[open] we tried to bury it and rise above

[spellslots]

who: taako/taaquito and you
what: catch-all + an open prompt for AU shenanigans
when: latter half of June
where: all around!!
warnings: violence/threats of sexual violence in the thread with smokedout

Comments

open; 22-24

[spellslots]

[Immediately upon waking up, Taako knows that something isn't right; the bed is too big and too soft. Lup isn't beside him, which isn't that unusual, sometimes she gets up earlier than him to help their aunt with chores, but the bed thing is definitely weird. Their aunt is nice, but she hasn't got a lot of money for things like big soft beds and duvets that seem to be filled with feathers. Taako feels like he should be worried, probably, but there's something in the back of his mind that tells him this place is safe, even if he doesn't know where this place is.

Still, he clambers out of the bed and starts investigating the room; marvelling at the wardrobe full of colourful clothes (all too big for him, though he finds a shirt that falls to his knees and pulls it on, then grabs a loose silk scarf to cinch it around his waist. He finds a lot of jewellery, though none of it looks expensive enough to bother about taking, and he finds photos of… himself, he thinks. Older, definitely a lot older, but he's pretty sure that's his face all grown up. There are other people in the photos that are tacked haphazardly on the wall, and two things stick out to Taako. One, he doesn't know any of these people. Two, none of the photos contain Lup.

That's the weirdest thing he's run into so far, because whatever this older version of him is doing, he should obviously still be with Lup.

So he decides to go looking; there's cash in one of the drawers (score) of the vanity, and he carefully folds it up in his hands before climbing out the window.

First order of business is clothes: he buys a pair of tights and a tunic, nicer than he's used to but still familiar, and a pair of boots that eat up almost all of his cash, though he's not too worried about that. Now that he blends in a bit better, he can just take anything else he needs.

This idea promptly gets him into trouble. He's used to having Lup serve as a distraction, but this time when he tries to swipe a pastry from a street cart, the vendor notices and starts yelling, at which point Taako turns and bolts, barrelling down the street as fast as he can, not wanting to get caught.

Please help this small disaster.]

hello naughty children. its sad time

[scholiast]

(Lucretia is turning a corner into the market when something bowls sharply into her legs. She blinks and stumbles back, looking down: it's a child, a little elf with a pastry clutched in his fist. The vendor is yelling in the distance, and it doesn't take long for her to put two and two together: she promptly side-steps in front of the little kid, hiding him from view with her long robes.

When the vendor comes stalking through she simply stands in place until he's left, making a ploy out of checking her phone, tapping at nothing on a blank screen until he's passed. The whole thing has actually reminded her of Taako, and actually has his network name pulled up before she realises that she can't message him right now. Or rather, shouldn't. Not when she's like this.

It's on that somber note that she puts her phone away, glancing down and behind her as she steps forwards.)

Are you alright?

as opposed to all those happy time threads we have

[spellslots]

[It doesn't take him long to realize what the human woman doing, and Taako goes very still as he waits behind her robes, holding his breath as though it might help ensure that he isn't spotted. It feels like forever, until the vendor is gone and the lady addresses him.

She seems familiar, but like the familiarity of this place, he can't quite place it.]

Do I know you?

[The accent ("accent") might be recognizable, although it's slightly ruined by the fact he's already shoving half that pastry in his mouth.

He's hungry, let him live.]

22nd

[leadintheyoung]

[ The scene is one with which Líadan is familiar enough. It's one she's fielded often and instigated just as frequently in a bid to have a good look-see at the up and coming generation, to train them for what is in her opinion their piteous lack of it in recent years. One doesn't get to be as quick and nimble as she is by living safely within the confines of high, protective walls, after all. The difference in this episode versus others called to mind is that she didn't instigate this. It hadn't been in her plans to field a non-test today either, but she's quick on her feet and in her approach, reaching out to guide the boy by the shoulder behind her. ]

Not a word.

[ It's the only warning she gives as she starts up a hum. That hum turns to a song, something lively and playful in tone, and that? That's not one, not, two, but three young Taaquito look-alikes running back toward the yelling vendor. There's a taunt issued, prompting a new volume of yelling, and the three run in different directions, taking the vendor well away from Líadan and her new company. It's only one she's sure the vendor's good and thrown off that she halts her song and turns her attention more fully to the boy. ]

Cutting it close, aren't we? [ And for a pastry, but then, what is a truly worthwhile pursuit if not food? ]

Re: 22nd

[spellslots]

[Things he is good at: following instructions from competent ladies, mostly thanks to practice with Lup and his aunt, so when Líadan instructs him to shush, Taako shushes.

