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]

All I want is for you to...

[She trails her fingertips across his chest.]

... open up to me.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[That draws a shudder and a prolonged silence.]

W...Well...I'm pretty much an open book...

You've seen me cover to cover practically...

[patchricide]

I have. In fact, I'm sure you would be content showing me all that, and even more.

But I want to hear more, from your own mouth.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

....Okay well...Maybe I'm wondering...what you've got on under my shirt...

I-Is that what you mean...?

[patchricide]

That depends. Do you just desire to know?

Or are you truly desiring that you could see?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I...feel like this is a trick question...

...I mean, of course I want to see but...

[But is she serious???]

[patchricide]

Darin. [She reaches towards him, to put a hand on his face, cupping her hand under his chin tenderly.]

You don't have to act as if you're afraid of me. I'm not trying to catch you in forbidden thoughts, or... or tempt you into something too soon.

I just want to know what you're thinking. I want to understand you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'm not scared of you...!

...I'm scared of...[He sighs]

I'm scared of upsetting you. Of making you feel uncomfortable or...or...I...don't know! I'm afraid.

I'm afraid because I've spent my whole life being told that everything that's natural about me is wrong. That I need to hide from people, that if I'm not something that they find likable and non-threatening, I'm safe and that maybe I can be acceptable.

[He sits up, running both hands through his hair in frustration, like he might tear the blue locks out.]

I'm afraid of doing something wrong! Again! I'm afraid of saying something or acting in a way that's just going to piss you off and then I'm going to lose this great feeling that I've never had before! That I used to see people my age holding hands and dream that maybe one day someone would like me enough to want to be in the same room with me let alone care about me!

I am scared of being me because I hate me. No one likes me so why should you? Why should I jeopardize any of this just because I want to selfishly be myself when I can be someone you actually like.

...Why would I ever be someone you openly loathed when I could be anyone or anything else and actually get to be cared about...?

So yeah...I'm scared.

I'm scared all the time...

[patchricide]

Darin! Darin, please, it's all right!

[She sits up with him. And as she does, she wraps an arm around his back — not to try and continue the cuddling that she had started when they were laying down, but to comfort him in a way that words can't.]

I know you have no reason to take me at my word, but... please, trust me when I say that the last thing I would want would be for you to act like anyone but yourself. And I promise you, I won't judge you for it, and I certainly won't abandon you for it.

Look... if you want the truth, I'm not uncomfortable with any of it. In fact, I'm just... scared of getting this wrong, as much as you are.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

And I get that but...

Allura, this isn't just something I can switch off...

This fear has permeated my every action for twenty years.

[He sighs and flops back.]

I'm damaged. I'm damaged in a way that...I don't know if I can ever be truly myself without some kind of anxiety...

[patchricide]

Then... I want to help fix you.

And until that's possible? I want to help you hold together.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Yeah?

And how do you suppose you're going to do that?

[patchricide]

Holding you together will be easy. All I have to do...

[She wraps both arms around him, and squeezes in, as if she's trying to hug him tightly — or pin his arms to his sides.]

... is this!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He really can't help but laugh.]

Alright...I guess I walked into that one...

[patchricide]

[She smiles proudly back at him. It's not often that she tells a good joke!]

And as for repairing that damage... actually, I'm not sure yet. But we can find a way together — I just know it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Alright...

[He nods and repeats.]

Alright. Yeah.

I...I trust you...

[patchricide]

[It's a relief to hear. After all his admissions about his fears... to say that after makes her truly believe that he means it.]

... so, let's lay back down, shall we? You can relax... I won't be going anywhere.

[Not until morning, but she declines to point that out. After all, she plans to support him for far longer.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

O-Okay...

[He lies back down and sighs.]

A-Alright...

[patchricide]

... ... ...

Come over here.

[As she lays back, she beckons him with open arms — an invitation for him to rest his head on her chest, the same way she was resting on him earlier.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

R...Really...?

I-I mean...um...

[He looks both shy and embarrassed at the same time...and given what she's wearing...the gesture looks a lot more than just inviting.]

[patchricide]

Yes, really.

It's very comfortable. I'm sure you'll sleep quite well...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

....Y...You really think I'll be able to focus on sleep...?

[patchricide]

What if I help you relax?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

[Darin stares at her. It'll be alright, right? She said it would be okay...he said he trusted her...]

[She won't judge him...]

I...

...I think...I'd really like that...

[patchricide]

Then you'll have to come here.

... unless you're going to make me go over to you?