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

[scriptwriter]

Ohhhh! Some HP restores! Thanks a lot!

[Don't mind him, Eustace. Kotarou will be taking the water bottle and the jerky and begins drinking and eating in small portions. He's almost like a chipmunk.]

Hey, Eustace-san... How long have you been at it for this job? I didn't even see you in crowd earlier.

[flamekthunder]

[Wow, Maribelle that's terrible. Not that he knows, but wow.

Completely unaware of what has gotten her relaxed, Eustace just focuses on the sheep. Although it still trembles a bit, it's mostly still as it lets Maribelle shear off its wool.

Of course Maribelle's inner peace will be disrupted by the very person she's thinking about slapping.]

Careful around its right front leg. ...I'm not sure exactly why, but it seems to be a sensitive spot.

[The sheep does seem to get nervous whenever Maribelle gets close to it.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace's expression doesn't change much, but seeing her suddenly getting very...intense? Angry...? He's not sure, but he doesn't think he's the cause of whatever just suddenly sparked her ire. ...Although her smile does bring a flicker of wariness as he wonders what she's up to.

Seriously, what did that pork do to you, Tifa, why the stab.

So he just looks at her a little questioningly when she holds out that rather large piece at him. It's...definitely on the larger side, but not impossible. Of course he could ask her "oh so cutely" to cut it smaller, but something tells him he shouldn't push her too much right now.

Right now.

There's just a moment before he just leans in a bit and actually goes—]

Aaahh.

[—in a rather...quiet, "playing along" tone before he takes the giant bite.

Jeez it's big, but he can handle it. It just takes him a few more chews as he sits back, and it does give him a larger burst of flavor, one that surprises him a bit. How could anyone make pork taste this good...??? There's also a sweetness to it, too...the glaze, perhaps?

Ah, but he should say something right. He almost says something similar to her, but seeing those serenaders just...really eying him, as if expecting to hear something ~special~ gives him some pause.

All right, fine. He set himself in this "role," he'll continue to play it out while they still have an "audience."]

...It's sweet.

[Not a lie, it really was. Just the way he says it as he looks at her makes it seem as if it's not because it was how the pork was cooked but instead of the atmosphere.]

Do you want to feed me another, dear? Or do you want me to feed you?

[Such a sweet, teasing smile. However, don't get onto him just yet, Tifa, he has a reason for putting on this sickening sweet show. His eyes lock on hers before flicking to the serenaders.]

Or...would you rather we were alone?

[Take the hint you noisy disruptors. And hopefully Tifa will take his so that she can add to it. The sooner those musicians are gone, the sooner they can have a real dinner in peace.]

[flamekthunder]

[What is that ear going to do, smack him?

Actually, that's exactly what it's going to do.

Having to focus his concentration on either freezing or making the earth rise up to try and capture the loose body parts (he is honestly regretting not realizing how many these things were—granted all the boxes and bags were filled with a number of limbs, so is this better than a sack full of hands, feet, or other limbs???), he doesn't notice that lone ear inching towards him. So with his back turned to it, he's caught completely unaware when it jumps up high and slaps hard against his ass head.

That is one high jumping ear. Or...maybe it's trying to attach to his head?? Again, the weirdness continues because that's exactly what it's trying to do, which is really comical given that Eustace doesn't even have human ears. Either way, it's gross and Eustace makes a sound of surprise as he swats at it, stepping around in reflex. This of course means his concentration is completely broken and while most of the spell holds, the more recently cast is weakened break free.]

Shit—!

[JUST RIPPING THE EAR RIGHT OFF TO TRY AND FIX THIS HURRY BACK JADE.]

[flamekthunder]

There are likely a few others, but don't mind it. As long as you're firm and quick it shouldn't notice too much.

[flamekthunder]

It was interrupted due to efforts of everyone working together, though... I suppose you could say there was some "divine" help, however I don't know the full details. Just that a dimensional rift appeared to help destroy and absorb what would have been the catalyst.

