fifth shot ⊗ open august log

[flamekthunder]

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: all three animal mage related quests
🕒 WHEN: throughout August
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except for animal deaths for the hunt task and any potential violence that might happen in the combat oriented prompts

⊗ a: task - don't treep, man

[Near the beginning of the month, Eustace helps with the farmers, taking it as more opportunities to work on his communication with other animals. But he'll also help out with some of the physical labor aspects as well.

1. Herding. Taking the form of a black sheep dog, Eustace will run out to help corral those wayward animals, even help by communicating with any other dogs that might be around to direct them. Of course, sometimes trying to get clues to where the other members of the herd can be difficult, and there are times a dog can be seen lowly growling at a cow or sheep as he tries to make sense of what they're saying. He'll even pair up with anyone else who is out there, animal mage or not, and will be useful to get in close to the animals to drive them back. Of course he has limits to his magic, so there when not using magic, he'll ride out on a horse instead. It never really occurred to him to use his magic on it, but he does find communicating with it a lot easier.

2. Helping hand. When not out running around trying to get the animals back, Eustace will be helping repairing buildings. Mending fences, bringing in wood, sorting the feed—he'll be displaying a surprising amount of knowledge and ease working in a place like this.

Also do not mind the gratuitous fanservice as without his cloak on, the Erune fashion preference of wearing backless, sideless tops will be on full display.]

⊗ b: task - invasive species

[Knowing full well the necessity of controlling animal populations, Eustace heads out to site to help deal with it. It would be nice if they could convince the animals to move, but that could cos other problems in other ecosystems, so culling may just be the best answer here. However he's bringing a cart with him as he's not going to let this go to waste.

1. On the Hunt. Although he prefers working by himself, if there is anyone who is not as experienced he'll offer some advice or walk with them to help with the hunt. Otherwise, anyone wandering might be surprised if an animal suddenly falls and Eustace drops down from his perch in the trees, the gunshot that took out the creature silent.

2. Loading the Cart. After each kill, Eustace will carry it back to the cart he brought with him, arranging them in a certain way. And towards the end he'll even make an offer.]

All of these can be taken back and used as food or materials for goods. If you want any for your own use or to sell, go ahead. I can also prepare it if you can't.

[3. Carcinuses. Since the Carcinuses are only out because of the excess food, Eustace is less inclined to try and actually kill them. He will if there's no other choice, so he's ready to shoot down the lightning, but he'll try to help drive them back. The methods employed are to either bait them back in the water by chucking his own kills into the lake or...try and actually communicate.

This is a little tougher, but he'll try. So some might see a...very small, strange looking silvery gray crab staring up at a giant Carcinus who is just staring right back at the puny thing with some curiosity.

...Yeah he has no idea if this will work, but an attempt is being made. Or he could be mistaken as a little crab being intimidated by a big giant scorpion tailed crab when it's really probably the opposite. The claws are up, could there be a show down!?? (No, no there isn't.)]

⊗ c: task - animal mage hunt

[Eustace is not only an animal magic user, but because of his ears he can be easily mistaken as a "victim" of this ritual. So he's getting a double whammy on this one. The two options are:

1. Getting an Earful. Eustace was already used to people staring at his ears or even outright asking about it, but the past few days have been aggravating. Too many people have come up to him and either expressed pity or asked personal, invasive questions that were borderline disturbing and some outright propositioning. Some even had the audacity to try and touch them or worse—look to see if he had a tail hidden. For the most part they have more harmless so he just ignored and walked away (or smack a hand that came too close), but there's a point where the limits of his own patience is reached and he'll snap. Some might see someone fleeing from him in fear...or perhaps you might be daring enough to inquire while he's in this foul mood?

2. Targeted. There will be a few key incidents, but over the next few days Eustace will first notice he's being followed before he finds himself having to defend against sudden attacks. He'll also be on the hunt for the assailants as they are clearly a threat. For the most part he can handle it, but there are still times he could slip. Anyone who sees Eustace fighting off his assailant is free to intervene and help, perhaps even stopping one before he even realizes one is tailing him. Alternatively, anyone who wants to target and fight him is free to do so as well! Just PM so can figure out how it turns out.]

