seventh shot ⊗ open october log

[flamekthunder]

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: various quests
🕒 WHEN: throughout October
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except depictions of death for headless horseman task and any potential violence that might happen in the combat oriented prompts

⊗ a: task - pumpkin mayhem

[It's only by chance that Eustace narrowly dodges a pumpkin that just whizzes by his head, frowning as he stares at the flying gourd. At first he thought someone recklessly threw it, but then he sees it actually stop in mid-air and fling itself back towards him. Realizing it's moving on its own, he once again rolls out of the way, unholstering his gun as he does before quickly aiming and firing a bolt of lightning. It's a perfect shot, hitting it squarely in the center to cause it to explode into smaller pieces and fall to the ground below.]

...Was it cursed?

[Somehow he wouldn't be surprised if so, but hearing some shouts as more pumpkins roll and fly about disrupts his thoughts and he heads over to try and help take care of them. He doesn't necessarily want to shoot them given the mess they can make, but he sometimes doesn't have much of a choice. So hopefully no one gets too much pumpkin splatter on them.

BONUS: When not dealing with the pumpkins, if he is managed to get dragged into a patch he may be persuaded to decorate one (though he'll be wary and suspicious if he's learned that the pumpkins might come to life from there). But if he does decorate one, it'll be dog themed.]

⊗ b: task - don't lose your head

[Hearing about the Headless Horseman prompts Eustace to head back, a trip made easier thanks to having received the Celliwig totem earlier. Since it's difficult to track its movements, Eustace takes an area to help cover.

1. Helping...Paw? Although he could just stick to a perch and be ready to snipe, it leaves a bad taste in his mouth when he could also be helping. So when someone else is on guard, he drops down to do what he can, be it just clearing out rubble and debris or transporting the dead. That includes turning into a dog and try to help sniff out or dig out any remains. It's not the most pleasant work and it would be better if there weren't any, but he's fairly immune to the sad, grisly aspect of it.

2. Fighting the Horseman. When the Horseman does arrive, should he be at his perch he'll instantly fire a few shots of lightning down at it in attempts to deal damage as well as stun it, but he can't be too sure if his lightning will have that kind of effect. Regardless, he'll provide cover fire for anyone fighting on the ground.]

⊗ c: tdm - not quite puppy parade

[It's probably not too surprising to find Eustace making a small stop to look at the adoption fair. And as an animal mage, he figures he could help out if needed.

For now, he just looks over the pens with a curious eye when one he spots one of those hamsters toddling about. It doesn't take long for him to catch up to it and pick it up. But then there's another. ...And another one.

...

At some point, Eustace has an armful of hamsters including a few that managed to climb up on top of his head and shoulders.]

...Those wings won't save you if you fall, you know.

[Just a small sigh as he carefully makes his way through the crowd to try and bring them back. Anyone want to help???]

⊗ d: wildcard

[He'll also be hunting the forests to help bring in extra meat and other resources, so could have some run ins there! Considered the Forest of Fachan prompt line but might be better as dedicated with one or two people. Can do the other quests, and it's likely he might end up getting involved in the Suns out, Guns out task in the sense of trying to intervene any unnecessary violence, so that's another option. If interested in anything else not included here, just hit me up on laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Comments

[starshower]

[She considers leaving it. It would be better to just drop it and never revisit it again. It would be easier to ignore everything she's been feeling since landing in Camelot, that's only gotten worse as time went on. She's held it in, close to her heart, since she'd heard it from Aerith—he hadn't been by to see her in a long time—and she wondered: will it be the same for her, too?

They've been through so much together already. As kids, and now. They lost their home together, twice, and their friends and family. So why...

She shouldn't be so angry about this, but it's hard not to be when the thought is always there, constantly ringing its reminder in the back of her mind that she's been forgotten about. The constant pull of loneliness in her chest, and how that decade-long desire to be with Cloud is somehow fading, but not the want for... someone else? It's difficult to process.

