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[Look, when you go into hibernation for two months, you tend to miss a few important things — like the burning of half of Bavan, a bunch of people getting kidnapped by weird parasites and being replaced by them and then throwing a huge weird party, your partner-not-partner-it's-complicated disappearing into the night like you did to him more than a year ago and leaving you grasping for something that's just slipped through your fingers again. It's enough to make a guy feel like just going back to sleep again and hoping that somehow sleep will make everything feel better. That you can isolate yourself and skip over the passing of time and let other people bury what needs to be buried.

At least, that's what the old Juno would have done. As much as he's reluctant to admit it, Juno knows that being alone will just lead to him getting worse and snapping at other people, which is exactly the opposite of what he wants. Right now, all he needs is someone to hang out with without needing to feel obligated to tell them all his problems and just ignore that feeling of despair creeping up on the edges of his chest.

A few drinks might help, too.]

hey
you doing alright?
you still up for drinks?

[Yeah. Nailed it. Totally aloof and not desperate for company right now.]

[Man, if all that ain't a goddamn mood. Pretty much all of February was a ride Taako would have liked to get off of the entire experience- from the angry sick few days at the end of January, to the pained weekend of his second month transformation coupled with the icebox of the hospital, Lup and Lucretia disappearing for a fucking week... he has not been doing so great, fam. He's been sticking close, weathering his first hunt, and taking it better than you would imagine. Killing people right now is actually easier than handling his issues.

But the texts are the opposite of unwelcome- this kind of harmless, stupid fun sounds ideal in a world that still feels like shit. Thankfully, Taako's texting speed has improved between learning how and then growing claws, so Juno doesn't have to wait long for a response.]

and here i thought you mightve forgotten
love a guy who remembers he owes me ;)
gimme the where and when my dude

[See? This is exactly the sort of mindless attachment Juno signed up for. Just going out for a drink or two or three, avoiding touchy topics, doing dumb shit. He does have to think a little about the date, though.]

well the fog'll probably tide over by the end of the week, and if i remember correctly you mentioned something about wanting to see my regular face

also i'd like to maybe spend a few days feeling like myself after spending two months sleeping like a goddamn fur rug

so.....friday? 12 o' clock? lucky 38?

[he doesn't work there anymore but it's fine, he's got more than enough money to burn. turns out a lot of rich bavanites'll dish out a lot of money to find out what happened to their missing loved ones, confirm whether or not they've been eaten by monsters]

Edited (FUCK I FORGOT WERERACCOONS TURN AT NIGHT) 2019-03-09 20:17 (UTC)

oh so were daydrinking
yeah i have nothing else to do that day lets get fucked up at noon and forgo responsibilities

[He has like two jobs, he just finds this more important than either of them. Because he's like that and fuck this, he needs this right now.]

dress yourself up real nice for me hm ;)

buddy, daydrinking is the only option if you want to see my beautiful human face

i'll see you then

[Juno makes sure to get there a little earlier to scope out the place, make sure there's room at the bar. Not that there is that many people there on a lovely Friday afternoon, but, hey, can't hurt to be cautious and maybe a little apprehensive about the fact the last time he went on a "date" the person ended up just yeeting themselves out of the peninsula, never to be seen again.

As for his outfit, he's refrained from bringing the smelly trench coat and opted for something a little nicer: a dark blue collared jacket that falls just below his knees. He's still wearing his regular sweater and jeans underneath, but at least they're clean and not covered in fur.

He seems somewhat distracted, hovering sort of near the bar but not close enough to look like he's actually intending on ordering anything. He might need a little nudge to catch his attention, especially since...Taako looks way different from the last time he saw him.]

oh i dont need an excuse
see you <3

[To be completely fair, both of them don't look the same as when they last met, on account of the fact Taako hadn't begun changing and Juno was a little raccoon under his hat. But nowadays, Taako is impossible to miss- he almost has to bow his head to make it in when he pushes the door open, long scaled ears scraping just slightly across the top of the doorframe. He's actually got the decency to have put on a proper shirt, a cold shoulder purple number trimmed to land just above where his skin gives way to glittering iridescent scale. Where the bottom layer is a pale blue, purple and rainbow lays on top like a sheen in the daylight, sparking as he enters. For an entrance that didn't involve any magic, he's certainly making a hell of an impression.

