ninth shot ⊗ open july log

[flamekthunder]

Who: Eustace and anyone
Which: Open July Log (set after the beach party/moon viewing log)
Where: Various
What: Seagulls; boatbuilders+seafood dining; choya; teleporting and limiters follow-ups
Warnings: None just shenanigans


⊗ a: quest 703: herding seagulls

[Those seagulls are definitely a damn nuisance, especially when they're around his and Tifa's house. He just wants some damn peace and quiet!! But he'll also be taking to the riverfront where most of annoying birds have gathered to join in the efforts in controlling the invasion.

Now, while he could just electrocute them with the abundant amount of lightning he can wield at this point, he will try to be more...humane and instead use two of his corgis to try and chase them off and work on a bit of wind element while he's at it.

So anyone out on the Riverfront will see Eustace calling out to two corgis—a red named Idris and a black and white with a tail named Cadoc—to essentially herd the birds. Some are just chased away, but if there's a large group Eustace aims to capture them.

Idris will rush at any groups that are scattered, driving them to fly closer together and knock them up into the air by the wind the dog's speed produces. Eustace will follow up by producing his own wave of wind to force them to fly and tumble closer to the ground before Cadoc releases a weighted net from a canister. For the most part, they're mostly successful, able to capture up to 10 birds in the net and then send them off to others who will either carry them to the beach or...cook them. Look he's not going to judge, even if it's not the tastiest thing.

But sometimes a few mishaps might happen...such as—]

Ah—

[Someone either caught by Idris's wind blast, a stray seagull flying right into someone's face, or worse—there's a misfire from the canister and someone gets caught in the net instead.]

⊗ b: quest 704+5: ocean fishing

[Finding some amount of the materials isn't too difficult, particularly since he had to find some good wood for a piano... But testing a boat? Hmmm. Given that there are requests for some seafood, might be able to kill two seagulls with one harpoon.

1. Peace and Quiet. With whoever has decided to join him on this impromptu fishing trip, Eustace looks out on the ocean waters as they stay near the shallows for now.]

So far so good. The waters seem calmer out in the shallows so let's keep it simple and see what we find around here first before trying to go further.

[And what can they find...? From simple fish to curious squids to anything really.

2. Rough waters. But if things start getting rough, such as a large angry crab or really, really sticky seaweed that's trying to wrap around their oars or the boat itself, their boat might also start seeing a few cracks.]

⊗ c: quest 706: choya chop

[Eustace actually isn't here for the quest—around another time that he's trying to fish or exploring the are a little, he'll notice any chaos and commotion from anyone who is trying to do the quest—or just happened to accidentally piss off the choyas.

A crackle of lightning and a gunshot will ring out as he rushes in to aid, shouting when he sees those weird cactus things turning read and looking ready to burst.]

Get back, it's going to explode!

[At worst, if someone can't make it on their own, a sheet of ice will suddenly appear in front of them, acting as an impromptu shield that will block at least most of the carnage.]

⊗ d: teleporter and limiters follow-up (semi-closed)

[For those who answered Eustace's inquiry last month about creating some kind of teleporter doorway as well as power limiters, including use against nightmare energy, Eustace will be trying to follow up and see how things are going. It'll be a brief message, something along the lines of,

I'd like to follow up on our discussion regarding [___]. Let's meet at your earliest convenience.

With the [___] filled in for whichever topic they discussed.

If anyone else would like to speak with Eustace about these topics, they are welcome to use this prompt and either use a journal response or find him out and about in town.]

⊗ e: wildcard

[Open to other prompts! I considered him trying the dog sleds for vehicle testing Feel free to hit me up on discord, PM, or laenavesse for questions or further discussion!]

Comments

[flamekthunder]

[...Hmmm.]

Are you adverse to dogs?

[HE HAS A GOOD REASON FOR THIS— And he does remember her meeting a few of them before.]

[multidisciplinary]

[ Of all the replies she could have expected, this is not one of them. ]

No, I am quite fond of dogs.

[ What does that have to do with anything?? ]

[flamekthunder]

I'm usually out in the morning taking care of them. The Corgi Tree would provide ample privacy if you don't mind heading out there.

[multidisciplinary]

All right. Let us meet tomorrow morning, then.

[ Perhaps there will be something she can do to help out while she's there. Having a task to occupy herself with will surely help alleviate some of the nervous energy Zelda is already feeling. ]

[flamekthunder]

Here's directions on how to get there. See you then.

[And he'll provide her a concise map and written directions on how to get to the tree.

~TIME SKIP~

And in the next morning, Eustace will already be there, both he and the dogs outside for some morning exercise. Whenever Zelda arrives, a few will likely hear her coming first and start bounding over to her.]

[multidisciplinary]

[ The map and directions are clear and easy to follow, so Zelda has no trouble locating the corgi tree the following morning.

