( It is disconcerting, thanks. Particularly when coupled with that cavalier explanation, and... you know, he's not surprised but that doesn't exactly mean he's happy about it. )
I'd like to pause and take a moment to point out how you're saying that sentence like it's a normal... sentence. It's not a normal sentence. I think it's important to, you know, keep sane person reality in mind from time to time.
[ It's a fair and accurate callout. Doesn't mean Nate has to like it, but it does add - a bit - to the pile of things he isn't sure he should tell Ian, strictly for Ian's sake. How does one begin to explain the logistics he arranged in that jungle, the gauntlet he ran to disarm the Null's ships, the number of times he "died" in Hadriel just to come back and hit them harder?
Better to just swivel his gaze around without making eye contact, somewhat pointedly looking at their very unconventional surroundings. ]
Uh...okay. Reality noted. Are you gonna throw a brick at me before an alien Pteranodon picks me up or what?
( Ian would have a fair few things to say about the list of stuff Nate's keeping from him for his own good, but he's also a total hypocrite. Surely these communication issues won't lead to any conflict later.
Don't think he doesn't clock that turn, Drake.
Rather than answer, he chucks a hunk of what looks an awful lot like crystal -- straight from the magical dragon itself, irreverent as hell, aiming for Nate's chest. )
You're gonna be hoping for the Pteranodon.
( A mild, completely (probably) unfounded threat. )
Anyway, I don't think throwing stuff at you is really gonna teach us anything. If we wanna gauge size and force... I'm pretty sure we're gonna have to go a little Harry Potter. Have a wizard duel in the alien jungle.
[ Nate shifts quickly, jerking his palm up again in a sharp motion and the same invisible shield manifests in front of him. The chunk of rock pings off of it and spins into the earth. ]
A wizard duel.
[ Taako told him about these. Something about honor and petty grudges and just "wanting to dunk on people sometimes, you know?" It would be a good opportunity for Nate to see if the rest of those spells still work, or how much rust he might need to shake off.
Maybe an appropriate time to demonstrate that he's not helpless. ]
( Hilarious that out of the two of them Nate thinks he's the one that has to demonstrate he's not helpless.
Ian also doesn't know the first damn thing about wizard duels other than he's pretty sure they usually involve wands or Balrogs, neither of which he has. Rather than point it out, though, he opts to continue his catch 'em off guard bullshit. Half a shrug, a twitch of an eyebrow like what can you do, and then six feet of rock and dirt lift off the ground like a wave in front of Nate, aiming to cover him.
Seems like as good a place to start as any, right?
Also, in hindsight, maybe something he should have strted practicing before now -- offensive matter-bending. Mental note to work on that for the future. )
[ Nate was anticipating, perhaps, something a little less immediately violent than a massive piece of earth, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. They have to take the dirt they're given and be grateful.
All he has time to do is brace himself, throwing up the shield again as the mass plows into him. It feels akin to being hit by a car, dense, rich loam and gravelly bits crushing past and scraping his elbows, so he tucks them in tighter and hunches behind the only cover he's got while loose soil spills down the back of his shirt.
Boots pressed firmly into the ground he manages not to lose his balance but comes out the other side blinking owlishly at Ian, reluctant to lower his hands.
He looks a mess, like he went rolling through the underbrush and slammed himself against every tree along the way. ]
( So, he tries not to look smug. He just doesn't try very hard. Showing up on this planet wasn't really the start of Nate expressing his doubts over how well Ian could handle himself, but it's definitely become way more relevant. Feels a little gratifying to get Mr. I dodge bullets for lunch off his game. )
You look good dirty.
( He says with a shrug, as though it's some kind of explanation. )
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no subject
I'd like to pause and take a moment to point out how you're saying that sentence like it's a normal... sentence. It's not a normal sentence. I think it's important to, you know, keep sane person reality in mind from time to time.
( Guerrilla warfare, Nate? )
no subject
Better to just swivel his gaze around without making eye contact, somewhat pointedly looking at their very unconventional surroundings. ]
Uh...okay. Reality noted. Are you gonna throw a brick at me before an alien Pteranodon picks me up or what?
no subject
Don't think he doesn't clock that turn, Drake.
Rather than answer, he chucks a hunk of what looks an awful lot like crystal -- straight from the magical dragon itself, irreverent as hell, aiming for Nate's chest. )
You're gonna be hoping for the Pteranodon.
( A mild, completely (probably) unfounded threat. )
Anyway, I don't think throwing stuff at you is really gonna teach us anything. If we wanna gauge size and force... I'm pretty sure we're gonna have to go a little Harry Potter. Have a wizard duel in the alien jungle.
no subject
A wizard duel.
[ Taako told him about these. Something about honor and petty grudges and just "wanting to dunk on people sometimes, you know?" It would be a good opportunity for Nate to see if the rest of those spells still work, or how much rust he might need to shake off.
Maybe an appropriate time to demonstrate that he's not helpless. ]
Someone's feeling cocky.
no subject
Ian also doesn't know the first damn thing about wizard duels other than he's pretty sure they usually involve wands or Balrogs, neither of which he has. Rather than point it out, though, he opts to continue his catch 'em off guard bullshit. Half a shrug, a twitch of an eyebrow like what can you do, and then six feet of rock and dirt lift off the ground like a wave in front of Nate, aiming to cover him.
Seems like as good a place to start as any, right?
Also, in hindsight, maybe something he should have strted practicing before now -- offensive matter-bending. Mental note to work on that for the future. )
no subject
[ Nate was anticipating, perhaps, something a little less immediately violent than a massive piece of earth, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. They have to take the dirt they're given and be grateful.
All he has time to do is brace himself, throwing up the shield again as the mass plows into him. It feels akin to being hit by a car, dense, rich loam and gravelly bits crushing past and scraping his elbows, so he tucks them in tighter and hunches behind the only cover he's got while loose soil spills down the back of his shirt.
Boots pressed firmly into the ground he manages not to lose his balance but comes out the other side blinking owlishly at Ian, reluctant to lower his hands.
He looks a mess, like he went rolling through the underbrush and slammed himself against every tree along the way. ]
I didn't know you could do that.
no subject
You look good dirty.
( He says with a shrug, as though it's some kind of explanation. )
If you need me to go easier on you...