ic inbox // hadriel

[knockthemdead]

❝

You've reached Kravitz. I'm attending to other business currently. Leave a message and I'll get back to you.

❞

TEXT/AUDIO/VIDEO/ACTION

code credit

Comments

[text, backdated to later on the 10th]

[pocketspa]

[The speed at which this day went from the best day of his life to the worst was honestly faster than Taako knew how to properly track. He was bored this morning, elated in the Coliseum, and now he honestly felt like he should just wander into the caves and blow some shit up before he did much else. He would've been fine if it wasn't for the last bit- Lucretia showing up was bad enough, but Lup running off to hang out after everything he told her stung worse than he thought it would.

So fine. She wants to run off and hang out with the person that betrayed him, he doesn't care. He can find other things to do.

He thinks about just staying in their room, but being there with her absence, especially in the wake of Lucretia's arrival, was too much. So he fishes his phone out, opts for text so his voice doesn't betray the emotional hits he's taken.]

hey krav
you find a place yet?
figure you probs dont have anything set up and ive got like a buuuuncha stuff here
so if youre in for a housewarming or whatever ive got nothin going on

[text] hey i love u

[knockthemdead]

[Over text, it's impossible to guess that anything might be wrong. A housewarming sounds like such an appealing, novel idea when Taako is the one proposing it, and Kravitz finds himself smiling at his phone, happily oblivious.]

I have, in fact, found a place. Spire 2, room 601. I'm not sure yet if it's permanent, but in the meantime, you should know you have an open invitation. A housewarming sounds [????] fun. [punches self]

[text --> action] i'm lov u!!!

[pocketspa]

[Thank god Kravitz doesn't ask questions. He's up as soon as he gets the response, grabbing wrapped leftovers from the fridge. Kravitz doesn't normally need to eat, but if he can't get out of here, who knows what other kind of mortal bullshit he might have to get used to.

More than anything, Kravitz may have seen him recently, depending on what he was doing before he got here, but for Taako, it's been months. Whether he was off it or not, he wants to see him. He wants to be somewhere familiar.]

great
be over in a few
also idk how able to die you are now but theres a box that makes fire in the kitchen
like not the stove it just lights the hell up so
dont touch that

[There you go Krav, that's more warning than Merle got. He slips out quietly and walks fast, head down and hat pulled over his face, just in case someone sees him. Thankfully, he's good at avoiding people when he wants to be.

He's at least outwardly composed by the time he reaches the apartment number Kravitz gave him, giving a rather loud knock at the door.]

[action!!!!]

[knockthemdead]

No touching the fire box. Understood.

[Kravitz opts for safety and just doesn't touch anything at all.

He has the urge to prepare though, to tidy, but there's nothing to exert his nervous energy upon anyway. It's new and empty and strange. Kravitz has never had a place to bring Taako, not exactly. Prisons aren't romantic.

Kravitz is quick to answer the door, and it's just clear as day on his face how pleased he is to see Taako, despite it not having been even a day.]

Welcome to my humble abode. Does abode sound too creepy? Welcome to my warm, inviting domicile- although that, now, is rather overstating it.

[All said with a smarmy grin. Come inside already so he can pay attention to you.]

[action!]

[pocketspa]

[He almost hates the surge of happiness he feels when he sees Kravitz smile, the way his heart feels full and his stomach feels tight when he sees him. It's not that he dislikes being happy, or seeing him, it's just the utter lack of control that happens when he does it. Like Kravitz has power over him, like he could get him to do anything, but he... doesn't. Kravitz is kind to him, is simply happy to have him in his presence.

It's everything he needs right now, and he's afraid the weariness shows on his face below the ever-lazy look.]

Krav, we all know nothing you just settled into is gonna be warm. But, as usual, I am prepared to make that sacrifice.

[He pushes his way in, leaning into Kravitz' arms just a bit when he passes. He wants to ask for this, something saccharine and close, but he just doesn't know how.]

I uh, I brought some food or whatever. Don't know if you're operating on having to be super alive now or anything but thought, y'know, your first act here being starving to death would totally suck.

Video;

[restinglichface]

[Sorry, but it's not your boyfriend this time. Just his twin. Though from the sounds of some animal mauling a couch in the background, it's definitely the same apartment as his.]

Sup, nerd.

[knockthemdead]

[It takes a second for Krav to realize who he's talking to. This is really gonna take some getting used to, especially over calls.]

Having the time of my not-life. Undeath? Hm. I'll work on that.

[His apartment, by comparison, is mercifully quiet. Boring. Empty.]

What, ah, what can I do for you?

[restinglichface]

[Don't worry, Krav. Lup is absolutely determined to make it as difficult as possible to tell the two apart. Just for you.]

I have to bounce for a bit, pick up a few things, check in on a friend. Wanna be a good bf and come keep an eye on my brother? I won't be gone long, an hour or two tops, but I just... [She trails off, ending her sentence in a quick shrug. Even if she's trying to go for casual, knowing Taako as he does, Kravitz may be able to pick up on her worry, just simmering there beneath the surface.]

Don't want him to roll out of bed and hurt himself or something, y'know?

[knockthemdead]

[It does feel like there's something she's holding back, but Kravitz doesn't feel like he's in any position to inquire. They barely know each other, after all. He nods, wanting to be reassuring and yet entirely of his depth. How does one!!! Do that!!!]

Yes, of course. I'll even bring pillows to line the floor with.

[uh- uhhhhh-]

Are you. Is everything alright?

audio

[armcollector]

[Something hits Magnus like a ton of bricks. Something he's been meaning to do for ages now. Somehow, he's just kept getting caught up in other shit, until he totally forgot Kravitz existed other than as an accessory to Taako.

