isleofavalon | Summer Sun, Something's Begun | July Catch-All

Entry tags:

Summer Sun, Something's Begun | July Catch-All | Open

🧙 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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I am! I mean...you're wearing my shirt and...it doesn't seem like much else. I dunno it just feels...[Like they're newlyweds?]

It's my shirt. I guess it's weird to be kinda...attracted to that? That you're with me and no one else will ever see this but me...

...S-Sorry, I guess it's hard to understand. A-Anyway, I'm almost ready...

[He quickly takes the bedding and heads...upstairs?]

... I suppose I can understand... [But she doesn't get very far in responding before she notices that he's fleeing the scene.]

Wait, hold on. Where are you going with that?

[She's drawn back out of the bedroom, and starts following him to snoop on whatever he's preparing.]

You asked me to surprise you. So I am.

[She'll follow him up past the store rooms and even up into the forge itself...]

[And then, curiously outside.]

[It's not a cold night, but there's a slight chill in the air. But when he leaves, he turns and makes his way up the small hillock that his forge is built into the side of. Should she step out to see where he's going, she'll find that he's constructed a makeshift tent and canopy right on top of the hillock. Right over the vent of the forge. Which means, once she enters the tent, she'll find it incredibly warm and cozy. There's plush bedding and bedrolls laid out over the grass, several blankets, and a half dozen pillows...it's practically their own little love nest.]

[But, more importantly, there's a vent at the top of the tent allowing heat to escape, like a hot air balloon. And through it, they have their own little lens to Avalon's night sky, including all of the unfamiliar stars.]

[Darin flops down on the bedding and beckons her to join him.]

Well?

You challenged me to surprise you. How'd I do?

[Curiosity drives her. Even though she's still self-conscious about how she's dressed, she's not so frozen with fear that she doesn't hustle out into the night air after him — but maybe enough that the whole time, she holds down the bottom of the shirt to stretch it as far as it will go over her hips.]

[And as she follows him, stepping into the tent...]

... oh. [Based on that soft but impressed tone to her voice? He nailed it. But she elaborates...]

We're going to sleep here, then? ... well, that's not even close to what I was expecting. And... it's actually quite nice in here. Were you planning this the whole time?

Not really. I mean, the bed would have been fine for us but...it would have been a little cramped.

I got the idea when you asked me to surprise you so I figured I'd subvert expectations a little bit.

And...there's a lot more room to sprawl out here. In case you wanted some...some space...

[He rubs his neck bashfully. This was their first night together and, despite everything leading up to this...she was probably nervous. And she's only wearing his shirt so...]

I...figured you'd be more comfortable if you had a little more...space? Privacy?

To yourself...

To myself? [She repeats it in a questioning tone, as if she isn't sure she heard him correctly. Or, if she did, if she's gleaning the right meaning from his words.]

Aren't you staying out here as well?

Oh, I am! I just...

[He rubs his neck awkwardly.]

...Allura, I'm not gonna pretend I have any idea what I'm doing. I mean, I see you wearing what you're wearing and every fiber of my being wants to throw caution to the wind because I've never seen someone so...so...beautiful. My heart's racing just looking at you and believe me, I want to look a whole lot more...

...But before any of that...you saw something good in me and...it would be an insult to everything you believe I am if I ignored your comfort because...

Because I'm thinking with the wrong part of my body.

[He normally wouldn't be so blunt but...how else can he get his point across? He'd rather she be comfortable than indulging in any urges or desires...]

[Which is really saying something when she looks like that.]

[She's still having trouble wrapping her head around him calling her beautiful despite what she's wearing. Because of what she's wearing. Even with the context he's provided, there's part of her that's hung up on the differences between it and her usual way of dressing, her body wrapped in elegant cloth and soft colors — in beauty, if nothing else, shouldn't this be a step down?]

[But she decides to stop questioning it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the humans say. And whether or not she understands the compliment, it doesn't take an empath to tell that Darin's laying his genuine feelings out bare before her. The least she can do is trust his word.]

You don't have to phrase it like that. Like those desires are something evil. If I thought that for a moment, I would have to condemn myself as well...

[It's an embarrassing admission. As far as she's concerned, it would be a lot easier if everyone thought she didn't have any of those kinds of thoughts, any of those urges. They stand at odds with who she's supposed to be and what she's supposed to be doing.]

[But it's out there, and so before he can dig in or start freaking out, she tries to quickly keep moving on with her thought:]

But at this rate, there isn't going to be much left to see.

Well...I'm still not entirely used to them...

[Surprisingly, he's calm. It's honestly a relief to know he's not the only one experiencing this feelings...these urges.]

[Though, he laughs a bit.]

So? I mean, you've already seen plenty of me...

