eighth shot ⊗ open november log

[flamekthunder]

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: various things
🕒 WHEN: throughout November
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except any potential violence against lettuce

⊗ a: task - flappy veg

[Guarding flying lettuce....is certainly something Eustace never would have found himself doing, yet here he was in one of the known locations where some have landed from their migration. Whether they're technically animals or not, Eustace couldn't understand them through animal magic regardless, but he's able to at least communicate that he's there to help and not harm. They seem a bit jittery with all the poaching around.

a. updrafts. The place they landed in is mostly a clearing, but there are a few "obstacles" scattered around in the form of tall rocks and small trees. While most of the Butterfly Lettuce remain on the ground vibing, some also choose to perch on the trees to prune their leaves. However, due to their physique and unreliable drafts at this time, they end up either flopping about or plummeting to the ground. Fortunately none are too bruised, but it's hard to just sit still when nothing much is happening.]

...Hold on, let me help.

[Either by picking them or using wind magic to create some wind to help the lettuce, Eustace can give them a boost up. It's still not perfect, but it works.

Some of the younger lettuce realize they have an on demand draft maker, and Eustace can also be found creating wind streams to help the smaller Butterfly Lettuce "flap" over a mini obstacle course as they play a game while also practicing their skills. It's good practice for him as well. For anyone who might there also guarding him, they can either assist or just watch out for any stray Butterfly Lettuce that flap in the wrong direction—or help catch any that might fall from their perches.

b. poachers. Of course not everything is peaceful. Eventually poachers will arrive. If Eustace is able to sense something amiss soon enough he could send out a warning shot before they enter into the area. If not, he's fully prepared to fight and bring on the thunder, er lightning. Help keep the lettuce out of the way or assisting Eustace in fighting the poachers!]

⊗ b: cure on cloud nine

[Having managed to avoid the basilisks and already wearing gloves, Eustace is prepared to help in retrieving the mysterious Nimbus flower deep within the Forest of the Felled. Having a lot of experience in infiltrating and dealing with traps, including those out in the wild, also helps. So while traversing through a particular are, his suddenly looks up and holds his arm to stop whoever he's with.]

Careful. The branches here have been cut and the ground looks it had once been cleared away. Better to go around.

[Although there are leaves and growth all over the ground, if one looks carefully there's a small patch that looks thinner compared to the rest, indicating that at some point it had been disturbed and recovered. Most likely a pit trap, but no need to try and find out.]

⊗ c: floor is lava

[Although he had (for some reason he still can't comprehend) been granted the both the knight and noble titles, he still hasn't accepted the new grant since it seems too much of a hassle and not really his thing. But he does go out to check on the new townships being built out of curiosity...and also because of the little prank that had occurred. This had to be the most ridiculous thing he's seen yet, though he feels he thinks that every month... After hearing about it and seeing it with his own eyes, Eustace just sighs as he first notes the affected buildings.]

...Rather than play this farce, wouldn't it be easier if I just transformed into a bird and fly directly to the circles to destroy them? Or shoot them down from a higher enough point.

[His hand is already on his holster. He just has to get up to a building and aim, and he has elemental magic on his side it should be easy right??? But will he be allowed is a different matter—

If anyone manages to convince him to do it properly, they better be prepared to join in and expect a riveting platform game where nothing is stable and teamwork is key!]

⊗ d: wildcard

[Although I only picked the cure part of the basilisk questline, I'm open to the other parts! 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 either isn't bothered or hasn't noticed him pay little attention to her. Besides the hum as she continues, moving onto the other leg next, when she looks up at him at last, eyes following him through the room as he gathers their clothes up.]

They'll bring us food, too?

[Seriously... what kind of house hunting service is this and why aren't there more people trying to take advantage of it?]

I guess just whatever they've got. I could use a snack if they're offering. [Fancy cheeses? Fruit platters? That super stylish charcuterie stuff?] Hmm, some coffee or tea would be nice, too. Make sure you get some for yourself.

