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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There will be no throwing anyone in the woods. Not even her!

Tifa watches his reactions—the way his eyes narrow and his grip on the spoon tightens ever so slightly, but she pressed on, even through the silence that followed her proposal. She had a feeling he would react this way, but she has enough confidence in herself that she didn't think she would need to practice a counterargument, and she still doesn't think she needs one. It's about as bad an idea as taking on Don Corneo on her own, she knows that, but this time is different. This time, she isn't going to go at it alone... but that makes it no less frustrating when people go about being so virtuous and concerned for her safety.]

I can handle myself, you know.

[If this woman wants to go after Tifa instead, let her. It will only give him more ammo to use in getting her locked up somewhere, or rather, getting some help.]

It doesn't even have to be much. [She doesn't think they'll really need to go all out, but...] You just need something to prove that she's a threat. And you'll have me to back you up. After that, it'll be over.

[Tifa's lips press into a thin line, and her voice loses its pleading tone, replaced with one more serious.]

I've got a stake in this too. The way she was looking at me... she knows my face, and I don't want to live knowing that I could also be at risk, or my friends.

[There's just another stretch of heavy silence before he finally releases a just as heavy sigh, fingertips pressed against his brow.]

Fine. It's clear you're deadset on this and I'd rather go along with it than have you try something on your own.

[Well. Not that he's certain she would, but he gets the sense that Tifa would try to do something to help and he'd rather have a finger on it instead of something unexpected happening.]

Dating... [Now he's scowling for a different reason.] Even if it's fake—no, even more because it is we'd have to be convincing. But maybe we don't have to do too much since it seems like even standing next to each other is enough to set her into blind jealousy...

[...Ugh...]

Edited 2021-09-05 01:49 (UTC)

[Tifa's sigh comes out with his, hers more relieved before she smiles up at him.]

Don't you worry about the details. I'll take care of it.

[If he couldn't see it before, he might be able to spot the gears turning in Tifa's head by now. She's already got just the place for this, and it might also be part self-indulgence in wanting an excuse to finally check out what's considered one of the best restaurants in town.]

When your arm's healed up, I'll message you with the details.

[Speaking of... Because with that out of the way, she isn't going to leave him room to argue the plan any further.]

Did they say how long it'll be before the paralysis wears off? Could try stretching it to speed it up...

[Not particularly because she wants to do this sooner than later, although she does, but because she doesn't know if keeping it in a sling like that is going to do much to help him in the long-run...]

Edited 2021-09-07 03:08 (UTC)

[He just looks at her for a moment, clearly still discontent about this plan, but he won't say anything more as it's been decided.

Instead he just glances down at his arm and tries to move it a bit. Ugh.]

A few weeks. There are some exercises I can do so it doesn't atrophy, but I haven't done today's set yet due to various disruptions.

[He gives her a pointed look to imply that she is the "disruption."]

[She sees that pointed look and returns it in kind. Yeah yeah, she knows she's the "disruption", but he seems to be enjoying that soup she brought, nonetheless.

Tifa motions to the bowl, as if to tell him to finish it up, then to his arm.]

I can help, if you'd like...? I've done plenty of training with that kind of stuff.

[Stretches, breathing exercises, the whole thing. It wasn't just punching that she studied in her teen years.]

Might be easier with an extra set of hands. [Her pointed stare fades into a more sheepish smile.] We can do that while we watch the movie I brought...

[Surpriiiiise...!]

[He only has a little left! And he's been eating it during the pauses, but he's just giving her a, "Hmmmm" at her offer as he's about to take another spoonful, actually considering her offer—

When she brings up the movie.

Stopping just before taking that spoonful, he looks up at her confused.]

You brought a movie?

[???? She wasn't just here to drop off soup and check on him? How long did she plan to stay—not even Zidane stayed over this long!]

[She wasn't just here to drop off soup and check on him, although those were first on the priority list.]

I did.

[Quickly, Tifa rises to her feet and wanders back to the counter where she left her bag, and pulls out a DVD case. The title is reads in big, yellow text "Galaxy Wars: The Return of the Hope", and she slides it across the table to him with a hopeful gaze.]

I figured now would be a good time to watch the first one...

[So, about three hours more than he was expecting her to stay. :) ]

[He just...looks at her before he slowly reaches for the DVD case. By now he at least knows what they are, but...

...]

We don't have a TV yet.

Oh.

[Her disappointment is so palpable that it might as well manifest into its own separate being. No soup spoon, and now no TV? How much is she going to have to buy for these boys? She's not going to buy them a TV, don't get your hopes up.

She slumps back into the chair, her defeat obvious with the way she sighs and slides the case back towards her and pops it open to flip through the papers inside, and that's when her demeanor shifts back.]

Well, there's a code here... Apparently we can watch it for free on our devices...? It won't be as good, but it's something...

[She's not leaving here without watching it!!!]

