isleofavalon | second shot ⊗ open may log

Entry tags:

second shot ⊗ open may log

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: various quests and things like random snowballs thrown around in the training grounds
🕒 WHEN: throughout May
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: none except for any potential violence that might happen in the combat oriented prompts

⊗ a: snowball mayhem

[After a month of getting the basics down, it's time to try and take it to the next step...which really isn't all that big, but progress is progress. Although his specialty seems to be in lightning magic, he feels out which element he might be able to use more easily next—and turns out it's ice. Given his familiar is a snow wolf and his own snowy origins, that might not be too surprising. And this same wolf is going to cause him problems.

While trying to focus on the output of energy for creating basic ice patches and shards of ice the size of small daggers, he feels something wet and cold hit the back of his head. Turning around he sees his familiar with a wolfish grin, a snowball floating in the air as her tail wags slyly from the side to side.]

I'm in the middle of training, this is no time to—

[He ducks his head to the side to avoid the oncoming snowball (so hopefully someone else didn't get hit—). He tries to go back to his exercises, but when he feels another snowball pelt him, a brow twitches and he gives his wolf a look before it occurs to him that maybe this "play" might not be the worst idea as a form of training. Slowly he extends his hand and concentrates. It's small, half the size of his palm, but a ball of snow forms. Seeing it his familiar's eyes brighten and more appear around her.]

Fine, have it your way.

[And so there is a strange sight of the Erune chucking small to medium size snowballs at a wolf who returns fire—and cheats by firing multiple. So if anyone is around the Training Grounds, they may or may not get suddenly hit by stray snowballs ~~totally his wolf's fault—~~.]

⊗ b: task - no buccaing out

[Being underwater...is not something he's really used to, but with his animal magic he might be able to do something. Anyway, time to strategize as they gear up for the dive! Or are already swimming down there.]

I did some research and these nudibranchs do have their own natural predators. I'm not confident I could transform into one of them and be able to fight them, but I could try communicating with any nearby to help. [They'd probably like a free meal.] Unfortunately my strength is in lightning magic and I'm only beginning to work on ice, so those might not be as useful.

You?

[Of course he could try transforming into a crab or turtle, but he'll be open to other ideas and using whatever strengths they have.]

⊗ c: task - holo, goodbye (a dunked wolf)

[Seems like a straightforward quest and for a good cause, and when he arrives at the river he can't help but watch the rocks and festive faeries in some appreciative wonder. It might not be all that quiet being a festive time and all, but it is a reflection of a type of peace he can appreciate. So despite the "noise," he's rather relaxed and just takes his time to somewhat enjoy the atmosphere.

But right. Job to do. He'll be crouching down by the banks, deliberating on which rock to take and whether he should try wading further out to inspect the others (he has a feeling this old woman is going to get quite a lot of these...). Just as he's reaching down to take pluck a potential candidate out, he hears some mischievous giggling. He can already guess some of the more playful (and probably drunk) faeries and pixies are plotting something, but he pays little mind.

Until one flies up to brush against his ears. He's momentarily distracted and glances up at the one who had bothered him, but realizes a bit too late it was a diversion. There's a strong gust of a wind, a loosening of soil, and...]

—!

[KERSPLASH! That is one Society agent being sent straight into the water. He's at least able to catch himself, but there's a small wave of water that splashes him as well. And although he can't see or hear it, he can sense his familiar rolling around laughing at his demise. He'll just sigh and stand, shaking off the water.

And if someone happens to be around to witness and staring at him, he'll just stare back and ask in a flat voice:]

Want me to pick a rock for you?

[HE'S ALREADY IN HERE, MIGHT AS WELL.

Otherwise, when not soaked, he may be found sitting under a tree observing the faerie festivities, his hand idly brushing through his familiar's fur as she rests her head on his lap.]