⊗ d: wildcard

[Thanks to the Animal Mage Hunt, he's going to end up suffering a severe injury later on that will limit his activity for the second half of the month, so most of the activity would be better set earlier. But if anyone wants to do a thread to check on him while he's recuperating, that's doable! If interested in anything else not included here, just hit me up on laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Comments

c-2

[gunmettle]

[ Another day, backalley scuffle making a racket and drawing his attention - and this time there’s some guy in an oversized hoodie trying to stab some other guy with what looks to be wolf ears. Dog? Fox? Whatever.

Anyone who’s seen the quest board is well-aware that animal mages are being hunted because some dipshit can’t keep fantasy and reality separate. Maybe he should be surprised what some people would do for money, but at the end of the day, he’s really not.

Juzo isn’t really one to let attempted murder go unpunished, so he decides to step into the fray. With a wave of his hand, he lifts a nearby trashcan off the street and sends it careening into hoodie-guy right as he makes a lunge for ears-guy, knocking him off balance. ]

Don’t mind me. Just tryin’ to take out the trash.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace has been able to hold his own, but because of the space he can only rely on his dagger and magic for the close combat, and there are more close calls than he likes. It doesn't help that his opponent is also using magic that is hindering his movements. He's considering transforming into a wolf and make his assailant really fear those who can use animal magic, when suddenly a trashcan flies through and nails the guy, sending him to the ground.

Surprised, Eustace looks up towards the surprise help and...

....

What...

Not a lot of things surprise him, but Juzo is not anything he's seen before. Before he can ask who or what this guy is, the assailant stirs and Eustace immediately sends out a bolt of lightning, effectively stunning and paralyzing the man back to the ground. Only then does he turn back to his mystery helper.]

....Thanks.

a-1

[sighsheavily]

[it's a little peculiar how often she gets roped into things involving the utter lack of animal handling she has to work with. yet here we are again, handling animals...]

Easy...easy...

[Cecelia is trying her very, very best to channel all the soft, elvish serenity she can muster - such a thing always works for fullblooded elves, by gods, but she's never had the luck. here's no exception, because this horse looks irate.

she stops her approach to where its tether has snared in the brambles when it paws yet again at the ground in a very defensive manner, hands lowering as she clicks her tongue in faint exasperation.]

Come now, be rational about this. The sooner you let me do this, the sooner we never have to interact. Now--

[NOPE NEVERMIND. the horse can smell a canine somewhere nearby and begins to flip the fuck out, and it's all Cecelia can do to stumble back to keep from getting clobbered by a stray hoof.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had been roaming nearby, following wayward scents to try and find the lost animals. He had heard and seen the young woman trying to take back a horse and was going to let them be...but it seems his presence had already been noticed and has caused problems.

Seeing the commotion, he instantly runs, a bit grateful that being in a sheep dog form helps increase his speed, and he jumps in, teeth grabbing at the back of Cecelia's shirt and pulling her further back with surprising strength.

Only once they're clear with the horse still stamping and trampling at the ground while still stuck at the brambles does he ask:]

Are you all right?

[...As a dog still.]

c-2

[tempredmental]

[It was definitely true that Eustace wasn't the only animal mage in town... hence the massive mage hunt going on at the moment. Keith didn't normally transform halfway, so seeing him with black cat ears and a tail meant he'd been affected by the curse at the same time. However, he hadn't exactly been shy about the fact that his secondary magic was animal-based, so people knew who he was.

During his hunt for assassins, Eustace would come across Keith in the middle of defending himself.

Keith was used to fighting against what seemed to be really poor odds, so as this group of would-be assassins ganged up on him in a relatively low-traffic area of town, he wasn't shy about showing them just how well he could defend himself, with or without magic. Both blades drawn and ready, he didn't have his armor, just regular street clothes, but he wasn't letting that stop him from standing up to the group that was attempting to collecting the bounty on his head. He clenched his jaw, causing his teeth to show slightly and reveal a set of fangs that were due to the curse, and the group made their move.

