sixth shot ⊗ open september log

[flamekthunder]

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: various quests
🕒 WHEN: throughout September
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except for any potential violence that might happen in the combat oriented prompts

⊗ a: task - shear determination

[Shearing sheep...that takes him back and although it's been a while he heads over. Even if he can't, he can at least use his magic to try and help keep them calm. So for shearers, Eustace can assist some of the nervous sheep, quietly speaking to them and stroking their heads to keep them calm. And he'll also give some advice.]

You need to get all the way down to the skin and be quick about it, so don't hesitate. Be firm or it'll just come out jagged and you'll have to do it over. The faster you are the, less time they'll be like this and remain stressed.

And watch its right side—seems like it's more sensitive there. Could be a skin irritation, but we can treat it after it's been sheared.

[He'll call out any other such problematic spots a sheep might have. Sensitive leg, ticklish belly, don't be too rough, don't be too gentle—being able to hear and understand the sheep certainly has its benefits.]

⊗ b: task - cult classic

[If it's not one set of idiots it's another...

Having recovered from his injuries from last month, Eustace will take this as a prime opportunity to "warm up" and get back into it. Although there had been no deaths, it's clear the guy is being too reckless. Except with him sticking to the rooftops in the late evenings and around the places the incidents have occurred, it wouldn't be too unusual for him to be momentarily be mistaken. Especially when he's always wearing his own cloak.]

⊗ c: tdm - the fighting badass

[Zombies and undead... Well he's used to fighting them, but carrying back their remains? Not the most pleasant thing, but a job's a job and it's something he can do. He needs the exercise, anyway.

1. Combat. Although he'll plan on going solo, he won't helping anyone who is also dealing with the zombies. And wouldn't you know, lightning is fairly effective against them. Not wanting to push himself too, he's setting himself on a high point and sniping down the zombies, shooting lightning down immobilize and down them. Should he have someone that's more close combat, he'll be careful with his shots and let them finish it off.

2. Night watch. For the journey back, Eustace will be definitely guarded and alert on the captured remains. If camping out with someone, he'll secure the bags or boxes used to hold them and eye them warily.]

It would be better if there was some kind of sealing magic... Go ahead and sleep, I'll keep watch.

⊗ d: wildcard

[Considered the Take to the Skiesish prompts but he'd need some convincing to drink the vials. Should anyone want to take that up, I'll be game for any of the other prompts (flying, catching stars, giant bats). If interested in anything else not included here, just hit me up on laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Comments

[starshower]

[If they thought her screams from the other side of the window were bone-chilling... they had nothing on this one. This one where she is rushing towards them, her hair a mess and parts of her dress tattered and dirty with her eyes practically bulging out of her head. Tifa doesn't even have time to react to the carriage and the confusion that comes with it before this woman comes to a screeching halt in front of them.

Her voice is sickly sweet, contrary to her appearance when she addresses Eustace.]

"Eusty, my love. Let us speak to each other in private~? I have some things I've been wanting to say to you for a long time. You got my letter right?"

[But she doesn't even give him a chance to respond before she turns to Tifa to growl, her demeanor shifting within a split second.]

"You bitch! How dare you! I will bite that ring off your finger!"

[ ... ]

I'd like to see you try.

[flamekthunder]

[He visibly recoils when she approaches and he's honestly considering just striking her with lightning right now when she suddenly turns to Tifa.

...]

Do what you want.

[And just.

Gonna step back.

He remembers the anger he had felt from before and really, it's probably only right to let Tifa have her shot.]

[starshower]

[One of the guards (maybe? It's hard to tell in the middle of this breakout of chaos) takes advantage of the momentary blindness that hits Eustace and tries to reach for him, to grab any part of him he can reach, but his efforts won't take him very far. With Tifa behind, she's able to spot him as he's coming, and closing her eyes against the light, she manages to rush in and drop a roundhouse kick to the man's face, and it sends him keeling over backwards onto the light stand, crushing it. Sparks fly out from it and then their part of the stage goes dim.

Another one of the guards tries to grab her instead to throw her into the pile of both guards and patrons that's forming on the stage, but she knocks him back into others and topples them all over like bowling pins. Strike!

With them out of the way, Tifa whips around to check on Eustace—]

[starshower]

[Tifa isn't dumb enough to make the first strike, so she only stares her down for a while, waiting to see what her next move will be. She watches as her shoulders start to rise and fall with her quickening breaths before—]

"I'LL RIP YOUR HAIR OUT!"

