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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's a moment where he stares at her blankly before he registers what she's referring to. And when he does, there's just the slightest shift in his expression, the anger and frustration that had been frosting over his eyes fading a bit. He had always wondered if her behavior had been a result of that night, though whether it had been a specific part or the entire thing he hadn't been sure.

So after a small pause he answers.]

...I had a guess that you probably were.

[Right, so then he knows what she's talking about, and she doesn't need to say it out loud.

And she would only stare at him until he got it if she didn't think he deserved a better answer than her pointed silence... but how is she supposed to explain it? And will he even understand when she's done, or had that and tonight messed it all up between them?

Well, only one way to find out.

She draws in a sharp breath.]

I don't know, I guess I just... was a little confused about it all.

[Tifa couldn't sleep, she couldn't eat, and she couldn't think about anything else, even if this was the last thing she wanted to be thinking about.]

A lot happened that night.

...

[He's silent for a few moments. ...Confused? About what? Or...

For a very brief moment the thought that Tifa might have misunderstood or mistaken things to have a deeper meaning passes through his mind, but he quickly disregards it. That kind of possibility...was impossible in his mind. So perhaps it's the other way around.

Slowly the hand against the wall loosens its grip as he leans back a little, his brows furrowing. A flurry of emotions pass through his eyes, a mix of uncertainty, doubt, confusion, and worry. A worry that had stuck to the back of his mind ever since he noticed she was avoiding him.]

...If I made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. That wasn't my intent.

[So he ends up thinking the opposite, that he had crossed a line and that was why she couldn't be comfortable around him. Thinking back, he could understand why, and it...had been a little strange that he had gone that far. Probably about as strange as the odd pricks he feels right now, or how her avoidance had actually bothered him to begin with. ...Let's not think about what was happening on the stage, that had been just a strange situation all around.

It's strange, and he hadn't thought about it, but he's starting to realize that the more he hangs around Tifa, the more he finds himself loosening up around her.]

[She breathes out when he leans back, relief being the first of many emotions that wash over her now.]

It's fine... [Tifa says at first, her own eyes watching the changes in his. She can see the worry there, and quickly, she adds on.] I mean, you didn't make me uncomfortable.

[Was it uncomfortable that she felt? She isn't even sure herself. The confusion of not knowing what it is was what confused her more, and it got to the point where it was easier to avoid him and talking about or acknowledging it than anything else, but that all came with its own complicated feelings that she's since pushed to the back of her mind where it can stay.]

I just... I don't know...

[She can't even begin to explain, but she tries through a nervous laugh.]

I wasn't expecting you to keep playing it up right to the end of the night.

[That's totally what happened, right? Right?]

...It wasn't exactly planned.

[The most tactful way he could think of admitting it was a bit of an impulse. Should he continue to be honest and explain what happened...? But he's not sure if he can really explain it without it sounding worse than whatever she's thinking. Still, if it's his actions that caused her confusion, then it's only right to explain it.]

After everything you went through, I felt I should show you my appreciation somehow...but that was not the best way. No, I'm not even sure what I was thinking.

[He withdraws further and the hand that had been against the wall now runs through his hair as he looks away. There were only a few things he was certain of at the time: that he felt he owed her for what she went through; she deserved something for her efforts; that they were on a pretend "date." So a chaste kiss on the forehead seemed appropriate at the time. And if he imagines if they had parted normally, he could see himself teasing her a little by doing the same. He wouldn't normally do so, but it also doesn't hold any meaning. So in his mind it didn't seem that...strange, but maybe it was.

Because in the end, at the very heart of it, there had just been a rather strange yet strong desire of wanting to do so. That is to say, it wasn't a thought that he was against. Maybe he should wonder why that is, but for now he doesn't.]

No, it was...

[She stops short of finishing the sentence, eyes darting away again for another reason entirely. The fact that she... kind of liked it and felt a surge of happiness (...?) afterwards was jarring, and still is now that she's thinking back on it, and just one more reason to add to the long list of why she had so much trouble being around him.

Probably just because she's been feeling lonely since she got here, and it was just another assurance that maybe she isn't as alone as she thought...

But she doesn't want to get into that. Not here. So, she moves on and motions to his eye.]

If I say it's fine, and we go back to the way things are... will you let me get that fixed?

[It was...what? Normally he'd just leave it and not care. If a person couldn't finish their statement there would have been a reason, and unless it's something important he'd just let it go. Right now, however, while he can't say it's important, for some reason he wants to know what she's trying to say. Is it just so it would get rid of this ambiguous feeling between them? Let him feel less guilty?

