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

[flamekthunder]

[Eria just sits there, looking more like a pleased cat or fox than a wolf. She had gotten glimpse of the young woman before when they had gone out to their little movie outing, and now that she sees her up close, she is finding this even all the more amusing. So she just continues to watch Tifa and then quietly follows after when she moves to the kitchen.

Eustace is just...not going to think or even bring up what just happened when he reemerges from his room. His hair is still a bit damp and a bit more unkempt than usual as he had just roughly dried it before coming out. And yes, he is dressed. ...Well as much as an Erune can be. His shirt, if it can really be called one, is open on the sides and lower back. He's put his left arm in a sling for now, letting it rest a little and so it won't be flopping around uselessly.

So when he finds Tifa in the kitchen instead of back in the living room, and making herself quite at home (what is with him and meeting pushy people—), he just watches her for a moment before she speaks up.]

...Somehow my private life is getting out to more people... Who told you?

[Was it Zidane, it's the first name that comes to mind, anyway. But although it's said with a small sigh, he's not really that annoyed and he just walks over to see what it is she's making.]

[starshower]

[Still isn't looking back while she opens a drawer looking for a soup ladle.

She's no snitch either, so she isn't about to rat out the person who did tell her, even if his first instinct is correct. He's just a mutual friend who has Eustace's best interests at heart, just like she does, which is why she's still rummaging through the kitchen looking.

And rather than answer his question, she finally turns to him, eyes on his feet rather than up—just in case!—and she puffs a frustrated sigh.]

Where do you keep the serving spoons?

[flamekthunder]

[Although he had a hunch she wouldn't spill, her actual question surprises him a little.]

...Serving spoons?

[...Tifa.

He just moved in. And it's two guys. The primo bachelor pad. Serving spoons where.]

[starshower]

Yes...? A soup ladle, for serving soup.

[Another one of those "this should be obvious" tones, answering him as if he has no idea what they even are. Surely they've used food serving tools in his world!? Something as simple as a ladle, especially.

But she shrugs it off as quick as she'd asked it, and blows out a sigh.]

I guess I could just pour it in over the sink.

[Men...]

[flamekthunder]

No, I know what it is—

[He was just caught off guard okay!! But there is a problem of there not being one.]

We only recently moved in so we don't have much right now. Just use a measuring cup.

[YEP that is his suggestion.]

[starshower]

[Well, note that down as the first thing Tifa brings him the next time she's over...

A measuring cup... She only raises a brow at his suggestion before shaking her head. That'll just create more of a mess, she thinks, so she wordlessly turns back to the sink and pops off the lid of the container to pour it into the bowl she found. The kitchen is immediately filled with the scent of chicken soup, with the broth still hot enough that it sends a cloud of steam up into her face.

And when she's finished clicking the lid back on, she's careful as she brings the bowl to him.]

It's nothing special, just some chicken soup, but I made it all from scratch...

[flamekthunder]

[Look, it works okay. But he'll let her do it her way and just go to get two glasses. He might be handicapped at the moment, but he's not completely disabled and he refuses to not do something.]

You made it? ...You didn't have to go through that much trouble.

[Just a small glance over as he fills the glasses one at a time with water, the whole water dispenser from the fridge thing really handy. He'll have to take two trips to the table, but he's not going to mind it.]

[starshower]

[Just as she figured—he's going to get up and help anyway, even if she has everything under control. She's not going to argue, of course, because she would do the same thing, so rather than scold him for getting his own water, she silently sets the bowl on the table for him.

It's true, she really didn't have to go through that trouble, or any at all. She could have just brought a few cans, popped them open, and called it a day, but that isn't how Tifa Lockhart operates.]

I don't mind. It was kinda fun. Been a while since I've been able to make anything from scratch.

[Now that she's pocketed some gold of her own, she can finally start doing what she loves again. Taking care of people.

She'll wait until he's seated before she claims the chair across from him.]

It's probably still a bit hot, so just give it a blow before taking a bite.

[flamekthunder]

[After setting down the glasses around the same time she set down the bowl, he just looks at her before he sits down and reaches for the spoon. It's just soup, yet it's hard to deny that there's a different feeling to it when he actually knows who the cook is and even more when she made it for him. 

Of course it's all just passing thoughts as he silently blows on the hot liquid, already catching the flavorful aroma before taking it to his mouth. There's only the slightest rise of his brows at the taste and he takes another spoonful before he finally speaks out.]

It's good. Did you use some herbs...basil? 

[starshower]

[Her chin props up on her hands while she watches him eagerly, waiting for his verdict. His lack of expression at first is... a bit disheartening, truth be told, but she catches the way his brows raise, and then—

She presses a finger to her lips.]

