isleofavalon | sixth shot ⊗ open september log

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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

[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!]

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More dates?

[Just a casual quip as he leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest as the elevator rises. He actually knows what she means, but she kind of set herself up for it.]

Didn't realize I left such a favorable impression.

[Yes, more "dates", minus the crazy next time.

As the elevator dings again, Tifa grins, steps off in front of him, and pauses right in the middle of the door.]

So, that's a yes? I promise I'll pick somewhere cheaper next time.

[While the porkchops were hella delicious, she isn't made of money, least of all here. She has to save some up for other things, so next one will be at a burger joint or a place more... casual.]

So you're the one who will keep asking? How persistent... Shouldn't I pick the next place?

[He steps towards the door but won't be able to leave until Tifa does, so he just stares at her with his usual indifferent expression.

If someone saw them and thought they were actually flirting it would certainly seem like a weird match-up.]

Well, you aren't.

[Tifa finally steps out of his way with a laugh and turns on her heel to lead the way to her door. It isn't too far down the hall thankfully, but she's looking forward to stepping out of these shoes, and out of "date night" altogether.

What she does appreciate in the moment is that he's humouring her in keeping this light-hearted, given what happened in the carriage. If she keeps her mind off of it, then it doesn't seem so as embarrassing.]

If you wanna pick the next place, you're going to have to be the one who asks.

[And with that said, she arrives at her door and slides the keycard in, and it unlocks with a click. The room itself is exactly the same cookie cutter inn room as the rest of them, and hers is kept clean and tidy at all times, as if she's always expecting guests. That's just how she is. But the room does smell of lavender and vanilla, and there a few too many (never too many) pots of flowers and plants that were brought over by Aerith over the course of her stay—there's probably one on every flat surface that's available.]

Come on in...!

...Sounds troublesome.

[Both her picking out everything and asking her "out" that is. Chances are high it'll be Tifa who will do the asking, but really he's not going to care too much. But he can see the shift in her demeanor, that tension from earlier mostly gone for now.

And once they reach her room, Eustace slowly steps in and...

...

That's a lot of flowers. Though it does remind him of something.]

...I wonder if you'll have any room for this.

[He carefully plucks out the rose he had pocketed and holds it out to her. It's a little crumpled around some of the petals both in part from the earlier fall and being in his pocket, but it's otherwise still intact.]

[Ah, in all of the commotion and stress, she'd completely forgotten, so the look of surprise on her face when he holds it out is obvious, for several different reasons besides remembering. She'd forgotten it had been in her hair to begin with, having been so focused on the "getting to know you" part that it just became "there", but...

This reminds her of something else. A memory that she's pushed to the back of her mind and locked away to keep safe the moment she stepped foot in Camelot, and heard that dreaded news from Aerith.

But she isn't about to let that sour the occasion, so she accepts the rose for a second time tonight.]

I'll find somewhere to put this. Make yourself comfortable, I'm gonna go put this in water. You want anything?

[...Is it really that odd for him to have brought this back? Fortunately for Tifa he's just assuming it's not something she expected of him, and fair, he wouldn't have done it either if it weren't for the manager picking it up and handing it to him. He could have easily forgotten about it, too, had it not been for all the flowers here.]

...No, I'm fine.

[But she accepted it, so he won't think much further about it. Instead he just continues to walk in, glancing about her place with idle curiosity. He doesn't venture into many other rooms, even back home, so he just casually observes before he starts unbuttoning his suit jacket and taking it off to drape on a chair. Even though he's used to wearing his other jackets and cloaks, this one had been a bit more constraining and he hadn't really been able to fully breathe in a while.

But he doesn't sit, instead just continues to wander around and look at everything there is. It's a little interesting to see how she's decorated everything, having no real thought of what to expect prior.]

[First order of business is the flower. All she has left is a tall glass from the cupboards that will have to make do, and she fills it up with water. Then, she scurries past him into the bedroom to set it down on her bedside table. What? It was one of the few places she had left. And whether he wants or needs it, she brings them both a glass of water anyway. She can still feel a bit of the buzz from the wine now that it's had some time to settle, but it's not so much that it'll affect her much, besides the rosy cheeks she still has.

