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]

Hmmm. Seems a little strange to assume, doesn't it?

[Strange as it is, it still makes her face run hot with colour anyway. Them? A couple? Is that really the impression that they give off? Granted, she has hardly noticed that she's been dragging him around the resort by the hand, so to her, it does seem a bit odd that they would think them a couple but not the pair behind them. It does make her feel better to see the crepe shop giving out heart-shaped crepes to others, but those people are, for sure, without a doubt, a couple.

Her nose crinkles again, this time at the strange, warm flutter that's turned her stomach over.

A couple.

How silly is that?

Tifa goes ahead and takes the crepe out of his hands again, and they exchange bites of it between conversations about whatever comes to mind, as long as it isn't about how they are presumed to be a couple. People-watching, food, anything.

And she hardly gets through her last bite of the crepe, chocolate lining the corners of her lips when a woman approaches them with a box in her hands and a grin on her face. She holds out the carton and flips open the lid like it's a matchbox.

"Free chocolate covered pretzels for the lovely couple? If you play my cute little game, you can win a cute little prize!"

Ah, again with the couple thing!? Really?

Although, there is a spark of intrigue in Tifa's eyes when she looks over at Eustace.]

[flamekthunder]

[Just..... Going to arch a brow at her.]

You realize you've been holding my hand most of the time, don't you?

[GONNA POINT IT OUT.

At least for him, he doesn't particular mind or care how people perceive them. All he wants to know is what Tifa wants to do as by now he's accepted that he feels more than just attraction towards her, enough to at least consider dating, and rather than go at it half-hearted he's prepared to pursue it if it's something she wants. Of course... There's still the big issue of whether it would be a good idea to do so given where they are and how things could change, and it's something they still need to talk about.

And there's another thought that had popped into his mind more than once: what if Cloud changes?

He doesn't know what's going on with the guy, just right now things aren't well between them. But what if Cloud should leave and then later return with different memories? Memories more aligned to the ones Tifa has? Although not stated there was definitely an inkling she had a crush on him for years. Would her feelings change then? Of course Eustace doesn't think Tifa is just using him—if she were she wouldn't have been trying to avoid or be shy around him.

So he's tried to be patient, wanting her to have the time to sort things out. But their time together today has reminded him that he finds her company more pleasant and warm than he would ever expect from someone. That he actually finds someone cute and wants to see her happy. They are strange, foreign feelings, but not bad ones. It's not really quite "love," more time was needed for that, but it's a step in that direction.

And the thought of someone else in his place, sitting here sharing these moments with Tifa... He doesn't hate it necessarily, but it certainly bothers him more than it would have normally.

That's what makes him wonder if he should actually try to provoke her. Before now he had just been lightly teasing to get back at her for avoiding him before, to deliberately embarrass her. But now he wonders if he should take steps to show his intent...or at least make it clear that he's not running away. She could end up rejecting him and that would be it, but at least he's not rejecting her. If anything it's the opposite, a feeling, a want that continues to steadily grow.

So when they near the end of their crepe and are approached by the woman, Eustace at first arches a brow. Somehow this sounds familiar... There were always so many games that go around the Grandcypher,especially during the romantic holidays, but he didn't always pay attention to them. But regardless he glances at Tifa, sees that sparkle of interest, and then reaches out to take out a frost covered pretzel stick.]

Sure. What do we need to do?

[starshower]

[Well, he's suddenly feeling very bold, isn't he?

The woman's answer comes so fast that she looks like someone had pressed the fast-forward button on her.

"Put the pretzel end in her mouth. And you? Bite down on the end and hold it there."

...

??????

Well, that's a surprising twist, but Tifa thinks nothing of it. It's just a silly game, isn't it? How bad could this be? Besides, after all the dragging around she's done so far today, is it really that big of a deal that he offers her this chocolate covered pretzel? Nah.]

A-Alright...

[Still, she can't seem to shake off the quiver of her voice as she turns to Eustace, offering him another crooked smile before trying to wipe away some of that leftover chocolate from her lips and parting them for him while the woman watches on, eager eyes shimmering...]

[flamekthunder]

[There is a very obvious moment where his eyes stare at her lips, noting how the chocolate still remains on the fringe of those soft curves. And then when they part...

...........

His expression never wavering, he just lifts the stick to hold it close to her lips. There was a very strange, strong urge to brush the tip over them, to drag it over that sliver of chocolate. But he doesn't, just waiting for her to take it before he takes his end.

