fourth shot ⊗ open july log

[flamekthunder]

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: various quests and things
🕒 WHEN: throughout July
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except for any potential violence that might happen in the combat oriented prompts

⊗ a: task - summer fever (with puppy therapy)

[Although not a medical expert, he has enough experience in tending to sick and injured people to at least not be deadweight while helping the more professionals. Be it just bringing in more supplies to the rooms or delivering them to clinics, he'll handle the more menial tasks so the medics can focus on their jobs.

However, one particular clinic asked him if he knew anything about "pet therapy," and after some...interesting exchanges, should anyone be working at the clinic he's in while "on the clock," they might hear a low voice coming from a dark silver husky near them.]

Are you a volunteer? There's a patient who needs some fresh towels in that room.

[Yep. That sure is a dog giving out orders. Anyone who knows Eustace might recognize his voice. He might also be seen pulling a small wagon with a child in tow, or carting off gifts to the patients' rooms. Although, maybe someone will get "lucky" and see him in a smaller, fluffier form wandering the halls as he goes to visit other patients.]

⊗ b: baby mossatees

[After hearing about the mossatees, Eustace decides to head out and see if he can help. It would be good practice for his animal magic as well. So he's out where the mossatees are, and it's already going to be...a challenge.

Whether it's wading deeper in the water or along the shallows, Eustace is doing his best trying to herd the little babies to keep them from wandering off and stay safe within the group.]

Come on, this way.

[This can be particularly difficult when they're stuck in the shallows as they're more afraid and flail a bit, causing great splashes of water that soak him as he tries to stand around it and direct it back to the deeper water.

And other times there is the rare moment of him actually having a good time as he plays with the little babies, letting them splash and bump him when in the water. He'll even find some seaweed and driftwood to make a makeshift ball for them so they can push it and "toss" it around, hitting it with their noses into the air. Doesn't go too far, but it's cute enough, and it doubles as a little treat with the seaweed. Course that also causes some problems when one tries to swim away with it. And when he's sitting in the shallows for a break, he might have one resting up against him...or several. At some point he finds himself with a number of the not so little tykes piling up on him for a baby mossatee pile so he may need some assistance pulling them away.

For now he doesn't try transforming into one since he's only seen them a couple of times and he's not that interested in the recipe, but he might make an attempt later.]

⊗ c: clean up chaos

[Sometimes having an extra hand to clean up things is nice.

Other times—]

Hey, knock it off.

[—it's not. While just out walking, Eustace is suddenly assaulted with a brush that is furiously trying to straighten or smooth out that naturally messy hair of his. He likes the style, thanks??? So with a low growl he grabs it and actually throws the brush away.

Which.

Might not have been the greatest decision.

That brush is now bringing back some friends.

So if anyone missed the first half, the second half is Eustace actually fighting off brushes with his gun and knife, knocking them away. Yep, that's how his day is going right now.]

⊗ d: sniping the farming dead (cw: potential graphic imagery)

[Ah, undead. Well this is something he's sort of used to, or at least has some experience with. With Flamek in hand, Eustace actually positions himself high up on one of the barn roofs and aims. When he shoots, instead of bullets there's a burst of lightning that hits the zombies squarely in the chest or head. If it's not enough to kill them on first strike (watch out for any flying heads), it should be enough to stun them for a little while. Fortunately although they'll be a bit singed and charred they won't catch on fire.

Alternatively the sound of the lightning striking the ground will draw their attention, so if anyone is in a pinch and Eustace doesn't want to risk electrocuting someone, he'll fire a shot a few feet away to distract the zombie and give the person an opportunity to either attack or run.

However, when there's a decent sized group, Eustace will call out to whoever is down there.]

Get them to an open clearing and I'll cast a stronger spell that should hit them all.

[Again, even if some aren't taken out completely it'll at least do enough damage to stun and make it easier for those on the ground.

Other ways he'll assist is instead of lightning he'll try shooting ice, the only other element he's strong enough with at the moment. These come out more like sharp ice bullets, but his aim is careful so there shouldn't be too many close calls. His snow wolf familiar will also try freezing the zombies in place to aid anyone else fighting.]

⊗ e: task - spotted dicklivery (closed to fenton)

[After receiving the message from Fenton to assist him with the job, the two met up and were now hiking their way up the trail. This kind of thing is second nature to him whereas Fenton...

...

He's just going to pay more attention for him.