[She lunges at her, arms stretched out and she manages to grab a handful of Tifa's hair and pulls it free from the loose bun like a savage. She's screeching and roaring and hissing and trying to scratch and knee Tifa wherever she can when she manages to get a hold back, flipping her hair up over her head and coming very close to whipping Eustace with it too.

She'll let the woman stand before...]

Should've just walked away.

[With a quick but decent wind-up, Tifa throws a punch that lands square in her nose and knocks her off her feet where she's rolling in pain, crying out about how she broke her nose and was going to press charges. There are people standing around watching, some in horror while others cheer, and the police have arrived on the scene, shouting at them all to move out of the way.]

"Nothing to see here folks! Move along!"

[Meanwhile, Tifa is busy brushing herself off—she did manage to get in a few scratches before she was taken out, some of them bleeding on her arms, but she turns on her heel and climbs into the carriage as if nothing's happened.]

Let's go.

[flamekthunder]

[It's been a while since he experienced this, and a hand is over the right eye that's usually covered by his hair. He grimaces a little as the bursts of light that pepper his vision finally ebbs away, his sight regaining on his left but still basically blurred on his right. But immediately after his sight is compromised, his other senses heighten and he can hear Tifa pummeling the others around him and how she took care of the one that aimed for his blind side.]

—Thanks.

[If only he had his patch...but he had no idea this would happen so he didn't bring it. With his fingers still pressing against his brow a bit, he looks at her.]

My right side is blinded, I'll need you to cover me.

[To think he can freely say this now...]

[flamekthunder]

[—Well. That was. Something. Eustace has seen a fair number of "cat fights" and he knows better than to get in-between one, but he had a moment where he second guessed letting Tifa take this woman on with how it started. But then the punch comes in and his brows rise in some surprise. Not for the punch itself, but how much force was behind it.

As he thought, she's experienced. ...And he clearly shouldn't get on her bad side.

He's about to help her brush off when he feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to find the manager holding a flower in his hands. He looks at it a little confused before the man says that it had fallen from "his lady's" hair and thought she'd want it back. It's then that Eustace remembers and there's only a brief pause before he takes it. By then Tifa had climbed into the carriage and he just looks at her before he follows, stopping short to tell the coachman to take them to the hotel before stepping in and sit next to her. The door closes shut behind him and it's a few moments more before the carriage begins to move.

Only then does he look at her and pulls out the handkerchief that had come with the suit.]

Here, hold out your arm.

[His voice is calm and quiet as usual, but...truthfully seeing the scratches, minor as they are, bothers him.]

[starshower]

Yeah, I got that.

[She gives herself a moment to frown at him before she ducks out of the way, allowing what's left of the fight to continue. It's already started to die down with most of the guards focused on the others brawling, so she has the chance to grab him away from the mess. They need to find somewhere to get their bearings. The entrance is all the way at the other end, and Eustace... he's...

Tifa had hoped he followed her off the stage, but she stops dead in her tracks when they come across another group of guards and patrons, all fighting but turning to look at them when they rush down the stairs. What she says is playful, but her tone remains sharp as ever.]

Hello boys...

[Okay, they gotta clear them out somehow...!]

[starshower]

[She had forgotten all about the rose in that entire mess, and she's still yet to notice it even when Eustace climbs aboard the carriage and the door shuts. But the moment it does, the entire atmosphere shifts, and Tifa is sitting with her shoulders square and tense, her breathing quick and her eyes closed.

She'd never in her entire life been attacked like that in the span of a night. Sure, she's had to endure things like cat calls and older people taking advantage of her vulnerability, but a woman coming at her the way she did? That was a lot to take in... and she's a bit shaken, to say the least. Tifa was so sure that they'd apprehended the woman, but how did she get away? Was she so upset about the outcome of the night that she was able to fight off the cops? And what would have become of that woman or Eustace if Tifa hadn't done anything to stop her? That's a level of crazy she never wants to come face to face with ever again...

It isn't until Eustace's voice prompts her that she opens her eyes and looks up at him, then down at her arms, and rather than fight him off and argue that she's fine like she might have done any other time, she quietly shows her arms to him, lifting it and steeling her jaw when the air bites at one of the scratches.]