Seeing the signs, the woman is more than eager to announce the next step.

"Now start eating towards the middle. The first one to pull away loses, but if you meet in the middle, you get the prize~!"

...Aha. He thought that was it. Before Tifa can react too much, he's going to go ahead and take that first bite. And it's not a tiny one.]

[starshower]

[She spotted the way his eyes skirted over the edges of her lips, and being under that gaze makes her tense up, and there's a sudden lump in her throat that catches her breath before it can leave her as he sets the piece of pretzel between her lips, her own gaze coming to rest on his when he bites down on the other end of the—

Wait. Why is he biting down on the other end of the pretzel!?

The woman's instructions finally register in Tifa's head the moment she's pulled out of that daze, and her eyes dart up to meet Eustace's, suddenly feeling vulnerable with him so nearby. Sure, she'd been holding his hand and walking unusually close for someone who wasn't sure what to call them, but that was just something she did naturally. Right? It's not as if it was the first time, she'd dragged him by the hand somewhere?

Or maybe it was.

Regardless, she's stuck, and knowing him... Knowing what that intensity in his eyes means...

If she tried to run away from him again, what would happen?

Tifa takes a moment to clear her thoughts—or try to, it's a wasted endeavor with the way her heart is hammering inside her chest now, or how the puffs of hot breath forming between them make that quickening so much more obvious—before she closes her eyes and takes the smallest, tiniest nibble of the pretzel on her end.

"Oh, come on!" The woman protests from beside them, and Tifa shoots daggers through her stare at her.

Just... give her a minute! This all happened so fast!]

[flamekthunder]

[It's fine, lady, he's got this.

By starting with what looks like a small nibble that turns into another sizable bite, the crunch clearly audible.

His eyes continue to remain fixed on hers, and while there is still a glimmer of that dark heat from earlier, there is also a spark of amusing, the corner of his lips quirking up slightly in a smirk.

Try to run away again. He'll just chase after her again.]

[starshower]

[There's a small noise that escapes from the back of Tifa's throat then, the moment she sees that upward curl of his lip—a cross between a gasp and something else... Something buried deep, deep inside her that's slowly but suddenly reigniting...

Pushing it back again, she forces her eyes to break from Eustace's and down to the chocolate, focusing in on that as if it were her lifeline. She takes another breath that's surprisingly sharp and then takes her next bite, this one only slightly larger and bolder than her last one.

She's not going to run away again.

Although, looking at it now, he isn't leaving her much room to work with, is he?

It doesn't help that they've now gathered a small audience, mostly made up of the people waiting in line at the crepe stand who have turned to see what the woman was so enthusiastic about...]

[flamekthunder]

[Being in public...is kind of a downside here. Though maybe it's better for Tifa. Who knows what would happen if they were in private—ha ha that's a joke or is it. So despite the situation, Eustace just calmly continues his advance, taking in another bite. However, this time it's a little smaller, that smirk a little more taunting.

Yes, now he's going to try to make her come to him.]

[starshower]

[She knows what he's doing. She can see it in the taunting gleam of his smile and can feel it bearing down on her like a heavy weight with his stare, even as she continues to avoid letting her eyes move up to meet his.

Steeling herself, Tifa takes the smallest bite she's taken so far, and for a moment, she looks like she's about to stop there. The crowd groans in frustrated disappointment at her, but it isn't hard to ignore them when all she can hear now is her blood coursing through her, heading straight to her head.

"Only a little more! Will they make it!? I thought she was going to back down right there!"

Hearing that—that the bets were on Tifa being the first to back down—it's all the drive she needs to take another, bigger bite. A brief flicker of determination rages through her eyes, only to be quickly snuffed out by—

"Rules are that you can only take one! So now you have to give him two to make up for it!"

Wait, no one said anything about paying off bite debt!?]

[flamekthunder]

[There's a light chuckle at, well, everything. From Tifa's snuffed out determined to now him having the advantage of taking two bites. There's not much left, but still a considerable gap, so he considers...

And takes one big bite, and then a slightly smaller one. At this rate, two or three more bites might do it.]

[starshower]

[It's not much left when her face is this close to his and there are onlookers...!

But Tifa steels herself for yet another, medium-sized bite, inching closer towards him—enough that she has to scoot forward on the bench a little to sit more comfortably. Enough that she can now feel his breath tickling her lips, and...

