[Open] New Year Coming in Like Kool-Aid Man

[tantailizing]

🧙 WHO: Zidane and You!
⚔️️ WHAT: New Year, New Month, New Catch-all
🕒 WHEN: Throughout January until Event
🗺️ WHERE: Atys, New Camelot, wherever Quests require!
⚠️ WARNINGS: None at the moment, will add as they come up

I. Ice Fishing

Lord though he may be, that didn't mean he was going to sit inside all day. And when the quests for the new month become posted, of course Zidane was going to look into a few - especially the ones that might be able to help out some folks, and 10,000 G potentially for a fish sounded good.

Even if it meant taken a cold dive to get them.

Once they arrive at their fishing spot in the gorge, Zidane sets to getting a fire going and setting down supplies. They could stay there all day.

"I have a totem back to Celliwig or Camelot if anything comes up."

II. Yelling Yetis

Given the destruction at the end of the year previous, he's not surprised there continued to be issues like this coming up. But damn, yetis causing issues now?

"... Y'know, I get it. What're the Snow Games? Name alone sounds like it would've been awesome!"

Though, his new enthusiasm for the competition wasn't helping despite a few nods from the yetis themselves in agreement. But hey, a lack of games and the need to get them to go back somehow does give him an idea.

"Why not just have a brief one here? We can figure out some kind of prize, right?"

He looked over at his quest partner with a grin.

III. Wizards Gone Wild!

It's one of those temporary booths set up in New Camelot, around where the marketplace might begin becoming a little more risqué for some folks. He probably could sell out at the clubs, but he'll hit them up later - after he considers going door-to-door.

For now, the table with a sign announcing 'Charity Calendars' doesn't sound that bad, right?

IV. They Grow Up So Fast

[Option A: Calls You Daddy]
It's blue and orange, the glittering egg easily looking like someone painted a sunset on the shell. And upon seeing it in the morning, there are... a lot of thoughts going through Zidane's mind: plenty of shock, plenty of confusion and trying to understand how that worked, and plenty of internal yelling.

B-But they hadn't even... huh?

...

But that's how plenty might cross him later around New Camelot still handling some shopping matters, holding a sunset-shaded egg either against his chest or letting it wander around close with his tail latched to it. It was enough being Lord, but now he was Dad? Maybe make sure he's okay; something about Zidane's general appearance (maybe how he was staring pretty much straight ahead) said he might be in shock.

[Option B: Go on, Git]
If Zidane could, he'd keep their little bear for much longer. However, it's very apparent that living around people permanently wouldn't be possible. Ah, kids... they grow up so fast.

Good news: with Atys located near Elphame and its forests, releasing their cub would be no issue.

Bad news: goblins. Why was he not surprised? Oh, and they brought along a friend.

Cool, cool... he could invite a friend to come join them, too. Giving a reassuring pat to his bear clinging onto his back, he drew his daggers next. It's not like they had to bring the goblins back alive, right?

V. Wildcard

[OOC: Wanna do another prompt from the TDM or a Quest from the board that's not here? Hit me up at demidemonLove or DM me so we can plot. He's totally here for the other tasks if interested!]

Comments

wildcard!

[starshower]

[It's been... a tough few days for Tifa. The month didn't kick off to a fantastic start, and it's been four days since she's had a proper sleep or even rest, but she isn't about to stop now. Even as exhaustion threatens to take her as she wanders up to Zidane's place, her body fighting back against her as she lifts a hand to knock on the door, she bites back the need to yawn as she gives it a tap.

This was a two birds with one stone sort of visit. They'd briefly talked about Zidane keeping her company while she visited the castles that Camelot had to offer, and it's not like she had the Knight or Noble title to give her the same leeway that Eustace had, and... she'd been meaning to pay him a visit to see his new place since she'd heard about it, not knowing what to expect when she got there.

Not to mention, she could use his uplifting company right now, even if she'd never admit it on her own.

Hopefully he answers the door quickly though, or else this food she's brought is going to get cold!]

[tantailizing]

[It's a place to come visit alright. Thing was, Zidane's not technically located in Camelot anymore, but he mostly stays back while some construction work is on-going. Slow progress, but on-going, and he makes sure to go and help out when he can. For now, it's still life at the Inn with the occasional bout around the castle at his assigned township so at least there's that.]

[Blinking at the knock, well, he's not going to waste time opening the door.]

Hey, Tifa!

[Oh boy, she looks tired. Something's up, but they'll get to that soon enough.]

[starshower]

[She lifts the bag of food, and through it, he'll see several containers of it stacked on top of one another, and she wears a crooked smile.]

I made a little too much, so I figured you and Dagger could use some to keep you warm.