[He's giving the case a once over, turning it over to read the back and then a quick open to look inside. Look he knows what they are, but he's never actually handled one before as he had no reason to.

And hey, hey, he's going to get one! One of the best ones, too, because might as well go big on that since he barely spends on anything else!! Hi-def, 4k or whatever, it'll be so good she'll want to watch movies at his place all the time—wait, maybe he should go cheap—

At her mentioning a code, he just arches a brow as he lightly tosses then case back on the table so that it slides back to her.]

...You're really determined to stay over, aren't you. Are you going to spring up some kind of dinner plan after? And then a weird slumber party?

It's just one movie.

[Plus, he needs to stop being such a Lone Wolf and accept that people enjoy his company! She wouldn't have brought over all of this stuff if she didn't think it would be fun, or good for him to spend some time with another person besides himself for a while.

But then her lips turn upwards into a coy smirk.]

Unless a dinner and slumber party is what you were looking for... I'm sure I can arrange something.

[Be careful what you wish for, Eustace!]

[.....Don't give him that, he just gives her a look before sighing.]

Don't.

[YEP THAT'S ALL HE SAYS ON THAT MATTER before he pushes back against his chair and stands.]

Let's just start the exercises.

[One day, he'll come around. Surely!

She is a little stunned that he even agreed to her help with the stretches, but doesn't say anything of the sort, she'll just be silently glad that he's accepting it at all. But first... she whips out her phone and refers to the small brochure in the DVD case, punching in a URL and some numbers in.]

Figured we might as well get a head start on the movie while we do. Come on.

[Beckoning him away from the table, Tifa leads them to the couch in the living room (there's a couch, right???) where she sets the phone down.]

It'll be a little tight, but we'll manage.

[Yes there is a couch and it's a nice one, too.

He looks at the setup for a moment before he hums a bit.]

Hang on, I have something that could make this easier to watch.

[He has to get a few things anyway, so he quickly leaves the sitting room and goes to his room. A few minutes later he returns with a bundle under his arm and something in his hand.

Tossing the bundle down as he sits next to her, the item in his hand is revealed to be a stand to set her phone on. He manages to unfold it with his right hand before setting it down on the table.]

Here. Put your phone on it.

[That's all he says as he begins to undo the bundle to reveal a few things he uses for his exercises: a grip ball, wrist weights, a few stretching straps. He'll then start undoing his sling, which is somewhat of an annoyance.]

[Oh, would you look at that? It's like he was prepared for this from the start!

With the movie on pause and ready to go, Tifa quickly sets it down and scurries over when she sees him struggling with his sling, and her hands immediately move in where his are, taking over the work.]

Let me.

[No sense in making it harder for himself. She slides behind him, making sure that her tugs are gentle enough that she doesn't jerk him around, and she makes quick work of it when... There's a sinking feeling, a dread that burns in her chest and in the pit of her stomach when she slides his shirt aside to undo the sling around the back, moving it just so until she sees it. There are scars there... Had those always been there? No, these look like fresh wounds—ones that are working on healing. She's no expert in weaponry or the kinds of marks they would leave behind, but... these look like arrow wounds?

At some point, her breathing stops completely along with her hands, and a dark realization is quick to sink in, making it all the more jarring. Why here, if it's his arm that was paralyzed? If not his arm then what were they aiming for? Surely not his heart...?

There's a stretch of silence that goes on for far too long...]

[It's not like he used it to watch dog videos or anything—!!]

Hey—I can handle it—

[He tries to protest, but his maneuverability is limited and she's already sliding her way behind him. And, admittedly, it is a bit of a pain. Even if he can do it himself it takes some time given the positioning of things as well as needing to not aggravate the wounds. So he just stops his protest and let's her have her way...

...

Until he notices her hands had stopped and she's grown rather silent. A quick glance over his shoulder reveals the reason and he slowly looks back forward before he quietly addresses her.]

It's fine.

[No, it's not fine, and he needs to stop telling her that it is.

After a few beats of silence and her giving him the "it's not fine" sort of stare, Tifa finally removes the sling from his shoulders and sets it aside. She knew that the attacks posed a danger to people, but she had no idea that they had intentions of... killing the animal mages. Whoever clipped Eustace with those arrows, they had only just missed his heart, and if they had landed a bullseye...? ~~Where was this attacker now...? She'd like to have some words with him.~~

Without thinking, her fingers reach up to graze the skin near the scars, but her touch is so light and fleeting that it will only feel like a tickle from her breath before she withdraws her hand.

... ]

Right... [Her tone has shifted, heavy and weighed down by the news, but she shakes her head and tries to smile for him.] Uh, let's get started on those stretches, shall we? I'll start the movie, too.

[He's alive that's all that matters. And he just kind of ignores that stare, remaining silent until she finally removes his sling. Something like this...it may have been one of his worse injuries, but he's beyond the point of being shaken by it. At least he can now feel things so as light and fleeting as it was, he notices that touch and it sends an odd prickly feeling.

