[closed] There is a terrible cost to dark magic, but you know what they say

[spellslots]

who: Taako + various others (if u want something hmu!)
what: What it says on the tin! Catch-all for the next few weeks to save spamming y'all
when: mid July - when I decide I need a new one of these
where: Arounnnnnd
warnings: None yet, will update if necessary

Comments

[spellslots]

I guess I do.

[It's kind of quiet, a little guilty, as if he has any more control over this situation than Magnus does. He regrets not playing it more carefully from the start, but then he doesn't know if he could've pretended not to know Magnus at all, that would've been just as shitty.

Still, Taako is nothing if not good at compartmentalising, so he shoves all that down and flashes Magnus a grin that's only a little fake.]

That depends on whether you want like, a real actual meal, or cake. Or cookies. Or any other variation of shit that's full of sugar and terrible for you.

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Despite the shared melancholy, Magnus is great at turning the mood around. Or at least, he feels obligated to try, because he doesn't do well with bad vibes.

Either way: Magnus is a Hungry Boy, and food always puts him in a good mood.]

My dude, all I've had to eat today is like, a bowl of cereal. I could use some real-food din-din.

[spellslots]

You know what, I got some good ass vodka stashed away somewhere, lets do vodka sauce on some penne.

[It's quick to make and carb heavy, which is good for someone like Magnus who apparently hasn't been eating an appropriate amount, considering he's a big dude.

So Taako gets to work, grabbing everything he needs, starting with a pot of water boiling on the stove.]

And hey, like, no pressure, but we do dinner pretty regularly with the housemates and whoever the hell happens to wander in, you're always welcome.

[It might be awkward, but he wants to extend the offer anyway.]

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Taako could've picked any food, and Magnus still would've lit up at the mention of it. Magnus is definitely not the best at cooking, so all of his meals lately have been sub-par.]

That actually sounds pretty neat! I should come around more often. It'll be fun gettin' to know you guys.

[He's not just being polite—he means it.]

Also, I'm a crummy cook on my own, so if I could trick you into cooking for me more often I'll be happy.

[Oh, Magnus-brand humor. He doesn't even realize he's slipping back into it around Taako. It's instinctive.]

[spellslots]

[Honestly, half of the reason he loves to cook is because it's something to do/i>; he can focus on slicing up prosciutto while Magnus says it'll be fun getting to know you guys and he can pretend that it doesn't ache to hear it.

Relearning each other was fine, when it was all of them, but this feels so unfair to them both.]

No tricks needed, you're talking to the best chef in Fearun and a show off, so like, this is my jam.

[ohhmrburnsides]

"Best chef in Faerun," huh? I'll believe that when I taste it.

[He feels like he's at least put some of the awkwardness behind them, so he's more visibly relaxed now. He also considers Taako's claim for a moment.]

Now that you mention it, I feel like I've heard your name before. Now how... Oh! Are you that traveling chef guy?

oh no my html, a tragedy

[spellslots]

[Well, huh, there's a blast from the past.

It helps give him a better timeframe for exactly when Magnus is from, without digging into too many personal question. He's been mindwiped long enough that Taako has made a name for himself.]

Excuse the fuck outta you, I'm Taako, from TV. Not 'that travelling chef guy'. [It's weird how easy it is to slip back into that persona, even if he says it with a smile.] But yeah, that's me. Before I got into adventuring.

[Which is how they met. The second time, at least.]

[ohhmrburnsides]

[He smiles. He's pretty sure Taako is just joking with him.]

Taako from TV, huh? I like that. It's catchy.

[He's taken quite an interest in watching Taako's food prep at this point.]

Anything I can do to help?

[spellslots]

[He tosses the onions and garlic into a pan, starting to brown them while he keeps talking.]

Catchy is my middle name. [He seems to consider that for a second, before amending:] Maybe 'flashy' would be more appropriate.

[He's not above making fun of himself, especially around Magnus.]

If you wanna toss like... half that packet of pasta into the water you can?

[ohhmrburnsides]

[On examination, Taako is pretty flashy. He's taking every opportunity he can to make note of his old friend's personality traits, on the off-chance that somehow he picks up some of his old—future?—memories.]

It's not a bad look on you.

[He pours the pasta as instructed. He feels so triumphant at this feat.]

Hey, I'm cooking! Nice!

[spellslots]

Flatterer.

[Taako casts prestidigitation to summon a little shower of sparks around him, just for the fun of it.]

Look at you go, next think you'll be up to making toast. Nothing can stop you.

[It's so easy to fall back into the gentle teasing that he's used to.]

[ohhmrburnsides]

[He's pretend-offended at the comment.]

Hey, I can already make toast! It only took 5 tries for me to learn how to use the toaster in communal housing.

