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

[tantailizing]

Yeah, that's true. I wouldn't mind seeing it if it was some special fire or magic.

[Digging around and finding a leg, Zidane grimaces.]

Ooh, yeah, no... this ash is... bad.

[Also that was probably meant to be a torso, but considering where this leg is burnt off? Haha... that's dust.]

[flamekthunder]

[With the last zombie down, Eustace takes one last look from his vantage point before jumping down. Stepping over the remains with little concern as if he's just stepping over rocks, he approaches Kotarou.]

Nice work... Was that blood magic?

[flamekthunder]

[The sheep bleats warily, eying the strange man that had put the shears down. It's clearly confused, and wriggles a bit when Lyon reaches out to it. Eustace does his part in keeping a soothing hand and murmuring it will be all right, but it's still strange and unnerving. What does this man want to do!?

AND HE TOUCHED THE SPOT HE TOUCHED THE SORE SPOT!!

Its legs thrash as Eustace tries to keep a firm hold, eying the smoke forming around its mouth warily. Puffs of flame appear as it bleats loudly, and it looks as if it's about to really pour out the flames......!

—Oh?

What's this feeling? It actually feels nice and soothingwaitnowhat

WHAT'S THIS STRANGE PURPLE WISPY THING—

At first the healing magic does soothe it, but the sight of the aura has startled the sheep so much it's forgotten it.]

—! Careful, keep to its back!

[BLEEAT BLEEEAAT yeah those are definitely flames coming out. Quick, Lyon, try to help soothe it!]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had thought he had caught a trail, but he's surprised and forced to jump when someone suddenly appears in front of him. Immediately his hand goes to his gun, ready to draw when—]

...Keith?

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had been keeping to the rooftops, asking and listening to the birds and other creatures for any signs of this freak. Fortunately he hit a lead and it's not long until he comes upon the scene between a young woman and a masked man—one that fits the description he's heard so far.

At first he moves to intervene, but he catches how the woman caught the sword. That's...definitely not a fluke. Is she someone who could actually handle this guy on her own? It's clear that she doesn't seem to want to fight, however...

...

Getting into position, Eustace takes out his gun and aims, ready to fire to serve as a distraction as needed. For now he'll wait and watch the situation.

Meanwhile, Zorro Wannabe suddenly jabs forward, as if to threaten her. If Steph takes no action or (from his point of view) seems unable to defend herself, Eustace will fire a shot of lightning to momentarily stun the man before contact can be made. If Steph moves to fight back, however, he'll remain on standby.]

[sighsheavily]

Very good.

[let's do this, indeed. she does a quick spot-check of her inventory before nodding, satisfied, and gives Eustace a curt nod before heading to the door at the back of the office.]

Follow me, if you please. Close the door behind you.

[she'll lead him to a windowless, dimly-lit room of concrete. it's covered in strange symbology and lettering drawn up in chalk in different patterns. the only furniture within is a folding chair and a card table, set over near one wall out of the way.

as she walks in, her familiar glimmers into form, quietly following at her side, tail flicking away lingering glitter until its whole in shape. it looks over its shoulder toward Eustace with a thoughtful, almost bored expression behind its heavy lashes before its attention turns to its person, who has turned to face Eustace.]

When you're ready, take my hands and close your eyes; the light is very bright.

[ichoosefight]

[ Steph sidesteps the thrust, then has to step back and duck another two quick strikes. She's had maybe a week of training with swords, but it's not something that really comes up in Gotham. She'll have to watch him some before she's comfortable intercepting an attack. The man circles again. She wishes she knew the specific scene he's trying to play. ]

You know, I'd be happy to play along if you picked a hand-to-hand scene. I do a mean Karate Kid.

[ "You don't have any lines yet!" he hisses at her, before starting another flurry of attacks. She continues to dodge, keeping a healthy distance between them. ]

[troubadamsel]

[ She blinks rapidly in disbelief. ]

Is it really going to understand if I do so? I'm not an animal mage.

[starshower]

[The waiter buys the entire thing, but that warm smile and soft, sweet voice? Not to mention that tender gaze? It's a bit too much, even for Tifa, who had been all in for playing it up for the sake of the plan. She tries not to visibly wince, although she does feel a warmth creeping into her cheeks again that she forces herself to smile to, returning that tender gaze with her own.

