isleofavalon | fifth shot ⊗ open august log

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fifth shot ⊗ open august log

🧙 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!]

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[ and rip throats is exactly what gran does. no one harms his crew and gets away with it. there was even some blood on his armor and clothes, indicating that the captain did not pull his punches. as he comes back, he's already called the authorities as well as any medical professionals through his phone to help as he rushes back to eustace, not wanting to waste more precious time. what takes priority now is making sure his friend makes it out alright.

he skids to a stop once he makes it back, helping eustace up as gently as possible without stressing his injuries. ]

Thank you, Joy, Eria. [ he's at least rational enough to thank the familiars for their work. ] Hang in there, Eustace. Help's coming.

[He only releases a strained breath as Gran helps him before there's another strangled cry of pain. Of all the injuries he's ever sustained, this is definitely high up there. But he keeps trying to fight it, keeps trying to stay conscious. His back is so numb he can't feel anything or notice the blood seeping through the wounds. Should they be grateful that because it's a piercing wound and he forced Eria to keep them in that he's not losing too much? ...Yet.]

...Gran...

[He struggles to speak, wanting to apologize or say it was his mistake, but he ends up coughing up blood instead.]

[ gran resists the urge to flinch at eustace's cry of pain, especially because he doesn't know if it'll agitate the wounds. he doesn't even dare try to remove the arrows, lest he risk heavy bleeding. he keeps an eye out for medics, praying, hoping they come sooner rather than later.

when the erune speaks and subsequently coughs out blood, gran is quick to shush him. ]

Save your energy for living, Eustace. You can tell me everything later-- I'm sure they won't be bothering you again.

[ it sounded less like a threat and more like a promise. gran was ready to raise hell, but had to make sure eustace didn't die on him. but how much longer would he have to wait...? ]

[There's just a heavy, sharp intake of breath as it all becomes too much. Despite his best efforts, his vision blurs and darkens and the ground spins as he collapses forward.

He'll be completely unconscious for the rest of the time.]

Eustace!! Hang in there, okay?!

[ gran very easily loses cool when he collapses, and is starting to panic. he knows eustace was a strong guy, but who knows what those arrows were laced with. gran starts frantically looking everywhere, to find when the medics were coming, and when he finally sees them approach, he lets himself sigh in relief.

but even so, he doesn't stop helping out by creating the needed materials to bandage everything up. gran, of course, is more concerned about eustace than his own bumps and scratches, so when the medic asks if he needed help, he brushes them off. ]

[Eria only whines and sticks close to Eustace's body, at first actually growling at the medics that approach before finally easing up for them to tend to him.

It's definitely bad, and they move him onto the stretcher and into the ambulance—or well, the special carriage wagons they use—applying heal magic and other treatments they can. The arrows are left in as one of them sees that they are barbed and would be too dangerous to pull them out here without proper equipment to help stem the inevitable blood loss.

While they tend to Eustace, the medics will be insistent on getting Gran looked at, at least to have some healing magic applied along with bandages. If Gran is still stubborn they can allow him on the wagon and will perform his treatment there.

Once at the hospital Eustace will be rushed into an operating room and it'll be quite a long wait as they treat him.]

[ gran is extremely pushy, as he doesn't want to let his crewmate out of his sight for even a second.

of course, it meant letting the medics patch him up and raising a stink but it was eustace. a precious friend and crewmate. but he's not about to complain if it meant staying by his side. gran has a heart too big for his chest sometimes, and it shows.

as they head to the hospital, gran's got a tight grip on joy, seeking some sort of comfort, and hoping that eria is alright. he doubts it, but he tries to at least pet her head to comfort her. ]

[It's very rare for the usually proud and haughty wolf to appear so meek and defenseless as Eria just remains as close to Eustace as she can, her whines mixing in with the ominous beeps of machines and words of the medics as they work to keep the erune's body stable. But even if she doesn't show it, she does appreciate the pets. And she'll be joining them in the operating room whether they want her there or not. Gran, however, will be forced to stay outside and will have to endure the grueling wait.

But eventually it's over and the doctor will come up to Gran to explain the situation. Although barbed, the arrows alone were not much issue and they were able to remove them safely. The problem had been the poison they were imbued with as it had a fast acting paralytic agent. Had they been just a little closer to his heart, it's quite possible it could have stopped it and caused a heart attack, so they were very lucky in that regard as it was clear that was what they were aiming for. They were able to administer an antidote, but since it's more like a curse it would take weeks before the poison is completely removed. Thus his left arm will be paralyzed for a while before it's able to function normally again.

After some more explanation, he doctor guides Gran to the room where Eustace remains unconscious, set on his stomach since the wounds on his back still need to heal. Eria had hopped onto the bed and curled up next to him, not caring about whatever protocols she's breaking. But his condition is stable so it's only a matter of time before he awakens.]

[ gran spent the time pacing back and forth, unable to keep calm while they were working on eustace. he wanted to know when he would be coming out, every single little detail. he's annoyed at the fact that his presence doesn't have enough sway in this world, but he'll comply so he doesn't get kicked out.

but once he hears the state of how his friend was doing, he's relieved to hear that eustace is alright. it could have been worse, and the attacker got his just desserts for hurting his friend, so everything was right in the world. when allowed to finally see him, he just sighs in relief. telling him is one thing, seeing is another, and that is when gran finally lets himself relax. out of the danger zone.

guilt still festered within the captain, and he couldn't help but voice it. ]

Normally I'm not that careless... I'm sorry, Eustace. Should've done more.