It's a secret recipe.

[It really is simple—some mixture of herbs like basil and thyme to liven up the flavour. If he tried really hard, he could probably deconstruct the soup and figure out the ingredients, but she'll leave it at that, and she leans back in her chair and stretches, a pleased smile crossing her face.]

I'm glad you like it. Figured if you were going to be stuck resting for a while, you could use something healthy and homemade.

[Because if they don't have a soup ladle, she has little confidence that there's much in the way of healthy, hearty foods around this place.

She leans forward again, eyes inquisitively fixing on him while she motions gently to his arm.]

What happened anyway? Only heard the gist of it.

[flamekthunder]

[Listen they've been preoccupied with things okay!!!

At her question there's only the smallest pause before he takes one more spoonful before letting the spoon dangle between his fingers, twirling it around once before he speaks in a nonchalant voice.]

You're aware of the lunatics targeting animal mages, correct? I was careless and one managed to hit me.

[He then resumes eating, knowing full well he left out a lot of details and expecting her to ask more questions.]

[starshower]

[That's a lot of holes to leave in the story, and she frowns at first at his lack of explanation... but if he's willing to answer, then she's just going to try filling in those gaps herself.]

Managed to hit you? More like broke your arm.

[It's almost like she's scolding him for it, and in a way, she is... He's understating the injury.]

I heard about them, yeah. I hadn't seen anything for myself and thought it was only a rumour at first... maybe someone just saying it to scare you all off, but guess not.

[Guess there really are people that crazy. Speaking of crazy—]

When I heard you were hurt, I thought that maybe it was... [She shakes her head. That's probably not it.] Never mind.

[flamekthunder]

...It's paralyzed.

[And another quiet sip of his soup, again stating everything in that calm, nonchalant demeanor of his before he looks at her.]

What were you thinking?

[starshower]

[...

....

Tifa's eyes fixate on the sling wrapping his arm, mouth falling open to say—say what? She's angry, not at him but for him. What kind of lunatics go after another man and paralyze him? Who is so cowardly? And were they apprehended? From what she heard, that was the case, but were there any still out there? Whatever she thought it was, this was much more dangerous and terrifying...

She takes in a sharp breath, the turning in her stomach darkening her expression.]

I'm sorry.

[About the arm. But she knows better than to fuss over it any more than that.]

I was worried that it might have been... [His stalker? That's such a weird way to put it, even if it's the truth.] That woman that was following us. Who sent you that letter. I thought that maybe she'd found you somehow.

[flamekthunder]

[He only glances at her to catch that darkened expression as she looks at his arm and just a small hum of acknowledgment when she expresses her sympathies. He had a feeling she would be this way—they all were in their own way.]

It'll recover in a few weeks, don't worry too much. 

[Of course he knows that she will, but that was the best reassurance he could give. Though given her reaction, not telling her the more grisley details is for the best. She'd probably freak out if she knew it wasn't his arm they were aiming for.

Plus there were more serious matters that he darken his own expression.]

But you're not wrong. The reason Gran and I are living in this house is because of her. [And this is something he knows he can't gloss over so he continues.] It was after the first few times I was attacked [Yes, Tifa, he has been through this several times.] and I received a note outside my old hotel room saying "they were taken of" and... Other obvious signs it was from her. 

[He actually shudders as he remembers that thing.]

I took Gran and we moved here the next day. I was going to confront her after that but the damn mage hunters have kept me preoccupied. 

[starshower]

[Telling Tifa not to worry might as well be telling her not to breathe, and although she gives him a slow nod in response to that, she still lets her brows wrinkle with concern, and her attention keeps shifting back to the sling while she listens.

—first few times? She doesn't interrupt, but her eyes do narrow at that. What does he mean "the first few times he was attacked?" What kind of hell has this man been put through since he got here? Or since the last time they saw each other for that matter? The fact that she was still hunting him down months later is terrifying, on top of this so-called hunting of animal mages... She feels terrible for not finding him sooner.

Honestly? If she didn't know any better, she'd still be convinced that this woman was behind it all... but maybe that's giving her too much credit.]

You still thinking about confronting her? ... After your arm heals?

[flamekthunder]

Yes.

[There's a hard, firm conviction in his voice.]

I've let it go for too long already and the authorities will be too busy dealing with the current situation. It'll only be a matter of time before she finds this place so I need to deal with her before she does.

[He can't endanger Gran.]

[starshower]

[That much she understands. Taking matters into her own hands is sometimes how she dealt with things before, and she mostly had them all under control then. The help that came after was just a bonus... But she gets it, and nods.]

