driftfleet | Libuscha IV System Mingle (no. 1)

[She sticks her tongue out right back at him, giggling between her teeth.]

You were! You were thinking, oh, this sadsack Lup, miserable over not getting to spend more time with the fab and famous Taako, from TV.

Well, everyone who doesn't get to bask in my glory is a sadsack, so yeah, you're not wrong there.

[He uses a Mage Hand to pick up a pillow off a lounge seat nearby and toss it in her direction. Raoul is finished with her nails at least, putting the cap back on polish bottle as he stands up.]

Ack-

[She lifts her drying hand to block the pillow with her palm though with how she's trying to carefully protect the fresh coat it bounces off and fluffs up her hair. She huffs, tilting her head back to brush it against the back of the chair to try and fix it, since she can't just run her fingers through it now.]

Brat. Get your guy to do the topcoat, it should be good by now.

[He sticks his tongue out at her again and tilts his head back, looking at the rack of polish behind them.]

Mmm, yeah, good idea. Raoul?

[The servant has already grabbed the polish bottle and is already back at their side by the time Taako's giving him a command. He holds a hand out and Taako obediently puts his hand forward as Raoul goes to work again.]

But for serious - don't be a sadsack. It's weird.

I'm not a sadsack.

[She shifts in her seat to put the thrown pillow up behind herself, arms slung over the back of the chair, fingers spread to let the nail polish dry in the warm sauna air. Her eyes close as she settles in to relax.]

I'm a fully realized creation, with emotions all my own.

[So, y'know, take that.]

[That line elicits a face from him and he rolls his eyes. She not only has his face, but his lines too? He wasn't even sure anyone but Merle, Magnus and Hurley had been around for that little rant of his, but the echoes of what he said ring in her words. Either she's a phenomenal stalker or the Red Robes were far too invested in his life.

He really hopes they weren't watching him in the bathroom or something.]

Yeah yeah, whatever. Where have I heard that before I wonder.

[It does make him uncomfortable though. Hearing the echo like that. Like the static in his head and the blanks in his memory, it all puts him on edge.

But now isn't the time to think of that. He's in his Pocket Spa, it's time to relax and let someone else paint his nails and then maybe go sit in the sauna until he dies from heat exhaustion because it's better than freezing his ass off on the planet.]

And you looked like a sadsack earlier; just saying.

[She's quiet for a bit, just relaxing in place, humming an acknowledgment that yeah, maybe she was- or maybe she wasn't. Much like him, her willingness to share how she's feeling is often limited to those who are likely to care, and he... isn't always included in that list, now. She's learned that well, and it's something that can only be changed with time. Plus she came here to apologize, not bring him down with her emotional issues. This is spa time, which means relaxation time, which means shut-up-and-don't-be-sad time.

She can do that much, for him. She'd rather have this be one-sided more often than to not have it at all.

Silence doesn't suit them, though, so after a moment she does respond.]

You weren't kidding about this place healing- I feel better already.

[Sometimes the soul needs a bit of healing too, that's all.]

[Things go quiet between them other than Lup's humming and Taako chances closing his eyes, relaxing into the feeling of someone painting his nails. It was a luxury to begin with back home, even getting polish had been hard, and it never stuck around long since he was constantly on the run, constantly fighting. But when he could? Oh, he loved to be pampered.

When she breaks the quiet, he opens one eye to look at her.]

Taako's always right, babe; you should know that by now.

[He lets his head flop back as Raoul works on his hands.]

Ugh, makes me wish I could just sleep in here, but there's no beds. So I guess that's a point in your mystery mansion's favor.

Yeah, but even the mansion only lasts for a day. I could recast it, but I don't want to risk the ire of our craptastic captors finding a way to cut us off from our own temporary planes of existence the way they've cut us off from the rest by abusing it. Plus it's still 7th level- that's a lot of power for a daily self-indulgence, even if it's totally worth it most days.

[It's just that most days she'd rather shoot off a really big fireball than nap in a big fluffy bed. Trading luxury for power is a thing for her.]

I mean.....

[Taako would totally burn a 7th level slot for some godsdamn luxury at his fingertips. He doesn't exactly need to fight for his life here, so while he likes to reserve his heavy hitters just in case, he's also willing to just go all out.]

Why not? It's not like you're losing a spell slot here. And if they couldn't cut us off from our magic when we got here, I doubt they're gonna find a way to do it after we get here.

[He hopes.

Gods, he hopes they don't cut him off from his magic. He needs that shit.]

They can drag us from our reality, so that means they could drag us out of magical dimensions, too- one's a lot easier than the other.

[A high level Dispel could get rid of her mansion, easy. With the power that the Atroma clearly wield? Who knows what they could do to cut them off. Enough of what they do reminds her of the Hunger already, so why not this, as well? It would explain a lot.]