[A little too much would be an understatement, if he looks inside of it. There is way too much food for three people, let alone two or even one, but her mind has been a little scattered lately, and so she's been cooking to help ease it.

Tifa will step gently over the threshold, and hold the bag out for him to take, as she shakes some of the snow from her hair.]

[tantailizing]

Whoa...

[That is... indeed a lot of containers. Looking at them, and then looking at her, he's getting a bad feeling.]

Sure, thanks. We'd appreciate it.

[Of course, stepping aside so she can come in, he closes the door behind her. It's not a big place they're living in right now, but it's cozy. And actually tidy with a coat rack for cloaks, a small couch near a fireplace, a table the seated maybe six total if they tried... the sleeping Capybara might be the most stand out right there, but that's how it goes.]

Can I get you something to drink?

[starshower]

[She forgets all about her coat as she wanders inside, past the coat rack and towards the fireplace to find some warmth after the journey out here, but she does look over her shoulder at Zidane with an appreciative smile.]

If you show me the kitchen, I wouldn't mind making myself a coffee, if you've got some on hand.

[And he can put all of that food in the fridge so he isn't hauling it around...]

[tantailizing]

Hey, you're the guest, I should prepare the coffee. Do you want any cream or sugar, or just black?

[While he's not a big coffee drinker, he has the occasional cup. But even if he's going to prepare the coffee, he'll show her the way to the kitchen. It's fairly clean too, and has some modern appliances. Almost looks like the kitchen Zidane would've had if he was living in the house he bought, but it's working out here.]

[Anyway, if she says cream, he can get that out while he's putting food away.]

[starshower]

[She really needs to get used to being in other people's homes and letting them be the gracious hosts that they are... so she concedes, shrinking in on herself and follow him to wherever the kitchen is, looking around the place on the way.]

Just black's fine. Thank you. I don't mean to trouble you, so if there's anything I can do to help...

[tantailizing]

[It's not like he means to make her feel uncomfortable. She really should give herself a break sometimes though. Nodding, he closes the fridge and goes over to one of the cabinets, opening it to reveal coffee and tea. Out comes some coffee grinds, a filter, and over to the coffee maker he does. Do not ask him how long until he bothered figuring out how to use it right.]

It's okay, I got it. Buuut, I guess if you want to help, you could grab a mug from that cabinet over there.

[He points at the cabinet that - should she open - would have a variety of cups and also stores plates.]

[starshower]

[It's hardly any trouble for her to at least grab the mug! It's difficult for her to do anything but try to help, even if it is as something as simple and mundane as making some coffee, even more so now. Tifa needs to stop and breathe, and so she does as she picks out one of the larger mugs he might have stored in the cabinet that she brings over to the coffee maker.

...

And then she snatches up the coffee filter to slip it into place.

......]

Sorry. Can't seem to sit still lately.

[Tifa does pause to wonder if he's heard, or if she just looks like a crazy person right now.]

Thanks for having me over. Or... well, inviting me in. Guess I kinda just showed up.

[tantailizing]

[Ehe, there's a few mugs to pick from. Zidane might like how silly some of them are while using the same one. He doesn't have a problem - don't call him out like this. And just as he's about to put the filter in, it's gone.]

[......]

[He looks over at Tifa, blinking.]

Hey, it's fine.

[He'll just get the coffee and water in, and turn it on to start.]

Haha, and that's fine too. At least I was dressed. [Is he joking that he wouldn't be? Maybe, but moving on.] What's got you restless? Wanna talk about it?

[starshower]

[At least his joke gets a laugh out of her. Which is more than anyone else could say right now. He's always had a way of making other people smile, and she admires him for that. Perhaps that's why she sought him out so quickly... She feels safe in knowing that he wouldn't judge her for her feelings, and he's just a comfort to be around, no matter what mood she's in.

Moreover, he should know. Tifa knows that they were friends, too.]

You haven't heard, have you?

[Her hand reaches for the necklace around her neck, with the white rose pendant.

She hasn't said the words to anyone else yet... but with a deep, shaky breath, she finally unburdens them.]

Eustace is gone...

[tantailizing]

[Good, he got her to laugh. It seemed like she could use it, and it didn't negate that something serious was going on just put it at ease. Whatever happened, he'd listen he was always good at listening... unless someone was grumpily trying to tell him to go away, that's when hearing suddenly became difficult.]

Hm? Haven't heard what?

[He didn't even have to verbally confirm it because his face would've given away his confusion. He notes her fiddling, but looks back at the coffee maker.]

[... And then, she says that.]

... Oh. Huh... that explains a few things.

[But give him a moment to process his feelings accordingly.]

[starshower]

[She'll give him all the moments he needs. God knows she still needs some time to process it all, too. Especially after they'd only just talked about how there was no permanence in this world...

