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]

[She looks at him questioningly, taking some real time to consider what he's asking. After all, he probably doesn't want a quick, knee-jerk answer — or he might doubt the sincerity behind her words.]

No... no, I'm not. It's a little shocking, but...

There's something refreshing about it. The idea of dating someone who can keep up with me. [In recklessness as much as strength, really.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[And yet, he can sense the concern she has for him. It was a pretty drastic maneuver...]

[So, he reaches up with one hand and cups her cheek.]

Hey...I'm sorry if I startled or worried you. Sometimes...I get swept up in the moment. My fire gets to burning and suddenly all I see are ways to move forward with my goal.

...But that doesn't mean I'm ever gonna lose sight of you...

...Okay...?

[patchricide]

... all right. You really don't have to worry about it. It's something I can understand quite well, truth be told...

[But despite that, some relief does soften her expression.]

Just please, no more intentionally hurting yourself! Even if you're confident in your healing, it's something that you really shouldn't grow used to!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I didn't even feel it. I healed myself the second I dislocated the shoulder so I didn't feel any pain...

[Although now it's sore...]

I...guess I got caught up in wanting to impress you...

...So...are you impressed~?

[He might be flexing a bit for her sake.]

[patchricide]

Well... yes. [In fact, her cheeks are flushing, and she's having some trouble making eye contact.]

Strength aside, it takes some incredible self-discipline to even attempt a maneuver like that...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

When you spend your entire life carefully gauging and hiding your power, you learn a thing or two about self-discipline...

I'm confident I can control every part of my body with complete precision.

[Did that sound suggestive? It might have sounded a little suggestive...]

[patchricide]

[... oh. Well, she certainly takes it as suggestive. After all, why else would he be bringing every part of his body into it?]

I... I mean... I had meant steeling your nerve enough to go through with that sort of injury... though I suppose that takes control as well, doesn't it?

[Her cheeks are flushing, her voice is a little soft, her eyes aren't quite meeting his. Oh yeah, something else distracting is on her mind.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He chuckles softly.]

Is everything alright...?

[Did he do something wrong? It hasn't registered yet that he's pressed against her between her legs in a very compromising position.]

[patchricide]

Yes, everything is—

... ... ...

You're teasing me, aren't you?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Teasing you?

About what?

[patchricide]

About... about what you just said...!

[And her mind thoroughly going into the gutter with it. It's difficult to explain, though — is he going to make her admit it outright?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why would I tease you about my control? It's honestly something I'm proud of.

I thought you'd appreciate it too.

[I mean...if she wants to experience it firsthand...]

[patchricide]

Darin! We only just started dating! It's far too early to... "appreciate" anything like that...!!

[Like shoulder dislocations, right?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Oh.

I mean...I thought it was a quality you'd really like...

[He...feels a little stupid now!]

[patchricide]

No, no, that's not what I mean! I know exactly how difficult it is, and I would... [ahem] someday I would truly like to see it for myself.

But... but it's just been one evening! Shouldn't we save that for once we've had a chance to get more comfortable with each other?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I don't know what you're talking about, I'm perfectly comfortable with you.

...Actually, I think I might be more comfortable with you than anyone else I've ever known or met.

[Don't forget, Allura. He has no problems with you seeing him naked.]

[patchricide]

... are you really?

[She seems stunned by that. Honestly, it's not that surprising, given what she knows of his history. But it also means her point has been completely and utterly lost. How else can she explain?]

What I mean is... look, you can't go and show me everything tonight! There won't be any surprises before long!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...yeah. I mean...look at us.

[He motions to their incredibly compromising position.]

And...after everything else we've been through together...I just...I feel comfortable with you. You could ask me to do anything and I'd do it...

[He says this with complete and total sincerity.]

[Despite the fact that they aren't on the same page at all. Not that either of them know that.]

[patchricide]

[This is such a blatant invitation. He's begging her to tell him to show off his tricks, to show her up close and personal how precise his control can be.]

[Maybe she should just be honest.]

I... I would like you to find some other way to surprise me tonight.

[See? There's no possible way that could be misconstrued, right?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

[He thinks on it for a moment.]

...Alright. But if we're going to do this, you'll need to get ready for bed. You should probably check my room to see what I have and change.

[patchricide]

[Wait, isn't that exactly what I said not to do?!]

[... no. Okay. She has to trust Darin on this. He probably has something else in mind. She nods, cautiously...]

... all right. Let me go do that. Do you mind if I...?

[And she moves to stand up, trying to push him aside without disturbing him too much. If he does let her up, she'll go head into his room and see what he has available.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He moves to let her up with a bit of a smirk.]

Don't be shy now, where whatever suits your fancy, alright~?

[Just what kind of invitation is this? How do you prepare, Allura?]

[patchricide]

[A big question, first: What does he own?]

[Because as soon as she's past that bedroom door, she's going to be digging through all his drawers and rooting around in his closet. Somehow, he doesn't seem like someone who would own much in the way of long, baggy shirts — in fact, he seems to love wearing those tight clothes that show off the contours of his muscles.]

[Which, to be fair, Allura does enjoy quite a lot. But right now, she questions where those will actually end. Will they get even reach her waistline?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Given how broad he is, they will be a bit on the baggy side. If she's lucky...his shirts will come down just below her butt.]

[Just below.]

[Aside from that, he has a bunch of tank tops which...well...they're about the same length, but on her, they'll drape a little low and they're very open at the sides...]

[Which, if she wants to completely blow him away, that would certainly do the trick.]

[But if she wants to be modest, there are a couple button down shirts that hang a little lower. Not by much but...]

[There are some sweatpants too...]

[patchricide]

[No, the sweatpants are right out. Even if it would make things far more casual if she could find those comfortable, wouldn't it?]

[She decides to try one of those button down shirts, which do hang down further and conceal her hips. The trade-off, as she discovers, is that it also hangs down further in front. Unless she buttons it right up to the collar in an uncomfortable way, it creates a surprisingly plunging neckline for a nightshirt...]

[But she decides that she's comfortable enough with it. And so, she pokes her head back out to see Darin.]

Well? How's this?