flamekthunder: (ϟ 066)
Eustace ([personal profile] flamekthunder) wrote in [community profile] songerein2022-09-10 08:32 pm

twelfth shot ⊗ semi-closed ⊗ recovery

Who: Eustace, Tifa, and anyone who wants to check in on them
Which: Semi-closed log (backdated/set for early September before upcoming events)
Where: Set locations
What: It's been a rough few days/weeks since Eustace turned noctaere back at the end of August, but he and Tifa have been recovering. They've been mostly keeping to themselves as they work through things, but they've eventually come out a little more often, if often found together. But there are times Eustace can be found on his own should anyone want to meet with him for a little bit. Note: Although this is mostly a consolidated post for people involved in the plot to check in on Eustace and Tifa, the first prompt is open for anyone who wants to meet Eustace for whatever reason!
Warnings: References to the trauma experienced in threads with those who were involved, but otherwise shouldn't be too much.

⊗ a: open - eustace
[It took...a lot longer than he would have liked, but by the time he finally feels ready and comfortable in leaving Tifa alone (be it with the other dogs or other friends), he's at least more like his usual self. It's still difficult to shake some of those fears that linger, but as much as he'd rather just stay home and keep themselves, they have to move forward.

So Eustace can be found sometimes out in town, usually with a white wolf or a corgi at his side. Often times it's for a grocery or some kind of errand run, but he'll sometimes look at the board. He doesn't quite have time or the will to go out just yet, but it doesn't hurt to keep tabs on what's going on, like noticing the decorations for the upcoming Faire or noting the new faces that have arrived.

And then on some days... Eustace can be found in the Bark 'N Play dog park with a few other dogs, but there's one he's particularly focused on.]


...Come here, Bri...

[He's kneeling on the grass, a hand with her favorite flower cookie treats held out to her. But the poor darling just whines. It's clear she wants to go to him, but she instead shy and runs away, leaving Eustace to sigh and run a hand through his hair.]

...Dammit.

[Ignore the small rain clouds rolling in.]


⊗ b. closed - eustifa visits
[For those seeking out the couple, one place they could be found is their home. It's not that well known as neither really ever invited people to it, but for anyone searching for them, they could get a little help by any of the dogs to lead them to it. Their tree has taken some hits after the first few nights, their once luscious branches looking a bit weathered and less full. Streaks of black and a hint of frost still linger on the wood in the deepest, darkest shadows, but overall the tree is flourishing. There are fresh new star flowers blooming along the ground and along a few branches, and other flowers are more vibrant than others.

And to confirm their location, their names are on a plaque by the door. A small black cat may also be outside, hopping down from her perch to greet anyone who comes by. A simple knock will be enough to send a bunch of dogs barking that would alert anyone of their presence. Seriously, who needs a doorbell when you have dogs?

If by some chance there is no response at the house, not even a bark, then it means the family has gone out. There are a few options for that: a general walk around the neighborhood, the Bark 'N Play dog park, and the Corgi Tree. One just has to listen to the barking to find them.]
starshower: (temp 069)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-10-01 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Tifa buries her face partway behind Bri's ears, hiding the press of a frown over her lips when she feels Susato's eyes on her. She had thought about it a lot of times, gone over in her head what she could have done differently to at least save Susato. She had been there, up on her feet by then, and she was still too slow, too late to do anything but watch as the ice crumbled beneath her and dunked her into the frigid water.

But they've already been through this conversation a hundred times before. The whole song and dance of I'm sorry's and I wish I could have done something differently's... and it's exhausting. She doesn't doubt that Susato has been through the same with the others, so... Tifa reels those feelings back in before they spill out of her uncontrolled like they did in the past.

Aerith had said... look forward... Look at how to repair things rather than what they could have done differently. Tifa's trying to remember that.]


I think we all were a little bit reckless.

[Tifa, for her part, had been reckless in thinking that it was a good idea to split up from Eustace, which led to the whole ordeal...]

But what's important is that we're all okay.

[As okay as they can be right now, that is... but it's something.]
judicialassistant: ([fa] sad smile)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-10-05 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
...

[ They are okay. Susato holds onto that fact, glancing away thoughtfully as Eustace says his piece. She doesn't really know if what he says is true, but there may have been a quiet, proud smile at his reassurance. ]

Perhaps.

[ She turns, her gaze landing on Tifa. ]

You tried so hard to protect me, though. I don't think I would have been able to speak to either of you again if I had wasted those efforts.
starshower: (temp 143)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-10-05 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[The moment Susato's gaze turns on Tifa, she lets her own fall away, her words making it difficult for her to look Susato in the eye still. She did try hard to protect her, and she still couldn't... All Tifa could do was cry when she fell through, and she'd been too late. Too slow...

And there she goes again, letting her mind spiral. Her arms tighten around Bri, and she uses the dog's presence and warmth as an anchor to where she should be... which is right here and not so stuck in the past.]