[flamekthunder]

They had offered, though it might have been just for hospitality. They seemed rather intent in showing everything this place could offer... I suppose showing the skills of the staff including the chef would help as a selling point.

I'll just ask to keep it light.

[Because they won't be eating much of it anyway— After ensuring he got everything, he heads to the door and opens it, peering out before flagging a nearby maid.

...

...Maybe he should have checked himself before doing so...

Anyway, after handing the basket of clothes to the red as a crab young woman and making the request for some simple snacks and coffee for two, he closes the door behind him and makes his way back to the couch. Only then does he stop behind her, hands resting against the back as he leans over slightly.]

You'll catch a cold if you don't properly dry your hair.

[starshower]

[She can still hear the strain in his voice, and the quake in his breath, and Tifa heaves out a sigh. She can't keep sitting here doing nothing... her hands almost ache with the need to reach out for him as she—very slowly and carefully—turns herself around to settle on his lap, sliding close so that she's able to pull him into an embrace. No teasing, no playfulness, just a sincere gesture of comfort and affection.

It won't take away the pain he's had to endure, nor will it make up for anything that's happened in his past, but she can at last let him know that here, things are okay. He's safe from it, and there are no prying ears should he ever want to get these things off his chest. He has nothing to worry about, as long as she's here with him...

She's relieved that he'd been stopped. That he could fight against his need for vengeance even after that means that he didn't let it turn him into someone else, and that maybe when that day came, Tifa could too. Once you act on that, there's hardly ever a way to come back from it, and although he had suffered plenty in the years leading up to it, the agony that could follow is a different sort of beast—one that he would have to live with forever, but he hadn't let it consume him in the end.]

I'm glad you didn't.

[She mutters quietly into his shoulder, shutting her eyes against his skin.]

[starshower]

[She leans back until her face is directly under his.]

I'll be fine. The fire's keeping me warm.

[And it's doing most of the work in drying her off although she'd much prefer if it were him keeping her warm! It's surprisingly toasty considering how chilly it is outside, and the hot shower had done wonders to help chase away the cold that had soaked into her bones. Honestly, she's never been more comfortable. So comfortable that she's starting to wonder if Eustace is making a mistake not taking a place like this. Even if it were just a place he could go to visit when he was feeling indulgent, but then... that very thought of lavish indulgences feels so very unlike him that she shakes it off with a laugh and repositions herself so she can work on massaging the lotion into her shoulders and arms now.

But not before she pats the seat next to her, beckoning to him, her smile as warm and playful as the flames crackling across from her, basking them in its orange glow.]

You know, for someone who hasn't had a lot of fun in the snow, you were pretty good with those snowballs.

[flamekthunder]

[When she turns, she'll find that he just looks...tired, worn out, a little somber. It's a good thing he had been taken into this world first before this happened and then regained his memories after everything was finished. If it had been anytime inbetween... So while there is still a shadow of resentment and hatred for what happened, that's all it is: a shadow. And a small one at that, only appearing when he thought back to that time. It's much different compared to the past when he would think back to that horrific day and would have those flashes of heated anger and anguish.

Now...

Now he really could move on. Now he no longer needed to keep everything to himself, no longer needed to hesitate. To be able to more freely express himself.

And, as he looks at Tifa before he feels that comforting warmth of her embrace, be able to..."love" someone else, or at the very least to care deeply about someone so much that he can finally feel peace and quiet like this. To finally open his heart enough to let others in and allow them to become close. Of course not easily, but at least the door is finally unlocked and cracked open.

So he closes his eyes as he lets out a long breath, nuzzling her a little before continues softly.]

Because of that, I was finally able to confront everything I was trying to do on my own and tell everyone about the truth of myself. At that time I had been stuck in a place where I had started to worry and care about people again, but I was also afraid of losing them so I would still keep them at a distance. Because I wasn't being honest about how I felt, Flamek wasn't responding and awakening to its full potential. But after learning the truth and realizing I no longer had to carry everything alone... I was finally able to acknowledge everything and open up. I could place my trust in everyone.

