spellslots | riverview; ic contact & friendr

okay
cool
thank you, taako
and thnks for trying to tell me even though i was a douhce about it

[ Cisco still feels like a fool, for not listening to Taako, not just believing him when he tried to patiently to snap Cisco out of it.

A few minutes later, another text: ]

why couldn't i have just forgot how to speak english or make pancakse or something like that?

Because this place is without a doubt the shittiest world I've been to

[That's not true, he's being dramatic.]

starting to think i agree
crazy fucked up acid rain storms
people coming from all over their timelines making things awkard as hell
and now this shit?

[ He should leave it be. He's in no state to be having a conversation and he knows it.

He texts again: ]

did i seem i different?

You sure you wanna ask that?

Especially when you've been drinking.

[Either that or he's suddenly got the shakes, but Taako thinks the former is more likely.]

yeah,i guess maybe not.
nm

that obvious?

Your spelling kinda went downhill.

You want company, darling?

shit, you're right
note to self: proofread
gotta remember that next time

[ ...Planning on a next time and how to hide it better is maybe not the greatest, Cisco. ]

i'm a mess

[ Which isn't a yes or a no, really. More like a warning. ]

[ :/ ]

Pretty sure we could say the same about me when we went to karaoke

[By which he means: he doesn't care that Cisco is a mess. They're friends, that's kind of how this works sometimes.]

You at home?

[ Cisco laughs softly to himself, remembering that karaoke night. Hadn't he warned Taako the tables would be turned, sooner or later? Looks like sooner has come. ]

yeah, up in my room.
idk if eddie's home
been kinda holed up.

[ i.e. he put a chair in front of his door and hasn't even poked his head out. ]

gimme fifteen, gotta make sure jon's good with homework and shit

[Fifteen minutes later, as promised, Taako appears in Cisco's room with a bottle of vodka in one hand and a container of beignets in the other, because desserts solve all problems that alcohol can't.]

Hey, bubbale.

[ Taako's probably not even checking his phone anymore but Cisco still texts back ]

god that poor kid
i'm glad youre helping look after him
i mean i know clark must ahve had a good reason but what the fuck you know?

[ And then he realizes he should stop texting and use those few minutes to clean the place up at least a little bit. He manages to get out of his pajamas and into real clothes, pull the covers up on his bed, and pulls the curtains back from the windows. Not bad, all things considered. Nothing to do about how red his eyes and nose are, from crying earlier. He's not Taako, and he doesn't have disguise self spells on hand for this kind of thing. There's an empty wine bottle on his desk, and another open sitting on the floor right by the couch, next to a plastic cup. Not the classiest, but it was what he'd had on hand. Those bottles of wine had been intended as presents for a few people - he's going to have to buy new ones, now. ]

Hey, Taako.

[ When Taako materializes out of thin air, Cisco raises one hand in a rather lackluster wave. He's sitting cross-legged on the couch, near that bottle of wine, looking altogether rather pathetic. ]

[It's somehow worse than he thought it would be, but Taako doesn't let that show on his face or in his actions, because it doesn't change what he was planning to do.

The alcohol and pastries are set on the table, freeing up Taako to join Cisco on the couch, though he kneels on the cushions rather than sitting down properly, and he's facing Cisco.]

You're getting a once in a life time offer for a proper cuddle, you better not miss your chance.

[It's said lightly, because this is how they both work, making jokes instead of delving too deeply into shit, but the offer is still genuine.

He doesn't think there are any words that can help, so this will have to do.]

[ Cisco looks belatedly over at the booze and pastries, tries to think up with a witty comment about them, but trying to find his way to any kind of humor right now is like slogging through wet cement. So he just... gives up, and doesn't say anything about them at all.