Finally, after a longer stretch of silence—how long had it been? It felt like only a few seconds to her, but it had been minutes, she speaks in a strained voice.]

Cloud...

[And before she knows it or stop it, a sob breaks free, and she brings her hands up over her face to cover it up. It does nothing to stop it but does the opposite of that—her next one comes, bigger and louder, and tears start to pour down the sides of her buried face.]

He promised... I thought he forgot, after all this time, but he remembered...?

[Her voice strains at the question.

Had he truly remembered, or intended to keep that promise? If she was ever trapped or in trouble, he would come save her, but where was he now? She can't even fault him for it, she knows—perhaps he's moved on, or forgotten about her. They all had different memories, after all, and his could be out of sync with hers for all she knows, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. If anything, it only pains her more to think that they would be so out of sync.]

He promised he would be the one to...

[She can't even finish her sentence, her voice drowned out by her louder cries.]

[flamekthunder]

Hm... It does seem like it, but I believe it's some kind of fae. From what I heard it's mostly angry about losing its head.

[flamekthunder]

[...Cloud?

The name rings a bell and image forms in his head. Fluffy...spikey...yellow... ...Bird? No that was his familiar. But before he can think further, he hears that sob and his eyes widen in shock.

—Tifa!?

Whatever he expected, it was nowhere close to this and he actually starts to feel some regret in having her go through this. However it may be for the best if she had been holding it in for so long. Even so, seeing her cry so desperately, there's a strange tightness in his chest, a scratchy feeling that refuses to be shaken off. He can hear the heartbreak in her voice, see it so clearly despite her attempts to hide her face behind her hands, feel in the wetness of her tears that drip onto his face as he looks up at her, a helpless feeling washing over him.

Briefly he's reminded of when she had opened the door when he saw her after Celliwig and how surprised he had been when she had started sobbing, but this...this felt different. For some reason it bothered him more.

A low whine escapes him as he reaches up to her, cursing the fact that he's stuck like this. Comforting people...he's already not that great at it but what can even do like this?? All he can do is softly whine again as if calling out to her and lightly bump his head against the underside of her chin, nuzzling her gently as he tries to display some kind of reassurance and comfort to her. When he feels more of those tears, he instinctively moves his head so that he can lightly lick the ones at her chin. It's all he can do, but he really wishes he could just use his damn hands. If he wasn't like this, if he was just back to normal he could...]

[flamekthunder]

That's what I suspect as well, but if it is it'll be difficult to find the culprit.

[flamekthunder]

...Eustace. [And the latest.

But hearing it full, it does make sense as he is aware of the fae's weakness to iron, so he just nods in understanding.

And now Eustace will return to fishing, bringing in the fish he caught and setting it in the bucket before casting out. It's a decent size catch, one worth keeping to bring back to be cooked.]

[tantailizing]

Good introductions all around! And not bad catches either.

[A small rat for the eagle-owl and a good mid-size fish that'll definitely cover someone's dinner, or they could expand it by making soup. Checking his own line, there's some interested nibbles, but no latches.]

[tantailizing]

Yeah, it probably will be. Oh well, we wanna make sure this field isn't enchanting everything that grows from now on.

[luciing]

Avalon is fertile. Camelot's demesne will support those who wish to sup. [ Including pets. The eagle-owl is pleased with its catch, but it does turn its head to eye the fish the other has just caught.

Somnus clicks his tongue, drawing its attention back to him. ]

[fullgauntlet]

Wh- Eh??

[All Izuku can really do is stand there with the three baby hamsters in his arms looking dumbfoundedly as Eustace changes himself into a literal hawk.

... How does animal magic work, anyway? Does he gain the senses and mindset of a hawk too? He's not going to eat the hamster flying away, is he...??]

Eustace-san, please be careful...!

[angelolatry]

Ah, yes! That's it!

[Colette gives a nod when he points and asks to confirm. Noishe was basically like a dog in appearance so she hadn't figured it would be that difficult, that different. But of course that also depended on her art skills as well. Which may not necessarily be the best.]

