third shot ⊗ open december log

[flamekthunder]

Who: Eustace and anyone
Which: Open December Log
Where: Various locations in and out of town
What: attempt to make gifts with fairy dog flowers; trying dreamotion with a plush shiba inu; designated spot for corgi help; gumdrops on request. Note: all of Eustace's ugly sweaters will be dog themed with a heavy chance of it featuring corgis and their butts.
Warnings: None


⊗ a: giftmaking: fairy dog flowers

[Eustace hadn't really thought much about trying to make gifts, especially when he was working to take care of the corgis back at the tree... But as he was caring for the flower fairy dogs back in the Residential District, he noticed that the flowers that fell from their coats did one of two of things: turn into hard crystal or soft candy. He's already given what he's collected to various craftsmen and merchants in town as they would likely be useful for some kind of material, but during one delivery he's asked if he could help with the whole "gift making" project going on. Truthfully he didn't think he had much time... But if it's just stuffing them in jars and collecting them to be used by others, then he could at least spend a day or two.

So one afternoon he's out by where the flower fairy dogs are settled in the Residential District. Several jars are lined up on a table with a bag containing an assortment of ribbons next to them. Sitting on a blanket, Eustace has one of the pups in his lap, the flowers a variety of valerians. Brushing out the pup's coat, he carefully picks up the flowers that fall and change before dropping it into the properly labeled jar.

...]

Forget it, there's no way I can do all of this.

[Just a sigh and a click of his tongue as he sits back, thinking he has to do with all of them. Half of them will be cooperative but the other two...]

⊗ b: dreamotion practice: dog plush

[After "adopting" one of the dog plushes Kanji had brought during Hilda's training session, Eustace had been diligently taking care of the little shiba inu and studying how it works. It seems simple enough, especially since it's not a real living animal and doesn't need food. However, Eustace has noticed that it's more active when he's around and capable of providing some dreamotion energy, particularly when giving it attention and affection.

So now he's taking some time to see what else it can do while taking the opportunity to practice his dreamotion abilities. Like...maybe it wants to try fetch? Of course it doesn't have a mouth so...it would need something modified that it could maybe stick to like a magnet??

After much contemplation, he focuses and manages to conjure a felt ball and stick that would stick to it should it touch it. Or so he hopes, anyway.]

Okay, let's try this... Fetch, boy!

[.....Yes he does feel a little awkward shouting to a plush dog of all things, but if expressing some excitement or something will help give it extra energy then dammit, for the tests he will swallow his pride and do it. And it does seem to work! The little plush dog will be running on its plush legs towards the small ball and boop its nose to pick it up.

But instead of returning to Eustace, it may notice another person and start toddling over to them instead.]

...Wait—

[Maybe he should have tried to teach it commands.]

⊗ c: fairy corgi assistance

[An overall catchall prompt for those helping Eustace with his request in gathering certain items for the spell to protect the corgis.

1. Item dropoff. At the flower fairy doghouse in the Residential District is a large bin with a sign indicated where to drop off the items. A large female dog with rose growing on her back lies in front. She will greet anyone calmly and allow anyone to put in the items, but should anyone try to take anything she'll grow and at worst smack them with thorny vines. Eustace will also be there from time to time to check on things.

2. Item retrieval. For anyone who wants to work with Eustace to gather either the honey or scales. This can also be used to converse with Eustace about their story they wish to share.

3. Corgi visit. For those who get directions, they will be able to visit the tree to see the cute corgis in person and get a better sense of the situation. Eustace will be on the alert, but for the most part the dogs can take care of themselves. Anyone trying to mess with them will have seven dogs to contend with, and they know how to bite ankles and literally throw their weight around.]

⊗ d: wildcard

[The gumdrops are also an option! Otherwise open for anything else so feel free to hit me up on discord or on laenavesse for any other plotting.]

Comments

C-3

[fishflakes]

[Toge had seen the request, and had spoken about coming to offer his assistance with the corgis. He really did want to help with this strange situation, but Toge couldn't exactly deny the appeal of playing with cute puppies.]

[So after getting directions, Tohe will make his way to the tree. And when he finally gets there and sees the corgis there? Well, Toge can't help but kneel down and allow himself to be swarmed by adorable puppies.]

Tuna, tuna..!

[He'll try to pet as many as he can, but he's only got so many hands.]

[flamekthunder]

[The flufflebutts are very wiggly in excitement as they meet new friend! They're getting more used to visitors and are happier to greet them despite some being a little cautious still.

