[april catch-all]

[spellslots]

who: Taako & various
what: What it says on the tin! Assorted threads for April that don't fit anywhere else
when: Aprilllll
where: Your mom's bedroom
warnings: drugs, booze, probably some slightly nsfw content
notes: hmu if you want something

Comments

a very serious thread

[spellslots]

[Taako is drunk. He knows this because he's spent the last couple of minutes trying very hard to remember a particular spell and is utterly failing to do so, which is always a sure sign. Bryn is also drunk, he's pretty sure, considering the way she's half-draped herself across him and keeps missing when she goes to take a sip from the brightly colored straw sticking out of her drink.

It's kind of cute.

They've spent the last twenty minutes trading suggestions of which guys they think are hot, and it's Taako's turn.]

I gotta say, muscles aren't usually my thing, but he's rocking that look.

[Stop talking about Sam that way he's a human being.]

full of gravitas

[inlaid]

[* *

Bryn is definitely drunk. What bare skin is showing (and let's be honest it's more uncovered than covered) is spattered with the powdered drug which makes her a little extra everything. Taako smells nice and his hair is soft which is why she's half draped over him and playing with his hair. While drinking and scoping out men.]

Hmm, who--oh. Yes. [She looks up from chasing her straw with her tongue and catches sigh of Sam.] Muscles are definitely my thing and yes he is working that. You or me?

[Who's calling dibs on first approach?]

one side of very serious beef coming up

[wingedman]

[Sam's dressed relatively simply, in a tank top and jeans, but they cling in a way that's pretty much obscene, especially when he's on the dance floor. Just then, the dance ends, and he happens to glance over his shoulder at Bryn and Taako. There's no question that they're checking him out, and he approaches with a friendly smile.]

So, the two of you together?

[spellslots]

[Would you look at that problem absolutely solving itself thanks to their lack of subtlety.]

She wishes.

[Probably not, Bryn has way better taste.]

What's your name, handsome?

[In an act of absolutely generosity, he reaches across Bryn to pat the empty space beside her, indicating that Sam should take a seat.]

[inlaid]

[Well hello there side of beef. What is subtlety? What is trying to hide that she's checking him out?]

We'd be a pretty power couple, though, you have to admit it.

[The last is to Taako, indicated with a quick glance, but her smile is inviting as he pats the seat for Sam.]

And yes, sit, get cozy, stay a while.

[signifies]

[ At five o'clock sharp Clark locates him near the perimeter. He approaches on foot, wearing a hoodie. If Taako can really hurt him, it's not a good idea to wear the red and blue. Clark wouldn't know how to repair the material if it was damaged. Nobody's around to replace it, too.

He waves to Taako. ]

We can fly there.

[spellslots]

[It's habit, by this point, for Taako to carry the umbra staff, so even if he has no plans to use it today, it's still hooked over the crook of his arm as he waits for Clark. He's dressed down for this, in jeans and a loose blouse, his hair braided tightly back.

He even left the hat behind.]

Hello to you too. [He's just teasing.] Am I getting lift or should I eagle this shit?

[signifies]

I can give you a lift.

[ Bridal style is the optimal carry. Hope you're ready for that, Taako. ]

[spellslots]

Cool, cool, cool, cool, let's do this.

[He's expecting to be tossed over Clark's shoulder (that's how Magnus always hauls him around, aside from the one time Taako asked for a piggy back ride), so bridal style is definitely a bonus.]

Don't tell me you've got some super secret base or something.

[This is what Clark gets for introducing him to comics.]

a space captain and a fantasy wizard walk into a bar

[spellslots]

[Where the bar is actually the forest, within the second barrier but outside the first. Despite some initial hesitation about coming out this far alone, Taako hasn't run into anything that's really worth fussing over, so when he gets bored during the day, off he goes.

Today, he's following the river, having already left an offering for the witch and deciding he might as well keep on in the same direction. Maybe he'll find a good spot to fish, it's been a while since he's had a chance to catch anything, or the abandoned city is somewhere up ahead, and that could also be worth exploring. There's something about the thick forest that feels familiar in a way he can't place, but Taako doesn't put too much thought into it; a sense of familiarity with a strange forest is hardly the weirdest thing he's come across in his life.

The good thing about the river is that there's a lot less hacking through jungle involved, there are animal trails and the growth is thinner near the banks, so he can pick his way through a little more easily. A part of him likes to think that maybe the witch will look out for him if he's close, too, though he doesn't really go in for superstition like that.

Still, he's in a good mood when he stops for a rest, hooking his umbrella over a low hanging branch and leaning against the same tree as he drinks from a metal water bottle (way more convenient than leather flasks).

When he hears movement in the forest nearby, Taako straightens up but doesn't reach for the umbra staff quite yet. It's not loud enough to be a large creature, and the movements sound cautious enough that he suspects it's likely just a person.]

If I'm about to have company, I'd love a heads up!

[He doesn't sound particularly concerned, but also: if there is someone out there he doesn't want them to be startled upon finding him.]

[winscenario]

[ Jim isn't quite as likely to be found at a bar at this time of day. He's had quite a lot of drinking and partying during his first few days here as it is anyway, and right now he's more focused on learning more about the place. The city's straightforward enough; the areas outside the perimeter hold a little more interest, and he at least managed to get a job that allows him to explore as much of it as he pleases.

Right now he's fully equipped to spend some few good hours on his own outside, a backpack full of rations and drinking water in case he can't find a clear stream in the forest, a sheathed dagger tied to his hip just in case, some basic supplies and tools to make do in an emergency, as well as a few maps and a manual compass. As much as he trusts technology, nothing is to say his device might not die on him.