It's even easier to keep quiet once the singing starts, since he's watching in fascination is the three other versions of himself spring into existence, and dart off towards the vendor, leading the poor soul astray while the real Taako makes sure he's hidden behind his new friend.

When the song is finished and the vendor gone, he gives a little round of applause, completely ignoring her question in the eagerness to ask his own.]

Are you a bard? What spell was that? How'd you learn to do it?

[Magic is!! so!! cool!! Him and Lup are trying to learn, but it's not as easy as he'd hoped it would be.]

cisco; 17

[spellslots]

[It had become very apparent very quickly that Taako needed to be anywhere but in the same building as Lucretia, because despite their uneasy truce, it's painful to be reminded of everything she's done to them. The city itself has started to feel stifling, so he packs some supplies, along with his stash of magical items, sends a text to Cisco inviting him along, and starts towards the abandoned city. It's not that he necessarily needs company, but he isn't a huge fan of being alone, and while he could ask Clark or Eddie or Bryn, he'd rather hang out with someone he likes but isn't super close to. The last thing he needs right now is someone asking if he's okay.

And Cisco is pretty infectious in his enthusiasm; Taako doesn't think he'll have too difficult of a time pretending that everything is totally, perfectly fine.

In the interest of showing off, Taako tells Cisco to meet him just outside the first barrier. He has A Plan, and he thinks Cisco will approve of it, though for now he's just chilling on a fallen log, casting little sparks of prestidigitation to amuse a handful of alien-looking butterflies, who seems to be enjoying the bright colours.]

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco is happy for a little excitement; he shows up when and where Taako tells him. And if he happens to be wearing a tactical vest with a ridiculous amount of gadgets, and carrying a backpack with all kind of medical supplies and probably some weapons that ought not to just be thrown in a backpack together, well, let's just say that his first venture outside the wall had Not Gone Well.

But Taako can probably shoot fireballs, and surely even his luck isn't bad enough that he'd get attacked by monsters two times in a row - right?

So he is beaming when he spots Taako some distance off, making little mulitcolored sparks and flashes in midair, and possibly conjuring butterflies? Or maybe they're just there for the tiny fireworks. Either way, it's somehow very flashy and strikes Cisco as very Taako. He waves an arm in the air, shouts: ]

'Sup?

[ A few moments later he is at Taako's side, adjusting the straps of his backpack and saying: ]

So you were very mysterious about what exactly we're doing out here.

[spellslots]

[That sure is a lot of gear, Taako sort of stares at Cisco for a long moment, caught between baffled and amused, the butterflies momentarily forgotten.]

You know this is just a day trip, right? Like, we're not having a camp out, you didn't need to bring the kitchen sink.

[Cisco pls.... pls.....

Taako has a leather satchel over his shoulder and that's all he felt it was necessary to bring. The tactical vest is overdoing it.]

rin; the 20th??? 21st?? i'm easy

[spellslots]

[In any other D&D world, Taako would have likely reason to be suspicious of a dark elf who wants to take a look at all the cool magical items that he owns; but the Fearun that Taako knows is a little less shitty, on at least that front, so while he's not exactly about to trust some stranger, there's no preconceived notions about what ulterior motives a drow may or may not have.

So Taako invites Rin to his home. It's the easiest place to meet, since it saves them messing around with magical shit in a café or whatever, and it means that as much as this is a nice break, he can get back to work on the whole portal mess as soon as he needs to. Even if he was concerned about people stealing his stuff, it's not like anyone can get into the house without being let through the wards, so it's really not that big a deal.

If anything, he's more concerned with making a good impression, which is why the table in the sunroom has acquired a significant amount of delicate finger food and small treats, like a high tea without the tiers. And the tea, because there's a French press full of coffee instead. Today's outfit is relatively simple, a patterned maxi skirt and a t-shirt with cuss words on it, because he's an adult and he can have swears on his shirts if he wants.

He's in the kitchen when the doorbell rings, but it doesn't take him long to get to the door, opening it up with a grin already in place.]

What's up, my dude? Welcome to Case Del Taako.

