songerein | sixth shot ⊗ open march log

Entry tags:

sixth shot ⊗ open march log

Who: Eustace and You!?
Which: Open March Log
Where: Various
What: Requesting information from those who have turned noctaere; dog park shenanigans; vine traps; four leaf clovers; elemental cores;
Warnings: None unless stuff happens in the fighting prompts

⊗ a: network - turning noctaere intel

Sender: Eustace
To: Everyone EXCEPT TIFA
Subject: Gathering information from those who have turned into noctaere

Given how much time has passed and the increased number of incidents, I would like to gather information from those who have experienced turning into noctaere first hand, witnessed, or had to handle someone who changed. This is more for personal reference but something more public could be compiled for others to use.

The main questions I have are:

When did you first start noticing the effects from overabundance in nightmare energy?
Can you recall the events that led up to the change? Frequent nightmares? A negative trigger?
Did the change happen quickly or did it take some time?
At any point do you think you could have stopped and reversed the effects? If you did try, were you successful in any way?
Did the incident occur while dreamwalking or while awake?
How long did you remain as a noctaere?
What changes did you undergo?
Were you able to retain any sense of control or was it completely lost?
What did it take for you to return to normal?
What, if any, kind of effects did you experience afterwards?
After the first experience, do you believe you can better prepare or safeguard yourself from another? This assumes a natural progression and not a forced change.

I realize some of these questions may be personal so those who respond can keep more private details vague. Anonymous accounts or privately filtered threads are also acceptable.

Accounts from those who dealt with someone who has turned noctaere will also be appreciated, particularly the methods used to help subdue and help them return to normal.

Thank you for your insight and cooperation.
— Eustace

⊗ b: it's a dog's life

[AKA, the "if you want to play with dogs this is for you" prompt.

Last month Eustace had started working on creating a suitable dog park for not only "his" dogs, but for any other dogs that may arrive or wander into town. So far it's completely fenced in with two different entrances, including "dog gates" where dogs can freely enter and exit. There are several designated "watering holes" for water, with giant tanks set up that dogs can easily nudge for water to pour out into the bowls, though he's looking to create something of an automatic system (maybe those water cores...see prompt e2). A pathway circling the park has been marked, but not yet finished, and while there are already a few ramps and tunnels, he's still working on creating a few more obstacles and "training exercises" for the dogs.

Most of it is primarily for the two groups of dogs he's taking care of, but he is considering a more general use for potential future doggy guests.

Of course...he belatedly realized he focused so much on the dogs he forgot to create amenities for the people who may be with them, so setting up seating and table areas is on his to do list.

For now, throughout most of the month, Eustace can be found in the park with the corgis and the Flowers, either throwing balls or other toys for the dogs, working on finishing constructing the last few amenities, or even just sitting under one of the many trees and just relaxing with the dogs. Of course that's kind of boring.

The dogs will happily bark and run up to the fence should anyone pass by. Some of the smarter ones will actually boop a toy ball over the fence, bouncing it off each other's heads and noses to have it sail over towards the person in question. They then to proceed to bark once and then wag their tail (or butt) and look at the person with eyes that say, "You're not going to leave that there are you?"]

⊗ c: quest 301: vine traps

[1. Thawing ice and burning vines. Given his interest in noctaere at the moment, it's no surprise he's quick to take up the quest in dealing with the trapped corrupted animals. Although seeing it being frozen patches given how his...own effects regarding ice can be similar is a little disconcerting, he just only studies it.]

...Fire, huh. Suppose I should try a different element...

[And fortunately, his current mindset allows him to channel that warmth, a soft whitish blue flame forming at his hand before it spreads out onto the frozen ice, thawing it along with the vines that burn safely away. That part is easy, but when it comes to the vines with the trapped corrupted animals...

2. Eliminating the threat. Pulling out his gun, Flamek, he flips the trigger, an electric humming sound following as electricity starts to spark around the barrel.

It's a pity, really, about the animal. Could it be purified? He knows there is research into it and maybe he should inquire... But for now, these creatures are in populated areas and need to be dealt with immediately.

