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]

I know I am. Geez, you think I'm just making fun of you, but you both seem to get along. Besides, I could ask her anyway; or a yes or no wouldn't have been enough, but I do appreciate you're getting protective.

[flamekthunder]

[He just gives Zidane a measured look before he sighs.]

The only "date" we went on was a fake one to deal with the stalker. That's it.

[......And yes he went over to her place but it was only because things were still tense and he was concerned about her safety!! ...WHATEVER HAPPENED WHILE THERE WILL REMAIN UNTOLD HERE~~~~~]

That's all you need to know, so don't bother her about it.

[Although he might be... Well, not quite disgruntled, but mindful of something.]

[tantailizing]

Oh, you guys did? Wait, you said that was a bad idea when I suggested it!

[Eustace... wow, he does actually like Tifa even if he's not saying anything on it. Haha.]

Fine, fine... Did it at least work? You caught her, right?

[flamekthunder]

She dragged me into it. [SIGH. He still...would have been against it, especially with how it turned out. But since she was also involved he couldn't really go against her own wishes as much as he wanted to...

And shut up no he doesn't—]

We got the evidence needed to have her arrested and it's already turned in. I should hear back within the week.

[tantailizing]

You could've asked for back-up if you were worried things would go wrong. Not me though... [He actually is busy this time...]

[Sir, you are a liar.]

Good. You'll both be able to sleep easier.

[flamekthunder]

I considered, but it was better if we handled it on our own.

[He wouldn't want anyone else dragged into this crazy mess...

No, he is not, hmph.]

Mm. [A small hum before he stares at him.] Satisfied?

[tantailizing]

I'll say. Mark that off the 'to-do' list.

[Like people wouldn't want to get in on the mess...]

Yup. Man, you're way harder to crack sometimes than the guys, but I think I'm getting it now.

[flamekthunder]

Or maybe you're just being too nosy...

[A pointed look. The only reason he ended up saying anything at all was out of consideration of Tifa.

...That he's starting to wonder a bit due to recent interactions...or non-interactions. Eustace wasn't lying when he said he wasn't avoiding her, but Tifa...he's not sure. But he has zombies to focus on, not his personal relationships.]

Now stop fooling around. We still have work to do.

[tantailizing]

Hey, just what friends do sometimes.

[And he winks back.]

[But sighing, right, back to work then.]

Yeah, yeah, the camp isn't that far.

[ichoosefight]

[ Clever, he didn't fall for her "are you going to kill him when I'm not looking" gambit. She shakes her head. ]

That wouldn't be very fair. [ She did, after all, stumble upon him entirely by accident. ] I was just gonna say, if you want backup I don't mind taking a detour.

[troubadamsel]

[ A grimace that gets worse as she sees EUSTACE CLEARLY LAUGHING AT HER. She's shaking a bit, but doing her best to suppress her rage for Sheep.

You're so dead later, tho. ]

... Think of how nice and cool you'll feel afterwards, the wind to your skin. You'll feel much better, that's a guarantee.

[sighsheavily]

[at this stage, Cecelia holds very little hope anyone has much expertise in such disasters, so she doesn't feel too much disappointment in his words.

even so, she writes a few footnotes in the journal she'd brought with her regarding his words before moving over to the other journal she uses to track changes in this space.]

Mm. In this case, it's not immortal beings so much as something of an immortal item...or, perhaps, concept. Which isn't too far off, is it?

[starshower]

[Very dangerous, but not for him. She expected he would take the bait and at least steal a piece from her plate, but he's just taken it to a whole other level that she wasn't anticipating. This is a lot, even for him, and she wonders what it was that sparked such a competitiveness in both of them, but Tifa has her limits. She eyes him, bemused by the glint in his eye and the turn of his lips, and then the fork as if he's just handed her one covered in diamonds.

But then she parts her lips and takes the bite in a single go, her eyes never leaving his... until she starts to slide the meat from the ends of the fork.

Between the burst of flavour in her mouth and the redness that's risen not only in her cheeks but across her entire face, Tifa's gaze flicks away as her hands take the fork from him, and she just chews and chews and chews while an awkward silence falls between them.

... An awkward silence that doesn't last, because the serenaders sense this and begin to play Bella Notte again.

And when she's finished her bite, she clears her throat and rinses it down with a sip of wine, hoping that it will wash away the fluttering in her stomach and chest, or the fact that she can't bring herself to make eye contact with him again.]

... It's really good.

[Too good! She's not doing it any justice at all!!]

[flamekthunder]

[He's really trying, feeling that ire that she is trying to suppress.

The sheep looks at Maribelle, still UNSURE about her behavior, but... ... It seems to be working. There's still a wary bleat, but the smoke around its mouth has disappear and its stopped wriggling.

Seeing this, Eustace just clears his threat and looks at Maribelle as if nothing happened.]

Looks like it worked. Take the chance while you still have it.

