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!]

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[Well, that explains the backless shirts.

Tifa makes room for him to sit with her, but she moves into his space the moment that he does, curling up next to him so that she could rest her head on his shoulder, her own fingers combing the hair away that's fallen out of place and in front of her eyes.]

How'd you guys get things like fruits and vegetables with it being so cold all the time? Can't imagine trading with other places would be easy...

[It's like a very, very cold Midgar, where they couldn't grow things to save lives, but at least they weren't so far from the rest of the world. There were still farms and other cities and towns nearby that they could easily trade with.]

[Does it. Does it really.

He just relaxes as she leans against him, his arm automatically going behind her. ...It's strange, they haven't been together for that long, but this already feels natural...]

We had our own winter based fruits and vegetables. Not as many as in warmer places, but winter berries like cherries, raspberries...we had apples and some citrus. It wasn't a great amount, but what we cultivated was more than enough for ourselves. Vegetables were primarily the root kind like potatoes, carrots, beets. We also had techniques to keep the ground warm enough and cover them whenever there was threat of ice, but if we were lucky then it wouldn't happen during the growing season and we'd just live off our harvest.

But for the small amount of trade we did, it was primarily fur, dried meat, and materials from the monsters we hunted outside the village. Fangs, bones, claws, antlers. Anything we didn't need we could sell for a decent price to the handful of merchants that bothered to make the trip. They were probably undersold, but we didn't care too much about money and just traded for other supplies like medicine, tools, materials—things we couldn't readily make ourselves.

[Only a little bit.

It sounds exactly like the kind of place that Tifa would imagine he'd be from, and she'd say she wished she could have seen it if it weren't for the fact that it was no longer standing, so she only moves in closer, shifting so that she can wrap an arm around him in a small, subtle attempt to comfort any unease he might feel in remembering that life.

She huffs with a laugh, trying to keep it light-hearted.]

That explains why you knew so much... back at the cave.

[And she can already feel her face going red at recalling that night. How he'd been so sure of himself as he moved throughout, building the fire and setting it all up so that they would be able to stay warm. Even before that, being out on the hunt, in the wilderness, felt like he had fallen back into his element, and old habits.]

So did you learn how to do all that at a really young age?

[He welcomes her attempts, subtle as they are. Just being with her makes talking about this not as difficult as it could be.]

Yes. My father taught most everything I know about hunting and living outdoors. How to read the weather, listen for the slightest sounds, find shelter and resources... That following spring I was going to get my first rifle.... [His voice trails as he glances away before continuing.] Being a hunter and following my father's footsteps had been what you'd call my childhood dreams... It's a bit different but I suppose I followed it.

[And though it's not the rifle his father had planned to give him, Flamek is just as treasured and maybe why he was drawn to it when he had the opportunity to choose any of the weapons.]

Hm. [There's a soft, gentle hum that echoes low in her chest.] Reminds me a little of my dad.

[That's as much as she says on the matter, but there's a nostalgic smile as she thinks back to her own, and how much hearing about Eustace's only makes her miss him that much more. It's been years since then, but Tifa won't ever forget the days she spent with him, and how hard he worked to raise her.

Tifa opens her mouth to say something, but the thought is interrupted by a light knock on the door, and then it creaking open. One of the castle's many butlers enters after she calls back to him, and he's carrying a platter of all sorts of things—cheeses, fruits, vegetables, meats, just about anything Tifa could imagine being put on a giant plate and laid out so nicely in front of her! And two steaming hot cups of coffee, along with the pot should they desire more later.

And when he leaves, Tifa hands Eustace his cup before taking hers, pops a grape into her mouth and settles back into the empty space she'd left at his side.

She'd noticed before, how his voice had faded for a moment, at the mention of the rifle, and she tilts her head up at him, thinking of how to delicately dance around the fact that his village was likely ruined not long after that...]

Was it for something special, that rifle?

[Was it a tradition among his village? Had he done something to earn it?]

[He's knocked out of his reverie when the butler arrives, and he has to admit he's a bit surprised by the amount. He said light... Damn rich people. But he'll take the cup, letting the warmth seep into his hands before he takes a testing sip.

...

All right, it's damn good coffee. Perks of the nobility he supposes.

He takes a few more sips before he sets it down and nestles against her, preferring her warmth over the coffee's. ...Especially when she asks that particular question. He's silent for a moment, fingers idly playing with her hair as he thinks back. Thinks back to those blissful days...]

...Yes. I was old enough and had proven myself skilled enough to handle a firearm of my own so my father was thinking of getting me a new one. It might seem strange to hear of a child getting a gun at such a young age, but it was common in my world, especially in farming and countrysides where a child is needed to help take care of the family as well as needing proper defense against monsters.

In this case...I had an older sister, but I was the oldest son with a younger brother and sister, so it was only natural that I would take on responsibilities after my father. [A small smile.] Even if I preferred playing over the other chores...

...But that spring...

[His gaze drifts to his hand resting idly in his lap before his fingers suddenly curl in themselves, nails digging a little into his palm as he feels that biting pain. It's not as bad as before, but...it's difficult to never feel like this. Closing his eyes he rests his head against hers.]