She almost has it in her to just bite down on the rest to close that gap, but her bravery hasn't gone that far yet. Maybe, if these people would just stop watching...]

[flamekthunder]

[Is it strange for him to feel so strangely calm? Yet somehow he is even as he sees that unless he takes a fraction of a bite it would be his turn that would end the game. A game that really when he thinks about it is a bit silly and one he normally wouldn't bother with, yet he's actually having a little fun. Maybe because she's having a worst time with it, her flushed cheeks and shy disposition cute.

He holds her gaze for a moment before he glances at the woman watching eagerly along with the onlookers. Slowly he raises his hand and lifts it towards her face, causing some to whisper excitedly...until there are startled shouts when there is a strong gust of wind and snow that engulfs the two of them. It will last only a few seconds, but it'll be long enough.

Long enough for that hand to lightly touch her cheek as he takes that final bite, his body leaning forward as he takes her lips along with the stick, his tongue sweeping forward to first lick her those lips that had been tempting him for a while now before taking the rest of the pretzel stick from her mouth. ]

Caught you.

[A low, quiet murmur against her lips before he pulls back. There's a hint of satisfied mischief in his eyes, an expression that's probably new for him and is one that only she sees until the winds settle and the snow disperses.]

[starshower]

[Tifa feels herself bracing against both him and the wind when it all happens, the biting cold from the snow that engulfs them only stinging in that half a second it takes for him to finally press his lips to hers. She can taste the chocolate and strawberries on him as he steals what little there is left of the pretzel, and that sparks something in her nerves. Something longing that, even when he parts from her and snow and wind disappears, she finds herself chasing after him for just a little bit more...

By the time it's gone and they're back on that bench in the middle of the resort, her hands have his cloak in fists, her red eyes gleaming up at his even through that smirk that brings her heart to its knees...]

Yeah...

[Is all the response she can manage in this strange, familiar, and surprised daze she finds herself caught in...

Only snapped out of it by the crowd erupting into applause despite their disheveled states from the blast of win, as well as the heart confetti that rains down on them, glittering and bursting into more, smaller pieces of confetti that get caught in their hair.

She's about to ask if they've done it, her lips parting only inches from his but all that comes out is a breath. Not that she needs to ask, because the moment is once again ruined by—

"CONGRATULATIONS! You're our first winners of the day! You guys win a free box of our exclusive pretzel sticks, as well as this cute stuffed puppy!"

Ah, they won...

Quickly, she frees his cloak from her grip and leaps to her feet, knocking her cup of hot chocolate to the ground.]

Thanks...?

[Her laugh is shaky as she accepts the small stuffed dog with a heart in its mouth, and the box of pretzels tied around its neck. Most people have started to move on, while some girls stay behind and swoon at Eustace before carrying on with their days, and even the woman is already off to search for her next pair after a wink and a "happy to help~!" Whatever that means.

Tucking a hair behind her ear, she looks down at Eustace.]

We should, uh... probably get going.

[flamekthunder]

[So now she finally chases after him. He wants to pull her back to him, but he keeps some awareness of where they are and that it won't be long they'll be seen. And soon enough, there's the confetti, the shouts, and the applause. He doesn't actually like being made a spectacle of, but since he had taken advantage of it he lets it go this time.

Not surprised by how quickly Tifa pulls away, he's slower to move, reaching out to pick up the fallen cup along with the rest of their trash as Tifa receives the prizes. All that for their own box and the stuffed dog... Well the plush isn't bad. Rather, he already got all he wanted from this.

With the trash thrown out, he just smiles a bit.]

It is about time—unless there's something else you want to do.

[Sure they kind of a "schedule" but no one said they had to keep it if they didn't want to. But he has a feeling Tifa is going to flee back to the resort regardless, so it's really more of a courtesy question.]

[starshower]

[God, in all of her embarrassment, did she seriously forget about their garbage and leave it all up to him to clean up? Even her fallen cup, rest in peace, delicious hot chocolate... How rude of her.

But all she can do is stand there, frozen, as red heart confetti drips from her hair and her coat, but most of it is there to stay. Her fingers unconsciously squeeze, and the dog makes a barking sound that yanks her back into the present.]

Huh? No. Nothing.

[They've eaten and put on an accidental show for a crowd of hopeless romantics. If they stay out here much longer, who knows what else will come waltzing down the path in their direction. Except, now that things have returned to normal and the air has quieted around them, Tifa lets her shoulders down in a strangely content sigh before she's leading him back to the resort, her arm unnecessarily close to his as they walk.]