[starshower]

[She misses him so damn much. Tifa wanted to believe with all her heart and soul that missing Cloud would get easier as the days went on, but every morning when she woke up knowing that he likely won't find her made it hurt that much more. It made her more afraid to reach out to him... to seek him out. What would she do if she ever did?

The tickle against her chin has her lowering her hands, finding Eustace's puppy eyes so dangerously close to her own, but she doesn't pull away—she only laughs quietly at his attempt to console her in whatever way he can in this form, and... well, it's enough. Enough to remind her of everything else she thought about on their way to the cave.]

You're always there for me, you know.

[She takes hold of his front paws and gently picks them up from the ground. It's odd that she feels more comfortable reaching out when he's... like this rather than himself.]

Every time I'm in a bind, you've always had my back.

[She says it as if it's such a strange thing. In a way, it is. She never thought it would be Eustace she'd be spending her time with, but for some reason, she finds herself more drawn to him than anyone else she's met in this place. Could it be because she knows she can trust him?

She sniffles again, breaking out another sob and lowering her head so that it almost bumps into the top of his.]

You don't have to be, but... you are. Even tonight. [He put himself at risk to get them both out of trouble, expending all of his magic and trusting her to take that leap across with him. A hand reaches up to wipe away another tear.] I feel like thank you isn't enough sometimes.

[Another sniffle, and she shakes her head.]

This is so stupid...

[When has crying ever gotten her anywhere?]

[doctorintern]

It kind of reminds me of a similar story back home.

[ By which he means the exact same story of the Headless Horseman. ]

But in any case, we better prepare for if or when it returns.

[flamekthunder]

[If they behave he might let them live—

But Eustace is just flying up and there will definitely be loud shrieks from the hamster as it flounders in the air after seeing a bird of prey suddenly going after it. First Eustace swoops past, the wind knocking it around in the air before he descends and snatches it in midair with his talons.

It's all over in a flash as he flies back down to Izuku and land on his shoulder, holding the passed out hamster out.

Yep. That sure did happen.]

[flamekthunder]

Likewise, we have similar monsters.

But agreed. Let's check on the others to make sure no one was injured. [And then he looks at Fenton's suit curiously.] Does your suit need to be charged any?

[flamekthunder]

[It's not terrible, but... He has a better idea of it now and starts carving again.

Once he's finished he steps back and inspects his work.]

...I think that should be enough, unless you think I should carve out more pieces. A candle goes inside to light it up.

[flamekthunder]

As well as make sure none of the others show sign of a similar enchantment.

[But will they be able to tell...? Well only one way to find out.

As they near the field, however, the pumpkins all seem ordinary and nothing seems out of place. No sign of any strange intrusion, only the tools leftover from tending and harvesting it.]

[flamekthunder]

[He notices the eagle-owl's glance before casting his line again.]

There's a sizable group towards the middle of the river if it wants to try fishing.

[tantailizing]

We're lucky for that.

[If... he's understanding Somnus right. Noting the eagle-owl's gaze and then looking at Eustace, his eyes snap out to the river - his line's bobbing again.]

Oh yeah? Can you hear them all huddled out there?

[tantailizing]

... You know, thinking about it, a Green Mage might be able to figure this out.

[Because they might not be able to solve this. Still...]

[Looking over the field, it looks... well, normal. Kneeling down, turning over the dirt with a hand, nothing about it seems off.]

I mean, aside from the pumpkins, it looks like dirt and fertilizer... oh, and a few bugs.

[flamekthunder]

[He doesn't like this.

He doesn't understand why, but all he knows is he doesn't like seeing Tifa like this. That weird tight, scratchy feeling has only grown as he continues to hear her.

Yet, he also doesn't understand what she means. Always there for her...how? He's not sure what he's done any differently or special to make her think that way. Of course he's helped her when she needed it, but usually she's the one dragging him around or getting involved in his affairs. It's only recently that he's voluntarily sought her out on his own. If anything, hasn't she helped him more? Put herself more at risk for his sake?

