driftfleet | Libuscha IV System Mingle (no. 1)

[Thor has to wonder about that. If Taako's missing memories, and Lup is who he thinks she is, then maybe that isn't true at all. It's not for him to say though, not in a moment like this.

He does have to cock his head to the side though, raising his eyebrows.]

Mortal enemies sounds pretty strong for someone you don't know.

More like her organization and mine are at odds. Me personally? Don't give a shit? But the person I work for said they're dangerous and kiiiinda responsible for a lot of bad shit that happened in the world. We're not supposed to talk to them, but?

[Taako grimaced as he thought about the Director. The fact that only the Bureau had access to the Voidfish, that there weren't supposed to be any other ones, that he was supposed to be inoculated - it all came around to a big ol' ball of suspicion landing squarely in Taako's court. He was already a fairly paranoid person to begin with, but he didn't like that he had to be suspicious of Lucretia and the BoB. They'd given him a home for the first time in years. They gave him money. They gave him a purpose.

And if it was all a lie? He was going to have a hell of a time ever trusting anyone again.]

Ch' boy Taako's never been good at following the rules.

[He laughs but there's barely any hint of mirth in it.]

For whatever good it's done me. She's pissed at me for not remembering, I'm pissed at her for being angry at me. It's probably pretty much over.

Oh, I don't know. [He isn't aiming to sound dismissive, just thoughtful. Ironically Thor has a perspective on this that most people wouldn't understand.] I've had someone consider me their enemy before and still turned it around.

[Thor and Loki had absolutely hated each other for a span, papering anger over their hurts and betrayals. He's not one to speak for Taako's situation, but in his opinion? Nothing's insurmountable.]

Also I've committed treason before so sometimes rules just have to be stepped around, I think. If there are more important things to do.

Yeah but.

[Taako motions at Thor - at all of him.]

Kinda hard to stay mad at a pretty mug like that. I may be the most beautiful thing in the room, but I know I can be a total asshole when I wanna be. Which, honestly, is most of the time because I don't give a shit about anyone but me. Gotta look out for numero uno after all.

[Because there's only been one person he could reliably, well, rely on for over 100 years and that was himself. That wasn't something that was going to change, no matter how much Lup or others pushed or prodded.]

But treason? For real? Like, that? Is a story you shoulda told me, my man. That sounds interesting as--

[There is a sudden burst of light and Taako jumps as a crystal bursts and drops something not but a few feet away. Lightning quick, Taako is behind Thor in case there's something about to attack. When the light fades, there's nothing but a piece of worn looking canvas fabric though and Taako gingerly steps out from behind to eye it cautiously.]

So....you get a helmet and I get...fabric? Cheapskate tree.

[He looks vaguely contrite at the interest, scratching at his beard.]

Well, I can, but it takes a bit of telling--

[Only to get interrupted by a flash. Thor turns on his heels, letting Taako duck behind him as he stares at the tree, dimming to its more standard glow. That was more dramatic than the splash of his helmet but Thor has to think - it's the same thing. Watching Taako make his cautious approach, he shifts the helm under his arm and remains ready to act if it turns out to be something more nefarious.

A piece of fabric doesn't seem particularly inclined towards violence, though.]

Are you serious? Maybe it's wrapping something.

[He inches forward and then stops, remembering that he has freaking magic. Why approach a suspicious package when he can just do this?

With a flick of his wrist, he casts Mage Hand. The spectral hand floats over and picks the piece of fabric up by the corner. It falls open and Taako eyes it, standing near Thor just in case.]

Maybe, but--

[Oh.

OH!

In an instant, Taako leaps forward and dismisses the Mage Hand, gathering the canvas up in his hands.]

Oh fucking fuck yes!!! Finally! The stupid tree comes through!

[He whips back and flicks the canvas at the ground where it snaps up into a small tent. He sticks his head inside and whoops with joy, pulling back to give Thor a thumbs up.]

Hey, thanks, my dude. You just got me the greatest godsdamn gift - relaxation.

