Don't be eye candy, be soul food. -- Anon Guest
After the Hunger War, things were relatively quiet. Never too quiet, because despite the differences that were buried to literally fight for life, people liked to remember a grudge or three. The Bureaux of Balance went public and attempted to help keep a lid on things.
And despite semi-retirement, it wasn't that much of a shock to see living legends turn up in situations loaded with strife. Well. Technically three living legends, two semi-undead legends, and the Grim Reaper if things were really horrible.
Taako was easy to spot. He was the one in the most 'extra' outfit. He cashed in on fame, and like any elfin wizard with a lot of money, blew it all on his jackdaw-esque jewelry and fashion collection. Which included platform heels. Merle, squat and stumpy as always, took one look at his bejeweled friend (and his bejeweled wardrobe) and said, "I thought Magnus was the designated target in this game."
"If the sun's in our eyes, it's in theirs too," said Taako, unruffled.
"What are you, a wizard or a disco ball?" snarked Lup.
"I can be both."
"Can we all at least try to focus?" growled Barry.
"Nope."
"Nuh-uh."
"Never ever ever in my long-legged life," teased Lup.
"Can't do it, shan't do it, won't do it," said Taako.
They shared a laugh, and then got on with business. Which was a warlord who insisted on a battle of philosophy. It went on for quite a few turns before Taako finally won with, "Two things define you: your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything."
"Boom goes the dynamite," muttered Lup. She knew that one. Hell, she lived that one. With him. From ragged and on the run with nothing but forage to fill their bellies to literally overnight celebrities who could get anything done.
Taako, she knew, did not blow all his gold on his glittering look. He funded quite a large number of orphanages that fostered the unwanted and alone in luxurious homes. Paid for their educations. And stopped by with his silly cooking show once a year to feed them all the best that he could make.
She had laughed raucously when he had said, two turns earlier, "Don't be eye candy, be soul food." And as a result, the rest of the crew couldn't keep a straight face, either.
Now he was up in hers. Glaring into her eyes as she had once done to him. "I can be both," he murmured.
[AN: Taako just popped into my head and said, "Why not be both?"]
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / leonidtit]
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