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]

Oh...?

You're gonna let me win so easily..? Well then...

How about this...?

[For a moment, it looks like he might go in for another kiss. A real one this time...]

[But he stops just shy and smirks. And begins to tickle her sides playfully.]

Well~?

[patchricide]

[He might have 'won', but is she losing? Food for thought, Darin.]

[But then she feels his fingertips brushing against her sides — and the tickling is enough to make her reflexes kick in. She can't go anywhere without standing up, though, and so she twists and squirms away from him without getting very far in the process.]

[She shouts, but her voice is strained with laughter.]

D— Darin! What are you doing?! Stop, that — that tickles!!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I know! Looks like you left yourself wide open! What will you do now, hmm~?

[He twists along with her to keep hold of her, pressing the tickle attack further.]

[But her laughter is as infectious as it is sweet and he finds himself laughing just as hard.]

[patchricide]

That's not— D-Darin, really, can you— stop??

[Because 'what will she do now'? How can she do anything when she squirming and laughing so hard that she can barely catch her breath??]

[She's still trying to pull away from him, and even trying to push him back. But that might not be the most effective — and it reaches a point of desperation, where she grabs hold of the shirt and tries to use it to drag him back towards the couch cushions, pushing a space back between them.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[All of that squirming has Darin readjusting his posture so he can continue the attack. But he's caught off balance when she tugs him forward towards her.]

[He has to stop tickling her to catch himself on the couch, otherwise they're both going for a tumble. The result is Allura on her back on the couch with Darin hovering just above her, hands propping his frame up on either side of her.]

[Still, he's laughing and he gives her a moment to catch her breath.]

I got you good, didn't I~?

[patchricide]

That— that was cruel, Darin. And all that because I kissed you!

[She huffs — both because she's playing up her own annoyance, but also because she does in fact need to catch her breath after that assault. Apparently, she's very sensitive to being tickled.]

[But after she collects her composure, and that deep, heavy breathing starts to slow... she looks up and down at the very compromising position they've wound up in. Has he noticed? It really doesn't take a stretch of the imagination...]

[Maybe she should help bring it to his attention.]

... you really are bold, aren't you...?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin has indeed noticed but...he doesn't seem to be panicking too much.]

...I can't help it. When you egg me on like that, I just can't help but rise to the challenge.

If I need to be bold to meet those expectations then...well, here we are...

So, what can I say? I like a good challenge.

[patchricide]

A challenge, hmm...?

[She quirks her brow at that. Is that what caught his interest in her from the start — that she was combative, nearly refusing everything he asked of her? No wonder he had seemed downright disappointed that she was pleasantly charmed by him returning the kiss.]

[Well, then.]

[She shows just how free she still is by twisting around beneath him, until her back is to him. And she makes a motion to start crawling out from under this trap.]

Then maybe I shouldn't be making this so easy for you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Is she aware that this position is equally compromising? Did she also forget she's in a dress??]

[It's a good thing Darin is preoccupied with the thrill of the literal chase because he's quickly seizing her by the hips and pulling her back and trying to flip her over for another tickle barrage.]

Oh no you don't!

[patchricide]

[Maybe she's not aware, Darin. Maybe you need to get your mind out of the gutter.]

Again?! [She starts squirming again, this time still trying to crawl out from under him.] Stop it — stooop!! Why don't you learn a new trick?!

[Despite her protests, there's laughter in her voice and a broad smile on her face. How can she help it?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, if this didn't work so well, maybe I would!

[But at least he's running his hands up her sides and not focusing on such a small area.]

[patchricide]

How would you like it if I tried it on you?!

[She gets a grip on the armrest, and uses it to start pulling herself out from under him. So that area is moving down towards her hips—]

Okay, now you really need to stop...!!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He does stop...for a moment.]

Oh? And why is that?

[patchricide]

Because it — ghh — it is getting very difficult not to kick you by mistake!

[Also, because if she can squeeze out a little further, she should be able to escape!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh, is that all?

I could just...do this!

[He's going to make an attempt to sit on her legs! You've only got a few seconds, Allura!]

[patchricide]

[Oh, yeah?]

[Because when he moves, she gets her opening, and in one smooth movement she pulls herself over to the armrest...]

[And flips right over it.]

Whoops!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

So you do have some moves!

[He pushes himself up to his feet.]

So are you just going to use those moves to run away? What else have you got~?

[patchricide]

That's an interesting question, you know. Those 'moves' are all meant to incapacitate or otherwise defeat an enemy...

[She's going to pull herself back up as well — to perch on the rest, like a gymnast.]

And as much as you enjoy a challenge, I'm not sure if that is the right way to escalate this.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah?

And how would you escalate this?

[Because seeing her perched on that armrest is...well, it's certainly a sight.]

[patchricide]

If you must know... I'm thinking I might pin you down, the same way you had me pinned.

[She does look ready to jump at a moment's notice. To spring at him, if the opportunity presented itself.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You think you can?

You did just announce your intent. Don't you think I'd be ready for such a brash assault?

[To drive his point home, he squares up, ready to catch her if she pounces.]

[patchricide]

Of course. I'm well aware. The question is... would you be able to stop me, ready or not?

[She cants her head to the side, resting her chin on her hand, and quirks an eyebrow again.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I don't think there's anything you can do that will surprise me enough to let you pin me. At least, not at this point.

[patchricide]

Nothing...?

Hmm, that's true. You've already seen everything...

[She shifts, dangling her legs off the arm rest, before letting them hit the floor and standing up. Casually, she starts strolling towards him, not even trying to evade him.]

But I think I might still have one trick left, at least.

[She's walking directly towards you, Darin, and getting closer. What's your plan?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Something about the way she emphasized the word seen catches his attention. So much so, that he's letting his guard down.]

Wait...w-what do you mean by that? Seen what??