#nerdepic

and plants/foliage i can draw with lots of curves and lines and such!

The young boy looked up at him, looking clearly confused, and Taako cursed his own damn mouth.

He’d never been fond of children. They were too loud, too sticky, too everywhere and underfoot and chaotic-

“I-I’m sorry, sir, but what do you mean?” the child asked, completely unlike the others of his kind.

Taako wanted to just turn and walk away. But something about this kid made him stay.

“It’s shit for trying to figure out how magic works. Too technical, if you ask me. Especially for cantrips and level ones, no need to overcomplicate that simple stuff, trust me.”

The kid gaped for a moment before he shut the book, scrambling to his feet and holding out his hand.

“My name’s Angus McDonald, sir! A-and if you wouldn’t mind, I’d love if you could teach me what you mean!”

Taako blinked at him before bursting out into laughter. “Me? No way, kiddo, I’m no teacher.”

“Oh.” Angus sighed, dropping his hand. “That’s alright, sir, I understand. Plus, you don’t even know me, and you’re probably busy. I just thought I’d ask because magic would be a really useful skill to learn, but I’m not so good at it yet.”

“Pssh, magic isn’t a skill. It’s…hm. Well, not to sound poetic or some shit like that, but it’s a part of you, homie. You just gotta connect with it in the right way.”

Angus looked confused. “And how…how do I do that?”

Taako shrugged. “It’s different for everyone. My sister says hers is like a flame, which of-fuckin’-course it is, but mine….I dunno. It feels softer. Welcoming and shit, y’know?”

Angus only looked more confused, but before he could ask another question, a tall, dark, and absolutely drop-dead gorgeous man approached, looking slightly harried and out of breath.

“Angus. There you are.” The man breathed. “You know you’re not supposed-“

“Yes, I know sir. But there was just so much going on, and I just wanted-“

The man smiled (making him look even hotter, what the actual fuck) and interrupted Angus with a soft, “I understand. But you still need to let Miss Lucretia know if you need to come by. You’re always welcome to visit them, but it could be dangerous if nobody knows where you are. Now, say goodbye to the nice man, and let’s get you back home.”

Angus nodded, looking just like a kicked puppy, and gathered up his book before turning back to Taako.

“Um. It was nice meeting you sir, and thank you for the advice about magic. Even though I don’t quite get it yet.”

“Who’s the ‘they’ you’re visiting?” Taako asked before his brain caught up to what his mouth was doing, hitting himself when he realized what he’d said. “I’m sorry, dumb fucking question-“

“Oh, no, I don’t mind, sir. My parents are here.” Angus shrugged. “I live at the orphanage nearby, and sometimes it’s too noisy to focus so I like to come here and study with them.”

Taako felt a pang of sympathy and familiarity, but before he could let himself speak again, the gorgeous, flawless man offered his hand to Angus.

“Let’s get going.” He said, smiling at Taako. “Thank you for talking with Angus here.”

“Yes, thank you!” Angus repeated, and the two walked off, leaving Taako with a mix of emotions swirling in his head.”

A long moment or five later, there was the sound of his sister’s laughter behind him, and he turned to see her walking up to him, making eyes at her boy toy and grinning like a loon.

“Ready?” she asked Taako once she was in earshot.

“Yeah.” He told her. Lup frowned, turning her attention completely towards him.

“What’s up?”

Taako shook his head. “Nothin’ babe. I just-I’m thinking about something, that’s all.”

Lup narrowed her eyes a bit at him but shrugged, deciding not to press it. “Alright, bro-bro. Let’s get a rockin’ and a rollin’ then.”

Taako nooded and followed her out of the labyrinth of death, preoccupied still with the list he’d started making in his head.