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 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??

[patchricide]

... what, really? Have you already forgotten about seeing...

[She pauses mid-step to gesture to herself, specifically to the part of her body covered by the dress.]

... everything?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I...!

I try not to...linger on it...! B-Besides, it was dark so...!

[patchricide]

[She steps even closer, intruding on his personal space once again.]

Maybe I don't need to resort to any extreme measures. Look at you — you're paralyzed by just a reminder!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Tch...!

I told you! I put it out of mind!

Besides, a brief moment that wasn't worth remembering isn't enough to do me in!

[patchricide]

... ... ...

You're baiting me into showing you more, aren't you?

[That wasn't what she had in mind, but now? He's practically daring her!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'm telling you that I'm not some pushover! You think you've got me right where you want me, but I can handle anything you can dish out!

[1/2]

[patchricide]

Can you really?

All right, Darin. How about this?

[2/2]

[patchricide]

[And she closes the distance between them, giving him another kiss — this time, however, she presses her lips right to his, and holds him there for a long moment.]

[And enjoys any signs of Darin's brain short-circuiting that she might have just caused.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin stares. After all, that sort of kiss, while not unwelcome just seemed...well...like a fantasy to him.]

[She gets to watch him struggle with the thought that she was teasing him, but also reconcile the fact that he knows she'd never do something like that if she didn't truly have a thing for him.]

[He flushes red, his thoughts filled with the sensation of her lips and the bold proclamation she made about stripping earlier.]

[And with that, he stumbles back onto the couch, defenseless, ready to be pounced on. Though, with the way he's looking at her...he might just be waiting for it to see what happens next...]

[patchricide]

[Oh, of course he would want to be pounced on after that. To get crushed between her thighs like one of those melons. But she still wants to savor this moment, the startled expression on his face, as if he's unable to fully comprehend what just happened...]

[She takes a seat next to him, acting quite casual. Well, except perhaps a little smugness.]

See, now you're the one who's not making this much of a challenge. Why, all I have to do to pin you now... is...

[She starts to lay back, ready to sprawl across his lap like it were her own personal lounging pillow.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[The conflict on his face is incredibly apparent. On the one hand, the sight of her draped across his lap would be...well, it would be more than enticing...]

[But at the same time, he can't just...accept defeat like that! She was the one talking about escalating things wasn't she...? In that case...]

[Just as she starts to lay back, he angles his body so she lays back against his chest. He quickly wraps his arms around her waist from behind and clasps them just under her chest; admittedly a bold move and placement but...she did keep egging him on for this exact thing...]

[Didn't she...?]

[This position is a double-edged sword for the both of them. Not just because of the placement of his hands but they're both in a position of heightened tension; she can no doubt feel his breath on her neck and ear with her hair pulled up in a ponytail, as well as the muscles of his chest and arms surrounding her. For him, it's the feel of her body in his arms, the proximity of his hands, and the scent of her soap and shampoo assaulting his senses.]

[He holds her like this while he thinks on his next words.]

Is this more of a challenge for you?

[Gods there's so much he wants to ask but he doesn't want to ruin whatever is happening here by calling attention to it. Allura would make what she wants known...he knows that, at least, for sure.]

[patchricide]

... yes... I would say it is. [It's a stiff response, but not because she's not responding to the situation she's ended up in. In fact, even from behind he can likely see her cheeks flushing red. And failing that, he can certainly feel the air going in and out of her chest, a little harder, accompanied with a faint panting in her breath.]

You recover quickly, don't you? I thought for sure you would be a stammering mess for longer than that. That I would pin you down through nothing but your own nerves!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Who says I'm not nervous...?

But...I've never been one to stop pressing forward just because I got a little nervous...

[He's still not sure he's reading the signs right here. He could be getting in way over his head or, worse, upset her. But given how bold she's been, it would be an insult not to meet her boldness with a bit of his own.]

[Which is why he'll kiss her exposed neck gently.]

[patchricide]

[It draws a sound from her, a soft and breathy gasp, involuntary and shuddering as the laughter had been while he was tickling her earlier. He's going for all her sensitive spots, isn't he?]

Darin... I have to ask... are you sure you've never been this close to someone before?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Of course I haven't! But you're...

W...Well, you're definitely giving me some signs...I'm just doing my best to read them...

[He kisses her neck again and nuzzles her a bit, relieved that he isn't upsetting her while simultaneously curious about what she'll do next.]

[patchricide]

Signs? What signs? I don't recall directing you to my neck...

[But she seems perfectly content with what he's doing it. She's putty in his hands, so to say — like a cat getting pet in a particularly nice spot, she's practically purring.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Then...maybe it's instinct. Or the dress you're wearing combined with the way you have your hair up...or the soap you use...

[He keeps kissing her neck tenderly, holding her a little tighter.]

I'm starting to think that this is still my win, you know.

[patchricide]

Soap? I think your other ideas make a little more sense than that. You do know I wash all of my body, not just my neck — don't you?

[He should know that better than most, actually, since he helped her wash off after that one battle.]

You say that, and yet I seem to be the one getting pampered...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yes, your soap. This close, I can't help but notice that you smell nice.

And...I'm aware...

[He shifts a bit at the thought. She keeps bringing that up!]

Well, maybe I'll stop. I do have self-control, you know. In fact, it's one of my best and strongest qualities...!

[patchricide]

... you're not going to stop.

[She says that with such certainty.]

My point is more that anywhere you sniffed, you would be able to smell something like that...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...You know what?

I think I will stop.

[He leans back away from her neck. He's not letting her go but he's not going to give in to her that easily. After all, his self-control is absolutely one of his points of pride.]

[patchricide]

[Oh, he thinks he can get away that easily? Because she's going to lean her own head back, craning her neck to give him better access to it. So close that as he breathes on it, he can feel the warm breath bounce back and warm his lips.]

But do you want to stop?

[How's that soap smelling, Darin?]