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]

Too heavy? What sort of movies did you see where that would even be a problem? [It occurs to her that she might not actually want to know, but curiosity wins out.]

It does sound like fun. ... see? I'm familiar with the concept.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You know, like...all action but no substance...

Okay, okay. I get it. I asked for that.

[He sighs a bit, embarrassed about that time in the Fisher King's Forest when he was attempting to get her to lighten up.]

I guess you wouldn't find some obnoxious jerk dunking you in a pool a lot of fun.

[patchricide]

... it might have been a little fun.

But at the time, it felt like you had pulled a prank on me and were rubbing it in...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I was hoping that you would start laughing and splash me back.

I felt stupid after. Of course you wouldn't think I was trying to play with you considering every other time we interacted I was a jerk to you.

I was probably angrier at myself than anything.

[patchricide]

I probably could have stood to be more receptive.

It felt like you were laughing at me, not trying to laugh with me...

But even you wouldn't be cruel enough to do that in front of me, would you?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Laugh at you?

...I dunno. Maybe if you did something truly silly. But never because I want hurt you.

More like...in a teasing way. I mean, you tease me, don't you?

[patchricide]

So, you did notice when I was trying to tease you earlier.

[Remember? When he was asking about the look she was giving him, and she kept dodging the answer?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I did but...I think you know how to be more direct about your teasing.

...I admit, I kinda like it.

[patchricide]

Do you?

I was starting to worry before. You seemed like you were getting a bit frustrated by it. That's why I stopped!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...maybe a little.

I mean...I want to know if like you me after all...

[patchricide]

[Maybe they should start being more direct with each other. But truthfully, she's still exploring her own feelings, and she doesn't like the idea of giving him a weak, vague answer. She considers about whether she could dodge it, since technically he didn't actually ask her directly...]

[Maybe there's a way she can make things more direct while taking the pressure off herself.]

And what do you think?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He falls silent for a minute or two as he thinks this over carefully. Finally, he sits up and answers.]

I think...I think that someone as kind as you are would probably give me a chance for something like that. You've...given me so many other chances, I bet you're thinking that maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I think that...you would take it seriously though. That this isn't just about giving people chances. I think that...I think that you might feel like something there. A potential. But the spark hasn't hit just yet...

[He feels his cheeks flush red and he can't look at her anymore. He grips the legs of his pants nervously as he continues.]

But...there are things that I know.

I know that when I spend time with you, I feel like I'm on a brand new adventure. I know that I want to show you all kinds of amazing things. I know that there's a whole world out there that neither of us know anything about and I am excited to experience it with you.

I know that...I know that when you've got your arms draped around my neck I feel...happy. I know that I feel warm when you're near and I think about how I've never felt that warmth before.

I know that I feel like I can do anything when you watch me.

[He swallows a lump in his throat and continues to awkwardly knead his hands into his knees. He looks terrified. He's sweating and blushing furiously. He clearly doesn't want to be presumptuous but she did ask him.]

You asked me what I thought and to be honest, I think all kinds of things. My mind is reeling with fears I've never experienced and possibilities I've never wanted to. I've never wanted to be liked. But here I am, stomach in knots thinking that if you did like me, I have no idea what I'd do next. All I know is that I'd be beaming. And that sort of unknowable future is so new and amazing to me.

I think...we could be something great.

That's what I think...

[patchricide]

[She listens carefully, never interrupting — her cheeks taking on that light touch of pink they sometimes do, but her expression remaining more thoughtful than anything else.]

[He really does have a nice way of phrasing it. A potential. She hasn't fallen head over heels for him — her reason hasn't left her. But even if she's not completely captivated, she's at the very least intrigued. Enough that she's listening to him talk through all this, and considering every word with as much care as he's choosing them.]

[Maybe it says something, too, that his words can resonate with her own feelings so easily. Hopefully not that she's being talked into feeling a certain way — but then again, it's a pleasant feeling, and for a moment she finds herself wondering if letting herself get swayed is such a bad thing if it ends her up here.]

[She debates the idea back and forth in her head, briefly, as she looks away and helps herself to a long sip of her drink. Hopefully, he won't mind being kept waiting for her response.]

It does sound nice... [Her eyes don't return to him quite yet. It's easier to keep her thoughts in order if she isn't watching his reaction.] Adventures and possibilities. Something to be hopeful for...

I'm not sure that I've felt it for quite a long time, before coming here. ... not hope itself, but... getting to enjoy it, rather than having to carve out a vision of it for others.

[After all, there's more than a world out there. More than a universe. She should be terrified of the calamity that's set all of this in motion, and yet it seems to have created some miraculous opportunities in its wake...]

So... do you want to keep exploring what's ahead together?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He's afraid to look at her as he speaks. In a sense, he was laying it bare. He doesn't really know what to think and he's too worried about misreading her to speak out about what he hopes it means.]

[Even now, he's not sure what she's getting at, so he answers in the simplest way possible.]

O-Of course I do. Nothing would make me happier.

[patchricide]

Well, then. How do humans do this...

[She raises her glass, in a small toast.]

Here's to many more dinners together... and wherever our adventures may take us.

[Is he catching on yet?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He...is not. He honestly just thinks that they're going to go on quests together and that nothing of significance has changed.]

[But Darin isn't going to act disappointment. If anything, he'll just carry on like always. He doesn't want to spoil her good time, after all.]

[So he will take his own glass and raise it.]

Y-Yeah...! I'm looking forward to it...

[patchricide]

... are you that nervous about it? After everything you said...

Somehow I thought you might be more excited about dating.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

I...I'm sorry.

You...

We're...?

You want to...?

[Wait...she does like him?!]

[patchricide]

All right, now you have to tell me:

What did you think that I meant by 'together'?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I...I don't know! 'Partners?' 'Companions?'

It could be a lot of things! I didn't want to get my hopes up that you were into me by assuming anything else!

[patchricide]

I really must be direct with you, mustn't I...

[How is it he can be so observant and oblivious, all at once?]

Fine, allow me to start over.

I like you. Spending time with you on an evening like this... it's fun, and I would be delighted to do it again.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin feels his cheeks burning and at the same time, he feels bad for having her spell it out for him.]

S...Sorry...

I'm...I'm not used to...this. No one's ever liked me before. Honestly, I'm still reeling over the concept of having 'friends.'

A girlfriend...someone who likes me and wants to spend time with me...it almost seems like a dream...

[patchricide]

Then we'll just have to take it slow, won't we? It's perfectly fine with me, since this isn't something I have experience with, either...

So, Darin... you don't have to apologize, especially when I could have been clearer.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...You've gotta stop that.

You're always so quick to take responsibility for something. Even when it's someone else's fault you're so quick to throw yourself into the fire so someone else doesn't feel bad.

Do you really think I enjoy someone I like so much taking blame that isn't hers? You're so much more than that, Allura.

You don't have to protect me or my feelings. You don't have to be a paladin for me.

[He takes her hand.]

I'm not used to someone liking me but that doesn't mean it's anyone's fault. If anything...it means I'm ready to grow. So please...when I struggle don't blame yourself. The fact that you're here...

...It means the world to me.

[patchricide]

You know, you say that, but... your reaction had me thinking that your words sounded far too guilty, yourself.

[And there's a small smile on her face when she says that. Watching out for each other has locked itself in as a cornerstone of this relationship, whether they like it or not. And in a way... there's something nice about it, something that she does like.]

But if just being here is enough to help you move forward? That's more than enough to put my heart at ease...