes kissing Kravitz and if that isn't a start, Taako doesn't know what is.]

[rapsheet]

[ He's about to say thank you when he's distracted with a kiss - and, well, who in their right mind would complain about that? ]

Be honest, love. Would you be seen with me if I didn't?

[ With another kiss pressed to Taako's forehead, and that's... partly out of habit that he hasn't managed yet to break. But hey, it could be worse. ]

[spellslots]

[It's a sweet gesture and Taako can't begrudge Kravitz for these little things.]

Hey, I'm not that shallow. [but...] It's just, you know, we look good together, I bet everyone's gonna be jealous as shit.

[He likes making people jealous because he's a terrible person.]

[rapsheet]

[ Kravitz chuckles and shakes his head. ]

I know you're not.

[ Hey, he was kidding. Mostly. He gives Taako one more appreciative once-over. ]

If they're not jealous then they're not paying attention.

[ He keeps the lovesick sigh on the inside this time, which. Small victories. ]

Ready to show this city what a power couple really looks like?

[spellslots]

You know it, bubbale.

[That's a lie, he's not ready because he has to kiss Kravitz just once more.

Now he's ready.]

Do you wanna walk or use magic? The weather's nice but if you wanna grab a drink before the show we can skip that whole process.

[rapsheet]

[ Does this look like the face of a man who's going to complain about more kisses? Because it isn't. Kravitz actually pauses and looks almost as if he's considering saying to hell with the show and just staying here to look pretty and make out like a pair of teenagers for a while - but that's barely a fleeting thought. ]

I thought I'd take us, and we could walk back if the weather holds.

[ The gods only know what's happening with that these days. Or maybe not even they do. Anyway. His scythe materialises out of nowhere, seeming to form from a column of black smoke like it does, and anyone other than Taako could be forgiven for mistaking him for one of those cool stylish types as he opens a portal with it and steps back. ]

After you, love.

[spellslots]

[Taako can make a pretty accurate guess about what that expression might mean, so he's a tiny bit smug even as he steps through the portal with a wink.

As soon as Kravitz has followed him through:]

You know, I'd almost wonder if you were a baton twirler or something in a past life.

[Because he's so swishy with that implement of death, and because Taako is a little shit.]

[rapsheet]

[ That makes him laugh as he closes up the portal behind them. ]

After the first few centuries even bounty hunting gets a little predictable.

[ Most of the people he brings in are just scared or angry, the occasional idiot wanting to impress his girlfriend by reanimating her childhood pet. Even being the guy typically called in on the fringe cases doesn't mean that even those don't fall into general patterns most of the time. ]

You'd end up getting fancy with your weapon too.

[ A little flourish for show and he lets the thing evaporate into smoke again. ]

It's almost a pity it's your sister I ended up working with - I'd be curious to see how you'd do it.

[spellslots]

[It strikes a similar point to a conversation he had with the fake Kravitz, but Taako is Taako and doesn't let his smile falter. There's no point getting caught up in all that.]

First of all, my weapon of choice is an umbrella, so I'm already pretty fucking fancy.

[An umbrella that he's gone without, this evening. Taako feels safe enough with Kravitz that it seemed necessary, and he's trying to learn to let go of it, knowing what he does about its eventual fate.]

Secondly, there's gotta be some kinda rule about dating the boss. [He smirks, though, idly drumming his fingers on Kravtiz's chest.] It'd be unethical, you know? Terrible.

[rapsheet]

Aah.

[ Kravitz nods, playing along as if this is a real concern. ]

You're right, that would be unethical. How could I prove I wasn't playing favorites? Since I know how much fairness and especially not getting special treatment matter to you...

[spellslots]

I'm a fucking bastion of fairness.

[This is the most fake things that he's ever said and Taako has said a lot of fake things in his relatively long life.]

Anyway, getting caught banging in your office would be way more awkward if I was working for ya.

[Does Kravitz have an office? Does it matter?]

[rapsheet]

[ There's no even pretending to play along with that, so he doesn't even try. ]

Well since it'd likely be either Lup or Barry finding us in the first place...

[ Though maybe that's only awkward for him. He shakes his head fondly - the gods only know why he's chosen these particular idiots to get this attached to. ]

Did you want to get a drink before we go in, love?

[spellslots]

[Judging by the fact that Taako immediately wrinkles his nose at that realization, it's probably awkward for him, too. Neither Barry nor Lup need to know anything about his sex life, even if he might torment them with jokes.]

I think I'm good, darling, let's just get you that opera fix before you like, wither away to nothing.

[Because fancy music shit is what sustains Kravitz, obviously.]