⊗ d: honey over vinegar

[Eustace is between options for which would be the best (except war, that one is out), and he finds himself going through the various gatherings to hear more on each side's perspective. Really he hadn't intended to be part of this, but a basket got shoved in his hands and he's in the orchard. ...Well, maybe he can use this for a training exercise—specifically his animal transformations. Dogs he has down pat, but what about other animals? So don't mind if you witness a small silvery, gray bird or a floofy cat of similar coloring flying and climbing up trees to gather the sweets.

And if someone is by a wasp filled nest, they'll hear the bird or cat suddenly speak out to them.]

Watch it, there's a wasp's nest. I'll get them for you, just tell me what you want.

[Of course he limits his transformations to when he's actually about to be in the tree so as not to use too much of his energy.]

⊗ e: bullheaded approach

[Can this city not have attacks or something he's only been here for a month and it seems to be in constant peril—

1. A Stone's Throw from Revenge: Dog Rescue. When a boulder crashes into a building nearby, Eustace's first instinct is to check if anyone is hurt or trapped. Although he'd like to deal with the minotaur as well, helping the people is his current priority—and he ends up forming a kind of "dog search" rescue team. So anyone helping might suddenly find a wolfish dog bounding in.]

I hear voices, dig over here!

[Don't question the deep voiced, wolf, move people! A few other dogs Eustace managed to gather will also help in trying to find and dig out anyone in need. Perhaps it's you who needs help?

And for anyone who wants to hunt down the Minotaur, Eustace will be more than willing to oblige as a partner.

2. There's Safety in Numbers. Whether on purpose or on accident, the two are now bound together thanks to the recipe, and depending on who he's stuck with, this could be fine or a disaster. Regardless, it's not very ideal and he just presses his fingertips to his brows as he sighs.]

Since there's nothing to be done, let's coordinate our movements and try not to get in each other's way.

[They are ultimately supposed to be helping the affected victims so...this can be done, right?]

⊗ f: wildcard

[If interested in anything not included here, just hit me up on

laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Awe, she's only having a good time ~~no alcohol required~~, and Zidane's ready to play.]

[Judging by the snowball he gets, Eustace doesn't play often... or ever.]

Well, if she wants it even... Moguo, you're on her team, okay?

[The moogle blinks. They're not training anymore? And a chance to hit his owner with snowballs... please! 'Kupopo!']

[HE'S STILL PRACTICING OKAY just be glad they actually stay together compared to his very early attempts.

Seeing she gets a partner, Eria looks at the moogle with some interest and gives a small woof before creating a much more perfectly formed snowball for the moogle to use. She has this smug look as if knowing they got this in the bag, to which Eustace just internally rolls his eyes at.]

This was never going to be a fair match to begin with. My skills are limited, so you'll have to stay close unless you're capable of forming your own.

Look, if you guys get to use magic, it's only fair I get to use a little too.

[It's not like he'll throw the rocks he was working with or anything, buuut a flying snowball is free game.]

[Though, Moguo's eyes gleam when he nods to Eria and it tosses the snowball up and down. If Zidane gets to use magic, it's gonna too. The boys better be ready.]

... Uh oh.

[How about using those rocks to shield them—]

...Just try not to get hit.

[That's all he says before he conjures another snowball for Zidane to use.]

[Holding his snowball ready, his eyebrow twitches.]

... Yeah, no promises with that one.

[He says that just as Moguo's first snowball whizzes by Eustace's face in a flash. Zidane sweats a little.]

Moogle on the loose!

[He's barely able to turn his face away, the cold rushing by that leaves even him a little surprised by the ferocity behind that throw. Never would have guessed a flying marshmallow could pack such a punch—

But no time to dilly dally. Conjuring another snowball for himself, he dashes off to throw and aim at his familiar.]

[Zidane's tail stands on end and he darts to avoid the next snowball. Of course his familiar is great with its kinetic magic! But if it's gonna increase the speed in its throw, he's gonna increase his speed to dodge and throw back.]

Kupo!

[Bah! Moguo catches that one and Zidane has to slide to avoid the snowball being shot back. Gonna have to be sneakier.]

