isleofavalon | second shot ⊗ open may log

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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!]

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[While he's trying to find something to throw back, both Eustace and Eria have noticed his presence. Normally Eustace would apologize to anyone caught in their ~~game~~ practice session, but since it's Nobunaga........ The snowball in his hand unconsciously grows in size and Eria already knows what she wants to do.

So whenever Nobunaga comes back, he's going to be greeted by a few snowballs. And yes. One of them will have been from Eustace.]

[Yup. He's basically a snowman frozen in place! And whines, before shaking himself off like a dog!]

TAKE THIS!

[It's a tennis ball, but aimed for Eustace's head.]

[And an oni in the background, has a bucket full of more. Don't mind the always bloody club, no one was murdered in the gathering of these!]

[Also at least Kimon (the oni) isn't overprotective like Hideyoshi, or Nobunaga would never get to ~~play~~ train against the snowballs and tennis balls at all!]

[It's a good thing the whole familiar thing with all kinds of types is a thing or Eustace might have been more alarmed by that oni. But currently he has to deal with...tennis balls?? Which Eustace will skillfully duck with an arched brow.]

You chose tennis balls?

[Another clumsy snowball falls in his hands before he lobs another one. Eria... ... ...She might have looked at the tennis balls with some interest before she remembered and started to form more snowballs to throw back.]

You're familiar with these?

[He also hits the snowballs back with a cricket bat, before somehow doing a flawless serve despite it being the wrong ball/bat/not a racquet and him being unfamiliar with them.] I've never seen them in my life. But they seemed the right size.

[You know you want to Eria!]

[How—what the heck kind of game is this—]

Somewhat... They are used for a game called tennis where two players use rackets to hit the ball over the net.

[Wait, why is he explaining— Whatever, somehow throwing these snowballs at Nobunaga is cathartic so forming another one to try and pelt him with.

And Eria you're a wolf with...some weird sense of pride! Don't lower yourself to a normal dog and be tempted by the sweet taste of a ball caught in the mouth!!! The thrill of catching something in mid-air with a satisfying hwomp! and—oh there she goes, catching a tennis ball that sails close to her. Welp, that's that.]

I have heard about it! And basketball! And baseball! [Beams.]

[Aims more balls at Eustace!] It wasn't available in my time, but I'm always eager to learn more.

The big red bouncy balls are for basketball then?

Correct.

[Continues to dodge, although some come close. ...Oddly enough, he kind of wishes he had something to hit them back with, but he does end up catching one in mid-air and fires it back.

With perhaps a strangely large amount of force so look out, Nobunaga!]

[Despite not having played baseball before, or cricket, and using a cricket bat, he lines up like a baseball batter and hits the ball back hard!] HWAH!

[It's a good thing Hideyoshi isn't here or he'd never get to do this at all.]

[Kimon also has a tennis racket for Eustace. If you're interested, bruh. And is otherwise occasionally tossing some more balls at Eria just to see!]

[...If Kimon happens to throw the racket his way, he'll actually catch it and consider. What kind of training this is, no idea, but it is a pretty good practice in speed and reflexes.

Until then, he'll just be sure to duck the baseball, grab some of the fallen tennis balls on the ground, and throw two in quick succession at Nobunaga as he continues to dash across the field.

Meanwhile, Eria will merrily chase the balls, seemingly forgetting her dignity as she has now experienced the joy of fetch.

What have you done to his wolf, Nobunaga!!!!]

[Sure, Kimon will offer... a wide variety. Because Kimon is like Nobunaga in not understanding "overkill," only using minimal forces for the sake of showing off superior skill, but in this case, Eustace can pick from any err... number of weapons as he sees fit.]

[Nobunaga is laughing too, enjoying himself as much as Eria.]

[Listen, this is what it means to be the Demon King of 6th Heaven! Encouraging and corrupting everyone else to be as lively as him and enjoy things like candy and hair and clothes and making even training fun!]

[He's more focused on defensive batting back now than offensive, since Kimon isn't there to hand him balls, and there's enough out on the stones/harder areas as it is since they're ping-ponging a bunch back and forth!]

[But it doesn't stop the loud laughter.]

[Baka-dono.]

[Truly a baka-dono, but no, don't infect Eustace with your strange concept of fun!!!

Ignore the fact that Eustace may or may not be enjoying himself a little. It's so ridiculous and unconventional, not to mention Nobunaga is still not exactly "high" on his "people whose made good impressions" list, but... ... ..It's good fu—exercise.

