pc: magnus

[chaoticlootral]

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[ruffboi]

Something funny, definitely. Maybe we should be rude to everybody!

[It has to be woodshop related, idiot.]

So. . . did you kill somebody? Without me?

[chaoticlootral]

It has to be woodshop related, doofus. And also hard as hell to fake. Wonder if I should . . .

[He glances up at that, rolling his eyes.]

No, of course not.

[ruffboi]

No? Then why were you up?

[Magnus. . . ]

Oh, wait. You just can't tell me, but you so did.

[chaoticlootral]

I didn’t tell you anything.

[Magnus.]

Anyway, I didn’t kill anyone. [Going to sit down with Evan the dog, knees pulled close to his body.] Do you need, like. Heals or anything.

[ruffboi]

Nope. But, uh. You might wanna check those pockets, bud.

[Shrugging! Sheepish. Those gems are gone.]

Sorry. I figured you wouldn't mind, but you were asleep?

[chaoticlootral]

Dude, what the hell! What if I needed those?

[HUFF.]

Whatever. Um. [Crossing his arms.] What now?

[ruffboi]

I woulda left 'em if I knew!

[He's a little worried.]

Are you hurt? I'm, uh. Good.

[chaoticlootral]

Nope, but if I was, you’d feel super bad right about now!

[Taako . . . is also worried? It’s fine.]

Not that this applies to either of us, but they’ve barely managed to catch anyone so far.

[ruffboi]

Yeah. I'm hoping that keeps up.

[Going to sit near him. Scratching pup's ears.]

Especially if people are running around murdering all over the fucking place. Unlike us, who were awake by coincidence.

[chaoticlootral]

I really didn’t kill anyone.

[Tugging on his braid.]

Mm— I’ve got an idea. Uh, old fairy tale bullshit. Tomorrow, we can’t tell a lie. Just start spouting embarrassing bullshit all over the place.

[ruffboi]

. . . So you were with somebody else who did?

[That's his guess, anyway. Since Taako could talk around it, if he wanted to. The way Escha does.]

I was gonna suggest we smell like pine air fresheners, and rub pine wood all over ourselves! But yours works, too.

[chaoticlootral]

How the fuck would I know, I wasn’t awake.

[Or he’s just chosen his tactic of complete denial . . . ? Hm.]

Dunno. Up to you. Could even do both.

[ruffboi]

Smell could wear off. Lying works.

[Sighing, chewing his lips a little.]

You okay? You think you might get, uh, framed?

[chaoticlootral]

Is it worth obsessing on that?

[Pushing his feet out a bit, tapping his toes together.]

I mean. Made it this far, right?

[ruffboi]

. . . Oh.

[He looks. Shocked?]

Last week, too?

[chaoticlootral]

Geez, what’s with all the accusations?

[A little offended, actually.]

[ruffboi]

[He's just. Concerned?]

I mean more - you know how you and I just accidentally woke up tonight and don't know why it happened, 'cause we didn't do anything? Did that ever happen to you before?

[chaoticlootral]

No, of course not.

[Does Magnus think he can answer that either way though? What a question.]

And you’ve had the effects every week.

[ruffboi]

[Groaning.]

Yeah, I have? They could all be faked. You, uh. The second week, you were late saying it?

[Rubbing his temple, like he's trying to say something, but he just doesn't seem to be able to find the words.]

This is such bullshit. Can't there be a reprieve on the don't talk shit about shit rule for people who aren't narcs?

[chaoticlootral]

Now you’re getting into conspiracy theories. It was a fucking joke, my guy, for real. I had the effect.

[Sighing out, reaching over— about to pat him on the shoulder before he remembers emotion sharing, then doesn’t.]

Don’t I fuckin’ know it.

[ruffboi]

I'd take static over this!

[Because honestly, the number one thing he wants to do right now is just talk to Taako. Find out what he's been dealing with secretly. Share the things he's been dealing with secretly. But they can't, even though they both know enough to guess at some of it.]

Well, I've never woken up in the middle of the night here before. I know I kept saying we had to have plans just in case, but I never meant any of that as anything besides being prepared.

[chaoticlootral]

Yeah, tell me about it! Because at least with the static you can try charades instead of this . . . tea leaf reading bullshit.

[His feet shuffle more, hands twisting into one another.]

It’s funny. When I got here, someone said to me - that of all people, I’d understand why we had to win the most of anyone. But . . . I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about winning, I don’t care about teams, and the more people try and make me care, I— I fucking hate them for it.

[ruffboi]

Whoa.

[He reaches over, then, and touches him on the shoulder. Intentional - he wants to know, if they can't speak openly, at least what he's feeling.

Magnus, for his part, feels - well, the predominant feeling is worry. There's a lot of something that feels like guilt or like doubt. And a buzz of frustration and anger, but a lot of that feeling has been clamped down.]

No, fuck teams. We have to survive, right? That's what it's about. But if you, uh, wanted to join me over on Winter and get away from all of that. . .

[And actually, I'll just add this tidbit. When Magnus says 'we have to survive' Taako will feel some of the worry ebb, replaced by heavy determination. Magnus really does mean that.]

[chaoticlootral]

[He won’t touch him for very long - Taako’s practically flinging himself sideways to get away from it. It won’t work well enough though. Magnus is going to get hit with a wave of almost nauseating anxiety, restlessness, a lingering bit of fear. It’s fine! It’s fine.]

Don’t— Don’t do that.

[ruffboi]

Sorry.

[He does feel badly when Taako reacts.]

I won't. I just thought - I want to know what's going on with you.