Summer Sun, Something's Begun | July Catch-All | Open

[forgeabettertomorrow]

🧙 WHO: Darin Altway and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: July Catch-All with Open and Closed prompts
🕒 WHEN: Throughout July
🗺️ WHERE: All around Camelot! Quests and shenanigans ahoy!
⚠️ WARNINGS: Some ridiculousness? Some fluff? Will update as necessary!

🛡️ SHIELD SUMMER FEVER! 🛡️ - OPEN

[Darin always felt bad for the people who could get sick. Back home, his powers prevented him from falling ill, even to such banal things as a summer cold. But he did have experience as a gofer for his town's doctor, as well as doing errands and chores for the people who fell ill. So, this job was right up his alley.]

[One thing he knew for sure, when you're under the weather, nothing beats a good laugh.]

[With the trusty use of the new EmphaSize spell he nabbed from the traders, you'll find him waddling around with huge, oversized feet as he goes from room to room delivering flowers, teddy bears, medicine, fruit baskets, you name it. If he happens to be entering a kid's room, he'll make a big show of his giant, floppy feet. If its an elderly person's room, he'll sit with them for awhile and ask them about their day or let them ramble on.]

[But it's likely leaving one of the rooms is when you'll bump into Darin. Or trip over his enormous, floppy feet.]

Oh, hey! Easy there! You okay? Sorry, I should get a signal or something for these things...

🗡️ LAVAFT BEHIND 🗡️ - OPEN

[This seemed like a pretty easy task, all things considered. Everyone knew slimes were low-level monsters, even if they had the same temperature as magma. And Darin worked professionally around molten metal all day. If there was anyone who could handle this task, it was him.]

[Though, having someone along in case things went awry was a good idea too. Especially since his blood magic wouldn't really do him much good here.]

[So back to the Diamond Falls Darin goes. He's got a pickax and some mining tools in a pack slung over his shoulder examining the hardened rock for any sign of the slime.]

So, since I know how my luck goes, what's the plan for when we free this thing and it immediately attacks us with the fury of a particularly cranky volcano?

AT THE FORGE - OPEN

[With the reconstruction from his rampage doing well, Darin's back at the forge doing what he loves. He might be down an apprentice, but that hasn't stopped him from taking orders and commissions from those who seek him out! Got something you want Darin to make? His consultations are always free so come on in! Got some gear that needs mending or ideas you want to pitch? Maybe you just need some work? Darin's door is always open! When you step in, you'll likely see him working on something or tidying the place up. If there's one thing Darin can't stand, it's a messy forge! So come on in and let's get to work!]

BAR CRAWL - CLOSED TO KATE

[It's been about a month since he tore through Camelot as a terrifying, familiar-fused monster. Barring his (and everyone else's jaunt) to Celliwig, Darin had largely avoided going into town. And when he did, he wore a cloak with a hood that concealed his hair.]

[Now, a month later and the reconstruction mostly complete, Darin is feeling a little more hopeful that maybe he won't be kicked out of town if he decides to hit a bar for a drink or two. He's still wearing his cloak, but when he settles in at the 'In For a Pound' pub, he slowly pulls his hood back to reveal his very obvious blue mane of hair. He gets a few looks, some of which he's not too thrilled with, but orders a drink and sits at the bar.]

[Unfortunately, the patrons on either side of him scoot away. Fortunately, that leaves space should anyone decide they want to pull up a stool and join him.]

MY DINNER WITH DARIN - CLOSED TO ALLURA

[So, it really only dawned on Darin about a day or so before the date that he and Allura had chosen for dinner that this might actually be a...you know. A date. In a panic, he considered calling her to clarify that this wasn't a date...but what if she wanted it to be a date? What if he tried to clarify and they called the whole thing off? That would be awful! And he'd feel terrible too! She was really looking forward to it! But did that mean she was looking forward to a date with him?]

[No, that couldn't be it.]

[Could it?]

[So, after spending a day laying on the floor and staring at the ceiling weighing his options, he decided that, you know what? He could do this! Even if it was a date! Hell, it was only a date! He could handle that! Even though he'd never been on a date before, much less with someone who was so strikingly beautiful and had spent the last six months worming her way into his every though— NOT IMPORTANT!]