Probably because it's a bit more sensitive.

So he just ignores it and starts strapping on the wrist weights.]

Go ahead.

[Tifa scurries to the table and hits play—

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Episode I: THE RETURN OF THE HOPE."

—and then shuffles back to Eustace, urging him to move to the couch and take a seat. They can do their stretches like this, and it'll be a little easier to watch the movie on the smaller screen if they're closer. And while the song plays and the opening crawl begins, she positions herself closely behind him and grabs hold of his arm. Her hand lingers there, but she doesn't move it yet.]

Tell me if it's too much, okay?

[Then slowly, she starts to lift it by the elbow, taking a deep breath in and hoping that he'll follow suit with it.]

[...

.....

Okay this is. Admittedly a little weird for him. It's not like he's never had to work closely with someone, but maybe it's the fact there's a movie playing on the small screen in front of him and they're on the couch... ...For some reason it just feels weird???

But he quickly brushes it aside. It's more likely it just goes back to him preferring his personal space, and being a little cramped on the couch like this doesn't give them the usual space a more professional setting would give. So after shaking off that slight feeling of unease, he just glances back at her before wordlessly following along to try and use those weakened and semi-paralyzed muscles. There's a slight grimace when he has to stretch it a little higher, but he doesn't say anything. If anything he needs to feel that pain as it is a sign that he's getting more feeling back in his muscles.

So he'll just quietly follow Tifa's lead, no longer conscious of her behind him as he focuses on the exercises. Occasionally he'll take in a sharper breath, his brows furrowing a bit. But that's pretty much it.]

[His sharper breaths have her pausing her movements, checking up on him to make sure he's okay with the amount of force she's putting on his arm, but if he says he's fine, then she won't question it. Instead, she'll keep pushing until he tells her otherwise... He needs to feel a little bit of pain. It's the only way either of them will know that it's working.

The stretches themselves are ones straight from Zangan's guidance. He always reminded Tifa that stretches and meditation were as important as physical strength and martial arts. It was a part of it all—Tifa-Ryu as she liked to call it these days. The practice that encompasses all of it. These are the same ones she practiced after her surgery to help rebuild the muscle mass and strength she had lost from it, so she's confident that they'll work for him too.

As for the movie, Tifa's attention is half on that, half on him, with most of her focus falling on the scars she can still see on his back. Worry continues to turn her stomach over and over each time his shirt flutters far enough back that she can see them, and when she does, she tries to peel her eyes away back to the phone... How did this happen and she had no idea...? And why wasn't she here to help him sooner...?

Questions she'll ask herself again and again.

At the twenty minute mark, she'll hit pause.]

... How are you feeling?

[He's only half paying attention to the movie, more focused on how much he's able to feel during the exercises, so he doesn't mind too much when she suddenly pauses it. He just looks back at her before feeling his arm and shoulder a bit.]

The fact that I can feel more than yesterday is already an improvement, no matter how painful it is. But it's fine, I'd tell you if it was more than I can handle.

[Of course, there could be a problem in that he might push what he can "handle," but she probably can guess that.]

These stretches, though... I'm not really familiar with them. They might be more effective than what's been suggested so far.

Really...?

[She knew they would be effective, but hearing it come from him is an entirely different feeling. Knowing that she could help him in some way makes her feel a little better about the whole thing. And while the movie is in the middle of a spaceship chase, she takes the opportunity to explain.]

I call it Tifa-Ryu. [She laughs, quiet under a breath while she adds a little pressure at his elbow again before extending his wrist out as far as he'll let her.] Originally, it was called Zangan-Ryu after my teacher, but I adopted it and made it my own after I left the village.

[She takes in a deep breath, and then exhales it with her motions.]

These stretches helped me back in the day too.

Tifa-Ryu...

[A bit of an odd name, but he'll remember it properly.]

You'll have to teach me so I can continue after you leave. [Because he's not expecting her to come back, at least not for a few days.]

But why did you... [His voice fades as he starts answering his own question. If these stretches are to help build back muscle loss, then it can only mean that Tifa had suffered a severe injure that forced her to use them. So he stops himself from completing that question and glances away.] ...Nevermind.

[Every day until he likes it.

She worries for a moment that she'd said too much. It was meant to be reassurance that the stretches do work, so when he starts his question, her fingers tense under his muscles. It's a bit of a sensitive subject, and although it's easy to guess where that came from, she does appreciate him for not finishing the thought.]

Honestly? It's not all that hard to learn. It mostly focuses on breathing and centering the mind. A lot of what's going on is all up there.

[He'll feel a light tap at the back of his head.

But then she's turning her attention back to the movie, where the Princess is being... kidnapped by Marth Zader?]

Oh, he was already the bad guy right at the start...

fifth shot ⊗ open august log

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wrapping!! 🎀