...

He just looks at her for a moment before he nods.]

...Sure.

[It'll still be awkward at first, but at least some of the air seems to have cleared.

It's strange, but he would rather the awkwardness between them to also be gone. Again, normally such a thing wouldn't bother him so much, yet for some reason it had. So if she just wants to move on past...whatever this is, that's fine by him. He's used to just pushing things away and focusing more on what's ahead of him, and this would be no different.

Or so he thinks, anyway.

Having decided that, he steps back and moves to sit on the couch as it would be easier for the both of them than him having to hunch over or her heaving to lean up.]

[There definitely is still some tension lingering in the air of the room, and it follows them over to the couch where Tifa takes a seat next to him, focusing on stretching out the piece of torn fabric and peeling off any loose threads that might get in the way.

And gently, without a word, she's reaching out to push back his hair again, tucking what she can up and away behind his ears for easier access before she waits for him to close his right eye so she's able to press the cloth over it. The light scent of lavender wafts around them, amplified by the drinks and making Tifa feel a little dizzy, but she pushes through it, wrapping the cloth once, twice...

Brushing her fingers through his hair again to push it away, she finally looks up and meets his gaze after all this time.]

How does that feel?

[She hasn't secured it yet, making sure first that it's comfortable before she finishes it up.]

[Despite having finally allowed himself to reveal his vulnerability to others, it's still difficult to not immediately tense or flinch a little when she pushes back his hair and touches the remaining scars around his eye. The discolorations have faded over the years so one would have to look carefully to see, and his right eye is still extremely dilated from the burst of light earlier. But once he gets past that initial ripple unease, he once again finds her touch...not that unpleasant. Particularly when she has brush through his hair, for some reason it feels different compared to the other time...granted that's more of a hazy drunk memory to begin with. And soon he takes an unknowing breath and closes his right eye so she can proceed.

It feels like forever as he waits, the fabric of the torn dress soft and the scent of lavender as well as her own starting to overwhelm him. It's bizarre how strong it is, and for some reason his pulse quickens but he continues to outwardly maintain his usual sense of indifferent calm. He had thought it before, but there must have been something in the drinks as he only experienced this after consuming it.

But when she finally looks at him, there's a stretched moment of silence as he stares at her before he finally answers.]

...It's fine.

Edited 2021-10-06 17:40 (UTC)

[She leans in, arms wrapping around his shoulders to knot the fabric at the back of his head, her face coming dangerously close to his, but she moves it just so until they're almost cheek to cheek, her nose just about buried in his hair. Her tugs are gentle—they won't jostle his head around when she gives it one last pull to make sure that it's secured and pulls back to examine her handiwork.

Tifa wants to ask about it—his eye—but would that be too much? Things were still tense between them, and while they've cleared the air some, she doesn't want to make it worse, so... for a while, she's silent while she combs his hair back over the makeshift eyepatch, fixing it so that it sits as it should once more.

...

It must be something about the light in here that makes him look... hm. She can place the feeling as familiar as she looks at him, but what it means... she still can't figure out.

So...]

What happened to it? [She pulls her hand back.] Your eye...?

[If he'd rather not answer, then she'll understand.]

[He doesn't need to see to be able to sense how close she is—again something he rarely allows anyone to be without good reason. And her scent only strengthens to the point that it combined with her warmth, her touch, and the sound of her breath is all he is able to focus on. —Which is not normal and not something he should be doing, but he ends up doing regardless of what his more rational self is trying to say. But that's all it really amounts to as he otherwise remains as still as possible. It's all just...observations. Very noted and prominent observations, but just observations. He'll forget about them later once he's able to breathe fresh air.

But when she starts combing his hair, that touch of hers is somehow so nice and inviting that he almost leans into it. Almost. The moment he almost acts on that impulse is when she draws away her hand and he "wakes up" from that strange...feeling. It also means it takes him a second to register her question and then another to answer.]

...It was a long time ago...when I was nine.

[That's how he starts, but from there he falters. On the one hand, he's more okay in talking about his past, on the other...is this something he should really drop on her right now of all places?]

It's not a pleasant story, so if you still wish to know, I'll tell you another time.

[Nine years old, huh... That was about the same age she was when she'd taken that fall... Had he lost his ability to see through that eye? Has it always been only sensitive, or was it worse back then?

The fact that he gave an answer at all is enough, and she sits back now with a nod.]

It's okay if you'd rather not. I get it.