We've got that appointment at five, don't we? Then after that...

[She trails off a moment, bringing the dog up close to her face to hide it. They both know what comes after the massage... It said so on the schedule that was in their room...]

[flamekthunder]

[He walks calmly beside her, but when she brings up the dog to her face... No, he's not jealous or anything. He just doesn't want her to hide anymore. So after another glance, he looks straight ahead while his hand reaches out to pull one away from the plush and bring to his side.]

If you feel uncomfortable about it, we don't have to.

["Couple's Retreat" or not, regardless of his own thoughts or feelings on them, he would never force her to do something that would make her too uncomfortable. And sharing a hot spring together might be too much for her. At least it's not a bath.]

[starshower]

[His hand taking hers is another unexpected gesture, but she lets it happen nonetheless, allowing her cold fingers to slip into his, curling against the warmth in the palm of his hand. Is this it...? Is this really how it's going to be now? They haven't said a word about it, haven't given this—whatever this is—a name, and although Tifa herself isn't confused about what it all means or how she feels, it's still hard to admit that yes, this is how it's going to be.

Still, there are so many things that she wants to say to him... to be sure that she's heard... but now is not the time for that. That will come later, when they're alone at last.

She shakes her head, and it tilts in his direction, only barely grazing against his arm.]

No. I think it'll be good.

[For both of them. They could both use a little relaxation. Silver lining in all of this "couple's retreat" stuff is that this might actually help.

Besides, she wants to try better for him. She doesn't want to run away. That small part of her that fears for the worst is always telling her that there's still a chance, but even back in the cave, she knew that he deserved better, and Tifa hasn't exactly been at her best. Still isn't, but... she's trying.]

... You going to be okay with the massage?

[Some people don't like being touched, she knows. Tifa is one of those people, but she'll deal. In the name of rest and relaxation!]

[flamekthunder]

[There's some relief when she doesn't pull away and he can feel some of the tension between them lessening again. So he just gives a small shake of his head.]

I'll be fine. I've had them before, although not luxury purposes.

[Just some quick ones from medical aid to help work out sore muscles after grueling missions.

...Though speaking of, he glances at her.]

There was also the one you gave me.

[starshower]

You remembered...

[It had happened so long ago, but she remembers that day well. It hadn't been a big deal—he was injured and it was something she would have done for anyone in that situation—but given how things are now... She does recall it feeling like a strangely intimate moment but at the time, had thought nothing of the way her eyes lingered or how the bend of his muscles felt under her touch as she guided his stretches...

Ah, moving right along!]

Then you'll remember the lesson: stretches and massages are important for keeping things in tip top shape.

[When they arrive back at the inn's spa, she realizes that they haven't escaped this "lovebird" motif just yet, and that perhaps the type of deep-tissue massage she had been expecting wasn't what was part of the package. The room that's been prepared for them is covered in rose petals, including their massage beds, and the room is filled with a soft vanilla smell from the burning incense on the tables.

Alright, this is a little over the top... but some relaxation never hurt, right?

Her hand slides out from Eustace's as she stops and stares up at him, before looking to the pair of massage therapists that have wandered up to them.

"Welcome, lovebirds~!"]

[flamekthunder]

[Yes he did. Though like her, at the time it didn't really seem strange at all. That was a time when things were still fairly "normal" between, when it was just them getting to know each other. Though maybe it's thanks to those constant therapy sessions that allowed them to not feel so strange being with one another.

And once at the spa...given that he had read through the package info fairly thoroughly, he's not so surprised about the general romantic atmosphere. Though it doesn't prepare him for how they would go about creating that atmosphere. He also knew that spas would often use aromatherapy to further relax their clients, but as gentle as the vanilla scent is, it also seems a little heavy...or perhaps it's just his own acute senses finding it stronger than others might. At least it's not so overwhelming to be uncomfortable for him.

...

Though that might happen anyway due to the pair of masseuse greeting them. He doesn't care if people think of them as a couple, but calling them lovebirds...

Anyway, after exchanging greetings and confirming their appointment, they are led to the changing rooms. While the preferred way is to bare it all, for the comfort of the client there are varying options to keep some clothing on, from keeping the underwear to wearing provided halter top chest coverings for the women. With the freshly laundered plush robes, of course.

Eustace won't care either way, so it'll be a "mystery" as to what he opts for as he heads out of the changing room and to the waiting room where he'll wait for Tifa.]

