driftfleet | dreams in digital

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dreams in digital

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Lup

(last updated: 1/21/19)

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[When she startles, he almost withdraws quick as anything. But she catches him and he feels her hand in his, calming the rapid whiplash of fear that runs through him. He wouldn't blame her if she was upset that he'd forgotten. Maybe it isn't his fault, but he'd been less than kind toward her when he hadn't remembered her. If she held that against him, he'd be..well, he'd suffer through it. She'd suffered enough. They both had.]

I know.

[Now that he remembers her, he knows she'd never have left him on purpose. It doesn't take the sting out of her skipping out on a lone side mission and utterly beefing it, but he knows it wasn't on purpose.

He gives her hand a squeeze back.]

It's- I know. You got trapped and I can't-- [He sucks in a breath, running his free hand through his hair.] I can't even begin to imagine what it, uh, it was like.

[And shit how is he ever going to tell Barry about-- Wait. Taako's brain short circuits suddenly as he tries to reconcile what he knows - Barry is a lich and a necromancer - with what else he knows - he totally saw Barry get flattened by Gundumbo or whatever Merle's cousin's name was.

Oh shit. He freezes as he realizes he can't tell which one is right. Is it that Barry is dead? Or has Barry always been dead and just semi-alive? Shit. Shit. This is important. Barry is important to Lup, and begrudgingly important to him? He can't-- remember.

He needs to say something reassuring though and so he squeezes Lup's hand. Has he already done that? He can't-- remember? Nope, clamp down on that panic and shove it far far away.]

It's fine now. You're here and I'm here and whatever Fisher's voidfish bullshit is, it can't touch us anymore.

[At his comment about the experience in the staff, her eyes dart past him, towards the curtained doorway; her ears flatten back against her head and she quickly looks away again.]

Yeah, it... sucked. [She struggles with that feeling for a moment before forcing her way past it, wrestling with a smile.] But you made the last year pretty entertaining, at least!

[And that, at least, is only halfway untrue. She'd hated being stuck of course, unable to do much besides casting the occasional spell or bouncing his way, and she'd fretted every time they struggled in battle, but it'd been fun sometimes, too. Getting to see how the world had changed with the knowledge of their relics gone, seeing all of her friends again in some form or another, traveling like real adventurers again after so long... it'd sure as hell been better than sitting alone and lost in a cave.]

And... yeah. We've got each other again, now. I'm free, you're back. [She leans in, her smile shifting to be more genuine this time, bumping her head against his.] Never again. We'll never let this happen again.

[He sees her gaze shift, but doesn't follow after. Whatever it is she's seen, she doesn't need another reminder of it and bringing the conversation around to "Hey so what was it like being trapped in a vore umbrella of your own creation?" isn't exactly prime reunion material.

Instead, he bumps his head against hers in response and huffs.]

Yeah, I'm not gonna- I'm not gonna let them take you from me again.

[Whether it be the Atroma, Fisher, Lucretia or anyone else, he'll fight anyone who tries to take Lup from him again. This is the first time he's felt whole for as long as his scattered brain can remember. There are two sets of memories now, one that he can tell is false and one that is very real, all jumbled up together except for one very important thing: Lup is here again. He can hold onto her and hear her voice and understand why he's been drawn to her all this time.

And there's something else important, too. A very pressing question that Taako has to ask, so he pulls back a little and eyes his sister.]

...Were you watching the entire year I had the staff?

[Her brow quirks, and she leans back with both hands against the counter, stretching out a bit. Now that they've found some equilibrium again, she feels safer, more secure with him than she's been in months. It's... really nice to relax. To not have to think twice or mince words. He knows her now, and even if he's struggling with it still, she trusts him not to bail on her if she says the wrong thing.

...Assuming he can even get out of here, since there doesn't appear to be an exit right now. And isn't that the very peak of irony, considering the conversation.]

Uh, yeah, dude? What else was I gonna do in there? If I wasn't already dead I'd have expired from sheer boredom in there waiting for somebody to find me.

I dunno? Give your brainwashed brother some privacy?

[Because uh, he's pretty sure he took the Umbra Staff with him wherever he went, including to the showers when he lived in the communal dorms with Pringles. He hadn't trusted that stoner weirdo not to hook the staff up and try to distill something inside it.

Also? A sudden realization hits him and he drags his hands down his face.]

Holy shit, Lup, you almost shot Kravitz on our first date. He's hot! How could you almost ruin my chances?

Ewww, I didn't watch you yankin' it, bro, I'm not into that. I did look away, but it's not my fault you carried the staff all over the place!

[At the mention of Kravitz - that unfortunate incident - she feels a flare of defensive embarrassment, cheeks burning more red than they'd been from his first comment.]

He was talking about hunting down a lich, come on! And he'd tried to kill you the last time you guys met, remember?

I'm in hell. This must be hell.

