second bolt ⚡ open november log

[ramuhs]

Who: Cid and anyone!
Status: Open
Where: Everywhere
What: MANTA board prompts: Claws & Companions, Spellbound Circuitry, Thinking With Portals, Gallows Gambit, Battle of the Brewmasters
Warnings: None that I can think of but will update if something comes up! Gallows prompt might be a little disturbing just by the nature of it, so even though there's not much I'll hide that one under a cut just in case!

⚡ a » claws & companions

[Cid has taken in and trained a wolfhound...but never a cat. So when a gray one named Ashtail for some reason decided to cling to him when he happened to pass through, Cid's left with some uncertainty and confusion as to what to do with said feline.

Especially when after he's taken her, the cat wants nothing to do with him!? And is now chilling on top of the awning of a building, grooming herself. Cid's already tried calling and even offering some fish, but to no avail.]

Bloody cats... This is why I like dogs better.

[A rough mutter under his breath as he wonders if he should just leave it...no, he can't, he's too good for that.]

C'mon, Ash—no, you're right, this does look stupid.

[HE FEELS SO DUMB RIGHT NOW trying to coax this cat who is clearly just judging him right now—until said cat sees someone and decides to jump down and trot after them. Maybe she smells something or is just being whimsy who knows with this cat.]

You've got to be—Ashtail!

[Cid will hasten to catch up, and thus cue Benny Hills music as Cid continues to chase his cat.]

⚡ b » spellbound circuitry

[The moment he saw this, Cid immediately gets to work.

1) Lightning powered. Given the nature of this, he'll be outside in an open area with a few different lamps with different materials used for conducting and powering them. He admittedly feels a little...strange using his magic like this, what with how things were back in his world. But if there was a way to mix science and magic in a way that makes this more efficient and less strain on magic users, then he's all for it.

And right now, after some of his own fiddling and modifications, he'll send a bit of his aether into each one to test. One barely lights up, the second glows fairly well, and the third—]

—Shit!

[—explodes, Cid raising up his arm to shield himself from the bits of glass and metal that fly out. Well. This is why this is outside. Hopefully no one was nearby, but the shards were small so it wouldn't have caused too much injury. Picking off some small shards from his jacket sleeve, he frowns.]

Well that didn't work...what made it overpower like that?

[And back to tinkering.

2) Wading for coral and clams. One thing Cid has discovered in his experiments is a certain type of coral and shell is quite durable against the lightning magic, so he'll be out wading in the shallows, canvas bag slung over his shoulder as he reaches into the water to pick out coral or shells he finds that might work. And if someone else is there—]

Oy, mate. If you see some coral or shells that are blueish in color, mind letting me know? Looking for a few.

⚡ c » thinking with portals

[Ever one to try new things, Cid holds the staff with a curious if wary eye.

Especially after following the instructions and now facing the portals with whoever he's working with.]

So... Flip a coin to see who goes first? Best make sure you have your shellphone with you so we can tell each other where we end up.

⚡ d » gallows gambit

[Well, when one has a few...unusually loyal followers on hand, it makes things easier to pull off this reckless plan. Said plan being purposefully getting caught and then sent along with a few others to the gallows. The idea is to try and figure out who is the one causing these arrests, so he deliberately lets himself get caught. Several times.

And once there, Cid is as calm as a cool breeze, even whistling a little despite having a rope on his neck. Looking at his fellow gallowmates and just grins lazily.]

First time?

[A light chuckle.]

Not to worry, we'll be out before you know it.

[And this is where we let the dice determine their fate on how difficult it is for them to get out.]

⚡ e » battle of the brewmasters

[1) Trying his hand. Cid is more of a drinker, but doesn't hurt to try and come up with a new drink. And his particular drink is—]

Here you are. Might want to have some water or milk on hand. Should set your spirit aflame—or your tongue.

[—spicy hot. What did he put in there? A bunch of peppers and spices along with a large helping of alcohol. Is it good? Probably not but with that smirk and gleam in his eye, it's clear Cid is just here to mess around and have fun, give people a real challenge.

2) Trying the drinks. After he was (rightfully) banned from the bar, Cid takes up a seat to try a few drinks instead. And after one particular mouthful—]

Eugh, at least mine wasn't this bad.

[—he'll be a critic.]

⚡ f » wildcard

[Open to other prompts! I didn't make one for the goose bounty, but I'm open to it! I have my plotting comment here or you can hit me up on through PM, Discord, or laenavesse.]

Comments

e 2

[standingonmyneck]

[Ooh, Daria loved watching spectacles happen and to be sure she maybe watched a few unlucky souls try this fireball challenge. Maybe she caught a video of an interesting one on her shellphone. Perfect.

Of course the guy was going to be banned. She didn't expect to see him back to trying drinks. Trying all of the ones and being a harsh critic to some, maybe she should see how he'd feel about hers. Or not. She tried to look busy and idly keep working.

No, she had to try to sell herself. If she had any shot of winning this.]

Maybe...my old man's recipe will fare better for your expectations.

[ramuhs]

[He may not have tasted either of her brews yet, but he can certainly catch the aroma—and it's certainly more promising.]

Only one way to find out, eh?

[A grin as he crosses his arms over the counter with curious interest.]

So what do you have?

[standingonmyneck]

Hold on.

[Out of her pocket she got out what looked like notecards. She cleared her throat and began.]

The Pre-Winter Anxiety Attack:

Get cozy with a swift kick in the pants as you get the late autumn flavor with the zing of bourbon and port wine. So warm you forget you’re probably losing conscious.

Eggnog Ala Morgendorffer:

Forget the stain of war, or grueling military school, by downing the joy of the holiday spirit. Or whatever spirit if you don’t celebrate anything. All you need is a cozy fire. But if you don’t have that, a cheap lighter and imagination will do the trick.

[ramuhs]

[There's an arch of the brow when he first sees her pull out the notecards...and then a snort of laughter after hearing the descriptions.]

So they're both drinks suitable for the colder seasons. A touch early for it—but who says you have to drink something only on certain occasions?

[A grin as he considers the options.]

I'll try both. Let's start with that Pre-Winter Anxiety Attack.

[Even as he speaks it he can't help but chuckle a bit.]

[standingonmyneck]

Funny, my dad said the same thing.

[A beat, as she poured him one. She was careful and slow about it, like she seemed to take some pride in it.

She was very, very secretly a Daddy's Girl. Apparently.]

We're not much for traditions but this was one my dad seemed to take, especially after hard days of work. Mom appreciated it too, in the few hours she spent at home.

[Powerful career mom, basically.]

I guess it was a good thing I stayed awake for the passing down of the crowned family heirloom. Hopefully it tastes okay.

[It certainly smelled good. Hope you like apple, wine, and cinnamon Cid. He might get that orange hit in the back. Honestly, it would probably taste good chilled but. Y'know.]

[ramuhs]

Your father sounds like a wise man. And only one way to find if you've succeeded.

[A wry grin as he watches her pour, noting the gesture. So once she's finished, he'll pick it up and raise it up, half tilted towards her as if to toast before he'll tip the mug, taking a mouthful to first swirl it around and get a real taste for it before swallowing. But there's already a smile, a little shine in his eyes as he appreciates the mix of flavors.]

And I think you may have. Best one yet.

[And he's not just being kind, proven by already going for a second drink. It really does appeal to his tastes, and it's certainly not something he's had before.]

[standingonmyneck]

In his own way.

[Her father was a MESS, but she loved that mess. Like she would say it out loud to everyone.

She watched her expectedly. Maybe he'll think it's trash too. Please don't actually think it's trash. Daria actually really didn't want it to be trash. She actually tried hard to emulate something somewhat personal. Daria tried to hide biting her lip.

...He liked it. He liked it. Daria's eyes lit up a little, her pale complexion seeming to brighten too, though she would try to subdue her joy by keeping a straight face.

But she was really pleased.]

The guy that got kicked out has taste, a plot twisr.

[She smiled a little, a pretty friendly tease from her.]

[ramuhs]

[A light chuckle as he tips the mug towards her.]