[And so, it was the evening of the big-but-maybe-not date. He'd agonized over whether or not he should dress up and finally he decided on an off-white polo shirt with pink piping around the collar and sleeves (hey, pink goes good with blue, alright?), and some tan slacks. With a menu all set (he did promise it would be an amazing meal) he sets out to begin cooking, listening intently for the door to the forge to open so he could go up and greet her.]

[Everything was set for the evening. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?]

[...Right?]

WILDCARD

[Not seeing anything that catches your fancy or want to do something else? Go ahead and top-level! And if you're not sure and want to hash it out, hit me up on Discord @ Ant#0062 or on plurk @ bitterbearface!]

Comments

[patchricide]

Really...? [She looks a little disappointed, but listens to his advice and doesn't reach for another. Why can't fruit always taste as good as it looks?]

But I'm not surprised. After all, it seems like it would be harder to dance while you cook, but that's not stopping you...

[And before he can stop or protest, she slowly turns around in his arms until she faces him, and drapes her arms over his shoulders, embracing him around the neck. After all, he didn't seem in a hurry — why not take a moment to enjoy the music properly?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[O-Oh...]

[Well, in that case, he moves her closer to the countertop where he can free up his hands so that he can properly place them on her hips.]

Well...I'm not the greatest dancer.

I just like to have fun.

[He dips her a little bit and holds her there.]

See?

[patchricide]

Well, naturally. "It's a dance, isn't it? It's supposed to be fun." ... that is what you said on the night of the masquerade, if I recall correctly.

[What — he didn't think that she would forget about that, did he? She looks up at him, smiling, able to hold the dipped position remarkably well.]

And I also believe you said you weren't one to just sway. Or do you only save your best moves for when a crowd is watching?

[... this is only sort of teasing. He is a bit of an exhibitionist.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Hoh?

I don't know if we have enough room or if the kitchen is the appropriate place for my best moves.

[Regardless, he pulls her to her feet and pulls her back in close.]

...You really enjoyed that night, huh.

I'm sorry for spoiling it by revealing who I was. You could have had a fairy tale evening.

[patchricide]

Oh, stop. Haven't we been over this? You've nothing to apologize for.

It was my own fault that things turned out the way they did. I was so convinced that if you saw me unmasked, you would surely get upset with me and leave... and it didn't occur to me that I was giving you a far better reason to, instead.

[She looks away. If anything still bothered her, it was the way that he yelled at her later.]

I'm the one who should be asking your forgiveness.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What are you talking about? I've forgiven you a dozen times over by now. I wouldn't have asked you to dinner if I still held any kind of a grudge...

I guess I'm just...baffled. I mean, after all of the crap I gave you when we first met.

And then the way I yelled at you in the Fisher King's forest...

You didn't deserve that. At the time I don't know why I was so upset but...

I think now I get why.

[patchricide]

[She actually hadn't questioned that part. Wasn't it perfectly justified for him to act that way? Her intentions may have been good, but intentions alone mean nothing. Her actions had been cruel, and in a way that reopened an old wound of Darin's. The only reason she wanted forgiveness was because... well, because she thought she was better than that. She had to be better.]

[But she doesn't say any of this. After all, it's not polite to try to explain his own feelings for him. And besides that... perhaps there was a part of her that hoped he would say something else.]

And why's that?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Because...I spent my life alone. I've never had people try and help me before. And then...you came alone. You were so...zealous about trying to help me at every turn, it almost seemed like...like a trap.

...By the time I realized you were kind and sincere...I'd already made myself out to be a jerk to you. So, instead of explaining...I thought if I tried to help you in my own way, you'd acknowledge me...

When you didn't...especially after what happened in the forest...I just...broke down. It hurt so much. I wanted so desperately to be acknowledged by you that I just...lashed out.

I wanted you to like me, Allura. And I've never wanted anyone to like me before. I decided long ago I'd live my life whether people liked me or not because if I got too attached...I knew I'd wind up hurt.

...You didn't deserve the things I said. You didn't deserve me yelling at you.

I've just...never been good about the idea of wanting to have people in my life.

