#crunchy taako

[fandomsnstuff]

@taznovembercelebration

Day 3: bakery au/playlist

Kravitz gives Taako a gift and gets invited to a party

Read it on AO3

Kravitz stands pressed against the brick wall outside the bakery, out of view of the large stretch of front windows. He drums his fingers on the plastic case in his hands.

This is. Insane. Taako's working. He's almost always been working when they see each other. What on Earth made him think that making him a mixtape in cd form, cassette form, and spotify form (just in case he doesn't have a way to play the other two) would be appropriate?

Sure, they see each other every day when Kravitz comes in for a sweet treat. And Taako flirts with him over the counter every time, and loiters around the little table he sits at by the window to talk to him more. Then of course there was that time they ran into each other at the grocery store and stood in the aisle talking for at least 30 minutes. And the time they ran into each other at the movies and went for dinner and a walk after. Then Taako gave him his number the next day when he came in for a danish, and they text almost every day. Taako even joked that they were meant to be when they found out that Kravitz's old college roommate is his brother in law.

But a mixtape? What is this, 1986?

But here he is, with an hour and a half of music he carefully curated for Taako in three different forms. At this point he can't not give it to him.

He takes a deep breath and walks into the bakery. The bell above the door jingles and Taako doesn't even look up from where he's loading some fresh cookies into the display. "I was wondering how long you were gonna stand out there."

Kravitz freezes. "You could see-"

"Sure could." Taako comes up and leans against the counter, smiling smugly. "Whatcha got there?"

Kravitz hides the tape and cd behind his back, his face burning. "Nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing." Kravitz takes a very sudden interest in the wall behind Taako. "Tell you what," Taako says, drawing Kravitz's eyes back to him like a magnet, "I'll trade you. You show me what made you stand outside my place of business for 10 minutes, and I give you one of my new ginger molasses cookies, on the house."

Kravitz eyes the cookies in question. They do look good, perfect picturesque cracks on top, sugar on the outside glistening like crystal. And Taako's cookies are always perfectly crunchy on the edges and soft in the middle.

"They just came out of the oven," he says tauntingly, "still warm."

The unfortunate thing is that Kravitz can be bought. Especially with baked goods. "I, um," his heart is still racing, but he approaches the counter, "this is so dumb, but I," he laughs, embarrassed, and presents the gifts, "I made you a mixtape? You mentioned that you've been listening to the same music when you bake since you started working here, and maybe you want to, but I just thought you might like… another option." Taako's very good at keeping his composure, but his eyebrows have raised. Kravitz hopes that's good surprised and not incredulous, bad surprised. "I didn't know what you have to play music so, uh, yeah."

A beat of silence passes, then Taako barks a laugh. He picks up the cassette and flips it over, reading the tracks. "Hozier, ACDC, Taylor Swift," his voice rises in pitch as he reads out the artists, "My Chemical Romance, Ed Sheeran, The Backstreet Boys, Nickleback-" he cackles, "you're a freak, Krav, this fucks."

Kravitz laughs. "You said you like variety."

"Well I've certainly got it now." He puts the tape down and walks back to the display, grabbing a paper bag and a pair of tongs. "I think I owe you two cookies for this."

"You don't have to-"

"Too late!" He packages up two ginger cookies and hands the bag over to him. "No take-backsies."

"Thank you." He takes his treat and sits at his table by the window, watching Taako as he takes his new music into the back, and a moment later the song playing over the speakers stops and Take Me to Church starts.

Taako isn't able to stop and talk to him a lot, he putters around, filling the display case, cleaning, helping other people who come in. When Kravitz is on his way out, Taako calls out, "hey, Krav!" He turns, and Taako says, "do you want to go to a party?"

"Like, in general?"

"No, I'm- there's going to be a party this weekend. With my friends. Barold will be there. Do you want to come?"

"Oh," other than Barry, he hasn't met Taako's friends, "I wouldn't want to intrude on your friends."

"Well," Taako scoffs and crosses his arms, "it's my birthday party so I can do whatever I want and they can deal."

Kravitz's eyes widen. "It's your birthday? I had no idea-"

"You wouldn't. Anyway, you in?"

"Yeah, yes, for sure."

"Cool. I'll text you."