When Taako offers him a hug in that casual, joking way, Cisco's eyes immediately go hot with tears, which is the exact opposite of what he wanted. He knows, or suspects, that Taako isn't really big on hugs, so he gets 'the once in a lifetime' thing. And he is still feeling very grateful, that Taako forgave him so easily, despite how aggro he'd acted while confronted with the truth that he'd forgotten. ]

Well, when you put it like that, I'd be an idiot not to.

[ His voice is croaky, but he at least manages to blink back the tears without any falling. Cisco flashes a quick, sad smile, and scoots closer to Taako. It's awkward for the first moment or two, when he reaches out to hug him. But the truth is, Cisco needs a hug much too much right now to feel hesitant for long. He hides his face against Taako's shoulder, and his voice is muffled when he blurts: ]

I... missed him. I wanted him to come through the portal.

[His feelings on hugs don't really matter right now, but at the end of the day, Cisco is his friend, which means he's included in the circle of people who get more than meaningless gestures of affection.

So when Cisco scoots over, Taako just winds his arms around Cisco's shoulders and lets him hold on.]

You cared about him, that's not your fault. I'd bet you still miss him even knowing what he did, cause people don't work that way. It's never that easy.

[ Taako is right, of course. If Cisco hadn't already known that Taako had been betrayed by somebody he cared about before, he would certainly guess it, now. It was easy enough, to admit that he hates Eobard. But admitting - even to himself - that he misses him, even though he never wants to see him again... that's much harder.

Cisco lets out a short, shuddery little sigh, nodding once and knowing Taako will be able to feel it. He doesn't say anything else, after that little impulsive confession. He just hugs Taako, eyes squeezed shut, unmoving, until the awful weight of sadness in his chest lightens, ever so slightly.

When he pulls away, Cisco looks marginally better. He manages a very small smile, just for a moment, and scoots back to where he'd been sitting before. It's... strange. Being the one being comforted. Cisco almost doesn't know what to do with it. He's so used to handling sadness and pain on his own. To locking himself up until he can put a good face on it. ]

You were right. That was quite some cuddle.

[ Then, conversationally: ] I've been building a cage. [ Cisco seems to realize that maybe the logic behind that statement isn't immediately clear, and elaborates. ] A cell that can hold a speedster. In case he ever does turn up. 'Cause... I worry about it, a lot.

[ Cisco takes a not small drink of the wine in his cup. It's stupid, maybe. Planning for something that is so statistically unlikely. But since he doesn't know how to not run all the worst case scenarios through his head, the best way to make himself feel better is to plan for the unlikely. ]

It was weird. Not... worrying, for a while.

Edited 2017-08-15 04:53 (UTC)

[He lets Cisco pull away once he's ready, though Taako doesn't quite relax just yet, because there's a part two to his plan to be an actual decent friend, he just needs to wait a bit, wanting to let Cisco talk, first.

The fact Cisco is building a cage really doesn't come as a surprise, it's the sort of thing he'd do, if he was worried about Eobard turning up, even if things would likely be different here, without the whole Barry mess. Eobard is still an asshole and he remembers what Cisco said, about making magic hurt.]

Not being a paranoid fuck kinda makes things different.

[There's nothing mean in the words, it's just Taako being Taako, and it's coming from someone who also has a fuckload of trust issues, so he gets it, really.]

We can talk strategy in a sec if you wanna, but first you gotta tell me where your hairbrush is.

So different. [ And Cisco laughs a little, because laughing is preferable to crying, and it is funny, in a weird, awful sort of way. He certainly seems completely unbothered by being labeled a 'paranoid fuck' - pretty apt, as far as he's concerned. The truth of that is clearer than ever, right now, with such a close comparison. ] Honestly, I didn't realize... how much time I waste on that shit, 'til I had a break from it.

[ Of course, there's another side to that, as well. He hadn't realized just how blithe and trusting he had been, before he started to suspect Eobard. It had been nice to have a respite, but Cisco's not sure he would choose to go back, permanently. That would just be setting himself up for someone else hurting him.