Like, he had that weird dream about him that one time?? God, was that just his subconscious trying to nag at him to finally fucking spit out what he needs to say to the guy?

Whatever, he just grabs his phone and finds Kravitz's name in it.

Ring, ring...

Dammit, voicemail.]

Heeeeeeey, Krav. Just wonderin' how you were doing. How's the kids. Okay, don't let me sidetrack this with bullshit. I've been meaning to talk to you about something. Kiiiiinda important? Like, as far as stuff that matters a lot to me, Magnus, goes on your radar? Which, hey, might fall at least slightly under holding Taako's hand or whatever you two do.

Not that I spend a ton of time imagining it or anything. Stiiiiill not seeing where this big pair up could have started but like, great job keeping it secret from EVERYBODY, you jackasses.

[Okay, he's getting sidetracked again already.]

Okay, just, please please call me back and lemme know if you ever got around to doing that favor I asked you to do? Yeah. Just. Yeah. Okay. Talk to you soon. Hopefully.

[Aaand message sent.]

[knockthemdead]

[A rather lengthy audio message from Magnus was not something Kravitz expected to find on his communicator. He listens with a confused upwards curve to his eyebrows, and eventually, despite himself, an amused little grin.

Of course, that drops clean off his face when Magnus gets to the whole point of the call.

Julia.

He'd completely neglected to tell Magnus- well, anything. Guilt is not something Kravitz feels too often. It's not tenable or wise in his position. But now... Yeah. Kravitz would say he fucked up. He takes a deep breathe through useless lungs to psych himself up, and dials back.]

Magnus?

[armcollector]

[When Magnus sees who's calling, he rushes to answer it, nearly dropping his phone in the meantime. He brings the phone to his ear.]

Hey? Kravitz?

[It rings again and he jerks it away from right next to his fucking face, gods, he forgot to hit accept. He takes a quick breath and actually accepts the call first this time.]

Hey, yeah, uh, what's up? You good?

[Like, he knows why Kravitz is calling, but he can feel himself starting to try to put them on a bullshit track already. Avoiding the subject.

He doesn't know why. There's nothing he wants more than to hear from Julia. And whether... the Julia that was brought here by the gods was really her. If she really did have to die twice, or if he can find some solace in an idea that maybe that whole fiasco never disturbed her peaceful rest.]

...You... get my message?

[He doesn't know why, but he does know why. He doesn't want to be told a hard truth. He doesn't want to know if Taako and Merle really killed his actual wife.]

[knockthemdead]

I, uh, I'm good. And yes, I received your message.

[Kravitz feels the urge to stall as well, that instinct that pushes him away from difficult to navigate conversations stirring and kicking into high gear.

But this needs to happen.]

Perhaps it's something we should discuss in person? But I'm not opposed to- to telling you like this. If you'd prefer.

May 3rd - Text

[restinglichface]

hey tell taako to come home
its his turn to do dinner
hes ignoring me like a dick

feel free to tell him i said that

[knockthemdead]

[Kravitz does his very best to swallow the pinprick of panic he feels once he’s read Lup’s text, but that’s rather difficult, because:]

I also have not heard from Taako. He’s certainly not with me. I assumed he was with you, actually.

[restinglichface]

is this a bit
cuz it isnt funny

[honestly, lup doesn't even have to ask, not when her stomach lurches like it does. kravitz wouldn't...]

dont fuck with me skeletor

is he there or not?

[knockthemdead]

Lup, this is hardly something I would joke about.

He is not here. I trust you have a list of places? I can portal to you and then to each of them. Unless you wish to split up, but I doubt that would be very advantageous.

[He's blabbering. It happens when he's nervous.]

[text, september 24th]

[barold]

Hello, Kravitz.
This is Barry.

How are you? Just asking for no reason in particular.

his fave inlaw

[knockthemdead]

Hello Barry. This is Kravitz.

[Yes, he's teasing you.]

I'm well. Glad to have my feet back on comparatively solid ground. And how are you?

For no particular reason.

[barold]

I am well as well, thank you!
Also relieved to be off the boat.
As pleasant as it was, I vastly prefer it when the ground does not move.

Did you have a fun time on the ship though, while it lasted?
Did you and Taako get up to anything fun?

[Another completely innocent line of questioning.........]

[knockthemdead]

As do I.

[Yeah, this definitely isn't getting more and more suspicious. Barry is too sweet to be very wary of, though.]

I suppose we had some enjoyable interludes. It's difficult to plan much of a date at sea, but I'm sure you understand that as well. Taako does have the ability to make just about any place an enjoyable one to be at, though.

Would you like to ask me a more pointed question, Barry? I mean, I feel like you do. Could just be paranoia.

[text, backdated to early morning on the 2nd]

[pocketspa]

i think lups gone

[It's out of nowhere, in the middle of the night, but that tends to hardly matter with Taako. But after an entire day of searching, he feels like he's given up the ghost.

Hah. Ghost. There's a joke there, probably. He doesn't care about it right now.]

i...................exist

[knockthemdead]

When did you see her last?

[Everyone has gone missing for a few days before, right? He refuses to panic.]

I LOV U BABE

[pocketspa]

almost 24 hrs ago
barry and i looked all day
angus too
texts are bouncing

[He shouldn't even say he thinks, when he feels like he knows.]

I LOV U TOO

[knockthemdead]

[That last part is the worst indicator. Normally when someone stays on the network, things are fine, but...]

If you require rest, I can continue the search. I will regardless. I'm leaving now.