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

[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)

[She tries not to make too much of a surprised fuss when she's pulled in, playing the part as well as she can despite her inner protests about it. His "pet"... It shouldn't bother her as much as it does, especially when she'd said only moments before that they needed to blend in, but... it brings her simmering rage to a light boil inside her. It's fine... she'll just focus it onto the guard instead, her red eyes piercing his as if to tell him to move out of the damn way.

Because he did see what she did to the last guy, and if it comes down to it, she'll do the same one to him... and then they'll have to make a break for it, but at least it will be worth the trouble.

Her fingers tighten against the leather wrapped around her wrists, preparing herself to wrench it right out of Eustace's grip to use it on the guard herself if she has to... but she waits with bated breath, scowling up at him alongside the Ice King.

...

.....

....... ]

"Alright, fine. But bring her back after." [Tifa lets out the breath she'd been holding in, and he steps aside to let them through the front door.] "And don't trouble her too much. Remember, she's our property."

[Who's property now? Excuse you?

Something snaps inside Tifa then, just as her hands are making for the door. You know what? Screw this. Letting the whip fall from around her hands, she spins and kicks the guard right between the legs before quickly shoving Eustace outside and making a break for it before he can call for help or chase after them.]

[There's just an arch of the brow at the words, but before he can do anything else he's watching her kick the guard and being shoved out the door.

...Well can't say it wasn't deserved.

After running for several feet, Tifa is going to hear a sound coming from right next to her. And that would be the sound of Eustace snorting as he laughs under his breath.]

[Was that... a laugh!?

Even through all of the running and catching her breath after that rage had bubbled over, Tifa's hearing goes sharp when she hears that snort. It's not an outright burst of laughter, but... she's not sure she can recall many times where he had laughed loud enough like that.

She comes to a stop once they're blocks away and tugs him onto the next street, and into an alley, just in case they were followed. At least by now, they should have lost them if they were.

She's simmering right now, still too upset by the words to laugh herself, and she exhales sharply, brushing her dress off.]

Hope that taught him a lesson.

[He probably shouldn't be laughing, and his expression has mostly returned to normal, but when they stop and he hears her words, the corner of his lips twitch up just a little.]

Plenty. The sight was quite...memorable.

[And he had warned him...kind of.]

I've thought this before, but I'll have to remember to never get on your bad side.

[She sighs. Again.

At this rate, she'll run out of air.

But at least she's smiling again, even if it is a bit of a crooked one.]

Yeah, yours too. What was all that back there anyway? I came back up with the knights and you had a whole line going...

[There was no getting out of answering this...!]

[———Ah. His turn, huh?

Just clears his throat as he glances away.]

You needed a distraction so I just did whatever.

I just meant keep the guards busy. That didn't look like whatever.

[She will give him credit: it did do the job, and they were able to get the knights out of there.

Tifa arches a brow at him with a prodding, curious, and maybe a little concerned look. A whip, a line of men and women...? That's a whole lot of not whatever. Not to mention...]

Not be crowned the Ice King... You not going to tell me how that happened?

[She PROMISES she won't tell anyone!!!]

[Stop pressing him gosh.

Another noise of discomfort as he just glances away, clearly not wanting to answer.]

It's not important, is it? It just happened to work out that way and I could take out a few in the process. It's not like I wanted to do it... [A grumbling mutter under his breath.]

sixth shot ⊗ open september log

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