isleofavalon | eighth shot ⊗ open november log

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eighth shot ⊗ open november log

🧙 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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So it seems.

[Eustace doesn't break his concentration as he produces a rather large updraft, sending one of the Butterfly Lettuce's high up into the air.]

It's fairly good practice for me as well.

Hmm. Playtime for the creatures, and magic practice for you. A win-win overall.

[It's like watching small birds learn to fly. They definitely seem to be having fun... except when one seems to get stuck upside down mid-air.]

It seems as though they're not as versed in their abilities yet, though.

They're still young, but that also means they're the most vulnerable. With this extra practice they should hopefully be able to at least have a better chance in escaping.

[Waving his hand towards the one that's stuck, the wind swirls to help it get upright...

...

Except it starts overcompensating and starts spinning in circles instead.]

...Though some clearly need more practice than others...

You are not wrong. Playtime is how many young learn the skills to survive.

[Nanaki watches the lettuce stuck in the wind... and how it just ends up spinning in circles. Welp...]

Hmm. At least, most learn...

It'll get there in time... But how does it look? Sense anyone approaching?

[Although it's fun and games right now, Eustace hasn't forgotten the real purpose of their being there.]

[Nanaki goes quiet and lifts his head, sniffing the air and raising his ears. There's a myriad of scents in the air, and initially it doesn't seem as though there is anything... but then he catches a scent that makes him pause.]

...hmm.

[He rises to his paws and walks over to the edge of their clearing, ears twitching. It could be nothing, but... something smells off. And he hasn't missed how the birds seem to have grown quiet.]

[He watches Nanaki carefully, picking up on the cues.]

...I'll gather them and then cover you from behind.

...best do it quickly. There are people approaching.

[Nanaki lowers himself into a stance more suited for prowling and hunting, moving to duck into some nearby foliage. If there were poachers approaching, then it was better to ambush them and catch them unawares.]

[Eustace only nods before using his wind to push the young lettuce over to a designated "safe" area. Even if he can't really communicate with them well, they seem to understand that something is up and although they start bouncing around in a slight panic, they huddle about in a kind of "flock patch" formation.

Once set, Eustace takes to the tree he had marked for himself and stealthily unholsters his weapon, ready to use magic to assist if necessary. Just in time as well as there is there is an off sound of leaves rustling approaching nearer. From his vantage point, he can at least hear two, but there could always be one or two more.]

[Definitely two, and if Nanaki's ears and nose are to be believed, at least two more bringing up the rear. His tail swishes as he crouches down low, hiding within the foliage and awaiting the arrival of the poachers. It's a good thing Eustace moved the flock because soon enough, two unknown figures walk into the clearing, talking loudly to each other as they search for their prey.]

[He looks up towards where he saw Eustace run off. Should they strike now, or see if they can corner all of them?]

[...Hm...

He can now see where the other two are prowling, and they're still some distance away. If they attack the ones there now, it could spook the other poachers.

Considering his positioning, Eustace starts to motion to Nanaki to sneak off to take care of the other two. However, whatever tactics they could have tried to decide will be completely twisted sideways when one of the younger butterfly lettuce suddenly hops out from who knows where it was hiding or sleeping and lands right in front of the poachers.]

—!

[WELL NANAKI YOUR CHOICE ON EITHER GOING WITH A PLAN OR TAKING CARE OF THE POACHERS NOW.]

[WELL THAT'S ONE WAY TO FORCE A PLAN.]

[The poachers seem to be growing excited at their sudden luck, one even drawing a weapon. With stealth pretty much no longer an option, Nanaki lets out a deep, guttural snarl. He darts out of the foliage with a great leap, knocking one of the poachers over as he stands between them and the lettuce.]

This one is not for you to take!

[Yep, looks like they're just going to have to take care of things as they come.

The poachers let out a yell of surprise, but then grow arrogant, laughing as now both have their weapons drawn. Although wary, the idea of perhaps getting more money from Nanaki's hide and fangs embolden their moves instead. Believing that Nanaki is alone also gives them courage and they start their advance.

Not wanting to give up his position just yet as he still is in a better position to deal with the other poaches, Eustace thinks quickly before he conjures up a large rock to just. Sling against the chest of the farthest poacher, knocking them out at least temporarily. That should give Nanaki a bit more of an even playing field while leaving the remaining one wondering if it was Nanaki or someone else who suddenly conjured that rock.]

[The drawn weapons only make Nanaki snarl louder, his hackles rising.]

I assure you, I will not be easy prey!

[He does blink in surprise when the rock knocks the one poacher out, but he takes that in stride. Channeling his own magic, he creates a swirl of fire around him.]

If it is a fight you wish for, then a fight you will receive!