[imperceptus]

[ Rin hadn't known who he was talking to over the network. He's seen mostly humans since his arrival here, to the point that he's just assuming anyone he interacts with is very likely one of them--or, at least, looks it.

Thus, color him surprised when he walks into Taako's place and finds that he wasn't trying to charm a human at all. That, in fact, Taako is very clearly some manner of high elf.

(Admittedly, Rin's never met any high elves who would wear T-shirts printed with vulgarities; nor, in fact, does he have a solid sense of what a T-shirt is. Much less a maxi skirt. But the physical features are difficult to deny.)

He clears his throat, briefly unsettled. ]

You have a lovely--home.

[ He hovers by the table, as though turning a question over in his head. ]

Can I ask where you hail from, Taako?

[spellslots]

I can only take like, a third of the credit, but thanks.

[Although really, Ellie and Lucretia haven't had much of a hand in decorating the place, outside of their own rooms, but he's occasionally capable of being humble, at least when it's not about anything serious.]

New Elfington, if you wanna go way back, but mostly just, you know, around. I spent the last decade or so in Fearun, if we're talking continents.

[He's not entirely sure if Rin is from a world like his; Tom was a half-elf and a """wizard""" but came from a different world. Still, he might as well put the name out there and see if there's familiarity.]

back at it again

[scholiast]

(What's hard to orchestrate about this whole thing is that Taako knows what's up. He's been a little cagey around her lately, careful to avoid being the same room alone for too long like he knows the precise moment she's geared herself up to say something to him. Lucretia wonders if perhaps she gets this look about her like she's about to start asking questions or something; because how else would he know? He seems to have a sixth sense attuned finely to her level of frustrated curiousity.

She throws caution to the wind and practically jumps him as he comes into the living room one day. She'd been sitting curled up in one of his gaudy purple-and-gold armchairs with a book propped open in her lap when he'd come waltzing in. Lucretia snaps her book shut (she hadn't been paying any proper attention to it anyway, only listlessly reading it in order to give herself something to do) and swivels her legs around so her feet are on the floor.)

Taako— (She's straight backed, exasperated.) Taako, could I borrow you for a moment?

at the fantasy krispy kreme

[spellslots]

[She's not wrong, because of course she isn't, Lucretia is too smart and knows him too well, even at this point in the cycles, and ever since things reverted back to normal he hasn't been able to really talk to her, too scared of what she might say, or ask. It had been so hard, to put all his anger and frustration somewhere out of the way, where it won't explode over everything.

Honestly, he's scared because he doesn't know how long he can keep it up, so when she finally confronts him in the living room, an excuse is already on the tip of his tongue.]

Can it wait, bubbale? I got work I need to get started on.

[No he doesn't, he hasn't accepted anything for the past few days because he wants to be there for Eddie, if he's wanted.]

*flipkicks taako's peace of mind, destroying it instantly*

[scholiast]

(Lucretia thinks dimly that if she weren't so sure that something was quite wrong she would have happily accepted this excuse. She isn't one for forcing an issue somebody is being deliberately evasive about. She would let it go if only it weren't about her; there's a gnawing anxiety gathering in her stomach that something happens to her in the future. Lucretia wants to know. Needs to know. She always does.)

No, (she says hurriedly before she can let it go as per usual. She drops her gaze, suddenly nervous.)

No, it can't, Taako. Please?

because it's criminal how few fights dodger's been in here.

[smokedout]

[Has life just been a little too nice to Taako lately? Apparently so, because a certain one-eyed creep has run across him in the street. And if he were lucky they might have passed in a crowd, but alas there's almost no one around and while Dodger had thankfully been on the other side of the street, he simply disappears in a flash of sparks just to pop up again right beside Taako.]

Fancy seeing you around, sweetheart.

[As if Dodger's presence isn't enough of a red flag on its own, he looks like he's already been in a scuffle tonight... and smells even more like booze than he usually does. Oh, wonder of wonders.]

and taako's been in none? ooc tbh

[spellslots]

[Something has been off all day, beyond his frustration at the situation with Lucretia, beyond his concern for Eddie, but Taako hasn't been paying attention to what the perimeter guard is up to, so he has no reason to suspect a bunch of chemicals are putting him on edge.

All he knows is that Dodger appearing beside him is enough to startle a little gasp out of him, that he quickly covers by shooting Dodger a withering look.]