First and foremost, though, Keith had been an elementalist when he arrived before they'd all been given a second specialty, and his strongest elements were fire and then wind. Additionally, his fire reacted to his anger and adrenaline. The more they fought, the stronger it would get until he passed out. That said, he didn't hold back as he used his power to ignite both swords to create flaming weapons.]

[flamekthunder]

[It's one thing to fight against these animal mage hunters one-on-one, but a group? Tch. He happens to see it when doing a quick fly by as a bird, and no matter how strong someone might be, a group is still a lot to deal with alone. He quickly descends onto the nearby roof, immediately transforming back to his original form as he does, and in the next second two bolts of lightning are shot from his weapon. They hit two of members squarely in the back, sending them to the ground momentarily stunned. He'll duck back, hiding himself before the group can turn around and spot him, but this will be an opportunity for Keith to unleash some hurt of his own.]

A-2

[doctorintern]

[ While Fenton had gotten used to doing a lot of tasks while wearing the Gizmosuit, this particular task seemed simple enough that the suit didn't seem necessary.

It was also a good chance to practice his Elemental magic, and for the most part stuck to watering the crops. Every once in a while, though, he would help hand out water or lemonade to those who were working, which is how he comes across Eustace during the afternoon. ]

Oh hey! Ready for a break?

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace was about ready to take a break himself after hauling some hay into the stables, so he looks up in some surprise when he sees Fenton.]

...Sure.

[Brushing himself off a bit, he looks at him curiously.]

Didn't expect to see you here.

🎬🍿

[starshower]

[There's something special about going out to see a movie. In Midgar, it was always a rare thing for her, especially when money was tight or Avalanche had to keep inconspicuous and out of the watchful eyes of Shinra, but once in a while, it was a luxury she could afford. Oftentimes, it would be just her and Marlene. Jessie or Wedge would tag along occasionally. Barret, too, but having a massive gun for an arm did tend to draw unwanted attention, especially topside.

So going to see a movie isn't just any old thing for Tifa. It's a treat, and this time, not only for her, but for Eustace as well. "Do whatever you want," he'd said, and she intended to hold him to every word. She's instructed him to meet her at the theater, and before he even arrives, she's equipped herself with two giant bags of popcorn and a pair of soft drinks to match—nothing fancy, just your regular cola. It's a safe bet.

The moment she sees him coming, she rises on her tiptoes so that her head pops up just over the rest of the people milling about and beckons him over.]

Come on! We don't wanna miss out on good seats.

[flamekthunder]

[He's going to start regretting giving her that blanket permission... But this had been expected after that particular conversation and given their last "meet up," maybe not a bad thing to do something...normal. Really Eustace feels a little weird. He's been dragged to do things with other people (coughZidanecough) and this in particular is making him realize that he's been living a...fairly normal life compared to his life back home. He still participates in jobs and missions, but he never really bothered or had the time for mundane things like hanging out with others.

...Is this the kind of peace and quiet he's been wanting? Is he even suited for it?

Although he's not really thinking about it too much, little thoughts similar to it flit through his mind as he approaches the movie theater. He's about to glance at his phone to double check he's at the right place and contact Tifa when he happens to see her head popping up over the crowd. ...How excited is she about this...

Walking over, he notes she's already armed herself with refreshments and just arches a brow.]

How long have you been here?

[True to form he at least arrived right on time with maybe a couple of minutes to spare, but it's clear she's been here long enough to wait in line to get drinks and popcorn. Speaking of which, he's going to reach out and take his share. It should also be noted that although he's dressed more casually to fit the outing...he still has his gun holster strapped to his leg with Flamek visible. At least it looks natural?? Maybe???]

c-1

[troubadamsel]

[ Maribelle is almost knocked over by 'someone fleeing in fear'! After giving them a 'how rude!', she looks over from whence they came. It's Eustace, and boy, doesn't he look foul? ]

Do you happen to know what that was all about?

[flamekthunder]

[So foul. One can almost see the angry aura radiating off him as he scowls before he looks at Maribelle. He's in such a bad mood he'd rather not interact with anyone, but since it's Maribelle... ... ... ...]

Tried to grab my ears.

[A low grumbling mutter as he starts to walk away.]