His eyes drift over the room, trying to pick out Juno, and just makes a guess as he slithers inside and casually takes up about three seats at the bar as he tries to get a look at Juno's face.]

You the man I'm looking for?

[Juno gives Taako the once-over, tilting his head to the side. A ghost of a smile can be seen on his face. He wouldn't care to admit it, but...he's glad to actually see someone he can probably rely on after waking up from hibernation hell and realizing that half of his friends disappeared or died.

...And he has to admit the outfit looks pretty good.]

If by "man" you mean "crazy raccoon", then maybe. [He pauses, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets.] You look...different. Wait, wait--let me guess--

[He holds up a hand, looking Taako over again and tapping a finger against his chin. His eyes linger on Taako's new tail. After a dramatic pause:]

You got a new haircut.

[Everything looks good when it's on Taako, trade secret. He also insisted that Barry bring him out here today so he didn't end up freezing as hell and wanting a nap by the time he arrived; this cold blooded thing is starting to kick his ass. But without having to drag himself through the snow, he's doing well enough to be alert and ready to party.

Taako sets himself up, putting his elbow on the bartop to support his head, face stretched into a grin and a laugh when Juno puts out his one-liner.]

Oh, and he has jokes! Multitalented, all right, all right.

[He wraps a bit of his tail around the bottom of the stool Juno's on, for no other reason than he's obnoxious and wants to take up as much of the other man's space as possible.]

But please, cut these gorg locks? This ain't no monster thing, this is one hundo percent natural Taako, my dude. Likin' your whole look without all the fuzz, too. Though...

[He reaches forward with his claws, poking a bit at Juno's hair, surprisingly gentle.]

Guess you're still fluffy through and though, huh?

Just don't ask me to do any magic tricks. I only know how to do that thing that makes it look like your thumb is detaching from your hand. Did it for my secretary one day and she lost her mind.

[He glances down at Taako wrapping his tail around the barstool, then looks back up at the naga, raising an eyebrow. He...honestly can't remember the last time he went out drinking with someone. When he used to work at the Lucky 36, he used to just slip out a few bottles of alcohol and spend his evenings alone, sipping on bourbon or whatever else he nabbed during that shift. It's...a nice change of pace to actually have someone to talk to and actually be able to respond comfortably to his remarks.

He tilts his head to the side and leans against the bar counter, allowing Taako to poke at his hair.]

You should've seen me before I shaved. Turns out hibernating for a few months'll give you one hell of a look. [He taps his fingers against the bar surface.] So...what kinda drinks does an elf-turned-monster-snake prefer, anyways?

[It is outright adorable that he considers that a magic trick. He so desperately wants to pull out some real magic, gesture at Juno and pull his whole hand off with an illusion or literally steal the mans nose or something. It's so unfair, but if he stops to fixate on it he'll feel like shit, and Taako is determined to have a good fucking time.]

Uhm, now you legally have to? You gotta.

[He's still sort of shifting in his seat, trying to position himself in the space. Taako's big now, 25+ feet from top to tip big, and there's only so much to be tucked under the bar and coiled around the floor. He's certainly a presence not to be ignored, which it sounds like Juno really needs.]

And like, alcohol, that hasn't changed. Chaboy likes something strong but fruity. Y'know, classy.

[Taako those are bold words from a man who invented Space Juice with 5 different types of booze and 2 energy drinks that you chug from a bucket. Don't lie.]

[Juno rolls his eyes, tugging up his jacket sleeves. He struggles for a few moments, but eventually puts his hands together and manipulates them so that it looks like one of his thumbs is being detached from his hand. In a flat tone, he says:]

Ta-daaaah. Magic.

[Then he claps his hands and wiggles his fingers to demonstrate that all of them are, in fact, intact. He smirks a little, then rests his chin against his hand.]

Fruity but classy, huh? More of a whiskey lady, myself, but hey, as long as it's got alcohol in it, I'm game. [He gestures for the bartender to come their way.] You ever tried rocket fuel before? It's like, uh, a piña colada but way stronger--

[There's a pause.]