Taako texts him later that day with an address and a time for the coming Saturday. He asks if he should bring anything, and Taako's response of "just your handsome self" makes his heart do somersaults. He considers getting Taako a gift, but he made him a mixtape. Maybe he already considers that his gift. He thinks about bringing wine, but he knows Taako's pretty particular about his wine pairings. The idea of flowers goes straight out the window, that'd be too much.

He follows Taako's instructions and just brings himself. There's food and desserts set out, including a cake that's been pre-cut so people can just grab and go. He asks Taako, "no candles?"

He snorts. "Trust me, you don't want to hear these fuckers sing."

The party itself is… fine. Taako's friends are welcoming, and include him in conversation and games. But there's a history and camaraderie here that he's very clearly not a part of. Of course it's Taako's party, so he can do what he wants, but Kravitz feels like he shouldn't be here.

Taako sticks around in his general vicinity for the most part, which Kravitz is grateful for. It reminds him that he was actually invited. But at some point Taako gets dragged off to do god knows what, and Kravitz takes the opportunity to step outside.

The cool night air is refreshing. He takes a deep breath and sits in one of the patio chairs. A minute later, the sliding door opens and Barry steps out. He sits in the chair next to him, "you okay, bud?"

He shrugs. "Yeah." Barry gives him a sympathetic look that somehow makes him want to spill his guts. Kravitz sighs, "it's just- I'm glad that Taako invited me, but it just feels like- everybody's nice and all, but you've known each other for so long, maybe it'd have been better if his birthday party was just his closest friends, you know?"

Barry snorts. "Sorry, I'm not laughing at you, but," he chuckles and shakes his head, "do you know how Taako normally celebrates his birthday?"

His brow furrows. "He has a party? Has all his friends come and give him presents?"

"No. He lets Lup buy him dinner and that's it. He never wants a party or cake. I'm not even allowed to know where they're going for dinner." He leans in close and lowers his voice, "this party didn't exist until he invited you to it."

"Then…" he looks back through the glass of the sliding door, where Taako's scrambling to get out of Magnus's arms like an indignant cat while Merle loudly sings Happy Birthday, "why?"

Barry looks a little smug. "I have a few ideas."

"Like what?"

He shrugs and stands, clapping a hand on Kravitz's shoulder. "I'll see you in there."

"Wha- Barry!"

But he's already gone back inside.

The Monday after the party, Kravitz is sitting at his table in the bakery, daydreaming out the window when a slice of confetti cake is set down in front of him. Taako sits across from him with his own slice of confetti cake that has a purple candle sticking out of it. He takes a lighter out of his pocket and seem to light and blow out the candle in one go. He picks up the fork on his plate and digs into the cake. Kravitz picks up his own fork and tentatively takes a bite.

"I hear Barold spilled the party beans to you," Taako says after a long silence. He's deconstructing the layers of cake with his fork.

"Party beans?" Kravitz says eloquently.

Taako huffs. "Party beans! The beans about the party!" He slumps back in his chair, and scoops a lump of icing into his mouth.

Kravitz doesn't know what to say, so he says nothing. They both pick at their cake in silence as Green Day serenades them through the speakers.

"I just never really saw the point," Taako says eventually. "For our entire lives, our birthday was just another day, because we had no money to make a big deal about it. Then we got some money and a couple of friends, and we could make a whole shindig about it. Lup loved it, I didn't really care. I liked planning it for Lup, but I just didn't need it for me. I let her take me to dinner because she insists on doing something."

Kravitz takes a moment, then says, "you deserve to be celebrated, Taako."

"I know," he snaps. "A birthday party's just too much."

"But you love getting attention." He shrugs, still slumped in his seat. Kravitz says, "so why the party now?"

"I wanted to spend time with you, doofus. And a birthday party was the first thing that came to my idiot brain."

"Oh." Kravitz stabs at his cake. "You don't need to throw a party to get me to spend time with you." Taako stays low in his seat, looking at his decimated piece of cake. "Can I take you to dinner?"

Taako finally sits up. "As long as you don't tell the waiters it's my birthday. I've been subjected to too many sparklers and stupid hats."

Kravitz laughs. "I think I can manage that."

[bluekacola]

i drew this at like -5° rotation and then autodesk sketchbook wouldnt let me rotate it without making it the most horrific Crunchy thing known to the earth so for a prime viewing experience rotate your device ever so slightly 5 degrees to the left

here is a taako going off of my very limited adventure zone knowledge (2 and a half of the graphic novels and like 30 minutes of the podcast) and my even more limited d&d knowledge because he is lovely:)

[canon-fcdder]

heartheaded: 

𝄇𝄋𝄋𝄆 > ❝Listen, this isn’t really that big of a deal, is it? Tell you what–call me when there’s another dragon to slay……… or lay. I’m open to suggestions, but for now–we have to get our coin somehow, and only Scanlan can light up this drab and dank city square, so if you’d excuse me.❞

The gnome told his current companion as he hopped up on the center fountain, tuning his lute. As every good minx should, he flattens back his hair and starts letting loose a fast and soft melody, more of a ballad. He seems to be scatting for now, until he can come up with something which, knowing him wouldn’t be long at all.

「 ☆ 」    The bard’s suggestive nonchalance reminds Taako of a former traveling companion, prone to similar... quips. Although they couldn’t be more different than night and day when it came to how they carry themselves. One a dwarven cleric, weathered and war-weary, a bit on the  ❛  crunchy  ❜  side with his devotion to natural world. Clumsy and a tad oblivious at times, but dependable when it matters. If a bit bullheaded, when he didn’t feel like going with the flow of a situation. And the other— is this. A gnomic bard, pristine and posturing, seemingly devoted to the needs of the people rather than the plants. Grace in words and movement, with what seems to be a sharp mind to match his sharp tongue. Then again, it could be a ruse...

One can always paint themselves as smarter than they truly are, much like how Taako often plays the part of the fool. Not quite as glamorous a role, but a necessary one... and if he’s being honest, far more FUN than constant seriousness.

Hence his bemused smile as he returns the playful comment,  ❝ Firstly, kudos to the wordplay. Seriously, good stuff.  ❞  Pointing a finger gun at the gnome, he then claps his hands in front of himself, allowing his smile to slip as he adds,  ❝ However, I’m not sure you understand the definition of a  ❛  big deal  ❜. Because I’d consider being broke as Hell, one of those.  ❞  Not to say that he doubted they’d gather some coin— wealth has a way of making itself to Taako’s pockets, one way or another —but it’s still a daunting task to start with not even a breadcrumb to their name.  ❝ And that’s a cute little ditty you have going on there—  ❞

Resting a hand on his slim hip, other one motions at Scanlan’s musical weapon of choice,  ❝  But I’m not convinced we WON’T end up needing to go fisticuffs with a dragon just to get a decent meal and beds that aren't already occupied by bugs. Drab and dank as this place may be darling, it still doesn’t look cheap.  ❞  Sitting down on the fountain, giving the performer a fair bit of space to command his stage, Taako crosses one leg over the other,  ❝ Do you really think these sour-faced suckers are going to cough up some coin?  ❞  

He looks more curious than condescending; having been a fellow performer himself in the past— still considering himself one NOW, if he’s being honest —and wondering how adept Scanlan is at drawing in ( and winning over ) an audience.   「 ☆ 」 

[tradingspacesofficial]

I FORGOT TAAKO SURFS THIS EPISODE IS SO GOOD

[xoxo-ren-xoxo]

TAZ Characters as MORE things I have said

Taako: I have eaten more than the average amount of dirt

Magnus: Let's go, lesbians. This place is very hetero and it ain't a good look.

Merle: Do you mean grass as in weed or grass as in grass?

Lup: I can have a little arson, as a treat

Barry: FOUND A DEAD SQUIRREL COME AND GET IT!!!!!!!!

Lucretia: Wish I could read all these books but my brain will not allow me to be happy I guess

Davenport: Is there anything more beautiful than the sea? Don't answer that.

Kravitz: Some of my bones just don't work!

Angus: Legally I am now the only person allowed to swear. Frick.

Killian: You'll love this, it's gay

Carey: Of course I love it, it's gay

[grubloved]

space wizards

[propertyoflup]

A concept:

Taako with long hair, but he doesn’t own a brush and he’s kinda crunchy

[incarnation-of-rasputin]

I drew my favorite boy while listening to the last episode of the Balance campaign <3

[nattoppet-dj]

Idk anything about taz but i love Taako please draw him ❤

the difference between peanut butter types. creamy and crunchy.

bonus:

dressed down, lovestruck krav!!

[jerreeeeeee]

taako and merle hate each other because “he cant take a single hit without exploding and then has the gall to give me lip about my healing” and “he’s short and old and crunchy and he stinks” both completely unaware of any rivalry or bad blood between dwarves and elves

[screamingbluepanda]

Interests

Not everything will be listed (because sometimes I forgor) All things associated with tags I have posted will be listed

General

Art Digital & Traditional

Fanfic/Writing/Reading

D&D/Dungeons & Dragons

Furry/Fursuiting

Red Pandas

Space/Astronomy

Cosplay

Crafts

Crystals & Gemstones

Wicca

Cooking

Cartoons

The Owl House - #toh

Helluva Boss - #helluva #helluva boss

Ninjago #ninjago - #lego ninjago

Animaniacs - #animaniacs

Kipo: The Age of Wonderbeasts - #kipo

Dead End: Paranormal Park - #dead end #de:pp

Inside Job - #inside job

Gravity Falls - #gravity falls #gf

She-ra and the Princesses of Power - #shera

Steven Universe - #steven universe #su

Invader Zim - #invader zim #iz

Star VS. - #svtfoe

Aggretsuko - #aggretsuko

The Cuphead Show - #cuphead

MLP - #mlp

Anime

Digimon (Adventure, 02, Tri) - #digimon

Beastars - #beastars

Brand New Animal - #bna

My Hero Academia - #bnha

Death Note - #death note

Fruits Basket - #fruba

Danganronpa - #danganronpa #dr2 #dr

Mob Psycho 100 - #mp100

Soul Eater

Promised Neverland

Blue Exorcist

Assassination Classroom

TV Shows/Movies

IT (2017 & 2019) - #it #it 2017 #it 2019

Luca - #luca

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - #puss in boots

Stranger Things - #stranger things #st

MFKZ - #mfkz

Video Games

Psychonauts (1 & 2) - #psychonauts

Pokemon - #pkmn

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon (Red/Blue, Darkness/Time/Sky, DX) - #pmd

Sam and Max - #sam and max

Undertale and Deltarune - #undertale #deltarune

Hades - #hades

Cookie Run: Kingdom - #crk

Epic Mickey (1 & The Power of Two) - #epic mickey

No Straight Roads - #nsr

Splatoon - #splatoon

Monster Hunter (Ultimate, World, Rise) - #mh #mhw #mhr

FNAF - #fnaf #fnaf sb

Friday Night Funkin - #fnf

Animal Crossing - #acnh

Little Nightmares (1 & 2) - #ln #ln2

Bugsnax - #bugsnax

Cuphead - #cuphead

Bendy and the Ink Machine/Dark Revival - #batim #batdr

Okami - #okami

Spyro/The Legend of Spyro Trilogy - #spyro

Zelda (mainly Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild) - #zelda tp #zelda #botw

Night in the Woods

Portal (1 & 2)

Terraria

Stardew Valley

Subnautica

Oneshot

Inscryprion

VRChat

Among Us

Monster Prom

Sims

Skyrim

Hollow Knight

Ships

(Romantic implied, but if Platonic/Familial/ect. will be stated c: no incest/pedo/toxic ships 🤢)