1. Herding.

[rutilance]

[ She'd seen him working around the farms, and even seen him transformed a few times. It was when he got on horseback though that she went and approached him. ]

Um! Sir? are you going out to find more sheep and stuff?

[flamekthunder]

[He had heard someone approaching but he only looks down when he hears the girl call out to him.]

...Yeah. Is there something you want me to look for?

C-2

[granmaster]

[ gran was no animal mage, but the news about the animal mage hunt was more than enough to set off a lot of alarm bells. he couldn’t exactly let himself take that sitting down, especially with his only friend from home being a prime target. all of it was just wrong.

so when he spotted eustace out in the streets, he was relieved to see him safe, but noticed something gleam just a bit further behind his friend. gran didn’t waste a second thinking if it was a knife or nor, not willing to take a chance. he quickly subdues the attempted assailant, but not as elegantly as others would.

there’s a loud crash and a couple of scratches on gran, but nothing he couldn’t handle! at least the attacker was not gonna try anything! ]

That was close…

[flamekthunder]

[It has been a not great time ever since the hunts for animal mages started. Eustace has been through a few fights already, some worse than others but none that some healing magic and a day or so rest couldn't fix. And of course, he tells no one about it because there's no point in worrying them or worse, get them dragged into his mess.

And Gran is one of the last people he wants worried about him more than necessary.

Although he's been on alert, he doesn't notice the one behind him and is surprised when he hears the scuffle. Whipping around his eyes widen further when he sees the cause of it.]

Gran!?

[He's already running over, and even though it looks like the would be assailant has been subdued, he doesn't relax at all.]

C-2

[apshot]

[ Bakugou has been chasing after these bastards for a while now. Anyone hunting down some random animal mage without doing any work to see if they are responsible is just fucking lazy. At least that is Bakugou's opinion.

So when he spots Eustace getting tailed? There's no hesitation. Katsuki leaps into action, slamming down in front of the would-be assailant. He takes a fiery fist and slams it into their gut. ]

Should watch where you're going!

[ Though he is not... Entirely in top condition himself. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had sensed someone was following him, but Bakugou had the advantage of actually seeing the perpetrator and attacking first before he could consider his options. So hearing the scuffle behind him surprises him as he turns around, but he's more surprised when he recognizes who it is. So he just stares at him for a moment before releasing a small breath. Should he be concerned at how much assistance he's received these past few days over this stupid animal mage situation...?]

Looks like you took care of it before I could. [But then he notices his condition. ...] And while I appreciate the assist...it looks like you should be watching yourself.

A1

[roseeclair]

So, about those herds... it turns out one little goat kid is quite the escape artist, waiting until the Big Bad Woof is distracted before tottering off into one of the fields that smells like green things, particularly because the green mages are busy healing the earth scarred by the spectral attacks. Makoto in particular is busy meditating when she hears a bleat and then feels a tiny mouth trying to suck on her fingers.

"Oh my gooooosh~ Hey little guy, you're so cute~!"

[flamekthunder]

Dealing with a herd of goats is definitely tough to do on his own, but he manages to bark and command them back towards the ranchers he's assisting. But it's when they do a head count do they discover they're missing one, the mother bleating loudly in distress. Eustace can clearly hear her shouting for her "baby," so it doesn't take much more for him to figure it out.

After informing the ranchers, he takes off back towards where the group initially was and tries to pick up the scent or trail. It's not too long until he sees a set of little hoof prints wandering off and he's quick to follow...just in time to witness Makoto fawning over the goat.

Trotting over, he speaks up. "Hold on him, don't let him run."

Wildcard

[chatwithdeath]

[These attacks were becoming far too brazen and Camelot was proving rather slow to respond. Although, Naomi supposed it was only reasonable; between the King's injuries and the fact it was posted on the Dark Web, finding the one behind it and putting an end to it wasn't so simple. Too bad Little Guy wasn't here for once. An annoying thought that his usual computer skills would be very useful at this time, but that was how it was.]

[As for Naomi, she had to do what she could while ignoring the influx of ghosts to take care of the living patients she now had.]