[starshower]

[Tifa takes a little longer to prepare, but at least she won't keep him waiting for long. Wrapped in the plush red robe, she readjusts her high ponytail when she wanders into the waiting room, the sandals she's wearing announcing her arrival. She pauses to take a good look at Eustace, and a smile pulls at her lips.

He looks cute in those big, fluffy robes. She can't help herself.]

They're really going all out, huh?

[The hot, wet towels that were left in their change rooms, the comfortable robes that she wishes she could keep, the plush sandals that keep her toes warm... The vanilla fragrance mingling with the smell of roses is making her head spin, and it turns the music into a soft lull that could put her to sleep the moment she lays on the massage bed.

Not that she has an issue with any of it, but they've really committed to the theme.

Almost as if they were listening for them, the masseuse couple peek through the door to the room to beckon them inside the moment Tifa finishes the thought, the pair of them holding hands as they lead them to the dimly lit room awaiting them. The massage beds are set not far apart—surprisingly close, in fact—and the woman ushers Eustace over to one while the man brings Tifa to the other.

"Alright, if you would please disrobe. We'll give you two a minute~!"

With a wink, they scurry out, whispering excitedly about something amongst themselves as they shut the door behind them.

...

Tifa turns her back to Eustace and, with a glance over her shoulder as if to say "no peeking!", she slowly slides the robe off. It won't matter much—she opted for the halter, but!]

[flamekthunder]

[These people are fast— He only had time to glance over and look her over before they arrive and they are ushered in. And now they're to disrobe and get on the tables...which isn't a problem, but what is with that glance, Tifa. As if he would peek. So with a slight grin and roll of his eyes he turns around...and walks to the other side of the table before removing the robe and reaching over to grab the provided towel to wrap around his hips. If Tifa is peeking she won't be able to see much below the waist thanks to the table.

So which route did Eustace take?

As he sits on the table, with how low the towel hangs over his pelvis to reveal his dark skin, she could probably guess.

And yes, he'll be able to tell so—]

Who's the one peeking now?

[starshower]

[She can hear the shuffling from behind her as Eustace removes his robes and—presumably—grabs the towel, and at some point, she'd barely noticed herself turning her head slowly, painfully slowly, until she sees him through the corners of her eyes, her own movements slowing to an absolute crawl as she wraps the towel around herself. It's not as if this is the first time she's looked, or seen more than she should have, but... those times were different.

This time is different.

And as her gaze travels down his back, lower, lower, to where the towel meets his hips—]

Huh!? I wasn't—!

[What in Titan's name is she DOING?

She whips her head forward, feeling that familiar burst of redness in her face, and she slides herself onto the bed and beneath the soft, silk sheets, her breath mysteriously quick for supposedly feeling so relaxed, and her throat suddenly running dry.

Pull it together, Tifa.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a low chuckle as he settles onto the table, comfortably lying on his chest as he folds his arms beneath his head to look over at her, finding her turtling amusing. Of course, her own figure did not go by unnoticed, but he's much less blatant about it.

Fortunately, Tifa won't have to suffer from embarrassment for much longer as hthe massage therapists enter the room, the woman taking Eustace and the man taking Tifa. Seeing Tifa's expression, the two exchange glances before the woman smiles and takes the lead in explaining everything.

"Now, please just relax and leave everything to us~ We'll be applying some oils that will help relax your muscles—as well as help calm your mind." A deliberate remark to Tifa? Maybe.

She continues to do the obligatory explanations and warning that they may feel some discomfort, but it should pass as the muscles loosen. Of course, if they feel anything too painful they should tell them so they can stop.

And without further ado, the two being the massage session.]

[starshower]

[There's the occasional question of "how are you feeling?" at either one of them once the session's started, Tifa only humming with contentment as her masseuse works his hands into the muscles in her back. She can feel herself loosening under the heat, every last bit of tension leaving her body as he works. It's been a long time since she's felt this relaxed, and she's going to try taking it in, and letting herself go.

Not far into the massage, she hears the man speak up from over her, his voice filled with awe.

"Your muscles are... wow! You work out a lot?"

His wife giggles quietly from somewhere near Eustace's bed.

Tifa does arch a brow at the unusual amusement in his voice, but thinks nothing more of it. She's heard compliments like this plenty of times before that it's nothing new.]

Yeah. Been training martial arts since I was fourteen.