[It's rare that he's the one holding her up like this, the way she crumples into his arms without a second thought. They've gone through a lot since their arrival, but.. Taako's tended to take the brunt of it. Seeing his sister like this just makes his gut twist, another notch on his continued promise to get the liches who run this city back for this whole ordeal. They're not toys. They matter. And fuck them for making Lup ever feel powerless.

He pets her hair as she talks, keeping his grip on her tight and close.]

No, I know, it's-- ugh, it's fucking crap. I know we know, but it's just...

[He never has the right words here. The trouble with repressing your feelings around a lot of people is that letting them really flow when it matters isn't a simple ask.]

Look. Ango told me that when I was gone you knew I'd be back, right? You knew that. And you know now he's comin' back, okay? If you don't, I do. I've seen this more than anyone, it's just-- he's gonna be back or we're gonna reach through the door and hit him, alright?