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]

[It was a phone call she had been amazed to receive but expected. It was bound to happen at some point, whether it was a text, over the phone, or he would open the door as she was leaving another container of food on his and Gran's doorstep before dashing off, but she couldn't avoid him forever. It had all started when they arrived back from the caves. She was coming by less and less, her Clover updates became infrequent, if existent at all, and any time the idea of them seeing one another would somehow makes its way into a conversation, she would artfully dodge the topic by steering it elsewhere or coming up with some form of an excuse, albeit very poor ones.

Although the nature of the phone call this time was what surprised her the most. Eustace informed her that two very persistent friends who shall not be named—but one starts with "G" and ends with "ran", while the other with "Z" and ends with "idane"—had booked them a couple's retreat at the famous Red Springs resort. Which shouldn't be so strange, considering she lived there for quite some time before giving up her room to refugees and moving to Aerith's, but the fact that this was named a "couple's retreat" is what makes her wary of it at first.

He must have sensed that doubt because it was immediately followed by him teasing her about it—asking if she was going to run away again, and her face had grown so hot that he could probably feel it through the phone. Whatever he was intending on using it for, it worked; Tifa agreed to meet him there on the weekend, just as planned. She wasn't going to stand him up either way, and...

Well, she'd be remiss to say that she hadn't been thinking about how they left things between them. In fact, that's all that has been on her mind since she returned from the cave. She hadn't spoken or seen a single soul, rushing to her room to bury her face in her pillow until she fell asleep with Clover next to her, and any time anyone would question what was wrong with her in the days to follow, noting how dazed she'd been, she would brush them off with a laugh. In truth, she never stopped thinking about it. About him, and each day that stretched by, Tifa found herself missing him more and more.

Maybe this would be a good opportunity to clear the air between them. Talk about what happened. What it means, or if it means anything at all. Or maybe being there with him will fix the awkward tension that will inevitably hang over their heads, and they could simply go on with their lives as they were before.

Wishful thinking.

The day hasn't turned out to be bad, and so far, they seem to have fallen back into a natural rhythm with each other. There is a notable difference in the way Tifa walks a little closer, or how her hands find themselves gravitating towards him, touching his arm or grabbing his hand to pull him along to their next attraction, which is exactly what is happening now as she is drawn to a booth.

Air puffs from her lips in a gasp, and she takes hold of his wrist and gives it a gentle tug, and when she stops in front of the booth, she readjusts the scarf around her neck, bringing it lower to really capture the sights and smells of the crepe shop in front of them.]

I've never had one before, but I've always wanted to try...

C. Floor is Lava

[tantailizing]

[It might be strange, but Zidane's hovering nearby with his magic. Eustace probably was expecting him to play along, bounding across the furniture and roofs, climbing across rope and structures waiting to be built upon; it would be fun, but not right now. He's actually a little annoyed by the interruption, but puts on a smile anyway.]

... Eh, since we can both fly, we can race that way instead.

[Okay, so he's still playing, but he's not playing by the normal rules of the game - and it doesn't seem like anything was stopping them either.]

[flamekthunder]

Race... Is that really necessary?

[Though he supposes that is one to get through them faster.]

👀

[flamekthunder]

[At first Eustace hadn't thought anything of Tifa's absence—well, all right he did wonder about her every now and then and that first night back after their little "cave tryst" there had been a strange sense of emptiness. But he had his usual routines and work that kept him occupied, and despite the newfound feelings he wasn't one to be pining or clingy.

However, when he recognized the pattern of Tifa leaving food and then running away, it would be a lie to see he didn't feel a little annoyed. On the one hand, he understood. It was a lot and she was probably being shy again and needed some space. However, it only reminded him of what happened before so he was quicker to probe into it. Which she of course denied anything, but he believed that like he believed the world would be fixed tomorrow. But he didn't push as hard...until the time of their scheduled date. Unfortunately the weather made it poor to do so, so it needed to be rescheduled. But even then he could sense the evasion and it was then that his patience started to run a little thin. Just a little.