I don't know...that doesn't necessarily bother me. I feel like anytime I saw anything would be special...no matter how much or how often I see...

[He's cutting to the heart of the matter again. If she gets carried away in the heat of the moment... they'd soon run out of surprises, and he'd find himself bored with her as quickly as he grew interested in her.]

[It's reassuring to hear him talk about it, but not enough for her to shrug her shoulders and jump him.]

How can you be so sure about that? That when this is over, that you won't feel as if you have nothing to look forward to?

[She takes a seat... slowly, carefully, trying to find a position that's both comfortable and not flashing her panties at him. Unfortunately, that proves to be difficult... and after shifting a few times, she finds herself lounging more than sitting, with her legs stretched out to the side.

[Despite his earlier claims, Darin politely and pointedly looks away.]

What do you mean? I have every day to look forward to with you.

[Why is he so good at sweet talk? If he did look at her, he'd catch that pink glow returning to her cheeks yet again.]

Well, sure, but... how do you know you won't get tired of me before long? After all, if this is all new to you right now...

How do you know how you'll feel when that thrill wears off?

...Maybe it's just because of the world I was raised in and the way it turned its nose up at me but...

If there's someone willing to share that much with you...? Then you'd be an idiot to let things end over something as silly as boredom.

We have an entire world to explore and two whole lives to recount between us, Allura. Not to mention what the future holds?

And besides...I'm...not in this for thrills.

I genuinely like you.

Darin...

[It's naive, isn't it? Even she thinks of it as naive, despite the fact that she hasn't been in a sort of relationship herself. Maybe it's all the teachings of her upbringing, trying to prepare her for any troubles in a relationship upfront. It's not as if royalty gets many chances at courtship.]

[But at the same time, there's something about it that makes his perspective refreshing. Maybe she's the one who's in it for thrills, at least to some degree, and... something about how good-intentioned and poorly-reasoned this sounds to her makes it thrilling, in the same way all reckless acts are.]

[Maybe she's being too cautious about this.]

... all right. I am going to hold you to that, you know. Otherwise...

Well, I only showed you a little of how dangerous I can be earlier.

[He laughs.]

Dangerous? Hardly. I mean, I think I turned that around on you pretty easily~

Of course you did! I wasn't really going to do anything that would hurt you. Even if you can heal...

[And her eyes stray to his shoulder as she says that, remembering exactly what he did to himself.]

... I'm not sure if doing that to you would be starting this relationship off on the right note.

I would prefer you be a little more tender with me rather than forcing me to dislocate my shoulder...

But even I can recognize that sometimes you just need to get your point across in the most bold and obvious way possible...

And if it should ever come to that, you have my permission to really knock me for a loop.

If I need to? Darin, you can be... erm, somewhat...

[She struggles with figuring out how to phrase it politely, before deciding to see if she can get away with frank honesty.]

... you can be remarkably oblivious sometimes. [Not recognizing he with a mask comes to mind.] But I'd like to hope that even you can take a hint without going that far!

Besides, I could always try what you did, and dunk you in freezing cold water.

Hey! I can take plenty of hints...

And if you did that, I'd just come after you and drag you in with me~

That's my point. I don't think you would ever need me to hurt you that badly. And surely you would never want me to...

[The silence hangs in the air a little longer than it should after that statement. And the longer it continues, the less Allura is certain of what she just said.]

[Maybe he does want her to hurt him?]

You could try to drag me in! You won't find it so easy when I'm not being affected by spores!

[He laughs.]

Then let's try it at the beach one day and we'll see who the winner is!

The beach...

[For a moment, she seems distracted, as if a thought just occurred to her. And then, with a smile that's growing in excitement, she looks back to him.]

Should we make that our next date destination, then?

[Even though they've both agreed to dating more, a lot of it has been contained to the current evening. Flirting, play-fighting, even coming out here — all of it could be things that would disappear in the morning sun. And maybe that was part of why this was worrying her, why she had such anxious thoughts that he might lose interest in her sooner than he thinks.]

[There's something that stirs her heart to ask him about making concrete plans.]

We could head out there, sometime before the summer ends. Pick out a spot for the two of us, enjoy the sun, go swimming...

Yeah! I love the beach! There's all kinds of fun things we can do!

[She laughs, so soft that the sound doesn't come from her throat, just through exhaling.]

And here I thought that you would be more excited about the swimsuit.

[Okay, yes, she's been a little wary about showing off with the same exhibitionist flair that he usually has. But give her some credit — she's stopped pulling the bottom hem of the shirt down past her hip.]

O-Of course I'm excited about the swimsuit! I bet you'd look amazing...! I-It's just...!

U-Um...

...I guess the first thing that leapt to mind wasn't seeing you in a swimsuit...it was building a sandcastle with you...

...Not really doing wonders for making you feel attractive, huh...

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