[Not just in general loyalty, but to also get out of harm's way. That he didn't have to keep holding himself and Flamek back, didn't have to remain on the defensive when around others. Even if he could be ruthless, he was still cautious and ultimately keeps everyone's safety in mind. To think his attempts to dampen Flamek's power would almost cost them...

He pulls back slightly so he could look at her, his expression softer than before.]

That's what I meant when I said if we had met before we likely wouldn't be like this... I kept people at arm's length and didn't want to become close to anyone.

[flamekthunder]

[He glances at the spot.

He considers.

He moves as if he really will join her......

......Only to grab a fresh towel, return to behind her, and plop it on her head before he starts to gently but firmly dry her hair, gathering it all in and pressing the towel in before ruffling it up a bit.

Yes he's being mean and playing around with her hair a bit on purpose.]

I forgot how much I've told you about my childhood home, but making snowballs is as easy and innate as breathing air.

[starshower]

[There's nothing mean about this. The fresh, fluffy towel is warm, and she only makes a small noise of surprise before she's leaning into it, allowing him to pat and comb the dampness out of her hair, her head rolling back against the couch so that she can look up at him easier.]

Not much.

[Only the sad parts about it, but... surely, it wasn't all bad growing up? She remembers hearing about Vitty, and he seemed to warm significantly when he talked about it all, back when they first met, but besides that, it's been nothing but the tragic demise of his home that Tifa has no idea the kind of life he had before all of that.]

You never told me a lot about what things were like for you growing up.

[Then again, neither has she.]

So you did have fun with snow...

[flamekthunder]

Well... Yeah.

[A very brief stretch of silence as he just continued to dry her hair.]

I meant after everything.

[starshower]

[When he pulls back, Tifa brushes the hair out of his face, combing the strands back from over his right eye.]

Bet I still could've found a way.

[Her smile is as gentle as her voice. It's an attempt, albeit not a great one, to bring back some levity to their morning. Who knows, though. He could be right, or completely wrong, and neither of them would ever know. They'd come together under circumstances that allowed them both to confront their feelings in some way, and perhaps it could have ended differently if he hadn't accepted that he could open up, or if she hadn't realized that he had been the one always at her side.

Hell, one small change and it could have all fallen down a different path, but the one that they did take lead here, and that should be all that matters, right?]

I know how hard it is, looking back on all that, but... it really did make you into a better person.

[Even without this, without her, he could still open up to others, and that beats being alone.]

So you beat Foe, in the end, because of that?

[starshower]

[Tifa follows that with silence of her own, her lips pressing together while she watches him above. The last thing she wants is to strike a sore spot for him, but... she keeps finding herself wanting to know more. Wanting to poke even a little bit, with the hopes that he'll open up to her bit by bit. It's easier to do that than having him stir memories of her own past.]

I meant before everything.

[She corrects him gently, the warmth of her smile spreading to her eyes before she closes them, soaking in the warmth and feel of his hands massaging her hair.]

What was it like?

[What was he like?]

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a small laugh at her assertion.]

Maybe so.

[If he didn't drive her away with how cold and rough he used to be.]

But... No, not entirely.

[A small sigh as he thinks back to everything that's still ongoing.]

Although we've taken out the main leaders, there are still small sects remaining, and the battle against the Moon will only embolden their cause, citing it as proof that the world needs to bolster their defenses and "training" for the inevitable attack in the future. However, we'll root out the main members so that they don't cause anymore problems. Now we have something else to deal with... But we'll manage.

[He's already told Tifa a lot about what's happened, he doesn't want to overshare with things that are only now developing. Really he's probably already spoken more than he needed to...but most of the matters are either publicly known or resolved. Not to mention it doesn't matter since they're in a completely different world, so it should be fine. There are still details he hasn't mentioned, either, but while somewhat relevant they aren't important for this line discussion either.