On her own, she probably would've lingered hesitantly just outside for a minute or two, but a stampede of several small, excited dogs makes that impossible. The short-legged welcoming committee surrounds Zelda as she approaches, sniffing her legs and shoes and wagging their stubby tails as hard as they possibly can. ]

Oh, good morning! [ Zelda crouches down and offers both of her hands, palms up, to be smelled. She was steeling herself for an awkward morning, but perhaps it won't be so bad. ]

[flamekthunder]

[It's always a good morning with stubby flufflebutts. They bark and sniff her hand in greeting, some licking them before they run and hop around her, their butts and tails wagging as they try to guide her to their tree.

Come, come! —is what they seem to say, and Eustace will just be standing where he had been and watching with a slightly amused expression.]

If they get to be too much, you can shoo them away.

[multidisciplinary]

[ With hands now amply licked and nosed, Zelda straightens up and allows herself to be herded over to the tree. She picks her steps carefully, trying not to step on or trip over any part of the fluffy, wriggling mass of calf-high flower dogs. ]

I'll do my best. [ She answers with an apologetic smile that says she will probably do no such thing. ]

[flamekthunder]

[He just chuckles, knowing that expression all too well. As they near, he opens the door for all of them letting Zelda go in first.]

Feel free to sit anywhere.

[The inside is not too dissimilar to the treehouses back into town, just a bit larger inside. There is the main living are that takes up most of the ground floor with open archways that lead to some other places like the kitchen and doors for bathrooms and closets. Stairs stairs that lead up to another floor are in the back.

On the main floor, there is a large table with chairs, a couch and a single arm chair near the hearth, and several large pillows and cushions on the floor that may or may not be used by the dogs. There are other furnishings with flowers lining the walls and hanging off the ceiling, but it's a fairly cozy and warm space.]

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda nods in thanks as Eustace opens the door for her and enters the treehouse.

She looks around in surprise at the comfortably furnished interior of the treehouse. Isn't this treehouse just for the dogs? This isn't what she was expecting at all. (Admittedly, Zelda didn't have much idea what to expect in the dog tree. Her imagination could only supply a big open room scattered with toys and food bowls.)

After the corgi escort disperses from around her legs, Zelda makes her way to the table and settles herself into one of the chairs. ]

It's lovely to see you again, Eustace. Although I wish it were under better circumstances.

[flamekthunder]

It's been a while, and agreed. Hopefully the location will offset the seriousness of our discussions.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda chuckles. So it was more than just morning chores that motivated him to pick the dog tree for their meeting place. A wise decision. ]

I expect so. [ It's already working. She already seems calmer than she was while they were corresponding via the journals on this subject. ]

I imagine you have more questions for me about my sealing power. Or did you have something else in mind?

[flamekthunder]

I was mostly curious to see how the progress was going and if anyone's contacted you for your assistance.

[multidisciplinary]

I've spoken with Phantom. We... talked about what happened at Dreammare Castle.

[ Zelda is still unsettled by what happened at the castle: being kidnapped and brainwashed by Phantom's alter, the gap in her memories between the kidnapping and the spell being broken. She and Phantom had a long conversation about it and while she doesn't blame him for what happened, the event still sits ill in her mind. ]

It was his...problem... you were initially inquiring after, isn't it?

[flamekthunder]

[Hearing that she talked to Phantom... He slowly nods.]

...Yes, it was. I've known about his problem and had feared this kind of scenario would occur. We were lucky his limiter remained intact, but if it hadn't...

[A small shake of his head.]

And? Were you able to help?

[multidisciplinary]

[ Knowing that everything that happened with Dreammare Castle happened while Phantom's limiter was intact makes Zelda terrified to consider what could happen if it failed.

She shakes her head. ] Not yet, but we discussed what could be done. I believe that I can place a seal upon his limited using my own magic, as well as upon another accessory of his choosing to serve as a back up, so to speak.

[flamekthunder]

[A small nod, and he does look a bit relieved.]

That will at least help for now. [But he looks at her, studying her carefully.]

Will it be taxing for you?

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda glances away from Eustace's intense gaze to the floor, where several dogs are playing with various toys. ]

... Most likely. [ She admits. ] My magic is... not the same here as it was in my homeland. It's weaker. For the longest time, I could barely sense it at all.

[ Zelda fidgets with her hands in her lap. ]

[flamekthunder]

[...As he feared.]

While I admire your willingness to help to such an extent, I don't want you risking your own health in the process.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda shakes her head. ]

It isn't that. It's more... [ She trails off, trying to figure out how to explain what she's experiencing. ] You have lived here for some time, have you not? Have you ever felt that you dream body feels... different from your real body? Do you ever feel as though a part of yourself was left behind?

[flamekthunder]

[...Hm? Now that makes him tilt his head in contemplation.

...]

I'm not really sure. Are you saying feel like some kind of disconnect?

[multidisciplinary]

Somewhat. [ Her face scrunches up as she tries to think of how to explain the strange feeling (or lack thereof). ]

When I first awoke here last year, I could not feel my magic anymore. Not entirely, at least. When I tried to sense it, I felt... sort of like I was trying to dive underwater and swim to the bottom of a lake. I knew my powers were there, but I could not reach them.

[flamekthunder]

[....Hmmm.]

I can't say I've ever felt such a thing. Granted, I do not have any innate magical powers like you do so that could contribute to you feeling it more.