fifth shot ⊗ open february log

[flamekthunder]

Who: Anyone!
Which: Open February Log
Where: Various; Around Reverein; Corgi Tree
What: Building a dog training course; witch's brew herb gathering; spider thread traps
Warnings: None


⊗ a: dog park planning

[1. Seeking Assistance. Early in the month, Eustace will send out a quick journal message seeking assistance in building a training course for the dogs. He's also realizing he's been mostly posting about them... Well whatever.]

I'm currently looking into creating a designated area for the dogs to play and train in—something similar to a dog park. One will be in town while the other will be by the Corgi Tree. I've already scoped out a suitable location and while I should manage, if anyone is familiar in basic construction, I would appreciate the assistance. I'm also looking to acquire suitable materials, such as barrels, ramps, poles. Information of where I could procure some will be more than enough.

— Eustace

[2. Dog Park in the Making. Although he's doing this in both places, in town he can be found in one of the empty clearings around the Plaza, not too far from the Residential area. It's out of the way and quiet...or it usually is, but right now there are several dogs—both Flowers and Corgis—running around as he tries to plot something out.]

...Hm... A ramp could go here... And a tunnel over there...? —Hey, Del, stop dragging that wood!

[As he's trying to sketch something out in his journal, he has to tersely shout at the Flower pup who has decided to snatch one of the temporary poles Eustace had gotten and is dragging it around. The others are quick to make a game of it and start chasing the mischievous pup over some of the makeshifts ramps and barrel tunnels that Eustace had temporarily placed as he tries to get a feel of how it should look.]

Tsk... At least it seems to be working... ...—!?

[And before he can stop them, they rush out of the clearing boundary and run right towards whoever is passing by at that moment. Hope that person doesn't mind getting barreled into.

For anyone who may volunteer to help they can already be there or this could be their greeting.]

⊗ b: quest 202: witch's brew apothecary

[Ever since he heard about this from Tenn, Eustace has been wondering how the development was going and will stop by the apothecary to first meet with Tenn. Afterwards, upon receiving the rest of herbs he'll head out into the forest. Fortunately most of the names he recognized, but he has a bit of a cheat.]

Bri, Aerona, time to put your skills to the test.

[The two female corgis respond differently, with Briallen giving an indignant huff as she slowly paws the snow and Aerona more excited, the nub of her tail wagging nonstop. With the two dogs he'll head into the forest, both of them working hard to sniff out and if necessary dig out the listed ingredients.

Should they encounter someone, it'll be Aerona who will excitedly run up to them with a cheerful bark and hop in front. Should he already be partnered with someone, he'll just tell them to hang back.]

Let them do their work. It's been a while for them, but they should be able to get the job done.

[Despite this being the first real test, he seems very confident in them.

Bonus: If want a little spice, running into any of the native Wildland creatures while trying to gather the herbs can be done! Or they accidentally fall into some hole or cave, lot of shenanigan opportunities. Can also have the spider thread traps appear here as well.]

⊗ c: quest 206: spider thread traps

[1. Dispersing the traps. After learning about the leftover traps, Eustace is quick to venture out to try and find and clear them out. He had considered bringing one of the dogs, but he doesn't want them to get entangled so they're left behind.

Upon finding a trap, he'll try to either disengage it or cut through the threads, a bit impressed at their durability. He'll then cut through other parts ensuring the simple rigging is completely dismantled.]

...That should do it.

[He'll then proceed to gather and coil the threads along with anything else and shove them in a large satchel he wears on his back. He fully plans to try and find as many as he can so he'll be out there for a while.

2. Helping the Snared. Of course, it's not always easy. Sometimes he'll run into a trap that's managed to trap a small creature like a rabbit, sometimes a fox. It means his usual method won't work so he has to think of another way...

...Which is difficult. His knife is sharp enough to cut the thread, but it's tough so it's not a quick process. And the knife...well needless to say it would make any small creature nervous, and as a result it will start squirming, causing the trap to tighten.]

Whoa, easy—

[Really, really wishing he knew how to talk to animals right now— Just another thing on his list.

If he runs into someone else he might have gotten caught, he'll help them out. He also won't be opposed to working with anyone he might come across.]