And then she reaches across the table and run her fingers along his hand.]

Oh, honey. Stop being so sweet.

[Seriously. Stop it.]

"I see."

[The waiter smirks, and peers over his shoulder at a fellow co-worker with a smile, and Tifa only raises her brows at him. He'll await Eustace's choice of wine and whenever he decides, he'll jot it down, lips turning upward still.]

"Alright, we will be right out with your order."

[The moment he's gone, Tifa clears her throat and clumsily readjusts her chair, the air between them falling oddly silent despite all the background noise.]

... Nice save.

[flamekthunder]

[Did you like that cringe, Tifa? He had to suffer through it as well, but it did the job. Taking on the over doting "lover," an image that would be a stark contrast to how he normally appears, would certainly sell that they have deep and affectionate relationship. Of course the moment the waiter disappears that warm expression cools a bit, but he can hear the soft whispers and murmurs of those around them.

He can also feel that burning gaze through the window.

Initially he had planned to return to his normal state, but now that the attention was on them, his gaze remains transfixed on Tifa. He had disliked this plan from the start and now he's farthest from his ideal "peace and quiet" right now, even if this is ultimately to help them deal with their problem.

So if Tifa is looking carefully, she might notice a subtle shift in his expression. There's a small flicker or gleam in his eye as he takes back her hand and holds it up slightly between them, leaning slightly forward towards her.]

When I have an assignment, I don't cut corners. [His voice is low enough for only her to hear as he brings her hand to his lips.] So prepare yourself.

[His eyes never break away from hers as he lightly kisses her hand before he sits back, releasing her.

It's on, Tifa. You wanted this date to convince the stalker. He's known for completing all his missions efficiently and with top performance. This will be no exception.


And this could also be some kind of punishment for making him have to play this farce.]

rolling for success, and...

[feisticuffs]

[Well, that sounds about right. She lets out a brief chuckle in response as he proceeds to stand clear, then bends to lay one hand flat on the lid of the crate, fingers spread.

Magic, as far as what she's been able to make use of so far, is just intent made manifest. If she focuses on her intent for this particular hex, then it ought to work— or so she reasons.

Closing her eyes, she narrows her focus down to a single point. A tendril of dark, purple-tinged energy starts to wind its way down and around her arm, pulsing brighter where it coils around her wrist and follows the splay of her fingers. A moment later, it flares bright violet before fading out entirely, and there's a long pause before she stands and shakes her arm loose, frowning as she takes a step back and gives the box a judicious look.]

I think it—

[The box gives a sudden lurch towards the both of them, as if whatever is inside is suddenly aggravated.]

... ah. Perhaps not.

[pricklybloom]

[ Glancing up at him again, she nods. ] Oh, okay! Thanks.

[ Gently running her hands down the sheep's neck, she does as he suggests and starts at the base of the neck to shear the wool. ]

There we go...!

[starshower]

[She wants to yank her hand away, and he'll feel her fingers tensing, like she's about to ball them into a fist when his lips press against them, but part of the plan was to sell that the two of them had something going between them, and with the eyes of the woman (and the tables around them!? what in shiva's name—) on them, she bites down hard behind a smile.

She didn't like that cringe, and she doesn't like this one either, but... Tifa lets her gaze wander for a moment through the corners of her eyes, and in her peripherals, she can see that Eustace's admirer has risen to her feet, and should either of them look more closely, they'll see that some of the buds of roses have popped off from their stems and litter the ground.

Looks like they have her attention... so it's Tifa's turn now.]

I can see that.

[Her eyes flutter shut for a moment while she focuses on putting on her sweetest, most tender smile to throw back at him, and she reaches across the table and runs her fingers through the fringes of his hair, stopping just short of his ears before pulling back.

Two can play this game...! Although it's a difficult one, and she hopes that this was the last play because now she's sitting there, awkwardly taking a giant sip of her wine, and with the glass still at her lips, she mutters past the rim at him.]

Looks like you got her a little worked up.

[flamekthunder]

[He has to commend her self-restraint as he certainly felt that tension. He could even briefly envision her trying to punch him, which is an odd thing, really. In the time he had been holding her hand, he noticed the callouses them, far more than a bartender would have. A fighter, then?

