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]

[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?

[flamekthunder]

[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?

[starshower]

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.]

[flamekthunder]

[Tifa, please.]

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

[starshower]

[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.

[flamekthunder]

...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—]

[starshower]

[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?"

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

[flamekthunder]

[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.]

[starshower]

[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.]

[flamekthunder]

[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.]

[starshower]

[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.

[flamekthunder]

[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.

[starshower]

[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...!]

[flamekthunder]

[———Ah. His turn, huh?

Just clears his throat as he glances away.]

You needed a distraction so I just did whatever.

[starshower]

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!!!]

[flamekthunder]

[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.]

[starshower]

[It is important, but... if he doesn't want to answer, then she'll just have to put the pieces together herself. With her imagination. On her own.]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that the Queen wanted to hire you herself.

[Please don't ever go back there again, Eustace.

Speaking of going back...]

Anyway. We should probably call this one in. If she was bold enough to do it once, then she'd be bold enough to do it again.

[flamekthunder]

[How is it important?? Also we dare that imagination. Dare it.]

...All the more reason to get them taken care of.

[A small shudder went down his spine at the thought. He just got rid of one crazy woman, he doesn't need another.]

Let's go.

[starshower]

[Her imagination will dare, but she will keep those thoughts to herself. It's not like he'd want to live vicariously through them, would he? Unless...

No.

They've been through enough today and she isn't going to put him through any more than she needs to. Perhaps another time, she'll ask him properly and try to drag an answer out of him, but today, they still need to take care of this before they can relax again.

At least the authorities will take care of the rest. They did what they could with what they had to work with.

And when they're about to go their separate ways, Tifa back to the Inn, she pauses with a wave and a gesture to her eye.]

You can keep the eyepatch.

[Just kidding. He'll probably throw it away or something. That's fine, too.]

[flamekthunder]

[Wow, Tifa, keep it PG.

Eustace pauses when she mentions the "eyepatch," having actually forgotten about it since he had adjusted to it. Briefly he touches it...and remembers it was torn off from her dress.

...]

I doubt you want it returned.

[What would she do with a useless scrap of fabric... Yeah he'll toss it when he gets back home unless Eria steals it first. Before he leaves, however, he pauses and glances at her again.]

But thanks for it.