For now he's going to take a look at the map and pause for a moment as they near the foot of the mountains.]

According to the map and directions we should head down up that path.

[A small nod to the trail leading up to the mountain.]

Be careful where you step. It doesn't look steep, but the ground can be loose in places.

⊗ f: wildcard

[There were a couple of items I thought about but didn't make a specific prompt for, but would be happy to do if interested! Lavaft Behind could be an interesting one, and Eustace's magic may or may not be useful lol. From the TDM, I focused on the zombies, but he's also available for the other two parts, Of Wards and Worms and Wake Me Up Before You're Go-Gone, with the last one running under the assumption they had been working together. Can also spin the thread so it starts in the marsh instead for a little bit of exploration. If interested in any of these or anything else not included here, just hit me up on laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Comments

Wildcard / Lavaft Behind

[rustyhonesty]

[It's by chance that Jean and Eustace ended up with the same quest at the same time, but at least they've met briefly before. Jean feels comfortable enough to do a quest with him.

He missed the whole Cellwig trip, but he was there a long time ago after a pure heart quest, so at least he's not completely lost here.]

So... how do we get it out?

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace studies the situation with a slight frown.]

With ice magic I can keep the area cool enough for it to be safer for us to be in close contact to try and pry it out, but we'll need to somehow keep it calm... Can you speak to it?

[Maybe Jean's animal magic is stronger than his when it comes to the monster like creatures. If a geode can be considered an animal...]

[rustyhonesty]

I can definitely try. If the magic works, I should be able to even try to persuade it to co-operate with us.

[Which would hopefully help with keeping it calm as well.]

[flamekthunder]

You'll probably have a better chance at it than me, so let's try.

A

[troubadamsel]

[ As a healer, is it any wonder Maribelle is here? She blinks a bit, startled, before remembering whose voice that is. ]

... Eustace? Why are you in that form here?

[flamekthunder]

[He just stares at Maribelle for a moment before answering with a straight face:]

Pet therapy.

[troubadamsel]

... I have no idea what that is.

... Is it... some form of comfort, for the children?

E

[doctorintern]

[ Fenton isn't entirely sure why he'd called Eustace for help with this particular quest, but he was glad that he had. While he was more than happy to be living with Della and Drake, a few days away from them probably couldn't hurt.

He just has to hope that the house is still in one piece when he gets back.

As they stand at the foot of the mountain, he shields his eyes from the sun as he looks up the trail. It certainly doesn't look too bad, but he is glad that he's brought the Gizmosuit with him anyway, despite how simple the task is. ]

Got it. I actually used to go hiking a lot as a kid.

[ Not so much as an adult since he's...usually stuck in the lab. ]

[flamekthunder]

Really?

[Don't mind the subtle surprised look Eustace is giving him.]

[doctorintern]

[ He either doesn't notice Eustace's surprise or chooses not to say anything about it. ]

Indeed! When I was a kid, I was part of a scouting organization called the Junior Woodchucks. They taught a lot of different skills, which included outdoor survival.

a

[wolfhunted]

[Robyn thought helping out for this particular job would be a good way to practice her healing magic, though she's up for any other kind of task to carry out. She isn't too fazed when she sees a dog while she's walking through the hallway, though she is a little more surprised when he talks to her. She does have animal magic herself, but there's still some getting used to.]

Er...alright, I'll do that.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace only looks up at her before nodding.]

I'll come with you. There are a few other supplies needed.

[And he's already walking towards the supply room.]

[wolfhunted]

Thank you.

[Robyn starts following him, since that's really the only sensible thing to do.]

Are you...someone with animal magic? Because I have that, too.

B

[tantailizing]

[He hadn't been working with the baby mossatees himself because he'd been busy attempting to befriend one of the more toothy mounts deinosuchus. It went well for the most part, but at some point it decided to take a break and sun itself. Which, you know, fair - it's not a terrible day.]

[Walking on over to see if the mossatees still needed any help, it looks like there's a pile of them on the beach - but one has triangular, fluffy ears. Oh wait...]

Eustace, you good there?

[flamekthunder]

[Pushing one off his chest back into the water, he sighs as he sits up...only to have another one try to crawl onto his lap while another tucks itself under his arm. Hearing the familiar voice, he only sighs deeper before looking over.]

...It's fine.

[As overwhelming as they are being, hearing their baby voices and knowing they just want attention just make them too...cute to really try and push them off. Now if they were dogs he would be in serious trouble.]

[tantailizing]

[That's what Zidane's actually thinking: If these were puppies, Eustace would be screwed.]

Okay. If you say so.

[He kinda kneels down to stare at him, but also to pat one of the babies on the head. They're having fun.]

C

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata likewise got into a kerfuffle with some brooms and a bucket not long ago, and saying that he's irate over the chaos would be an understatement. So when he sees Eustace struggling with the swarm of brushes he doesn't hesitate for a second before summoning his fire magic.]

Take cover!

[If Eustace gives him an opening he'll scorch those pesky little things for him.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace only takes a second to register the voice before he swipes a brush, knocking it back into another one to create an opening for Hijikata before he rolls out of the way to give him the clearance.]

1/2

[mayoninofukucho]

[Perfect! A fast barrage of small fireballs later the brushes quickly disperse, trailing blazes of smoke behind them.]

That'll teach these suckers!

2/2

[mayoninofukucho]

[The grin gets wiped off his face really fast when one of the smoldering brushes zooms into a nearby garden while another one beelines towards the open door of a shop and yet another scurries into the yard of what appears to be a smallholding farm.]

Oh, shit!

[OKAY this wasn't how he planned it! He's never been able to command the elements that might be most helpful here to extinguish any fires - water and earth - so he simply legs it after the nearest brush, ready up suffocate the flames with the jacket he had slung over his shoulder. Sorry, Eustace!]

Continued from above (to avoid page-stretching)!

[mayoninofukucho]

Nothing that hasn't already been taken care of.

[He puts the phone away, satisfied that the others apparently have been pulling their weight. They may all be isekai'd stranded here, but damn if the off-worlder community can't be relied on to jump into the fray, whatever it may be.

Now that the crisis seems averted he can finally take a proper look at Eustace's ears. Hijikata has come across all sorts of people with animal attributes in his time - hell, back on Prismatica he regularly became one, depending on the moon phases -, but it never becomes less interesting. Even so, he doesn't remark on it.]

I'm Hijikata, by the way. Good to meet you, even if the cirumstances were a bit of pain in the ass.

[flamekthunder]

[He feels that gaze, but he's grown used to it so he isn't bothered by it.]

Eustace. [Just a small nod.]

And despite the result...I do appreciate your intentions to help. [Normally he would add he would return the favor, but...does this situation really call for it... Did Hijikata really earn that...]

Since you asked me, what were you doing before arriving here?

[And given the context, he doesn't mean general life and more on job.]

B

[scriptwriter]

[This week on Jackass. Kotarou was feeling particularly mischievous today! But when wasn't he? He was hiding a set of bushes because he had seen a very interesting sight to take note of.

Eustace was having fun with cute animals.

This would be perfect blackmail material-- I mean, a way to practice his cameraman skills! This was Kotarou's excuse and he was going to roll with it all the way. That's why he holds up his smartphone and starts rolling as Eustace is playing with the mossatees. He had to make sure that the positioning was good and he cleared his throat to mimic a soothing narrator.]

Greetings all, this is Tennouji Kotarou on another episode of "Avalon's Most Adorable Animals"! Today, we are focusing on the fabled mossatee. Experts have stated that a person could ride on top of one if they have grown large enough and they are currently in birthing season.

Our personal volunteer has taken matters into his hands to babysit the baby mossatees. They have seemed to taken a strong liking to him. Let's take a closer look at this, shall we?

he's dead

[flamekthunder]

[Kotarou is fortunate right now in that Eustace's attention is more on the mossatees, so he doesn't notice the jerk younger man's presence. This also means Kotarou is going to get prime footage as Eustace smiles warmly at one little runt swimming up and bumping its muzzle against his chest.]

Hey, no shoving.

[Just a light, quiet admonishment as he strokes the top of the mossatee's head before more of them start doing the same.]

he'll revive like a garbage phoenix

[scriptwriter]

My! It's such a lovely sight! We should get a even closer look!

[Just as Kotarou says this, a mossatee will be pushing Kotarou from behind as it inches him closer over to Eustace. Well, the camera was still rolling... So he might as well racking in some magic. Though once he stops to actually think about what was pushing him over... He looks down to notice that the mossatee had gently threw Kotarou onto his back and he was officially riding on it.]

Wait, no! Hey! Too close! TOO CLOSE!