...My mother was pregnant. [His voice was quiet, only loud enough for her to hear.] They would have been my fourth sibling... We didn't know if they were a girl or boy, but I wanted to make clothes for the baby from the furs I would hunt that season.

[A very small, sad smile.]

I was looking forward to it. I hadn't been old enough for my other siblings, so this would have been my first time.

[Tifa, seeing his hands balling into fists like that, threads her fingers in between his, opening it up until she can weave them together and hold on tight. No matter how happy these memories are, it can still be hard to look back on them, but if he needs the reminder that he should cherish these memories rather than avoid them, she's there to do that, even if it's just being a pillar when it becomes difficult.]

Never would've guessed you had siblings. Always got the impression you were a single child kinda guy.

[Just by virtue of his steady, silent demeanor, although now it makes sense. Given that he had been the eldest son, there was surely a lot of responsibility placed on his shoulders that his older sister never had. Not that Tifa would know herself, being the only child, but that's the sort of dynamic she'd always imagined would exist if she ever had a younger sibling.

But she knows how hard it would be to talk about what could have been, so she focuses instead on what had been.]

What were they like? Was your older sister as cool and calm as you?

[He squeezes her hand a little as he keeps her hand close, not wanting to let go. He could never forget his memories or want to avoid them. It's all he has left. Even now he can clearly hear their voices whenever they called for him... He never wants that to fade.]

My older sister... [A small laugh.] She was more mature but I'd say she was more bossy than anything. [Spoken like a true little brother.] She was in charge of the housework and looking after our mother, so she was also nagging at me. My younger sister, too. Mimicking my older sister she liked to get on my case, but she was smart and already responsible for her age.

My younger brother... [A slight falter in his voice as he remembers something he'd rather not because it wasn't a childhood memory but a bastardized one.]

He looked up to me and liked to follow me around. He was also very curious about things...

Edited 2021-12-01 23:22 (UTC)

So cooler than you, got it.

[She's teasing, giving his hand another squeeze as she laughs into her cup of coffee, sipping it loudly and pointedly.]

I guess the big sister's gotta be like that. Bossy, sure, but for good reason, you know? Gotta keep everyone else out of trouble somehow.

[Tifa thinks back to Jessie then, and even Aerith now—both women being slightly older than her, they have the same sort of things in them too, and Tifa always knew that anytime Jessie did get bossy with anyone, it came from a good place. From the heart.

And he should count himself lucky to have ever had that.]

I hope that means you kept your brother out of trouble, though.

[She heard that wavering in his voice when he mentioned him, hoping that this won't strike another sore memory...]

[Eustace just gives her a soft smile.]

Asking a lot for a ten year-old. But probably good enough.

[He takes in a deep breath and rests his head against hers.]

What about you? What was your family like?

[Ten years old... That's so young.

She gets lost in that thought, remembering everything that he had told her the morning they spent together not long ago, and how he had looked so young and broken in those mirrors, her stare going almost blank with sadness as she stares into the fire, broken only by his question that snaps her out of the imagery she's pictured in her head.

Surprised more that he's turned this around on her, and Tifa huffs with a low chuckle, curling into herself more. She doesn't know why she's suddenly feeling so self-conscious having to talk about it, but... it's the least she could do, isn't it? After all that he's shared with her... Although she doesn't think hers is as interesting.]

Ah... Not a whole lot to it. I had a lot of friends, but no siblings. Most of the kids in our village grew up together, so I guess you could say we were all sort of like family. Everyone was pretty close, like yours.

[She spent so much time with them that those boys might as well have been brothers.

There's a stretch of silence as she reconsiders sharing further, and her smile fades when she does.]

My mom died when I was eight, so it was just me and my dad for a long time... And my cat.

[So she was from a small village like himself... Normally it wouldn't matter, but it is a bit of a nice feeling to have some kind of similarity. However, his brows furrow at the mention of her mother and its his turn to squeeze her hand and give her comfort.]

...I'm sorry. I take it the cat is the one you talked about before.

[Yes, he does indeed remember that conversation.]

[Tifa shakes her head.]

It's okay.

[It had happened so long ago that Tifa has had time to grieve and learn to continue living. She still misses her mother, and there are still holes in her memory from when it happened, but it isn't something that cripples her. Not anymore. She can live on knowing that her mother would be proud of how far she's come, and how hard she's fought, and that's good enough.]

Same cat, yeah. Only ever had the one, but he was always a handful. Clover's a dream compared to him. At least she doesn't try to dart outside every time I open the door.

[Said with utmost fondness of course, even if Clover can be a bit of a brat at times.]

Then again, I guess I have you to thank for that.

[He slips his hand out so that he can move it around her waist instead, hugging her to him all the same. He understands what it's like to have had enough time to at least move on enough, but he knows it can sometimes still hurt. Maybe she doesn't need it, but he offers comfort all the same. He also feels a little saddened that she also had to suffer a tragedy, wanting her to only be happy instead.