However, his mood was souring and it was obvious. So obvious that two little nosy brats decided to lend some "help" while he was trying to figure out how to approach Tifa in a way that she wouldn't be able to run but without scaring her either. So with this little "couple's retreat" he had the excuse needed and if she refused he'd just show up in front of Aerith's house door—hell go directly to her window necessary. Fortunately she accepts and while he's not pleased it took this much to "catch" her, it does make him feel a little more lighthearted.

And he wasn't going to hold it over her, especially not once they were together and warmed up again. Well, he might a little, but not begrudgingly.

So now in town and wearing a looser sweater with only his cape as extra protection from the elements (and the traditional exposed shoulders and some of his back), Eustace lets Tifa lead him around, not minding her pulling him to and fro. It's a bit cute in a way, and it's certainly better than how she was running away from before.

At the booth, he follows her gaze and looks at the crepe curiously, the sweet scent inviting.]

I've had one once or twice, but it was a while ago.

[He glances at her.]

Which one do you want?

[tantailizing]

Hmm... guess not when it's obvious who'd win.

[He leans back in the air, grinning at Eustace.]

--> dragon quest

[luciing]

[ Questboard here.

The Lotus Pod Mountain, rich in labradorite and hallowed with passages to mine it, is now the primary mountain where the quest claims the dragon currently resides. Three set off in an attempt to find, and perhaps confront, the beast on the west side of the mountain that faces the Dusklight Forest.


Somnus rests his hand upon a cool stone surface of the cavernway. Drill and pick marks line the walls, indicating the direction in which the miners had carved their paths deeper. He lifts his palm from the wall, rubbing dust between two of his fingers. Faintly iridescent residue glimmers upon his thumb and index, a trademark of the rich labradorite mineral. The mountain's heart may still contain precious materials, it seems.

Somnus turns his head towards dark path before them, speaking to the two others with him. With his other hand, he lifts the torch before him, causing shadows to scatter. ] Onward.

[starshower]

[Tifa hums, her hands coming up to seek the warmth near her lips, eyes flicking across the menu and then the crepe display. There are too many to choose from, and some flavours she's never heard of or imagined existing before, and then there are the "classics", according to the stand that range from sweet to savoury and everything in between. But the bright colours of the strawberries and cream is what grabs her attention the most.

She doesn't give her answer yet, but instead, her eyes look up at him, shimmering with anticipation.]

They're kind of big, aren't they?

[They're really big, actually. Too big for her to finish on her own. At first, she worries that it might spoil dinner, but... where's the fun in that? She's trying her hardest to keep the mood as light-hearted and enjoyable as possible, because she fears the moment it falters, they'll stumble right back into that awkwardness she's working so hard to avoid.

So, she shouldn't even stop to think about what might or might not happen. Best to just go where the winds take her, and they've led her here. Besides, it's closing in on dinnertime, they aren't anywhere near the resort, and she isn't even feeling like eating in a fancy restaurant anyway. She doesn't have the right clothes for that.]

What do you think of strawberries and cream?

[Is she implying that they share it? Yes.]

[tantailizing]

[Ergh, there was something unsettling about looking at Lotus Pod Mountain, but less about the holes once they revealed themselves and more how it reminded him of something that was previously a part of home. Shaking his head to rid the thought, Zidane steps forward to the cavern wall himself and inspects it closely. If there's something precious still inside then yeah, the dragon had to be somewhere nesting inside, building up a new hoard until the next incident drove it out and into a rage.]

[He takes several steps in further than the other two, looking back at them with a grin.]

All ready here, let's go!

[They had a dragon to find.]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace just follows silently after them, taking the rear position as he had the advantage to not only cover from the back but also can better listen and catch any sound of anything that may be approaching. That said—]

If you need me to scout ahead at any point, let me know. Although my time will be limited, I can transform into a smaller creature that can see through the dark and undetected by the dragon.

[luciing]

[ The flame of his torch provides an adequate enough light (for now), but even the soft sound of it flickering seem to cause faint echoes to resonate down the mining shafts. As for their voices, they will have to be careful to remain as soft-spoken as possible, lest they give their position to the dragon away. ​]

When we traverse deeper into this system, [ And when they've been wandering too long-- ] your ability will be useful.