⊗ d: wildcard

Not mentioned in the prompts but can be done are Road Repair, Rock Candy Crystals, and Cupid's Arrow. He can either be around to help deal with problematic arrows, be a target, or be a target of someone's affections. Feel free to hit me up on discord, PM, or laenavesse for questions or further discussion!

Comments

[roseofmay]

[Little does she know that she's playing right into it all, never realising that even this little instance here is changing her. Slowly. Gradually. If only because she isn't completely shutting herself off.

When he speaks, she listens. Intently. Settling on his words, she seems to understand. At least marginally. She never spent time with animals in Alexandria. She would hardly know if they ever feared her. But then, animals are not the same as soldiers. The ones here, as she's thought before, seem to see right through her heavy mantle of obligation and expectations.

Leaving a hand atop Iris, carefully stroking her very soft fur, Beatrix nods slowly.]

I see. I would not have considered you to cause them apprehension. I suppose that is because you had bypassed that before you and I met. Whatever the past held, it would seem it does not hold the same as the present.

[Settling onto her free hand, she eyes Eustace closely.] I also would not have taken you for a farm boy. I had thought you were a soldier, actually.

[flamekthunder]

You're not wrong. For most of my life I've been working for what some might consider a military organization. I work in the field for a special unit, so while calling me a "soldier" isn't wholly correct, I did used to be one when training.

[His answer is automatic, as if just recounting his own profile. He has some pride in what he does, but he otherwise doesn't feel much of anything towards his work. It's something that fit him and what needed to be done, really.]

[roseofmay]

Once then, and not for some time, it would seem. If... I am gathering that appropriately. I suppose I consider most militants as soldiers in one form or another.

[After a pause, she continues, relaxing just enough to not be quite so rigid.]

That is likely due to my own position. Given your history and what you may be accustomed to from where you come, do you not find yourself restless here?

[flamekthunder]

Field operative, contractor, soldier—I suppose the only difference is rank and assignments.

But...no, I do not.

[With his hand lightly resting on the back of a now dozing corgi, his gaze drifts out over to the dogs playing not far from them. But that gaze goes on farther beyond the area and out into the very town.]

...Above all else, I desire peace and quiet. I only fight to protect and preserve that, and before coming here I had just completed an intense operation against a foe that threatened the lives of everyone. Things had calmed and we were allowed a break when I "woke up" here.

Thus...although it has its moments and seems to have its own threats, it's still overall very peaceful. And it's given me opportunities I didn't have in my world.

[In many...many ways that can give him conflicting thoughts and emotions at times, and briefly his eyes narrow in contemplation, as if he's thinking of something in particular before it disappears and he looks back at her.]

I take it you still feel that restlessness.

[roseofmay]

[Peace and quiet.

Beatrix sits on those idea with thought. What does she want? Would she want a world like that? Yes, she supposes so. Better than fighting. Better than war. The only downside to peace and quiet is that it gives her time. When there isn't a fight happening, what use is a general? What use is a military? What does she do if she isn't putting herself to work?

The idea of being restless is awful. The idea of being unneeded is terrible. The idea of feeling...

This is all very complicated. A myriad thoughts that Beatrix doesn't want to think about anymore than necessary.]

I am unaccustomed to the concept of 'free time.' [She admits relatively with ease.] Being here, I have much of it. It is different when I do not have a queen or a princess to serve.

[flamekthunder]

Mm... I can imagine it would be difficult as it's a different kind of life. But perhaps you can also think of it as an opportunity to try and find more of yourself here.

It's a dream world. "Live your dreams," as they say. [A small shrug.] Or perhaps in your case, find your dream.

And if a more relaxing lifestyle is not your thing... [He looks at her for a moment.] Then do what you're used to.

[roseofmay]

[More of herself. Isn't what she is in this moment, in this breath, enough? Is there such a thing? Has she ever been enough? These are equally heavy thoughts. The kinds that she drowns in when she is left to her own devices. The kinds that inevitably come up when Zidane attempts to remind her that she is, in fact, more than just 'general.'

She hears so much of Zidane's logic in Eustace. Not just Zidane either. Dohalim's a little in there as well. And... Dohalim. For just the moment, her expression tightens. A subtle pulling of her mouth. Perhaps no more or less serious than normal, but a tiny darker. Merely a tint before she clears her throat in an attempt to seem less awkward. This, in her opinion, only makes her more so, however.]