[He dramatically presses his hands to his ears, trying to forget that she just talked about him and yanking it in the same sentence. He might be better now that he remembers her, but that? That is NOT a thing he ever wants to hear his sister talking about. Nope no thank you, Lup.]

And it's not his fault his job includes that shit. Besides, it's fine now, isn't it? You guys seem fine with each other so it can't be that big of a deal. Also, like 99% of my interactions with anyone in the world is "they tried to kill you once," so that's not exactly a great metric for ruling people out.

[Yeah, and she's happier not thinking about it either, so let's just pretend that conversation never happened. She huffs, reaching a hand out to tug playfully at his ear.]

Yeah, yeah. We, uh, talked it out already. He was actually pretty cool about it? He's even fine about my being, y'know, Ghosty-McSpook, and that's weird, but I'm not gonna complain.

[He flicks his ear back and looks offended, batting at her hand like he always did when they were kids. It's familiar and it warms his heart, even if it's on a subject that he really wishes he didn't have to think about. Ever. Again.]

Yeah, see? He's not actually that bad. Once you get past the stupid accents and the fact that he's a massive nerd and the whole-- okay, no the Skeletor thing he does is actually kind of cool, but he's still a gigantic nerd.

But uh...how're you two getting along otherwise? 'Cause...uh. [Shit, he used to tease Lup about Barold all the fucking time once he knew Barry had a crush on Lup. And when he knew the opposite was true, too? He'd spent for-fucking-ever trying to get them together. It'd been infuriating but necessary as they both tiptoed around each other until they finally worked their shit out. Taako had listened to both of them over their long journey, especially Lup, as they worked their feelings out, and now?

Fuck, he actually had someone he cared about as more than a casual hook-up and talking about it to Lup was entirely not his usual playing field.] Yanno. I don't want him to suddenly switch it up and drag your ass to ghost jail. That'd be super uncool.

He's... fine. He said we made a deal or something, but I don't...

[She trails off and tilts her head, internally picking out all the little hints and signs Taako is showing about what's going on in his head right now. It's easier than it was before, mostly because he's her Taako again but also because he's in her mind to begin with, or heart or soul or whatever this is supposed to represent. She can feel it out, and it's signs she's already come to recognize during her time as their unwilling third wheel in the months they'd been dating back on Faerun. It's like deja vu now- Kravitz has been around long enough that they've gone on a few dates, right? Surely they have, by now. And it hadn't taken them very long to be awfully smitten with one another. She knows that look.

...ah... she'd done this, too. With him. It'd been so long since either of them were really serious about anyone, rather than just having a casual fling, so the prospect of getting the twin's approval hadn't really come up before. And then along came Barry.

Taako... he'd been so supportive of them, the whole time. Without the jealous fits, sulking, or arguing she'd worried might come if he thought his importance in her life was ever threatened. On the contrary, Barry had told her that Taako had actively encouraged it. And yeah, it'd taken them a long time, but that was their failing and no one else's. He'd only wanted her to be happy.

Her smile softens, and she reaches out to lace their hands together. It's hard to stop from touching him, now that he's letting her.]

...That night, when I got drunk... I pretty much did freeze myself to a park bench. Would've been there all night, but Kravitz found me. It was like 3AM and he flew down, carried me back to his ship and got me all bundled up, let me sleep it off on the couch. He doesn't even know me, and I was kind of a dick to him when we first met, and he still did all that. [She gives his hand a squeeze.] He's a great guy, Taako. I think we're good.

Oh shit, for real?

[Shit. Shit, he hadn't been there for her. If Lup had gotten sick or actually died from the cold on that bench, he never would have forgiven himself. Especially since he didn't remember and especially since he specfically had said "don't freeze to death," and then she almost did.

And Kravitz? Hadn't said a word. He'd taken care of Lup and kept her safe for him - and honestly, for Lup's own sake probably - and had been... Hot damn. Taako smiles a little at the thought of it and again at Lup lacing their hands together, giving his a squeeze. It's such a relief to know that Lup is safe with him, that Kravitz takes care of her even when Taako can't, and that Lup...approves? In a weird way?

He squeezes her hand back and nods.]

Good because I dunno if I got enough magic to, y'know, fight Death for your lichy ass. No matter how much I love my sister, I'm pretty sure his stats are higher'n mine.

[Not that he wouldn't try, of course. He'd turn the world upside down for Lup or die trying.]

[His words - that he loves her - warms her to the core, and she revels in it for a long moment. This is all that she's wanted for so, so long now. The freedom to be with him and not worry what she's allowed to say or do, the right to touch and tease and just be without hesitation. The knowledge that she could talk about everything that's happened, even if she won't. And she won't because she doesn't want to, and would hate to spoil the mood, not because she'd just be spewing static or scaring him off.

It's … liberating. A huge burden lifted right off her shoulders.]