[ Somnus takes a knife out, marking the side of the wall. ]

[tantailizing]

[Hey, Zidane will keep his voice down... but he will think to himself how this cave could use something like a gargant. Maybe they could wrangle up something else because there's no way something else didn't live in these caverns.]

Just be careful, Eustace. No idea if your scent might bother them.

[He looks Somnus's way when he marks the wall and nods. It's makes sense to keep track to where they've been.]

[flamekthunder]

If I choose a reptile form it should be fine, but a fair concern.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if it's already sensed our presence among the other groups venturing here.

[Groups that may not be as careful as they are, though he wants to hold out some hope they are being at least a bit tactical and not shouting out.]

[flamekthunder]

[Just a roll of his eyes before smacking him over the back of his head and then transforming into a bird.]

Hurry up.

[And away he flies, already darting towards the first circle.]

[flamekthunder]

[...Aha. He catches that implication and he glances at her for a moment.]

Sounds good. Let's add a little chocolate glaze to go with it.

[He's not a huge sweets person, but he's had enough dessert experience to know that combo is usually well favored. He's also going to go ahead and step up to the register to get their order.




They should not be surprised that it will be a giant heart shape, perfect for splitting it in half right down the middle. Eustace is also going to get them some small cups of hot chocolate that will also have little hearts marshmallows in them.

...

If this had been just the other week this really would be weird and awkward. As it is, it's just kind of...over the top...]

[tantailizing]

[Rubbing his head, Zidane snickers 'cause it seems like he got Eustace there.]

Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.

[And he flies up after the bird, soaring after him towards the first circle.]

[starshower]

[Ah.

He didn't have to go up there to pay for it all on his own—she could have done so since it was her idea in the first place! But Tifa doesn't voice her objections and instead, waits for him to return... with much more than she bargained for. The crepe, bigger than what was on display, and a pair of hot chocolates to go with it, all of them fitting a certain theme that she wonders if this is all, in some strange way, related to the "couple's retreat" package.]

Thanks...

[She takes the drinks off his hands with a crooked smile and leads him to a bench nearby where she can set them down, her eyes drilling holes into those heart-shaped marshmallows bobbing in the chocolatey foam until they start to melt into shapeless blobs of sugar. Yeah, this will surely spoil dinner. Oh well! They'll need to head back to the spa as soon as they're done here anyway.

Sitting, she catches a glimpse of the heart-shaped crepe too, and that makes her lips press into a thin line. She isn't going to humour it any more than she already has. Although... it is kind of cute and very pretty that she almost feels bad for eating it.]

... Can I?

[Have the honour of the first bite of her first ever crepe?

The faster one of them takes one, the faster it will look like a normal crepe!]

Flappy Veg

[feralhumanity]

[Eustace has a rather unique ally when it comes to defending the flying lettuce. Being primarily a carnivore, Nanaki has no interest in eating the Butterfly Lettuce, but he understands the need to protect an endangered species from poachers. And knowing there's a big, scary guard catdogwolf protecting them might just make poachers think twice.]

[But for now, he lays on the grass and watches as Eustace makes the younger Butterfly Lettuce fly up on the updrafts. It's kind of cute, really. His tail swishes as he watches the scene before him.]

They seem to be having fun.

[luciing]

[ Thus the three continue down the winding and diverging mine passages, passing by abandoned equipment, rest stations, and piles of rubble from previous cave-ins. Somnus marks their progress upon the sedimentary halls as they go. Some areas within the mountain open up to larger, cavernous atriums-- large enough to be a lair for a dragon, perhaps-- while other tunnels lead to medium-sized caves, seemingly carved out by burrowing or hibernating animals. They trek through it all, making progress along the side of the Lotus Pod. More veins of the mountain are outfitted with rusted rail systems, and it is her that more of the borealis-like sheen of the labradorite decorates the uneven walls.

Next to one of the rail systems and a particularly gossamer facet of the cavewall, Somnus lifts a hand. ] Hold.

This must be the labradorite... [ If they don't find the dragon, at least they found this. He turns to face both of them. ] Let us pause here to gather some of this stone.