They're calling gods here, and they're cutting people like Kravitz off from other gods. No one's been able to escape them in years, supposedly. I don't want to make my life shittier by pushing my luck too hard or too fast- I know how to play the long game.

[Taako rolls his eyes, but he knows she's right. After getting the Pocket Spa back, he'd tried to stay in it for too long and it had locked him out for a day. He doesn't like that they can just screw with them like this, not with something that should be out of their reach.]

I've got some theories on how they're doing all that shit, but it's all still... [Unsteady. He needs more time, more practice, more magic in order to get it to work right. Lucas had the right idea though, and Belthezar. People have dropped enough hints, had enough time to work on it, that he's picked up the pieces and started jamming them together to make a more cohesive whole.]

In progress, I guess. And the gods they have here - the closest to a god that we know from our world would be that other Death floating around. But even he's more grounded in reality than say, Istus or the Raven Queen. Now, if the Atroma could pull either of them in here, then I'd be worried.

But they can't. They can only block 'em out and try to keep us from accessing their power again.

Or that's just what they want us to think. I don't like how little we know about them, or what they're capable of.

[Who's to say they can't bring other gods in- maybe they just won't for whatever reason. Maybe they can only hold so many at a time, or they'd be an ill-fitted match for whatever dumb dramatic "show" they're running. Maybe gods are so insignificant compared to their power that they're no more or less special than your average Joe. Too many variables, too many unanswered questions.

She's still itching to pick Taako's brain on what he's planning, but it hadn't gotten her anywhere last time, and despite her offer he hasn't hit her up on the private network, either. As annoying as it is, they're not the same level of collaborators that she's used to. Another roadblock that will probably take a long time to overcome.

Uuuuugh, she's tired of being patient, though. She waited ten years for this shit already.]

Just... be careful, is all I'm saying. Don't underestimate them by making assumptions.

Or maybe you're super overthinking shit and we're just a distraction for whatever thing they're actually planning.

[Since the 'reality show' part of this whole thing might be a ruse, the Fleet might just be the bumbling curtain that the Atroma use to hide behind. It'd be effective, that's for certain. Everyone focused on getting out and not on what their kidnappers were doing if not broadcasting them all over space and earning cash that way. The appearance of cargo to be shipped that didn't seem to do a whole fucking lot was just another piece of a puzzle he had no idea about.

Annoying, but less important than getting free.]

And when am I not careful? Taako's done dying, thanks. I did it mooore than enough in Refuge. It's old news and boring.

[It's Lup's turn to roll her eyes, because she knows Taako's pretty damned inconsistent when it comes to preserving his own life. One moment he's standing by and letting whatever happen to whomever, the next he's neck-deep in trouble firing spells off to save the day. He talks a good game but there are a few people now that he won't just abandon to die, and she's grateful for his growth but at the same time it's hard to think about. Especially here, with fewer people around to watch his back.

Really wishing that protection fighter of theirs was here.]

So long as you don't get yourself killed, then fine, plot away. But you don't have to do it all yourself.

[He blows a raspberry, giving her a thumbs down. The last thing Taako expects is to get himself killed. He's taking all the right precautions, testing the spell out in smaller doses, finding places where there's little chance of collateral damage to himself or others, checking and rechecking, adjusting and readjusting everything he can about it until now when he's fairly certain with a clear mind and a clear goal, he just might stand a chance.

It isn't about getting himself through. All he has to do is get a message out, get some small thread of power from their world in, give the Raven Queen or Istus or Angus enough of a hint to let them know that they're missing. Fate said doesn't like to interfere with the lives of mortals, but Taako has a feeling it's a load of bunk and she'd slap some divine punishment down if it came to it. These Atroma were seriously fucking with the threads of Fate in a way that even she has to take offense to, right?

But just in case? He can't let anyone else in on this. If anyone is going to fail and take the brunt of the consequences, it has to be him. He has to give the rest of them a chance.

And a hint of what to do if he isn't strong enough.]

Never said I'm doing it on my lonesome.

[Raoul finishes with Taako's nails and wanders off to get a clear topcoat to seal them, while Taako inspects his handiwork. He keeps his voice light, even though this is the one thing that worries him more than anything.]

We're not the only ones looking into ways to break through the planes here. But letting anyone in on the secrets apparently gets them whisked away by the Atroma - not sure if it's home or somewhere else though. That dude that runs around with a bag on his head? Yeah, he's told me some interesting shit. So has Belth. But letting anyone know could mean one or both or all of you suddenly go poof.

[Lup included. And even if he was pissed at her, he didn't want her to just disappear for whatever reason.]

So? Better just not to talk about it.