The hairbrush is an unexpected request, but Cisco gestures to his desk, near to the computer monitor, where a small wooden hairbrush is sitting next to some hello kitty post-its and a sketchbook sitting open, covered in little technical doodles and scattered bullet points with vague ideas for engineering projects. ]

What do you mean, strategy?

I mean, there's nothing wrong with being careful.

[It's not quite the same thing, but Taako kind of agrees with that unspoken line of thought; being too open just results in trouble.

Taako hops up quickly to go retrieve the brush, returning with it quickly and sitting back on the couch, but this time he's sitting cross legged as well, just sideways.]

Turn around.

[He does a little gesture to go with the request, and then adds:]

Why can't you put a speedster in a normal cell?

[Genuine question.]

[ Cisco turns obediently, back facing Taako, hands coming down to grip at his crossed ankles as he waits for Taako to start brushing his hair. And it's not something Cisco would have ever thought of, or dreamed to request, but... it's actually a pretty perfect idea. He's always loved having his hair brushed, on the rare occasions someone else has done it for him. There's something hypnotic about it, so long as the person knows what they are doing and are not too aggressive or, on the other end of the spectrum, too terrified of tugging at all.

And it gives him an excuse to face away from Taako, as he asks his questions, and they... strategize. Even with Cisco facing away, the tension that comes into his shoulders is eloquent. He really has been holding too much back from Taako. It's not fair to him, not safe for him. ]

Because they would get out in about five seconds. There about three dozen different ways you can use lightning, or friction, or vibrations to destroy a door or a lock. Besides, even without any of that, they can phase through things. Metal, concrete, doesn't matter. Just start vibrating at the right frequency and then step right through it, to the other side

[ A lot of the time, when Cisco talks about the things speedsters can do, he sounds fond and even boastful, because he's thinking of Barry. But right now, he's only thinking about Eobard, and he sounds nervous, not proud. ]

There's probably the same kinds of trouble when it comes to locking up wizards, huh? You must have a spell that lets you walk through walls or whatever, or you could just teleport out.

[ No doubt there are magical countermeasures to prevent that, just as Cisco had tried to find scientific countermeasures to prevent speedsters from crossing from place to place. ]

I tried to make a speedster-proof force-field, to trap the Reverse Flash, but... Dr. Wells tampered with it, obviously.

Edited 2017-08-15 06:05 (UTC)

[Not only does Taako have a lifetime of experience doing his own hair, he's got the same lifetime of doing Lup's, so brushing someone else's hair is something he can basically do on autopilot. Although he doesn't plan to completely zone out, since he plans to do a few braids once he's sure all the knots are out.

But this is easy enough he can listen and think while working, and that's exactly what he does. He learned a little about speedsters from Leonard, and a little more from Cisco, but superpowers aren't something he's particularly interested in as a concept, outside of people like Cisco or Clark, who are his friends.]

You gotta use magic to trap magic.

[There are a variety of spells and counterspells, so many of them end up simply relying on who happens to be the most powerful wizard.

And right now, Taako's pretty fucking powerful.]

Are you sure you just wanna put him in a cell? Cause I mean, I got no qualms killing this fucker.

[It seems silly, to just trap him.]

[ Cisco doesn't answer right away. The truth is, he doesn't want to put Eobard in a cell, either. If all they do is contain him, there is always the chance he will find a way to get out. Even the most foolproof prison would be no good, if Eobard could manipulate someone into letting him free. And he is very good at playing puppet-master. Besides, something like what had happened the last week could happen again. Cisco could forget that he was evil and let him out, and then when they got their memories again, he would be toast. ]

Qualms about killing him aren't the issue.

[ He'd already watched Eobard disintegrating into thin air, begging him for help, and all he'd felt was cold, shocked relief. He has a feeling that, if Taako were to kill him again, he might actually muster up some happiness for it, this time. And probably cry his eyes out for a day, afterwards. But even so... ]

It's more... logistics. I just. Don't want him to kill you.

