[Open] Hunter becomes the prey

[tantailizing]

🧙 WHO: Zidane and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-all for August
🕒 WHEN: August (until events and stuff)
🗺️ WHERE: Around Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: Culling and fighting, mainly vigilante stuff

I. Don't Treep, Man

Warm out today, but Zidane continued trudging about, working on this bit of fence or tilling this other section of land. For a few, he'd been left to water, but only up until more materials had been brought. Honestly, he was surprised just how much damage the zombies made, but their response to their numbers? Could've been better, but oh well.

"Ready to get back to the fence?" he asked the other worker nearby, not paying much heed to the fact they could currently either occupied by a task or looking for something more to do. If they hadn't been helping with the fence before, this might be slightly confusing.

II. Invasive Species

Ehehe, well, he'd say the season served the local wildlife well - and maybe too well like the task had said, but he wasn't going to be mature about it.

Anyway, cull some of the older animals, spare the ones that just had offspring or raised in a community (then it was open game), and also get the Carcinuses back. That second part might be the bigger challenge really, but maybe using one part to lead to the second, they could make good progress.

He'll think of a few more plans if that fell through.

"How you doing over there?"

His companion on this task could handle themselves, right? No issues with a few woodland critters?

III. Open House

He didn't know what to expect of Camelot's castle, but it was definitely dolled up for company. At least, he doesn't think the public bath normally has a water slide - not that he was really feeling a bath right now. Instead, he decided to stalk away and have a look around further; he could be found briefly having a taste of some new foods, seeing what books would be in this royal library, curiously watching the magician perform as he strolled by, and then heading out to the gardens.

Hm... roses had been one of her mother's favorites.

He could be found there soon too, lying around near the roses and pretty much chilling.

IV. Animal Mage Hunt - Reverse Card

Zidane had an animal tail, big whoop, wanted to fight about it?

Apparently, someone does - someone did, and it was the same someone that was going after others with Animal Magic once he got someone to squawk. Making them spill further details, the barely tech-savvy young man checked the Dark Web and found the posting, and was immediately both unimpressed and actually angered.

It was one thing to basically put a bounty on him, but any Animal Mage, huh? Worse, he'd heard about the murders happening and he didn't know if they were related. Even if they weren't, the knights were likely occupied by them instead.

So, he'll make himself look quite conspicuous donning his cloak and mask from home. Hood drawn, he thought he looked like a suspicious mage type; and with enough of his tail just appearing from beneath, that outta do it. He doesn't really mind how it might look to others - he had to figure out how to track down the guy behind the Dark Web post.

[OOC: Note that this is open for him to aid characters being attacked, for people looking to attack a supposed animal mage, or wondering what the hell he's doing at all. Maybe they'd like to come along, he's open to forming a party.]

[V. Wildcard]

[OOC: As always, want another prompt not present? Hit me up at demidemonLove and we can write something new out!]

Comments

[tantailizing]

Hopefully it stays easy...

[Eustace, he's kind of worried about you, okay?]

I'll meet ya on the roof then.

[flamekthunder]

[He'll be fiiiiine he's Mr. Top Elite Soldier, he can handle anything.

Eustace just gives Zidane a small nod before he suddenly transforms into a small falcon, shooting up into the air.]

[tantailizing]

[Yeah, yeah, keep thinking that. Zidane takes off at a run and follows Eustace, running up the wall with the aid of his own magic.]

[flamekthunder]

[It's totally not foreshadowing anything at all. At all.

Anyway, Eustace will be perched up on the edge, watching Zidane's ascent. ...Hmm.]

So you can basically run up walls and essentially defy gravity using your magic.

[tantailizing]

[Nope, nothing tragic is going to happen. Nothing at all that'd probably make Zidane legitimately pissed. Good thing he can't Trance either.]

[Landing on the roof after Eustace, Zidane nodded.]

Yeah! Pretty cool, right? Could use some more work, but someone said I can teleport too.

[And then nowhere is safe~]

[flamekthunder]

...

[Even as a falcon Zidane can feel that flat stare of his at the thought of Zidane literally popping here, there, and everywhere...]

Just don't go overboard.

[And with that he flaps his wings and takes off back into the air.]

Now follow me—the last I saw him was a block over, but he's likely moved elsewhere by now.

[tantailizing]

[Oh yeah, he feels it and it only makes him laugh a bit.]

I won't! I still have to practice anyway.

[Staring up at the Eustace bird, his grin becomes a smirk.]

No problem. If he's got a cloak almost like mine, he's not getting away.

[flamekthunder]

[He only gives one final glance back before he flies upward and then over. He didn't even ask if Zidane could jump big gaps with his kinetic magic—he just assumed he can if not he'll figure out a way. That said, he'll at least keep Zidane's path doable, flying over the buildings and sticking towards back alleyways. He chose a falcon for a reason, and when he catches a glimpse of the familiar cloak, he suddenly swoops down past Zidane, the only hint he'll get before Eustace swerves in the direction the person disappeared to.]

[tantailizing]

[Watching Eustace soar, Zidane follows in a moment, floating over the gaps a simple leap wouldn't clear - but at the same time, hard to tell what isn't a jump from a leap since he can actually jump pretty far; just nothing like a dragon knight. Noticing the falcon swoop down, Zidane's eyes narrow and he's darting after the locked-on pursuit.]

[flamekthunder]

[It's no surprise they're led down darker alleyways, and Eustace is already considering their target has caught wind of their movements so he continues to proceed with caution.

Which is a good thing as the moment he turns a corner, a magic arrow bolt suddenly flies at him. He manages to swerve out of the way, but another is right behind.]

[tantailizing]

[Always dark alleyways with these kind of people. They just had to move fast and not in a straight line, but he's still alerted by the magic arrow. Or maybe it's more Eustace was still a bird rounding the corner.]

[Tail fur rising, Zidane has his daggers out and goes in low and fast.]

[flamekthunder]

[On the plus side of being in this form, he's able to maneuver himself fairly well to avoid the arrows. However, what he doesn't account for is the mage to be able to conjure the magic arrows above him. He hears the whistling a fraction too late, and one pierces through his wing, ice starting to frost over as he flounders, dropping several feet before he's forced to transform out and crashes hard onto the ground.

It's a good thing Zidane is already zipping in there as he'll likely reach the mage before they can follow up on the attack.]

[tantailizing]

[Zidane sees Eustace get hit and that’s it.]

[Its’s a brief, flaring wave that comes off him and he can’t Trance, but he can damn well split the difference in that gap between himself and the other mage in a second. It only takes one cut to inflict the paralyzing agent coating his blades, but he cuts the guy twice anyway before pinning him to the ground, a dagger stopping right before his face.]

[Only when he’s sure the guy isn’t moving does he get up and step back, tail lashing. He looks behind him.]

Eustace?

[flamekthunder]

[Although he fell from a considerable height, nothing's broken just incredibly sore. But it's nothing compared to the pain on his shoulder. The arrow piercing his wing while he was a bird has translated into a shot into his shoulder. Fortunately the arrow had been on the small side and the puncture not too deep. Since it was an arrow made of magic there's also nothing that needs to be pulled out. But the ice from before has expanded over his shoulder like a curse to mitigate his movements, and he does find it difficult to move the affected arm.

Still, despite the wound along with everything else caused by hard fall, Eustace manages to push himself upright.]

...I'll be fine.

[Like hell he will, but he's alive and can still move if...hampered a bit.]

The mage?

[tantailizing]

[Brows furrowed, he looks at Eustace's shoulder. It really isn't that bad, but the ice is concerning. That would thaw, but waiting for it would be hell - frost burns and all. Though, it might not melt easy either.]

The hell you will. You got shot as a bird!

[Daggers away, he crosses his arms and taps his foot.]

He's not going anywhere or doing anything for maybe an hour.

[He continues to scowl, frustrated and still tapping his foot.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace doesn't say anything to Zidane's retort and instead keeps his focus on the downed attacker.]

We need to take him to the authorities.

[And now he's trying to stand which is going to take quite a bit of effort as he uses his free hand to brace against a nearby wall and he's unable to mask the grimace as he moves.]

[tantailizing]

[Stubborn... and he does not miss the grimace, Mr. Wannabe Lone Wolf. He approaches Eustace instead of their target, giving him someone to lean on instead of guiding along the wall. That's eventually gonna go away.]

Let's get you standing stable first before we do anything with him.

[flamekthunder]

No.

[Although he appreciates Zidane's help, he remains stubborn.]

Someone can come and try to take him, and if he escapes he'll hurt someone else. I've suffered worse, just—

[There's a sudden blast of cold as a snow white wolf appears in front of them, growling.]

...Eria.

[Looks like Zidane has backup because the wolf familiar is not happy.]

[tantailizing]

He's not going anywhere...

[Zidane has an eye on him and it's called a familiar that picked up on him being angry.]

[Wincing at the cold blast of wind, there's Eria. Zidane forces a smirk.]

Good luck with her.

[Because he feels better about leaving Eustace to his familiar than alone. And that gives him time to focus on their paralyzed enemy.]

[flamekthunder]

[........Why does he feel like he got the worse end of the deal—

Eria is glaring at him coldly and sharply barking at him as she steps up to take Zidane's place. With the amount of grumbling and other sounds she's making along with the strained, worn out expression on Eustace, one can easily imagine the grown man was getting scolded. But even so, the wolf looks at his wound and whines before nosing it, licking it briefly before growling. It's her own element yet it's hurting the one she cares most about so she's even more frustrated and distressed. All Eustace can do is slowly stroke her neck and back as he leans against her, actually feeling a little sorry. He's never seen her this way.

But he's also keeping Eria from turning to rip the mage's throat out because there comes a point when he feels that threatening aura. Hope Zidane finishes up quickly l before she decides to cause a snow storm.]

[tantailizing]

[Because Eustace... because...]

[He can hear Eria giving Eustace what's likely the equivalent of an earful, but Zidane's knelt next to the mage, smirking at him from behind his mask.]

Hey buddy~ Gosh, it must feel weird being conscious, but unable to do anything. I mean, I know what it's like, but how often has it happened to you? First time? I hope it is. What you really gotta ask is if this'll be the last 'cause I really could let that wolf familiar over there get you, but that guy just wants to turn you in for this whole stunt. I think you still earned a good bite though...

[He stands up though and lifts the mage's body high with magic.]

Guess you get to be lucky today. I mean, unless the jails are bad here.

[Looking back, he nods.]

Hey Eria, you wanna take Eustace to get help? I'll come visit later with dinner.

[flamekthunder]

[...Zidane you have some kind of vendetta huh—

Eria glares at the mage before looking at Zidane and wuffs. She will definitely take care of him.]

...You don't need to do that.

[And he gets smacked with Eria's tail. TAKE THE FOOD.]

[tantailizing]

[They're making it necessary...]

[He grins at the wuff and gives a thumbs up. And he's expecting Eustace's answer.]

Text me what to order otherwise you're gotta eat whatever I get you.

[Which could be something else shaped like a dog, Eustace... don't tempt fate.]

[flamekthunder]

[Just a sound of discontent before he sighs.]

Let's go Eria.

[And with a grimace he'll start moving down the alleyway towards the nearest medic.]