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]

[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?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I don't. But isn't that the point of willpower? To resist the urge to do things the easy way...?

[He nuzzles her...but manages to resist the urge to keep kissing her neck.]

You'll have to try harder than that.

[patchricide]

Then let me see if I'm understanding this correctly. You're denying yourself the chance to kiss me — in places that you've never kissed any other woman before — simply to prove that you're capable of denying yourself that pleasure?

You know I wouldn't tell anyone if you gave in, don't you...?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I think you're getting more out of this than I am.

In fact, you're making me feel like I can get away with anything...

[patchricide]

I can't help it. There's something fun about the idea of having you so enamored with me that I could render you helpless with a kiss. But if you're not going to play along...

[She turns her head, and leaves a few kisses near his neck, up by the ear.]

... maybe I'll just have to start exploring for the spots that make you squirm, instead.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He shivers slightly, though not out of displeasure.]

You know, you're being awfully bold given the position you're in...

[Especially where his hands are.]

Aren't you afraid I might get the wrong idea...?

[patchricide]

It's a risk, I suppose. But I'm not afraid of taking a few risks...

[Hmm. It's a little hard to reach any other spots in this position, though. She tries trailing her fingertips lightly along his chin, as if admiring him fondly. From there, she lets them head down his neck, towards his shoulders.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Now I can't help but feel like you're daring me...

[And he really can't help himself. He leans in and places a few affectionate kisses on her neck.]

[patchricide]

I knew you weren't done.

[She reaches further back, up towards his head... and runs her fingers through his hair, as if she were petting a cat. If that cat were clinging to her from behind, that is.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

And you keep dodging my implications...

You either really trust me or you're more enticed than I thought, hm?

[He kisses her cheek now, and if she turns her head just so, he might just catch her lips...]

[patchricide]

[She cants her head just a little bit, to make sure he doesn't quite hit that target. Hey, he wanted a challenge, didn't he?]

Maybe I'm having fun with this. Not just the affection, but... not having to follow a plan and calculate my every action.

[Which is why she's lingering at his hair for a bit.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I see what you mean...

I'm...just excited to see where the night goes. Where...we'll go...next...

I'm trying not to get ahead of myself...to give in too much but...

That's the real challenge...especially with you in my arms like this...

[patchricide]

Mm... [As he says that, she seems to shift and relax more, letting down a certain guard that she had raised in all this talk about challenges and winning and losing. Allowing her to enjoy the moment, settling into his chest as if it were a mattress and she were planning to spend the night right here.]

It is easy to have exciting thoughts, isn't it? After all, I've never been... [She pauses, reconsidering her phrasing.] I've never allowed myself to get this close to anyone. I probably shouldn't keep indulging myself, but...

[She laughs softly.] It's fun. [Said as if to remind him that she's familiar with the concept.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah...I've never let myself get involved with anyone before too...but...

I can't ignore the thrill of it...

[His fingers have been twitching for some time now, clearly eager to move about. But he's kept his urges in check for the most part. But since she doesn't seem to want to slip away or stop him...]

[He moves his hands to her sides. At first, it seems like he might tickle again but he slowly reaches his thumbs back to knead some pressure points along her back.]

You keep mentioning the bath, I bet you were just trying to get me to do this for you, hm? I guess I fell into your trap in the end...

[After all, she wouldn't do anything else to remind him of that day, would she?]

[patchricide]

O-ohh... have you been practicing? This is... it's even better than I remember...

[Her whole body starts going limp, her limbs spreading across him like a large blanket. But then, she wills herself to push her body forward — enough that he can have better access to her full back.]

I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to ask for something like this outright...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh really? You've practically been asking for everything else tonight...

But I suppose now I can properly rub you down now that I'm not afraid of stealing glances at you...

[Did he admit to that? He'll just distract her with a nice shoulder and back rub.]

[patchricide]

Well, I suppose part of it was that... I wasn't sure how easily you would be able to do it while I still have this dress on.

[After all, the last time they did this, they were in the bath together!]

So, does that mean you'll be staring at me openly, whenever you feel like it?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I...

[She can practically hear the blush in his voice.]

I-I'm managing alright...I think...you would be the one to tell me about the quality of it...wouldn't you...?

[Maybe he can deflect...]

[patchricide]

Oh, you're doing an amazing job with it. Though... I do feel as if your motions are somewhat more limited than they were in the springs.

Must be the fabric getting in the way, I suppose.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-It's...It's possible...

[Wait...is she...?]

[patchricide]

I suppose I could loose up the back a bit, give you more space...

[She's dangling it in front of him, tempting him shamelessly!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Y-You could...I...wouldn't mind...

I-I mean...it'll make you feel better too, right? S-So...loosen it up as much as you want...!

[He'd be lying if he wasn't wondering if she wore something...special...under that dress. You know. For luck.]

If you're staying the night, get as comfortable as you want...

[patchricide]

... hmm. That actually brings a question to mind... if I'm staying the night, what should I wear? This dress isn't much of a nightgown...

[What? She's not changing the subject. She's weaponizing anticipation to tease him more.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

W...Well...

You could...wear some of my clothes...? I've got some shirts you can wear...

[Though, those will be baggy and won't even cover her butt...]

A-And some sweatpants...?

...Why don't you go through my closet and pick out something you'd like to wear...?

[He just made a huge mistake, didn't he.]

[patchricide]

Sweatpants...? I don't believe I've ever worn any sort of pants to bed. I suppose I could try it, just so long as it doesn't make it too difficult to sleep...

[She straightens up her back a bit more, leaning into his massaging touch.]

But maybe I will after we're done here. You might have something that's long enough on its own.