[There are a lot of things about her past that she'd rather not talk about, least of all in the VIP room of a strip club, so she understands why he wouldn't want to. She would like to know another time, in another place, but for now, that's enough for her.]

Besides the eye, everything else okay?

[They're going to need to get out of here soon if they don't want to be found out...]

...It's something I should start talking about more so it's fine. [Just, you know, not here.]

But there's nothing else so we can get moving.

[He can sense what she's getting at so he nods and starts to stand.]

Yeah, before—

[They really shouldn't have sat around and tried to talk things out some more, because now there's jingling coming from the other side of the door, and the sound of a key being pushed into the lock. It clicks, but doesn't open, and so there's another key...]

Someone shows up...

[Shit! Of course this is exactly what has to happen the moment they start to get up and leave.

She has to think fast.]

Close your eyes.

[It's all she says before she shoves Eustace back onto the couch as the door's handle finally clicks and turns. Neither of them will be able to see who enters, but she figures it'll either be a guard or the Queen herself, but she isn't about to take that risk. So, quickly as she can, she climbs over him, her knee sliding between his, her hair draping over to hide them both, and her hands on either side of his face so he doesn't feel the urge to peek.

Whatever she did, it seems to work, because there's a man's voice blubbering from the door over the music.]

"O-Oh, sorry. I-I thought this was vacant...! C-Carry on!"

[And then he slams the door shut and locks it again.]

[Close his eyes what?? He was actually prepared to knock out whoever came through and then run out, but before he can really do anything, Tifa shoves him back onto the couch. He can't even protest before she's...suddenly climbing on top of him???]

—!?

[Automatically his hands go to her waist as if to try and stop her, but she's already half on his lap and he's belatedly understanding what she's doing. Still, she may have told him to close his eyes, but he's just staring at her wide-eyed in surprise, his breath catching in his throat when he feels her leg between his. Primals she doesn't have to go that far!?!? More to the point he has never before felt so distracted by this though he is trying to focus on the intruder.

Who, thankfully, quickly leaves. But he feels he can't really release that breath because Tifa is still on him. And he's still holding her. And he's also still staring at her whose lips are only mere inches away—

Fucking hell there really must have been something in that drink.

In the next moment he throws up his hands to release her, his eyes cast away as he kicks every thought out of his mind. In fairness he didn't really think much more, but just the observation sent a strange feeling and that alone is suspect and enough to try and freeze everything.]

[He hadn't closed his eyes, so the two of them find themselves face to face, close... a little too close. But her eyes lock onto his, and for some reason now, Tifa can't break it right away, even after the door locks shut. She sees his eyes lingering on her lips, and hers instinctively move to his as well, her breaths quickening to catch up with her heart trying to beat free from her chest. Unlike him, she lets the breath go in a sharp sigh, her alcohol-laced breath brushing over his face.

What in the world did they put in those drinks?

She has no idea how long it takes for her to finally free him, her fingers sliding down his jaw and pushing off from the couch so she can stand upright again.

She's back to strictly business, and while she managed to stifle the need to breathe more life into the heightened tension in the room with a shaky laugh or the clearing of her throat, she does feel the need to explain herself...]

If he saw our faces, he would have known we weren't supposed to be here.

No I...figured as much.

[He manages to answer, but he's slower to stand. Instead the moment she stands he finally releases this breath, a hand swiping over his brows and down to his jaw...but his fingertips linger over where hers had just moments ago. Never before has someone's touch felt so...

...

He stands up in the next moment, shaking it off and once again thinking he's going to be wary of pretty much all the alcohol in this world now. At least when around Tifa because the number of times something weird has happened when they involved with alcohol has been one too many.]

Lets go before someone else comes in and it's my turn to cover.

[He says it in a dryer tone than usual, but it's probably less of a joke and more of an actual possibility given their situation. And given the circumstances...he's gonna give her a pass in avoiding him because he's not sure he can look at her straight in the eye at the moment either.]

[Him confirming it only makes it feel more awkward, and Tifa pauses to open her mouth, as if she wants to say something back, but...

...

......

She's got nothing.

So, she stands there for a moment before spinning on her heel and unlocking the door. The thumping of the music greets them immediately, and she stops them both so she can peek her eyes through the crack to the end of the hall. There are still some people left from the brawl before, but from the looks of it, it's not many.]

Looks like they cleared most of the place out. To clean up, I bet.

[ ... The mess that they started, and the one that Tifa came back to. Which reminds her, don't let her forget to ask him about all of it after they break out of here.]