He's also using a small scanner to map out the area, taking notes and pictures as needed, going slow but steady as he maps out the section just outside the perimeter he'd been assigned to. He's perfectly allowed to go beyond it, obviously, but he'll make sure to take down all relevant information first. Not that being prohibited from going any further would stop him.

Out here, he expects wildlife more often than not, and people are a rare sight. Actually it's the first time he runs into anyone in the forest so far, so the voice surprises him more so than any faint rustling coming from outside his line of sight. Still, he doesn't tense up much, especially since the voice sounds far from dangerous or unfriendly. ]

Consider this a heads up!

[ So, you know, please don't shoot him or come at him with a sword or something. Slowly, Jim makes his way through some trees and bushes, until he finally steps out into view. ]

Sorry— didn't mean to startle you.

[spellslots]

[Alright, so it's either a person or a very chatty monster, but he's going to put his money on the latter and lean back against the tree, leaving him looking very nonchalant when Jim comes into view. Taako also isn't noticeably armed, since the umbrella nearby doesn't often get pinged as a weapon (that's the point, of course).

He waves when he sees Jim.]

Hail and well met, my man. [Look. He's from a fantasy world.] And don't sweat it, I'm pretty hard to startle.

[winscenario]

[ Just about anything can be a weapon around here, but Jim approaches this under the assumption that the guy isn't planning on attacking him. Otherwise he probably would have done that already.

He raises an eyebrow at the greeting, smiling faintly in amusement. Some fantasy world, alright. ] Good. I'd hate getting jumped on before I even do anything. [ Not that he's going to do anything, but still. ]

Nice to meet you too. I'm Jim, by the way.

there's an aperture science joke here but i've never actually played portal

[spellslots]

[It takes a little wrangling; mostly just on the timing front, but eventually they work out a time with the authorities to travel to the portal. Clark says he's bringing someone else along, which is fine with Taako, he's not going to turn down extra help to take a look at this thing. That does mean they're likely not flying (a little disappointing) so he asks the guards if they can borrow a vehicle, working on the assumption that Clark or his friend will be able to drive.

He texts a time (mid-morning) and location (the perimeter guard barracks) to Clark, asking him to pass the details on.

Taako gets there way earlier than necessary in order to surprise Bryn at work, but by the designated meeting time rolls around he can be found sitting on the hood of a jeep, his bag and umbra staff on the floor beside a wheel, and his hat firmly on his head.

He's ready to adventure.]

[signifies]

[ Clark is here earlier than the requested time, having sent Peggy the details. He lands next to the jeep, checking their equipment. Clark would be able to drive but prefers not to.

He smiles in a self-deprecating way when he sees Taako looking at the suit and cape. ]

She found out.

[ He's bad at secret identities. At least Taako won't have to lie for him. ]

[mannerism]

She is standing right behind you.

[ and she is dressed in a crisp blue blouse, and a pair of fitted, black trousers. elegant and practical, save for the heels. It's as if she walked out of a vintage catalog with her victory curls and red lipstick. Beneath it all, she's still an English lady and she walks around him, offers Taako a hand. She's not big on jewelry but her nails match her lipstick, the same shade of red. ]

Peggy Carter, nice to meet you.

[spellslots]

You are fucking awful at secrets, my dude.

[Taako gives Clark a consoling pat on the shoulder as slides off the hood of the jeep, just in time to take that offered hand from Peggy, giving it a firm shake.

His nails don't match his lipstick, mostly because he doesn't bother with the latter most the time, and his nails are painted an awful shade of blue that should probably be illegal. No one wants to see what the matching lipstick would look like.]

Taako. It's a pleasure, and I can actually say that sincerely cause I'm seriously digging your look.

[He's wearing the clothes he came in wearing; fantasy leggings(tm), a tunic belted around his waist, knee high boots and the black cloak of the manta ray around his shoulders. It's pretty casual for him, but he was in mission mode when he got dressed so it only seemed fitting.]

[signifies]

[ True to his word, Clark is there in ten minutes. The command key is securely packed into his bag.

He makes a beeline for Taako. ]

Hey.

[spellslots]

[Knowing that a) Clark can find him anywhere and b) Taako has seven other roommates who are in and out all day, he decides to take over the balcony, magically locking the door behind him.

("Real clothes" means a velvet dress and knee-high boots, because apparently the 90s are still cool in Fearun).]

Fancy meeting you here.

[He thinks he's funny.]

[signifies]

[ Clark wears plaid. It's not hard to out-cool him. ]

What light through yonder window breaks?

[spellslots]

I feel like I should be flattered, but I'm not sure why.

[Show him the Baz Lurhman version.]

better red than dead tbh

[spellslots]

[Taako knows that Clark doesn't really spend a lot of time in the communal housing, but someone made way too many macarons that he wants to palm off, so here he is, swanning into the communal space on floor 2. Was the door locked? Does it matter?

But he doesn't see Clark. Instead, he spots Illya and his brief disappoint turns to excitement.]

Alexei, my dude! Long time no see!

[nikolaievich]

[Illya instantly tenses up- even if he's been here for a few weeks now, he still doesn't appreciate being recognized when he knows for a fact no one from his own world is in this place. But he recognizes Taako's voice, so his shoulders relax slightly as he raises at eyebrow at him.]

Not that long, but hello. Were you looking for someone?

[spellslots]

It feels like it's been forever.

[There's a playful wink to go along with that comment, as Taako swans in like he owns the place, coming over to offer the tupperware container of brightly colored macarons to Illya.]

I was, I was, but it's your lucky day instead! Here.

[nikolaievich]

[Illya looks down at the tupperware, then back at Taako with a raised eyebrow.]

Did you make these?