eighth shot ⊗ open may log

[flamekthunder]

Who: Eustace and anyone
Which: Open May Log
Where: Various
What: Bookkeeping; flower blossom owls; giant flower jungle; rat infestation
Warnings: None just shenanigans


⊗ a: quest 501: bookeeping

[While checking out the new Tree of Stories both for the eggs and just the tree in general, Eustace will be browsing through the shelves to see what kinds of books there and if anything from his world might have popped up... Never hurts to check.

But on occasion he'll hear the strange rustling of papers and see a book moving around. Sometimes crawling over the floors, but mostly flying around. For the most part he stays out of the way if he sees others trying to get a handle on them, but he also some assistance if one is near.

Such as zapping a book that's being too rambunctious.]

Noisy...

[It's basically a library, so keep it down. But don't worry, no harm is done to the book. His dreamotion control has developed so that his lightning is more like an electric stun, thus the book will have basically been electrocuted so that it falls to the floor and twitches a little.

And if there are several getting rowdy, he creates ice walls around a small area to trap them in.]

Go and grab them—or I'll freeze them, too.

⊗ b: quest 503: flower blossom owls

[Although the trees had taken some damage, it didn't take long for them to flourish again. And hearing about the owls...as long as it's like one or two it should be fine to use their trees right? And didn't the Corgi Tree have an owl in it...where'd it go, anyway?

Well, whatever. He can at least try and lure the owls away first, and what better way to find fresh flowers than using the Flower dogs who can also try to help herd the birds. So while working around the neighborhood gardens, if he sees anyone nearby also trying to help he'll call out to them.]

If you need some flowers, just ask the dogs nicely and they'll shed a few for you to use. But it's better to bring these owls out of the neighborhood...

[Unless residents actually want them??]

⊗ c: quest 504: giant flower jungle

[Okay, now he can destroy plants, right—

Armed with his rifle gun, Flamek, Eustace ventures into the jungle with a wary eye, and it isn't long before gunshots and bolts of lightning can be heard and seen as he fights again some assortment of mushroom monsters along with the other large carnivorous plants. Lightning is particularly effective in stunning and burning the monsters so that he can finish them off while also maintaining good range—and for good reason.]

Don't get too close, it can release toxic spores.

[The mushrooms in particular are more agile than they look, especially the ones that like to latch onto living hosts to try and control them. It's even worse if they're working in tandem with any plants that have vines to try and trap anyone caught unawares, so watch out!]

⊗ d: quest 506: eraser rat infestation (learning bass guitar)

Damn pests...

[It's always one thing or another, and these rats are too quick for him to try and shoot without resorting to do an area attack. But after learning they need music to be lured out, he's become a bit uncertain. Should he just let others handle it? But a group of musicians who have tasked themselves in helping with the rat problem suddenly shove a bass guitar in his hands.

"Just try and pluck some strings!" they encourage cheerfully before getting to work.]

...

[But he's...never played before??? Does he even look like someone who would— He's seen it done, sure, but not closely and all he knows is he pushes down on the strings like this and then strum his fingers over the strings like—

He cringes from the off key notes. One can actually see broken notes appearing above the bass.]

...This is ridiculous, I don't have time for this.

[He has nothing against music, he enjoys the classics and some rock pieces, but he really doesn't have time to try and learn playing an instrument just to get rid of some Erasers that could cause trouble later on. Like damaging his home with Tifa since apparently the rats have been sighted around the neighborhood.

...

......

..............

An hour later, Eustace can be found sitting against a tree with the bass guitar still in his hands and a beginner's instruction book on the floor as he frowns.]

...So the scale in this key is like this...

[He is by no means an expert, but he is a quick learner and he is currently fiddling by strumming out scales and a few basic notes and chords, occasionally clicking his tongue if he does it wrong only to work on it more. He just needs something basic to lure those damn rats out with!!!

Although strangely, as he's playing broken music notes will sometimes appear when he goes off key. They have a bit of a static electric charge to them, so hopefully no one gets shocked. When he gets a nice melody or string of notes, soft music notes with a calm wind appear instead.

And once he's gotten at least some kind of simple melody he can play over on a loop, he'll try and see how effective it is on the rats. Maybe those more musically inclined can give him advice or suggestions.]

⊗ e: wildcard

[Open to other prompts! Some other things he'd be interested in but I didn't write up prompts for are helping with Quest 507: Bank Robberies and going to the Observatory to see what changes were made compared to when it was around fro the dreamshift last month. Feel free to hit me up on discord, PM, or laenavesse for questions or further discussion!]

Comments

[judicialassistant]

Of course. They're quite attached to him, and...

[ Well, it'd probably be weird to call them her friends. At least a couple have become attached to her, too... or at least the environment the greenhouse provides. She'll just... trail off right there. ]

Are you afraid of them?

[flamekthunder]

No, I just thought it unusual. Usually most would try to keep the snakes out unless they're part of pest control.

[...But she said the snakes were attached to him...Kazuma?]

[judicialassistant]

[ Kazuma... but maybe she's said too much already. She gives Eustace a nod, however, because he's not wrong. ]

They do tend to eat the bugs, which keeps them from becoming a problem. Either way, not to worry. They don't mean any harm.

[ Since Eustace going to carry her books, she'll carry what they've managed to piece together of the mirror, and the remaining pieces that haven't found a place yet. She's placing those pieces back in the little bag. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Seeing her gather everything, he stands to pick up the books and wait for her before they begin heading out.]

Given the creatures in this world, I wouldn't be surprised if they produced fruits at the end of their tails or had some special feature to them as well.