When Eustace is certain he is clear and that no one is around, he will first create a small dome of ice that is effectively serving as a barrier to help as a safeguard. It's something new he's trying, so this is a fairly good opportunity for it. As he raises his gun in the air, he makes another check. If someone happens to approach now, he'll just glance at them.]

Stand back. I have it contained, but I'm not sure how strong the barrier will be if it explodes.

[And with that he'll fire the shot, several bolts of lightning releasing from his weapon to arc down into the small top opening of the dome. It's not just any lightning—it's filled with his deep rooted desire to protect everyone, especially the one who cares most deeply for. The last thing he wants is for them to get affected by the nightmare energy that could generate here, so he wants it gone.

The sound of destruction is muffled, and if by chance the vines do explode, most of the shards will be contained by the barrier. However, some of it will also cause the ice to crack and break. Fortunately it still contains the bulk of the blast so no one should get hurt unless they were foolish enough to ignore his warning and run in for some reason.]

Still needs improvement...but it'll work for now.

⊗ d: quest 304: four leaf clovers

[1. Clover Hunting. Anyone who knows Eustace might not expect him to be out gathering four leaf clovers... But here he is, out in one of the many clover fields with one of the corgis, Briallen, looking for that elusive four leaf clover. Does he believe in it?

No. ...Not normally, anyway. But his luck has been shit and he has a date coming up with Tifa and he does not want it ruined. Given how this world is, good luck may actually manifest and be potent here. So with Bri sniffing out the four leaf ones, Eustace will also be slowly pacing through the fields, his keen eyesight looking careful over the plants.]

T'sk... I've heard these were difficult to find, but how would anyone find them...

[Just a quiet grumble. Yes, yes, four leaves are supposed to be difficult to find, that's what makes them so lucky! Doesn't make it any less annoying—especially when he decided to find two instead of just one for himself. However, it's not just clovers. He may have been gathering a few wildflowers... Maybe. It's only because Briallen keeps giving him some that's all!!!! ~~it's not it's not at all~~

2. Jackalopes. Of course, despite wanting peace and quiet he never gets it easy. While still looking for that elusive four leaf clover, Bri starts growling and Eustace immediately locks on the tall antlers of the jackalope. Now, he actually doesn't want to engage in a fight if he doesn't have to... But the jackalope isn't going to let that happen.

And so the once peaceful clover field will be disrupted by the sound of fighting. Eustace will have at least drawn the jackalope away to the edges, where he can freely fire lightning from his weapon while the small corgi assists in trying to keep the jackalope from running off. Assistance will be welcomed.

Alternatively, if someone else is dealing with a jackalope, Eustace will assist them instead.]

⊗ e: quest 306: elemental cores

[Hunting monsters is his expertise, so it doesn't take him too long to track down spots where the cores he's after can be found, namely fire and water. Eventually he might look for the others, but he has vested interest in these particular elements for personal use.

1. Sniping golems. Whether on his own or working with someone else, rather than face the golems head on he'll take on a sniping position, either using a cliff ledge or trees. So if anyone is in the area, don't be surprised or mistake his lightning for another elemental golem—it's just him bringing the thunder and sniping golem limbs to shatter the arms or legs off from the distance so he can pick up the cores later...

...Or rather, so two corgis can weave in and grab the cores when it's clear. The dogs will also help in dealing with the golems, with Ivor body slamming those already staggered from Eustace's lightning or from other attacks to knock the golem down.

2. Water core "thief." After delivering a few water cores and having something like an automatic water fountain bowl prototype created in return for his efforts, Eustace is at the dog park to try it out. However, there is a small flaw. Before he could finish installing the fountain, one of the dogs has snatched the core and is running around, shaking its head and causing it to create water and spray it everywhere.]

Hey—Idris!!

[And that rambunctious young corgi is going to be running around trying to douse and spray anyone and anything in his path. He's a fast one, too, good luck catching him.]