The brewing of the coffee maker is the only sound in the room following a small, affirmative hum from Tifa, but having said the words out loud for the first time, all she hears is her own voice, and the disappointment in Zidane's ringing in her ears and filling that void.

Tifa watches him, giving him the time to say something, but she does inch a little closer, sliding up so that they're shoulder to shoulder, that little bit of contact a small but necessary comfort for her. Of all of the others that she's met here, Zidane was the only other who she's grown much closer with, and the first one she sought out when she knew she needed someone...]

[tantailizing]

[It does suck because Eustace was kind of one of the first people Zidane met when he arrived; and yeah, he bugged the guy maybe a bit more than most would've, but he'd been worried he'd live up to matching his ears: being a lone wolf. Would he have made so many friends? Would he not? Eustace probably wouldn't have cared either way, but hey, he tried anyway.]

[Glancing over at Tifa when their shoulders touch, he goes back to staring at the floor for a bit... but then looks up.]

Hey, did he at least manage to take you on a few good dates?

[starshower]

[Her laugh is breathy, quiet, as she looks beside her at Zidane.]

Only a few. Funnily enough, they were pretty great, but I feel like he might've had a good push or two before that.

[From Zidane, namely. In all of that bliss, she still owed plenty of thanks to him, and even more now that he's still here, at her side.]

[tantailizing]

Oh really? No, noo... he totally came up with them himself.

[He knows he's lying, but it's a little teasing because Eustace was bad at feelings and they both know it.]

[starshower]

[He learned... He came around eventually!

For what it's worth, it is nice just being able to reminisce about it without having to worry about how her feelings might make her look in front of someone else, and Tifa even laughs a little louder.]

Right, that was all him. Not someone else pushing him or giving him advice.

[She does wonder... how much did he seek out from others?

There's a pause, and Tifa turns to watch the coffee brew, her laughter falling away again.]

Eria's already gone, too. I hear the familiars go back to their homes when people leave, so... I wonder if she's out there, in the forests somewhere.

[tantailizing]

Not at all. Besides, trying to give him advice? It feels like it goes in one fluffy ear and out the other.

[The number of times Eustace just gave him a blank stare or rolled his eyes... ah, so many to count. He might be gone, but it's worth having the memories.]

[The coffee's almost ready; maybe Zidane would have a little too thinking about it.]

Probably... whenever we run into her, we'll have to play again. I'll let her bury me in snow to make up for lost time.

[starshower]

I was thinking... of maybe bringing her some food.

[If she could find out where the wolf had gone, at least. But it's cold and snowy out there, and while she has no doubts that Eria could easily survive on her own, Tifa finds herself missing the familiar as well. And own familiar does too, even if they weren't the best of friends, she's been a little less cheery as of late.]

You should come with me sometime. I could use the help carrying some meat out there. And then you can let her bury you in the snow.

[tantailizing]

Food, huh?

[Wouldn't be a bad idea. Too bad he didn't know what Eria's favorite food was because he would suggest that. She probably didn't need a food delivery, but hey, she was a fun familiar and would be missed.]

Haha, sure! If we find out where she's gone, we'll go. We'll also have to have a snowball fight.

[starshower]

[It could just be that Tifa is trying to cling onto whatever remnants of Eustace are left in this world, besides what few things she still has from him... but Eria had stuck with Tifa until she was ready to leave, and she at least deserves some nicer meals than whatever gain she can hunt outside the city walls. Some fresh meat cut just for her...]

Deal!

[And as if in perfect timing, the coffee maker clicks to signal its readiness.]

... Anyway. You'll have to show me around the new place once we get our cups.

[tantailizing]

Good!

[He is satisfied with this plan! And speaking about the coffee and cups being ready, that is the coffee being done and Zidane pouring it into their mugs; Tifa getting a little more than him.]

Sure! Oh, by the way, I asked Aerith if she'd want to come help start a garden in the courtyard. Do you wanna come help us with that down the line?

[starshower]

[Tifa really shouldn't be surprised at all by that. If anyone were to be good at starting up a garden in any courtyard, it would be Aerith.]

You sure? I don't have much of a green thumb, but I'm learning.

[She giggles as she lifts her hand and gives her thumb a wriggle.]

I'd really like that... would help to keep myself busy for a while.

[Except that's all she's really been doing.]

[tantailizing]

It's all good. I don't either.

[And he's willing to laugh about it too. Oh, and Tifa's little thumb wiggle. Speaking of...]

... you've been doing that a lot lately, haven't you?

[starshower]

[...

Tifa shrinks back against the counter, and turns to help herself to her coffee, holding it between her fingers as her hair drapes down to hide her face.]

You caught me.

[Although it was her worst-kept secret.]

Don't really don't know what to do with myself besides that.