[pricklybloom]

Hah, thanks. [ Since she was just about finished shearing the sheep, she takes a moment to clean up the last bit of before cutting the wool to separate the burned part from the rest. ] I guess I'll go give this to the owners.

[flamekthunder]

[He holds her arm gently, his eyes flicking over at her once before they return to the scratches and his other hand hovers over them.]

This might sting a little.

[It's all he says before some water trickles down, washing it a little before he wipes it with the handkerchief. Fortunately they're just scratches so it shouldn't bleed too much, but he wanted to clean them off, anyway.]

...It's not healing magic, but it'll have to do for now.

[Just continues to quietly speak as he works, every movement firm but gentle. He's well aware of her condition, but he doesn't say anything—yet, anyway.]

[flamekthunder]

[Although hindered, he's still capable of reading the field after some adjustment, although his right will be blind spot for any sudden close encounters for now. The throbbing disappearing, he just keeps his right eye closed as he follows after her off the stage, weaving and having to stop short briefly when someone flies across his path.

He's soon right behind her and quickly assesses the situation. There's really only one way through this.]

We're cutting through. Get ready to use those heels of yours.

[And that's all he says before he grabs Tifa's hand.

How does she feel about spinning around? Because he's about to lift her up to do just that.]

[starshower]

[She hardly moves or reacts to the water, but it's not without a quiet thanks in gratitude when he's finished before she withdraws, a sigh finally letting her shoulders fall.]

Just when I thought things were looking up, and I could let my guard down.

[Tifa tilts her head, her hand rubbing her arm where some of the smaller scratches still burn.]

I thought they said they caught her. Guess she was really adamant about getting that last hit in before going down. I should've expected something like that to happen...

[Is she blaming herself? Maybe a little.]

[flamekthunder]

[He can tell.]

...Tifa.

[Although quiet, there's a hint of admonishment in his tone as he looks at her.]

You weren't the only one surprised as I also lowered my guard and expected it to have been taken care of despite not checking myself.

[And then...very slowly his hand covers hers in a comforting gesture.]

Don't blame yourself when I was the one who should have taken care of it sooner.

[starshower]

[She'd feel better about it if she knew what was coming, but she can take a guess with that short warning she got. When he takes her hand, she braces herself, and then she feels her feet lift off the ground. In one swift whirling motion, the two of them manage to take out four, maybe five, of the people surrounding them, successfully knocking them into each other and toppling them over to the floor into one massive pile.

And when she's standing again, Tifa pauses to look around them, hands on her hips.]

Nicely done. Little more warning next time, though.

[It's all she says before she's turning on her heel and rushing away without a second glance back at Eustace.]

Come on.

[She leads the way further into the back, where she found some private rooms they can use to heal up before they even think about making a break for the door. She swings the door open to one and promptly shuts it without a word about what she saw inside, and proceeds further down the hall past the others to the very last one. Thankfully, this one is empty. Inside is a couch, some chairs, a stereo system, a box of Ifrit knows what's inside but from what she can see with a cursory glance, there are some feathers and a whip, several mirrors, some chains on the walls... Not to mention the many other things scattered about that one might find in a VIP room at a stripclub.

Best to just not think about what might have happened in here before this whole mess.

The best thing about this room, however, is that the room is completely soundproof, so it's a good reprieve from the loud thumping of the music. The lighting in the room is a mix of dull white and a deep red, and she can't spot a light switch on any of the curtain-lined walls... It's probably better this way, with Eustace's eye. Speaking of which...]

Your eye. Are you okay?

[starshower]

[She's struck by the gesture, small as it is. If it were the other way around, she might have done the same, but coming from Eustace, it's... well, should she be so surprised? After what they'd just gone through? She isn't sure, but she responds in kind anyway, her other hand coming over his and giving it a light pat.]

Well, at least she won't be bothering you anymore.

[She hopes.

Tifa tries to force some humour into her voice, but it's tired and clearly put on. Regardless, it's not going to take that win from them. Instead of trying again, she yawns and stretches, her hands sliding out from around his.]

Jeeze, I'm way more tired than I thought I'd be. We're going back to my place, yeah?

[flamekthunder]

...Yes.

[He just watches her for a moment before he withdraws his hand.]

At least I intend to drop you off there first.

[It took him a moment before he fully processed what she said.]

[flamekthunder]

I had a feeling you'd know.