But when she arrives back in the living room, she almost drops them out of surprise because—]

Ah—!?

[For a moment, all she catches is the sight of his back and practically bare shoulders, and in that split moment she wonders to herself: why is he taking his shirt off!? WHY NOW, of all the times? It was one thing in his own home, but hers!?

But the shock is fleeting, quick to wear off when she realizes that she's missed the straps that wrap around his back, and she breathes a sigh of relief, her fingers unraveling the tension around the glasses that could have shattered them in her hands as she sets his down on the table.]

Uhhh... here. Just in case you want some.

[Hopefully he didn't notice!? Meanwhile, she's going to take a giant swig of hers ~~because bitches be thirsty~~.]

[~~business in the front party in the back~~

Eustace honestly thinks nothing of his attire since it's just natural for him, so when he hears her sudden sound he turns around in slight surprise.

...?

Yeah, he noticed. He just looks at her a little puzzled as he slowly takes the water.]

Thanks. ...Something wrong?

[Did he enter or go near something he shouldn't have???]

No, everything's fine. I just remembered that... I need to pick up something tomorrow.

[Nice save. Jeeze, that was close.

It's too bad she can't hide in the dim light of the restaurant or the carriage, or even outside, because her cheeks are even redder now, but she can busy herself with readjusting some plants that need no readjusting or rearranging the cushions on the couch so that they have more space to sit. She slumps on one side with a giant sigh.

Time for a change of subject.

...

.... ]

Thanks for coming up with me. I know you didn't have to, but... you did anyway.

[He still looks at her puzzled, but he won't press and instead joins her and sits on the opposite end before taking a sip of water. He then just glances over at her before he sets it down on a table (on a coaster!! he's polite like that).]

It's fine. [And then a small pause as he remembers his thoughts back in the carriage. At first he thinks about scolding her a little, to remind her that that was exactly why he hadn't been so keen on the date to begin with. But he holds his tongue, knowing that that isn't something she needs to hear. So instead he manages:] ...If you ever need anything like that, just ask.

The lone wolf, telling me that I could get anything I ask for?

[Her teasing manner is short-lived, falling off with a soft, fond laugh. It's a bit surprising though that he would offer up something like that. Maybe there's just something about her that makes these boys lose that "hard edge" of theirs—not that it's a problem. Not in the least.

She's making room on the couch, scooting over just enough that he'll have some space, silently urging him to sit with her.]

We could watch something. I don't have a ton of movies, but there could be something on TV too.

Don't push it, I still have the right to refuse.

[Just gives her a wry look. He will indeed regret this later. And does she really want him to sit closer...]

But whatever you want. I feel like most of my movie and TV watching is with you...

[Even more than with Gran, his own housemate.]

[Yes, she does. Tifa had asked him to stay with her until she'd calmed down, and sitting with her was always part of that deal.

She flicks on the TV and idly switches through the channels, searching for something interesting to watch. It's late, so most of what's on are films, and she stops on some fantasy-like movie called King of the Bracelets, a movie about a merry band of people traveling the world to find the "one bracelet to rule them all." Sure, why not?]

It's because I know all the good things to watch.

[Like this. Is this even good? She has no idea but might as well find out.]

It's no movie theatre, but at least it's better than a phone.

[Fiiine he'll scoot a little closer. But only a little.]

Didn't realize you were a movie expert. You must have a lot time on your hands.

[As if calling her bluff.]

Yup.

[She really does. It's a massive problem that needs to be remedied soon, but that's what the job postings are for, right?

When he scoots closer, Tifa isn't even watching the movie, but instead looks up at him... before scooting even closer and very tentatively inviting herself to lean her head on his shoulder. It shouldn't be so weird now that she's already done it, right? It's not as if it meant anything, and he'd said that if she needed something, all she had to do was ask him... and this is her silently asking him if she can seek out his solace for a little longer.

Should he not protest, there's a soft throw blanket hung over the couch's arm that she pulls over her legs to make herself more comfortable.]

[He won't protest, but there's a small glance at her before he relaxes a little more against the couch so she can be a little more comfortable. And then...

...

