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

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh...just...whatever's on my mind.

[He heads into his room to get one of his notebooks which he hands over.]

[She'll find it packed with sketches of all kinds of things; from people she's likely seen around Avalon (...yup, that's Caster. And Zelgadis) to weapons or other things.]

[There's a few pages of the Juniberry flowers with some notes before he knew what it was called. And then there's the mask...]

[And then there's her! At the masquerade. When he was wondering who she was. And some notes along the side about how pretty she was and how he'd never been to a dance like that before...but if he could see her again he'd go to each and every one...]

[He might have forgotten those are in there.]

[patchricide]

Darin, these are amazing...! How did you ever make it so accurate?

[She's admittedly paying more attention to the drawings he made of her. It's a purposeful choice — seeing Caster's face makes her angry, and he likely wouldn't appreciate if she started tearing pages out of his notebook.]

I swear, you got every petal right on the mask...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

When you spend a lifetime watching people's reactions when you walk in a room to gauge how much you disgust or terrify them, you learn to pay attention, I guess...

I've...got an eye for detail. It helps.

[patchricide]

When you can make drawings like these, it's almost a wonder that you would still want a camera...

[She's still flipping through, seeing what else is in the notebook!]

Although I suppose it's more difficult to draw yourself into these pictures, isn't it? ... do you ever draw yourself?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I uh...not...really?

[That's gotta mean something subconsciously, right?]

[As for what else, there's sketches of Camelot...and some sketches of himself in his fused form based off of recordings on the network. Complete with notes on countermeasures to...well, himself.]

[patchricide]

... this almost counts...

[But she scowls, holding it up for closer inspection. It's considerably different than a regular self-portrait. The writing, too, doesn't escape her notice.]

... ... ...

It still bothers you, doesn't it?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Always has.

And it likely always will. Hate to say it but...I'm a bit pf a package deal.

[patchricide]

[She puzzles over the meaning of that for a moment.]

I suppose... it only makes sense that it would. Anyone with a conscience would have trouble forgetting something like that...

[She sets the notebook down, reaches up, and puts her hand on his shoulder.]

But I hope you know, at least, that I will never hold your actions that day against you. I know you were in great pain, Darin...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It's a nice sentiment, Allura...but I'm sure you'll also understand that even though everyone forgives me, I still don't forgive myself for being so...

Well...weak.

If I really don't want something like that to happen again, I need to be stronger. Better prepared. Because if I'm ever put into a position where I have to use my fusion spell again...I need to be able to control what's inside of me...

[patchricide]

[She sighs, because he called it right at the start.] Of course I understand. If there's anything I can do to help, you'll let me know, won't you?

[Because she doesn't want to press the issue, but it was her magic that helped him regain control the last time. He'll likely not accept that, not wanting to always rely on her to help him out — but surely having her as a failsafe can't be a bad thing, can it?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Yeah. Yeah, I'll...I'll try.

[With the oven preheated, Darin puts the tray with the fish into the oven.]

So, we've got a little time before I have to take the fish out of the oven. We've danced and you've seen my sketches...what else would you like to do?

[You could always ask him to draw you, Allura. Like one of his Fr— Altean girls]

[patchricide]

Hold on, is this really all of them? I still want to see more! [She's flipping through more. Hunting for his embarrassing secrets.]

... how long does it take you to draw one, anyway? [Maybe she WILL ask him. You don't know her.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I have more stuff in my room...and, I guess it depends on how detailed I want it? A sketch can be a few minutes but a full drawing can be an hour or two.

[patchricide]

A sketch like this? [She points to one in the notebook.]

That seems impossible. ... can you show me?

[She is absolutely not fishing for him to draw her as she looks tonight. No sir. Not her. She is a good, pure princess.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Okay, what would you like me to draw then?

[patchricide]

You could do a sketch of me, right now...

[She leans to the side, propping her chin up with her arm.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

A sketch huh...

Well, what if I'd rather do a much more detailed drawing...?

[This could be taken several ways. But who cares, they're flirting.]

[patchricide]

As much as I'm curious to see it... perhaps that should wait until after dinner.

I've seen how you work. If you start really getting into what you're doing, the food might end up burning again before you realized it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Then, after dinner it is, then.

On that note, I better set the table...

[He gives her a smile and a wink, then grabs some plates before heading out to their table.]

[patchricide]

Hey! Let me help!

[If he's setting plates, then she'll grab silverware. That should be easy enough for even a princess to do it, right?]

[If anything, it's even easier than it would be for a royal dinner. A simple fork and knife should suffice!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Never gonna let me do anything on my own again, are you?

[He pretends like he's complaining, but really, he says it with a level of fondness that can't be hidden.]

[patchricide]

[She actually pouts a little at that, clutching the silverware like she's trying to hide them.]

You make it sound as if I don't trust you with it. I know it's not the most exciting thing to do, but... is it strange to enjoy doing it with you regardless?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

No, it's not.

I was just teasing you a bit since...well...

Since the very beginning you were always pretty keen on following me around.

[patchricide]

What? That's not...

I mean, I suppose we do run into each other quite often... but that's simply because we tend to be drawn to the same places. Similar interests, and all that.

... ... ...

And while I did follow you that first time, that's simply because you looked like you were having trouble with the cliff. [Because she was spying on him.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Heh...no need to get defensive about it.

At the time I took it for granted but now...?

Well, I mean...I like you so...

[But what version of 'like' is he using here??]