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

A

[feralhumanity]

[Cats are wont to gravitate to their preferred company, and as such the one who the grey cat will eventually come to settle with is another pair of felines... well, one other mottled grey cat, and one large, familiar feline beast.]

[Nanaki isn't sure where this new cat came from but he wasn't about to chase them off. That is, until he noticed Cid approaching. He blinks between the man and the cat, who seems more intent on sitting beside his own feline friend and engaging in some intense grooming. Nanaki lets out an amused huff before turning to Cid.]

I take it this one is yours?

[ramuhs]

[This cat is going to make him chase her through all of Eltrut at this rate—]

Ah, Nanaki.

[A sigh as he runs a hand through his hair.]

Honestly, I can't say for certain. She at least used me to get out of the sanctuary.

[feralhumanity]

Ah, is that so? Clever of her, then, to come up with a strategy like that.

[He says it with an amused lilt to his voice.]

Do you two not like each other? She seems to get along with Smokeweed well enough, in the short time she’s been here.

[ramuhs]

Rather than liking or not... She seems to be leading me around. Actually thought to try and let her be, but she actually got a bit...huffy when she realized I wasn't following her anymore.

[He is so confused.]

[feralhumanity]

Hmm. Sounds to me like she wants to take you somewhere. Why not follow her where she wants to take you?

[Where Cid is confused, Nanaki feels it's a simple request.]

[ramuhs]

I'd be inclined to agree...if it didn't seem like she was just wandering everywhere.

[A small sigh as he watches his cat just purr and rub herself over Nanaki's legs.]

Or maybe she was just trying to find you.

[Dry tone is dry.]

[feralhumanity]

[Oh, well now. Nanaki's tail swishes, and if Cid hears a low, rumbling purr that escapes from him, no he doesn't. After looking at the cat for a moment, he looks back up at Cid.]

Have you taken time to get to know her? What's her name?

[ramuhs]

[...Wow, Nanaki, should he be concerned about his cat—]

Ashtail, and only had her for less than an hour.

[feralhumanity]

[Not his fault he can understand cats better than Cid.]

Well, at least you know her name. But that could be part of the problem; you don't know her, and she doesn't know you. How does she know you're a friend? And if she is trying to lead you somewhere, maybe it's important to her, if not to you.

[ramuhs]

I'd like to get to know her if she'd let me. Or stand still long enough.

[A small sigh as said cat continues to purr and rub herself all over Red's legs.

...]

Though right now it seems she wants to get to know you.

[feralhumanity]

[Nanaki chuckles a bit, but looks down at Ashtail.]

Perhaps she's just seeking comfort in something familiar. If that's the case, you need to show her that you can also be familiar and comforting.

[Though she rubs along his leg, Nanaki will look up at Cid and beckon with his head.]

Try letting her get used to your scent.

[ramuhs]

[...Hm, well he's familiar with that concept with dogs, so that's easy to understand enough.

He'll walk over, watching the cat curiously as she continues to seemingly cling to Nanaki before he crouches down closer.]

Granted this only works if she comes to me.

[He'll still extend a hand though, clicking his tongue in hopes of getting her attention.]

[feralhumanity]

True, but perhaps she will meet you in the middle.

[And it's true that when Cid reaches out his hand, the cat doesn't seem to want to give him the time of day. But Nanaki will help out, giving a light nudge with his foot to force encourage her forward to Cid.]

Give him a chance. He's friendly. [Said to the cat moreso than Cid. Even Smokeweed seems to meow in agreement.]

[ramuhs]

[Ashtail glances at Cid for a moment....

...

Before swishing her tail and turning her head as if to go hmph!! and turns back to Nanaki.

..

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

This cheeky little—

There's actually a twitch of his brow and a quirk of his lips at such an obvious rejection.]

If I didn't know any better, I'd think she's trying to make me jealous.

[Oh, there might have been a slight swish of her tail—]

[feralhumanity]

You may not be too far off with that judgment.

[Oh, Nanaki sure notices that swish of the tail. He chuckles a bit, moving to stand up on his paws.]

Perhaps it's not your trust she craves, but rather your adoration. If she wants you to be jealous, perhaps she just wants your attention.

[ramuhs]

[...

He's just going to stare at this cat before laughing. She is really reminding him of someone—]

I would be happy to oblige, but hard to do if she keeps away from me like this. What would you suggest would be a good way to get her attention?

[feralhumanity]

Hmm. Well… food is always a good motivator to a young hunter. But perhaps another way is showing her that you can keep her safe from harm.

[And to help Cid out a little with that, he will turn to Ashtail and bare his fangs in a sharp snarl, growling deep before snapping just in front of her. He’s not interested in hunting or eating her, but perhaps showing her that Cid can protect her from a big mean predator may be enough to catch her attention.]

[ramuhs]

[Ashtail was just happy to cuddle when Nanaki is so rude to snap at her!?!? She mreows and hisses in surprise, arching up as she jumps back...

...

And then lashes out by swiping her claws at Nanaki instead!?]

[feralhumanity]

[During that brief moment where Ashtail hisses in surprise, Nanaki looks up at Cid, wordlessly motioning to her to get him to move. If he wants to come in and be all big and brave, now's a good time?]

[At least, he was trying, before she suddenly lashes out, claws striking at Nanaki's snout. He jolts back in genuine surprise, before he snarls back at her, more angrily this time. Even Smokeweed leaps back from the sudden display of anger.]

[ramuhs]

[Oy vey—

At first Cid was just too surprised that this little cat was willing to strike out at something much larger than her, but now that it seems that pretend times may become serious times, he steps in and quickly grabs her before she takes another swipe—which she definitely almost did, completely with further hissing and clearly communicating she was not going to stand by such rudeness.]

All right, easy now. We can talk this out.

[Ashtail continues to hiss and growl in his arms, but as much as she might be trying to hide it, Cid does feel a little tremble as he steps back, the cat pushing further back against his chest as the distance grows a bit.

As he gently pets Ashtail in his arms, he looks over at Nanaki worriedly.]

You all right, Nanaki?

[feralhumanity]

[It's a good thing Cid interferes, because when he does Nanaki gives out a snort, briefly shaking out his fur. His ears are angled down and his tail swishes in annoyance, but at least the growling stopped. He wrinkles his nose, wincing at the faint sting on his snout. Ouch...]

I'm fine. [Then, reluctantly,] She has sharp claws for one so small.

[He says it a bit sourly, almost like a sulking teenager.]

[ramuhs]

She is trained to be a mouser. Some kind of warrior cat, they said.

[And she is certainly still looking like she's not one to be trifled with, glaring at Nanaki before she turns and shoves her face against Cid's chest. Now she seems to be sulking.

...How did he get in this position—]

But it seems your plan worked...if in a different way than expected.

[feralhumanity]

Well, at least it did work.

[Which is a positive, he figures. Looking at how Ashtail sulks into Cid's chest, he flicks his tail.]

Now might be a good time to take her to your home.

[ramuhs]

Agreed... Before she tries to lunge at you again.

[Even if she's clearly more tense and perhaps a little frightened, he pretends she's the fierce queen that she is as he continues to gently stroke her back, feeling her relax a little under his hand.

...

She really is like a certain bird he knows—]

Hopefully the next time we meet it will be under better terms.