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

[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! ]

[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.]

[troubadamsel]

Why is it shaking? Is it intimidated? ... Hm, it must be able to sense my nobility and be afraid it's not worthy. But fear not! Some of my closest allies back in my realm are commoners and farmers!

[ is that helping. is it. ]

[flamekthunder]

[.....Nope. It shrinks into Eustace and that might be smoke coming from its mouth.]

You're coming off too strong. It would be better if you could present yourself as more... ...Meek.

[He definitely had a long pause and looked at her for a long hot second before he finished that suggestion.]

...Just tone it down.

[troubadamsel]

[ ... you've met her, right

Maribelle grumbles and grimaces, clearly struggling with how, exactly, to be meek. Hmmm. Maybe if she emulates the more humble of the Shepherds... ]

... Please allow me the... pleasure of shearing you?

[flamekthunder]

[There was a long pause for a reason.

...

And he's just. Kind of staring. Before turning his head away, a hand raised to half cover his mouth as he coughs.

But that isn't a cough.

It's very much a laugh. A laugh that he's trying hard to suppress. The sheep of course doesn't notice much and instead just kind of. Stares at Maribelle now unsure if it should be more afraid by her grimacing, forced face.]

[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.

[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.

[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. ]

[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.]

[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.

[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.

[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. ]

[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.

[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.

[flamekthunder]

[The sheep remains stiff as a statue, but when it starts feeling the rash it had easing up, it slowly opens one eye...and then another eye... And then it briefly looks at Eustace before looking at Maribelle.

When the pain is completely clear, it gives a happy bleat! And then tries to lick Maribelle.]

[troubadamsel]

Ack!

[ Ew! Gross! ... Still, she supposes it's a sign of gratitude. ]

Y-Yes, well... you're very welcome, now, if we could get back to shearing...?

[flamekthunder]

[Once again Eustace is definitely not laughing at Maribelle. There definitely was NOT a snicker.]

...You should be fine.

[troubadamsel]

... Perhaps I should shear you next, Eustace...

[ She picks up the shears and gets to work, trying not to grumble. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Ooooh how scary. Only he is clearly not bothered and instead looks contemplative. It's a silly notion, but since he's just holding the sheep who is now more relaxed, her grumbling made him briefly imagine something and now he really is wondering the implications.]

...Hm. I wonder... If I transformed into a sheep and you sheared off the wool, what would happen after I turn back...

[It's not something he would normally even entertain, but since that's actually possible and could be carried over to other forms and other situations, like plucked feathers or pulled fur that could happen in a fight... HMMM.

Of course the possibilities he's thinking of are probably left unsaid and he's not going to try.]

[troubadamsel]

... On second thought, I'd rather not imagine that!

[ Must not envision hairless Eustace! Yikes!

She shakes her head, doing her best to change the subject so she won't upset the sheep. ]

... Is there a limit to what kinds of animals you can transform into? In my realm, people such as you can only turn into one type. Manaketes become dragons, and the Tagul I know could only be rabbit beasts.

[flamekthunder]

[Yes that is indeed a terrible vision, stop Maribelle!]

I do not know if I have a hard limit, but currently I can only transform into animals I have physically seen either in person or in a video. Even those can be of varying success depending on how familiar I am. Canines seem to be the easiest ones I can change into.

[troubadamsel]

What do you mean, "varying success"? If you don't have a clear image in your mind, can you not transform at all? Or does the result look... less than perfect?

[flamekthunder]

A bit of a both and more. The most often case is I can't transform at all, but if I do manage, the form might not hold for very long or it could be the wrong size. Some other...abnormalities would be slightly deformed limbs, such as shorter legs or missing a tail. If the only issue is size I can hold the transformation with more effort, but if there are other inaccuracies then it won't last for more than a few seconds.

[troubadamsel]

[ She hopes she never has to see that! ]

Hm... I've seen you take on the form of animals much smaller than you. I can't help but be curious - how small or big have you ever gone?