riverviewlogs | [open]

Entry tags:

[open]

who: Taako & various/open
what: Assorted adventures
when: Late May!!
where: Oot and aboot
warnings: None at the moment!

Loki - The Gramarye

[It's not a mystery that something is Up with his umbra staff, nor is it a mystery that obviously Lup is the cause for whatever is going on with it, but it takes Taako a while to really… do anything about it, because he doesn't want to give himself false hope that maybe it's her, in some way. Kravitz sensed the presence of a lich, but he also dismissed that it was the staff causing it, so Taako is of two minds about whether Lup has, in some way, attached her soul to the umbra staff.

Regardless of the answer, he can't find it out himself, that isn't the sort of shit he can do with magic, so he reluctantly admits to himself that he needs help.

It still takes him another week to actually do anything about that, but finally he makes an appointment at Gramayre Magic Research in the off chance they might be able to tell him something about what's going on with Lup's stupid umbrella.

Taako turns up a little early, somewhere between nervous and excited, and the first guy he sees when he walks into the building is wearing a sharp suit, with dark black hair, and for a second Taako's almost thinks it's Kravitz, until the guy turns around and well, he's very obviously not Kravitz.

Still, he can be polite.]

Hail and well met, my dude. I'm here to see a guy about an umbrella.

[Taako why.]

Llŷr - the river

[It's been a couple of months since the whole thing with the witch of the river, and although Taako has reached out to her again, he still heads out into the forest sometimes to leave an offering. It just seems right, and honestly he kind of likes the routine of it, collecting little bits and pieces that he thinks will be appreciated (food, flowers, gemstones) and making the trek to the same spot in the river he always goes to. He doesn't know why he picked that particular spot, just that it had felt right the first time he'd wandered his way along the banks of the river.

Today, he has a little bowl made out of magic, that will disappear back into the ether after an hour, filled with a handful of small colorful crystals, some berries, and a sprig of rosemary, and it sets it onto the water with care, then sits on the bank to watch it make it's slow path down the river.]

Peggy - wardrobe update

[Taako has a lot of fond memories of sitting on his bed in the academy dorms, while Lup tried on outfit after outfit in preparation for a date or an interview or a presentation or like, a walk across the campus that she'd decided was Important for whatever reason.

So when Peggy asks for a little advice on updating her look, he leaps at the chance, insisting that shopping is the first step in this very important mission to make Peggy look even more awesome than she already does. There may be some bribery involved through the promise of any kind of cake she wants, and Taako goes the extra mile to turn up with two coffees (they're both sugary frappe concoctions from Riverview Starbucks).

As soon as he sees Peggy waiting near the front entrance to the mall he picked, he holds the cups up with a little shimmy.]

You want the cinnamon roll or red velvet one?

[Either will taste delicious while also filling her with a sense of shame at how much sugar is likely in them, but this is how Taako rolls.]

Illya - shooting practice

[It's a bit of a whim that has Taako asking Illya for lessons in handling a firearm, but at the end of the day magic can only do so much, and while he isn't about to start carrying around a gun, he thinks it'd be wise to at least know the basics, considering how common they seem to be with humans and in the Quarantine in general.

And Illya agrees; Taako picks a spot outside the inner barrier to avoid anyone stumbling upon their unofficial target practice, since he's pretty sure there are laws about licenses and all that boring crap. In the interest of repaying the favor, and making this more of a chill day than just shooting at stuff for however long it takes until one of them gets bored, Taako made lunch for the both of them that's currently sitting in a hidden chest, because why not.

For now, though, he's sitting on a fallen log, kicking his heels against the wood as he waits for Illya.]

open - day to day

[Taako does his best to keep busy, wanting to avoid any time spent dwelling on things that can't be changed, or getting too caught up his grief, so he throws himself into anything that comes with way, with even more gusto than he usually musters. He takes to wearing more red; his robe and jacket are both long gone, so whenever he sees something cute that's in the right shade of deep red, he can't resist buying it.]

i; swooping

[His usual bright umbrella is magicked to look dark, attempting to avoid any attention from the creatures above as he goes about his business, but he's not completely heartless and if he sees any of the pterodactyls getting too close to other people, he'll shoot off a magic missile or two to scare the creatures off.

