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]

Well, of course! What better way to demonstrate the depth of your feelings, and your suitability as a partner?

[You know, like a peacock.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Alright...I can handle that!

I mean, if it keeps Altean traditions alive and makes you feel happy, I'd be more than willing!

[patchricide]

... ... ...

You really do have boundless enthusiasm, don't you?

[She's already starting to feel bad about her dishonesty. And she didn't even give him any bad prompts!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well...yeah.

For the first time in my life I get to live for the happiness of another person. How could I not be enthused?

[patchricide]

[She covers her face with her hands, as if she's embarrassed.] ... I can't lie to you.

All of those things... those weren't any of the real traditions. They were just... well, I wanted to try my hand at teasing, so I listed off some amusing ideas...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Oh.

Really? Well...I still don't mind doing some of them if you really want me to...

[patchricide]

I know you wouldn't mind! I'm starting to think there's nothing I couldn't ask for that would cause you to hesitate. And I know it would make you so proud to do so for the sake of my traditions...

[She looks up at him with puppy eyes.] It's mean of me to even think of exploiting that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Is it really exploiting when I do it happily? I mean...if it makes you happy and I'm happy to do it...I think it's fine.

And, to be fair, you've asked me to do far more risqué things...

Like that time in the Siren's pool...and then that night when we were drinking together...

...At least now you don't have to be so shy about it.

[patchricide]

... I mean... yes. The time at the Siren's Pools...

... ... ...

Would you have believed that was a part of Altean courtship, if I had thrown it in? [Even though that would have suggested she was making moves on him from early on. And more than that...] ... not that I expect that would have stopped you, even if you saw right through it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...wait...

Is it really...?

[He's a little confused but...he's not freaking out. Yet.]

[patchricide]

... Darin. I literally just talked about you seeing right through it. Like a lie.

It's confusing to her that he would have trouble catching that part. Unless...]

Do you, perhaps, wish that it were?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

N-No! I mean! I was just...!

Um...!

I was a little confused, that's all!

[patchricide]

[That's as good as a 'yes', as far as she's concerned.]

You can admit it, Darin. If you want a chance to wash my back again, I understand...

Perhaps not right away, though.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...A...All I'm saying is that if it was some long forgotten Altean tradition...

I-I wouldn't mind...partaking...

[patchricide]

And if it's not? Is that the only reason that would convince you to try something like that again...?

Or... is it perhaps that there's something that intrigues you about going through something so ceremonial together?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[His cheeks begin burning bright red. 'Intrigue' could definitely be a word used here.]

It...wouldn't have to just be...for a ceremony...

It could be...for fun...

[patchricide]

[That's almost admitting it. He's really having trouble with this particular leap, isn't he?]

[Wait. Is this the limits of his shamelessness? Has she finally found it?]

You did say that you find things like traditions and stories fun, though, didn't you? If I were to suggest that it was meant to forge a bond between us...

[Will it draw a reaction out of him?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He's blushing pretty profusely.]

I-If you said that...I don't think I'd be against it...

[He's squirming a bit. It's obvious that he wouldn't need any of those excuses. All she'd have to do would be to ask him outright.]

[patchricide]

[What's it going to take to get it to admit it outright?]

... ... ...

What if I asked you right now?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...But...y-you wouldn't...!

I mean...this is all...hypothetical, right??

[patchricide]

Well, I would say that depends on you...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

[...She's bluffing. She has to be!]

[Even so, Darin's competitive spirit is flaring up.]

F..Fine! If that's the case, I'd say okay! And I'd even wash your back again, if you wanted!

[Or anywhere else, though he won't admit as such yet.]

[patchricide]

Now that's more like it. But you're still so shy about admitting it!

And here I thought you weren't ashamed of me...

[That's clearly not the problem, and she knows it.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I'm not ashamed of you! What's there to be ashamed about? You're beautiful!

L...Look, I might be shameless when it comes to my own body but...that doesn't mean you have to...I-I mean, if you wanted to, I'd be really happy...but...!

...Dammit, I'm rambling.

[patchricide]

... you're not wrong. I really don't quite understand it, how it doesn't seem to bother you in the slightest. Meanwhile, even after our earlier encounter... the thought still gives me pause.

So, is that the only reason you seem so shy now? For my sake? Because it really isn't what I expected of you. I thought you would be barely able to contain yourself!