Fan-fucking-tactic. What do you want, asshole?

[smokedout]

[His eyes narrow at that response. Yeah, the guy's definitely more snappy than usual... but he figures something must be going wrong in his personal life. Just some weak point that Dodger might be able to figure out and exploit it.]

Do I need a reason? Just wanted to greet my favorite genderbending elf.

[He reaches over to flick the edge of Taako's hat, and he leans a little too close for comfort... and then a little bit closer, really getting all up in the elf's personal space.]

Where's your pet cop, you finally get bored of him?

[finethanks]

[From here.

That kick had been too much for his pathetic body. Immediately, he curled in on himself in pain, temporarily out of breath as he rolls closer to Taako. Standing is difficult, so he leans heavily against Taako, quietly taking in this words and trusting him. Of course he trusts him over this. It's nowhere near the same thing as what Dodger had done.

But the moment they're in Taako's room, his legs don't want to support him anymore. His breathing comes back in wheezes, and he coughs harsher than before, covering his mouth with a hand to catch some of the blood. He can't even speak yet. His body can react violently from simply walking or doing idol activities, so he certainly can't take violence or force.]

[spellslots]

[Taako has a big fat zero for his strength modifier, but Eichi is hardly heavy, so he manages to keep him upright long enough to guide him to the bed, not wanting to just dump him on the floor.]

Hang in there, bubbale. I've got something.

[Luckily, despite the fact his room is a fucking mess, he keeps all his potions in one place, and it's a quick process of running to his bag and fishing out a glass flask to bring back to Eichi.

Taako uncorks it, then offers it to Eichi.]

Drink this for me, yeah? It'll help.

[finethanks]

[His hand is a little shaky as he reaches for the strange flask, but his grip is still firm. That's a good thing, since sometimes he can lose even that completely. Gladio has used potion-type objects on him before, even if he made him crush it in his own palm, so it doesn't take much convincing to have Eichi drink this. He simply waits between his coughs for just the right moment to calm himself long enough to take it.

He still coughs once more after, passing the empty thing back to Taako as his other hand covers his mouth, but if it's a restorative or anything like that, it should help him without any issues. Then he just needs a few seconds of a mental break.]

date: carnivale evening :-)

[scholiast]

(Lucretia is asleep in bed on her side when her door opens very, very slowly. She isn't a particularly deep sleeper; she comes awake groggily, blinking into the darkness with a sigh.)

What, (she says, and rolls over to face the door, trying to force her eyes open. What's up, she is tired– but she thinks she recognises the figure poking their head around the corner of her bedroom door all the same.) Taako?

:3

[spellslots]

[Taako is capital-D Drunk, which doesn't really excuse much, but it does explain why he's doing his very best to sneak into Lucretia's room.]

Oh, good, you're awake.

[He's absolutely going to pretend that he doesn't know he woke her up, as he slips in through a crack in the door, closing it behind him.]

Scoot over, Taako's coming on in.

[He's in his pajamas and everything. He even cleaned his teeth. He's a good dude.]

i love this already

[scholiast]

Only just. (Lucretia stares at him for a long moment, then sighs, and shifts over in her bed to the other side, throwing the covers back for him.)

... C'mon, then.

(This isn't the first time this has happened, but it has been a couple cycles since she's found one of the twins in her bed, so she supposes she's overdue.)

for lup!

[spellslots]

[There are a lot of good things about having Lup back, too many to even count, but one of them is the fact he has another elf around, who doesn't need as much sleep as humans do. Taako spends a lot of nights with Clark, just reading together or watching TV in the early hours of the morning, but he can't bother Clark 24/7, and he gets bored, sometimes.

So it's nice, to have Lup. He matches up his schedule to hers, and it's quiet and peaceful at 2am when he flops beside her on the couch, delicately plucking the book she was reading from her hands.]

Hey, dipshit, there's something I gotta tell you.

[He keeps his tone light, but... this is still important. And he's put it off too long.]

[umbrastaff]

[She's quite fond of the late night times with Taako, because just like in the Starblaster, it meant nice quiet alone time with just the two of them. With Lucretia and Ellie needing sleep, they could just chill together for a while.

At least until your shit brother steals you book.]

Hey, I was learning a new recipe since someone doesn't eat meat any more!

[Still, she doesn't fight him for it - instead moving her legs so he has space.]

What's up, doofus?