Early update as i won't be home this Sunday. Then next Sunday falls on New Year's eve so next chapter will also possibly another randomly posted one, maybe either day before or after.

Holidays can be hard. so I wish you well and may you be cosy and surrounded by loved ones, espeilly in these dark winter weeks.

Angus swung his wand with a whip lash. And Dispel Magic hit Taako, right in the fake smug face.

Maybe too hard. Angus's attack was an accidental natural twenty-six (with a surprise advantage against Taako's AC.) Taako yelped for one thing. And it sent him staggering back into the counter with a bang, clutching his face!

There's a few other surprised yells. And 'oooohs'. As well as a telling off from Mrs Cosie to "Stop blooming fighting in my shop!"

"Did you say Taako? As in sizzle it up with Taako?" Ruby's attitude is going one-eighty into fangirl mode.

When Taako pulls his hands away, Angus realises with a wince it's Not just the illusionary mask or disguise-self he's taken out. but the glamour Taako wore out in public.

Shit.

The crowd started to murmur confused. And there's Whispers amongst the customers and staff alike.

"Did he say Taako?"

"The Taako?"

"can't be."

"It's him. Him from the story!"

"You sure? Doesn't look much like him."

"Well, it's not a very common name, is it?"

"Okay not cool," a rather plain-faced Taako said, lifting his head Revealing Taako's flamboyant clothes and crutch that had been under illusion. "The fuck, Angus?"

Ruby squeals in glee. Exceedingly high, and a glass-dome on the counter cracks. Dale's attitude also does a one-eighty, as does most of the shops. But mostly from angry to confused, rather than excited. Why was one of the saviours of fae rune here? And beating people up in a halving business?

"What is going on?" Mrs Cosie asked, then said slowly. "Is this one of those silly prank shows? Are we being filmed?"

"What's going on is he can't keep away!" Angus scowled, pointing an accusatory finger at Taako. Taako points right back. And Mrs Cosie can only watch a tennis match of arguments flying back and forth between them.

"What's going on is I just wanted to keep tabs on MY coffee making magic boy."

"And he can't keep a promise either-!"

"Hey now listen- honey don't blow a gasket. Rest assured I never promised anything."

"I don't invite them!" This Angus says to Mrs Cosie. But he's almost drowned out.

"I told you! I told you it was Taako!"

"He's been here before," Dale agrees. He's suddenly on crowd control. "Him and most of the other birds."

"Really?"

"Well two? Lup and Magnus."

"I watched like four of your shows!" Ruby says.

"Can I have your autograph?" asks another.

"Okay wow. Always good to meet a fan or two." Taako said, backing away from the encroaching folks edging closer, and gestures to Angus. "But I'm kinda busy here!?"

"They found out where I worked-!" Angus is still trying to explain to his boss what was going on. "I don't invite them! The Birds- well four of them? The Bee Oh Bee? They show up, okay? But Taako does it just to joke around and ruin my day-!"

"I ruin it?"

Taako looks surprised. Like, real surprised.

"Well, you have now!" Angus points out. "And whenever you have been in, you are so rude to me, and my work mates? you deliberately stir up trouble and try to haggle? or act like a real moron! You made Dotty cry, you wound her up so much? You used up like a loaf of bread sending toast back one day? Or that time you poked your finger in someone else's takeaway drink? Because you gave the same name as them, so I had to remake it? Why do you think I asked you not to come here? It's exactly why I didn't tell you I was working here!"

He was not expecting Mrs Cosie to side with Taako.

"You didn't tell them you were working? Why?" Mrs Cosie frowned. "Angus, you're underage for a human. If they're your guardians, then who signed your permission slip? Your emergency contact? why didn't you tell them?"

"Yeah, kid why didn't you tell us?" Taako teased.

"Because You Do This!" Angus "you literally proved I because you show up every day in disguises and misbehave. You take the mick out of everything I do - and normally I wouldn't mind because that's how we've always been? but this? This is important to me! I set a boundary clear as day and you of all people stepped right over it. And now? Today someone has got hurt because you've gone too far Taako!"

He gestures to the still prone figures around them. The train guy waves. Miss Ada is still being tended to by Miss Hecate, and the Orc is still sitting on the floor while another halfling is checking on her.

