nonscriptum | hadriel { ic inbox }

[He clicks his tongue as he thinks about it, arranging the pieces in his head.]

So, like... what? Are we gonna do something about it? You think this guy is public enemy number one now or something?

[He doesn't tend to defer opinions, but he's pretty neutral on this experience. The shards aren't something he incredibly cares about, so we'll see where he gets with this.]

Law sounded like he was fine just handing them over. But you sound worried about somethin' now.

What? No, he's not a bad guy, he's just kind of an asshole.

[By no means does Nate think that Law intends to up and murder people with the shards, but he definitely doesn't believe the captain's intentions are altruistic. It's also understandable that he intends to put himself - and therefore, an escape - first, because isn't that kind of a pirate thing? They weren't exactly known for being charitable.

He's a little bit of a jerk, but then, who among them isn't?]

I'm more worried about Caedra. She's probably still pissed that the gods downgraded her powers.

[He just shrugs. Being kind of an asshole is basically everyone he knows' M.O. It's the next bit that gets him. So much so that after Nate says it, the line goes silent for a moment before he speaks again.]

Uhmmm, Natey-boy? Pleeeease hold that thought.

[At which point he puts his phone down, races into the kitchen, picks up a cup fo tea and a cookie and comes back. The whole ordeal only takes about a minute.]

Alright, I am all set up for this shit. Don't hold back. I gotta hear everything. They did what now and why?

[The odd silence and the subsequent tone - like an old lady in the fish market looking for gossip - suggests that not only is this something Taako was not aware of, nut that he desperately wants to know. When he returns with a drink the visual almost makes Nate laugh.]

...okay, this- [He sighs, even if the smile that accompanies it borders on a grimace.] This is actually confidential shit, Taako. As in, if it gets out, I will die. Probably very slowly, and very painfully.

[The stress in his voice conveys the sincerity he is trying to impress upon his friend, if only because Nate is actively acknowledging the stakes.]

This can't get further than- you, and maybe Lup.

[Of course he desperately wants to know. This sounds fucking incredible. He's leaning back, dipping some sort of biscotti-looking item in his cup and stirring, looking intently at Nate as he starts to squirm. He brings it out as he gestures, flicking some tea with it.]

Nate, you do realize Lup and I are like, stupid powerful, right? Like can take out a city block and all it's inhabitants in 15 seconds powerful. If someone's fucking with you you can just like, say it, and we can kill them.

[He munches on the end of the cookie, continuing to talk with his mouth full.]

Like Lup's probs gonna find out but seriously, you're underutilizing a resource here.

[Nate appreciates that there are people in this world who would be more than happy to decimate a city block for him, but precedent has shown that he is accident-prone enough to achieve that kind of urban devastation on his own. It's the thought that counts, even if he isn't partial to friends putting themselves in danger on his behalf.]

All right, all right.

[He could probably stand to share the information in the event he disappears and his mutilated body is found on a beach, or something.]

...Back when Caedra first showed up and started- y'know, killing and maiming people, I kind of figured I wasn't in a position to help out no matter how much weird crap I've seen.

[Serbian warlords imbibing preternatural tree sap and gaining super strength? Sure. Actual demons? Nah.]

So, I went to one of the gods, told them it was in their best interest to keep their energy stocks alive and not trapped in a shitstorm of demonic rage, and suggested they...tone her down a little. Make her effectively human, in terms of what she can withstand. Knowing she's not invulnerable would keep her from going on the rampage again.

[Does it really count as danger if it's 3 lv 16 wizards and potentially a 14/2 fighter/rouge against one cr20 beast? Does it really? Taako would argue it doesn't. That's a lot coming from a guy who won't spend a night in a bedroom with Peanut.

He listens and doesn't interrupt though, making mental note of oh, those were the demons huh and god Nate you beautiful fucking moron as he sips a bit more of his drink. Leave it to the hero types to put themselves on the line like that for the greater good.]

Sooo she found out and it painted a great big target on your back? Or she doesn't know it was you and that's the biz? Also, uh, quick q, the liches can just do that?

[That's at least 20% uncomfortable.]

And like, I really hate that I have to say this, but saying 'I couldn't do anything' and 'then I did something' in the same breath is why you keep getting into this shit.

No! No, Jesus, she doesn't know. If she did, do you really think I'd be alive right now?

[Rhetorical question. Nate is certain that Taako is familiar with vengeful entities, even while not knowing the specifics of his many adventures. Though now that he ruminates on it, he wouldn't put it past Caedra to keep him alive for a long, excruciating time. She'd want to wring as much "fun" from him as possible before letting him expire.

The criticism feels unwarranted from Taako. Nate knows that what he did wasn't smart, but it was the only play that's been effective - if not instrumental - in keeping Caedra from setting Hadriel on fire again.]

And what was I supposed to do, sit there with my thumb up my ass? [The advice is particularly hypocritical based on who it's coming from.] I'm telling you this so if you find my eviscerated body, you'll know who to blame.

[He sort of waves his hand at that, in an 'okay okay' sort of motion, to indicate that he gets what's going on now and what exactly he needs to be keeping secret.]

And what I'm saying is it doesn't have to get that far. If you do somethin' like this just let us know, dude. Keep us in the loop. Trust me, after spending a hundred years chasing Magnus as he tries to fight things way bigger than him I'm good bein' the magic dude on call.

[Which should probably say something that he's comparing Nate to someone he considers family but maybe don't think about that one too hard.]

I'm just sayin'. I get it, you wanna be the hero dude, I can't stop you even if I think it's a bad idea, but like. We can handle that. Y'don't have to spend months double-checking every corner.

I'm not trying to be a hero. [Nate protests, because he's actually sort of offended by the suggestion, and he feels as though it is patently inaccurate.] I just hate doing nothing.

[I hate being useless is what he could say instead, but it shares too much about his current stance on the issue. Wanting fame, fortune, accolades...he grew out of that years ago. He has nothing to prove.

There is another pause as Nate begrudgingly adds:]

...And I'm shit at asking for help.

[Why do you think he's even offering, Nate? Rule one of getting on a job as a street urchin- make yourself valuable. Everyone needs a chef, and if you take on kids, they eat less. People want you when you're useful.

He knows. He really does.]

Pssh, yeah, I know that. But listen, just keep that biz in your back pocket, alright? She comes at you, knows something she shouldn't, put us on the dial. We'll have her down before you even know she's on ya. Trust me, babe. Nothin' we can't handle.

[Taako doesn't think Nate knows enough of him in a fight to know that he always goes away from danger. So he shouldn't catch that Taako being so willing to go towards it for him is something new. Shhhh. It's fine.]

[Unbelievably touched by a gesture and an offer that Nate is sure Taako doesn't want him to point out, he nods quietly and accepts without being a royal shit about it. He believes they're more than capable of handling her even if he hasn't seen the extent of their powers, but in spite of the melodrama the twins tend to low-ball their own skills on the daily.

Maybe to keep people underestimating them. It's not an unlikely strategy.]

Thanks. [He manages, swallowing.] I mean it, seriously.

[See, there we go Nate. Don't make him explain it, just get it. That's a good way to go about things.

Don't make him think about the connection that needed to be there to assume such things. Just. Just don't.]

Yeah, don't worry about it.

[It's not like he cares about you or anything, baka.]

Anyway, I'm gonna keep dunking on this dude. Wanna share answers so we can really flip him out?

hadriel { ic inbox }

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