second shot ⊗ open may log

[flamekthunder]

🧙 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!]

Comments

[flamekthunder]

[......Hngh.........this cheeky wolf. She knows how often they'll pass by and he'll stop and stare into for a bit before walking off!!! She knows how he secretly wanted to go in but was too embarrassed busy for it.

But... ... Is this a chance? IS THIS A CHANCE FOR HIM TO GO IN WITH A REASONABLE EXCUSE??? His ears may be twitching a little bit, his expression growing more and more complicated and... ...And the puppies... It's muffled but he can hear their voices........ Oh there was a really fluffy one......]

...Let's go in.

[SCREW PRIDE THE PUPPIES CALL FOR HIM.]

[tantailizing]

Huh?

[Now looking over at Eustace, it seems strange to him that suddenly, he's all for-- ooooh. Ooooh, could it be? Bringing a hand to his chin, he sends Eria another look. Had a certain Mr. Lone Wolf been hovering around this place before?]

[... He has to grin and nod.]

Okay, okay, let's get a table. Don't be impatient.

[flamekthunder]

[HE WILL REMAIN STEADFAST AND STOIC AS EVER but there is something to his step that wasn't there before. A bit more energy and determination as he makes his way to the door to open it.

Which means he makes no comment on the "impatient" bit.

And when they come in they will be immediately greeted by a slew of fuzzy, furry, fluffy, adorable puppies just waiting to be pet and doted on.

So...so many... He wants to pick one up but is it really okay... Which one would he even pick...

Don't mind the stiff and frozen Erune as he gets overwhelmed by the adorable.]

[tantailizing]

[It's kinda funny to see the usually stand-offish Eustace actually react... in a still Eustace way, but it's just more, like he's trying to keep it together.]

[... That only met that Zidane would quietly take his phone out and get a photo before figuring out how to get their table.]

[Huh, even their food was going to be dog-themed. Would Eustace be able to eat?]

[flamekthunder]

[It is very, very difficult for him to not reveal his true feelings here. In private he'd have no issue, but...

...

But oooh this one is whining at him to be picked up... Clearly it got hints from Eria and probably just used to sniffing out Eustace's type.

........

FINE. ONCE AGAIN SCREW PRIDE. All his initial pretense crumbles completely as his expression softens and he smiles a little and picks up the little furball. So soft.]

You're a spoiled one, aren't you?

[He won't do any of that silly kissy kissy faces or anything, but he will take a finger and scratch it gently under the pup's chin as he holds it, completely unaware of Zidane's stealth photagraphy.



Oh right, they're supposed to eat somewhere. He'll just follow Zidane to their table and just settle in with the pup in his lap.

Zidane should probably watch his tail. Some pups might try to nip it.]

[tantailizing]

[... Okay, no, a few photos isn't going to work, he's gonna film a little. RIP phone space, but he wasn't really using it anyway.]

[Eustace is now having a good day apparently because Zidane's never seen him smile like that before. Of course, he'll also record the puppies just so Eustace isn't too suspicious should he catch his phone.]

[At the table, Zidane's tail bounces around. They're only puppies so he doesn't mind their nips when they get him. Busy looking over the menu anyway, he hums.]

Huh... what to choose...?

[flamekthunder]

[He is in puppy bliss, yes. With the pup curled in his lap and Eria curled at his feet under the table, he truly is in heaven...

But right. Food.]

...It feels wrong that some of these are in the shape of dogs...

[tantailizing]

I guess if you're gonna follow through with your theming...

[It only makes sense.]

Haha, look at this one covered by a blanket!

[Meanwhile, behind them, Moguo might be being chased around by puppies. He's not scared of them, but he does look like a mighty big chew toy.]

[flamekthunder]

[...Cute... Dammit why is this place so damn cute. If anyone from his group saw him here he'd never hear the end of it, but whatever. It has dogs and despite the noise and chatter he finds it relaxing.]

I think I might just go for the omurice special.

[Good luck Moguo, hope they don't get catch him—]

[tantailizing]

[It's too late; he trips. RIP Moguo.]

Huuuum, I think I'll try this sandwich combo.

[The buns are dog-shaped. How long does it take them to do that?]

[flamekthunder]

I considered, but... [...The faces...

At least omurice should be normal, right??? Even if it's some kind of surprise special.

Anyway, going to flag someone over to take their orders.]

[tantailizing]

Look too much like dogs?

[He thinks he gets it... but at the same time, it seems a little silly.]

[While they're ordering, it looks like Moguo has accepted his fate. A few puppies were just dragging him around.]

[flamekthunder]

......Yes.

[True answer: too cute to eat, but mostly because yes, it looks too much like dogs. There are some things he won't mind, like cookies or other treats shaped like dogs or their faces, but the sandwiches... Something about them make it difficult for Eustace to imagine himself biting into.

After handing over the menu, Eustace happens to look over Zidane's shoulder and... ...]

...Shouldn't you help him? [Moguo.]

[tantailizing]

Maybe I'll be lucky and the bread will be misshapen.

[Eustace, he'd like to eat so... please don't suddenly steal his sandwiches when they arrive.]

[Blinking, Zidane looks back to see what's going on. Moguo is now being used as a pillow.]

Nah, he's fine.

[flamekthunder]

[He won't steal them! ...But he may look at them with conflicted feeling and just. Try not to watch. Or something.]

What exactly is he, anyway?

[tantailizing]

[... That still might make it hard.]

He's a moogle. You can find them almost everywhere in my world.

[flamekthunder]

[It's fine, he can do this.]

A moogle? [Clearly the first he's heard of it, but probably not surprising.] Are they a type of monster or animal?

[tantailizing]

[They would see!]

I put them closer to monsters between the two, but they're actually fairies.

[flamekthunder]

Fairies...?

[Just. Going to stare at Moguo in the bottom of that dog pile, the skepticism clear on his face. He guesses it's...possible??? It's not like he knows what every fairy out there looks like and it seems the ones in this world have their own variance, it's just. Not. What he'd expect.]

[tantailizing]

Yup. They can sense life and all that, but they usually deliver mail and like helping out. Monsters don't bother them either.

[Moogles are strange, but that's how it is. Looking back at Moguo, he's at the bottom of the dog pile, but looks completely fine with that... or maybe that's just accepting his fate, Zidane's not sure.]

[flamekthunder]

[......Hm.]

So they have their own populations as well?

[tantailizing]

Yup! You know, I missed out on a moogle wedding, but I got to meet their kids!

[flamekthunder]

A moogle wedding... [That...sounds strangely adorable? If they all look like Moguou over there...]

But they're not a major race compared to whatever others you have in your world.

[tantailizing]

Major race? I dunno... I would say they are. They just don't live like everyone else.

[Also, races in his world... oh boy.]

[flamekthunder]

Oh? [...Hmmm.]

I suppose I should clarify. In my world there are many different races and species, but there are four predominant ones that have more power and influence due to their strength and number.