...Should he tell her about what happened to Heisenberg in the end... She knows he's a soldier of sorts so it shouldn't bother her that he has blood on his hands...would it? He casts aside the slightly troubling thought.]

At least the Moon won't be a threat anytime soon, at least as far as we know.

[flamekthunder]

[There's just more silence as he thinks back to those bygone days... Days he'll never get back but ones he treasures all the same. For many people they don't remember much of their childhood, but for Eustace, he kept every memory he could. It was all he had left so he didn't want to lose the only thing he had that tied him back to his family.

But at least... At least now thinking back doesn't hurt as much. So when he speaks it's a little quiet.]

It was...peaceful. We lived on a far, remote snowy island where it snowed most of the year and only warm enough to see the grass for may about a month, two if we're lucky. It was so small and far away that you wouldn't even find it marked on many maps. Trade was rare, outsiders rarer. [Which is why his island was likely chosen for... ...Let's not think about it.] So my village was the only one and fairly small. Small enough where we all knew one another and treated each other like family. Most of us were, really. [Given the small size and population, not really that surprising that a good chunk are related at least distantly.]

But that also meant we were self-sustained. We all had our own small plots to grow crops and animals. My father was a hunter so he'd go out into the forests to hunt wild game. It was tough given the environment...but not so much we couldn't make a peaceful, happy living.

[starshower]

[She knows. He doesn't need to tell Tifa for her to know that all of this wouldn't have happened without him getting blood on his hands. War is never won without loss on either side, and change can't happen without it. After spending so long fighting against it, she had the ways of war the hard way. No matter what you do to prevent it, there will always be those that lose their lives, regardless of if they had any part in the war or not.

...

Tifa lets out another sigh, pushing those thoughts back down into the deepest depths of her mind where they belong. She's not ready for Eustace to know the things she's done. Not yet. Although hearing all of this, she's starting to think he might... understand.

Her smile has a small crook to it, one side pulling up.]

Even if they are, I know you'll be able to do something about it. ... At least you don't have to worry much here.

[None of it matters here, it's true, if that can bring either of them any peace of mind. If what she's heard is real about the state of their worlds back home, then things will return right back to the way they were when they left... So at least the Moon really won't be a threat while he's gone.

There's a beat of silence while she looks at him, her eyes roaming over his face, her hands pushing those stubborn hairs back from it when they fall forward again, and Tifa's head droops forward, her forehead bumping against his.]

I'm sorry for asking so many questions. I know this is a touchy subject, but... thank you... for sharing that with me.

[She can at least say that she knows a little more about him now. They may not be happy memories, but they're memories nonetheless. Little pieces of his past that she tucks away with the rest for safekeeping.]

[flamekthunder]

[He's a little amused at her efforts to keep his bangs back, but he just lets her. Although it certainly wasn't a great topic, his expression is soft as he briefly closes his eyes.]

...It's fine. It was bound to come up one way or another. ...Though I suppose it might have better while not in the bath.

[Just a light chuckle as his arms wrap around her, the water starting to cool a little.]

[starshower]

[She curls up on the couch, more than content to listen to him talk about his home. Given what she knows about what happened to it, it's nice to hear him talk of the happier days that came before all of it. Those are precious memories that he should cherish. It's the only way that any of those people will continue to live on, through him, because once they start trying to forget them, they'll be lost to wearing down of time.]

That sounds nice...

[That sense of community, especially. If there's one thing she does miss about the slums of Midgar, it was that.]

Was it always cold? I'd imagine you'd get used to it, after a while?

[starshower]

Hm. Not sure there'd ever be a good time for it to come up.

[Over food? Before they go to sleep? First thing in the morning? None of them seem that much more or less appealing than this. She would have brought it up last night when he mentioned it first, but that position was definitely far less appealing than in the bath the morning after.]