Don't worry, I could totally still kick his ass. But yeah, it's… weird. I think we're actually pretty safe with him. [Her expression shifts, turning sly.] He's really got it bad for you, y'know.

[It's ironic that they're safer with Death than they've been with anyone before. Taako himself isn't quite sure how he feels about that yet either. He knows he has Feelings™ for Kravitz and knows that if Lup had hated him, he would have dropped him like a hot stone (ice stone???) no matter how much it hurt him, but he's not sure what those feelings are yet. It's good though. It's good that she approves and that they get along. It removes one big thorn in his side, one big obstacle to him actually thinking about whatever it was that was happening between the two of them.

Doesn't mean he's ready to think about it though.

Which is why when she teases him about Kravitz having it hot for him, Taako's ears flick back and tinge red before he scoffs and waves a hand.]

No shit. Anyone would be lucky to get an audience with Taako. I'm the hottest snack on the market.

[She laughs, at his embarrassed dismissal, at the absurdity of this whole conversation, at... being able to laugh again. It feels like it's been too long since it was this genuine.]

Right? What goddamn catches we are. I'm glad he's here, though. Mags, too. We've got some support now.

[That'd been crucial for them both, she knows. For Taako, who trusts no one, to have Magnus around who has a history with him beyond the memories he's lost, and to have Kravitz who is a new connection coaxing him out of that seemingly uncrackable shell. And for her, who felt lost and alone and forgotten even with Taako right in front of her, to finally have people around to help validate her existence and keep her stable. They'd made a huge difference even in such a short time.]

Fuck, yeah, right? Like we were only talking about having a meatshield for what? How many months? Before that big lug decided to show up?

[It was good to have him here, even if... Taako's smile falters and his ears dip backwards as he remembers their conversation on the planet. Magnus was from the future and he knew more than he could say. A lot of what came out of his mouth had been static and Taako had snapped at him. Normally, he would have brushed it off, but Magnus had seemed lost and confused and hurt.

He could only imagine how much worse it was for Lup.

Which is why he couldn't let it bother her now. Taako's quick to recover and force his body into a more natural relaxed pose, throwing an arm around Lup to grab her into a headlock.]

But that doesn't mean you can go do stupid shit now, mkay? I know one of us is dumb, but at least one of us has to be smart.

Heyyy, leggo. [She wriggles against him, poking at his side to try and tickle her way out of the headlock.] I'm not doing anything dumb! Who's the one who already blew himself up, huh?

[She learned her lesson! She's not going to run off alone again and act recklessly! Not if she can help it, anyway. These things do happen if it ends up necessary for them to move forward.]

Exactly!

[He dances way from her hands, but keeps his grip on her head, going for a noogie.]

I already have a monopoly on being the dumb twin for awhile, so you have to be the smart one. Got it?

I'm always the smart one!

[And ooh, it's like that, is it? Now that he's started the war, she isn't afraid to fight back. She chases him as he moves, her hands darting forward all the spots she grew up learning to target, where he's ticklish or where to get him squirming. By keeping his hold on her, that means he's still within range of her retaliation. This is a dance they both know well, even if for ten years she'd lost him and he forgot- it's practically muscle memory by now.]

Hardly. I just let you be smarter sometimes so you don't whine about it!

[He dodges as well as he can without letting go of her, giving her a merciless noogie while she pokes and hits every single godsdamn ticklish spot he has. This is a battle of wills though! And he is the better twin! He can PERSEVERE. He will SUCCEED.

Taako bites his lip and flicks the tip of her right ear, trying not to laugh.]

[The ear! He should know better. Well, two can play at that game, and she's not as afraid of getting grossed out as he is- nor is she interested in giving up, either. While she continues to poke and prod at the tickly bits of his stomach, she sticks her finger in her mouth and goes for his ear in return. Wet Willy time!!]

OH GROSS!

[The second he feels something wet touch his ear, he lets go. He really should have known better - going for the gross shit is basically her MO - but still! He dances away, swatting at his ear, trying to clear it of both the feeling and the wetness, rubbing his arm against it frantically.]

That's nasty, Lulu!

[She dissolves into giggles at once, edging towards him with her damp finger still lifted.]

Ain't no rules in this game, babe.

There's always the rule of don't get your gross spit on your brother!

[He dodges back, running to the other side of the counter as if that'll keep her away.]

I swear to all the gods, Lup! [He points to the board on the wall, the one that lists all their death counts]

If you touch me with your gross finger again, I'll add one to your death count!

You can't kill me here, dingus!

[She circles around the table to try and ambush him on the other side.]

Anyway, even if you could I'd just go lich mode, and then I could poke my fingers through you... ooh, bet that feels weird.

Don't. You. Dare.

[If these weird mind zones are like Parlay, then he can be killed and Taako is not about that un-life at all. He flips her a double bird with both hands and starts dancing from foot to foot, trying to figure out which way she's going to come at him.]

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