Cough.

Anyway, when Eustace is near Kimon, he ends up somehow finding himself with a tennis racket. Hmmm. With Eria enjoying herself and Eustace still kind of wanting to bean Nobunaga in the head with a ball, there's just a flicker of a smirk before he takes the remaining tennis ball in his hand, tosses it up...and then smashes it at high velocity towards Nobunaga.]

[He has to! It's his job as Demon King!]

[Also there's no denying Eustace is strong as hell and just as fast, and Nobunaga continues to wonder what kind of military background he comes from, but he just does his best to bat it back again...]

[NAH CHANGED HIS MIND AT THE LAST SECOND!]

[He's going to dodge completely and bat back another one! Hiyah!]

[This time Eustace swings the racket to return the ball right back at him. Although there's still a lot of strength, it won't be as ~~violent~~ fast as the one he served before.

But Nobunaga better stay on his toes because that won't be the only one being sent to him. After the first, Eustace actually finds himself near a basketball and kicks it over.

No that's not how you use a basketball.

But whatever, the soccer/football isn't nearby.]

[Perfect!]

[This is a lot more like a battlefield now, with balls instead of arrows and swords, and Nobunaga is in his element, using the cricket bat almost like the sword, complete with a WEIRD ASS GRIP LIKE THAT TOO!]

[And he kicks the basketball over, laughing like a loon again, batting back some others and then serving up the one he'd dodged before!]

[Once again, this is an extremely bizarre game he's found himself engaged in. He probably should have ended it before it even began, and yet Nobunaga does prove to be a formidable opponent. Perhaps Eustace's initial goal to just hit the guy has diminished to just seeing how well he can handle the returns.

Though he still does aim specifically to hit him.

Meanwhile, Eria has found a ball that she has claimed as her own and has decided to lie under a nearby tree and watch the two weirdos in their weird game.]

[Nobunaga is oblivious to this fact. Eustace would get along better with Mitsuhide than he realizes, truly. Mitsuhide would also generally try to take Nobunaga down a peg ~~or 80~~ except Hideyoshi makes that impossible, and Nobunaga himself is generally pretty oblivious...]

[Just all the return "fire" and balls flying back and forth. He's more used to sumo wrestling, hunting, fishing, falconing, and the like for "sports," but he definitely sees the attraction!]

[... Not that this how you play any of those sports.]

[Kimon has disappeared again. It's just as well. Oni aren't known for friendliness.]

[They really are making quite a scene, though. Eustace doesn't seem even remotely tired and they seem evenly match. For every hit each man makes, the other dodges or returns it without any sign of stopping. ...Although Eustace had intended to work on his Elemental Magic, this seems to be fine enough.

Will this game ever end—]

[Nobunaga hadn't planned anything directly, but if he knew what Eustace was thinking, he would have suggested using magic to add to the balls, since he can work on his own healing magic like that. Speaking of which, the only way Nobunaga will stop is when he gets bored, or runs out of stamina himself.]

[So it might be awhile, since he really hadn't planned for much else. Maybe they'll get hungry! Eria might? Kimon is already off hunting, because he knows how Nobunaga is!]

[Hmmm it is getting a bit stale with them just chucking balls at each other. And eventually Eustace feels his phone buzz in his pocket, indicating the alarm he had set has gone off. He returns one last ball before he just stops, pulling out the device to turn it off.]

I have to head out.

]Seriously after all that and that's the first thing he's said to Nobunaga???]

[That's fine! Nobunaga bows!] Thank you for providing adequate training for me!

...Hm.

[He just looks over at Nobunaga and then...at the mess they have.]

I'll help clean up.

[Head tilt.]

Are you sure you can spare the time?

[But it does remind him to get started collecting everything, and fixing anything that got knocked over.]

[And there's a finger snap, to get Kimon to help too, since he lost track of the container for all the balls!]

Enough to gather a few balls so you can return them on your own.

[He's generous—but not that generous.

He's also not going to bother asking Eria to help because he knows full she wouldn't (and would probably make it more difficult).]

Thank you. [Nod!]

[He will still pet Eria's head if she lets him! Such a cool wolf familiar!]

[And gathering the balls, lightly kicking the larger ones towards a pile as he tosses some over there.

Eria will also allow the pets, but he better bring snacks next time!!]

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konpeito_aji - 2021-05-14 04:16 (UTC) - Expand

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