[Eustace continues to run and rolls to the side when his familiar aims a few at him, the snowballs hurtling through the air with questionable force. But in his running, he finds himself behind Zidane's moogle, so he takes the chance to quickly create a few snowballs and chucks two of them at Moguo.]

[There’s a ‘Kupo!’ when one snowball hits but the second is caught, Moguo twirling to hurl it back at Eustace. Meanwhile, in his dashing, Zidane throws one at Eria.]

[Eustace only barely manages to avoid the snowball, and Zidane will have a good opportunity as Eria is momentarily distracted in watching Eustace being targeted. In fact she's about to hurl a snowball at the erune as he's in prime position having to deal with Moguo's, but Zidane's snowball catches her off guard! With a surprised yelp she whips around, which allows Eustace to throw one, landing on flank!

There's a momentary pause of silence before a low growl is heard from the wolf.

Grrrr...

...Uh oh.]

...Take cover.

[That's all Eustace is going to say before he just. Kind of. Goes find a tree to hide behind.]

[Haha, take that! But Moguo goes over to join Eria for whatever the riled wolf now might be planning.]

A-Aha... we might need more than cover...

[Running over to one of his previously abandoned rocks, he trades his speed boost for the power to lift one up and try hiding behind it. Why does he feel like nothing they do is really going to save them?]

[Great Primals what the hell is going to happen—

Releasing an eerie howl, Eria unleashes a storm of snowballs at the entire area, pelting everything and anyone around. Even worse, those snowballs are going to explode into giant blasts of snow so it's very likely this place is going to be a mini winter wonderland soon.

So what is Moguo going to do!??!]

[Moguo's going to make sure that storm doesn't miss their targets.]

[Let them feel safe for a moment as the snowballs hit and explode on their cover and around, but several snowballs have their courses changed mid-flight to circle around both tree and rock, the moogle 'kupopo~'ing his most vile when there's a yell followed by a snow explosion from behind the rock shield.]

[And now for Eustace to feel the same snow bomb punishment with several snowballs zipping around his tree and at him.]

[YEP HE'S PELTED. He's only able to brace against the impact and shield himself with his cloak, raising it so that it takes the brunt of the damage—but a lot of snowballs hitting at once still hurt. Add to some accumulated snow from the branches above falling right on him, it's definitely not a pleasant experience. And he likes snow!

It feels like eternity, but it really only lasts a few seconds before everything is calm again. Only once he no longer can hear or sense the snowballs does Eustace slowly look out, shaking his head a bit from all the snow that was covering him. It's...quite the, and his familiar is sitting at the epicenter looking a bit huffy, her tail thwumping against the snow as she seems to glare at him before turning her face away.

Ignoring her display, he turns his gaze to try and find Zidane.]

...Still alive?

[Slowly he steps out, trying to shake off all the snow.]

[There once was a young man named Zidane. Unfortunately, due to a snowball fight during a training session, he was turned into a snow pile. And thus, that is what Eustace finds where Zidane once hid, the only thing that can be found is a shaking blonde tail.]

C-Cold...!

[... Yeah, he wasn't dressed for this. He's never dressed for snow. Moguo just hovers over Eria like he didn't just help cause a blizzard, no siree.]

[Eventually a little snow falls away and Zidane's head appears from the bottom of the snow pile.]

I can't feel my arms. Is that how being dead works?

[Even without his usual clothing, Eustace has the unfair advantage of having been born and raised for at least ten years in the frigid north where snow existed for most if not all of the year. That isn't to say he isn't feeling a bit of a chill, but he's certainly more used to it. Poor Zidane, though... He actually feels a bit of pity as he stands in front of the pile before he starts pushing away some of the snow to help him out.]

If it is, you look rather lively for a dead person.

[Did he manage to crack some weird joke despite the circumstances? Maybe.]

However if you stay like this for too long you really will risk frostbite and hypothermia.

