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

[sighsheavily]

Well, you did ask my preferences, not my actual focus here, mm? [with a shrug.] My time is spent more trying to unraveling the magical frameworks here than delving far into any storied lore - though I'd not be surprised if they were intertwined quite tightly.

[flamekthunder]

I meant no offense, just a compliment. [A small hand raised as if in appeasement along with a small shrug.

But hm...]

Learn anything interesting? Or is that confidential?

[sighsheavily]

Depends on what you consider interesting, I suppose. This world...or at least, the way we were deigned to operate in this world...it seems we're not meant to master all the sects of magic ourselves.

[kind of vexing, really.]

[flamekthunder]

Do you mean that as individually or even as a collaborative group?

[sighsheavily]

Individually speaking. So if you had any ambitions on being able to branch beyond what your familiar's granted you, the likelihood is very minimal, unfortunately.

[flamekthunder]

I see. Then it's a good thing I have no such inclinations. Would it even be worth it if one could?

[sighsheavily]

I suppose it depends. [reflexively, her conversational tone starts to lower as they draw near others.] In general, it's perhaps for the best, given the...volume of volatile personalities within our outworlder collective.

[she sighs a little, reining it in. she can't get into details without showing too much of her hand.]

That's neither here nor there, I suppose. For now, musing on the lengths and limitations of personal growth isn't going to fix this bloody farm, is it.

[flamekthunder]

Fair enough. And I did say I didn't want to probe but I ended up asking questions so I apologize. [It was a little difficult to not ask in the end given the topic, but he'll respectfully back off.

The horse is also excited to return, actually having a pep in it step as it starts to tug Eustace towards where the stables were. Whether there's a stall suitable for it is a different matter, but there are at least some corrals that had been rebuilt early on that it can be housed in.]

I'll take care of him and check on the other animals. As I mentioned before, if you need any further assistance, you can call upon me.

[sighsheavily]

[she nods.] I've agreed to assist preparing and serving afternoon meals that are being handed out in an hour or so; if you're still about, perhaps we can converse further?

[flamekthunder]

Sure.

[Short and succinct as always... Though the horse tugging harder and giving Cecelia a rude parting snort doesn't help matters.]

Later.

[And away he goes, leading the horse and giving it a small tug of his own before quietly lecturing it.]

[sighsheavily]

[to her credit, she at least waits until the horse is well on its way with his preferred guide to roll her eyes and quietly scoff. problems with her attitude indeed...that beast better not try and plant some nonsense seeds about her being secretive to that man!

even if it is true! it's just rude and gossipy!

in any case, she has other things to do. preparing food is at least a bit less a health hazard than trying to handle crotchety workhorses. it's also not one of her great strengths, but honestly, it's hard to mess up a sandwich! especially with such an array of preprocessed, samey-looking ingredients...]

[flamekthunder]

[Don't worry, whatever obvious prejudice the horse tells Eustace, he only takes it with a grain of salt or ignores it altogether. Besides it mostly complained about her rudeness and that it wanted to at least step on her foot.

...

He won't tell her that.

Once the horse has been tended to and he's checked on a few of the other animals and cleaned up, he takes note of how many are still missing. At first he goes to immediately head back out, but he passes near where the food is being prepared and he remembers Cecelia's offer. He also considers how long it's been since he's eaten and it probably wouldn't hurt to stock up on some more treats since the horse depleted his.

...

Not too longer after, Eustace walks by the tables and sees Cecelia hard at work at those sandwiches.]

Need any help?

[sighsheavily]

[she doesn't look up from what she's doing, but she does give a soft sound of regard when she hears him approach.]

Mm? Sure-- [she slides one of the finished plates in his direction.] Eat this. Frees up some space for me.

[flamekthunder]

Thanks.

[He'll take the plate... And will probably take another once he finishes.]

You should save some for yourself if you haven't had anything yet.

[sighsheavily]

[she gives a brief, dismissive gesture in-between cutting bread.]

A local woman told me she has some ginger left over that she's fetching, so once I see that, I can fix myself some tea and eat something.

[and besides, she kind of wants to know how this stuff lands with him and others before subjecting herself to it.

that said:] How'd it turn out?

[flamekthunder]

[Wow is he her guinea pig??]

Mm... Not bad. Could use another slice of ham.

[That's probably more to his preference than the general taste of things, though.]

[sighsheavily]

[yes. yes he is.]

Noted. Are you full, or shall I try again?

[flamekthunder]

[rude]

No, I can take another plate. Transforming for long periods of time takes up a lot of energy.

[He's already close to polishing off the plate she handed him.]

[sighsheavily]

Indeed? [she could assume such, but it's valuable to hear it from the direct source. she's known lycanthropes in the past, and their appetites...were definitely something.] Well, then perhaps you'll entertain a bit of experimentation to go along with the extra protein...

[which is to say, once she's finished stacking the next sandwich, she hovers a hand over it, while the other catches a sudden spark of flame tossed unseen by the familiar lingering at her feet. she curls a fist around it, and a slight glow travels from one arm, across her collarbone, and through to the other hand, emanating a sudden heat.

she'll turn the sandwich older and hold pose for a moment longer before shaking her hand free of the heat, pushing the plate over to him. there. sandwich...but toasted.]

Give this a try.

[flamekthunder]

So I'm your test subject now...

[Just a dry mutter before his brows rise in surprise as he watches her.]

Using fire magic to toast a sandwich... Can't say I've seen that before.

[He takes it with some curiosity, looking it over. It does look perfectly toasted. Would magic fire be any different than normal fire...?

Well only one way to find out. He takes a decent bite and chews silently.]

[sighsheavily]

[if he has any moral objections to it, he can always just...not eat the delicious, toasty sandwich.

while wiping lettuce off her hands with a towel, she arches an eyebrow, waiting for the verdict.

well???????????]

[flamekthunder]

[He could but he at least trusts her enough to not poison him.

The seconds drag on by and he takes another bite...

Only after he finishes that one does he finally answer.]

It's not evenly toasted, but it's still good. A decent substitute.

[sighsheavily]

[she scoffs a little, but allows herself to smirk.]

I appreciate the honesty. And if you're still hungry, make the next one yourself, yes? I have other people to prepare for.

[flamekthunder]

[He would be the best yet harshest critic if he were on a judge panel for anything, never mincing his words.]

This should be enough, but I'll get out of your way.

[He needs to find something to drink, anyway.]

However, do you have enough ingredients? [Since it looks like she's been making quite a few of these, can't hurt to ask since he's there. But if not he'll mosey on along.]

[sighsheavily]

If you're going by the way of tomatoes, I could use a few more, yes. I can make do without, but...

[but then the remainder of these she has to make will not look the same and that is annoying. fine, of course. but annoying.]