...Who's the one who was careless.

[A low, groggy voice responds as Eustace awakens not long before the boy spoke, as if he had sensed Gran's presence. At first he starts to rise but then swears under his breath because that was a mistake.]

Hey, don't push it! Lay back down before you undo anything.

[ gran would've done so by using his hands, but he doesn't know if that would be allowed by both the hospital and the erune. he gets the idea to pet his ears to ease him into resting, but tucks it away for the time being. maybe when they have this much needed talk. ]

I was. I should've been more thorough-- and you got hurt in the process. What kind of captain am I if I get someone hurt...?

[ it was eating at him a lot more than he let on. ]

[Whether he wants to or not, down the Erune goes as he lies back—or rather forward—on the bed and tries to catch his breath. It's now he can really feel the effects of that paralysis, his right side throbbing in pain while his left...is nothing. Nothing at all. Just some visages from his lower rib cage down to his abdomen, but mostly his chest and arm he can't feel a thing let alone move it.

It's...disconcerting to say the least, but Gran's words takes his attention away from his condition. If he could he would reach up and thwap him on the forehead, but as it is he can only narrow his eyes and frown at him with a hard glare.]

If you're going to say that, then the same could be said for me—what kind of contractor and crew member am I if I allowed myself to get hurt and not be able to protect my captain?

Don't blame yourself, Gran. Injuries happen even to the best of us. All it takes is one moment of opportunity and they took it.

[ the captain could feel the hit to the head with the glare. he didn't want to hear eustace say that, but he knew it had to be said-- it helped him cope with the fact that yes, he had no real leverage in the fight. but of course, it didn't stop the feelings of inadequacy in him.

but the captain was captain for a reason, and he knew that others have told him why. so instead of complaining, he'd take the challenges head on. yeah, he couldn't stop them, but he managed to get eustace the help he needed. there had to be pride in that, and he was going to take it.

so he brushes the budding tear aside and speaks with a cheeky smile. ] Well, you'd still be my crew member, that's what.

[ but even through that, he speaks sincerely. ] I'll keep that in mind. Now you focus on getting better. I was told it wasn't easy to get everything out of you.

...Hm.

[He's just going to eye Gran before taking another deep breath.]

What exactly happened?

[ he knew he didn't get away scot free, he's sure, but he won't mention it in favor of answering the question. ]

There was one more. They were a marksman-- fired barbed arrows into your back, laced with a paralyzing agent. Joy and Eria took care of you while I chased them down...

Gran looked really scary when he came back. I am happy he is back to normal.

[ gran could only laugh lightly. he didn't want to put it like that, but he does suppose he scared the familiar in his arms. ] But after that, we got you to the hospital as quickly as possible. I'm just happy you made it through without major loss.

[Eustace quirks a small smile at Joy's comment. Although he hates that he was the cause for it, knowing that Gran got "scary" was a little heartening.]

...Three arrows... Where exactly?

[He can no longer feel them except for the dull throb on the right, but he recalls what he had felt at the time. So he can make a guess, but...he wants to know exactly.]

Two in your left and one in your right. Doctor says that you were given the antidote, but the paralyzing agent was more curse-like than intended, so you might not have feeling in your left for a while.

[ he knows eustace won't like it, but it was better than lying about it. ] But other than that, you should be out of bed in about a day or so.

[Two on the left... And given the location from where he remembered the pain...

....

Without asking Gran, he can get an idea of what had been the intent.]

I see. [A small exhale and he soon feels Eria nudging her nose against his hand. With a small smile he slowly pets her as she snuggles up closer.]

...It seems like I'm only causing everyone to worry. Sorry for that.

You are not!

[ gran blinked, realizing he had been a bit too loud for a hospital setting. he brings back down his volume before continuing. ]

You got hurt. No one would be brushing it off if they really cared for you, okay? So don't apologize. I want to be here. I'm sure there are others you've met here that feel the same.

[...At that Eustace stares out into space for a moment before he quietly says:]

...Don't tell them.

[ gran gives him a wry smile. even if he wanted to, he didn't know many, not to mention the fact that he really couldn't hide the injury. ]

My lips are sealed.

[A small sigh as if in relief.]

Thanks.

[It's not that he wouldn't appreciate it, but he doesn't want anyone to worry or busy over him. Gran and Eria are going to be more than enough. And he can already think of a few people who would certainly make a racket if they knew...]

[ gran chuckles. eustace really didn't want to bother anyone.

too late though, you know gran's worried. ]

Anyways, get some rest. You're definitely going to need it.

[There's just a low hum of agreement, and as if right on cue a nurse comes in to check on him now that he's awake. It'll be up to Gran if he wants to stick around for it, but otherwise he'll be made to rest and probably doze off due to, well, everything—medicine, painkillers, his own physical fatigue. At that point Gran will be made to leave, but at least he'll be able to visit until he's discharged.]

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