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

[flamekthunder]

[....

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

.......................]

Rejected.

[roseofmay]

[Seriously?]

I could understand if I said something I did not mean, but that is not the situation here. Even in a dress you are not...

[Well. He's handsome in his way, she supposes, though that's really not something she'd ever say.]

You are not unsightly by any means.

[flamekthunder]

[......THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM FEEL BETTER AND THE SLIGHT GLARE HE GIVES HER SAYS IT ALLLL.]

It's the most basic of compliments. Try something else.

[roseofmay]

[Honestly, that was probably one of the best compliments Beatrix could muster, given that she doesn't tend to offer much thought toward others in such a manner. Handsome? Attractive? She rarely gives consideration of the sort.]

I... Ah.

[She frowns and draws her gaze aside in contemplation.]

I appreciate your insight. You share your opinions with me in a way that even when you are judging me, assessing me, I can only agree with your wisdom. I face truth in your presence, whether I want to see it or not. Whether I want to acknowledge it or not. Despite my failings, my demeanour, you choose to offer your presence regardless. I appreciate all of that. I value it.

[Clearing her throat, she continues.]

I value you.

[flamekthunder]

[...

Okay he didn't mean for her to go into that much. And he knows that something like that from Beatrix can be difficult and be genuine in sincere so... ... A little. Awkward. Clearing of his throat.]

...Better.

[And going to now stand and give her space.]

[roseofmay]

[Just saying it fills her with regret. Because heartfelt things aren't her forte. It's embarrassing and humiliating, regardless of how truthful it is. When it comes to her feelings, she holds them close to her. Covets them almost obsessively, because sharing her feelings can end up with just being hurt. She'd rather trade blows with a blade any day.

Ignoring the colour that strikes her, she interprets his response as acceptable. Better than him making fun of her for actually having feelings.]

So, as I was saying before. That sheep was saying something about getting you to the prince. Not yet a king, but will be when you make him the 'happiest in the land.' I do not particularly care a bit for whatever piece of land is awaiting me, but I will play along for the sake of the story.

[flamekthunder]

[Yes, he will not dwell on her emotional outpouring just now. Perhaps he should have clarified that she could have pretended he was someone else—but oh well, as a bit embarrassing as it is, it's not a bad feeling, knowing that someone considers him that much. So he won't make fun of those feelings and instead respect them like he always has.]

That sheep... ...Ah, I wonder where it's gone off to.

[In a voice that clearly doesn't really care that much— But yes, let's go back and focus on the story.]

[roseofmay]

Do we really care about the sheep? Honestly, it was just going to ramble the remainder of the journey. If you did not remove it as you did, I was going to run it through with my sword.

[How noble and knightly of her.]

Good riddance to poor rubbish, Princess. I would say I came equipped with a steed. I did not. We will be using our feet. I suppose it would be expected of me to carry you should your feet give out.

[Please don't make her do that. Where's a palanquin when they need one?]

[flamekthunder]

[...

...

Kind of tempting—kidding.]

Then we can leave it, I don't really care for it either.

[What a warmhearted loving princess.]

I should be able to walk the rest of the way. [GOOD THING HE MANAGED TO GET BOOTS if he was in heels he'd probably snap them off or just barefoot it.] So you won't have to worry about carrying me.

However if you ever need a rest, I should be able to oblige, Ser Knight.

[roseofmay]

[They're just two peas in a pod. This is probably not what was expected with a storybook of innocent growing feelings or something. Oh, well. They're making it happen regardless.

She nods along, as she sets about to righting herself. Her arm will take a little time, though it feels considerably better. His offer, however, makes her pause in the midst of contemplating whether she should don the armour again. She decides against it. Well, not its entirety. It's much too bulky for her to endure more than necessary.]

That does not seem particularly proper. And quite likely backwards for this tale we are spinning. Although I suppose I am not playing by the rules and have not been since this whole nonsense began.

[flamekthunder]

Neither have I, so it really doesn't matter. Who knows, maybe a princess who is capable of carrying her beloved, injured knight might be more receptive than the usual trope.

[roseofmay]

Trope. Is that the word for it? I would have thought cliche.

[Must mean the same thing.]

Origin does not matter, I suppose. You have a point. If we are intent on doing things the opposite, then it would be more logical for you to carry me.

[flamekthunder]

In some ways they are similar. Tropes are more like recurring themes where as clichés are overdone stereotypes. One is looked at objectively as an element while the other has more of a subjective opinion, so a trope could be cliche.

[Why does he know this who knows, he probably read it or heard someone debate it somewhere and his brain is a sponge.]

But if that's what you want, do you need to be carried now?

[Honest question, not a complaint. ...It'll be a little cumbersome with the whole dress thing, but he could do it.]

[roseofmay]

Hm. I was not aware there was so much depth to it. Rarely do such things come up in books telling of tactics and strategy. Although perhaps war, itself, could be classified as cliche. Or trope.

[For just some moments, she considers how true that could be. Wars repeat, even when they don't need to. Even when they shouldn't. Before she can drown herself too deeply in that, however, her focus turns back onto him. It's another moment where she scoffs almost without pause.]

Do I look as though I need it, or are you asking because you want to?

[If it's for the sake of the story...]

[flamekthunder]

Depending how a war is utilized, it could be either.

[But then he just side eyes her in return.]

You seemed rather winded earlier, but if you've regained your strength then I'll retract the offer.

[There's only one woman he'd want to carry with or without reason, and Beatrix ain't her no offense]

[roseofmay]

That is true enough as well. Nothing is ever so conveniently defined. There are layers to everything.

[To books, to concepts, to people.

There is no world in which she can ever imagine he'd make such an offer seriously. Perhaps it's unfair of her to make such a comment. Old habits, evidently, do very much die hard. Especially with a woman who wants so very desperately to be unchanging.]

I can carry myself. [Lifting a hand, she haughtily flicks some of her hair back.] If that should change, I shall find a way to begrudgingly let you know. Until then, let us not waste time. If we are walking this, it may require some time and I have to admit that I am not certain about what to expect.

[flamekthunder]

[Just a nod in agreement.]

It's unfortunate you couldn't have a horse instead of that sheep. But I think—

[And then giant signs drop down from the middle of nowhere to point them in a direction through some shady forest.

...]

...Either the story is trying to tell us to move along or this is some ridiculous trap.

[roseofmay]

I would have ridden the sheep if it kept it quiet.

[She says it without apology, evidently very much meaning that, regardless of just how amusing it would be to see her on a sheep at all. Beatrix's attention is sharply placed on the sign that points the way to...

Well. Nothing about that looks suspicious at all. All of this is perfectly fine. Although the deep furrow of her brow says otherwise.]

...In an exchange like this, difficult to determine which it may be. My conclusions are the same as yours, however. Let us play along with the game and tread with care. Prepare yourself for combat.

[Yes. Perfectly fine.]

[flamekthunder]

[He just nods as he glances at her.]

You as well—don't push yourself.

[And into the woods they go to continue their adventure, kicking ass and creating a thrilling adventure story that probably has a lot less romance than the original directions would have liked, but whatever.]