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]

[Based on the sound she makes, it seems to be working.]

Keep going, and I could fall asleep here, just like this. Ooh, a little harder on that spot...

[Honestly, it's a tender point, and she seems to recoil involuntarily at him kneading it. But that means it needs the extra attention!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Your wish is my command~

[Oh good, it worked. She didn't notice the slip of the tongue...]

[In that case, he's really going to pamper her and that spot she needs tending to!]

[patchricide]

... I think I needed this more than I realized...

Maybe I have been pushing myself harder on questing than I realized. I am weaker than I was prior to coming here...

[There's a soft laugh from her, barely audible, but which he'll feel make her body quake under her touch.] At least I have an excuse to stop by more often.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You really should take better care of yourself...

...What sort of abilities did you have, anyway? I'm pretty sure I told you about my strength and regenerative abilities...

[He stops suddenly.]

Hey, wait! Are you just dating me for the back rubs?!

[patchricide]

Of course not! They might be a perk, but if I needed them that badly, I could have always just asked you for it. You wouldn't have used it against me, would you?

Anyway, haven't I told you about mine before as well? My strength, my agility, my channeling, my shapeshifting...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Shapeshifting? I don't think you told me about that one...

[patchricide]

I haven't? Well, it's only useful in certain situations, so I guess I never had a reason to bring it up...

[She stretches her arms up, and continues...]

Normally, I would be able to modify my appearance in ways that would allow me to blend in with other alien races. Like changing my skin tone, or getting taller.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Wait...you can change colors like a chameleon?!

[patchricide]

Not anymore, but I used to be able to. You should have seen how well I used to do disguising myself as a Galra! They're purple, you see, and they're about this tall...

[She holds a hand up to give a reference.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You...were that tall...?

[/SWEAT]

...What else could you do...?

[patchricide]

I could be, when I wanted to. Unfortunately, that was about the limits of my shapeshifting...

I did tell you about the other things though, didn't I? Like how strong I was before?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You did...but I guess I'm just used to everyone being strong. I mean...you are a paladin...I'd be surprised if you weren't strong.

[patchricide]

I don't merely mean strong by human standards, though. In fact, I think the only one I met from my reality that came close was Shiro, and that was only due to the benefit of his robotic arm.

I would demonstrate on you, but... I really can't any longer, unless I'm able to siphon some magical power first.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

Do it.

Kick my ass.

[patchricide]

I'm sorry?

You don't believe me?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

No! I do! I want to see how strong you were!

[He...He likes strong women, don't kink shame.]

[patchricide]

[She looks thoughtful for a moment.]

I'll need something to siphon, first. I didn't exactly come here preparing for combat.

And I'm not sure if I should take some of yours... [She doesn't elaborate. Surely he recalls how that ended last time, right?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why don't I buff my strength with my magic and you can siphon that? I've got stamina for days so even if you siphon my power, I can boost myself again, if need be.

[I guess this answers her unasked question about how much stamina he has.]

[patchricide]

I could do that...

Though, now that you mention it, couldn't you just enhance my strength? It doesn't seem like it should have the same sort of limitations as siphoning...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

....Huh. You're right. I can do that.

Alright...here we go. Try not to hulk out of your dress now~

[Or do...he won't complain. Regardless, while he massages her back, she'll feel an incredible surge of magic course through her body.]

[patchricide]

[She looks surprised, and looks down at her own hands in amazement.]

This is your magic? It feels so different from siphoned power. That magic always feels as if it wants to fight against me, as if I have to use my own strength to contain it...

But this feels wonderful. I don't just feel stronger, I feel... energized.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh?

I guess I'm just sorta used to it. It was kinda always like this for me back home.

[patchricide]

I thought you didn't have magic back where you came from. Or are you referring to...

[She reaches behind her, grabbing him by the shoulders — and seems to have no trouble flipping him over her head and onto the other side of the couch. He wanted a demonstration, didn't he?]

... your strength?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

W-Whoa!!

[He's just going to stare and then nod dumbly.]

Y...Y-Yeah...

[patchricide]

[So, let's get on with that demonstration, shall we? With the change in position, she grabs one of his arms in a lock, and holds the other down at the elbow — all the while looking down at him with an amused smile on her face.]

You know, it feels like a long time since I've actually needed to pin someone like this...