He could just stay like that, but after what happened in the carriage he has an inkling of why she's leaning against him. So when she moves to get the throw and resettles, this time he lifts his arm so that it can be behind her. Not necessarily around her shoulders like before, just resting against the back of the couch. It's probably a little more comfortable this way for the both of them, and throughout all of this Eustace doesn't say a word, instead just staring forward at the TV.]

[As thanks, when he settles his arm across the back of the couch, Tifa reaches up and gives his ear a quick, soft scratch. She's forgotten how soft they were, and she smiles to herself when she turns her gaze to the TV once she remembers how he had dozed off in that petting zoo. Perhaps not tonight because this didn't turn into a drunken escapade (and probably for the best that it didn't), but she would do it again if he asked.

As thanks, of course.

The movie rolls onward without them saying much of anything, Tifa content to stay where she is. She's hardly paying attention to what's going on anyway, her mind too preoccupied with other things. Mostly, the echoes of the words that woman had said throughout the night—the comments she'd made about Tifa, a woman she barely knew... and it reminded her of why she took up martial arts in the first place.

At some point, it won't take long for the idle thinking combined with the noise of the movie to lull her to sleep again, her body relaxing completely against Eustace and her breathing slowing into a steadier beat...]

[There's a small flick and a quick look when she reaches up to scratch his ear. But it wasn't...unpleasant so he won't protest or complain about it, instead looking back forward.

And as he's lost in his own thoughts, he eventually notices when she starts to drift, her weight against him becoming heavier and her breathing steadying. Slowly he glances down and... Reaches over to carefully brush back some of her hair. It's only so he could see her expression, that's all! And given how she hadn't moved from his touch it's confirmed she really did fall asleep on him again.

...Really this girl, how can she feel that comfortable and unguarded around him... It's a bit of a weird feeling, but he just lets out a small breath and ends up closing his own eyes. He only intended to just rest for a bit now that they're no longer on the move or having to stay guarded. It's not so much different than back when they were in the carriage, after all.

But it is different, and even Eustace can get worn out from both the physical and mental stress. And maybe because there was a giant lull in the movie along with the music soundtrack (and not because he's comfortable or anything), he ends up drifting until he falls asleep as well.

...

What wakes him is the sound of dogs barking on the TV, and when he slowly opens his eyes it takes him several moments to process everything at once: the TV, the unfamiliar room, the weight against him, the soft scent of flowers, the stronger, sweeter scent near his nose...and how his head is not resting against a pillow but against the owner of everything here. Slowly he lifts his head and realizes his arm had also dropped to now be resting against Tifa's shoulders.

At first he just sits there, wondering when he fell asleep and for how long. He also finds himself staring down at Tifa the entire time and he turns his gaze to his wrist, shaking the sleeve down to read the watch.

...

With an inward sigh he rubs his hand over his face. Damn it's late...

After looking over Tifa again, he hesitates before lightly shaking her shoulders and quietly calling her name.]

...Tifa.

[He had done similarly back in the carriage and it worked, but this time... He can't seem to bring himself to put as much effort. She had looked exhausted and now she seems to be in a deeper sleep, looking relaxed for the first time since the whole ordeal started. Should he just take her to her room...?]

Edited 2021-10-04 20:06 (UTC)

[She barely stirs, and even then, they can hardly call it that. She brings her legs up closer, her readjusting putting more of her weight on him, but besides that, she doesn't respond to her name. The movie was nothing more than an excuse to get him to stay longer, rather than dropping her off and leaving, so it's unknown when she had finally dozed off. It was somewhere around when the characters called themselves the Companionship of the Bracelet, or something...

That was the last thing she remembers just barely hearing before she let herself fall into the slumber.

So yes. Eustace will have to take her to her room, or move her if he would like to get up.]

...

[There's just a small sigh as he stares down at her, a complicated expression forming as he debates on what to do. Perhaps another time in the past he would have just left her on the couch, draped the blanket over her, and left just like that. But now he just glances at the room she had disappeared into earlier. Since the layouts were identical, he knows that's where her bedroom is. It's just...would it be rude for him to intrude in there? But he didn't feel comfortable just leaving her on the couch...

...