[The hunter lets out a yelp as Nanaki launches the fireball at them. And even if they're quick enough to dodge that one, Nanaki lunges right after, aiming to pin the poacher to the ground.]

[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.]

[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!]

[The man yells in pain. Although the poacher can put up a fight, it seems his skills are not up to par with Nanaki's as he struggles to try and move his arm. The arm may also be the extent of the man's capabilities as he's unable to produce anything else. But he won't give up! He's trying to reach for a knife hidden behind his back.

On the other side, Eustace as arrived to his designated spot. Making a perfect shot is a little difficult, but he'll manage, even if it's to just take one. So once he has one lined in his sights, he fires a strong bolt of lightning that immediately stuns the man, knocking him to the ground. However, one of the younger Butterfly Lettuces had drifted away and is caught by the poacher! HOSTAGE SITUATION!!!]

[Nanaki bares his fangs at the man, pushing down with his full weight so he can sink his claws into him as far as he can go. It does make for a bit of a struggle, since he's more or less balanced on top of the man, and unfortunately he's more focused on keeping that transformed arm pinned. So he doesn't notice the knife being slowly drawn.]

[The poacher who caught the Butterfly Lettuce scoops it up eagerly, holding his own hunting knife to the little creature. When Eustace makes eye contact with him, the hunter grins.]

Come on now. Let us take one of these little things and be on our way. We'll even leave the rest be.

[The tension rises!!

Seeing the chance, the poacher pinned under Nanaki reaches the knife and makes a swift, blind stab towards Nanaki. Because of the positioning it won't be a clean swing and there's still desperation in the action as the man tries to plunge the knife into any place it can. If anything it might be more of a move just to get Nanaki off.

As for Eustace's side... This is definitely not good, but he catches some movement from the corner of his eye. Slowly he raises his arms up as if in surrender, the wind rustling through the branches as if to amplify the tense moment.]

...That's not up to me to decide.

[Eustace's words may sound confusing given his posture of surrender, but the answer will be soon made clear when the rustling sound of leaves seems to be a lot louder and greater in number compared to the branches alone.]

[Nanaki let’s put a yowl as the knife slashes his shoulder, and it’s enough of a surprise that he loses his grip and the man can worm out from under him. But in retaliation, Nanaki channels more fire around him, aiming to launch a volley of small fireballs at the poacher.]

[The poacher grins when Eustace seems to surrender, but his face falls when he hears all that rustling. He looks up and around at the nearby trees, his grip on the baby faltering.]

W-What’s going on??

[Eustace's eyes flash towards the sound from Nanaki, sensing he can't linger here for much longer. Fortunately, things are going accordingly right now, and soon the source of the rustling is revealed.

When Eustace raised his arms, he was actually casting a wind spell which gathered many of the nearby butterfly lettuce that were already agitated. With fearsome glints in their eyes, they readily hopped and floated until they were above the poacher and as if on cue the spell ends and they drop onto the poacher in one massive pile. Many do multiple bounces against the man's face, who had by then dropped the baby lettuce that is quickly swept up into the leafy arms of its parents.]

Never get between a child and its family.

[Just idle words as he looks at the badly battered and bruised man lying unconscious on the ground before he turns to the group.]

Come on, we need to help Nanaki.

[With rustling cheer, they rise up again with the wind and the little army rushes to where Nanaki is, the poacher he faces back on his feet and hastily trying to avoid the fireballs.]

[That poor poacher, he never saw it coming.]

[The poacher Nanaki had been dealing with had managed to avoid the fireballs, and now held his knife aloft as well as his bestial arm. But both he and Nanaki pause as they hear the rustling, looking up at the kicked-up wind and the army of flying lettuce. While the poacher takes a few steps back, Nanaki turns to him with a snarl.]

If you value your life, I'd take your friends and get out of here.

[The man hesitates, trying to weigh his odds, but in the end he swears and fumbles as he tries to grab his partner to drag him out.

However, they really had no choice. Feeling the high (both literally and figuratively) of beating the other one, the butterfly lettuce surge forward and begin their bombardment, hurling themselves forward to bash against the back of the man. With a surprised yell he staggers before falling forward, immediately getting buried.

In the meantime, Eustace jogs up to Nanaki and looks him over.]

You all right?

[And thus the hunter becomes the hunted... it was poetic justice, really.]

[Nanaki rises to his paws slowly, moving to shake his fur out. He winces a bit, looking to his side. There is a nasty-looking gash where the poacher cut him, but otherwise he was unharmed.]

Ah... I've had worse injuries.

[His eyes narrow a bit at the gash, but at least it seems to be the only one and is treatable.]

I have some bandages...

[He glances at the giant lettuce pileup. There doesn't seem to be any additional movement and they all seem quite pleased with themselves.]

...And it seems everything has been taken care of for now.

eighth shot ⊗ open november log

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