[ Cisco believes in Taako. He believes he is a powerful wizard, and that when he goes back to his world, he and his friends are going to kick the Hunger's apocalyptic horrifying ass. But when it comes to Eobard, he loses the ability to gauge objectively. He honestly doesn't know what would happen, if the two of them fought. Taako certainly has the ability to cause a lot more damage - but more doesn't guarantee a victory. Dead from 10,000 blows and dead from 1 quick, just-strong-enough blow are still both the same amount dead. ]

Or me. [ It seems stupid, after everything, not to at least be honest. He thinks the cat is pretty well out of the damn bag, when it comes to him being afraid of Eobard. That ship has sailed. Cisco stares down at his crossed legs, gnaws at his lower lip for a moment before adding: ] Again.

[Fear is a strange thing.

Until coming here, there'd been no one in Taako's life that had really made him afraid. Circumstances had, and there had definitely been things that left him unsettled or worried, like Edward and Lydia and their time in Wonderland. Like the panic he'd felt when Lup told him about her plan to become a lich. But nothing really frightened him, the way Eobard clearly frighten's Cisco, and... it still doesn't. Dodger had made him afraid, and some of that still sits unhappily somewhere in the back of Taako's thoughts, but he knows that if shit goes down again, he can and will kill Dodger.

So it's... hard, to truly understand where Cisco is coming from, but he wants to try.]

How did it happen?

[It isn't like Eddie's death, and Taako knows that resurrection isn't normal in their world. It's not curiosity that drives him to ask, it's an attepmt to understand.]

[ This isn't the first time, Cisco has been grateful for Taako's sedate under-reaction to revelations that have always made other people in his life freak out. He doesn't even think it is something intentional - Taako has just lived a life full of so much fantastical, tragic, strange, awful, wonderful things that he merely takes Cisco's comparatively modest story in stride. It's nice, to skip the step where everyone's shocked and disbelieving, and Cisco feels like he needs to prove what he's saying is true, and also comfort the person listening, or apologize to them. Instead, he can just... get it over with. ]

I was an idiot.

[ He's quiet for a moment after that, closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of the brush moving through his hair. It's still a bit of a challenge, putting it all together into a neat narrative. But he has to try. ]

I knew that trap I'd build for the Reverse Flash should have worked. Scientifically, it should have. And suspicions were starting to pile up against Wells. Eddie... Iris's dad, Joe... this reporter named Mason... a lot of people smarter than me noticing a pattern where people were "disappearing" and Dr. Wells was the last one to see them.

[ In retrospect, so painfully obvious, but at the time, so impossible to believe. He'd been blinded by his love for the man. Cisco's hands fidget in his lap and he stares down at them, his back tense, the words coming a little jerkier. ]

I didn't want to believe them. But I had Caitlin lure him out of the lab anyway. I didn't know he had surveillance cameras everywhere. He knew exactly what was going on. I went down to the basement, alone, to see what went wrong with the forcefield. He... showed up.

[ That part, Taako had glimpsed, in that first vibe during their experiment. The moment when those elevator doors opened and he saw Dr. Wells standing up and knew he was going to die. He doesn't know if Taako had been able to feel it - the fear so dense in the air he could hardly breathe. He doesn't even know how to ask. But he does know that Taako has died before, and remembered it. If anyone might understand...

Cisco lifts a hand to rub absently at his chest, over his heart, not realizing he is doing it. ]

I tried to talk my way out of it, but he didn't buy it. He... said a bunch of shit about how it was a shame he had to kill me, because I was like a son to him, and then he shoved his hand in my chest and ripped my heart to shreds.