[Said half in jest. ...And half serious because a lot of animals here really do produce a lot of plants on their hides...]

[judicialassistant]

[ ...He should see 76's flower wolves.

She honestly wouldn't be surprised either if her snake friends suddenly started growing fruits or flowers, even if they hadn't shown signs of it before. She gives a bit of a laugh as she stands, appreciating his dry humor. ]

Is there anything you may want yourself, before we leave?

[flamekthunder]

[He already did!! Needs to meet them again so he will not oppose—]

Not at the moment. I plan on returning later regardless.

[judicialassistant]

Me, too.

[ Obviously she anticipates spending a lot of her time here... so the books Eustace is carrying is "round one," at best. Once they've gathered their things, she gives a nod toward the general direction of the exit. ]

Come. I'll show you the way.

[flamekthunder]

[He follows after her, all the way down the tree and out of the library. Briefly he pauses, his brows furrowed as he stares up at the branches as if searching for something.]

Have you encountered any of those lizards?

[judicialassistant]

[ She follows his gaze. For a moment, she shudders, thinking of the Tree of Memories, but she shakes her head, turning to Eustace at his question.

She'd nearly forgotten. ]

Oh. No, but I believe Mr Sholmes did warn me to keep an eye out for them. You said you learned something?

[flamekthunder]

[He takes one last scrutinizing look before he slowly starts to step away.]

You know Herlock Sholmes? I was with him when he used that gun with some kind of formula with the Glowing Dawn flowers. Although it didn't work completely as planned, it weakened its resistance and I was able to effectively use my lightning to destroy it.

[judicialassistant]

[ To say she knows him would be an understatement, but she has to pretend she just likes him a normal amount or something. At least living with him for about a year has toned down her fangirling some.

She looks impressed regardless. ]

Ah! He is still working on perfecting it, I suppose. Do you mean to say you were able to destroy it for good?

[flamekthunder]

Yes, though it took a few shots.

[judicialassistant]

That's alright. [ Sometimes it takes her a few attempts to get things done too, when it comes to dreamotion. ] So, the lizards are noctaere...?

[flamekthunder]

I heard they were Erasers, but since dreamotion and the Glowing Dawns were still effective, then I can only assume they either have a lot of nightmare energy or part noctaere as well.

[judicialassistant]

[ . . . Erasers. Vaguely she remembers 76 mentioning them when she asked about the Realm of Stories, but that was quite some months ago. Still, if they're tied to that place, then... ]

But what would the Story Eater want with those eggs? [ Thinking aloud, mostly. She doesn't actually expect Eustace to know. (Unless?) ]

[flamekthunder]

That's a good question...and one I have no idea of. We don't even know what's inside those eggs, whether it's an actual creature or something else.

However, if the Story Eater wants them, then it's all the more reason that we keep them away from it.

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato continues to lead the way. She may have stopped to consider the answer to her own question for a moment, but it's all too easy to agree with him and keep going. ]

Right. Well... hopefully they hatch soon before he sends even stronger Erasers after them.

I was already planning to spend most of my free time there, but this has all but guaranteed it.

[flamekthunder]

Unfortunately I won't be able to help out as much, but I also intend to drop by when I can. At the very least this will be good practice for us.

[Of course he'd see the benefit of practice.]

[judicialassistant]

Hopefully they're weak to fire as well.

[ Susato has a job, a father who's short-handed at the clinic, and a needy idol who always needs his notes organized for him. She keeps pretty busy, but she always tries to practice in small ways, when she can.

She keeps walking, and after a while, they find themselves approaching the Mikotoba house. ]

That's it, just ahead there.

[flamekthunder]

As long as it has dreamotion, it shouldn't matter the element.

[But interesting she would mention fire...he can only assume it's something she's been utilizing.

Upon seeing the house, he just looks at it with casual curiosity.]

I had passed by a few times to familiarize with the location, but never had a chance to really drop in. You sure I won't be intruding?

[judicialassistant]

[ She shakes her head. Rather than that wooden pathway, she leads him directly to the attached greenhouse, hand-built by Yujin himself. When she opens the door, it is somewhat dark to replicate cave conditions, but the blue glow of the flowers (as well as some white ones) stand out. ]

Father won't be home, so don't worry.

Watch your step.

[flamekthunder]

[...

...

Is he supposed to worry if he does come home?? Susato giving him mixed signals here—but he'll just take her word for it and follow after her, minding where he walks as he looks around with intrigue.]

Has it been difficult growing the flowers here?

[judicialassistant]

[ HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT INTRUDING??? SHUT UP???

Susato gives him a tired look. ]

Well, it is certainly a lot of physical labor. A lot of trial and error as well. We've had our share of casualties, but there are enough specimens that we try to share with the community, if we can.

Do you think they would help you? You said there were some parallels in... in how people dealt with those affected. Is that right?

[flamekthunder]

[THAT'S DIFFERENT?? SHE MADE IT SOUND OMINOUS OKOK]

Yes. The main commonality is some kind of positive influence to counter the negative brought on the nightmare energy. If an individual is capable of breaking out of the "nightmare" mindset, there is a better chance for them to be able to regain control and push back the nightmare energy on their own. However, that step is the most difficult, and weakening the amount of nightmare energy around and within them is still necessary.

[judicialassistant]

[ . . . A positive influence. None of this surprises her, as it falls perfectly in line with what she's experienced, but she still wonders. ]

It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Maybe the flowers facilitate the process by absorbing the nightmare energy outright.