Eustace (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
flamekthunder) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2021-09-02 11:15 am
flamekthunder) wrote in isleofavalon2021-09-02 11:15 am
sixth shot ⊗ open september log
🧙 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
⊗ b: task - cult classic
⊗ c: tdm - the fighting badass
⊗ d: wildcard
⚔️️ 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.]
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.]
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.
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 ![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]
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Tifa can tell immediately that she's struck something—a nerve, or something else? Either way, it was something she believed in whole-heartedly. She's been there before, not being able to protect the people she cares about and when she did try, it put her out of commission for months. The people she wanted acknowledgement from are no longer with her, but it still helps her to hear it sometimes, even if it's from others she hardly knows.
She may not know him very well, but she knows for sure that whoever those people are, they would be proud of who he is.
But the thoughts and their lingering silence is interrupted by the desserts being brought out, and Tifa looks up at the waiter, surprised.]
Oh, we didn't order these.
[He grins down at them.] "I am aware, but this is complementary, on the house. Please enjoy." [And he winks at her, and then at Eustace, before walking away.]
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...If it's free, might as well.
[Though that porkchop was filling enough, he could probably finish this off.
But as soon as inserts his spoon, his brows furrow when he feels...something inside? And then when he pulls it out—]
...? What is...
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But then Eustace is pulling out his spoon, a furrowed look on his face, and she leans over the table slightly to try to catch a peek of what it is. Don't tell her he found something gross in his food!? Like a fingernail or a piece of glass or something...? She had such high hopes for this place.]
Hm? What is it?
[She catches the glint of it then. Sticking out of the cream on his spoon is a...]
Is that a diamond!?
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[The hell—oh. Wait.
Don't tell him—
Immediately he looks at her before his eyes cast around the crowd around them. They seem just as confused, but for different reasons.
"You mixed it up!" a harsh whisper reaches his ears. "It was supposed to go to the lady!!"
...Ah...it's as he thought. He had heard of these things and always thought it weird that one would give a ring after it have been covered in food, but apparently it was a popular "event."
By now Tifa will have probably figured it out, and he's about to tell them they have the wrong couple. But then he thought he caught a glimpse of some odd movement by the window.
......
After giving Tifa a glance to indicate for her to wait, he takes the ring and cleans it off.]
Looks like there was a mix up.
[With the now cleaned ring, he slowly rises and steps around the table to kneel down and take her hand.]
This ring isn't yours, but the one you'll receive will shine brighter than this.
[As if to continue this charade, he lifts her hand so that his lips just lightly ghost over her ring finger, but to anyone else it looks as if he actually kissed it. He then rises up to hand the ring to the stunned waiter standing nearby.]
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Meanwhile, Tifa is in her chair, stunned into silence when Eustace drops down onto a knee. There was a mix-up so what is he doing? They don't need to keep playing it up still, do they? They've done enough, and the stalker lady has shown her true colours in front of all of these people, and—
And then he's taking her hand, and she can feel his breath scatter across her fingers, and they tighten under his grip. Her other hand comes up to cover half of her face, and she can feel it heating up underneath it.]
Eustace, what are you—?
[It's an odd moment, to say the least—one she wasn't expecting and one that she has no idea how to react. She can feel her face heating up out of embarrassment, from all the people watching of course (nothing else!), and once he rises, she turns to reassure them that this was just a mistake, she can see a face pressed up against the window on the other side of the room, streaking it with tears while she watches the whole thing off of someone else's phone being held up over the crowd's heads.]
"EUUUSTYYYY NOOOOO!"
[She thumps her fist against the window.]
"IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!!!!"
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He only glances at the window and can already hear the shouts of some security staff heading out to pull her away. After all, her behavior frightened the patrons who were right by it, though others are turning to capture it as well. No one has any idea what the hell is going on, but whatever it is, there is some juicy story here and they're ready to spread it.
Personally not what he wants, but it will cement the case for good.
With just a brief glance back at Tifa, he returns to his seat and just. Starts eating his crème brûlée like nothing happened.]
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But Tifa is hardly able to pay attention to that, still processing what just happened. Her hands fold over each other on her lap, and she waits for Eustace's explanation with arched brows and wide eyes... That is, until he just sits down and starts eating without a word?
?????
??????
She isn't even sure why she needs, or even wants an explanation. It's not like this was so out of the ordinary for their plan considering everything they've done to make this look like a legitimate date thus far, but she's embarrassed and her heart felt like it was going to hammer right out of her chest. It still does!