But of course life isn't like that.]

For bringing Clover? [Because definitely can't be because of her personality—]

[She chuckles, beaming up at him while she lets him pull her into a hug. She can feel his comfort washing over her, and although she doesn't need it anymore, she isn't going to turn it away.]

Mostly, yeah, but pretty sure I've heard her ask when you'll be coming over to visit her, but I told her... only if she behaves. So, she's been on her best behaviour since.

[Of course, she hasn't said a word of this to Aerith yet, but... maybe it wouldn't be so suspicious if she were to invite him over to visit Clover?

But yes, mostly for bringing Clover.]

...Ah. [He smiles a little amused as he imagines the young brat working to be good.]

Should I come over then?

[As if reading her mind he'll broach the topic. ...Though it is a little different circumstance given that she's staying with Aerith rather than on her own.]

Though I haven't met your friends...

[IS THAT WEIRD, SHOULD HE??? Why does he suddenly feel some weird pressure—]

Edited 2021-12-03 21:15 (UTC)

You sure you want to? You'll have to work pretty hard to impress both Aerith and Nanaki.

[Aerith, especially. Although she has a feeling she would like him plenty, even more so if she knew about them... which she doesn't. Yet.

Tifa pats him on the leg.]

You don't have to. Not until you're ready.

[Does that help alleviate the pressure!? She realizes, belatedly, that it might not...]

Nanaki?

[He looks at her curiously.]

I've actually worked with him before. I didn't realize he was from the same world as you.

He is. From the future too, apparently. You've met him!

[Colour her somewhat surprised? Although, perhaps it would make sense. Hopefully Eustace didn't give him too much trouble, Nanaki being a labratdog and all.

Which means there are things that he knows about their world and their lives later down the line that she doesn't, and didn't want to hear about either.

Tifa raises her free hand, and starts to count down on her fingers.]

Me, Aerith, Nanaki, Cloud... and Sephiroth. [The last name falls off her tongue with a sharpness unlike her, but Tifa shakes it off fairly quick with a grin.] It's just the three of us at her place right now though, so no pressure.

[Excuse, he and Nanaki get along great and he treats him with utmost respect!! That said he never actually asked about him so Eustace doesn't know anything.

He does, however, notice the change in tone.]

Who is Sephiroth?

[Tifa doesn't want to get into it all if she could avoid it, not wanting to sour the occasion with tragic stories of her past—or else they'll never find a happy moment—but...

She does take his hand and guides it up to her chest, beneath the hem of her robe to where her scar lies across her skin, the fear flickering clearly in her eyes as she looks to the fire, remembering that day as if it had only just happened.]

He's the one who gave me this.

[ ... ]

I haven't seen or talked to him, and I plan to keep it that way, but Aerith told me he was here.

[He's a little confused at first, but then his eyes widen, his body stiffening as he comprehends what she's saying. For a moment he doesn't say anything or even move, but he doesn't really need to for her to notice how he truly feels. The way his eyes narrow, a simmer of heat in his cold gaze as his fingertips trembling a moment before they firm against the scarred skin. He knows he can't do anything—does he even have the right or in the position to?—but it's clear he'd rather do something.

So he simmers for a moment before he lets out a breath and lowers his head to rest against hers.]

Is he still a threat?

[Subtle reading would be can he kill him—]

[She can read him clear as day, in the way his fingers press on her skin, and the fire in those blue eyes of his, and when he rests his forehead against hers, she reassures him with a light touch to the side of his face. Tifa appreciates the sentiment, and while she wouldn't hesitate to go up against him, she knows that not even Eustace alone would be enough to do anything.

Maybe here, but that wouldn't make a difference back home.]

No, not here.

[Still, there is a twinge of fear in her voice—the same one that always finds its way in when she talks about Sephiroth.]

He's probably stripped of a lot of his power here. [Or so she hopes.] As long as he keeps to himself, and stays away from the rest of us, then it'll be fine. Our fight is back home anyway.

[Tifa laughs and tilts her head to look at him.]

I doubt he even knows I'm here.

[There's a heavy silence as he stares at her, eyes tinged with concern for her as well as that small storm of anger before they close with a long exhale.]

...If anything happens, let me know.

[He seems a little calmer, but as he lightly pressed his lips to the top of her head, he's already thinking of whether he should really leave it alone or do some "research" just to get a better idea of what kind of bastard he is—]

Mm.

[She nods into the kiss, the scent of him mingling with the coffee filling her head that all she can do is close her eyes against it for a moment, feeling the power behind all of his words.]

Don't do anything I wouldn't do, yeah?

[Said with the weight of a promise.

Which means... don't go and find out about Sephiroth himself. She'd say don't do it alone, but the first thing Tifa would do if she were with him would be to stop him from going. Sephiroth is dangerous, whether he's stripped of all of his powers or not. He doesn't need them all to be the deadly SOLDIER that he is...

Although who's to say that she wouldn't do the same thing—feel the same things—if the tables were turned, and the man who'd taken everything from Eustace was here instead?]

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