Do you even have piña coladas where you're from?

Edited 2019-03-24 02:57 (UTC)

[He can't stop himself from busting out laughing at Juno's absolutely deadpan delivery, loud and unashamed of the noise of it.]

Fucking incredible, my man. Truly you're, you're the top wizard around here, that's it right there.

[But he's easily distracted by alcohol suggestions, still grinning away.]

Number one, I am like, destroyed at the idea of someone not knowing what a piña colada is, that's a national tragedy. Absolutely distraught. And uh, number two, anything you could legally use to power something sounds like exactly what I'm into. Put it in as big a container as they're allowed to fill, chaboy has a lot of bod to cover.

[Nagas digest stupid slowly but along a long distance of body, and after some experiments with Fran last month he's determined he needs a lot to get him properly fucked up, not to mention the already high tolerance he had when he was like a fifth of his current size.]

I mean, as long as you're joinin' me.

[He winks, making sure Juno is looking when he does.]

[He snorts a little when Taako laughs. Juno's learned through some trial and error and relapses that being a wereraccoon means your alcohol intolerance goes, like, through the roof. Unless you're in tiny travel form. Probably a werebear thing, though he never really asked Boone while he was here.

...Huh. He doesn't really talk to too many werebears. Probably also a werebear thing to be loners. Unless it's different for wereraccoons?

Whatever, he doesn't have time to think about this kind of stuff. Right now, he's going to get fucking hammered and forget about the stupid stuff that's been on his mind ever since he woke up. He quirks an eyebrow upwards, glancing sidelong at Taako. At least he doesn't make a total fool of himself by not overreacting.]

Hey, I wouldn't have sent that invite to you otherwise.

[He then gestures towards the bartender--]

Two rocket fuels. Put 'em in the biggest glasses you have.

[The bartender nods, then pulls two tall, curved glasses from under the bar. He turns towards the blender and starts working, his hands a blur as he pours in cream of coconut, rum, amaretto, pineapple juice...you get the idea. While the bartender tends to their drinks, Juno tries to chat Taako up.]

So, like...what...exactly did you do back at home? With, uh, Lup and the gang. I'm pretty sure Lup mentioned a spaceship or something a while back.

[Ironically, whether he wanted it or not, Taako got a lot of snake help from day 1. Between his twin and Fiddleford just over the hill, by the time his first changes hit he knew pretty much exactly what to expect. Not to mention that Taako might as well have been a shapeshifter back home- Ryslig is a far cry from the first time he's slithered along as a snake. As far as being prepared goes, he was probably the best you could get.

Still didn't stop it from hurting like a bitch, though. Wasn't a fan of that one.

He snickers a little as Juno makes the order, settling in for the Personal Questions. But hey, since when has Taako ever passed up a chance to talk about himself?]

I mean, travelling planets, finding ancient artifacts, telling a great and powerful evil to shove it up it's ass. Isn't that what everyone does on a spaceship?

[No, Taako, it isn't. But he's also never met someone else who has been on one so??? His guess is as good as anyone's.]

I mean Lup n' I were the head arcanists, y'know, top charge in all things magic, but then she did a side stint in something useless like physics so lotsa that job went to me.

[Juno leans against the bar counter, resting his head against his hand and listening to Taako speak. He raises an eyebrow, inclining his head forward slightly.]

In my universe, people most use spaceships to just cart their sorry corpses from one planet to another. Not much you can do besides just pilot the damn ship and wait to get there.

[Though, he's never actually been on one before...he's been stubbornly Mars-bound for his entire life leading up to Ryslig, and it's not like this place has air transportation beyond your own wings, if you have them.

The bartender slides them their drinks--two wiggly glasses with what looks to be piña coladas with a little umbrella on top. Juno grabs his glass, but doesn't drink just yet.]

Hey, thanks--head arcanist, huh? Sounds pretty important. [...] Uh...remind me what a head arcanist does. We, uh, don't have magic back where I'm from.

[Taako takes his drink in time, and does not wait to dig in even a little, taking a quick slug right off the top. He doesn't even look like he flinches at the amount of shit in there, and picks up speaking again quickly.]