[tantailizing]

[It's a surprisingly quiet walk along the mountain path, or maybe Zidane was too used to most animals and monster to be so immediately hostile that they seek adventurers out instead of waiting for them to draw further into the depths. Which was a long thought for coming back around to the wall being quiet and maybe a little dull. At least there was taking a few photos on mute along the way - Garnet isn't here, but she would still be able to see it somehow - and maybe another day they could come back together.]

Hm? [He stops when Somnus says 'hold' and raises his eyebrow at the mention of collecting some labradorite.]

Uh, okay. Are you making an accessory later?

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace just watches her facial expressions, sensing what he thinks is something like unease or embarrassment. Truthfully while it's true this is a very obvious ploy from the seller and is a bit much for his tastes, he also doesn't really mind that much.

If anything, it's a little amusing watching her trying to burn the crepe with her eyes.

So with a slight quirk of his lips, he holds up the crepe by its wrapper, careful to not let any of that sweet strawberry and cream filling spill, and pushes one chocolate glazed round corner of the heart laced crepe close to her mouth, almost tapping it.]

Here.

[Yep.

That's right.

He's not going to hand it to her and instead will be feeding her that first bite.

At least he's letting her bite it off, though the thought of tearing off a piece occurred. But that would probably be a step too much just for teasing her, not to mention potentially messier since this is still warm and fresh. Of course, this is also a little bit of punishment for avoiding him again.]

[starshower]

[Tifa flinches back when the corner of the crepe almost touches her cheek, and a brow quirks up at him. Is he... seriously trying to pull this right now? Of all the times and places, when there are crowds and people walking by, some maybe looking at them with curiosity. Of all the times, when she's still trying to feel out where she—they are at emotionally...

So rather than take a bite like she originally planned, Tifa first dips her finger into the dollop of whipped cream around the edges and smears it over his cheek before she steals the dessert from his hand. That is punishment for trying to feed her!]

Thanks.

[She seems rather pleased with herself, but it's hard to tell whether the flush in her cheeks is from the sting of the wintery air or something else. Especially when he smiles at her like that...

Ignoring it, she goes in to take her first bite anyway, and her eyes light up the moment it hits her tongue. The soft crunch of the sweet, warm batter, the tang of the fresh strawberry, and the mix of cream and chocolate to chase the sourness away... Tifa loves sweets, but this is on a whole other level, and her face scrunches with delight before she's going in for seconds.]

So much better than I thought...!

[Look at her, talking with her mouth full! How rude. It's so delicious that she's forgotten for a moment the entire reason they're here.

She's even giggling a little as she brings her hand up to her chocolate-covered lips, the other hand offering him the crepe back so he can eat.]

[flamekthunder]

[Yes, he is seriously trying to pull this right now. If she had been cute and not avoided him these past few days he would have been nice, but nope. Whether it has any other meaning to it, romantic or not, is unclear. Though he had also been curious how she would react—and he's not really disappointed. Really he didn't expect her to easily comply, but he is a bit surprised when she decides to smear that cream on his cheek and take it from him.

So there's just a slight roll of his eyes as he takes the napkin to clean it off before glancing at her, a little amused at her expression of delight. He takes the crepe, eying her lips peeking from behind her hand for a moment before he pushes the wild thought out of his head.]

Is it?

[And it'll be his turn to take a bite, and while his expression isn't as colorful as hers, there is a slight widening of his eyes as he tastes the well balanced sweetness and crunchiness of the crepe, surprised by the taste.

Don't mind the fact he just didn't think about it and took a bite on top of hers. It only seemed natural to continue from the same spot.]

[flamekthunder]

[The two will near the circle, however, right before they can get too much closer they will be repelled by an invisible wall.]

—? A magic barrier?

[flamekthunder]

[If anything, the quietness means the dragon is nearby or at least has passed through once while looking for its new nest. Eustace had been keeping an ear out for any hints from animals dwelling within the tunnels, but so far not much except for occasional lizards and small reptiles that scurry about. The miners' presence would have already sent animals away, a dragon even moreso.

By the time they reach the labradorite he's thinking they should try another way or section completely. So upon hearing Somnus's request, he frowns a little.]

...I suppose a break wouldn't hurt. Just don't take too much that you can't walk with later.

[Since they still have to continue.]

[flamekthunder]

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.