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

[starshower]

[Well, sure. At least they managed to get the proof they needed on video, because now, all of the disappointed patrons who were expecting some grand proposal are either mumbling to each other as they sit back down, or turning their phones to record the woman freaking out at the window instead. So, that's... a win?

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.]

[flamekthunder]

[Honestly, he doesn't even think he had to explain as he assumes she would have figured out it was just the "finale" for the show they put on. And from her reaction, he's not surprised that she'd be a bit stunned and trying to process everything. So when she finally speaks, he glances at her before reaching for his water as he's already finished his wine and probably has had enough for the night.]

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.

[starshower]

Uh... No, it's fine.

[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.

[flamekthunder]

I hadn't planned it either, but...

[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.]

[starshower]

I hope so...

[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.

[flamekthunder]

[Seeing her reassured eases him as well, and he can also enjoy the rest of their dinner in peace until the bill and manager arrive. Hearing his suspicions confirmed, he also feel a little guilty that he took advantage of the situation instead of just passing the ring back, but it worked in their favor in the end. Well, good luck to that guy. Hearing that the stalker had finally been apprehended is even more of a relief. This plan had better worked with how much effort they put in, so he just grins a little at her words.]

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.]

[starshower]

[She had intended to pay for the entire thing, only because it was her idea to begin with, and she probably could have picked a cheaper restaurant to do this all in, but... she knows better than to argue with Eustace about anything. It's just a dinner tab, so it's no use getting hung up about something.

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

[flamekthunder]

[...Please don't remind him of how much he had to act tonight. Something of a conflicted expression forms as he stands after her.]

...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

[flamekthunder]

[—there is a bone chilling scream.]

EEEEEEEUUUUUUUSSSSSSSTTTTYY!!!

[Oh God.]

[starshower]

[If they thought her screams from the other side of the window were bone-chilling... they had nothing on this one. This one where she is rushing towards them, her hair a mess and parts of her dress tattered and dirty with her eyes practically bulging out of her head. Tifa doesn't even have time to react to the carriage and the confusion that comes with it before this woman comes to a screeching halt in front of them.

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.

[flamekthunder]

[He visibly recoils when she approaches and he's honestly considering just striking her with lightning right now when she suddenly turns to Tifa.

...]

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.]

[starshower]

[Tifa isn't dumb enough to make the first strike, so she only stares her down for a while, waiting to see what her next move will be. She watches as her shoulders start to rise and fall with her quickening breaths before—]

"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.

[flamekthunder]

[—Well. That was. Something. Eustace has seen a fair number of "cat fights" and he knows better than to get in-between one, but he had a moment where he second guessed letting Tifa take this woman on with how it started. But then the punch comes in and his brows rise in some surprise. Not for the punch itself, but how much force was behind it.

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.]

[starshower]

[She had forgotten all about the rose in that entire mess, and she's still yet to notice it even when Eustace climbs aboard the carriage and the door shuts. But the moment it does, the entire atmosphere shifts, and Tifa is sitting with her shoulders square and tense, her breathing quick and her eyes closed.

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.]

[flamekthunder]

[He holds her arm gently, his eyes flicking over at her once before they return to the scratches and his other hand hovers over them.]

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.]

[starshower]

[She hardly moves or reacts to the water, but it's not without a quiet thanks in gratitude when he's finished before she withdraws, a sigh finally letting her shoulders fall.]

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.]

[flamekthunder]

[He can tell.]

...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.

[starshower]

[She's struck by the gesture, small as it is. If it were the other way around, she might have done the same, but coming from Eustace, it's... well, should she be so surprised? After what they'd just gone through? She isn't sure, but she responds in kind anyway, her other hand coming over his and giving it a light pat.]

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?

[flamekthunder]

...Yes.

[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.]

[starshower]

Eustace...?

[Her voice has a sudden sense of urgency to it, and the way she says his name is tentative, almost like she immediately regrets saying it at all, but...]

Do... you... [She shakes her head, laughing quietly to herself. This is so stupid.] Do you think you could stay with me for a while? Just until...

[Tifa lets the thought trail off then, not quite sure how to finish it. Until what? Why is she even asking him in the first place? The woman is taken care of, but there's still this strange, uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach that she can't quite shake off.

She just doesn't want to be alone, and that feels like too much to ask for, so she only asks for a little while.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's a slight widening of his eyes when he hears her voice. He knew she had been a bit shaken, but...

There's no real hesitation in his answer.]

It's fine.

[And then... ... And then what? Seeing her like this for some reason is discomforting and he wonders what he can do. Several thoughts come to mind before he just goes with his gut—and that is to first slowly but then firmly slip his arm behind her. His hand lightly touches the side of her head before gently pulling her towards him so that it rests against his shoulder.]

...Just rest for now, it'll be a bit before we get there.

[starshower]

[Not typically much for physical touch, there's something about the way he reaches out to her that sits differently with Tifa. The way that he so confidently puts his arm around her shoulders and pulls her to him... Not her reaching for his comfort, but him willingly giving it...