Why do you need me to remind you if you don't know what it is?

[He chuckles, shifting a bit in his chair to lean more heavily on the bar, tail sloping off the barstool in a different lazy sort of curve.]

But y'know, any and all magic biz. If it's doing something magic, and you need to know about it, I'm there and workin' on it. Like, pretty much everyone on the ship was magic, so we knew it, but like. Lots of different things to learn out there.

[And lots of shit he did. A few languages, some obtuse spells, a lot of ways to die. But not all of that is important right now.]

And I mean, to be fair, we didn't spend a lot of time in like, space-space. There wasn't really a travel experience. But it sounds like that's what you had, huh? You know how to fly?

[Juno grumbles slightly, taking a sip of his drink. A bit sweeter than he'd normally go for, but, hey, alcohol is alcohol. He carefully watches Taako as he speaks, trying to pick up any sort of mannerisms or quirks that might stand out to him. But snake body language is...different from human body language, and the man is a goddamn sparkly nightmare. It's easy for Juno to get distracted.

...He's not on the job. He should stop trying to analyze people and just enjoy himself.]

Sure. I'll just sprout a pair of wings and become a bird or something and shoot myself into the stratosphere. [He rolls his eyes, stirring his drink with the mini umbrella.] No, you've gotta get your pilots license. I've only got a drivers license, and my car's only clear for level two driving. Only, like...what, ten stories above the ground?

[Oh, did he forget to mention that cars in the future can fly?]

Don't think I ever wanted to leave Hyperion, anyways, so...it's not like I would want to get on a space ship. Too many people who need to be protected and...you know.

[He seems...somewhat unsure about expressing this, for some reason.]

[To be totally fair to Juno, Taako body language is also difficult to compare to other elves or humans before he was snaked out. Even with so much of him to go around, his movements are loose and fluid, lazy and confident; he takes up space because he deserves it and does what he wants because he wants to. All of that said though, Taako should really invest in getting some sort of blinding power from Mana, but he could also probably achieve that with a flashlight, a mirror, and his ass. (He's going to try that, absolutely.)]

I mean, if we were literally anywhere else, I could totally hook you up on the wings front. Too bad the local god is captain buzzkill. Also uh, hang on, if you're already moving something off the ground why do you need two different badges to do it? That's just uh, just impractical.

[He sucks down another glup of this drink. Man, it's gonna take him so damn long to get drunk. Fuckin' snake ass.]

But uhh, my man, I very specifically don't know, which was part of the point of me comin' here. Somebody special kickin' around? Family, friends, particularly good fuckbuddy, I dunno.

[Taako leans forward, a little more into Juno's space, eyes glinting a bit in time with the rest of him.]

Or do you just get enough danger when it comes to you?

Well, it's like, 'cus, you gotta deal with oxygen loss and stuff or something? I dunno, I never bothered looking at the pilot's manual--

[oh god. oh fuck. Juno blinks when Taako leans forward, shifting slightly backwards to readjust the space between them. He likes his personal space, thanks. You're gonna have to try a little harder than that, Taako.]

Just...people, you know? [He's very clearly squirming a little under Taako's gaze, even if he is sort of telling the truth.] I mean, people go through all kinds of shit every day, and I'd like to, you know, not contribute to that shit if I can by helping the people who go through all that shit.

....I don't need to worry about anyone from home. Not anyone in particular, anyways. [A lie.] Like you said, danger has a way of finding me no matter what. [A truth.]

[Truthfully, Taako's less interested in the information and more in the way it's presented. Juno has preferences he's clearly showing, an unease under the spotlight that's one part fascinating and one part incredibly useful. He sweats it out- he's uncomfortable- they're all things Taako can work with.

The end of his tail, slipped around Juno's barstool, creeps higher.]

Sooo you don't wanna rock the boat. Seems pretty time. Kinda thought you might be a little more exciting.

[He's still grinning through, a bit of his lip curled to show the point of a fang.]

Or hmm, just get so much going on that you don't wanna cause more trouble? Because...

[He flops the end of his tail down on Juno's shoulder, over his back.]