[It's a true story. We're lucky the building didn't burn down. But in the end, Magnus had some great toast.]

Y'know, I'm having a lot of fun. Is this something we do often? You and me, and whoever else we hang out with... Whenever we knew each other.

[spellslots]

Well, shit, five tries is pretty good, there were a few dipshits when I was staying there that couldn't even manage that.

[He's not sure how to answer that question, so he buys himself some time whole he gets the vodka from the freezer. But he can't put it off forever.]

Kinda, I mean, we work together? But we also live together basically, so yeah, we hang out a lot. Mostly it's just you, me a d Merle these days.

[ohhmrburnsides]

[At this point Magnus is actually pretty comfortable talking about his hypothetical past-or-future-or-something now. He's still not sure whether he believes it, but now he kinda wants to. He leans into the counter in interest, standing out of the way of Taako's cooking space.]

So we were roommates? Does that mean I got to eat your cooking all the time?

[A chuckle. He doesn't recognize Merle's name, but he's not sure whether he should get into that right now.]

[spellslots]

I didn't-- [Taako has to pause for a second, not because he doesn't know how to answer, but because the words sit too heavy in his chest.] I didn't cook for a while. For a long time.

[He was never really sure how much Magnus and Merle knew, about Glamorsprings, but neither of them pushed it and that was enough for him.]

But I taught you a little, like, some baking and shit. In the last couple months before I showed up here.

[After Refuge, after some of his guilt was washed away.]

(ouch)

[ohhmrburnsides]

[He can tell that's not a path he needs to walk down right now. He lets Taako shift the conversation.]

That sounds like fun. I probably need to re-learn some of that.

[...Hoooopefully the conversation will pick back up once the food is done. It's cool. It's cool.]

ur welcome

[spellslots]

[It's fine, Taako is nothing if not capable of shoving his emotions down in order to have a Good Time.]

Fair warning, you're terrible at anything involving icing.

[Magnus is good with woodwork, but icing is a little bit too delicate for him, which is why Taako would usually take over for that part.]

Hey, I know we've already got booze in the sauce, but do you want a glass of wine or a beer or whatever? We've got a lot.

[That probably doesn't say the greatest things about the group of them, but, well. It's been a rough few months.]

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Magnus considers the thing about the icing, and shrugs.]

Sounds about right, honestly.

[It's been a while since Magnus has been boozy, and maybe it says something about him, too, when he gets excited to hear about it.]

You know, I'd love a beer.

[Maybe he'll ask for something harder on another day when he and Taako know each other better.]

[spellslots]

Help yourself, bubbale, there's a few different kinds in the fridge that I think were my ex's, so the sooner they're gone the better.

[He keeps his tone light, playing up the whole "get rid of the ex's stuff" stereotype, but there's nothing in his expression that suggests it actually bothers him.]

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Taako's ex isn't a subject he wants to push, but he is mildly interested... for whatever reason. He picks the most hipstery bullshit beer he can find from the fridge and twists it open.]

If drinking up your booze will make you feel better, I will gladly make that sacrifice.

[spellslots]

[Eddie is into craft beers so it is, in fact, hipstery bullshit beer.]

Oh, yup, you're really taking one for the team here.

[He turns away from the stovetop long enough to wink at Magnus, then picks up the pot and dances his way over to the sink to strain the pasta.]

Annnnnd we're nearly ready. Wanna get some dishes for us? Top cabinets, three left from the fridge.

[ohhmrburnsides]

Sure thing!

[After a swig, he sets his drink on the counter to retrieve the dishes as per Taako's request.]

Hey—thanks for doing this, by the way. I don't remember whether I thanked you yet.

[spellslots]

[It doesn't take too long to plate up some pasta, pour the sauce over and top it off with some pecorino because he's a fancy boy.

He hands one plate to Magnus, then heads over to the table, claiming a seat amongst the (slight) mess of papers and trinkets.]

No thanks needed, this is totally a fair exchange as long as you gimme plenty of compliments.

[That's how this works.]

[ohhmrburnsides]

[As he finds himself a spot at the table, he grins. He's already used to Taako's sense of humor.]

You got it. Hey, Taako, you've got nice hair.

[He knows Taako is talking about the food. It's meant to come off as a joke more than anything. He blows on a forkfull of pasta to cool it down, then takes a bite.]

Oh, shit. Wow. God damn.

[He's like, staring at his fork inquisitively, like, how did all that flavor get onto this little thing.]

[spellslots]

[Taako does a little Marcia Brady hair flick at that compliment, because even if it was a joke, he'll still absolutely take that compliment.

He'll also take the unspoken compliment about the food, laughing a little at Magnus's reaction.]

This isn't even my A game, I'm gonna knock your socks off when I break out the big guns.