[ Cisco looks down, noticing what he is doing and deliberately drops both hands into his lap, lacing his fingers together. He doesn't know what Taako's 'how' had meant - the method of the murder, or why he's still alive. Hastily, he adds. ]

Barry reset the timeline by a day. He didn't know what happened to me, it was just... a coincidence. An accident. The second time stuff happened in a different way, I never went down in the basement, never got my ass murdered. But that's when I started having my vibes. Just kept... reliving it over and over. I thought I was going crazy, but. I wasn't.

[Taako can be patient, especially when it's something that's hard to get it out. God knows he's struggled to explain shit about Lup, about Glamorsprings, about the Hunger, because it's hard to talk about the things that haunt him without getting too caught up in it, though he has a feeling that unlike him, Cisco isn't struggling because he's trying to avoid showing any emotions.

He does wonder if this is the first time Cisco's told anyone about what happened with Eobard, but that's not really an important part of it, right now.

So he just listens, brushing Cisco's hair, waiting for him to get the full story out before saying anything. At some point, midway through, he sections off a part of Cisco's hair and starts on the first braid, careful not to pull too hard.]

That's fucked up.

[His voice is soft, sympathetic, and he lays a hand on Cisco's back for a moment, just offering some small comfort. I'm sorry would've felt too stupid in the face of all of that, but he wanted to say something to at least acknowledge that it's a messed up thing that Cisco had to go through. Not just Eobard's betrayal, but being forced to relive it more than once is fucking awful, and that's coming from someone who's done the same thing.]

So, not letting him get close is step two. Assuming step one is making sure he doesn't suspect shit until I'm ready to go.

[He doesn't know how to be like... emotionally supportive, but he can talk to Cisco about what to do if Eobard shows up, and maybe that will help.]

You think he'd buy it if you played like you were from before all that shit?

[ Cisco faces a similar feeling of not quite knowing what to say, when Taako says that it was fucked up. Thank you is just weird, and right now he doesn't have the flippancy to pull off a no kidding. So he raises his shoulders in a bare little shrug, simply says: ]

Yeah.

[ He's grateful that Taako doesn't ask for more details, or worse, clarifications. Cisco had gotten over the immense hurdle (at least that's how it feels) of telling the whole story, as best he could, and he doesn't think that he could bear being questioned right now. Instead, Taako gives him something to focus on - concrete thoughts on what they'll do in case he shows his ugly face here, and it's precisely what Cisco needs.

He clears his throat, shoulders relaxing a little. Cisco keeps his head as still as he can while Taako is braiding, and says: ]

Step one should be easier here than back in Central City. We've got home turf advantage. He was always one step ahead of us, and we could never figure out how, but it was 'cause he'd put recording equipment all around the lab and... you know, in our apartments and places we hung out and stuff, so any time we discussed a plan, he knew about it.

[ Cisco can't help a quick, darting glance up to the overhead lights of his cozy little attic room. As soon as he'd gone back to being his usual paranoid fucker self, he'd checked there, and everywhere else he could think of, for bugs, cameras, etcetera. Better safe than sorry. ]

He... [ Cisco has to stop a moment, a little wave of nausea slowing him down, but he swallows it back and forges on, determined. ] I think he liked killing people close up. But distance isn't going to do you a lot of good with a speedster. Once he sees you, even if you are a mile away, if he wants to be close, he'll be close faster than you can do a spell, or blink, or react at all.

[ Taako's question about whether Cisco could trick Eobard into thinking he knows nothing is not entirely unexpected. He'd wondered the same thing, himself, when he'd played out various scenarios in his head. ]

I don't know. I could always try, but I'm not exactly the world's best actor, and... he knows me. Knew me, I mean. But maybe I could convince him.

[ Cisco tries to keep some hope in that statement, but considering how even thinking about Eobard can sometimes make him start shaking with fear... he's not optimistic. Looking back, it must have been pathetically obvious, during that interval between his death and when Eobard revealed himself as the Reverse Flash. Even without cameras sending him a live feed of Cisco's nonstop nightmares, Eobard must have seen the fear and confusion that Cisco was fighting so hard to hide so poorly. ]

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