[Lup listens as he speaks, watching him thoughtfully and trying not to let her emotions show. Taako's usually better at this than she is, but it's mostly that she's ill-practiced doing it around him in particular. What he's saying is worrisome, and an aspect of this place that she hadn't heard about yet, but it makes sense that there'd be failsafes somewhere. Threats that would disrupt the natural order of things - or whatever counts as natural to the Atroma, anyway - have to be dealt with, or the fleet wouldn't have existed in this way for so long. The thought of Taako trying to take that on alone, or with strangers that she's not familiar with, and not her? It's scary. She hates it. She'd rather be stuck in the umbrella again than lose him like that. The tales of a return from the dead in this place is still just that- a story, unverified in her eyes.

Whatever's going on, it's risky, she can feel it in her gut.

But she can't do squat unless he tells her, so at last she exhales an annoyed huff, rolling over in her chair to sprawl backwards so her legs can bend up against the headrest, pillowing her head on her arms as she watches the polish dry on her nails. Her legs kick slowly and absently, unable (or unwilling) to sit still.]

Use your fingers then, doofus, not your mouth.

[And that secret network they worked their asses off to set up.]

[Any collaborators, Lup; any of them were in the cross-hairs. He could live without the paper bag dude or even little Belth, but Lup? Kravitz? No. He might be miffed, but he didn't want her sucked into a vacuum or locked up somewhere alone.

It's not his responsibility maybe? But he doesn't need that guilt on his hands.

So Taako shrugs as she admonishes him, huffy and fidgeting. He blows on his nails and crosses his legs, waiting.]

Eh, maybe when it's closer to getting done and I need someone to look it over. Right now? It's just such a pain in the ass to write it all out.

[He'd send her the information later, once he was certain. Once he had a way out or if he failed and needed someone to continue his work. He could make it look like it was just a mistake of power, not an escape attempt if he was smart about it.

He doesn't know why he cares, but he does. Must be Magnus and Merle's fault, honestly. Those jackasses should have known not to leave him alone.]

I'll get to it. Eventually.

I hope you mean that.

[That's all she's going to say about it, though. Taako's not going to change his mind or his behaviour by being nagged into it, she knows that well. Plus she doesn't want to nag him. She's his sister, not his mom. It would be pointless to press further, much as she's itching to know what he's up to. She has no real choice but to trust him until he's willing to let her in.]

...Hey, if you could have any spell charged into your focus, what would you pick?

[He waves a hand dismissively and Raoul comes back, standing in front of Lup. He has a clear topcoat to finish off her nails now.]

Shit, Lup - any spell? That's a big ol' list there. Any parameter you can give me or is this a "Go big or go home, loser" sitch?

[Lup offers her hand out to him, ready and waiting with dry nails.]

Mmm... well, the bigger the spell, the longer it takes, and the less often it can be used. 1st level spells get multiple charges, but a big one can only be used once a day. I'd say anything 4th level or under would be doable. ...Theoretically speaking.

[And the servant mechanically starts applying the topcoat, oblivious to the conversation happening around him.

Taako rolls his head back, staring up at the ceiling as he thinks. 4th or lower being "doable," huh? He has an idea of what she's thinking of doing and while he's loathe to accept help from anyone, this is one thing he might actually be able to use.]

Does it have to be a spell I already know or can I pull something outta my ass?

[a beat]

Theoretically speaking.

[....Welp, that's not exactly what she was going for. She'd honestly been asking for her own sake - now that the Umbra Staff is well and truly out of her hands for good, her plain focus feels kind of beneath her. She still digs the design Taako gave it, though, so rather than replacing it, infusing it with a spell or two is the best solution. She hadn't expected Taako to show any interest in getting enhancements from her of all people... though he hasn't actually said he would take it, yet.

Her brows furrow as she considers the question.]

You can try to pull something out of your ass, but I can't make any promises that it'll happen. Mixing arficing and spell creation is a long, messy business.

[Creating the Umbra Staff had taken her months and months to complete for that reason. The power to absorb a wizard's focus and use it to restore spell slots - and occasionally infuse itself with new spells - was one she'd had to design from scratch. That shit takes time.]

[Time to really think then because having a spell at the ready always in his focus...? Well, that's a big deal. It could be the difference between life and death or winning and losing. It could be defensive or offensive, or just something plain old useful.

He rolls his head side to side as he thinks, listening to the sound of his earrings clinking softly against the back of the chair.]

Fiiiine. Offensive? Go with something like Fireball or Scorching Ray. Defensive? Nothing beats the sheer shock that goes through a crowd with Shatter. Or Fire Shield or Stoneskin if you didn't want to mess with the components anymore. But for fun? Fucking Evard's for sure. Who doesn't want to just tentacle some jackass at the wave of your hand?

[Her lips curve into a smirk. Yeah, she should have expected that last one. He does so love those tentacles... not that she can blame him. It's a damn good spell, fun to cast and funny to see the results of. That one is tempting, but definitely more Taako's style than hers. She prefers the instant gratification magic more than the slow burn.

Scorching Ray, though... that one's got potential.]

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't. I do still have plenty of dried tentacle left... yeah, I'll consider it.

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