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

[morns]

( ... oh dear. oh Darin. but since he's asking a question... )

After this? ( one more slurp of beer. ) Dunno. Might mix shit up.

( a few shots, more beers... maybe a cocktail if they have something that doesn't taste like sugar with added paint thinner. and, to that point, she nods her head at Darin's drink; )

What's that?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Oh, this? It's a drink from back home. Called a "Rusty Hammer."

It's scotch, mixed with scotch, topped with scotched and then finely blended with, you guessed it, more scotch.

...Technically that last bit is a scotch based liqueur but...

Wanna try it?

[He slides it her way.]

Careful, it's strong. Supposed to strip the rust off your smithing hammer.

[morns]

( that's a fine drink, in her opinion, and so she answers the offer with a shrug and a; )

Sure.

( she's more used to downing tequila than scotch, admittedly, so it doesn't go down quite as smoothly as her signature liqueur, but it's... pleasant. certainly better than something like vodka, at least. )

Why so strong?

( is this an I just wanna get messy type night or an I need something stronger than beer to take the edge off night? )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Honestly, it's the drink I'm most used to.

See, back home I couldn't get drunk. My powers made it so I metabolized alcohol before anything could affect me. It came in handy every time some surly dockworker ran his mouth and I'd challenge him to a drinking contest but it sucked when I wanted to legitimately just forget everything.

[He sighs in thought.]

Now though? I guess it's just a small comfort. Distracts me from everything going on.

[morns]

( huh.

she didn't think that would be part of a power set, though she can see the advantages of it. it certainly wasn't one she'd heard of back home, but then again, she can't imagine the military finding much use for it, not in a field of things like telekinesis, elemental powers, or shapeshifting.

and, speaking from experience, she's pretty sure most soldiers would have hated their ability to get drunk being taken away from them. )

Pretty good at distractions if you need the help.

( in many ways. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah?

Tell you what. You keep me distracted from the maelstrom of unnecessary feelings and constant self-doubt, and your drinks are on my tab tonight.

Sound fair?

[morns]

( self-doubt, huh?

she tosses back a generous gulp of her beer and nods. )

Alright. ( that means she might have to rein in questioning him to distract herself, but she thinks she can find a few alternatives. think this place has a dartboard tucked away somewhere? )

Were gonna steal your drinks anyway.

( that's... a half joke. she certainly has nicked someone else's drink a time or two or several while out drinking, but it wasn't specifically her plan in sitting down here. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin laughs.]

I appreciate the forewarning. Guess I'll be ordering doubles from here on in.

[Darin raises a hand to get the barkeeps attention to place said order as more people filter out of the bar. Looks like their plan of a prolonged stay is turning a few other people's drinks sour.]

[But that does mean the old and worn dartboard in the back goes unused.]

[morns]

( that gets a huff of amusement from Kate, and she catches sight of the dartboard as some of the patrons filter out.

their loss. not her fault, or Darin's, that these people have no guts. )

How's your aim?

( a game of darts is good at distraction, good at avoiding any conversations they might not want to have. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin follows her gaze.]

It's pretty good. Not as good with several drinks in me but I think as long as I'm facing the board, I can hit it.

You up for a game or two?

[morns]

Always.

( competition against a guy drinking copious amounts of whiskey isn't really a competition, but a friendly game's good too.

the bartender has custody of the darts (new policy, he says. drunks and pointy things...), and it takes a simple question to get the box which holds them deposited into her waiting hands. )

Should we play for something?

( he's already taking care of the drinks, but maybe they can make this more fun somehow... )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Hah! Like the loser has to do anything the winner asks??

[Listen, Darin's spent most of his formative years in bars drinking idiots under the table for all kinds of reasons. He's always up for a high stakes game, even if he's lost his trump card and is at a disadvantage.]

[At least then it's a challenge.]

[morns]

Want to be my slave, huh?

( ... KATHERINE. but the half-smile she shoots him isn't nearly as unsavoury as her words. it's just an easy thing to fall back on when talking to others. stupid quips and innuendo, words that mean nothing but fill silence. )

Sure. Let's go.