[She should be used to his lack of full communication when in the middle of high tense action. Alternatively, it could be a sign that he trusts for her to quickly get the idea and improvise with him.

But off she goes and he's right on her heels. He does wonder where she's taking them. Is this towards an exit or...? Except now she's opening the door and abruptly closing it. Again he looks at the door and then seeing the others...it doesn't take him long to figure it out. But again, what is she doing...?

Before he can ask, however, she's entered a room and he can only follow after her with a puzzled expression...which only increases when he looks inside.

?? ??? ???]

...Yes, but why are we here?

[starshower]

Eustace...?

[Her voice has a sudden sense of urgency to it, and the way she says his name is tentative, almost like she immediately regrets saying it at all, but...]

Do... you... [She shakes her head, laughing quietly to herself. This is so stupid.] Do you think you could stay with me for a while? Just until...

[Tifa lets the thought trail off then, not quite sure how to finish it. Until what? Why is she even asking him in the first place? The woman is taken care of, but there's still this strange, uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach that she can't quite shake off.

She just doesn't want to be alone, and that feels like too much to ask for, so she only asks for a little while.]

[starshower]

[Why does he think they're in here!? Don't get any ideas...!]

I don't doubt the exit'll be blocked off, likely by guards.

[She grabs him by the wrist and urges him—no, practically forces him—to take a seat on the couch.]

If we're going to get out of here in one piece, I want to make sure you can cover my ass too.

[That, and she could use a moment to regain her composure. After all that—everything she just saw in the basement, and the way that guard had almost grabbed her before they made a move against him... It's been a lot, and she hasn't had the chance to formulate a decent exit strategy... and make a call to the authorities with the hopes that they'll get here before the two of them are rediscovered.]

Most of the knights got out before everything broke out, but don't think we'll be so lucky...

[Finally, Tifa takes a seat, but doesn't look at him. Instead, she simply motions for him to move his hair aside.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's a slight widening of his eyes when he hears her voice. He knew she had been a bit shaken, but...

There's no real hesitation in his answer.]

It's fine.

[And then... ... And then what? Seeing her like this for some reason is discomforting and he wonders what he can do. Several thoughts come to mind before he just goes with his gut—and that is to first slowly but then firmly slip his arm behind her. His hand lightly touches the side of her head before gently pulling her towards him so that it rests against his shoulder.]

...Just rest for now, it'll be a bit before we get there.

[starshower]

[Not typically much for physical touch, there's something about the way he reaches out to her that sits differently with Tifa. The way that he so confidently puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her to him... Not her reaching for his comfort, but him willingly giving it...

There are flashes of something else then—a night under the plate in a flowerbed, when Tifa's world crumbled around her, and she never wanted someone to tell her that things were going to be okay. Just someone to comfort her while she tried to process it all and let everything go. It makes her think of Cloud and how strong his arms felt around her, and how he held her while she let all of her emotions pour into his shoulders.

It makes her think about how much she misses him, but then it makes her think about how every day, she tries to tell herself that it will somehow get easier.

So, Tifa lets herself relax against him, allowing Eustace to pull her in so that she can rest his head against his shoulder.]

Thank you...

[She mumbles it under a breath—a content sigh, before she lets her eyes shut... and she dozes off.]

[flamekthunder]

[Listen, he's not thinking anything weird, but she's being very forceful and just confusing him more??? And he's now on the couch. ...Has this thing even been cleaned he doesn't really want to be on it—

He's trying to follow, and what she says makes some sense, but he does take some offense to her doubt about him covering her.]

If you're worried about my sight, it's a temporary condition and I'm still capable of fighting.

[...And he's assuming she wants to look at his eye, which he won't mind, but she's looking away from him.

Again.

...

There's a beat before he slowly leans closer towards her.]

Tifa look at me.

[A few thoughts have occurred to him just then. One is of course her more recent avoidance of him, the one that had for some reason was starting to irritate him as her attitude is now becoming similar to earlier.

But he's also reminded of what happened before with the stalker and how intense things had been. Although different, it's a little similar and he could see that she could have been rattled by everything. Maybe not the same way, but she could still be shaken a bit by all the pressure.

There are some things he can let slide and brush off, and if it's the latter then he won't push. But if this is stemming from whatever has her avoiding him from the start... If the only time she'll look at him is through some weird forced play then he'll really be annoyed—even if he won't know why.]

