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]

Hm, where lots of eyes can be on us...? Or so we can be seen doing lots of things together?

[She's getting closer, leaning into his personal space.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I think both of those sound nice...

[patchricide]

[Okay. He's seeming a little tongue-tied. Maybe she should go easier on him.]

... what kinds of events did you have in mind, anyway? Ones like the masquerade?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Dances sound nice but I was thinking more like...

A festival...

[patchricide]

A festival? Really?

I'm not sure that would be the first date spot that would come to mind, but... it does sound as though there would be a lot of things to do together.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh, maybe you and I are thinking of different things.

Back home we used to have a harvest festival at the end of the summer. It was honestly one of the few things I looked forward to. There was all kinds of amazing food and game stalls and live music...

When the sun went down, there was a big dance in town center. Not nearly as formal as the masquerade. In fact, it was more folksy than anything but...

It was always a lot of fun, even if I never danced with anyone.

[patchricide]

Oh! ... it does sound a little like the festivals from home. Particularly the summer berry festival...

But we didn't end it with a dance. It was a bit more ceremonial. See, there's a lot of folklore for the berries, so there was a whole magical ritual performed to bless the planet from which they came...

Dancing sounds like a far more fun way to end things.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Really? Because I think hearing all of that lore and those stories was probably fun too. Folk tales like that really do have their charm.

[patchricide]

I suppose, but it was more or less the same year after year. Growing up, it's very easy to start finding that tedious.

I miss it more now than I looked forward to it then.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...You could tell the stories to me.

[patchricide]

Really? You'd want to hear them?

I can't promise they'll make sense, unless I give you a lot of context about Altean culture. And it's really supposed to be done by a group...

But if you're still interested, I could try my best.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I don't mind. I want to learn more about your home. Give me all of the context! I don't care how long it takes.

I want to keep as many customs and traditions of yours alive as I can.

[patchricide]

[Her mood seems oddly subdued by that.] ... thank you, Darin. That means so much to me.

Although I'm also interested in learning more of yours. Including the ones with dancing!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You got it! I'd be happy to teach you some of the more traditional dances from home.

...Speaking of tradition...is there anything regarding dating I should know about in Altean culture...?

[He has no idea about dating in any culture.]

[patchricide]

[There's a long silence from Allura. Because there is. There absolutely is. But...]

... I think it's safe to say that most of those don't apply anymore.

[She looks concerned. Those formalities seems like the exact sort of things that might scare off Darin, especially early in their relationship.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...still. Were there any that you liked? That you want to see me do?

[patchricide]

I don't know. Picturing you doing them is...

[How does she even begin to explain it? He has no idea how absurd the garments would be, for starters...]

[... ... ...]

[He has no idea. Perhaps...]

For one thing, you're not dressed for it. Usually if an Altean man were out to seduce, he would be dressed in something... elegant, but open.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Like...a robe?

That...doesn't sound so bad...

[patchricide]

[He's right. She's still being quite tame. What else could she add in?]

And... you would have to bring me flowers everywhere we go. Often held in your teeth, to keep your hands free.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Really?

That actually sounds kinda fun. Like a play.

[patchricide]

There's also carrying me in your arms whenever we go from place to place...

Writing me poetry, and reciting it in ballad...

And the daily fights for my honor, of course...

[You know, it's really difficult to think of anything he might not do. Maybe she should be getting more unbelievable with it?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

These all sound pretty theatrical.

I wouldn't mind trying some of them out, though.

[patchricide]

Well, of course! What better way to demonstrate the depth of your feelings, and your suitability as a partner?

[You know, like a peacock.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Alright...I can handle that!

I mean, if it keeps Altean traditions alive and makes you feel happy, I'd be more than willing!

[patchricide]

... ... ...

You really do have boundless enthusiasm, don't you?

[She's already starting to feel bad about her dishonesty. And she didn't even give him any bad prompts!]