At least Eustace is... ...Well Toge's manner of speaking is still a bit of a work in progress in understanding it.]

Okay, don't crowd him.

[Just going to gently push the dogs away so Toge has a bit more room. Still, he has a soft expression as he's relieved to see the dogs looking happier these days.]

[fishflakes]

[Toge is totally ok with being crowded by fluffy dogs. Toge is fine with most animals, really. They don’t judge him for his weird manner of speaking, and get along fine with not much conversation. So even if they’re jumping up on him and getting in his face, it doesn’t really bother him much.]

[Though it looks like the puppies do back off a bit when Eustace pushes them away a bit. Ah, this must be the one who he spoke to over the journal. Over text or writing he’s able to speak fine, but face to face is a different story. He does still pet the ones who stick close, but he raises a hand to Eustace in greeting.]

Kombu.

[flamekthunder]

...Kombu?

[Is this a weird greeting??]

[fishflakes]

[Toge blinks at Eustace, his hand sort of awkwardly held aloft for a moment. Ah... right. It was always a little awkward, meeting new people who weren't used to his strange manner of speaking. He slowly lowers his hand, which instantly gets nosed at by one of the corgis. Lowered hand is clearly free for pets, right??]

Mustard leaf.

[It's alright if he's not fully understood off the bat. Such is the fate of a Cursed Speech user like himself, after all. So, much to the dismay of the corgis around him, Toge stands up from his crouched position to reach into his pocket and pull out a journal; not one of the magic journals, but a regular, mundane old journal. He flips to a blank page and writes something down quickly, before turning the page to Eustace to read.]

These are the corgis you mentioned over the journals, right? They're pretty lively.

[flamekthunder]

[....What.

Eh?

What.

Eustace stares at Toge without comprehension at first. He just said "mustard leaf" and now he wrote a complete sentence, which is what Eustace had been introduced with first.]

...Yes, they are...

[He's slow to answer as he's still puzzled over what's going on here.]

Is there a reason why you say random words?

[No point in wondering when he can just ask to clear it up first.]

[fishflakes]

[That's not the first time he was asked that question, and he knows that it won't be the last. He takes it in stride, just taking some time to write down a few sentences in the journal before offering it to Eustace to read.]

It's safer for everyone if I talk like this.

[He won't stop Eustace from asking questions about that, but he has also added some other words that pertain to the matter at hand.]

Toge Inumaki. We talked over the journal. I'm pretty good with animals if you need a break looking after them. And if you need help finding any extra ingredients for your spell, I can help with that too.

[flamekthunder]

[His brows furrow at the first line, eyes flitting over to Toge as he wonders the meaning behind it. He has a clear questioning gaze, however, there are more important things to take care of, namely the dogs that clearly want to still play with their new visitor. And since they don't seem to consider Toge as a threat, Eustace won't be too guarded as well.]

...It looks like they want to play with you regardless, so you're welcome to hang out with them. It actually will help since I need to sort through some of the items I've received so far.

[fishflakes]

Salmon.

[He says it with a nod; he's more than happy to help play with some cute puppies. He will write down once more before handing the little journal to Eustace]

How did you even find these guys? And how did you learn about the spell to free them?

[While Eustace is reading his journal, he will kneel back down to go back to petting and playing with the puppies. Yes, yes, he's back now! He's here to play with you all!]

[flamekthunder]

[...This is going to be complicated, isn't it. If only Toge could think up the words...but that would be kind of weird.]

It was a chance discovery. [Long story, but if Toge really wants to know he can say more.] And an owl told me.

[He'll set the notebook down on the nearby table so he can reach it when the dogs are not dogpiling on him. The boy got to their level it was a fatal mistake.]

[fishflakes]

[A fatal mistake indeed! Kneeling down to their level just means that the dogs now all have access to his face, and they don't hesitate ti hop up and lick at him. But rather than be upset, Toge just chuckles, letting them lick at his collar as he tries to pet them all.]

[However, Eustace's words make Toge look up, and though half of his face is covered, he still manages to give Eustace a curious look.]

Tuna mayo?

[The words might not be clear, but the expression and inflection make it clear he's wanting to hear an explanation. Seriously, an owl told him? What?]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace expected that kind of reaction... ...In different words, but he gets it.

Walking over he'll pick up one of the dogs who whines in protest before setting them down to give Toge a little more space before he leans against a nearby table.]