Taking a deep breath, Tifa picks up her spoon and digs into the dessert, but she doesn't even feel hungry anymore. Well, might as well take a couple bites, right? It's free... But the silence that follows the whole thing is too much, even for her to take for very long.]
Can't believe they mixed that up... Some poor guy was waiting for his desserts to come out, I bet...
[Ha ha, cue awkward laugh.]
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It was probably the original couple who reserved this table. I had noticed it looked a bit different from the others, but considering what just happened, this must have been specially prepared before the change.
[And then a beat as he looks at her for a moment. Although it had been pretty...satisfying seeing how much he got her back there, it is true he went a little far.]
...If it was too much, I apologize.
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[Beneath the table, her fingers idly graze over her hand, where there's still a bit of a buzz underneath her skin. This wine... She should probably stop drinking it. Tifa laughs again.]
Just a little unexpected was all. I didn't think we were still trying.
[To you know, play that little game of feelings chicken with each other, but speaking it out loud will speak into too far into existence for her tastes right now. So, she'll just go back to poking absentmindedly at her crème brûlée.]
Looks like we got more evidence than we needed, so I'd say that's a win.
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[Thinking back, he probably could have just handed the ring even if that stalker woman had been watching, but there could have left questions...]
...Perhaps she's been arrested by now with all the disturbance she caused.
[That hadn't been on the forefront of his mind at the time, but it would be a boon if that were to happen. Maybe they could finally relax after this.]
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[Especially with how their night is slowly reaching its end, she can only pray that she'll be gone by the time they leave. She'd rather not deal with her past what they've already had to.
But his words have put some reassurance back into her, so she's able to at least enjoy her dessert now. And good thing too, because this is delicious! She hasn't had many crème brûlées in her life, but this is definitely the best one she's ever had! Maybe because she knows that it came for free.
It's small enough that it doesn't take her much time to finish, or for their bill to arrive, along with several more apologies from the manager for the mix-up. It turns out that the couple who was supposed to get the ring had been several tables down, and the entire surprise engagement had been ruined when the woman had said "I wish you would propose to me like that!" The poor man... Now he has to come up with another way to propose... And Tifa can't help but feel like she's partly at fault... even when it was the restaurant's fault for getting them mixed up.
Eustace and Tifa's worries will soon be completely pushed away though, because the manager also assures them that the authorities had come and managed to apprehend the woman, so that they could enjoy their last moments in the restaurant. They offered up some extra free dessert that Tifa politely turned down, her nerves still too on edge to sit here and enjoy more food. That, and the porkchops had been filling all on their own.
Once the manager leaves them be, Tifa starts to dig through her wallet for money to leave for their food before smiling across the table at Eustace, a sigh of relief relaxing her shoulders.]
Well? I'd call this mission a success.
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As unorthodox as it was, I have to admit it worked. Thanks—I owe you.
[And he's also pulling out his wallet. He did say he'd at least pay for part of it, and there's nothing wrong with splitting the tab, especially since it's thanks to Tifa they even had a plan to begin with.]
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Especially not when they have reason to celebrate!]
You too, you know. You put more effort into it than I imagined you would.
[Hamming it up as much as he did... She was surprised in many, many ways tonight.
And now she can laugh, for real this time, as she slaps her part of the money on the table and rises to her feet. It feels like a weight's been lifted off her shoulders.]
I'm just glad they were able to get her. I just hope she gets the help she needs, you know?
[Shall they head out?
To that horse-drawn carriage that the manager forgot to rebook.]1/2
...I only did what I had to to be convincing. [...Though maybe some of it had been a little on the "fun" side, particularly when they started challenging each other a bit. But no, he couldn't imagine himself behaving like that if he were serious about someone. ...Not that that was going to happen, anyway.]
But given her behavior, it would be better if she just remained sealed in an asylum.
[LOOK HE CAN'T HOLD ANY SYMPATHY FOR THIS WOMAN she's downright terrifying, and there isn't much that can disturb Eustace.
But yes, he'll "escort" her back outside where...there is a horse drawn carriage already waiting for them? Eustace at first thinks it's for someone else, but the coachman waves to them and tells them it's a "complimentary service by the restaurant for the troubles they experienced."
Well. He had thought they should take a carriage, anyway, so this...works out? Plus it's free. So just as they're about to walk towards it—]
2/2
EEEEEEEUUUUUUUSSSSSSSTTTTYY!!!
[Oh God.]
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Her voice is sickly sweet, contrary to her appearance when she addresses Eustace.]