⊗ f: wildcard

[Oh God I had more but this was already too long. Not included but can be done: Preparing for Spring planting, orange feather removal, get rid of the frogs, and feel free to push him through the rainbows. One could appear in any of these prompts or could be set anywhere in town. He also has a dating advice request anon post if anyone wants to hit that still. Feel free to hit me up on discord, PM, or

laenavesse for questions or further discussion!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't mind the detour. Could do with the fresh air after spending so much time inside and recovering.

[Getting out and stretching his legs after spending the last half of last month sleeping on and off after turning Noctaere? Yes.]

In that case, follow me.

[And once they're on their way—]

You haven't met the corgis, have you?

[A grunt, and following right after-]

No, I don't think I have. Didn't exactly come to you when getting the honey for them.

[It had taken only a second for him to re-call about the corgis in the tree. Couldn't forget that one.]

[A small nod in recollection.]

It's not as if you had any need to. You'll likely have a mixed reaction from them, just ignore them if they're too bothersome.

Can't be any worse than a group of farm dogs- got a sense of duty, and some just there to have a good time when not on the job.

[Just how it was, and usually those dogs were on 'neighboring' farms he went to at times. The Morrison farm was a bit smaller, but still had enough acreage they needed a few hands on deck outside of the family.

Which at times also meant helping out on other farms, too.]

You helped out on farms? [Just a small glance before he thinks back on a few things.] I suppose that makes sense.

[Since 76 seemed knowledgeable about bees and other things.]

Grew up on one. [Before he went to join the military the moment he was old enough- the world was in danger, and he had wanted to do whatever he could to help.] I do go out to the farmlands here whenever I've got the time, too.

[May as well given the know-how— and the strength he still carried.]

Mm, same. It's been a long while, but I still remember a few things.

[And by the magic of RP time, it won't be too long before they reach the tree, its large branches already appearing high above. And it won't be much longer before they can hear muffled barking from inside it.]

Comes in handy around here.

[Very, very hard to miss those noises either, some faintly amused breath exhaled.]

Sounds like they've been waiting for you to get back.

They're likely excited to see someone else coming around, too.

[And as they approach—]

This won't take long, so you can stay out here or come inside—whatever you want.

[And unless 76 wants to check out the place while they're there, Eustace will just open the door, automatically side stepping as the herd of ankle biting floofs rush out. Although he's also greeted, they make a beeline towards 76, some clearly friendlier while others are a bit more guarded as they sniff and sus him out.

But Eustace will just leave the older man to them as he just walks inside, one of the dogs following him.]

Dogs.

[As if that one word explained everything- and it probably did-]

Might if the welcoming group let me pass.

[Because 76? was crouching down and offering hands out for sniffing inspection. He knew how to act around dogs, no matter the breed, just calm and let the ones that were friendliest get pats once permission was given and the others getting a bit of a nod.

... there may have been some deer jerky given to a few that found the pouch that had a small package of it before he did follow after where Eustace had gone inside. More taking in the appearance of the place than anything else.]

[They will indeed let 76 pass—after getting all the petting and sniffing out of the way. And they will definitely gobble up and remember the man who has the tasty deer jerky.

The interior of the tree itself is fairly simple and not too different from other treehouses where the inside is livable. However because it is larger, it's more spacious. The main entrance leads to the main living area with doors leading to other rooms in the back and a set of stairs spiraling alongside the outer wall to lead to the upper floor. Eustace had gone upstairs to place the flowers in his study, so it only takes another minute before he's coming down and glances at 76 waiting with the dogs around him.

Most had wandered off to do their thing, but the two youngest have dropped their toys in front of the old soldier, tails and butts wagging in hopes for a little playtime.]

[The moment the toys had been put down? Well, it was easy to sort of crouch down to sit on his feet and.

Well.

Wouldn't be the first time he played fetch, tossing them easily enough and adjusted for an indoor running with dogs that wanted to play. Just something quick, because really- it was hard to deny a dog a bit of a playtime, right? Be it fetch or tugging, it could help burn off energy and boy was he familiar with needing that at times.]

[...Pft. Those dogs. As usual they've caught someone to be their playmate.