[Thor doesn't see what the fuss is about, even when the canvas does become a pretty decent tent just from being tossed on the ground. He stares at it for a moment then back to Taako, amused despite himself. Taako's good mood is infectious enough.]

Don't tell me you enjoy camping, because I won't believe it.

I can do camping, just like I do fishing, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it.

[Too many years spent on the road to actually call camping "fun" anymore. But this? This is fun. This is great even. This is the greatest thing ever because now not only does he have a place to relax away from all the yahoos on this fleet, but he has a pocket dimension to store all his shit.]

But this? This is a Pocket Spa, my dude. Mine, in fact, bought and paid for at Fantasy Costco.

And since I couldn't have gotten it without you here to listen to whatever dumbass story this stupid tree wanted, you wanna take a look inside? It's-- [Taako giggles.] --bigger on the inside.

[That sure was a sequence of words.]

And that's good, I take it?

[It has to be, given Taako's obvious delight. Thor shrugs when the elf suggests he have a look inside, because why not. It's a tent, it won't take that long.]

Sure, I'll look. You have me curious.

[Stepping over to the tent Thor pulls back the flap, peering inside.]

See for yourself.

[He holds it open so Thor can look inside and snickers as he sticks his head inside.

The inside of the tent is surprisingly spacious - more so than it should logically be. There's some lounge chairs, a pitcher of cucumber and lemon water with some finger sandwiches wait on a table between them. A hot, steamy bath sits in the middle which makes the atmosphere in here warm and pleasant, a stark contrast to the ice cave outside. In the back a sauna is behind a closed door, and standing unobtrusively to one side is a blank-faced mannequin. Behind it on the wall is a large rack of nail polish bottles in a variety of colors and shades.]

[Well. Now he gets it. Thor blinks around at the incongruously large space, the bath and the general air of 'retreat' written all over it - and laughs. He leans back out of the tent and raises his eyebrows at Taako.]

Definitely not camping. Now I understand why you're pleased. This is yours?

[He drops the flap once Thor backs out and grins, brushing some invisible bit of dirt off his shoulders.]

Mmhm~ Amazing, isn't it? Only the special ones get to come see this place. Normally it's just Taako's little getaway from- [He gestures to everything around them.] -the usual bullshit. But since you helped get this back to me, I could be persuaded to let you waive the entry fee.

Oh, you could? Great! I would like to try that out.

[He's just taking that as a definite invitation. That's surely what Taako is getting at. Thor nudges him with an elbow.]

I am glad you got something worthwhile.

I said maybe. You'll have to convince me you deserve it sometime.

[The nudge nearly pushes him over since he wasn't expecting it and Taako rolls his eyes, shoving back at Thor's affection in his usual catlike way of utterly refusing friendship without actually leaving.]

And yeah, I mean, this stink planet owes me after all the shit I dropped in its stupid lake.

[He did spend any number of trips emptying his pockets into the water after all.]

We'll just have to find sometime or someplace for you to wear your fancy ass helmet, too. Make both of these worthwhile.

Easy. I'll have you convinced within a day or two.

[How? Who knows. His natural presence. That's usually enough for most people. Glancing at the lake, Thor hums with thought.]

I mean, you could go in there and fish them out. They must be on the bottom. [A laugh follows and he shifts the helm under his arm again.] There are enough feasts around here that I'm sure that won't be difficult.

[Taako scoffs, but challenge accepted. He's curious now to see what the god comes up with to convince him.]

Nah, I'm good out here. I've done my nature rolls for today and I'm ready to fuck off back to real society now, thank you very much.

When you find a feast fit for that helmet, you lemme know, mkay? Curious to see what it looks like on you.

I would like to get out of this cave.

[He's spent hours wandering around in here, and there's little point staying now that they've found the tree.]

Of course. I'll let you know at once.

Yep, no problemo, my man. I'm looking forward to it.

[He grins and gives Thor a two-fingered salute.]

Until then? Taako's outsies.

[Then he turns abruptly and disappears into the tent, ready to be warm and away from the tree as soon as possible.]

Libuscha IV System Mingle (no. 1)

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