What if I told you I had an idea?... A way to draw her out? Then you could confront her.

[And tell her to back the heck off! Had Zidane planted a seed in her head at some point in a conversation? Or had she come up with this herself? Who's to say... but one thing's sure: she's leaving little room for argument with the way she says it.]

[flamekthunder]

[A slight arch of his brow and he just gives her the silent look for her to continue.]

[starshower]

Well, I was thinking... if she stuck her neck out at a movie...

[Had she thought that the two of them were... together? On some kind of date? Wanted to see what was going on without approaching?]

Then imagine what she'd do if you went on a real one. I mean, a real date. You'd have more of a case if she approached you first, yeah? So...

[Her brows sweep up with implication.]

[flamekthunder]

...

[He just stares at her before his eyes narrow, glaring at her as if he's heard the most ridiculous thing—and clearly he has.]

Of all the crazy... Did Zidane put that idea in your head?

[Because he's definitely heard that before and he already suspects that stupid monkey was the one who told Tifa where he was.]

[starshower]

[She's just going to ignore his question about Zidane because she's still not going to snitch on him, regardless of whether it was or wasn't him that put the idea in her head.]

Hear me out...

[A hand comes up to shush him before he goes any further.]

If you're gonna do this on your own, which you're not, you should build a case against her first. The worst you've got is a letter and the incident at the movies, but...

[She worries that it won't be enough to lock her up, somewhere she can't harm Eustace or anyone else any longer. And honestly? Tifa's a little worried for her own well-being too, after the way she looked at her at the theatre, so this isn't just for him!

She can't believe she's saying this, but...]

You need to make sure she's put away for good. Long enough that she'll have time to get over you, at least.

[flamekthunder]

[Nonanswer = yes.]

And how do you propose we build such a case?

[He continues to hold that frosty glare, already having an inkling what Tifa is trying to suggest. At the very least he knows she wants to be involved, and it is true she has some stake in it. But for whatever reason he doesn't like the idea of her getting even more involved, possibly hurt by the results of whatever crazy idea she has planned.]

[starshower]

[There's no real way to dance around it, is there? So she'll just come out and say it, with no less conviction.]

Go on a date with me.

[...

Okay, so she'll explain a little further because yeah, that was a little forward.]

If she sees you with a girl like that, then there's no way she won't say something. You need her to admit that she's been following you, and that she wrote that letter. ... I mean, it could be any girl, but... [Tifa's eyes dart away, down to the soup.] I was there, too. She knows who I am and I've got a few things I wanna say to her.

[flamekthunder]

[His eyes narrow and the grip on his spoon tightens more at the explanation than her initial date proposal. It was unexpected to hear, but that was it. Otherwise, he's clearly displeased by the whole thing and he finally sets down the spoon and sits back, arms crossed over his chest as he just continues to give her a frosty glare.

Seconds tick by as his silence stretches, regardless if she speaks again or not, and even if she does he'll eventually speak up harshly.]

I don't approve. [Clearly.] Seeing us together will only make her more aggressive and what if instead of coming out in the open she targets you instead? I've erased most everything that I read from that letter but I do know the words and tone were indicative of a disturbing, possessive, violent sociopath if provoked. Even if you can defend yourself, the last thing I need is to have you dragged in further because of some woman's strange delusions about me. 

[Part of the problem is he really doesn't know what Tifa is capable of. He already figured out she had a fighter's build and stronger than the average woman, but in terms of experience and true strength and skill, he knows nothing. Even if he did... Imagining this scenario with other members of his group, he would still protest just out of principle.

And the more he speaks, the more he dislikes this idea. His expression worsens by the second, and it's in large part because—]

But you're right that I don't have anything concrete to prove anything, and that kind of aggressive reaction you're aiming for would do it. 

[There's just an annoyed click of his tongue. As much as he dislikes the idea of Tifa getting involved so much (why is she willing to go this far, anyway? Because it's become personal for her now, too?), he can't deny this would be the best way to draw the stalker out and lock her up. Even if he confronts her on his own and she just acts creepy around him, without showing any further hostile action the best he could do is get a restraining order and he has as much faith in that as the sheet of paper it would be printed on. 

And who knows, maybe she really is just a creep who won't take further action. He's considering the worst case scenario, but it's not impossible that the woman is all talk and would retreat if given enough deterrence. That would be ideal... But he doubts it, not with everything so far and what he knows about these types of people. 

So he's just. Kind of stewing a bit because he can't think of another alternative aside from just detaining her and throwing her in the woods. Which is obviously not an option. Obviously. unless]