isleofavalon | eighth shot ⊗ open november log

Entry tags:

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

[While Tifa is having a fun joyride, Eustace is just sitting back against his seat opposite her, head resting against his hand as he looks absolutely bored and disinterested in this whole trip. Ever since he heard about the special "grants" gifted to him due to titles he honestly mostly forgotten about receiving, he had just promptly ignored it. He had no need or care for it. But due to persistent summons to at least look at the potential new territory and wanting to get it over with so he can once again reject it.

So Eustace is a lot slower to descend, his eyes casting the same disinterested look as when he stepped into the carriage. Unlike Tifa, he's seen various castles of similar style so it's not really anything new to him.

And seeing one that could potentially be his does not change his opinion.]

Too big.

[And with that curt remark he walks past her, walking easily through the deep snow.]

[He'd been such a giant stick in the mud since they climbed into the carriage, and Tifa had been willing to put up with it, hoping that being here might change his mood, until now. She knows it's too big, too gaudy for someone like him—she knows him well enough to believe with all her heart that he would want something smaller, more quaint, outside the city where it was quiet and didn't draw a lot of attention.

But where was the fun in looking at a place like that!?

The closest Tifa has ever come to anything like this was Shinra manor, and that was a place she never wanted to visit. It was dark, and filled whispers of ghosts of the past... Not exactly up Tifa's alley.

This, on the other hand—this she could handle, and thought it might be fun to at least take a look around. See a real castle...!

So when he walks past her, his response so curt that it makes her grumble under her breath, Tifa doesn't move. Instead, he'll feel something cold slap against his back, shattering and spraying him with snow. And if he turns around, she'll already be packing another ball in her hands.]

What's gotten into you today?

[They haven't seen and barely spoken to each other in days, why is he being like this!!!]

[What the—

Did she just hit him with a snowball????

He stares at her dumbfounded before he just frowns and stares at her, his gaze a little chilly as he's already in not the greatest moods. Even if being with Tifa helped, it still didn't get rid of how overbearing these damn titles are to him.]

Do I really need to explain? You already know my thoughts on this. I'm going to refuse anyway so it's just a waste of time.

[...

Tifa's frowning across at him, her snowball waiting and ready, but it eventually fades into a look of disappointment.]

We've been stuck inside for days, I thought this would be fun. Even if you aren't going to take it, you can at least take a look.

[She wants to take a look, and even if she did have the Noble title to grant her a spot, she wouldn't have done this on her own, and would have brought him with her regardless!]

I know you don't want to buy it and that's fine, but... I really wanted to see...

[Do this for her? Please? How can he resist these sad, puppy eyes she's giving him?]

[...

....

.......

Ahhh dammit. He runs a hand over his eyes, feeling a very strange conflicting emotion before he sighs and relents, his expression softening.]

...All right.

[What has this woman done to him— And those eyes are illegal.]

[Tifa waits for the man and the carriage to leave, to go park elsewhere and feed the horse while they wait, her smile as bright as the snow that's getting stuck in her hair against the black.

And when the carriage is off, out of sight and out of mind, Tifa trudges through the snow to catch up to him, but jogs to pass...

Not before she throws the snowball in her hand with a giggle, aiming for his chest, and breaks into a run across the too-big lawn and to the front door to seek refuge should he try to exact revenge.

This is her first snowfall since she was a kid, and she wasn't going to let that opportunity slip away!]

[He just shakes his head slightly, still wondering how he's become so compliant when she jogs past him...

...And then hits him with another snowball.

...

...................

....................................................

He could just easily let this pass, but there's a slight twitch of his brow before he's going to just fucking cheat and summon a bunch of snowballs to pummel her with before he's properly scooping up a snowball to run at her with.]

[Tifa screams when the onslaught of snowballs come at her, and she'd be running a hell of a lot faster if it weren't for being almost knee-deep in snow now after rushing into the yard to try and duck for cover, but the screams mask a laugh as she runs beneath a stone arch to hide behind one of the many walls when he starts charging at her.

She's already starting to feel the snow soaking through her clothes and into her skin, the cold settling into her bones, but she doesn't seem to care, nor does it seem to be affecting her. Because when he comes around the arch, she smashes a snowball—one in each hand—against his chest, shoving him backwards and hopefully pushing him over into the massive snowbank that's almost half as tall as he is.

Regardless of if she's successful, she pauses to wave a gloved finger at him.]

No cheating!

[Unfortunately for her, although she smashes his chest, he's too well versed in traversing in snow so he's able to keep his balance, taking a few steps back instead and stops just shy of the snowbank.]

Says the one who threw two snowballs at me first.

[And he's reaching back into the snowbank to scoop out some snow and fling it at her.]

Says the one who's been grumpy all morning about coming out here.

[She gives him a playful pout that disappears when the snow splashes into her face, and she raises both hands in surrender as she backs away. Her smile remains innocent, but there's something of a glint in her eyes as the crimsons reflect the snow that he'll spot if he looks carefully.]

Alright. How about a truce?

[He just stares at her, his expression unreadable before he shrugs and raises a hand as if in surrender.]

All right...

[Except in that same breath he casts a wind spell to make the snow that had piled up on the arch to fall on her.]

Now we can call a truce.

[This isn't what she had in mind! She only stands there, frozen, mouth falling open as she feels the snow pile over her, dripping past her collar and down the insides of her coat, some of it even managing to slip through her shirt underneath. If this is his idea of a truce, then he is sorely mistaken on what that means. He got two hits on her, so now she should get two hits on him!

But Tifa only shakes the snow out of her hair gently, biting back the laugh that's about to ring from her as she steps out from under the archway... in the opposite direction.]