[flamekthunder]

...

[He just looks down at her, lips pursed into a pensive line. Unconsciously his fingers lightly rub against her shoulder in a soothing gesture before he becomes aware of it and stops himself, his hand suddenly lifting and fingers curling in as he glances away with a strange awkward feeling. He's not really one to give physical comfort—rather he just never was close enough to do so unless it was a child. And this is different from the physical touches at the restaurant. There it was just a performance or a game of sorts without any meaning, but right now what he's doing is more genuine. A true, heartfelt intent in trying to give her that comfort rather than just an empty gesture.

And that discomforting feeling also stems from the thought that he does feel partly to blame that she had to go through this to begin with. This is exactly what he didn't want to happen and why he had been so against the idea from the start. Sure it gave them results, but... Was it really worth it if it ended up rattling her this badly? He can't really blame her for it, either, not with how quickly that woman charged at her. And again he wonders if he shouldn't have let her face her. He instinctively knew Tifa wanted to, that this was something like "her fight" given the insults she had received before. He would have of course taken care of it for her, but he's been around enough tough female fighters to know that they would like to take their own stand and he respects that. So that's what he did, but...had he overestimated? Not her skill, but her ability to handle it?

Or maybe he's underestimating her right now, thinking too deeply on her being shaken. She's still a strong, young woman, but right now somehow she seems...not weak or frail, but vulnerable. And for some reason he finds himself not liking how she's come to be this way.

Regardless, the thought that maybe this had been too much will be stuck in his mind for a while. Releasing a small sigh, he leans his head back before pulling out his phone. He should let Gran know he'll be back later than expected, so he sends a quick text before returning it to his pocket. It's then that he remembers he still has the rose from earlier, and he just carefully tucks it away for now. He'll give it to her when they reach her place, though he wonders if she would even want it still or even remember... It had been such a silly little thing, but he can clearly remember her reaction and how it suited her...

Due to the evening traffic and the distance, it'll be some time before they finally reach the hotel, and he'll remain still and quiet and eventually allowing himself to idly stroke her arm every now and then. And then the carriage eventually pulls into a slow stop, the coachman softly alerting of their arrival as if trying to be polite to his passengers. It's only then that Eustace finally moves a little to look down at Tifa.

A part of him doesn't want to wake her, but he has a feeling she would kick him if he tried to carry her up. ...He doesn't even know what room she's in though he supposes he could ask the front desk. For now, unless she starts to rouse herself, he'll just...stare at her for a moment before lightly shaking her shoulders.]

...Tifa, we're here.

[starshower]

[She really had completely dozed off somewhere along the ride. All the excitement, adrenaline, and anger mixed up together can really wear a person out, and she hadn't been well-rested going into it either. It's normal, for her, at least—she hasn't been getting much sleep at all since arriving on the Isles, and this might be the first time in as long as she can remember that she's been able to get some decent shuteye, as short as it is. It's no good night's rest, but it's something.

Her shoulders shaking startles her awake, and the first thing that comes into view is a close-up view of Eustace's face, her own only inches from his when she snaps her head up and sleepily blinks open her eyes. His arm is still around her, with her body is flush against his side, soaking up the warmth in the otherwise chilly carriage. It takes her a few moments of staring up at him to realize all of this before she's shuffling away, awkwardly tucking her hair behind her ear.]

S-Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep like that...

[She'd put her head down and next thing she knew, he was waking her up. It felt like only seconds, but if they're here, then how long had that nap been? And how long had she made him sit there like that? What was she even doing, using him as a pillow?

God, this is so embarrassing, and she's already excusing herself from her side of the carriage before the driver can come around to open it for her, almost smacking him square in the face with it instead.]

[starshower]

[She will look at him, but there's still a flicker of avoidance in her gaze, never letting it linger for too long. Instead, Tifa focuses on his eye, reaching out to push his hair aside herself to examine it, realizing only now that this is the first time she's seen him with his hair back—with both eyes completely visible. It's striking in a way, and she hovers with her fingers combed through his fringe, getting a good look at him and the marks that are just barely detectable in the dark red lighting of the room before she allows his hair to fall back into place.

Well, she did look at him, but...

Tifa rises to her feet for a moment and there's a loud tearing noise as she rips around the entire length of her dress until she's left with a long strip of cloth in hand.]

Here. This should work until you get home.