hadriel_logs | [OPEN, MINGLE] 'cause not all who wander are lookin' for the exit

Who: Taako, Lup, perhaps you-- invited or not?
What: Taako's been trying to think of a good way to have a party now that ice hell is over, and the disappearance of his sister's husband and his brother in law sounds like as good a time as any to start denying bad feelings and cheering up his goddamn twin.
Where: Around Horny House, aka Imported House 5-1
When: April 11th
Warnings: Alcohol, food, some stupidity most likely.

The night of the 10th, anyone who's friends Taako or Lup-- especially if you're friends with Lup-- will get a text from Taako. It reads:

hey
come over tomorrow at noon
i took down a totally massive animal and im having a barbecue
also bring a gift for lup
dont tell her dont ask questions dont care what it is just do it
your prize is a significant amount of roasted whateverthefuck that i have tested to be sure it will not kill you
also if you dont show up im going to come get you so see ya then

And sure enough, the next day, behind horny house is a large pit filled with rocks and... something or other spit roasted over it. Whatever it is happens to be very, very big, but you can probably see the smoke before you see the animal. Most of the tables in the house have been dragged out onto the lawn around it, covered in mismatched cups, containers of water and plates of fruit, and something lovingly labelled 'SPACE JUICE (CONTAINS ALCOHOL)' that is being served in a large punch bowl. It's bright blue and smells like lighter fluid, so it's pretty unlikely you needed to be warned that there's alcohol in it. One table simply has a sign that says 'PUT GIFTS HERE', which is pretty self explanatory. There also seems to be music coming from discernibly Somewhere, though it's completely unclear as to where-- seeing as the guy running it is magic, it might actually just be coming from the sun. None of that is especially important right now. What is important is this:

Everyone here is legally required to go care about Lup, or Taako's going to punch you in the head. And not even with magic- just with his little fists. So do it, punk.

OOC: This is a MINGLE LOG- please put up toplevels and tag around! While Taako had people he invited, it's pretty damn easy to see this going down, and if you play by the rules and say nice things to his very sad sister he won't kick you out. Have fun!!!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's not wrong - of course he isn't, when has he ever been wrong about Lup? - it's just that Lup can't quite see exactly what she needs right now. She needs to be surrounded by people, not left to mope around in isolation with only the memories of Barry for company. She needs to be reminded that she's not alone. That there's a whole wide world of people who love her out there.

That she isn't right back to where she started, only the two of them and no one else, that she hasn't regressed back to something awful.

It's just so hard for Lup to see that. Everything feels wrong, she can't quire parse it out.]

They're just gonna say shit. [Of course they will. The rest of the world isn't like the twins, they don't pointedly avoid the things that hurt or make them feel. They frown and they pity and they offer endless apologies. And there's only one thing Lup's sure of right now and that it's she'll lose it big time if anyone says they're sorry about this.]

You know they're just gonna look at me like - [she raises a hand and makes a vague motion in front of her face, a little more animated than she's felt the last few days.] Like that. Then I'll toss 'em in the fire pit an' your whole thing will be ruined.

[Her reasoning makes some kind of sense, but mostly it doesn't. Of course neither of them want to sit around and be pitied- it's not often that they openly feel sorry for themselves, and certainly not in a party setting. But Taako knows what being alone means to both of them, a pit they both struggle out of time and time again when the worst befalls them. Obviously she needs more than just him right now- someone else getting in the picture is what caused all this. So Taako pushes down his own insecurity, and takes a personal leap of faith.]

Look, the whole thing's what you want, you wanna murder a guy that's just where we're at.

[Taako clasps his hands over hers, gentle as he addresses her.]

Just trust me, okay? You don't have to come out right away. You can pick when.

You don't even have to say that, dingus.

[It's such a quick response, the words right on her tongue, Lup never more certain of anything in her life, even with this mood hanging over them.]

I always trust you.

[It still doesn't sound like a great time, but if Taako think it's best, then she'll follow him right into the midst of things. No matter what. Even if facing her friends feels like such an undertaking in this moment.]

Just don't let me get mobbed, alright?

[He keeps her hands in his, tilting his head forward to let their foreheads touch. He may not be feeling very secure in his choices right now, but he's always sure of her.]

Pssh, personal bodyguard, right here. You just say when a convo's over and I'll levitate them into the nearest tree, no problem.

[They'll figure it out. He's sure of it. For now, he just needs to promise her she won't be alone.]

Just head out when you feel ready, okay?

Thanks, Koko.

[She'll be okay, she'll be able to handle the crowds as long as her twin is with her. She'll be able to get through the next few days, the next few weeks, and everything that comes after until she's back with Barry again. Until their family is whole.]

Don't know what I'd do without you here. I know we don't say it a lot, but - but thanks. I love you.

I'm gonna be here, okay? No matter what.

[It's not something he can promise and they both know it, when they have this little control, but he doesn't even care.]

No shitty assholes running this place can pull me outta here without you. Okay?

[He leans forward, tilting his head up to place a kiss to her forehead.]

Go on, get dressed and come out when you're good, yeah? Just call for me.

Yeah, yeah -

[She looks a mess, feels just as bad, but Taako knows his twin well enough to know she'll find some small comfort in making herself presentable. Brushing her hair out doesn't bring out the same relief as seeing her husband again, but it's something. One thing Lup can control, one way she can wrestle back an inch of control back on her life.

So he kisses her and Lup playfully shoves her twin away.]

I'll call when I'm done. Just get out there an' keep everyone busy for me.

You know it.

[He gives her hands one more squeeze before letting go, walking backwards towards the door and pointing to his ear. He's got his earring in, the half of the gift he gave her on Candlenights.]

Just shoot me a message, yeah? 'Mm always listening. Get 'em nice and warmed up for you.

[And finally, he slips out the door to do just that. He's still worried, an anxiety clenched in his chest from uncertainty, but he hopes he'll see her soon.

If she doesn't come out, that means he's missed a lot more than he thought.]

[OPEN, MINGLE] 'cause not all who wander are lookin' for the exit

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