Well, it was an admirable effort, until she had to go and really scrutinise him, and now it was all for nothing, because he is all averted eyes and cringed ears and frankly annoyed set to his mouth. Which is unfair, and unnecessary, what else is new. It's not even, look, the vanity is real, he's not gonna lie, but. How fucked up is it they're less identical now over some shit that didn't even have to happen? And how fucked up is it that there's nothing he can do about it? Giving something up but sweeping the rug out at the last minute and getting to keep it is a signature Taako fuck-you move, the down-and-dirty third option that's just 'my way, actually.' And this was certainly a less than perfect execution, but the sentiment remained for sure. And he doesn't get to keep even that! It's complicated and dumb and probably not real and he didn't want it looked at. Not to mention it just, isn't important right now, because they're surviving, fuck off. No more crises, no more missteps, that part of the night has been over and this wasn't her fault, wasn't A fault at all.

He's gearing up to express just that, but doesn't get the chance. He hears the viciousness in her voice and knows probably better than anyone still alive how that tends to shake down, and the involuntary teeth-baring grin it puts on his face probably does a lot more to make them identical than spellcasting would have. "Good." Who knew retroactive, vicarious bloodthirst could be such a warm fuzzy feeling? No one loves justice quite like people who don't see it that often. "I mean, I didn't know at the time, and I've been, uhh, a little busy since then. But now I know. He couldn't have ended up in better hands." He looks a little less thrilled about murder, but honestly, that was a good gift just now, Lup, and he still looks pretty bout it. "Sorry I said some stuff I didn't know I didn't mean, at the time. Basic liches get stitches. Better?" Please let them just. Put all of this away. At least for tonight if not forever.