[One of those patients was an unfortunate repeat - too bad as well, he'd been a competent assistant during the fever outbreak. The injuries themselves probably couldn't have well been avoided either considering their location, but due to factors, it would take a while for Eustace to recover. For now, Naomi entered his room followed by a nurse to help take notes on his current condition. He should be able to be discharged soon under strict orders to rest and take medicine as prescribed, but there was another matter to deal with.]

On a scale of one to ten, how are you feeling right now?

[flamekthunder]

[To get this badly injured...and caught completely off guard at that. Ever since he was treated and left to just lie here, he could only feel frustrated at the whole situation. Especially since he had been with Gran. Logically he knew that things like this could happen anytime—someone else has a better advantage. It's not the first time he's been badly injured nor will it be the last. But that doesn't make it less frustrating, especially given the extent and nature of the injuries, as well as the circumstances behind it.

At least now he can sit up and move his right arm, but his left... He clicks his tongue as he tries to clench his fist and can only twitch a few fingers. It's at this moment that Naomi arrives and he just watches her with his usual stony silence before answering.]

...Five.

[Just a dry remark. Pain wise...it's still there but tolerable so his answer isn't wrong. But being debilitated like this, there's no way he could feel "good" about it.]

Wildcard

[tantailizing]

[It's just a knock. Just a simple, normal knock without any pounding fist or series to follow. Three knocks, and that was all on Eustace's door followed by a pause.]

Eustace, I picked up lunch!

[Of course he caught through whatever grapevine he had that Eustace was hurt. People gossip way too much when a blade is near their neck, but that's not important right now. What was important was who might let him in: Eustace, or Eria?]

[flamekthunder]

[....Is that Zidane? Why is Zidane here? And with lunch??

...

Eria is staring at him, and while Eustace would have liked nothing more than to just ignore and pretend he isn't home, he'd rather not deal with Eria getting onto him more than she already is. Also he highly suspects she'd get Zidane in one way or another...

So there's a bit of a delay before the door opens and Eustace looks down at Zidane that suggests he explains himself.

Don't mind how his left arm is currently in a sling.]

i'm back 💀

[starshower]

[Tifa had heard about the situation through the great grapevine that is Camelot—about the hunt for animal mages and how many people had ended up with injuries, and one of them had been Eustace. Actually, call that grapevine Zidane, who had kindly told her what happened and where she could find him, so her arrival will come in the fashion of an unexpected but tentative knock on his door when she finally does, not long after the events transpired.

If she'd only known where he was sooner, and she's going to keep beating herself up about it until she's blue in the face... but at least she's here now?

Before he even opens the door, she calls out from the other side.]

Eustace...?

[She sounds worried, but her voice carries a certain sharp tone to it too, as if to say "you better answer the damn door."]

It's Tifa.

GONNA REGRET

[flamekthunder]

[There's no response to the knock or even after Tifa calls out. The silence could suggest he's not home, preoccupied, or flat out ignoring her. Given Eustace's personality... ...The third option is pretty high. Even if they're on good terms, he's not exactly keen on receiving visitors at the moment.

But before Tifa could try to call out again, she'll hear...some kind of sound from behind the door, although it sounds like it has a four-legged gait rather than the usual long, heavy strides of the Erune. And the mystery is soon solved as the door opens to reveal a white wolf, some snow fluttering about her as she looks up. If Tifa feels like she's being judged—she is, but there's something like a gleam in the wolf's ice blue eyes before it steps out and just pushes Tifa in.

Yes, yes dear, come in, come in. Don't mind the...well Eustace is neat so the house is actually not a mess even in his current state (he makes sure Gran does his share for sure). It's a small house but has plenty of rooms, and there's the sound of water running somewhere.

Now, if Tifa is wondering where Eustace is, she'll hear that water cut off and some more movement before his voice is heard.]

Gran? Did you pick up—

[And when Eustace steps out into the hall and looks, he freezes. And it's not because of who he sees standing there instead.

But because he's not exactly. Dressed having just come out of the shower.

Welp. Tifa can just enjoy the fanservice as the sound of the front door shuts loudly behind her, Eria just sitting in front with a look that would be more suited for a cat than a wolf.]