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

[flamekthunder]

[...Huh. This girl is pretty good. Although he remains positioned and watching carefully, he's impressed by Steph's ability to maneuver around the would be swordsman. It probably helps that the wannabe is a bit sloppy in his movements.

However, this has gone long enough and Eustace fires a warning shot near the man's feet. The third challenger has appeared! Just...not quite the way the man envisioned the scene to be, and it both confuses and frustrates him enough to falter. This gives Steph an opportunity if she wants to take it.]

[tantailizing]

Huh... explains why the burns are different when you're hit by them.

[Whee, joking about being at the wrong end of a spell. It's just what you do. Picking up an arm next, he stares at the hand and decides to do something. Gonna get some cloth out from his bag, put it over the hand, and tie it at the wrist.]

Also, note to self: don't try cooking with lightning.

[troubadamsel]

Very well...

[ But she still thinks it's pretty silly. She clears her throat. ]

... I am Maribelle of Thames, and today, I shall be the one to shear you.

[ implication - be honored! ]

[ichoosefight]

[ The shot catches Steph by surprise too, and in half a second the collapsible staff at her back is in her hands at its full length. In the moment of confusion she darts past the film geek's sword and slams her weapon lengthwise into his stomach, knocking him on his back.

That done, she places herself between the fallen man and the source of the shot, staff at the ready. The man still has a sword, but Steph was trained not to let criminals take each other out. She just prays she'll hear him if he tries to stab her while her back is turned. ]

Who's there?

[scriptwriter]

[Damn it! Kotarou was feeling good about what happened, then Eustace had to crash his hopes. Then again, he had a point... And that was what bugged Kotarou the most.]

Ow! Praise from you is like seeing a drop from a thousand year old glacier melt, huh?!

[But anyway...]

But yeah, that's the jist. I just gotta rest up for a minute, then I'll be good as new.

it's always more fun to fail!

[feisticuffs]

[Her immediate reflex is to fall into an offensive stance, fists raised as she trains her gaze on the box and prepares herself to fight against whatever it is that appears from it, but if it really is small bits and pieces—

Well, she supposes they'll find out if their joking was true to life within a few short moments.]

Rather more of a fighter than the catching sort, but I think we can manage.

[Especially if he's going to freeze them. Dark magic, however, is entirely out. Perhaps blood, to construct something to imprison them, if only briefly?

Before she even has the chance to voice that thought aloud, a series of severed fingers quickly scale the rock wall he'd put in place and run down the other side, preparing to scatter.

Oh, this is going to be incredibly stupid, isn't it?]

[starshower]

[She'd been pretty good at ignoring her... up until she started spouting comments about Tifa. He must have seen the way her fingers curled into fists on the table or how she was prepared to jump to her feet with an expression uncharacteristically furious, even for her, but next thing she knows, Eustace's hand is over hers. Her heart is thundering loud in her ears, anger bubbling up and making her chest rise and fall while she tries to steady her breaths, but when she looks up at him, his usual calmness is enough to ease her. At least enough to unfurl her fingers so that the blood can return to her whitened knuckles.

This is a level of crazy not even she was expecting, and angry as it's making her that this woman would go that far for his attention, this is exactly what Tifa was planning for. These are the exact kinds of acts that Eustace needs to take proper legal action against her, and now they have witnesses to prove it. So, despite the sudden self-conscious feelings about herself, it's a small victory.

Feeling the eyes on them, Tifa folds her arms over her chest and turns back to the table, ignoring the glares that flit between her and the door. The manager comes stomping over to them, the band still happily playing behind him, and he pauses at their table, an embarrassed look on his face.]

"We are so sorry about that." [He bows his head in apology, and the band slows their tune.] "As a courtesy to you both, we are offering you our finest table in the dining hall. For a little bit of extra privacy from... Ahem... that." [He points out one of the open windows where she's being thrown out, still screaming beneath the sounds of the accordion and vocals singing about "bella notte".]

"I EVEN WROTE YOU ANOTHER LETTER, EUSTY! EUSTY PLEASE I BEG YOU! LETE ME READ IT TO YOU, AND YOU'LL SEE! YOU'LL SEE THAT I LOVE YOU!"

[Tifa looks up at him, silent, and her lip quirks with a smile, but it never reaches her eyes while she waits for him to give an answer. Honestly? She wouldn't mind a quieter table so that they could at least enjoy their dinner...!

Finally, she finds the words that have lodged themselves in her throat, and nods.]

I'd like that.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace watches Tifa for a moment before he nods.]

Lead the way.

[Not that he'll have any reason to oppose, he is done with riling this woman up. They've done what they needed, and a quick glance shows that it was even recorded. Coupled with the restaurants own security cameras, they should have plenty.

Since he didn't have anything on his side of the table, he just waits for Tifa to gather things, helping her out of the chair like a "loving partner" would, and arm in arm they are led to the dining hall. There are a few other tables, but it's considerably less crowded and has a more intimate atmosphere to it. Strangely, the table they are led to seems to be more...decorated, with roses and petals scattered over the tablecloth. Even the small candle centerpiece seems a bit different compared to the other tables. Eustace notices the slight differences, but it seems that other tables have slightly different looks so perhaps it's just part of the arrangement...?

Whatever, he's ready for real food after all that, and after once again pulling out and pushing Tifa's seat for her, he settles into his own seat opposite her. After the manager has a waiter give them fresh glasses of wine and water, he informs them their meal should be out shortly and leaves them be.

Reaching up to loosen his collar a little, Eustace eyes Tifa for a moment.]

...You all right?

[tempredmental]

[Keith's eyes widened a bit at the familiar voice.]