In the end he turns slightly, the arm around her shoulders slipping down more to behind her back while his other arm moves to slip under legs. From there he stands and carefully lifts her body so that he's now carrying her in his arms, the throw blanket still on her. It's different from the last time he carried her more like a sack potatoes over his shoulders, but the circumstances had been completely different, too. And just like before, she feels fairly light for him. As he looks down at her for a moment, he wonders if all that jostling will have awakened her, but for now he just slowly and quietly walks towards her room, carefully nudging the door open further with his shoulder before carrying her in.

At this point he thought he feels a shift in her breathing, but he just continues to walk towards her bed to carefully set her down. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he then spreads the blanket so that it fully covers her and sits there for a moment to look her over. By now he has an inkling she's awake or is starting to, but it doesn't really matter too much. He could leave right now without another word, which would be the more expected route.

But he thinks back over everything that happened that evening along with the events that led up to it. And although Eustace is not really one to show much affection, he feels he owes her something for this "date," especially with everything she had to put up. She didn't even have to go out of her way to do all this, either, it's not like they knew each other for that long...

Somehow, without him realizing it, Tifa's has wedged herself into his life and he has a little bit of a soft spot for her. Just a little bit. But even that is something he doesn't fully realize yet.

Slowly his hand reaches out to lightly brush back her long black strands, fingertips ghosting over her skin. In doing so an impulsive thought occurs to him, one that he at first tries to push back but then thinks, why not? It's not like it would really mean anything. And if she's awake, it'll be one last "act" of the night.

Yes, that's all it will be.

(Or he can blame still being slightly buzzed by the wine, but it won't be as convincing.)

With one hand bracing himself on her other side, he leans forward and there's just a brief moment of hesitation before his lips brush over the crown of her forehead for a very small, light kiss. So light and fleeting it might not really even count as one, but there's the faintest hint of smile.]

Consider it your reward for a job well done...and an ending to this "date."

[Since then had been joking a bit earlier about if this were a real date. If it were, a parting kiss goodbye would be fitting wouldn't it? Though it's probably saying something that he's even entertaining the idea... No, there's not really anything to say since there's no meaning and it barely counts if at all.

With that he pulls back and stands up, giving one last glance before he walks out of her room. He then grabs his suit jacket and makes his way to the door. Opening it, he pauses to glance back at her bedroom, wondering if she had woken up or not. Then, after making sure the door is set to lock behind him, he leaves, the door quietly shutting behind before he makes his way home.

...How is he supposed to explain this to Gran...well whatever, he'll deal with it when he gets there.]

[It had been when he picked Tifa up off the couch that she had been slowly awoken from whatever deep sleep she'd fallen into, and although she is a bit confused about being moved so suddenly and it takes her several moments to realize what's going on and where she's going and how, she remains too dreary to open her eyes or speak, and her head simply falls, fitting against Eustace's shoulder as he carries her to her room. Stiller when he gently sets her down on the bed.

And she had expected him to simply leave then, but she catches her breath when she feels the edge of the mattress shift under his weight. Eyes still closed, she's slowly waking up, her breaths steadying again by sheer willpower to not let that be known. What is he—? Her own question is cut short when his fingers brush against her hair, pushing it away from her face, and then... She can hear the smile in his voice, an uncharacteristic gentleness that takes her by surprise just as much as what preceded it.

"... and an ending to this 'date.'"

It was so light, so tender that Tifa can't be sure it happened until after it does—a small kiss, laid on her forehead that sends a chill up her spine, and awakens something in the pit of her stomach... a stirring that feels so familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. It's a good thing that he leaves her there immediately after because she can feel her face grow hot, and it isn't until she hears his footsteps moving to the front door that she opens her eyes and slowly turns her head to the crack of light bleeding into her bedroom.

Why... does she feel so sad about him leaving? Had some part of her wished he would have stayed a little longer? No, that's selfish of her. He had to get home and get some sleep, and wanting him to stay only because she was feeling a little upset about what happened tonight was too much of her to ask of him. That's why she's sad, right? Because she's still shaken about the obscene things that were shouted at and about her at the restaurant.

That's all it is.

Even if it keeps her up the rest of the night while she keeps her eyes on the door, or her red face buried in her pillow, and even if it feels odd and a little uncomfortable, that's all it is...]

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sixth shot ⊗ open september log

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