But...now I do want people in my life.

[He looks at her, as if to say 'I want you in my life.']

[patchricide]

... Darin...

[When he looks at her, he'll meet her eyes, freshly heartbroken. Perhaps if she had realized sooner, they could have avoided so much pain. She could have simply helped him open up, and they would have reached this point without all the struggle along the way.]

[But it's not in her nature, really, to dwell upon those regrets. If things could change, it would only be by looking forward, at the future still unwritten. At moments like these, which could help them reach it.]

I understand, Darin. That's why I don't begrudge anything you've done, no matter how it may have turned out. After all, cruelty is born from pain — you didn't deserve to be treated the way I treated you, either. You didn't deserve to feel like that...

I don't want you to feel like that, anymore. Not merely out of penance, but because...

It hurts me to know you were hurting. And making you happy makes me happy.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, that's why you shouldn't be kicking yourself either. It's not like you knew me back then. And...you're here now.

I don't want you looking back on those earlier times with regret...not anymore...

[patchricide]

[Her smile points out when he points it out, that she's here now.]

Right, of course. No matter how we ended up here... we're both here, now.

[She's about to say something more, but she closes her mouth thoughtfully. And makes a small hm sound before she continues:] ... and, well, we were dancing, but we got a little off-track with that...

Anyway. Do you still look back with regrets? Because it sounded as if it's on your mind quite a bit...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Now we're just standing here holding each other...

[He considers her words carefully then answers.]

I don't have regrets because if I didn't say what I felt then...we wouldn't be here now.

I just wish that...I had been better about expressing how I felt. I wish I'd had more experience with...these types of things...

[patchricide]

[Oh, good, so he's aware of the position they're in, too. That's fine. Just wanted to check that.]

It's all right. Everyone has to start out somewhere. Even I don't have that much experience, compared to the others here...

So, this is a start. Right?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Experience with people oooor...

Experience...with dates?

[patchricide]

... ... ...

With either, really.

But especially with dates.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Y...Yeah.

You're the first person I've ever actually asked out. Which is why I was so nervous.

But...I'm glad you gave me a second chance...

[patchricide]

I've never actually been on a date, either.

When I was living on Altea... well, there were traditions and such, and casual dates were out of the question. [You know, for royalty.] And it was the furthest thing from my mind during the war.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He laughs.]

Did you ever imagine a date like this though? I bet you probably expected Prince Charming to sweep you off of your feet.

[Wait, so there's a Prince Charming that goes around and dates people?]

[patchricide]

[Okay, but actually though:]

Who's Prince Charming? I don't believe I met him...? Was he from my time?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

He's...um...he's a make believe character.

"Prince Charming" refers to 'the partner of your dreams.'

Like...when you were little, did you ever wish that a handsome prince would come and whisk you away? Someone handsome and strong and...well, your ideal soulmate?

[patchricide]

... Darin, that doesn't make any sense. Even if my soulmate were a kidnapper, my father would never allow him to get away with it.

[Even though they're speaking the same language, there's still an impressive barrier to get past...]

And even as far as meeting someone like that — I suppose my expectations were more realistic.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...no, he doesn't kidnap you! He just...

He shows you the path to the life of your dreams. He makes your dreams come true.

[patchricide]

That makes a little more sense.

But as I said, I always imagined things being... fairly practical. That it would be some formal affair, where he went to great lengths to impress me, and I would eventually decide whether he was worth it or not.

[She doesn't even bring up that it could very well be a political marriage, since most of the men who would be vying for her hand would have that sort of stake in it...]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Great lengths to impress you, huh?

[Does that sound familiar?]

Speaking of...I think it's time I get that dinner in the oven. It won't take long.

[He reluctantly lets her go and places the fish in the oven.]

So...what would you like to do now? Another dance? Or maybe you want to do something else?

[patchricide]

I meant more in terms of flaunting their wealth and status... but you know, I never found any of that as appealing as it's supposed to be, anyway.

[She looks at him, smirking in consideration. They could dance more, but...]

What other things do you do to keep yourself entertained at home, anyway? I'm sure it's not all singing and dancing.

[Isn't that part of the point of a date? It's a chance to get to know each other better.]