[Ah, there's the serious Eustace everyone knows.]

Edited 2021-05-06 06:59 (UTC)

Score... for being a lively dead person...

[He's totally fine with the joke right now. Once enough snow is off, Zidane can get up slowly with a shiver and begin dusting the worst of the already melting frost off.]

Brr... I'll have to bring a coat to the grounds if we do that again. ACHOO!

[Don't worry, he covered his face before sneezing. Once that passes, he pulls his hands away to just laugh.]

[Once the boy is out, Eustace unfastens his cloak and drops it over him. It'll be huge on him, but at least it'll be nice and warm?]

I don't really plan on this happening again... [Just shooting Eria a look, who only returns with something of a mix of a smug and pout before once again turning her head aside. This wolf... Will he ever understand her?]

Let's just get you warmed up for now. Unfortunately my fire magic isn't much except for starting a small fire.

[It's big, but Zidane can work with it. Shifting around a bit, he already feels warmer.]

Hey, it was fun. And it was helping you with your magic. [He shrugs, but sighs. Eustace does everything so seriously.]

It's fine. A little walking around outta warm me back up... hm, maybe something warm to eat, too.

[Thinking about it, did he eat today?]

[One day he'll lighten up. He was having some fun earlier.............not that he would admit it out loud.]

...Hm, true. I will be working more with ice magic in the future, so perhaps you should bring a jacket if you happen to be around. [Sort of joke? Sort of?]

But I should take a break as well. [He doesn't want to somehow poof into a puppy because he drained his magic again even if he wasn't using animal magic—

But it is also almost lunchtime, isn't it?]

Hehe, yeah, I can do that. [Look at Eustace go. Baby steps are still steps!]

Alright, if you're taking a break, we're getting lunch. C'mon!

Moguo, you're footing the bill for that crap you pulled! [Are familiars supposed to have gold? Eh, who knows, but Zidane lets him keep some... and now, Moguo had to use some.]

[..."We"? Eustace looks at Zidane for a moment but in the end doesn't try to protest or reject it. It is partially his responsibility that the boy got caught in this mess, and he has a feeling Zidane wouldn't let him leave peacefully, anyway.

...But first.]

Eria.

[Nothing, just a huff and the wolf plopping down on the ground, her head turned away. Frowning he tries to call her again, but nothing.]

...Hold on, let me deal with her.

[He knows his familiar can be.....independent minded, but he's never seen her like this. So Zidane will have to wait a bit as Eustace walks over to her and crouches down to try and figure out what's wrong. The answer will be surprising.]

[Zidane doesn't look back at Eustace because he's making faces at his once again fluffed up moogle who bats him with its pom. It doesn't hurt, but Zidane does knock it away with a hand... cloak. He adjusts Eustace's cloak a little more to get his hand out properly to point at his familiar.]

Just wait till my magic's like yours. Then you're really on...

[Of course, both set aside their angry scowls to look over at Eustace and Eria. Right, she was oddly... mad after being pummeled herself. Tilting his head, Zidane nods, keeping back with Moguo who is similarly curious.]

[After several moments of quiet questioning and a little bit of conjoling, Eustace finally gets the reason out of her...

...And is rather dumbstruck.]

You can't be serious...because of that?

[She growls and snaps at him for his flippant attitude before huffing and turning her back to him. He just sighs and glances at Zidane a little helplessly before he runs a hand over her head, right behind the ears that he knows she likes best.]

...All right, I'm sorry. I should have been... ... More considerate....

[As Eria's tail just thwaps against the ground, he looks at Zidane more directly before explaining in some disbelief.]

She's mad I hit her on the flank. Something about a "maiden's heart."

[What does that have anything to do with a wolf let alone a familiar???]

[Zidane stares at the two of them, but then crosses his arms and nods.]

That makes sense. You don’t just get to hit a girl on the flank like that.

[And doing that to a ‘maiden’s heart’... gosh Eustace, Zidane’s supposed to be the bad one here.]

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