(open) i made a sucker's prayer

[scholiast]

who: lucretia & you
what: tdm prompt + catch-all
when: late march/early april
where: oot n aboot
warnings: warnings for violence re: monster fights

01 everybody was monster fightin' (ota)

(Lucretia has always fought better in pairs than alone.

Its to do with her defensive capabilities; she's extraordinarily good at buff magic, at covering those with more destructive power, keeping them safe as they dive in head first. She can at least hold her own when she needs to but it's trickier. It isn't as fun, either! She likes being in a team.

Regardless, she's grouping creatures together with lightning spells and the odd fireball, trying to keep an eye out for other fighters or innocents about to be caught in the line of fire, anybody who needs a hand or a quick shield. Her elemental magic isn't at the same level as her abjuration work; eventually she falls back, starts to conserve her higher level spell slots.

Anybody who has just found themselves in a sticky situation or just looks like they need an extra hand will suddenly find a neat shield of faith being cast about them.)

Comments

[causational]

[Truth is, Cisco's told him quite a bit about Lucretia, even mentioned that she reminded him a bit of Eobard. So that sits there, in the back of his mind, but it isn't anything he's consciously thinking about, nothing he'd ever bring up. Of course, he's on guard, just a little, he always is, but it doesn't particularly show as he heads over to the restaurant, his body relaxed, his hands hooked into his gun belt.

When he gets there and spots Lucretia sitting at a table, he waves back at her, grinning brightly and jogging over.]

Hey. Thanks for meeting up with me.

[scholiast]

(It's good that Lucretia doesn't recognise a gun belt otherwise she'd question why he was wearing it at all (despite having her wand tucked away in her jacket, of course). His positive reaction upon spotting her makes some of the nerves ebb away, which is nice, as is Eddie's cheerful greeting.)

Of course. It's– I hear so much about you, it's ridiculous we haven't spoken more often.

(To be fair, it feels like there's been a lot going on lately.) How are you?

[causational]

[Frankly, Eddie always wears his gun belt. It's kind of standard procedure in the Quarantine, unlike at home, for officers to be armed at all times, even off the clock. After all, not being on shift doesn't mean he's not an officer.

When he gets up to the table, he pulls back the other chair and sits down, sliding it forward and smiling across at her.]

It really is. I guess I just...well, I'm sure you know that Taako and I dated, so I sort of...I guess I withdrew from that side of Cisco's friend group when we broke up, you know? Nothing personal, just felt way, way too awkward.

[An exhale, and he glances up, looking to see if there's anyone around he can call over to get a glass of water.]

I'm okay. Work's been keeping me busy, seems like springtime is when a lot of the criminals crawl out of the woodwork. You?

[scholiast]

(She nods. She's always been aware of the circumstances.)

I would have liked to have met you then, but– well. (She makes a vague gesture with her hand. It's up to Eddie how to interpret that; Lucretia isn't willing to go into detail about her relationship with Taako and the way things had swiftly unravelled between them while she had been staying at his house. Back when she first arrived. It feels like a long time ago.)

It doesn't matter. It's good to see you now.

(When he flags down somebody for water, she takes the opportunity to place a coffee order too.)

Oh, spring is when the peak criminal activity starts? I'll keep that in mind if I ever go rogue. (Her lips quirk into a quick, little smile; she's joking, naturally.) I've been busy with work too. Lots happening in the Quaratine lately, lots of... unpredictable magical activity. No doubt you've noticed it.

[causational]

I would've liked to have met you too.

[A little shrug, and a slightly rueful smile.]

I guess I just never wanted to risk putting anyone in between myself and Taako. We don't talk much, and I'm not really sure what he thinks of me, or how he feels about me, you know? I'm sure it's not bad, but... [Another shrug.] He's Cisco's best friend and my ex, and I just didn't want to have Cisco stuck between us.

[A laugh, then he lets it go, waving his hand as if to brush off the topic.]

You're right. It doesn't matter. Thanks. And, uh, yeah. I mean, I guess they all crawl out of the woodwork, like, I dunno, bears coming out of hibernation or something. Must be all the good weather giving them energy.

[At that last bit, though, he raises his brows and leans in a bit.]

Yeah, I've noticed it, but I've never paid a lot of attention, beyond what affects my job, you know? I know pretty much nothing about magic, so I can't do much about it either.

[scholiast]

(Lucretia's more than happy to laugh with him and move along too, as she's in no position to be able to comment on what happened between Taako, Cisco and Eddie. She's trying to be less nosy now that she's older. It's not becoming for a woman of her age, or whatever.

Also, the whole thing just seems kind of awkward! But at least Eddie can chuckle about it at the end of the day. Lucretia hums, and gratefully accepts her coffee as it's brought over to her, wrapping both hands about the cup for comfort.)

That's where we differ; magic is my job. Containing this kind of magic is my job. I've been flat out.

(She manages a tired smile, though.) But we've been making strides, so. Hopefully we can square everything away soon. I feel like I need a vacation, you know?

[causational]

[Truth is, it's an awkward topic and Eddie's not entirely sure he wants to know how Taako feels about him, what he might say, if Lucretia happens to know that kind of thing. It's not that Eddie is above it, because he's not, he's always been a bit petty, a bit too concerned with self-image, a little too worried about what people think of him. It's curiosity, and it's a little bit self-sabotage, and he recognizes that, and so he can laugh at himself.

Eddie's brows raise when she mentions that magic and containing it is her job, that she's been busy.]

I bet. Things have seriously been a big mess on the magic front. I've dabbled a bit, but the work you guys have been doing, at Gramarye... [A pause, and then, awkwardly.] ...that's where you are right? Sorry. I'm letting my mouth get away from me.

Anyway. It's been great. Way better than the RPD could've done on its own. You deserve a vacation.