[Open] Send Shivers Down Your Spine

[tantailizing]

🧙 WHO: Zidane Tribal and You!
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-all for October feat. Fighting, Quests, and Stealing... not in that order
🕒 WHEN: Throughout October until the next Event
🗺️ WHERE: New Camelot, Ruins of Celliwig, Forest of the Fallen
⚠️ WARNINGS: Violence in fighting, and blood might pop up. Other than that, not going into gory details I don't think.

I. Don't Lose Your Way Head

He knew some people came back to the Ruins that were once Celliwig, and he did too. While mainly to check up on them, make sure they had their own food or supplies if they intended on staying, he would then stay around to help recover bodies or build grave markers before heading back to New Camelot.

However, subsequent visits were... tense to put it mildly.

It's not the first time people had been scattered by the sound of hooves pounding against the dirt, the disembodied laughing, and blocking the Headless Horseman's swing as he attempted to behead one of the many visitors to Celliwig. Zidane's daggers hold and he managed to redirect the swing - at which, the horse reared and carried its rider away, but they'll be circling around. He never left after one clash.

Zidane took that moment to look back.

"Go! Hide!"

II. Bunker Down

From fixing fences to building up bunk beds, he's becoming a pretty efficient at building things. It was always just whatever set they needed before and then those small repairs around the hideout, but hey, he didn't mind this. It's a repetitive task maybe, but it's keeping him busy and they were going to be used. Really, he was happy to be able to help out.

"Alright..." He wiped he forehead with a wide grin. "This one's all ready! Let's get to the next one!"

III. A Quest from Locksley (mingled with Suns Out, Guns Out)

It made sense why the landlord had been tight-lipped about whatever occurred at his house now. Originally, Zidane had dealt with the gang that came to his new home saying he had to pay some 'protection fee'. Well, he said that hadn't been in the contract, had a fight break out, and left them in the dumpster where they belonged. After what happened in Celliwig and Lestari, he'd let refugees move into his home, completely forgetting about the gang before.

Imagine his surprise to see those two-bit wannabe thugs bothering the family he was housing - and then hearing how they did that to the whole neighborhood.

He's not exactly sure about this new gang forming, but at least they wanted to help the refugees. And hell, if it meant killing two birds with one stone - IE, dealing with that cheapass aristocrat that set up this gang for a little illegal tinder on the side, fine with him. Donning a new black cloak and mask, Zidane was gonna see this aristocrat and all his friends deciding to withhold aid were gonna pay their own dues.

[OOC: Open also to people who might be deciding to hustle refugees for protection fees because Zidane's not having that. And people who are Robin Hoods or trying to stop said Robin Hood types, let's go!]

IV. Forest of the Fachan

The once Forest of the Felled was pretty much just as they'd left it after the encounter with the Stone Giant: too quiet save for the small fauna and wind. And seeing the Giant sit in slumber again just reminded him how they failed, but he digressed. They weren't here about that; they were here about removing wards that were now rendered pretty much useless.

All was going pretty well until the sun started to go down... and then things began to change. He felt the fur on his tail and hair on his neck rise, and eventually had to stop with his group.

Wait, group? But there'd been so many people moment's ago. How'd they get separated?

But he brought a hand to his dagger and prepared himself, the rotted stench of decay and death reaching his nose faster than whatever had started talking minutes before.

... The hell was that thing approaching them!?

V. Wildcard

[OOC: Interested in an unlisted prompt or we planned something else entirely? Then wildcard is for you! And if you would like to plot something else, come message me at demidemonLove]

Comments

[flamekthunder]

Maybe the fae have weird rules.

[Why is he talking about THAT one of all things—it's fine everything's fine. It's not like he has to actually say anything.]

[tantailizing]

You think they got wasted and signed a contract? They take names and things like that seriously. But you know? It wasn't bad to see there's a place that accepted everyone... shady dealings or not.

[The bunk seemed good and secure enough on this side finally.]

... But it also makes that guy who put the hit out on Animal Mages even more of a jackass. That club is right there! He needs to get over himself. Heck, there was a bovine lady with a whip. Bet that would've got 'im to settle down.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had been more focused on the bunk bed and retrieving the next piece, but hearing the word "whip" managed to jolt his attention back to Zidane. It's fortunate he's had twenty years to school his thoughts, emotions, and expressions as any other person would have fumbled.

Still, this line of questioning is far from comfortable and there had been just the briefest of pauses when he reached over for the beams that would connect the two frames. Time to divert.]

You didn't go there did you?

[tantailizing]

No, I went there. I helped some people case the joint.

[He says that like it's nothing going to a strip club.]