There's another low grumbling whine as if in protest as he closes that gap between them, his forehead bumping against hers.

Even so, Eustace can sense something here—a gap that he somehow filled without either of them knowing. He doesn't know the story behind her and Cloud, or what she's really thinking of himself right now, but it's clear she's been hurting over it.

...And he really, really just doesn't like it. Doesn't like that he can't do anything more than whine and rub his head against her. He wants to tell her with words what he thinks and...to...


Just as he's making that wish, there's a burst of magic wind like a poof and suddenly he's staring wide-eyed down at Tifa, her deep red eyes reflecting his momentarily stunned face. The long bangs of his hair hanging over her face like a curtain and his nose brushing against hers, his warm breath ghosts over her lips at a dangerously close distance. Only after another heartstopping moment does he pull back a fraction, his hand slowly reaching up so that his thumb can lightly brush against her face. His expression now softened, he stares at her for another moment before he finally speaks.]

...It's not stupid. Whatever you're feeling and whatever you do about it, it's not stupid.

[He then wraps his arms around her and pulls her to him as he sits back so that he's no longer on top of her.]

So don't hold it back, it's fine. ...I'm here for you.

[flamekthunder]

...You make a fair point. Nothing here seems off at all.

[Could the equipment have been tampered? He looks over at the tools and doesn't see anything out of the ordinary...

...

...Hm?]

...Zidane, come over here.

[There are bags of fertilizer leaning against the fence with the tools, but there are three different brands. At first glance it doesn't seem unusual, however a closer look will reveal the answer.]

[tantailizing]

Huh?

[Getting up and dusting off his hands with a few claps, he walks over to Eustace, and notices the fertilizer too. Nothing about it seems weird... but then he double takes and reads a little closer on one in particular.]

... What the hell?

[Why would they do that??]

[doctorintern]

No, I should be good to go. It's only been drained a minuscule amount, and I can charge it up with electricity in the meantime.

[starshower]

[It all happens faster than Tifa's capable of processing right now: that burst of wind, the itch of his hair on her face, his eyes hovering above and as wide-eyed as her own, the thumb that brushes away the hot tears, and the strong arms that pull her into him. Tifa allows herself to crash against his chest with all of her weight, relaxing as she curls up in them.

Don't hold back. It's fine. I'm here for you.

Those were the words she needed to let everything come out in full force, and not just the things she's felt since coming to Camelot. The memories of leaving Midgar behind, of finding her bar in ruins, watching the plate fall over the place she called home, and the fires that stung her skin in Nibelheim. Everything—she lets it all out in sobs, louder and more powerful. They make her shake and grabbing onto him is all Tifa can do to not let herself be completely consumed by it all.

She tried to be strong for him. For her, and everyone else, but even the strongest fall sometimes, and they need someone to catch them.

As long as he'll let her, Tifa will stay there, crying into and soaking his shoulder. The sobs come and go in waves, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath in between, but they'll die down eventually, long enough for her to let her hands fall from his chest and for her to lift her head just far enough so she can speak to him and not into him.

Tifa still feels silly for crying about all of this, or crying at all, but... she realizes now that she's needed this.

...

Trying to lighten the mood and steer any lingering attention away from the fact that she spent so long like this, she pushes herself away now—only slightly—with a shaky laugh, but it comes out more as a breath.]

Welcome back.

[fullgauntlet]

[Oh sweet All Might--

Izuku is kind of sweating. Watching the poor hamster squeak loudly in the air and then the hawk swooping in and landing on him. He tenses up nervously! He literally has a grown-ass man on his shoulder and he can't stop thinking about that.]

Eh---?? Okay- Hold on!

[The baby hamsters start to squeak in his arms too. But they're mostly just trying to burrow into Izuku's arm. Please don't bite him... He's going to mechanically move his body to the enclosure and slowly plop each one in before reaching up to take the one from the hawk-- from Eustace.]