Can't just run out on everything, hm?

Hey, when you've seen as much exciting stuff in your life as I have, you've gotta take as much downtime as you can get.

[Oof. Ouch. If only Taako knew how cutting that last remark actually is. He freezes for a moment, though one might think the cause is Taako's flagrant invasion of his personal space. Juno frowns, glancing briefly at the scaly accessory sitting on his shoulder before gently trying to pry it off in a subtle manner. This lady's playing hard to get.

...But, granted, this is going in an interesting direction, and Juno's going to bite. Is it the alcohol? His curiosity as to see where this might head? Is it his inclination towards burying himself in vice so he may forget about all his problems? Maybe all at once.]

'Course, that doesn't mean I can't handle a bit of excitement now and then.

[He takes another sip of his drink, eyeing Taako carefully.]

[Rule one of Taako, he does not know one fuckin' thing, not even once. Rule two is that he knows damn everything, and rule three is that he's gonna find out something he shouldn't for sure. This is kind of all three. He just snickers a little in response, looking genuinely interested in where this is headed. He'll let his tail be removed, but it'll just find its way onto the pole holding up his stool instead. The grin stays sly on his face as he takes another drink, though he does make sure to lick his lips afterwards with a little thwip of his tongue. It's pretty long now, Juno. That can only mean good things, right?]

So tell me about it then, my man. Juno Steel, space detective or something? You mentioned you do cases here, I can only assume.

[If he has all that excitement, maybe he'll share a bit and Taako can glean a bit more about who this guy actually is beyond just a pretty face.]

[It doesn't take a detective to figure out what Taako is doing, and Juno sort of squints at him for a moment, raising an eyebrow. He doesn't otherwise comment, but there's the acknowledgement of, like, 'I see what you're putting down, and I don't mind it.']

I'm a private eye, actually. Just...on a little planet called Mars. May or may not have heard of it, it's sorta the first colony humans established off-world.

[He takes another swig of his drink and shakes his head, as if trying to clear it.]

Been in the business for like...what, nearly fifteen years? Used to work for the HCPD before that, but.... [He lets out a half-snort, half-scoff.] ...those guys are nothing but crooks.

[He'll push until he's heard a no, or it gets like, way more intimate than this. Always ask before you grab someone's dick folks; he's pushy but not that pushy. This familiar dance though, the flow of closing the distance, is exhilarating when someone really wants to play along.

Taako just grins as Juno speaks, a neutral sort of lazy look that belongs on a simpleton.]

Nope, never heard of it.

[He's telling the truth on that one. Who knows what humans are out there doing? He's also from another planet entirely, which complicates things.]

But that's a long time to be hangin' around one thing. Sounds like you got a real passion, my dude. I'd ask for stories but I bet everybody does.

[So like, shrug on that one. What he really cares about here is just seeing how Juno bats his questions back, how he might continue to play ball.]

You just kinda fall into it like some fantasy Scooby Doo shit? Or is it keeping rumor tabs on the space rich and famous?

[Please. The only people Juno is ever romantically interested in are 50% sass and 50% willing to kill him. Taako is already halfway there, and he is a large constrictor snake which is, vaguely threatening to a raccoon? Maybe?

Juno snorts quietly, shaking his head.]

I think I just deluded myself into thinking that I was obligated to do it. Not that I didn't have fun when I could. [His face takes on a slightly more melancholic expression.] I just--I guess after seeing and experiencing the mess that was the HCPD, I wanted to keep fighting to do good without having them get in my way--

[A pause.]

Wait, what the hell is Scooby Doo?

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<juno> 3/5 NOW THAT MY BRAIN IS SLIGHTLY LESS FEVER ADDLED

<coolertwin> YEAH PLEASE BE LESS DEAD

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that taako icon is just knifecat

i have like four icons that are knifecat but this ones keyworded

god bless

its 90% of his moods

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god that icon is so good

hes too pretty for being such a goblin

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, TAAKO. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 420.87.169.02 * coolertwin has joined 420.87.169.02 <coolertwin> wait <coolertwin> waaaaait <coolertwin> waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait <coolertwin>** made ya look lol