( take your darts, Darin, you're up first. )

WOW I FORGOT TO HIT ENTER ON THIS TAG I SUCK

[forgeabettertomorrow]

And what makes you think you won't be mine?

[Darin takes his darts and steps up. His first dart hits the wall beside the dart board. His second? Doesn't even stick. It just drops impotently to the floor.]

[His third dart at least gets him two whole points.]

...I'm obviously warming up.

oh man BEEN THERE

[morns]

I don't bottom.

( it helps that she's not wasted, really. there's a soft exhale which almost sounds like a snort at his attempts to throw the darts, and soon enough she'd standing there, hitting a 16 and a neat double 10, before finishing off with a 4.

eh. good enough. )

Where'd you learn to play?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Eh, picked up from some fishermen back home. It was actually good practice for learning to control my strength.

[Darin steps up and really aims this time. At least this time he hits the board! He manages to walk away with a double 12, an 8, and a 2...though that 2 was awfully close to the bullseye.]

I had to hide my abilities back home or they'd run me out of town. And with my strength, I could have blown through the board, the wall, and probably someone's head with a dart so...

How about you?

[morns]

( that's better. and... interesting. she tips her head to one side as she considers that information before standing up to the board. )

Military academy. ( okay, so they had one of those play dart boards at home when she was a kid. she doesn't think that counts.

16. double 7. ) Used to go to the pub with the lads. Were convinced it'd help with throwin' knives.

( and a treble 9. not bad. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Military?

You were a soldier?

[That little bit catches his attention before he starts throwing.]

[morns]

( shrug )

Aye.

( she doesn't say it with pride, or distaste. it's simply a fact. she was what she was. that's where she started, for good or bad. )

What did you think I were?

( though, she did tell him about the job she moved into. kinda. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I dunno...a merc? Bounty hunter? You kinda give off that vibe and gods know I've spent enough time around the sort.

Besides, you're way more fun than any soldier I've ever met. Threw me off with that.

[morns]

( that... actually gets half a smile, a huff of laughter exhaled through her nose. she isn't going to turn down the idea of not seeming like a soldier, because all things considered, it was a shit job. a fact of her life, sure, but one that largely sucked to do.

but one point; )

Plenty of bounty hunters're former military. ( at least they were back home. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

That's fair. Honestly, my dad was in the military before he became a merc.

[Darin takes his turn and throws, but it's clear his mind his elsewhere. The points hardly even matter at this point, since it's likely he's lost. Not that he minds.]

Sometimes I wonder what he'd do here in Avalon. Gods above know I don't really know what I'm doing.

[morns]

( well.

that hit home.

not the dart (obviously), but the words that make it miss. Kate snorts, arms folding as she glances over at the board. )

Does anyone? ( there are some people who have plans, or businesses, or whatever the fuck. something that makes their time in Avalon look like a life, which makes it look like they know what they're doing, but isn't the truth that they're all playing blind? ) What're we s'posed to do? Just killing time until we're done being useful.

( because, really, if they fix this and that means all these worlds are saved and they can go home, nothing else they've done here matters. not the bonds they've formed or the money they've earned. it's all just killing time until they leave or everything's destroyed.

one way or another, their life in Avalon is inconsequential to them. )

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I wouldn't say I'm killing time so much as...trying to find my place here. I mean, I have no intention of ever going home. I want to live here.

[With his drink done, Darin motions to the bartender for two more, one for him and one for Kate.]

Then again, when I say that, most people look at me like I've got three heads. Fact is, I'm way better off here than I ever was at home. My world's better off without me too.

[morns]

( she doesn't so much look at him like he has three heads, but there is a pause, a blink as she digests the information.

better here, huh?

... she's not fully sure she can say she doesn't feel the same way, even if she knows she shouldn't. shouldn't because she can't let herself stay here. she'd be a terrible daughter if she did, and she's already disappointed her parents' wishes in so many ways. )

You think?

( her tone doesn't sound judgemental, just curious, without specifying what part of that she's questioning. )