Eustace?

[He cautiously relaxed his stance. With the animal mage prank curse over, Keith no longer had those cute kitty ears and tail.]

[pricklybloom]

[ She nods, though doesn't take her eyes off her task. Instead she takes his advice and directs her voice to the sheep. ]

Hey there...I know it sounds kinda loud, but we're not gonna hurt you. Trust me, you'll feel a lot better once we're done. I just need you to stay still for me for a bit longer, okay?

[starshower]

[She'd been distracted on their walk over, right up until the moment Eustace addresses her, so when he does, it's with a look of awe that her gaze shoots up with.]

Yeah. I'll be fine. [There's a faint thump in the background that she assumes came from the window, but that's about all before it's back to the soft music that's been playing.] Just wasn't expecting her to get so worked up, but I guess that means the plan's worked.

[Which is about as much as she can ask for. On one hand, it's terrifying how crazy this woman is for Eustace (or just in general, yikes!) but on the other, it was exactly what she was going for and she's given him plenty of reason to seek any sort of action against her, whatever that may be.

Tifa breathes out a sigh of relief and gently slaps her palms on the table while she takes a look around them. It's much quieter back here with fewer tables, giving them more space for privacy. Not that she needs it, but...]

Let's try enjoy the rest of the date, yeah? [She beams across at him, her smile blossoming.] I'm looking forward to that porkchop.

[It won't take a genius to see that her smile isn't all there, but she just doesn't want to talk about it anymore... For now.]

[flamekthunder]

[He can see and sense it, and really he doesn't want to talk about it anymore, either. So he just sits back into a more relaxed posture as he quirks a brow.]

Should I take this as a real date, then?

[He's teasing a bit.]

[sighsheavily]

[she wastes no time, save for what she needs to compose and brace herself for the magical tax this transport takes. Cecelia closes her eyes, focusing energy on the bangle on her wrist. her familiar does likewise, and it's only a few seconds before bright light flares and flashes, bright even behind their eyelids...

...and then the sense of space dramatically shifts from the concrete enclosure to a vast, endless feeling of exposure. Cecelia naturally bristles, holding her latest breath as she opens her eyes, quickly scanning around for any obvious signs of anything amiss.

seeing none, she exhales, and her grip on Eustace's hands relaxes - though not entirely releasing him, in case he needed the physical anchor to adjust.]

...We are here. You may open your eyes now.

[starshower]

[Tifa's giggle, on the other hand, is completely genuine.]

What, you thought all this time that it wasn't?

[She's teasing a bit too.

But ignoring that, it's nice to see him so much more relaxed, even after all that. Whatever happened, Tifa was still planning on having a good time because here they are in one of the best restaurants and Ifrit be damned, she is going to enjoy her dinner! ... And she wants him to as well. After all that shit he had to put up with, it's the least he deserves.

Her smile pulls wider as she helps herself to a sip of wine.]

Here I am bringing you to the nicest restaurant in town and you're only now calling it a date now?

[flamekthunder]

It wouldn't cook well at all.

[Spoken as if from experience. But now he's watching Zidane a little curiously.]

What are you doing?

[flamekthunder]

[.......

Eustace is just. Going to look at her a little helplessly, but he guesses that's not the worst. The sheep will just look at Maribelle and bleat warily.

Anyway, it's going to need more than that! Look at how it's shaking.]

[flamekthunder]

I had my reservations. It's not as if two adults can't just "hang out" as they say.

[He makes it sound so weird—and that's on purpose.]

But it would be the first time I've been on a date if it were.

[Which is probably both surprising and not given the kind of person he is.]

[flamekthunder]

[.....He definitely underestimated the dexterity and tenacity of these damn things.

Immediately he casts an ice spell to freeze the, but some manage to jump out of the way and right towards Jade.]

[flamekthunder]

[Another nervous bleat... ...Before it starts to kind of "giggle" and wriggle when the shears pass over a certain spot. It takes Eustace a moment before he realizes what's going on.]

Careful, that seems to be a ticklish area.

[flamekthunder]

[The sensation of teleporting like that is definitely not something he could ever get used to. He's only ever rarely used the totems he's collected so far, and this felt like stronger magic compared to that. So he does stagger a little, initially bracing against her hands before he manages to get his footing and the grip loosens as he looks around.]

...This is...?

[flamekthunder]

[He already said "nice work" what more does he need??? "Oh Kotaru you were amazing with all those blood magic maneuvers!!!" Psh not even in his dreams— So he just gets a flat look.]

...Hm.

[Eustace reaches into his side satchel and pulls out a small bottled of water and a small packet of jerky.]

Drink and eat this—it will help replenish the lost fluids.

[flamekthunder]

[He definitely looks better without.]

What are you doing...no, you're after that guy on the board, aren't you.

[flamekthunder]

[After seeing Steph take down the other, Eustace holsters his weapon and jumps down from his perch, landing surprisingly lightly despite his size. Straightening up he steps out from the shadows to raise his hand in greeting.]

Don't be alarmed. I'm after that guy. [A pointed look at the man semi struggling on the ground.]

But it seems you could have taken care of him without my assistance.

[tantailizing]

... So you did try.

[Wow, Eustace. But, looking up from his work...]

Covering the hands. Look, if they start moving while we're heading back, I don't want the fingers grabbing and scratching.

[flamekthunder]

No, but I've witnessed and examined enough corpses to tell.

[...That's not a better answer is it.

But there's a light of recognition as he nods in approval.]

Not a bad idea. We might should bind some of these limbs together, too. Even if they break out of them, it'll at least keep them held together for a while longer.

It's unfortunate my ice magic can't last for a long period...could have frozen them.