Lumity (Luz/Amity) - The Owl House

Raeda (Raine/Eda) - The Owl House

Fizzmodeus (Fizzarolli/Asmodeus) - Helluva Boss

Stolitz (Stolas/Blitzo) - Helluva Boss

Moxillie (Moxxie/Millie) - Helluva Boss

Verbie (Barbie Wire/Verosika) - Helluva Boss

Pixane (Zane/Pixal) - Ninjago

Jaya (Jay/Nya) - Ninjago

Polyninja (Kai/Jay/Cole/Zane) - Ninjago <Platonic or Romantic>

Barnlogs (Barney/Logs) - Dead End

Breagen (Brett/Reagen) - Inside Job

Rongan (Ron/Reagen) - Inside Job

Entrapdak (Entrapta/Hordak) - Shera

Haidano (Tadano/Haida) - Aggretsuko

DevilDice (King Dice/Devil) - Cuphead

Komahina (Nagito/Hajime) - Danganronpa

Chimondo (Chihiro/Mondo) - Danganronpa

Reddie (Ritchie/Eddie) - IT

Luberto (Luca/Alberto) - Luca

Sasha/Milla - Psychonauts

Freelance Husbands (Sam/Max) - Sam and Max

Suselle (Susie/Noelle) - Deltarune

Zagnos (Hypnos/Zagreus) - Hades

Purecacao (Pure Vanilla/Dark Cacao) - CRK

Espresseline (Espresso/Madeline) - CRK

Black Pearl/Captian Caviar - CRK

Wildchip (Wildberry/Crunchy Chip) - CRK

Teaclair (Eclair/Tea Knight) - CRK

SeaMoon (Sea Fairy/Moonlight) - CRK

Shercotton (Sherbert/Cotton) - CRK

Sun/Moon - FNAF: SB <Platonic or Romantic>

Sun/Moon/Monty - FNAF: SB

BF/Pico - FNF

GF/BF - FNF

Flick/CJ - ACNH

Snorplo (Chandlo/Snorpy) - Bugsnax

Lizbell (Lizbert/Eggabell) - Bugsnax

Taakitz (Taako/Kravitz) - TAZ

Blupjeans (Barry/Lup) - TAZ

Youtube/Twitch/Podcasts

Markiplier

Jacksepticeye

Game Grumps

cr1tikal / Charlie / Moist / penguinz0

The Adventure Zone / The McElroys / MBMBAM

Saberspark

AstralSpiff

Call Me Kevin

vinesauce

MissJackieCR

Music (its alot and not even everything lol)

Twenty One Pilots / TOP

Panic! At The Disco

Fall Out Boy

Daft Punk

Ninja Sex Party

Starbomb

Tom Cardy

The Gentle Men

Bo Burnham

CORPSE

Lemon Demon

The Scary Jokes

Tally Hall

Scarlxrd

Kordhell

Porter Robinson

ODESZA

Madeon

Yung Gravy

MGMT

The Oh Hellos

Savant

Glass Animals

Miike Snow

Woodkid

Two Door Cinema Club

----

Comfort Characters

Hunter - The Owl House

#hunter toh

Stardust Cookie - Cookie Run: Kingdom

#stardust crk

Sorbet Shark Cookie - Cookie Run: Kingdom

#shark crk #sorbet shark crk

Sun and Moon / The Daycare Attendant - FNAF: Security Breach

#sun fnaf #moon fnaf #eclipse fnaf

Hypnos - Hades

#hypnos hades

Mono - Little Nightmares 2

#mono ln

Scorbunny / Raboot / Cinderace - Pokemon Sword and Shield

#scorbunny #scorbunny swsh #scorbunny pkmn

Hawks / Keigo Takami - My Hero Acadamia

#hawks bnha

Spinel - Steven Universe: The Movie/Future

#spinel su

Nagito Komeda - Danganronpa 

#nagito #nagito dr

Llloyd Garmadon - Ninjago

#lloyd ninjago

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit - Epic Mickey 1 & 2

#oswald #oswald the lucky rabbit #oswald epic mickey

[barry-j-blupjeans]

Number 10 from the creativeprompts soulmate au list (names) for Blupjeans plz 🥺

10. Names - their soulmate’s name is written on their body (maybe only initials)

Soulmate Prompts

Sentence Starters

(Send one from either/a combo from each!)

--

"Alright," Davenport said, clapping his hands together. "Thank you all for coming on time." He sent a pointed look at Magnus, who was almost late. Magnus had the decency to duck his head a little. "As you know, the ship's launch isn't for another few weeks but it's very important for us to know each other well and, at this point, I don't think anyone knows anyone else. Except for the twins, of course. Uh, so first thing's first, we're gonna go around in a circle and say our names, pronouns, and positions on board. Maybe a fun fact, if you're feeling up to it.. I'll start."

Lup saw Taako roll his eyes from next to her and she had to admit, yeah, this wasn't a great start. She understood why they were doing this, of course. The engine ran off bonds and like Davenport had said, they didn't know jackshit about each other. Well, she knew a few things about Davenport, but besides that.