[Which...unfortunately doesn't help much here since unlike his world, the instigators actually succeeded.]

[flamekthunder]

[H...HP what? Eustace will just...kind of stare at him before investigating the corpses even as he answers the question.]

A while.

[So specific. Yet so very Eustace.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had some rope with him, but... Seeing her use light magic(?) in such a way surprises him.]

Was that light magic?

[He's also not going to help the guy up so they can just stand and talk for a bit as the man flounders. Of course if he takes too long, Eustace will just roughly drag him up himself.]

[pricklybloom]

[ She nods, continuing to concentrate on her task. ] Got it!

[ She continues sheering the sheep's wool, gently scratching behind its ear to keep it calm. ]

We're almost done, okay? Just a bit more.

[troubadamsel]

[ Thankfully this doesn't spike her rage - instead, it has her curious. ]

Is that so? ... Maybe it's hurt. I have healing magic, though I admit I've never used it on animals before.

I knew you wouldn't let me down

[feisticuffs]

[It's just as Jade makes a running leap for the rogue finger that she hears Eustace cry out behind her. She lands on the ground, capturing the finger between two cupped hands and remaining hunched over it long enough to ensure she really had managed the catch— the digit is fighting against her now, wiggling and flicking against the palms of her hands to try and escape, but she closes her own fingers tight around it as she quickly pushes herself back to her feet.]

Hold on tight, I'm coming!

[What sort of danger Eustace is in, she doesn't quite know, but she turns sharply on one heel and proceeds to hurry back towards him only to find—

Well. She's not sure what she's looking at?]

What happened?!

[DID HE HAVE THREE EARS FOR A MOMENT OR—]

[starshower]

[She picks up on it immediately, and even leans in, sweetening her smile just a little more... while she boops him on the nose, but her cooler gaze flicks to the musicians as they continue to play their song a little quieter, not so subtly trying to eavesdrop on their conversation to see where this is going. Well, fortunate for them, she figures because they're about to get told off.

And she's really laying it on thick.]

I think some alone time would do us some good, don't you think, sweetheart?

[The music slows to a halt, the accordion squealing low like it's dying until it's silent, save for the sounds of forks clinking and the buzz of conversation nearby. And then, they wander off to harass another table.

As soon as they're out of sight, Tifa falls back in her chair, picking up her fork on the way.]

Thought they'd never leave...

[It's nice and quiet now, and maybe they'll be able to actually enjoy their porkchops because wow, that first bite was delicious and she didn't even get the chance to savour it!]

[flamekthunder]

It's possible. With the wool so thick I can't imagine it as a serious injury, but we won't know for certain until we clear it away.

But if you can heal it first... [He's thoughtful before he gives a small nod.] There's no harm in trying. Just be careful. I'm not sure how accustomed it is to healing magic.

[flamekthunder]

[Did she just— She booped him?? But he just rolls with it, finding it a little amusing if probably overdone. Regardless, it's her words that matter and thankfully the musicians take the damn hint.

Letting out his own breath of relief, he sits back and loosens his tie a little so he'll be able to eat more comfortably—and also just be more comfortable in general.]

If they didn't, I was going to make them.

[She can probably imagine the way he would do that. It would certainly involve one of his chilling glares that would send anyone running.

Now settled back in and reaching for his wine, he looks over at her for a moment before taking a sip.]

But it looked like you were having some fun.

i would never~

[flamekthunder]

[HE'S GONNA HAVE MORE AND HER TOO AS MORE DIGITS START SCRAMBLING FREE.

The only good news is that although they might have broken free from the earth and ice, some of the spell is still on them so their movements are slowed.]

Just keep them off me! I'm going to finish this once and for all.

[Oh he's pissed. There's actually some lightning crackling around him.]

[flamekthunder]

[Just some feeble bleating from the sheep, but between Eustace's firm but strangely secure feeling grip and Amy's own efforts in trying to keep it calm along with the quick shearing, it manages to cooperate.