There are flashes of something else then—a night under the plate in a flowerbed, when Tifa's world crumbled around her, and she never wanted someone to tell her that things were going to be okay. Just someone to comfort her while she tried to process it all and let everything go. It makes her think of Cloud and how strong his arms felt around her, and how he held her while she let all of her emotions pour into his shoulders.

It makes her think about how much she misses him, but then it makes her think about how every day, she tries to tell herself that it will somehow get easier.

So, Tifa lets herself relax against him, allowing Eustace to pull her in so that she can rest his head against his shoulder.]

Thank you...

[She mumbles it under a breath—a content sigh, before she lets her eyes shut... and she dozes off.]

[flamekthunder]

...

[He just looks down at her, lips pursed into a pensive line. Unconsciously his fingers lightly rub against her shoulder in a soothing gesture before he becomes aware of it and stops himself, his hand suddenly lifting and fingers curling in as he glances away with a strange awkward feeling. He's not really one to give physical comfort—rather he just never was close enough to do so unless it was a child. And this is different from the physical touches at the restaurant. There it was just a performance or a game of sorts without any meaning, but right now what he's doing is more genuine. A true, heartfelt intent in trying to give her that comfort rather than just an empty gesture.

And that discomforting feeling also stems from the thought that he does feel partly to blame that she had to go through this to begin with. This is exactly what he didn't want to happen and why he had been so against the idea from the start. Sure it gave them results, but... Was it really worth it if it ended up rattling her this badly? He can't really blame her for it, either, not with how quickly that woman charged at her. And again he wonders if he shouldn't have let her face her. He instinctively knew Tifa wanted to, that this was something like "her fight" given the insults she had received before. He would have of course taken care of it for her, but he's been around enough tough female fighters to know that they would like to take their own stand and he respects that. So that's what he did, but...had he overestimated? Not her skill, but her ability to handle it?

Or maybe he's underestimating her right now, thinking too deeply on her being shaken. She's still a strong, young woman, but right now somehow she seems...not weak or frail, but vulnerable. And for some reason he finds himself not liking how she's come to be this way.

Regardless, the thought that maybe this had been too much will be stuck in his mind for a while. Releasing a small sigh, he leans his head back before pulling out his phone. He should let Gran know he'll be back later than expected, so he sends a quick text before returning it to his pocket. It's then that he remembers he still has the rose from earlier, and he just carefully tucks it away for now. He'll give it to her when they reach her place, though he wonders if she would even want it still or even remember... It had been such a silly little thing, but he can clearly remember her reaction and how it suited her...

Due to the evening traffic and the distance, it'll be some time before they finally reach the hotel, and he'll remain still and quiet and eventually allowing himself to idly stroke her arm every now and then. And then the carriage eventually pulls into a slow stop, the coachman softly alerting of their arrival as if trying to be polite to his passengers. It's only then that Eustace finally moves a little to look down at Tifa.

A part of him doesn't want to wake her, but he has a feeling she would kick him if he tried to carry her up. ...He doesn't even know what room she's in though he supposes he could ask the front desk. For now, unless she starts to rouse herself, he'll just...stare at her for a moment before lightly shaking her shoulders.]

...Tifa, we're here.

[starshower]

[She really had completely dozed off somewhere along the ride. All the excitement, adrenaline, and anger mixed up together can really wear a person out, and she hadn't been well-rested going into it either. It's normal, for her, at least—she hasn't been getting much sleep at all since arriving on the Isles, and this might be the first time in as long as she can remember that she's been able to get some decent shuteye, as short as it is. It's no good night's rest, but it's something.

Her shoulders shaking startles her awake, and the first thing that comes into view is a close-up view of Eustace's face, her own only inches from his when she snaps her head up and sleepily blinks open her eyes. His arm is still around her, with her body is flush against his side, soaking up the warmth in the otherwise chilly carriage. It takes her a few moments of staring up at him to realize all of this before she's shuffling away, awkwardly tucking her hair behind her ear.]

S-Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep like that...

[She'd put her head down and next thing she knew, he was waking her up. It felt like only seconds, but if they're here, then how long had that nap been? And how long had she made him sit there like that? What was she even doing, using him as a pillow?

God, this is so embarrassing, and she's already excusing herself from her side of the carriage before the driver can come around to open it for her, almost smacking him square in the face with it instead.]

[flamekthunder]

[He was a little surprised when her head suddenly comes up and he finds himself staring into her face, but it's her actions after that make him quirk a brow, especially when she basically flees the carriage. Was she that embarrassed...? He doesn't realize he has an amused expression until the coachman glances inside and he just waves it off, exiting the carriage from his side.

He soon reaches where she's waiting for him and there's just the slightest quirk of his lips as he looks at her, but he won't tease her. For now, anyway.]

Thought you would have run off ahead.

[Okay, take it back, there's a little teasing.]