...Except Eustace is going to be dragged in, and although they really should be heading out, it's hard to resist and give them a little playtime, especially since they'll be left alone again until he returns later. So while playing with them, Eustace will introduce and inform 76 of the dogs: their names, their skills, etc. It won't be for too much longer, ten maybe fifteen minutes before they can finally leave.

And then it's a merry if quiet trek through the forest to 76's locations.]

[Sometimes? Sometimes you had to dog play time, good for the soul.

Didn't hurt anything at least, and it was good to learn about the dogs the honey he'd offered up went towards helping. Good bunch of dogs, really. All the better to let them get their energy out once left again. Keep the house under good guard.

Of course once they were out, there was that dragon of his following along, more so once she noticed the direction they were going-]

It's not going to look like much initially. [The stream that 76 directed them towards? Had a rainbow of pastel translucence to the water, all the more obvious to it when light hit the water just right. It was this stream that needed to be followed, as it was water that fed it they needed to find. Entrance was hidden behind it.] Found a secret my last trip, however.

[He's a little surprised to see the dragon, but as they've already met before he's not alarmed by it. Instead he just gives it a curious glance before focusing on 76 and the stream. How curious the water looked...]

Secret?

[A nod-]

Not as abandoned as it looks, they went deeper down. Trying to keep it on the down-low in case the one who initially killed everything within goes for a second round at hearing they've returned at all. [He wouldn't put it past Reaper, honestly. More so given the fact he wiped the cave of life over the fact he'd nearly died due to- well.

At this point? It was clear it was something well intentioned and not purposefully trying to kill him. Likely the Ents weren't used to anything beyond plant biology.]

...That is clever.

[People don't always return to the same location once they've destroyed something, so having another level is rather smart.]

Who destroyed it to begin with?

[Given the phrasing, it's clear 76 knows.]

[Wasn't that easy to find the way in to the deeper level either- and there was no doubt another entrance somewhere judging by the number of animal life that had been there his last visit. Likely hidden even better and in a way only those animals could find it to go through.

There was a long sort of sigh-]

A man from my world, who went good on his promise of destruction if something happened to me. I was injured by an Ent- and also have learned their intentions with that were good, just misguided since they're unfamiliar with non-plant creature biology. [He glanced up, just to see if he could spot where the streamed widened yet-] He goes by Reaper, and he has the ability to drain life out of anything, on top of being as capable as I am -if not more so at times- in a battle.

...I see. So it wasn't with malicious intent but just misunderstood. Unfortunate, but seems we ended up being lucky that it didn't completely destroy everything.

[And from the sound of it, they're at least still allies.]

Reason I'm hoping it means there are other caves like this one to find. [A low hum- and a few deer walking along the other side of the river could be seen, some more than just noticeably larger than the average deer; odd glowing flowers grew from fur and antlers wit vines and other greenery.

Yep, getting pretty close.]

The -what I'm assuming- leader of this cave was very welcoming, and made it pretty clear it was misunderstood. [Moonlight's Bloom was... well, probably a pretty Ent-y name. 76 gestured carefully towards the deer on the other side, moving a little faster than them-] Also that at least the one I'm taking you to is like a safe haven- protected land people are welcome to stay at if they don't desecrate the area in some way?

Edited 2022-04-09 03:47 (UTC)

[A small nod as his eyes follow the gestured deer before glancing back at 76.]

They seem trusting, but are they too trusting?

Given what I've seen? No. They're quick to take out a threat if they're not outmatched.

[That and there'd been a second Ent watching before the largest one had given them the OK. As if they could sense something about a person, or maybe that was him trying t make sense of things as they seemed to do the same with animals.

Someone like Reaper? Likely took them by surprise, and with his abilities they didn't really stand a chance given the angry warpath he was on. The building corruption of nightmare energy just empowering that.]

How intelligent would you say they are?

Can communicate, even if their language isn't quite like ours. Had a pretty informative talk with Moonlight's Bloom- That being the leader of the group in this cave.

[For all he knew each area might have their own leader.]

Beyond that? They have a deep knowledge of plants, and some magic that has to do with that.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject