driftfleet | Libuscha IV System Mingle (no. 1)

See? That's why I keep saying we need to put a proper party together. Go spelunking with a meatshield.

[Or, okay, she's maybe said it one time. But that's still at least once!]

At least we're squishy mages with sort of unlimited spell slots, with the way our magic keeps recharging. That's weird, right? I've been casting all day and haven't even thought about sitting down for arcane recovery yet.

Gotta find a good one first. Maybe Thor? Ben maybe, but that dude's kind of a loose cannon. [And he liked to get into fights for funsies. Eugene might be a better choice.]

But I did notice that. Kinda nice to be able to pull whatever shit outta thin air all day long and not feel a lick of exhaustion. [It reminded him of how revitalized he felt after the Umbra Staff ate a defeated magic user's wand. Kinda like a burst of energy, but it never went away.]

Is that why you're flying everywhere like Superwoman?

Hell yeah it is. Why walk when you can fly?

[Lup stretches her arms out, pinwheeling slowly sideways, and tugs her braid up a few inches to lope around her shoulder before the end of it starts to dip into his fishing hole. The downside of having too much hair.]

Dunno who Ben is. I like Thor, though, we could go with that. I was gonna suggest Bull, but all this magic weirdness would probably freak him out, and I'm not about to risk getting my mouth sewn shut.

Yeah, he seems like an okay guy and all for a giant bull-horned dude, but that part? Nooooooo thank you. [The whole squeamish about magic on a planet that is practically singing with magic is probably a bad idea.] Thor's probably the smartest bet. He's used to magic, being a god and all.

And you're gonna have to teach me that spell someday, yanno. [He watches her slide through the air and smirks.] Would make my life hella easier.

[She makes a "hmmm" noise, drumming her fingers thoughtfully against her spellbook. Then she turns in the air once more, arms folded under her chin, his smirk mirrored on her own lips.]

What'll you give me for it?

My undying love and affection.

[He says with an absolute deadpan.

Then he rolls his eyes and tilts his head to one side, bringing his usual flair back to his voice.]

Oooor I'll let you borrow a new pair of red boots I just picked up a day ago. Made for paradin' those things.

[Her brows quirk, immediately intrigued.]

Hmmm... I'll commit to nothing while it's still sight unseen, but you caught my interest. I know your style's on point. ...Alright, you've got a deal. I'll give you a copy for your spellbook when you gimme the boots.

Pfft, my style is the point. Remember? We're emissaries of the fashion gods and all.

[His smile crooks up a little higher and he materializes a quick illusion of them so she knows what's in store. They've got one hell of a heel to them, coming to a nice sharp stiletto point, but they have just the right amount of flair and sturdiness to make them somehow somewhat practical for walking. The red blends from dark to darker like a deep sunset.]

Give me a glimpse now since I gave you one?

[She sets free a soft gasp of delight at the sight of the boots - they look fantastic and she wants them immediately. Maybe not the best boots for this weather, as that heel would be a nightmare in the snow, but indoors, at a nice party, or something like that? Amazing.]

Omigods, I'm sold already! Here-

[She pulls free her spellbook and Mage Hands it down towards him, page open on Fly, so he can see it as it drifts past him. It's not enough to get the whole spell, but it's enough to see a slice of the incantation and that the component aspect is literally just a feather.]

[He quickly dismisses the illusion so he can better concentrate as the book glides past. Not enough that he can get it all in one go, but enough to understand what he needs to have ready. With all his feather boas back at the First Breath, this should be easy-peasy.

Although now he regrets having never bought those Glasses of Lightning Comprehension. He could have snuck the entire spell in one peek if he'd had those babies.]

You should really learn not to doubt my fashion prowess. I'll bring the boots by once I'm done fishing.

[She tucks her book back into her belt with a victorious grin. Sure, he got a spell out of it, and she's just borrowing boots, but she'd probably have given it to him for free if he needed it while she's still trying to bribe her way into his good graces long-term. It's a small price to pay.

...Plus, like. Look at those boots. She's gonna look amazing in them.]

I'll have to find a fittingly rad place to show them off, then. Know of any good parties coming up?

Sure do - I'm catering a wedding between two werewolves. Need some help doing some of the work, but after that it's just a party with a bunch of nerds gettin' happy.

[Weddings were always fun. If not for the drama, then at least for the dancing.]

Unless you want more of a big bangin' style then I'm sure I could drum something up from the locals. They love throwing parties.

[She snorts.]

Are you inviting me to someone else's wedding, my dude?

[It does sound like a good party for kickass dancing boots, though, even if half of it ends up being catering and kitchen work, if that's what he's implying.]

They didn't say I couldn't - and they said I could have "staff" to help.

[So why not? He and Lup cooked together once and they didn't run into each other like most people do when they're sharing a kitchen. It could be useful to have her there.]

Unless you don't want to crash a werewolf wedding with bitchin' boots. In that case I could ask Krav-- [He quickly tacks on another person, floundering for a second as he tries to think up another name] or-- uh -- like Loki or something.

[That was a nat 1 on the recovery. Fuck his life, might as well roll with it.]

Maybe they'd like to take a spin in the kitchen and the dance floor.

[.....

oh

ho

HO

A slow, sly smile crawls across her lips, and she leans in as much as she can in the air, her eyes bright and mischievous, ears quirked skyward.]

I think you should totally invite Kravitz.

[UGGGGGGHHHHHHH

Taako rolls his eyes as she leans in, leaning back away from her. This is the last thing he wanted. He's been careful enough and hadn't told or even mentioned Kravitz to Magnus and Merle (especially not Merle), and yet here he keeps slipping up around her. It's annoying and he blows in her face to get her to move away.]

I need someone who can cook and help me in the kitchen. Can't trust that it'll be him.

[She just keeps on grinning, rolling over slowly to bat her lashes at him upside-down. It's touching for him to imply that he trusts her in the kitchen with him, even if they've cooked together enough for her to already know that, but calling him out will do her no good. At least, not on that part.]

Ooooh, but wouldn't he look so dashing, dressed up all fancy for a shindig? If you need the kitchen help, I'm sure he knows how to stir shit, or move food from tray to plate. Or maybe you could get away with two assistants?

He's always fancy - I don't think he owns anything but his goth accessories and Reaper shit.

[Which is fine by Taako because Kravitz looks hella hot in all that, but sometimes it does make him wonder if the guy knows how to relax.]

And I don't need two assistants. [Even if it would be nice, getting to spend time with Death that didn't involve dying or...you know, having to act like everything is normal when he acts all weird. Sometimes Kravitz just looks sad whenever he looks at Taako, like Taako's done something wrong or said the wrong thing. He doesn't know how to deal with that, so he hasn't been - but that doesn't meant it hasn't been happening.]

Look, do you want to come or not? I'll ask Carl to be prep monkey if you're disinclined.

Booooo, lame. [Lup purses her lips and blows a raspberry at him, but with a shrug she finally relents.] If the other option isn't the Dapper Skullman, then fine, I'll do it. But y'know... if we swap in and out of the kitchen, they might not even notice that there's two of us.

[That's totally a way to sneak two people in, right?]

That's the weird thing - the grooms? They might.

[He wrinkles his nose at the thought of not being able to use the one thing having someone with an identical face is good for.]

They're werewolves. I think they can tell by the smell - which is offensive as fuck until you remember they're part animal. Kinda like how Kova knows whether it's you or me feeding him.

[But he's glad to be on this weirdo subject than the one of his pseudo-sort-of-kinda relationship with Kravitz. It's still up in the air to Taako, even if Kravitz seems like he's already gone all in.]

What the fuck, seriously? Geez, that ruins all of the fun.

[Hopefully they only smell as much as Kova does and not, like... supernatural shit. Or undead shit. Hoo boy.]

Alright, fine. I didn't really want to dress the same or have to explain why we keep switching outfits every ten minutes, so whatever. I'll find myself a sick-ass red dress and you have to dance with me at least once, that's my only condition.

Right?

[He sighs and then sits up suddenly when he notices the end of his fishing rod dipping ever so slightly toward the water. Not a bite, not yet, but something is testing the waters.]

Nothing slow, weird, or sappy - and your dress can't outdo mine or I'll die. I'll die, Lup. Equal levels of awesome, got it?

[She snorts at the very suggestion. A slowdance with her brother at a wedding? Just thinking about it sounds weird. Maybe if it was one of theirs and they knew, but even then, she'd rather do some fabulous choreographed beat, just to show off to everyone.]

I kind of assumed we'd hit equal levels of awesome automatically, but if you wanna go all out, let's go shopping after you're done your fishing trip.

Fair, fair, but I had to make sure.

[The dipping stops and Taako sighs. It's getting past the point where he's going to get any good hits anymore so he pulls the line up and checks it. Yeah, the bait is half gone, but not enough to get to the hook. Little bastards.]

I'm done now if you want. The fish are't biting anymore and the ones I got need to get back on the ice - ironically. Want me to meet you in town once I'm done putting them away?

[She hovers over to the bucket, peering inside with furrowed brows.]

Not much of a catch... maybe the magic in the water makes them smarter than your average trout. Anyway- yeah, I can meet you in town.

[She rolls back over and pulls a scrap of paper free, jotting down a location and passing it his way before kicking off back into the sky.]

I'll be in the area, so toss me a quick Message when you get close.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject