isleofavalon | closed 🌠 yellow flicker beat sparking up my heart

[.....Sorry what. He first stares up at the host and then a hard stare at Tifa as if commanding her to refuse. Seriously this woman is nothing but trouble— And is this the second alcohol related incident with her???]

Pass.

[Just a curt response before he tries to turn away and break through the strangely determined crowd. Seeing his resistance only seems to bolster a few to try and get him to go up there, and there are some very large burly guys at the ready to "help" him up there unless Tifa can stop him first.]

[Just wait until she opens up a bar—!

Tifa's completely helpless in the matter, having already been ushered up to the front table before she can get another word in to Eustace. Not that she's fighting much but being steered like that caught her completely off guard. It's not until she's seated in front of the giant glass that she manages to speak.]

Um, I think there's been a—

[The host interrupts her when he beckons to Eustace.]

"Come on up!"

[Not wanting any conflict, she looks past all of the people at him and shrugs. Laughs, even. Who knows, maybe they'll actually win!?]

[He only looks at Tifa. Maybe. Maybe he feels some pity...

...

But now he's just going to turn right around to leave. However, as he does, those burly men are going to appear like ninjas and suddenly grab an arm from each side to lift him up with ease.]

—!?! Hey—!

[At first he struggles but their grips were as strong as draphs and they are merrily carrying him off to the stage.

"Now, now, it's all for fun! You could definitely use a drink to loose up," one of them say in a cheerful, friendly voice that does not match their intimidating appearance. Not that it matters, Eustace did not sign up for this.

But he's set (surprisingly nicely) down into the chair opposite Tifa and he's left to glare daggers at the giant glass. He really actually does try to stand and just LEAVE, but the host is already at his side and yelling to the crowd.]

"Who's ready to watch this next team take on the chaaaalllleeennnnggeee!!!"

[A chorus of cheers and yells erupt from the crowd and Eustace can only rub the space between his brows.]

This is ridiculous.........

Edited 2021-07-06 15:58 (UTC)

[She rolls her shoulders in another shrug, her nervous laughter being drowned out by the upsurge of cheers. Some are even hooting and hollering at her while others cast their doubts, but she's been pretty good at ignoring it, focusing her gaze on Eustace so as not to make eye contact with anyone in the audience.]

I said it might be fun, right?

[She said it, but the actual idea of having to do it is an entirely different story! Especially when they were pretty much carried up here!! She doesn't get to say much else because someone's come in and has started to pour the margarita into the giant glass. And they keep pouring and pouring and pouring... and pouring... until it's almost spilling over the salted edges... as if the salt makes a difference.

In goes the straws, and Tifa makes a face.]

"Alright! You two will have one minute to finish the drink. If you do, there's a grand prize waiting for you at the end. On threeeee~!"

We can do this... [It's more of a small peptalk to herself than anything, and that's all she gets before...]

"One, two, three!"

[CAN HE JUST GO—

But.

It does look like Tifa is actually going to try and do this, and even though he doesn't know this woman aside from the time spent in Celliwig, and even though he could be usual self and not care what happens to another person...

...

He just lets out a very low sigh and grabs the straw...

And drinks without saying a word.

Okay, so he could just like. Not make an effort, take a few sips, and call it. He doesn't care about his own image so what does it matter to him what people would think after? But if Tifa is actually going to do this, he could maybe put in some effort. Then again who is he to really care about what happens either—argh let's just drink this damn thing at this point he could use it.]

[Tifa grabs the straw, still observing Eustace through her lashes while the countdown comes to an end, and when the crowd roars again, Tifa's taking her first sip. It's a far cry from what she would call a good margarita, just from her own expert opinion. It's so sickly sour that she can hardly taste the tequila in it at all, which isn't all that bad of a thing, but someone mixed in a little too much (read: way too much) lime.

No need to overcompensate for anything when it's in a glass this big.

The clock ticks down behind them, and Tifa hasn't stopped drinking. Running a bar had its perks—she could easily take her liquor. It was important for her to engage with her customers, so she would join in on the fun every once in a while with a shot or two.

As they near the bottom, she can hear slurping noise through the straws as the two of them start to suck up air, and the crowd has started chanting "CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" until...]

"ANNND TIME! Let's see how well our contestants did, shall we?"

[Tifa drops the straw from her mouth and lets her elbows collapse against the table where she hangs her head.]

[Eustace can also hold his liquor fairly well, but this is definitely more than he (or probably anyone) can take in one go. Especially the taste...ugh... But now that he's started, he won't stop. He only occasionally glances up at Tifa to see how she's faring, a little impressed that she's managing to hold it. But she owns a bar, doesn't she? So it would make sense.

This should still be considered illegal and hopefully they don't get alcohol poisoning from drinking so much in on go—

But when they finally reach the bottom, Eustace will throw that straw into the glass and press his hand against his brows, feeling that headache. Buzz, what buzz, that thing was shit and terrible—

If his mood hadn't been before it's definitely taking a turn for the worse now, especially with the crowd yelling. Aaah...the sound... This is why he doesn't let himself get drunk he feels like shit—]

Just give us the damn reward.

[What a frosty glare from between the slits of his fingers as he looks at the host.]

[Besides the brain freeze that she's skewing her face to try and fight, Tifa doesn't seem to be impacted too much from the drink itself. It was just cold, with a lot of ice, and the headache that follows is only spreading through her, down to her shoulders and arms and fingertips that she digs into her temple.]

"OF COURSE!" [Why is the host shouting even louder now!? Tifa groans.] "Here you are, lucky winners!"

[She's expecting a wad of cash or a voucher for free food, or even a trophy, but what's slid over instead is a piece of paper in front of two of them. More like a cue card that looks like it was typed out with an old typewriter.]

"This recipe is our special secret recipe to cure any hangover! Congratulations!! Now let's get our next round of people up here!"

[Even Tifa is looking up at him, dumbfounded, but she and Eustace can hardly get a word in edgewise before they're ushered off the stage to make room for their next contestants with their "prize". All she manages is a "that's it!?", but she's drowned out by the crowd's cheers, and the hooting and hollering as she passes through. It's when they're at the edges of the audience that Tifa stumbles forward from the gentle shove she's given, and catches herself, straightening to look at Eustace.

So far, she looks and feels... relatively okay? Maybe? How long will that last???]

That was a little disappointing...

[....Noisy....Noisy............. This is why he hates getting drunk. So much noise was already irritating, but right now it's just insufferably grating. He actually clenches down on his teeth as he listens to the nonsense, and when he sees the card...

He almost wants to throw the table and the giant bowl for a glass to the throw. He had to put up with all that FOR THIS!??!?!?! It's only thanks to his many years of practice in restraint that it just ends with him looking like he wants to murder the paper and everyone involved with this farce.

Silently he walks off, and one can almost see the frost and sparks of displeasure that follows in his wake—but of course there's nothing there, it's all in the imagination. ~~Like emotions could actually manifest, what a world that would be—~~

When they're finally away, Eustace only shoots Tifa the iciest glare before he turns on his heel to stalk off. Aaah his head is pounding he just wants to go to a quiet place, bury his face in floofy dogs and sleep—]

[Too bad there aren't any floofy dogs around, at least that she can see. Animals are a rare sight at the carnival, probably because it's too crowded...

His icy glare has Tifa freezing on the spot, lips pressing together with both heavy guilt and disappointment, but she follows after him anyway, still somehow steady on her feet.]

We... It's probably not a good idea to be alone right now.

[They just drank a barrel of margarita... The alcohol is bound to kick in sooner than later, and when it does...]

Being alone is what I want.

[Just another frosty growl as he glares at her.]

All I want is some peace and quiet......why is that so damn hard to find......

[And dogs. And of course his familiar is useless and not showing up as he honestly wouldn't have minded her company either, BUT NO SHE'S PROBABLY OFF FROLICKING AROUND OR WATCHING HIM SUFFER— Anyway, he's grumbling.

One can almost see the black aura of irritation just growing bigger and darker.]

And who's gonna be there to take care of you when you can hardly stand up?

[Tifa's hands find her hips, and her voice grows as sharp as his stare.]

I'd find it hard to believe that anyone could hold that much liquor, even— [She pauses, and sways on the spot, but shakes it off fairly quickly.] Even you.

[But she's already starting to wander, looking for a place to sit, but... why are places to sit so damn hard to find around here!? She's not even sure if it's the alcohol kicking in so soon or if she's just going to be sick, but please... it's a carnival! Why aren't there enough benches around here?

Instead, there's a pile of hay just off one of the paths that she goes off to, and slumps down on it without realizing that there are sheep grazing around it. She's just walked right into a petting zoo.]

[Just a loud derisive snort as he glares at her.]

You? You can barely stand yourself.

[He then staggers a little, pressing his hand to his forehead. Ugh, this is so annoying... But now she's wandering. Didn't she just say she was going to take care of him??? T'ch, typical, as if he could rely on someone he's barely met. But of course now there's a mix of drunk irritation and concern(??) as he follows after.]

