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]

Immersive how?

[Darin finishes his plate and begins to tidy up a bit while he waits for Allura.]

[patchricide]

[Oh, she's almost done. Just let her be distracted by talking for a bit longer.]

For us, video was... more akin to how radio is used here. For entertainment, we had virtualized scenes that you could walk around in, and even touch objects replicated by hard light technology. It was as if you could enter the story itself.

There were some disagreements on whether it was better to record an actor giving a performance, or to create an AI actor that the audience could interact with...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...That seems really interesting and all but...

Doesn't that seem kinda...I don't know...

Cold? Impersonal...? I dunno...I can see the uses of that type of technology but I feel like the trade off is...I don't know. Knowing that I can just be replaced with a digital likeness kinda makes me feel sad.

[patchricide]

... I suppose it does, in a way. Although, I don't know if I would consider an AI like that to become a real replacement...

[Hey, did her mood just take a bit of a dip?]

It can capture things about a person. Almost like a picture, one that can move and speak and be touched... but... in the end, it still misses all the things that truly makes it alive. There's no warmth in its hug, no depth to its feelings. It won't share its life with you, won't support you or even share a meal with you...

[And then, she seems to realize that she's started going on an odd tangent.] ... my apologies. What I mean is that you're right, and it's just meant to be another type of recording.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...You...sound like you've had more experience with these things beyond the odd performance...

[patchricide]

... ... ...

My father previously made such a record of himself. It was something he left behind for me, after I went into stasis sleep.

... I wasn't able to keep it, however, and not merely because of being brought to Avalon.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I'm sorry...

It was probably like losing him a second time...

I can't imagine how that felt...

[patchricide]

That's... roughly how it felt, yes. If not the first time, because I had been in stasis sleep before.

... you know, I wish he could have met you. I think...

I think he would have liked you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What, really?

What makes you say that?

[patchricide]

Honestly? You remind me of him a bit. Your enthusiasm, your creativity... and your good heart, as well.

I mean, I've told you that everything about Voltron was his idea and his creation, right?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah, you did.

[Oh no, is this what this is? I remind her of her father? Is that what she 'likes?']

[Darin knows the concept of 'friendzoned' and he knows this is probably a lot worse.]

I suppose...that's why we get along...

[patchricide]

What? No, I only said it was a bit. Enough that he would probably approve of you.

[... 'approve of'... is that too much for a first date? She quickly ushers the conversation forward, embarrassed.]

Please, I didn't mean to imply — I'm not simply here to ease some homesickness.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

H-Huh? No, I didn't mean to make you feel that way at all...!

I just...I mean, I know sometimes people feel more...comfortable...around people that remind them of family...

[patchricide]

I wouldn't say it makes me more comfortable. More that...

It's given me more reason to respect those things about you. After all, I've seen the kind of things that a heart like yours can accomplish...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh, I see...

[Well, now he's as confused as ever.]

A-Anyway...are you about ready for dessert...?

[patchricide]

Right... yes, of course. Sorry.

[Maybe it'll make more sense later, when she can show him why she was making those deliberate references to his heart.]

What are we having?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...if you'll give me a moment...

[He cleans up their plates and wanders into the kitchen.]

[There's the sound of some dishes clattering and the sound of the fridge opening and closing before he returns with a platter of these little tarts that he sets out before her, giving her a small plate to put them on as she desires.]

I went ahead and made these ahead of time...

[patchricide]

[Oh, these are intriguing. Honestly, the thought of him making something like this is a little surprising, given how small and cute they are... such delicate little treats. But perhaps that, too, is within the skillset of a blacksmith?]

[Without thinking, she starts to reach for one... and then withdraws her hand.]

... oh, wait, where are my manners? Am I supposed to use something to serve these?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Huh? No, just...reach out and grab one. They're finger foods.

[It's easier than having a bunch of different silverware to wash, after all...!]

[But he demonstrates himself and takes a bite.]

See?

[patchricide]

[Her eyes stay on his hand, before traveling up to his face. And for a moment, he can see an almost impish smile curling on her face before she reaches forward again and takes herself one particularly berry-laden tart.]

[And though she's careful about taking a bite into it, she's also somewhat greedy, trying to take a large bite with many different kinds of berries.]

[As she chews, he'll hear another sound of satisfaction, this one with a touch of laughter in it because of how delighted she is.]

[Looks like your dessert is a hit, Darin!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What?

What was that look for?

[patchricide]

[She swallows before replying:]

What look? ... this is an amazingly delicious dessert, Darin. I assume this is part of the reason why you had so much fruit, as well?

[Maybe she's not aware of just the sort of expression she made before digging in. But it looks like she's enjoying herself — having fun, even.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

The look you gave me when I took a bite! That look!

And...yeah, that's definitely why I had so much. It's a good thing I like fruit.

[patchricide]

I don't think I gave you any sort of look, Darin...

[See? Totally unaware.]

But I suppose I was a bit eager to try it...?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...You totally gave me a look.

But...I'm glad you like it. I think I'm starting to get a feel for your tastes.