In fairness, I wasn't really trying. Well, unless you consider "deliberately trying to torch taste buds" count as trying.

[A wry grin and a wink before he takes another drink.]

I personally would prefer something with a bit more kick, and stronger. But this isn't bad for a casual drink.

[standingonmyneck]

It made for an entertaining night, that’s for sure. I could see that being “trying”.

[She’ll have to be friends with someone, friends enough that she’d feel they’d get a good laugh out of a poor s.o.b drinking liquid fire.

None the less, she made an approving nod at Cid. Clearly she thought he said the right stuff.]

I don’t really drink myself so the fact that I made something suitable means my version of trying didn’t turn out so bad.

[ramuhs]

[A slight arch of the brow.]

Don't tell me I was your guinea pig for this.

[But he says it with an air amusement and a wry grin.]

[standingonmyneck]

[Daria tried to not laugh. So instead, she offered a wry grin back. Amusement seemed to be the theme of this visit.

Not that she minded.]

And my evil master plan worked.

[ramuhs]

[There's a huff of laughter as Cid shakes his head.]

Well at least I'm not on the floor passed out. You should be proud that your first attempt succeeded. Which means—

[A nod to the other drink.]

—your other should hopefully fare just as well.

[standingonmyneck]

In theory. There’s still time for that.

[The eggnog! Which is less strong but meant to be more comforting, like accessible for more and more drink.

Such as what happens in any holiday party set up by a dysfunctional family unit. One tasty nog turned into ten, and then you’re puking in Cousin Erin’s bidet, paid for in courtesy of Aunt Rita…which also came from Grandma Barksdale.]

I don’t know about your place, but this is what he made every year for Christmas.

[ramuhs]

Christmas?

[A slight arch of the brow as he waits for the drink.]

Some special occasion?

[standingonmyneck]

[Don't worry, she got you. She was going to start pouring it when her brain seemed to wander. How to explain.]

Well, it's a holiday that people celebrate differently. Depends where you're from or how much you like to celebrate.

Which isn't me. But my family still had some ways to make it a little "special". Morgendorffer special.

[Here you go champ. It's warm, spicy, and creamy.]

My dad would down maybe a quart of this himself and then pass out after crying about something. It wasn't Christmas without it.

[ramuhs]

[He will curiously take the drink and look into it. Not something he's seen often, that's for certain.

Slowly lifting it to his nose to get a smell of it, his curiosity now turns back to Daria.]

What exactly are they celebrating?

[standingonmyneck]

That's...a loaded question.

[There's the serious way to answer that or the funny way. Which one, which one.]

Like I said, depends on who you ask. Religion, family, loads and loads of presents, capitalism, a break from work or school to get drunk, realize you hate your family, even more presents...

[She awaited his judgement. This one will be weaker but...it'll give a warmer sensation.]

Or the longest nap ever known to man. Doing nothing.

[ramuhs]

So basically whatever you want. Doesn't sound so bad.

[And he will now finally take a sip of this eggnog... And raise his brows as he pulls the mug away.]

And neither is this.

[standingonmyneck]

[That’s the second time someone has complimented her for actually working hard on something. Her stoic heart can only take so much before the statue expression fell just a bit.


A small amount of color appeared in her cheeks. Still, again, not a drop of alcohol was drunk. It’s definitely the atmosphere in here. It’s also warm. That’s totally why.]

Well, then I guess maybe I actually have a shot at the prize.

[ramuhs]

[Yes, we can just blame it on the warm atmosphere here. Cid won't tease her for it.]

You would definitely have my vote.

[A wink as he raises the mug to her as a toast before taking another drink.]

Think I think I'm more partial to the first. Just more to my taste.

[standingonmyneck]

Fair enough. I figure we're not in particular cozy crowd. Unless if people just aren't in that spirit yet.

[Cozy pirates was a funny mental image for a moment there.]

I'm Daria, by the way.

[ramuhs]

Never know. Even tough guys want to feel "soft" and "cosy" sometimes.

[Another wry grin before he nods.]

Cid. Pleasure to have made your acquaintance, Daria. Even as your guinea pig.