But that was all, and now she's reaching forward to brush her fingers through his hair. He actually leans closer towards her, as if granting her permission to go further if she wished, and he briefly recalls the time when they had been both drunk and how soothing it had been.

...

Not the time for that.

Instead he glances out from the corner of his eye towards the incensed woman before his gaze drifts over to Tifa...and behind her.]

This will be the last for now.

[Another quiet mutter as he suddenly but slowly stands up and walks over to her. With one hand against the back of her chair, he leans in close but there's still a respectable distance away.

Quietly he mutters:]

Turn towards me and pet my ears before touching my face.

[He's positioned himself in such a way that the view behind him is blocked, and should Tifa turn to look at him she would also be blocking the stalker's view of him. If done right, from one angle of the restaurant they will look as if they're just being affectionate, but from another they will create the perfect image of sharing a kiss.

That angle will be from the stalker, which will be brutally cut short when he reaches out to the close the blinds.]

[mycaringheart]

[Immediately when the flames start coming, the purple aura dissipates as Lyon pulls his hand back, perhaps a bit more suddenly than he meant to but we're all startled here, it's only natural, right?]

I'm sorry!

[He's trying to keep his voice as level as he can, even as he freezes, hands open and empty in front of himself in an attempt to seem harmless.]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to hurt you, I promise...

[His eyes dart briefly to the bucket of water he made sure to have nearby just in case, but should he grab it now, or would doing so only make the sheep panic more and make things worse, or...?

(somehow, his own safety around the fire isn't something he's super worried about, though it maybe should be)]

It's okay now, I've stopped, see? It's okay. Everything's okay.

[scriptwriter]

Yeah! I think I've got a good affinity for this one! Wasn't I really cool just now?

[Even though he's laying down and looking like a bum, Kotarou shoots Eustace a very weak thumbs-up and a cheeky grin. Was he light-headed? Yes. But that wasn't going to stop his victory high.]

The only issue is that my body feels like a sac of bricks. It's like yielding a sword that cuts down your HP, you know?

[starshower]

[Tifa remains still—more still than she intends to—when he leans over her chair while she tries to ignore the quickening of her heartbeat, or the movement in her peripherals, or the many eyes that are on them, but when she hears his voice, she does as she's told, turning and raising her hands to touch his ears. Almost touching them, more like. Her hands are suddenly tentative, fingers just barely grazing his hair when they'd been so comfortable there only seconds before. Something about this is...

There's nothing about this.

This was her idea and she's going to see that it works better than she could have imagined...! Tifa makes a noise in the back of her throat and her brows lace together with resolve while her fingers comb through his hair before resting on the sides of his face, but her eyes remain downcast, not once looking up at him.

Until... BOOM! There's a bang on the window that startles Tifa out of her thoughts just as the blinds slide shut, covering the upper half of the table. Muffled, desperate calls come out from behind the window and then another thump as a fist meets the glass.]

"NO! EUSTACE, PLEASE! EUSTY—! IF ONLY YOU WOULD LISTEN..."

[BANG BANG BANG!]

"All I ever wanted was for you and I to... TO..."

[The voice vanishes, and then the bell at the front of the restaurant jingles... but it's far from a happy jingle. It's the most ominous bell Tifa has ever heard.]

"Miss, please. We are a reservations only, high-end establishment, you can't just—"

"Let me through! Please! Eusty, he's sitting over there with that—"

"Miss! I'm going to have to ask you to—"

"But—!"

[As if that wasn't enough, the distant tunes of an accordion, violins, and an acoustic guitar come out from the back, drowning out the sounds of the shouting as they get closer.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace will head over after taking another piece, idly shaking his glove to cast off some of the grime. Looking over...]

...As expected. When lightning strikes a target, the heat is concentrated to the point that it will melt and tear through objects, unlike fire which will actually burn and produce more ash. Speed is also a factor. Being struck by lightning is more like being struck by a bullet or arrow.

...In theory I could use flame instead, but to make the kind of ash they need would require a high heat and a lot of time.

[flamekthunder]

It's less about the words and more about tone and intent. Animals are sensitive creatures and can pick up on your emotions. The more calm and friendly you are, the more likely it will trust you.

I'll also provide support if needed.

[But it would be better if Maribelle can earn its trust on her own.]