You're not playing fair! ... But fine.

[Her gaze flits to the large double front doors into the castle, then back to him.]

I'll let you off the hook, so let's go inside. But you first. [She curtsies.] After you, Ser Eustace.

[Tifa, that's a Knight.]

I just use every tool at my disposal.

[A smirk before he regards her. Could she be anymore obvious...

But he'll play along...up to a point. He stops alongside her and deftly takes her hand to hold it up.]

Shouldn't I escort the lady inside?

[Oh, he's good. A little too good. He can probably read her like an open book, but it's not as if she's trying very hard to hide it.

Tifa looks at their joined hands, and gives his a squeeze before she slips herself free, taking another step back, and when her gaze meets his again, it's with narrowed, suspicious eyes.]

No, I'm good. I can walk on my own.

[And then, with another curtsy, this one so dramatic with the flourishes of her hand, she gestures to the door.]

After you. I insist.

[He just cheated at a snowball fight! What reason does she have to trust he won't do it again, hm?]

Usually ladies are the ones who should go first.

[There's just a faint smile gracing his lips, his eyes shining a little in amusement.]

Or we could just enter together.

Sure.

[If that will make him feel better, sure! They can do enter... together... ~~stop ruining her plan~~

Tifa nudges him to turn around, both hands on his back as she guides him in the direction of the large front doors... as well as she can with all the snow that's piled up off the shoveled paths. Her feet are already getting soaked, but she if she shows even the slightest hint of weakness, then she's already lost the battle.]

But I'm not the one with the key. Besides, you'll protect me if anything happens, yeah? You know what they say about these old castles...

[She's joking, but seriously... this place had better not be haunted.]

[Don't think he hasn't noticed how she's behind him still. With a light laugh, he reaches back to wrap his arm around her shoulders and swing her around to be beside him.]

Don't worry, I've dealt with my fair share of "haunted" places. Though I would have thought you would be able to hold your own.

[Just a light smirk. Don't think he never noticed all those times she happily refused his aid and wanted to take care of things herself.]

Oh, I can more than hold my own.

[She sounds cocky, but she is thinking now of the very real possibility that this house could be haunted, and the closer they get, the more she starts to wonder. It's big, old, and who knows what went on here before they all arrived here. This was her idea though, so she isn't going to back down now.

Less so when he wraps his arm over her shoulder and brings her up beside him, and Tifa only pouts, her brows still furrowed with wariness. She was going to make a break for it as soon as he had stepped through the door, just so she could get him back for the two hits he got in before she was able to pay him back in turn, so...]

Watch.

[She hooks her leg behind his and suddenly, they're both tumbling into the snow, Eustace first with Tifa using him to break their fall. It isn't much of one, and either way, they'll land with a small poof! to sink right into the freshly fallen snow.]

[He had certainly expected her to do something, but he hadn't expected that kind of execution. He grunts when he hits the snow, but it's not really all that painful. He then looks up at Tifa on top of him a little wryly before he laughs a bit.]

So I see. But I still think I'm in the lead.

[He then scoops up some snow and drops it on top of her head.]

[Snow that will soon fall right onto his face when she shakes herself off again.]

That's because you keep throwing hits out of turn.

[He's still two for one on her, but that's fine.

With her knees on either side of him now, Tifa sits up, pinning him to the snow with one hand while the other starts to shovel some on top over his stomach and chest, shoveling and shoveling until he's covered in white that she'll quickly pat down as she goes to make his snow grave more sturdy.

And she'll lean down slowly and plant a kiss on the tip of his nose.]

[He could try and get out, but he recognizes this is probably deserved for the tricks he pulled off. So there's just a short laugh when she pins him down and starts burying him. When was the last time something like this happened to him... If anything, the cold snow feels refreshing to him, bringing him back to years gone by.

And once he's done, he just crinkles his nose a bit at the kiss before giving her a dry look.]

Satisfied?

[...

....

She doesn't answer yet. Instead, she quietly takes a handful of snow and shoves it down the front of his coat. That's payback for dumping all of it on her earlier. Then, pleased with her work, she sits up and gives a firm, proud nod.]

Mm-hm. Now I am.

[Tifa rolls off of Eustace and lands in the snow next to him, spreading her arms out wide above her head as she stares up at the flakes that are still drifting down towards them. There's a pause, and she breaks the silence with a sigh.]

I used to love the snow when I was young. It'd blow down from the mountains, and we'd all go outside and make snow angels after the first snowfall or have snowball fights. Never cared how cold it was.

[She looks at him through the corners of her eyes, her smile fading, replaced with bittersweet melancholy.]

This is the first time I've seen snow in a while.

[Wow as if he wasn't soaked enough?? Okay, now it's starting to feel a little uncomfortable, so there's just a disgruntled sound before he starts to dig his way out, the snow falling away as he slowly starts to sit up. Listening to her, he watches her for a moment before he starts to stand.]

I suppose I'm similar... Although I've been through snow filled areas plenty of times, I think this is the first time I had fun with it.

[Okay, technically during his first month or so he was working on training his magic and Eria started a snowball fight but that doesn't count because it was summer.]

[Tifa just lays in the snow, staring up at him when he stands.

Fun... It makes her smile, wide and pleased, that—even though he cheated!!—he could still have a little bit of fun. Especially after he spent the whole carriage ride here being disgruntled about it. Hearing that, it fills her with a warmth that could chase the cold away.]

Hang on... [She sits up, snow falling from her hair, and her eyes go wide with disbelief.] You've never built a snowman, or gone ice-skating?

I have.

[Brushing off the snow, he reaches down to help her up.]

But the last time... Was probably when I was a child.

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