"Eusty, my love. Let us speak to each other in private~? I have some things I've been wanting to say to you for a long time. You got my letter right?"
[But she doesn't even give him a chance to respond before she turns to Tifa to growl, her demeanor shifting within a split second.]
"You bitch! How dare you! I will bite that ring off your finger!"
[ ... ]
I'd like to see you try.
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...]
Do what you want.
[And just.
Gonna step back.
He remembers the anger he had felt from before and really, it's probably only right to let Tifa have her shot.]
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"I'LL RIP YOUR HAIR OUT!"
[She lunges at her, arms stretched out and she manages to grab a handful of Tifa's hair and pulls it free from the loose bun like a savage. She's screeching and roaring and hissing and trying to scratch and knee Tifa wherever she can when she manages to get a hold back, flipping her hair up over her head and coming very close to whipping Eustace with it too.
She'll let the woman stand before...]
Should've just walked away.
[With a quick but decent wind-up, Tifa throws a punch that lands square in her nose and knocks her off her feet where she's rolling in pain, crying out about how she broke her nose and was going to press charges. There are people standing around watching, some in horror while others cheer, and the police have arrived on the scene, shouting at them all to move out of the way.]
"Nothing to see here folks! Move along!"
[Meanwhile, Tifa is busy brushing herself off—she did manage to get in a few scratches before she was taken out, some of them bleeding on her arms, but she turns on her heel and climbs into the carriage as if nothing's happened.]
Let's go.
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As he thought, she's experienced. ...And he clearly shouldn't get on her bad side.
He's about to help her brush off when he feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to find the manager holding a flower in his hands. He looks at it a little confused before the man says that it had fallen from "his lady's" hair and thought she'd want it back. It's then that Eustace remembers and there's only a brief pause before he takes it. By then Tifa had climbed into the carriage and he just looks at her before he follows, stopping short to tell the coachman to take them to the hotel before stepping in and sit next to her. The door closes shut behind him and it's a few moments more before the carriage begins to move.
Only then does he look at her and pulls out the handkerchief that had come with the suit.]
Here, hold out your arm.
[His voice is calm and quiet as usual, but...truthfully seeing the scratches, minor as they are, bothers him.]
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She'd never in her entire life been attacked like that in the span of a night. Sure, she's had to endure things like cat calls and older people taking advantage of her vulnerability, but a woman coming at her the way she did? That was a lot to take in... and she's a bit shaken, to say the least. Tifa was so sure that they'd apprehended the woman, but how did she get away? Was she so upset about the outcome of the night that she was able to fight off the cops? And what would have become of that woman or Eustace if Tifa hadn't done anything to stop her? That's a level of crazy she never wants to come face to face with ever again...
It isn't until Eustace's voice prompts her that she opens her eyes and looks up at him, then down at her arms, and rather than fight him off and argue that she's fine like she might have done any other time, she quietly shows her arms to him, lifting it and steeling her jaw when the air bites at one of the scratches.]
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This might sting a little.
[It's all he says before some water trickles down, washing it a little before he wipes it with the handkerchief. Fortunately they're just scratches so it shouldn't bleed too much, but he wanted to clean them off, anyway.]
...It's not healing magic, but it'll have to do for now.
[Just continues to quietly speak as he works, every movement firm but gentle. He's well aware of her condition, but he doesn't say anything—yet, anyway.]
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Just when I thought things were looking up, and I could let my guard down.
[Tifa tilts her head, her hand rubbing her arm where some of the smaller scratches still burn.]
I thought they said they caught her. Guess she was really adamant about getting that last hit in before going down. I should've expected something like that to happen...
[Is she blaming herself? Maybe a little.]
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...Tifa.
[Although quiet, there's a hint of admonishment in his tone as he looks at her.]
You weren't the only one surprised as I also lowered my guard and expected it to have been taken care of despite not checking myself.
[And then...very slowly his hand covers hers in a comforting gesture.]
Don't blame yourself when I was the one who should have taken care of it sooner.
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Well, at least she won't be bothering you anymore.
[She hopes.
Tifa tries to force some humour into her voice, but it's tired and clearly put on. Regardless, it's not going to take that win from them. Instead of trying again, she yawns and stretches, her hands sliding out from around his.]
Jeeze, I'm way more tired than I thought I'd be. We're going back to my place, yeah?
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[He just watches her for a moment before he withdraws his hand.]
At least I intend to drop you off there first.
[It took him a moment before he fully processed what she said.]
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