[flamekthunder]

[Although he momentarily glances out the window to see how the bait's been taken, his attention naturally returns to her when she starts to move. And her touch...is she actually being shy right now? He's half tempted to lean closer, but such a tentative touch isn't...so bad. It's almost ticklish. He becomes a little amused as he watches her steel herself, growing a little bolder yet at the same time still not looking at him. He knows he's being forward here, and none of this is natural or comfortable for either of them, yet he finds himself a little curious as to what kind of expression she really has. He has to drop the blinds, anyway, so if he lowers his face just a little...

But then he also straightens a bit upon that sudden bang of the window. Even if he had known in the back of his mind that this was all to draw out the stalker, he had been distracted enough by Tifa that he hadn't expected such a sudden reaction and so soon. He only stares blankly at the window before his ears flick towards the entrance just before she enters.

However, that's the only recognition he gives. His expression darkening, he now braces his other hand against the table, keeping Tifa blocked from view and his back towards the entrance.]

Just ignore it for now—

[Except his words are cut short when the woman screams again.]

"Eusty, please!! YOU'RE BEING DECEIVED BY THAT SHAMELESS BITCH!!"

"Ma'am, please—security, where's security!?!?"

"I'm the one you need, Eusty, darling!! If you like big breasts mine are bigger, I'LL SHOW YOU RIGHT NOW!!"

"SOMEONE RESTRAIN HER!!"

[He's already prepared to shield Tifa from that crazy woman, but for some reason he feels even more protective right now. He's also starting to wonder if this was a mistake, that they might have pushed things too far.

Except after hearing all that and seeing the look on Tifa's face, he wonders if the one who will need protecting later is the woman. Really he would have let her go and deal with it however she wanted at this point, but... Not yet. For now they need to act like an innocent, harmless party to make the woman look even more dangerous. So he just slips a hand over hers, which to others may look affectionate but really it's him telling her to keep it in.

And just as sudden and wild as it started, security and staff are finally able to remove the woman who continued to scream nonsense. He's not sure what happens outside, but he barely allows himself to relax as he finally looks over his shoulder at where the commotion had been. By then the musicians had made their way to also help block the scene and were wholeheartedly playing, almost desperately as if to try and return things to normal.

At this point Eustace pulls back a bit to give Tifa some breathing room, the manager heading their way as all eyes are now either at the entrance or the targeted couple.]

LMAO best outcome

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace immediately has a hand on his gun as he eyes it warily.]

Unfortunate. And it might be unwise to try again. These should be easy to subdue but due to their size one could easily escape. For now I'll prepare a rock barrier to help contain them as well as an ice spell to freeze them the moment it opens, but if you have anything else that can catch them, have it ready.

Prepare yourself.

[Thump thump thump goes the box as it starts to crack.

It really is unfortunate they don't have any sealing magic. Eustace could try freezing the box, but he's worried it could make it more brittle and easier to break instead. So he starts erecting small stone walls around the box instead, about waist high.]

[flamekthunder]

[The sheep bleats nervously, but Eustace keeps a hand on it.]

Do the same thing until you've gotten all of its stomach. It would help if you tried speaking to it as well.

[flamekthunder]

[He follows and closes the door as instructed. In the room he'll look around with some curious interest, noting the symbology and the sparse nature of it. If this is where they are supposed to travel from, it makes sense it would be like this. When her familiar appears, he only gives it a similar gaze in return before he looks over at Cecelia.]

...Understood.

[This boils down to a matter of trust, and he had double checked that she was indeed an ambassador as she claimed. So he has no doubt she will take him to the Calamity, but it's only natural there would a brief moment before he steps forward and take her hands. He looks at her for a moment more before closing his eyes.]

[flamekthunder]

...That was going to be my next question. You have to injure yourself to produce your blood, but it doesn't look like it immediately replenishes or returns once you use it.

And you had to recklessly go all out without even understanding the full consequences.

[A small kick to his leg because that really was stupid.]

[flamekthunder]

[BLEEEEAT BLEEEEAT

Eustace is grimacing as he tries to both keep a hold of the sheep and avoid the growing flames, so it's difficult for him to also use his magic to calm it down. But fortunately Lyon's words are heard and it closes it's mouth at least even though it's still kicking its legs.]

Come on now, it's all right...

[Eyes darting around, he spots something else that might help them.]

See those apples over there? Keep your distance, but grab one and try to get its attention with it.