If that doesn't deter the damn things, he'll wave the person over towards him.]

C'mon, dumbass, I got shields.

[He can play escort.]

ii; fishing

[Things that might surprise people to learn about Taako: he enjoys fishing.

He doesn't do it very often, because that kind of ruins the enjoyment for him, but he's been in Riverview for a few months now and it's a good way to kind of just - chill and reminisce without getting too caught up in it. After a) buying a rod and b) inquiring about a good spot to go, Taako heads down to a section of the river within the inner barrier that he's been told is decent. It's in a quieter part of the city, and he cuts an interesting figure sitting on the grassy shore, his purple wizard hat clashing horribly with his red jacket, but he's enjoying himself, and that's what matters.]

iii; prijata

[As it turns out, shopping for gifts is hard.

He never celebrated Candlenights until the Bureau, him and Lup didn't really do traditional gifts so much as they just stole cool shit for each other, and they didn't exactly have time for gifts while on the Starblaster. Except for when Merle made them, and that was just a whole bag of yikes.

But he's recently come to the realization that his time here is fleeting at best, that he's likely going home to die, and that maybe he should like, appreciate the people he's befriended here, and what matter way to show that than getting in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, even if he's starting to get a little tired of holidays.

That doesn't make it any easier, though, and he spends a lot of time checking out various markets and stores, meticulously going over items as he tries to find The Perfect Gift™.

Or maybe he's flopped dramatically on a bench somewhere, with too many bags at this feet and an alarming looking coffee in his hands.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Unless Taako drops the spell, Cisco has ten minutes of levitation, and once it's over, he'll float to the ground rather than crashing to it, because apparently at least a few wizard spells are nice. Taako does have the option to move Cisco around a little, while the spell is in effect, but it would require him to not focus on the game for several seconds, so Cisco is safe, for now.]

I might not be up to contortionist levels, but I know how to have a little fun.

[He foes fantasy yoga.]

Oh.

[ That last comment brings it to a level of vague innuendo where Cisco actually understands that that is what it is. He laughs, a little flustered and embarrassed, and if that implied TMI was a strategy of Taako's to distract him from the game it works, but only for a few seconds. And two can play that game. ]

So Eddie told me you guys are a thing.

[ Cisco wants to throw Taako off his game, sure, but he also doesn't want to get his friend in trouble, so he is careful to be scrupulous about details, even as he is giving the video game the bulk of his attention. ]

I mean, um, he didn't say you were a thing, exactly. Probably wouldn't have said anything but he'd run into one of those honesty-hour fireflies y'know? So... what's the story, huh? I'm dying for some gossip in this place.

[It was about fifty percent strategy and fifty percent just Taako being the way he is, but he won't complain about it working to distract Cisco for a few seconds.

He won't even complain about Cisco bringing personal matters into this (which is way ruder than casting spells on unsuspecting friends, tbh), since Taako already kind of expected Eddie to have said something to him. It's not like it's a secret, Taako is just kind of private about his own shit, hence why only a couple of people know about Eddie, and at least one of those people only know that there's someone, not who the particular person is.]

Lemme get this straight... [Actually let him handle this tricky corner, first.

Ok:] Eddie hasn't told you all that much except that we're a thing, but you're expecting me to spill the deets?

[Which isn't to say that he won't, just that he wants Cisco to realize he's kind of backed himself into a corner here, by trying not to throw Eddie under the bus.]

[ So much for that distraction strategy. Now Cisco is the one who is feeling uncomfortable, how did Taako reverse that so deftly. ]

Uhhhhh. Yeah. I... am?

[ Which is a pretty weak answer, all things considered. Truth is, Cisco hadn't even really thought about that. Why he hadn't just bugged Eddie for details. He'd thought about it, but always decided against it. Why? If it were Caitlin, nothing on Earth would have stopped him. Same for Barry, or hell even someone like Joe. So why not Eddie?