Think we can sneak past the guards without being noticed?

[As he waits for her, he takes the opportunity to recollect himself. They're still in the middle of mission, this is the time for him to get distracted.

Even if the moment he steps behind her he's hit by that soft, sweet lavender fragrance.

Focus, dammit!]

As long as we move fast. Do you know the way?

Not really, but it shouldn't be too bad, right?

[She only sounds a little unsure about it. They've managed to find their way in here no problem, so how hard could it be to find their way out? Everyone will hopefully be preoccupied with the cleanup that they shouldn't notice anything, but just in case...]

... You still got that whip?

[As she readjusts the cat ears sitting atop her head.]

[Tifa, please.]

I left it out on the stage... But this room has few to spare among other things.

[Listen! She's not teasing him about it (yet)! This is just in case they need to use something to either make themselves blend in or fight their way through.

Next time don't let her convince him to not bring his weapon with him.

She's already shuffling past him to rummage through the wooden boxes and chests of drawers for something, finding just about anything she can imagine finding in here. Chains? No, too heavy. Feathers? What could they even do with those? Ah, here they go.

Since he already knows how to use it... Tifa hands him a whip. This one is pink and its handle is decorated with feathers hanging off the end of it.]

... This is the only one I could find. Let's go.

[She doesn't need anything—if worse comes to worse, she'll just kick and punch her way through again—so she cracks the door open and leads the way out...

It's just as she thought: the customers are gone, and most of the club is filled now with guards searching under tables, opening up parts of the stage, checking the doors, questioning the workers... They must be trying to find the knights that escaped. And at center stage of it all is the queen herself.]

Just act like we're supposed to be here, and we shouldn't be noticed. They're all too busy looking around for the others.

...You do know I can fight without a weapon right?

[Just. Staring at the whip in his hands before looking back at her with an arched brow. Besides, it's not like he's that proficient... But fine, it is kind of useful and no harm in bringing it. So he just sighs and follows her, adjusting the whip as they make their way through.

They're not too far from the exit now, but to get through...

...]

Act like we're supposed to be here, huh?

[How the hell are they supposed to do that, especially after that huge performance that broke out into a fight? As he's looking to get a general idea of what to avoid, he spots a few other couples still lingering and...

...

She just had to hand him the whip. Well she's the one who said it and they wouldn't be the only ones. So without saying anything, he takes both her hands and winds the rope once around her wrist.]

Just grip it here and pretend it's tied around. The moment you let go it'll fall so it won't get in the way should we need to fight.

[This will definitely teach her to not let him have his weapon—]

Edited 2021-10-09 20:37 (UTC)

[Tifa's entire body stiffens when he grabs her by the wrists and laces her hands together between the whip, but besides the look she's giving him, she doesn't say much of anything, and instead grips onto it like he says and moves aside for him to lead the way out.

There are eyes that follow them to the doors, and the Queen even takes notice of them, watching as the pair slide against the walls. Everything is going fine, and Tifa only manages a sideways glance back at the guards before they're met with one—the largest one she's seen so far—right at the exit with his arms crossed, eyes stuck on Eustace.]

"And where d'you think you're going with her...?"

[She opens her mouth to give an answer, words she never thought she would say out loud, when there's a flash of recognition across the guard's face. Worrying, to say the least, but then—]

"Wait, aren'tcha the one they named the Ice King?"

[............???????????????????????]

[Eustace had also tensed when they were approached, but he maintains his cool posture. Seeing that he's "recognized" for his performance instead, he just glances back at Tifa before he tugs her close to him, a hand going around to her waist. But there's another reason for him to bring her up like this—the ends of the whip loosen a bit more, allowing her to break free more easily if needed.]

And? Are you going to get in my way from teaching my "pet" a lesson? You saw what happened to the last guy who tried to touch her and this place has too much shit going on for me to do it right.

Now move.

[There's a hard, cold glare along with a vibe that he really will just kick through this guy if necessary for interrupting him. It's so intense, it might not be all for show, and it will certainly live up to that little "name" he made for himself earlier. He also deliberately brings up what happened on the stage because there's no use trying to get around that—everyone saw what happened. But if he says it like this, it should throw suspicions off their backs and instead give a plausible reason for why they acted that way—he was already showing how "rough" he could be, so him getting pissed and then just getting caught up in the later fight is plausible.

And if the guard doesn't buy it, they're right here. Taking him out will be easy and they can just make a run for it.]

Edited 2021-10-10 00:33 (UTC)

sixth shot ⊗ open september log

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