I think that by making an effort, nothing would have gone to waste. [She takes a deep breath, all of this proving difficult to admit to out loud.] I know... I know now that Eustace and I wouldn't have been able to do that on our own.
judicialassistant: (determined)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-10-10 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ She notices Eustace stroking Tifa's back, and she may have taken a subtle step to the side to give them space. She listens attentively though, knowing that this isn't an easy topic for either of them. ]

It just goes to show how many lives you've touched.

We are happy for you, you know. But... [ Her lips twitch into a smile. There's an attempt to lighten the mood. ] I hope you understand now that you cannot keep her all to yourself.
starshower: (temp 046)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-10-10 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Susato's words have Tifa looking to Eustace fondly, but she feels it too. That warmth in her heart knowing that she has reached out to people... and that when she did, there were enough of them who cared enough to reach back. It had been a foreign thing for both of them for a very long time.

She does manage to draw an amused laugh out of Tifa, though, and Bri tips her head, an ear flopping as she looks up at all of them, confused but not at all upset by the sudden shift. If anything, Tifa can feel her bum wiggling in her arms.]


There's plenty of all of us to go around, you know!
judicialassistant: (book 2)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-10-12 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hmpth... Well, that worked. Susato cracks a tiny smile as well, proud that she'd managed to get laugh from Tifa. Eustace would be a far tougher feat, but both seemed to be content with the peace and return to normalcy, even if the remainder of the walk was nothing but small talk and idle playing with the pups.

Eventually, Eustace will recognize the Mikotoba house coming into view, though it is as dark as their house had been. ]


Hmm... I suppose with father gone, there's one less person to light the lanterns.
starshower: (temp 215)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-10-13 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[Tifa comes up next to Susato, and gives her arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze as she looks up the dark path to the house at the other end.]

That just means you'll have to make sure to light one extra bright for him.

[She knows what that feeling is like, and... who knows. Perhaps one day, he'll need that light to guide him back...]

If you want one of the dogs to keep you company, I'm sure they wouldn't mind...?
judicialassistant: (listening)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-10-16 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tifa doesn't have to tell her twice. A brief closing of her eyes as she waves a hand across the candles within the lantern, and they brighten slowly with flame. There's a smile at the offer as she peers over the pups, and a light chuckle at Eustace's comment.

For the moment, she still has a home here, but Tifa will find that she spends more and more time at the Harvest over the coming weeks, going on into months. ]


Do they...? [ Iris whines, stepping forward as if begging, and Rhonwhen is close on her heels in a watchful, protective manner. 'Only if she says yes,' the older one seems to say, though both their tails are wagging. ]

Well, there is plenty of room. I'm sure mum and dad won't mind if I return you in the morning, hm?

[ Iris or Rhonnie, though??? The elder seems to want to watch over the little one. Don't make Susato choose, they'll be here all night. ]
Edited 2022-10-16 17:53 (UTC)
starshower: (temp 161)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-10-17 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Tifa follows the whine until she meets Iris' eyes, and she stares back at Tifa, almost pleading, hers and Rhonwhen's tails both wagging. She raises a brow at them, as if to playfully scold them, but her grin only cracks wider when Rhonwhen barks back. Then, Tifa's eyes dart to Iris', but she remains silent...

And instead looks at Eustace, which has Tifa snorting under her breath. When mom doesn't give the answer they want, of course they go running to him!!! Except she already knows what she's going to say.]


I'm fine with it as long as he is.
judicialassistant: ([fa] sad smile)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-10-19 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ Glee! Friendship ended with mom and dad. Well, Susato seems to take it in stride, at least, welcoming them with gentle pets and ruffles of their hair. Toby will love having them, at any rate, and Yujin isn't around to tell her no anymore. (If he even would.)

She looks at Tifa for what she is about to say next, but her eyes ultimately land on Eustace and stay there. ]


Before that... and forgive me for asking, but may I have a hug from you both?
starshower: (temp 184)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-10-20 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[The question does come as a bit of a surprise to Tifa... at first. But she realizes quickly that it isn't actually that much of a surprise at all. She just wasn't expecting to be asked outright because—]

Funny you should ask. I was already planning to.

[She's first to go in for the hug, stepping up and wrapping her arms gently but steadily around Susato. Her embraces are the kind that are filled with warmth and security, but there's a tenderness to it as well, as Tifa's head rests against the side of hers.

Eustace is next!!!]
judicialassistant: ([fa] [ryususa] hug)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-10-22 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...

......Well, at the very least, Tifa's embrace is just what she expected. She doesn't even want it to end, and she doubts Eustace would have minded if it went on just a little longer, but in Susato's mind, she'd promised him one too. They break apart naturally and then all eyes are on Eustace.

Susato steps forward to meet him part way and returns the awkward hug. It's about what she expected. ]


Thank you. [ She laughs slightly. That wasn't so terrible, was it? ]