When the answer comes to him, he explains in a rush, never taking his eyes off the game. ]

Look, I think... it's really weird for him to talk to me about his love life, and I get that. The whole time I knew him back in our world, he was with Iris and totally devoted to her and shit, but it was this weird uncomfortable situation where my best friend Barry was super into Iris too, and way jealous of Eddie, and everybody knew it. And to make it even awkwarder, she was with Eddie but she definitely had feelings for Barry that she didn't want to admit, and everybody could see that, too. Even Eddie. And so... talking about this stuff just got to be way too much of a minefield and we got hella used to not talking about it.

[ Here's hoping Eddie has mentioned some of that to Taako before and Cisco isn't spilling any secrets Eddie wanted kept. Eddie is a pretty open guy, generally, but this is probably some pretty painful memories, and talking about exes is always dangerous territory, etcetera. ]

[He grew up with a twin sister there's not much that ruffles his feathers.

Except maybe that answer; Taako knows... some stuff, about Iris but he's never pried and Eddie isn't much for talking about things that are upsetting in any way, so there's probably a few new details he's getting from this. Not that he'll tell Cisco, because he doesn't want him to feel like, guilty or anything, but he's still quiet for a moment, weighing up his response.]

Listen, if you're looking for the sordid details you're for sure gonna have to ask Eddie. We're fucking and we go on dates, that's like, as complicated as it's probably gonna get. Even if you don't take the whole alternate realities thing into account, getting attached to humans is bad news. Lup got lucky, her and Barry had fifty years without having to worry about him getting old, most of us don't get that.

["Us" being elves. There's plenty of intermingling, sure, but Taako is too wrapped up in self-preservation to seriously consider things like falling in love with a human (again?? canon is so vague on this). It'd be a mistake, there's never enough time.]

[ Cisco opens his mouth to object it isn't sordid details he wanted, but just any details. But he stops himself before he interrupts, simply lets Taako speak. It sounds like a great big "it's complicated," the same way it had when Eddie mentioned it. They see each other habitually, but are avoiding labels or probably thinking about the long term.

And then, unlike Eddie in that earlier conversation, Taako explains why. Or at least, part of it. The alternate realities thing is only a minor detail: they're all here, and likely to be here for a long enough time that it shouldn't matter. Or was he talking about different expectations and practices, when it comes to relationships? But the immortality thing, well. That was an element Cisco had never even considered right until the second Taako says it. Which is probably stupid. He should know better. He's supposed to be genre-savvy, and Taako had talked to him about how old he is and how he can't die and all of that.

But Cisco hadn't made the connection to how it would impact any possible anything between Taako and any human. ]

Oh.

[ Cisco barely even notices this time when Taako wins the race; he's looking at the screen but his eyes are unfocused as he worries his lower lip between his teeth. There's no reason to think Eddie won't age normally in this place, just because he'd died back in his home universe. And it's not as if there's anything he could say that would make Taako's truthbomb less true. ]

Guess that does make things a bit tricky...

[ It seems a bit extreme, though. Especially if there are no elves here for Taako to get attached to as an alternative. Everyone has to be attached to something. And knowing something is a bad idea isn't always enough to prevent it from happening. What a mess it must be, for Taako. And Eddie. And both of them.

Cisco clears his throat; boy things got heavy without him meaning for them too. With a new and slightly forced lightness he turns and waits until Taako looks at him before he says: ]

Just don't break his heart or I'll mess you up. I mean it. I don't care if you're an immortal elf wizard, I got ways.

[ And Cisco points at both his eyes and then at Taako, an over-the-top gesture of warning that is undercut by the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ]

[Nine times out of ten, Taako plays his cards pretty close to his chest; getting feelings and things involved in discussions is messy and uncomfortable and he'd rather avoid it. But he can be honest without getting emotional about it, and that's what he's doing now, the same way it was when he told Kravtiz that he stuck with the Bureau because he was afraid no one else would have him.

These are just facts, plainly presented. He likes Eddie, and he likes... whatever it is they have, but there's no real option to consider a future, to consider getting too attached. As soon as the chance arrives, Taako will leave, and even if that change doesn't come for another hundred years, he'll still outlive any human here.

But he can tell that Cisco probably hadn't made the connection, judging by the way he's losing this race pretty badly. So when Cisco goes for a joke, Taako grins, ignoring the fact it's a little bit forced.]

Oh, for sure. [He adds a thoughtful hum, considering.] You know what, hundreds of years and I think this is my first shovel talk.

[Even if it's a joking one.]

Definitely my first time giving one. How'd you like it? Maybe I should throw in some gruesome details next time, like, for maximum intimidation factor.

[ It's all meaningless nonsense, just words to smooth past that little brush with sad, unpleasant reality. Cisco wonders if Eddie knows that is Taako's point of view on the thing between them. It would make sense, given how hesitant Eddie had been to label their relationship; he really ought to take what Taako said earlier to heart and just talk to Eddie about this instead of trying to get the information from Taako, sneakily. ]

Let's try a different game, I've got a fighting one that's pretty cool, hold on...

[ Cisco gets up, goes about changing the settings on the console to play a different game; as he is working on it he asks: ]

So they've got... dates and marriage and all that in your world?

[ Hey, man, he can't assume any of this, but Taako's choice of words was pretty specific. He didn't say he was 'courting' Eddie and he doesn't seem at all fazed by labeling it a casual relationship, and Cisco's curious about how the cultural standards might differ. He hopes that'll be a little easier to talk about, than the inescapable challenge of a mortal dating someone who isn't. ]

I'd give it a solid six, gruesome deets would totally up your score, though.

[Not that there's a whole lot that really upsets Taako on that front; he's died so many times and seen so much violence that not a lot rattles him, even if he'd definitely rather avoid any more horrible things happening.

If he could go the rest of his life without dying gruesomely that would be really great.

While Cisco is fixing up the new game, Taako is going to top up their wine, more alcohol only improves video games.]

Yeah? I mean, that's how it works most places, right? [Despite coming from a fantasy world, it's not very medieval inspired.] Not that I ever dated a lot cause it's fucking hard when you don't stay in once place for more than a week, but you know.

[It's also hard when his response to being confronted by emotion is to attempt to turn invisible and/or run away, so...]

I don't know, man, it's the multiverse! Every possible kind of world that could exist, does exist. There's gotta be more universes than either of us could imagine where dating isn't the way it's done. Can't just assume.

[ It was something Cisco had understood in an abstract and theoretical way before he came here, but living on this moon has gotten him up close and personal with the reality of many worlds that are very different from his own. He'd always through of himself as an open-minded guy, but he's had to broaden his horizons considerably to adapt to living here. And honestly? He loves that. ]

Guess dating your shipmates is like dating your coworkers, right? Super bad idea. What about before that?

[ He'd lived a life before he started having adventures, after all, and Cisco's curious about it. ]

See, me, I never dated a whole lot just 'cause I'm, like-

[ What specifically it is that he's like, he leaves ambiguous. Cisco just makes a gesture at his whole self, as he's walking back to pick up his controller again to start the game. The implication is that his numerous undesirable traits must be so obvious to Taako and anyone that he doesn't even need to waste his time explaining. Like, it's just so clear why people wouldn't want to date him. ]

[He's basing his data on the 100 worlds he visited, where most of them with humanoids operated the same way his world did, in terms of dating, although admittedly, he never exactly delved into it while they were travelling. There may have been a liaison or two with other professors while he was in Legato, but he never dated.]

I mean, Barry and Lup were-- They fell in love. [There's some emotion there, almost but not quite fond, almost but not quite sad. Barry and Lup fell in love and sometimes he wonders if that's what doomed Lup, if things would've been different. He's never been jealous of them, because as petty as he can occasionally be, Taako never doubted how much Lup loved him; he never felt like Barry was stealing her away or monopolizing her love. But sometimes he's wondered how it would've shaken out, had they not did what they did.

He recovers quickly, though, flashing a grin.]

But like, even before the Starblaster - [still the worst spaceship name] - we never like, settled down for more than a few months at a time. Home wasn't really a thing.

[That doesn't particularly bother him, because home was Lup, not a place, and as long as they had each other it didn't matter where they were. Without his memories of her, those times had been painfully lonely, but now that he can fit her back in place beside him, the whole thing is easier to think about.

But he's definitely talked about things feelings-adjacent for way too long, so he picks up on the way Cisco trails off and raises an eyebrow.]

You're like...?

[He does not get the implication.]

[ Cisco notices the past tense and the hint of nostalgia or something like it, but doesn't think too much of it. He's fallen into the pattern of doing that, on occasion, when he's talking about Joe or Barry or other things back home. It's not even worth asking, if Taako misses them, because of course he does. Who here doesn't miss something or someone from where they came from? ]

So they're together?

[ He glances at Taako, when he says he never stayed anywhere for more than a month or two even before he was on the ship. Certainly it would make the transition to his adventuring life easier, but that kind of nomadic existence doesn't sound very fun, to Cisco. Maybe that's just because it's so different from what he's known. Sure, he'd been eager to get out of his parents' home, but he loves Central City. Loves that he has had time to try every single thing on the menu at Jitters and knows the streets by heart from directing Barry between this and that robbery.

When Taako doesn't follow along, but instead turns the statement back on Cisco as a question, he feels his face going hot with shame and embarrassment. He doesn't know Taako well enough to guess if he really doesn't understand, or if he is teasing, or what is going on. Cisco shrugs, elaborately, shaking his head a little and stammering out, with a slightly forced laugh. ]

I- I mean I'm just. Well, I'm not exactly making anyone's top ten list, y'know?

[ Sure is a good time to fire up this fighting game and devote all his attention to character selection for a moment. ]

Oh, yeah, only took them fifty fucking years to finally hook up.

[They'd been close, before then, and Taako had known that both of them were head over heels for the other, but for once in her life Lup hadn't wanted to rush into things, and Barry had about zero faith in himself, despite how many times Taako told him that Lup was into him.

Which is something he's suddenly seeing reflected, and the look on his face is one of surprise, because he doesn't... get it. He understands what Cisco is suggesting, sure, but not the why of it, because as far as he's concerned there's nothing to be insecure about. He's seen this in Eddie, too, although he has a feeling that Eddie hasn't noticed that he's noticed.]

Seriously, my man? Cause listen, not to be crass, but I'd hit that.

[That's definitely being crass, but his tone isn't salacious; he's being genuine, rather than flirting.]

Damn. That's a long time to put up with the 'will they won't they'. Who caved first?

[ Even though Cisco has never met either of the people involved, he still would like to know. Taako is a good storyteller, and maybe a small part of Cisco thinks that, if Taako is so hesitant to talk about himself, maybe he can still learn a little about him from the way he talks about his friends and loved ones.

Cisco really doesn't know how to take Taako's response; it isn't the crassness that bothers him, so much as his initial absolute certainty that the other shoe is going to drop at any moment. He just looks at Taako, waiting for him to burst into laughter and say 'as if' or 'not!' or 'had you going, didn't I?'. Cisco waits, and the seconds stretch awkwardly, but Taako shows absolutely no sign of revealing that Cisco is being punk'd.

Still, he couldn't really mean it, could he? No, Cisco's not that naive. He's not going to let himself get tricked.

But now, enough time has passed that if Taako had been making a joke, it would have become just plain awkward. And he still hasn't undercut it. So the obvious alternative is that he's just being nice, to spare Cisco's feelings. (The logic of low self-esteem really is something else). ]

Sure. You're... just saying that 'cause I gave you a bitchin' wizard hat.

[ Cisco clears his throat and changes the subject quickly, because the last thing he needs is Taako admitting to speaking out of pity and this whole conversation getting even more embarrassing than it already is. ]

Are we gonna play this or what? Or are you scared I'm gonna beat you, again?

[He will absolutely tell the story of Barry and Lup's stupid nerd romance and how they're both losers that couldn't get their shit together long enough to just bone until they did some super emotional music duet together, but first he's going to have to deal with... all this.

Because a) it's awkward, and that's not the sort of scene he's into and b) he thinks Cisco is a pretty good friend and feels some vague sort of responsibility to kick his ass re: this apparent self-esteem issue.

So rather than letting Cisco have his way and moving on to the game, Taako actually sets the controller down and turns to face Cisco.]

Alright, we're gonna do this as quickly and painlessly as possible cause I'm sure neither of us want to have a fucking heart to heart, but you know you're like, cute and nice and funny and shit, right? Which isn't like, my jam, but a lotta people are into that shit.

[Taako's type is devastatingly handsome dudes who could kill him, which says more about him than it does Cisco.]

And here's a free tip from Taako central, if you act like you're hot shit, people will think you're hot shit.

[It's worked for him!!]

[ It's not like Cisco has never gotten this sort of talk before; it's just been a long time. Neither Barry nor Caitlin, despite being kind and caring friends, are really the sort of person who can tell when Cisco is faking it. They take his smiles and jokes at face value, and in a lot of ways that's wonderful. But it also means they don't ever call him on his shit.

Ronnie had, though. When they were all working on the particle accelerator, Cisco had latched onto him as a big brother figure - someone who treated him way better than Dante ever had, and who he could look up to. And Ronnie had noticed the little self-put-downs and Cisco's generally crappy estimation of himself, and had always assured him, with that bright and infectious certainty Ronnie had always had, that he was a total catch, and someday everyone would see it.

Cisco's cheeks are hot with embarrassment; it means a lot, that Taako would try to give him a pep talk, even if he's having trouble buying what he says is actually true. Sure, Taako means well, but he's this fabulous famous glamorous attractive wizard adventurer, who probably has no actual idea how little anyone wants to waste their time on a guy like Cisco. ]

Pretty sure that strategy has its limits.

[ But there's a little smile at the corner of his mouth as he says that, and he follows it quickly with: ]

Thanks, Taako.

You've met me, right?

[Because sure, that strategy does have it's limits, but even though Taako is pretty as hell, he's also well aware that his personality can leave a lot to be desired. He can be charming and funny (obviously), but he's self-centered and kind of callous and doesn't like taking emotions seriously; none of these things are things he'd change about himself, it's just who he is and it's a package deal with the ethereal beauty and sweet magic thing he's got going on.

But it doesn't exactly make him boyfriend material. There's a reason he's barely dated anyone and that he's so out of his fucking depth with the situation with Eddie.]

[ It surprises him, what Taako says. In the end, that surprise actually supports the success of Taako's strategy; Cisco never would've guessed that Taako had even a speck of self-criticism in him.

Oddly enough, Cisco had had a similar moment, with Eddie. He'd always thought that Eddie saw himself the same way other people (namely, Cisco) saw him - as Detective Pretty Boy, young and talented and gorgeous, who never had a hair out of place and knew exactly where his career and life were going at all times. It had surprised Cisco, to find out it was way more complex than that. And it surprises him now, that Taako seems to think there's something in him that requires a strategy in the first place. ]

Yep, I've definitely met you. And you know what?

[ Cisco's smile is back, now - no awkwardness, no hesitation, just warmth and bright-eyed affection. ]

I think you're a really good friend. And, well. Hot shit.

[ And since he's pretty sure that's just about all the cheesiness Taako will tolerate, Cisco turns his attention back to the screen, and hits ENTER to start the match. ]

[This is where, if he were an emotionally open sort of person, Taako might admit that his current beauty is nothing more than arcane cosmetics, a few spells thrown together to cover up what was taken by the liches in Wonderland. But Taako isn't an emotionally open sort of person, and he thinks he got his point across well enough without needing to reveal one of his shitty secrets, so instead he just winks.]

Well, duh, everyone wants a piece of this.

[No they really don't, but clearly he's just demonstrating how to act like you've got perfect self-esteem.]

And this piece is gonna kick your ass.

[And then they played video games for far too long and got drunk on magic wine, The End.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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