"This? This isn't funny. I said no and you just ignore my wishes to be left alone? Why? Why did you deliberately set out try to fuck up something I really enjoy?"

To be fair to him. Taako does look genuinely sorry about that.

"This was an accident. today. I'll admit this one's on Taako. Fuck. Okay, Listen Mrs C? Can I call you Mrs C? I've got the gold. I can cover any property damage, any medic, no worries. And any drinks…Maybe. And I'll send you three," he waves at the Orc, the train guy and the halving who'd been hurt. "A cookery set and a signed cookbook each. Plus, a fruit basket or a hamper or some shit. Oh, and how about a kitchen play set for the preschool? Cool? We cool?"

The orc begrudgingly mutters that's fine and sits down. So does the train guy, and Miss Ada gives a weak little thumbs up.

But Angus is still seeing red.

"I don't want Taako inside the shop. disguise or not! or Lup or Ren or anyone else in the family either! Not anymore!" he said, voice cracking. That gets a definite disapproval rating. Especially with the regulars. Halvings have a very loyal ties to family after all. Even ones they can

"Now now dear, you can't just bar your family over literally spilt milk." Mrs Cosie warns.

"Yeah, not your cafe for one." Taako said.

"Tea shop!" Mrs Cosie corrects.

"Tea shop." Taako agrees.

"TAAKO, I DON'T WANT YOU HERE!" Angus says. He's so angry. and that shout, it comes out louder than his voice should sound in the space. Blood is Roaring in his ears. His magic is prickling Up the back of his skull and Angus Can feel it behind his eyes. Till Suddenly There's a woosh and even the air is vibrating around him.

Everyone steps back, and even the wizard is Stunned into silence. Bar the White noise surrounding Angus.

"Woah…pumpkin…maybe put that flame out?" Taako has his hands up. "Watch the paint work, y'know?"

"Easy there, love." Mrs Cosie agrees- nervously. "Maybe- maybe you should go sit down."

Angus takes a breath and looks down.

In one hand his wand is in a death grip and sparks are spluttering out the top. In the other? Well.

Transmuted from the air and his bracer silver flames lick around his wrist where his clenched fists. The fire is swirling up his arms and around his nose and lips. It smells and tastes both like death and herbal medicine. Mostly illusionary but there's some heat and some cold in there.

The public, Mrs Cosie and Even Taako are right to weary. Unfocused magic can be as dangerous as wild magic. Unpredictable with no set target it can be a lot stronger than a standard spell. It's not an uncommon phenomenon. But it's been a long time since Angus was this angry, this much let down. Shakingly Angus takes another deep breath. He snuffs the flames out with a bubble around it. Once it's choked out, he pops that too. It returns his bracer to normal and the ringing stops, tucking his hands into his pits Angus hugs himself trying the will back tears that are welling up.

Now on top of everything he feels childish too. Great. There's a pause as both adults in the situation access the situation. Before either can approach him. Ruby flies around them and suddenly wraps her arms around his waist giving him the biggest hug, bless the fairy.

Meanwhile Mr Cosie turns back to Taako, putting herself protectively between him and Angus. While she is calm and civil, as she speaks, she is firm and fierce. And clearly unwilling to put up with any more nonsense.

"Mr Taako - if that really is you. At this moment in time, I do not care if you saved the universe or even the multiverse. Right now, you're making yourself a nuisance. You have injured other customers and upset one of my employees. I get he's 'your boy'. But while Angus is here, I've a duty of care to the lad so I won't have any more wind ups. Same to my customers. Now either have a drink, sit in if you wish, and be civil while we get this mess sorted. Or pardon my impish, you can blooming well clear off!"

"Oh yeah. Sure. Sure thing," Taako patters, backs up pointing at angus. "I'm out, heading out. Just to be clear though, I think he needs the day off? Or a few? Paid of course."

Mrs Cosie gives him a Hmm of agreement. Taako swallows and tries, "cool. Cool cool. Gucci place you have here, by the way. But listen. Bud? Angus-?"

Glares at him over Mrs Cosies head, still trying to blink back angry tears.

"Just Leave Me Alone Taako. I'm sick of this stupid game." Angus mutters. "And I don't want to see you."

Taako blinks at him stunned.

And then blinks right out of reality.