I feel it would be in error to live a life that is not truly mine. If I were to somehow grow accustomed to this freedom, I do not think that is wise. True, that I do not know how long I shall be here, what kind of woman I shall be when I leave, or what—if anything—I will take with myself when that happens.

[Her gaze moves from him and onto Iris with some consideration.]

I am dedicated to my charge and to my purpose. I do not think there needs to be anything more about me. That ought to be enough to speak of my character and of my capabilities as an individual.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace studies her for a moment. He notices that slight shift in expression, but he doesn't try to guess what she might be thinking of. This is likely where their similarities end, as their motivations for being where they are are so very different. She grew up in her position and is devout in her loyalty, he was thrown into it and used ti as a means to achieve his own ends. He has no issue in leaving the Society and doing something different now that he's accomplished his goals. However, there had been a time in his life when he had only been so focused on what was in front of him and not caring more than that. If he hadn't been forced to step outside of his original path onto a new one... Would who he is now be different?]

...It's your life so it's up to you in the end. However... [He pauses, as if debating whether he should continue or not. Is it really his place to probe further? Would it be better if just end this now?

There is clearly a question in his expression, but in the end he changes his mind.]

...I'll only say that if an opportunity or change comes to you, there's no harm in it. If your skills are as capable as you say, it shouldn't affect it.

[—Instead he almost taunts her. Yeah that's so much better—]

[roseofmay]

[At any point, she simply could have stopped him. Ignored him outright. There's a very good chance that if she were the same person she had been upon arrival that she would have done that. Told him to stop speaking and to keep it to himself. She'd like to think she isn't that kind of person, but she was rather tight-lipped at that time.

Still not exactly a fan of the 'catch more flies with honey than vinegar' concept, but... She's understood quickly enough that she has to be minutely personable in order to survive here. And she also suspects that a part of her genuinely appreciates his insight, whether she wants to admit it or not. Regardless, he speaks and she listens.

She genuinely listens.]

An opportunity. [An opportunity to what? To do something more? To be something more? How is she supposed to know what an opportunity looks like? And just because she's giving it consideration doesn't mean if it should ever happen that she'd have the courage to do so. She won't run from a battle, but... Some things, she's found, are more frightening than battle.] I suppose there is sound logic in that. Not that I can end an 'opportunity' the way that I can end a man.

[She can play your game, Eustace, you cheeky git.]

[flamekthunder]

[Whether she takes it or not, the fact that she listens is already enough. After all, who is to say how should someone else live their life? He certainly wouldn't. The most he would try to do is pull someone away from the path he had once been on.

And so he just gives her a light grin before he gives the corgi next to him one last affectionate ruffle and stands.]

Both can have their own challenges. [Don't try and run away from it, Beatrix! Well, not that he would blame her.] But I think we can at least safely ascertain that this opportunity has proven that you aren't as terrible with animals as you think. At least not with dogs.

[Given how Iris is practically napping against Beatrix's leg now. ...Which means—]

You know the rule, don't you? If an animal sleeps on you, you can't leave until they wake up.

[roseofmay]

I seem to have a way with chocobos as well.

[Her words are murmured as they leave her, but he's not wrong on the dog front either. She looks between the corgi and one Iris who is... overly comfortable against her. She'll have to do something about that.

—And Eustace looks like he's just about to leave her with the dog. What is she supposed to—]

You must be teasing. [For just a moment, Beatrix looks downright cross with the idea, though she really isn't. Maybe it wouldn't be a terrible thing to come and play with dogs with him again.] And just where are you going? You cannot just leave this... this dog with me. What am I supposed to do should she wake and you are gone?

[flamekthunder]

[He just continues to wear that light, amused grin as he looks down at her.]

Just going to check on the others, make sure they didn't run off too far. Don't worry about Iris—she'll probably wake up in a few minutes and be content with your presence alone.

After that it's up to you. Play with her, take a walk, or you can leave.

[And with that he raises his hand and begins to walk away.]

Enjoy the "opportunity."

I'm letting this wrap there because it was so good and so smooth on his part.

[roseofmay]

I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME, GADGET.