Though, it was kinda funny. Maybe there was a show being put on stage, but while I was in the back, it got rowdy in the front. Hey, whatever provides a diversion, you know? Too bad I missed out from the sound of it!

[flamekthunder]

[There's the sound of the wood clattering and Eustace muttering a swear under his breath the moment Zidane mentioned a show. It actually caught him off guard and he lost his grip, causing the beam to hit against his hand, but fortunately nothing too serious.

More to the point, was Zidane there? Primals now he has to wonder if he's just lying and trying to goad him into saying anything or if he really didn't see anything. Or it's possible he's referencing something else entirely.]

Aren't you too young to be in those kinds of places?

[JUST GOING TO IGNORE ANYTHING AND SAY SOMETHING NOT REALLY RELEVANT.]

[tantailizing]

[Zidane jumps because, you know, sometimes when he's talking, Eustace doesn't hurt himself.]

Ouch, you okay?

[Was it something he said?]

No? I'm probably eighteen by now... Also, you're the third person to ask. Are age limits to places and on drinks just normal in other worlds?

[flamekthunder]

I'm fine... But there are such limits in my world though it may vary depending on the kingdom and island. Not that it would stop anyone from sneaking in...

[He just eyes Zidane for a moment before he resumes working.]

But you're eighteen... Thought you were younger.

[tantailizing]

Huh, okay, I can get that. But, I mean, it was a strip club, not a brothel.

[They're not the same place... not always.]

Lemme guess, it's from how I act, right?

[Because Eustace, you're always on him for that. They were almost done with this one - maybe he should get started on the next while Eustace finished up.]

[flamekthunder]

Sometimes the two end up being the same.

And that's part of it. [More like most of it—

Anyway, he'll be back to working on connecting the two frames so Zidane can go ahead and start since the beams slot in in pre-made notches and all he has to do is drill the screws in place.]

[tantailizing]

Yeah, they do.

Haha, called it.

[Yup, Zidane's gonna get started on getting all the screws drilled into place.]

Were you at the club too?

[flamekthunder]

No.

[LIES SO EAASSIIILLLLYYY.]

[tantailizing]

... You were in the crowd.

[That's why he dropped the beam.]

[flamekthunder]

What makes you think I would even go near that place?

[Like seriously, Zidane, it's noisy, filled with people he wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, and noisy. Yes that's listed twice. More to the point he's going to continue to deny and feign ignorance because like hell he's admitting anything if he can help it.]

[tantailizing]

I mean, normally, I doubt you would - you're definitely not the type, and the crowd? No way. But, it was a quest, and a rescue quest at that.

[Bah, the drill always causes so much shaking... but almost done.]

[flamekthunder]

I don't always take up those kinds of quests. There are plenty of others who can do them, like yourself.

[He helps, sure, but he's no hero savior.

He also finishes the bunk bed, shaking it a bit to test it's durability before looking over at him. Does he need help...]

[tantailizing]

Sure, but even I didn't go through that joint alone. That would've been a bad idea.

[Pulling back, Zidane checks one more time and nods. Yup, those bits are all drilled in. They're good!]

You going with someone else makes sense. You're a reliable guy to take along.

[flamekthunder]

And I would have refused if someone asked.

[And he really did Tifa just managed to force him inside instead.]

[tantailizing]

Yeah, and then you ended up there anyway.

[He wondered who might've dragged him there.]

Anyway, don't worry about it. That quest is long over.

[flamekthunder]

[Just gives Zidane a withering look before sighing and grabbing some more boards and screws. Whether he went or not he's just going to move on.]

Hold the frame up so I can put these screws in.

[tantailizing]

Got it!

[Hands on the frame, he keeps it leveled and waits for Eustace to get to it. Really, there are no more questions about the quest... buuut he also wants to know what the hell happened still.]

[flamekthunder]

[He'll have to keep wondering because Eustace is tighter than a clam with its shells welded shut.]

[tantailizing]

[Eustace, don't weld clams shut, that's rude. Meanwhile, there's something funky about the board on one side of the frame. Mmm, nothing to be too worried about, right?]

[flamekthunder]

[He will weld it as shut as he wants, thanks. Anyway, he won't be able to see it since he's on the other side, so he'll continue to set the other board in place and start drilling the screws in.]

[tantailizing]

[But that's a waste of food. Zidane has finally noticed something's up with the board when it wobbles. Maybe a bad nail? Did the screw crack it? Was the board stripped too thin? The frame's been compromised.]

Hey Eustace...

[flamekthunder]

Hm?

[He did notice something was off, but he stops and looks over at Zidane.]