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]

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...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...W-Well, if we're gonna be dating I hope you're interested in more than 'just being here...'

[patchricide]

I meant as opposed to taking on the blame! Of course I'm interested in doing more!

... ... ...

[And it occurs to her after saying it, the sorts of connotations that come with saying that forcefully...]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[You might have to spell out what's wrong with saying something like that, Allura. After all, that time in the bath during the siren trial and then the night they were drinking together is probably far lost on him at this point.]

I'm glad...I've never had someone so interested in me before...

[patchricide]

[The fact that he didn't pick up on it puts her at ese. Maybe she'll spell it out to him some other time.]

Are you sure? I find that hard to believe, actually. I was trying to explain it to you before, that you're more attractive than you give yourself credit for...

Perhaps you simply never noticed before?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Ehh...I doubt it...

I mean...anyone back home seen with me would have to deal with everyone looking down on them and...well...I wouldn't want anyone to go through that because of me...even if they did like me.

Even now, I'm a little worried how the people in Camelot might react if they saw us together. There's still some bad blood considering what I did there...

[patchricide]

I don't see how that would stop people from your home from being interested in you, though. Don't you sometimes want something you know you can't have, or shouldn't?

[But her expression turns thoughtful and serious at the next point.] That's true. We may want to try to stay discrete about this... though it might be difficult, considering how much we stand out.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh...[He sounds a little disappointed.]

If that's what you want, though. I understand.

[patchricide]

Wait, hold on. It doesn't bother you?

I thought that's why you brought it up. After all, you used to receive so much unfavorable attention back home, didn't you...?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...I'm worried but...at the same time that doesn't mean I want to hide it. I mean...isn't holding hands or you hanging onto my arm part of the fun...?

[patchricide]

I would hope so. I wouldn't drag you into it, if it truly bothered you, but...

I want to be able to share those kinds of moments with you. And the attention should be part of the fun, not any sort of distress!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Wait...don't tell me...

You want to show me off?

[patchricide]

I wouldn't put it like that, exactly.

... but I suppose that is technically correct, yes.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Oh?

How would you put it then?

[patchricide]

I want others to see us, and see how much we're enjoying ourselves. And whether or not they're happy for us, or whether they feel envious of it...

Either way, I don't want to have to hide something like that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I...admit...I don't want to hide it either.

After all, I bet I could make plenty of people jealous when they see me holding hands with you...

[Just holding hands?]

[patchricide]

So, then, is it safe to assume that you want to show me off? [No wonder he asked about it. Her tone is lightly chiding, but she's smiling.]

Ah... don't tell me that this is what you've been interested in the whole time!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

N...No! I-I mean...I want to show you off but not like in a trophy sort of way??

But it's not what I was interested in at all!

[Wouldn't the form the siren took totally contradict that though?]

[patchricide]

[Oh, seeing him get flustered is even more fun now.]

All right, then. In that case... in what way were you interested in showing me off?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Nothing in particular...?

Maybe...going to events with you on my arm...?