If things continue like this, they should be able to get through without incident...!]

[troubadamsel]

[ She nods, and then shows her hand to the sheep's face. ]

This might feel a little tingly, but it's for the best. Now, just watch my hand, so you know no funny business is going on, nothing to surprise you.

[ With that, she begins to slowly lower her hand to the sensitive leg. ]

[sighsheavily]

[she makes a thoughtful sound, her eyes down on the pages of her books.]

Such a thing...may not be quite as likely this time around. But then again, many beings are not restrained by the shackles of time, the way this disaster is.

...Yet because of that, many may not be interested in reaching out to assist. Not without proper repayment.

[feisticuffs]

[Heavens above, they're everywhere.]

I'm on it!

[No time to ask for explanations, no time to ask what he intends to do— Jade throws herself back into the fray, knocking a few digits that are attempting to make a leap towards Eustace out of commission with one fist before dropping down to sweep another attempted assault away with a low kick.

Whatever he intends to do with that electricity, she hopes he does it fast. They're so small and numerous that her usual methods will only hold up for so long.]

Whatever you're going to do, do it now!

[starshower]

[Honestly, she could imagine worse than chilling glares to send them running. His voice would too, with the right words. Unless it was the stalker woman. She might actually like it. But let's not think about her for a while. It's time to enjoy some porkchops!

When he takes up his wine, she does too, but doesn't take a sip with him.]

I had a little fun. I'm more surprised you managed that entire piece in one bite!

[She wasn't betting on it at all and had intended it to be his downfall. Instead, he was the one who won in the end. Not that either of them are counting, right? But rather than sip her wine, she holds out the glass as if she's about to make some elaborate toast and waits for him to do the same.

And when he does...]

To a quiet dinner, and good company, yeah?

[They're in a fancy restaurant, it only feels fitting to toast to that!]

[flamekthunder]

[The sheep again bleats, a bit more nervously this time, but hearing Eustace also give some quiet reassurance helps. It seems to recognize the words "healing" and "magic" so there's that going for them. It watches Maribelle warily before it just suddenly closes its eyes and stiffens, as if preparing for the worst.

Seeing this, Eustace just glances at her.]

Do it now.

[flamekthunder]

I admit I wasn't sure, either. I even considered requesting you cut it smaller for me, but decided to just go for it.

[A small shrug before he sees her holding her glass. Catching the intention, he'll raise it higher towards her before smiling a bit.]

To a quiet dinner, and good company.

[He just repeats her toast before tapping his glass against hers, the light clink like a sound to really signify the start of their little "date."

And once they've had their sip he's going to start digging into that pork.]

[flamekthunder]

[He just needed enough time to gather up enough mana before he unleash his fury—well okay, maybe not fury. Well. Maybe a little.

Thanks to Jade's attacks, the little hooligans are all gathered up and small enough area that would be covered by the spell he's about to cast. And it's a doozy. A storm of small lightning bolts suddenly descends down on everything, the ground immediately frosting over to capture those that manage to avoid it. The storm is almost instantaneous and lasts for just a few seconds, but it's enough to strike down most of digits, rendering them immobile to be then frozen over.

Of course, that took a lot of energy as it's not often he has to cast different elements at once. Rather than a simultaneous cast he had to immediately cast the ice spell after releasing the lightning one. So he'll be taking a deep breath and pressing a hand to his head as he feels a throbbing headache coming on.]

...I won't be able to use anything after that, so we need to gather them fast.

[flamekthunder]

[...Time...]

...Is it not possible to go back in time before the disaster occurred? Perhaps through another dimension or timeline? Or would that be too much of a risk?

[Or maybe that's what she means. In theory, there could be a being capable of traversing through the dimensions and time is disjointed for everyone.

But messing with time... Even if it's a disaster right now, who knows what could happen if it's changed.]

[troubadamsel]

[ Maribelle nods, and her hand glows a faint white as she applies her magic to the leg. ]

There now... be at ease. I only want to help you. It will be over before you even know it.