"My name's Davenport," Davenport was saying. "He/him pronouns. I'm the Captain for this trip and, uh, let's see. My fun fact is that I'm the oldest of four siblings. Lucretia, how about you next?"

Lucretia, a young human girl, who had been writing everything Davenport had said down, jumped. She cleared her throat a little and said,

"Lucretia, she/her, I'm the chronicler for this mission and I-" She blinked as if trying to think of anything fun about herself. "My favorite color is blue? Is that anything?"

"Uniform must suck for her," Taako whispered into her ear. Lup snorted behind her hand. The next person was up, another young-looking human. He had a scar across his eyebrow. Taako leaned forward slightly.

"Magnus Burnsides," he boomed. "I use he/him and uhh- I've got a cute lil' puppy back home named Marmalade. She's a cocker spaniel and I love her, but she is unfortunately not allowed to come into space. Oh, I'm the security officer!"

"Lup, she/her," Lup said easily, looking around at the six of them- well, the five. Taako already knew who she was. The person sitting on Davenport's other side jolted a little when she started talking, going from his polite but bored facade to actually looking interested. When she met his eye, he blushed a little and looked away. "I'm gonna be a chef and arcanist for this mission, you're welcome, and my fun fact is... I've got a twin. Surprise."

Taako made a choking sound next to her. His shoulders were shaking slightly with laughter when he got his turn to speak.

"It's, uh, Taako, he/him, please and thank you, uh- also a chef and arcanist. And, in a shocking turn of events, I've also got a twin. Imagine that."

"M' names Merle," said the next person, a crunchy-looking dwarf. He had on a red hawaiian t-shirt instead of his red robe. "He/him, resident medic and biologist, and I'm also one of the Institute's on-campus medics if that means anything to ya."

Finally, it came to the person who had sat up a bit when Lup spoke. He was an older human, a little past the middle of his life, if Lup had to guess. His whole getup screamed "nerd!!" He was obviously trying not to make it known, but he was looking very carefully for Lup's reaction when he spoke.

"I'm Barry Bluejeans," he said, ignoring the way Magnus snickered, just a little. "He/him, and uh. I'm a professor at- uh, at Hartlepool University. Also the head scientist for this mission."

"You're kidding," Taako said next to her, quiet enough so that only she could hear. "Is he actually-"

Lup nodded a bit, just as gobsmacked. And, as if to confirm their suspicions, he rolled up his sleeve a bit as Davenport began talking again and showed them the name, in golden ink, written on his wrist.

Lup.

[deviljho]

i watched the sarahz mcelr*y video and one thing i think is interesting that i keep thinking about that she touched upon is the way that taz is frequently criticized now for not being dnd-y enough...like that it’s too much like a radio play or something. and that specifically tr*vis as a DM is too strict about adhering to the story he made for the campaign. and idk i just feel like that was ALWAYS a thing in taz like the original arc is very on the rails so to speak, for a huge majority of the plot points and decisions. maybe it just wasn’t as apparent bc they executed it really well (and also bc the story was like actually decent, lmao). i guess i just don’t get this from a listener perspective maybe i’m just not the type of person who cares about the crunchy mechanic aspects of dnd but the drama about travis fudging his rolls for the sake of pacing and this criticism of the story being too much like a radio play never bothered me

i have a bunch of other criticisms of the video but overall i didn’t think it was bad and it was interesting to watch from the perspective of someone who dropped taz and mbmbam pretty fast after balance ended bc of lack of further interest/life stuff preventing me from keeping up on podcasts. the stuff she considers notable drama surrounding the podcast vs stuff she glosses over or barely mentions (such as the n*ck robinson and polygon drama, the taako race stuff which imo was much more significant than she made it out to be in the video) makes me scratch my head but i guess it was already several hours long so maybe she was just pressed for time

[grubloved]

a crunchy and a soft shell taako!!!

for @paranoidkid !!!!!!! I fixed it up a bit so now it’s better 

[quakgrass]

[image description: a green digital sketch of taako from the adventure zone on a plain background. he is standing and holding his umbrella like a cane. he has black curly hair and a neutral expression. he is wearing a wizard hat and many layers of clothing.]

taako, extra crunchy

[onarete]

justin’s character spread:

Taako --- Pepsi Liberty --- Stephanie McDuggins --- Duck Newton --- Bud

Dramatic ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crunchy