But I guess I could save the rest of my questions for some other time. Water's getting kind of cold.

[She leans into him a little further, seeking his warmth to balance out the more moderate temperature of the water.]

[flamekthunder]

Hmm...

[Just a soft, low hum from deep within his throat as his voice lowers a tad, lips by her ear as keeps her firmly in his hold.]

I can think of a few ways to warm you up.

[There's a hint of mischief and a lot of suggestive undertone in his words. Especially when he says "you" instead of the water.]

[flamekthunder]

[And as if to prove it, the "lava" disappears and there are cheers from below as everyone can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Eustace has three cats clinging onto him in some manner.]

Thanks... Now help me out here.

[Should he just transform into a big cat now? Or maybe a bird. Let them feel what it's like—]

[tantailizing]

[Good, no more 'lava'. And hopefully it stuck that way so they could get this place set up for people to live in before it gets too cold.]

[Getting back over to Eustace, Zidane stares.]

Maybe I should be asking you how you get into these situations instead...

[Because normally, everyone's asking Zidane, but he chuckles and begins taking the cats off one-by-one carefully.]

You're okay guys; lava's gone~

[flamekthunder]

[Although the poacher stumbles away from the fireball, they can't escape Nanaki. However, they were a seasoned pro and although pinned they could use magic. In an ironic twist, the poacher is an animal mage and their arm transforms into a giant claw to try and swipe at Nanaki. It looks to be a tough fight indeed.

As for Eustace, he can hear the other poachers hastening towards the hidden group, so he has no choice but to leave Nanaki so he could fend them off.]

[flamekthunder]

[No worries, Eustace has him covered! Considering he's the one who caused the problem it's only right for him to do so. Just a quick spell to create a little whirlwind to have the lettuce spin around back to the group.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a slight tilt of his head as he wonders why his presence would matter... Ah, probably because he's someone she's familiar with so it's a bit more comfortable for her. That makes sense.]

Your assistance will be great as well. Poachers aren't usually difficult to handle, but with the Butterfly Lettuce...unable to properly fly on their own it will be a little difficult in ensuring they remain safe should the poachers arrive.

[As if to prove his point, one wobbles while in the air and falls towards A2.]

Truthfully I'm still not sure if these are just flying vegetables or some kind of animal...

[flamekthunder]

We were used to it. Even in the "warmer" months a light jacket would have been needed for those not used to the climate. But for us it was like a hot summer beach so it didn't bother us.

Only the harshest winters and snow storms would remind us how far and deep in the north we were... But even then it wasn't so bad. We specialized in furs so we had plenty of warmth through blankets and clothes, the fires, and each other.

[He pulls the towel away to run his hands through her hair, enjoying the soft, smooth strands running against his skin. Although some areas were still a little damp, it was enough to be air dried. So he just plays with it a little more, thinking how she usually... Ties it down here like this? But with such a deep black color, would she like other hair accessories—

Whoa whoa what is he thinking? Just going to hastily drop her hair before he moves to sit down next to her.]

[doctorintern]

[ He breathes a little easier once the little lettuce is back up in the air with the others. He continues letting them float and play around for a while. ]

It's good to see they're having fun, at least.

[ Considering how jittery they'd been with the threat of poachers, it was nice seeing them relaxing a bit. ]

[feralhumanity]

[The claw was unexpected, and so the hunter is able to get a good swipe at Nanaki's flank. He roars out in pain, but then snarls deeply. This one wants to play with fangs and claws? Nanaki can give him fangs and claws. He slams his own paw into the man's transformed shoulder, his own claws digging in sharply.]

[Meanwhile, the other poachers are hurrying through the brush, pushed on by the sounds of combat and yells from their comrades. It's a little slow going moving through the trees, and so focused on getting to their allies, the poachers aren't paying attention to Eustace's approach. He's got a good shot to ambush them!]