Hey, where are you going?

[Just a loud shout as he almost trips ("Dammit!") before managing to regain some balance and watch her just as she falls into a pile of hay.

...

Really.

He trudges over to her and just stare at her.]

You can't sleep here.

[...Even if it's...kind of tempting. Already he can hear the dull murmurs of the sheep and their gentle occasional baa's as they graze nearby, some coming to see who the heck just invaded their food. Distracted he looks at them.

...Soft...fluffy...

What if he put his head on one of them...]

[She isn't sleeping so much as she is just... sitting. Leaning. Falling against the piles of hay that absorb her weight with ease, like a scratchy feather duvet. A sheep wanders over and sniffs at her hair while another tries to find a piece of Eustace's clothes to chew on. She sits there in silence, watching with a smile, before she starts to let her mind wander for a while.

However long, she doesn't know, but when her attention drifts back, she realizes she's starting to feel a little light-headed and fuzzy, but warm.

And she giggles.]

You know what... That hangover cure prize was kind of a rip-off.

[She sounds normal, but it doesn't take a genius to see that her cheeks are flushed a deep red and her lids are a touch heavier than normal. Yep. That margarita has made its way through her.]

[He half-heartedly swats at the sheep trying to chew on his clothes, giving it a quiet and slightly slurred, "Hey, quit it, it's not good for you" before that soft wool looks so.......... Tempting. Better than the hay.

Temporarily forgetting all about Tifa, he drops down and wraps his arms around the sheep's body, burying his face in the wool.

Ah... Soft...

He can feel it starting to nibble on his hair and can hear it muttering about something but doesn't care. It's so peaceful...quiet—

Ah. That woman spoke again. Frowning he just turns his head slightly to side glare at her. He can see her own drunken expression and snorts, as if he's any better (he's not).]

Told you it was a waste of time. Tch I should have just kicked the damn thing over when I had the chance.

[Grumble mutter sheep.]

[She laughs, and it's a hearty, big laugh. As if he's just told her the funniest joke she's ever heard. It wasn't even a joke...? Even the sheep are side eyeing her.]

Then we would've been disqualified. I don't know what's worse.

[Definitely the fact that they drank a bucket of margarita. Little does she know, even Tifa is going to need the hangover cure when morning comes. This isn't going to just go away after a good night's sleep.

A sheep comes up and tries to chew on Eustace's ears, and it's Tifa who rises from her slump to shoo it away. It baa's at her in protest before skipping off to find food elsewhere.]

You know what... [she repeats again, more slowly this time as a thought occurs to her. Her red eyes are fixed on Eustace, drilling holes into his.] I'm surprised they're taking such a liking to you. What with those dog ears and all. Are they real?

The margarita.

[Just going to say it out loud with no hesitation whatsoever, though it comes out like a low, growling drawl, face burying against the wool. Light, too much light. And the wool is white and soft like snow... He likes snow... The sheep protests a little but it doesn't move and just continues eating while its brethren tries to nibble on Eustace's ears. He doesn't really care at this point and only gives a low grunt in a low effort to try and shoo it away, so Tifa is definitely the more successful here.

Maybe he would be more thankful, but then she asks what he thinks is a ridiculous question right now. Turning to look at her he just gives her a flat expression.]

Want to see for yourself?

[And he's suddenly leaning closer towards her, but not too close. Enough where it's definitely invading her personal space and where she can get a closer look at his ears as he just maintains that eye contact, uncovered ice blue eye piercing red, as if daring her to touch his ears. Really he doesn't care too much, but he probably would have done this differently if he wasn't so drunk right now.

So come on, Tifa. You know you wanna. Look at how soft and fluffy they look, the way the light breeze brushes against the soft fur-like hairs, ruffling them a bit. Or maybe it is fur? Only one way to find out— And look they even twitch a little, just a slight little flick as if to hint that yes they can move.]

[She isn't typically one to get too bothered by someone getting in her space, being such a forward person herself sometimes, but when Eustace leans in, Tifa is quick to withdraw, pressing further against the hay scratching her back. She finds herself maintaining eye contact with him, like looking back at the ears would be rude, as if she hadn't just asked him about them.

But when she sees them wiggle like that? Her cheeks flush a deeper red and she lets her eyes wander up.]

Ah...

[This isn't what she meant! And even then, she still finds herself reaching up, slowly, to pet them. She presses her fingers against the ends and gives them a very delicate squeeze.]

They're soft...

...Hm.

[Just a very soft, low quiet hum as his eyes slowly close. Tifa's not the first one to pet his ears, though she would probably be the first to do so while he was drunk. In general he really doesn't mind if someone does, it's just a matter of him allowing them to be close enough to do so. So far only Gran was allowed to do so whenever he wanted, but then again he's been the only one to ask. Well, and Lyria, but he teases her about it instead.

But one of the reasons why he doesn't really mind or care (other than just having that kind of attitude about it) is it can actually feel kind of nice as long as they're not being pulled. It's not too different than if someone was playing with another's hair or giving a light head massage. So Eustace will relax a little as Tifa pets his ears, looking a lot less like a lone wolf and more like a sleepy old dog.]

[Tifa does giggle when she sees him relax, and that giggle bubbles up into laughter that she can't seem to stifle. She isn't laughing at him, but her amusement at how fluffy the ears are, and how it's such a contrast from how he tends to act otherwise is too much for a tipsy Tifa to bear.

So she keeps petting them for a while, and starts to comb the hair back so that it's neat and tidy.]

I gotta ask... [She says finally, her voice soft, even as her words start to blend together.] What exactly are you?

[She probably would have found a better, more subtle way to pose the question were she not drunk, but alas...]

[Normally he'd give her a cross look at laughing, but instead he just slowly opens one eye to give her a slightly judging one instead before it closes again as he just lets her continue to pet and comb his hair. He might even unconsciously start leaning a little closer towards her, as if granting permission to continue.

Clearly he has now left the irritated phase of his drunk state and has entered the sleepy, "I don't care anymore" phase. If they're not careful he really will fall asleep.]

Mmm... [Just a very quiet, low, sleepy hum, as if her voice pulled him from his drowsiness.] ...Erune. [Is that a good enough answer? ...Ugh she'll probably need more of an explanation so he might as well give it.] We're a race with some roots with mammalian animals...but that was ages ago. Most will have ears similar to mine, but they'll vary depending on their own family heritage. Dogs, cats, rabbits, foxes...

Erune...

[She repeats it to herself, as if committing it to memory.

Tifa will happily continue, giving him some room to lean. This must be an odd sight, or maybe not considering this is a petting zoo, and some people do pause to look with wrinkled brows, but Tifa either doesn't notice or is too drunk to care. Maybe both.]

That reminds me of a girl I met here a while ago. She had ears like a rabbit. Hereditary, too.

[What happened to Lizzie anyway? She hasn't run into her since, and that would be someone she'd remember for sure.]

Do any of you have tails? Like Zidane?

[Are they related somehow? Wouldn't that be funny...]

Haven't seen one here...did see someone else from another world with similar ears and a tail...

But no, tails on us are rare and only for special clans... Like the descendants of an ancient royal fox family... And the Divine Generals...

[Ah...such nice ear pets... He gets drowsier and drowsier and he does indeed continue to lean towards her. With no shame whatsoever (thanks alcohol) he's going to stare down at her lap before plopping his head on it. Look he was leaning at a weird angle, sleepy, and most importantly drunk. He wouldn't do this if he were sober, he would have just pulled away instead. But apparently when drunk, petting his ears is like some kind of weakness and he wants to be comfortable, dammit.]

[Tifa takes no offense to him plopping down on her lap like a sleepy dog would. It might have come as a bit of a shock if her mind wasn't so fuzzy, but hell, she even readjusts so that he can get more comfortable. Her legs would be a decent pillow for any weary or drunk head.

Still combing her fingers against the tips of his ears, she lets her own head fall back to rest against the hay, smiling sleepily at the sheep that's wandered over to visit.]

So they're a symbol of rank...

[She nods to herself in understanding, humming quietly. More animals have started to gather now—other sheep, goats, bunnies, and just about any animal one might spot in a petting zoo—and are making themselves comfortable around Eustace, fighting to be the one to curl up under his arms.]

Oh... looks like the others might want some ear scratches, too...

Rank.... .Not exactly... But whatever...

[Normally he would explain it better, but he's too drunk and out of it to care. Instead he just adjusts himself more comfortably, turning on his side a bit so his back is to her and he's facing outward. Of course, that makes him in prime position to get nudged and even licked by a sheep as it and other animals gather around them.

He mutters under his breath before his arm reaches out to wrap around the closest and pull it to him like some plush toy while a bunny hops onto his side. But when he hears Tifa's words, he grumbles just loud enough for her to hear:]

I was here first.

[Did... Did he just stake a claim on the ear scratches????]

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