I was traversing through the forest with Alice and a series of events led us to the tree. We didn't enter the first time, but when we returned we heard the dogs and went inside. Unfortunately a spell was triggered and I momentarily lost my memories and made to believe I was the guardian of this place... I'm not sure if you saw Alice's post about it. An owl appeared to give hints on how to break it.

That same owl is the one who informed me of the spell to free the dogs. Although I still have my suspicions given everything that's happened here so far, I have no other lead and the dogs never shown aggression when it appeared. So I can only trust them to trust the owl's words.

[fishflakes]

[Toge listens carefully, letting out a small hum as he does. So, Eustace got trapped here with the dogs, huh? That sounds like one messed up spell. More like a curse, if they were back in his world.]

Salmon.

[He remembers seeing that post, but he hadn't delved too deeply into the details at the time. But it sounds like as strange as it all was, there wasn't much choice but to trust it. He gently squishes at one dog's cheeks. What a strange situation.]

[After a brief pause, Toge will reach up to grab at the notebook, taking a bit more time to write out a few words before showing it to Eustace.]

If the spell succeeds and the dogs do get to leave this spot, what'll happen to them?

[flamekthunder]

I'll let them decide where they'll want to stay. It would be preferable if I could take them back to town, but I feel this tree has great significance for them as well...

But otherwise, I'll have them checked to make sure they're medically sound. I'll introduce them to the other dogs and see if they get along or not.

[fishflakes]

[That seemed pretty understandable. A little strange to let the dogs decide where they were going to live, but this was a strange world, after all. Toge nods.]

Tuna mayo.

[He writes down a couple more sentences for Eustace to read.]

Maybe if they want to stay here, we could turn this place into something people can visit? Make it safe and then let people come hang out here. I don't think people would say no to having a place to come and visit friendly dogs.

[flamekthunder]

[...Hmmm.]

That's a thought. Although wouldn't it be better in town? A central place for dogs to gather and people to visit...

[fishflakes]

[He has to fend off a dog briefly, but he writes another line.]

That’s true. But if they wanna stick by the tree, how do we get that in the town?

[flamekthunder]

[Hmmmm.]

That is also an issue. Unless they're there for just a few days or come in for a few hours a day. Which may be ideal regardless.

[Need to come up with instantaneous travel, aka a portal.]

[fishflakes]

[That was another option to consider. Maybe something could be done to connect the two. Something like a portal may seem a little far-fetched, but then again, this was a world of dreams; all sorts of things were possible here.]

[Toge writes down another line to show to Eustace, taking a moment after to rub a corgi's head.]

I'm sure we can figure out something. With as many people who are here as there are, we're bound to figure out some sort of solution that's good for everyone.

[flamekthunder]

I'll see how they feel after they're out. For all I know they may not want to live here anymore...

[Which seems a bit of a shame, but at the same time he could understand if they have sad memories and want to start fresh. Of course, some might find it odd that Eustace is placing whatever thoughts and feelings of the corgis first, but that's just how he is...when it comes to dogs, anyway.]

[fishflakes]

[Honestly, even if it is a little much, Toge can understand it. Putting the needs of those you care about is important; who cares if they're dogs? One of Toge's best friends is a panda, after all. He nods.]

Mustard leaf.

[He understands where Eustace is coming from. And really, as long as the dogs aren't gonna be left out, that's a good thing. Speaking of, he reaches down to ruffle one's cheeks a bit.]

[flamekthunder]

[Its little stubby butt wiggles in delight at the cheek ruffle, leaning its face against Toge's hand. The other dogs also push forward, wanting attention, too! Watching this, Eustace smiles a bit, that want to have them be able to meet more people reaffirmed over and over again.]

Since they seem interested in you, I'll leave you to them. But if they get too pushy, just push them aside. Otherwise, if there's anything you need, let me know.

[fishflakes]

[So cute..! Toge's face might be half-covered, but the joy is quite visible even without seeing his mouth. He looks up at Eustace and gives a quick thumbs up.]

Tuna mayo. Kombu.

[He's got this covered. If Eustace needs to head out, he should go now, while the corgis are distracted.]

[flamekthunder]

[Rather than heading out, he still has to sort through ingredients and the stories he's received so far. It's hard to do when one has essentially seven toddlers at his feet all the time.

But he won't bother Toge and just focus on his work and it can just be a relaxing fun day for the dogs and Toge.]