[flamekthunder]

[It's probably for the best that she isn't making eye contact—he is clearly amused and there's a rare smile on his face. Wait, maybe it's not for the best—Tifa, you're missing out!!]

I'm glad.

[It's just two simple words, yet with how low his voice deepens, low and quiet enough for only her to hear, there's almost a sultry, teasing undertone to it. Well, he's certainly teasing her.

There's a very light, soft chuckle as he withdraws back to his chair, but he's not letting her escape so easily. He could leave it at that with how clearly affected she had been by it. But he's going to make good on what he said earlier.]

Now...I think it's my turn. Tifa.

[Just a quiet call as he looks at her. He actually expects her to not do it, but he also wonders if she'll rise to the challenge.]

[flamekthunder]

Given that they were trying to use something of an immortal item, I would still say they were not too different. In the end it's something to cause a giant explosion to rend reality apart and destroy the world as they knew it.

[flamekthunder]

[A small shrug.]

It doesn't matter to me. But you're free to come along if you wish.

[mycaringheart]

[Okay, this is not immediately making things worse. That's good! It would be preferable to keep it that way.

Lyon nods back, and then turns his attention to the sheep. He can do that much. A very slow approach, one small step followed by a few seconds wait, then the next.

He keeps his voice low, and gentle.]

I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't mean to. But, I can see where my healing magic could be frightening, if you don't know what it is... I won't do it again, though, I promise. So there's no need to be afraid.

[He chances a small, friendly smile as he takes another small step, apple still held out as a peace offering.]

I would like to be friends, though. Would that be all right? Could we be friends?

[flamekthunder]

[The sheep...is nervous, but considerably less as it looks between the guy with weird purple hair and the juicy apple he holds.

...Apple...

The guy is also speaking very nicely and seems...kind? Friendly? Can the sheep trust it...

There's a bit of a shy, wary bleat, but the apple and Lyon's goodnatured personality is winning out. Slowly it starts trembling and reaches out to sniff the apple.

Sniff, sniff, is it really okay to eat it? This guy won't suddenly throw it in its face or something will he???

Sensing the unease, Eustace looks at the sheep before addressing Lyon.]

It's coming around... Just hold the apple flat in your hand so it can eat it.

[pricklybloom]

[ Blinking up at him for a moment, she then looks back at the sheep and giggles softly. ]

Oh really? That's a ticklish spot? I'm sorry. Try to keep still though, okay? I'll make it quick.

[troubadamsel]

Yes. Good. Very good.

[ She picks up the shears, and inhales. Think of something relaxing, despite your rage...

... How about when she slapped Eustace six ways to Sunday? Ahhh. Mmm. That mental imagery helps so much, and she even smiles as she begins the snip-snip. ]

[ichoosefight]

[ She glances back at their captive, who is still rubbing his hand and glaring up at her like a child who was just put in time out. She shrugs. ]

Can't hurt.

[ You know what else can't hurt? Handcuffs. She puts a hand out as though to help him up, creating cuffs made of light around his wrists. They aren't as tight as real handcuffs would be, but they'll keep him from getting any ideas.

She lowers her hand before he can take it to pull himself up. He can stand on his own. ]

[starshower]

["Look at the skies
They have stars in their eyes
On this lovely Belle Notte..."

Through the corners of her eyes, her gaze finally flicks towards him. He's still challenging her!? Okay, she can see him doing playing it up with her but asking her to return the favour!? Is the wine really hitting him this hard, or does Eustace just have an unrivaled competitive streak?

She can still feel the heat across her face, the redness penetrating her skin and darkening her cheeks at that show they just put on, and it doesn't help that the serenaders are watching her expectedly, waiting for Tifa to do something.

But then she catches sight of the windows on the other side of the restaurant. She isn't back yet, which is really too bad because seeing this would surely boil her over again, but it's remembering what she'd said to the host at the front about Tifa is what fires her back up again.

Her expression flickers with anger before she's smiling again, so sickly sweet, while she stabs a fork into her own piece of porkchop. Really stabs it. Alright, Eustace wants to play that game? Fine! She reaches across with a giant piece, bigger than what she thinks he can take in a single bite, and waves it in front of his lips.]

Say ahh~!

[feisticuffs]

[Don't let it escape.

Alright. Not the strangest chase she's ever gone on— well, maybe it is. She nods sharply at Eustace, leaving him to handle the other bits and pieces that are trying to make their own escape but have been sufficiently slowed by their efforts, taking off at a run in the direction of the flying finger that has now landed and managed to make a break for it at surprising speed.

This is going to be one for the books, certainly.]

Get back here!

[She seems to be gaining on it, at least, but behind her, there's a lone ear that seems to be inching its way across the ground towards Eustace while he's otherwise occupied...]

[sighsheavily]

[oh? more connection than she first anticipated.]

And...that was halted how, again? Was it interrupted or not even triggered at all?