October Catch All

[notquitetamed]

🧙 WHO: Hawk and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: Some open and closed prompts and quests
🕒 WHEN: After the event to mid October
🗺️ WHERE: Around Camelot and in the ruins of Cellwig
⚠️ WARNINGS: Potential for violence, mentions of death, spoilers for his canon and will update if anything else comes up!

Prompts in the comments!

Comments

Closed to Chris - Post event (cw: nudity)

[notquitetamed]

With Hawk and Chris having gone to different locations when everything went to crap, he hadn't heard yet if she returned all right from Lestari. Of course by the time he got back to Camelot and dropped off some donations to the Alchemy Guild, he was about exhausted. He's also very sore from the beating he took, bruised to all hell now and also a bit lightheaded. Healing magic does a lot, but a lot of this came after he was healed and only could patch up the wounds, nothing for the loss of blood as a result of all those injuries both internal and external.

So it's no wonder he completely forgets to send a quick message to Chris to let her know he's at his place and going to crash for a while. He barely can stay awake long enough to undress and climb into bed. He doesn't even get a chance to pull a blanket over himself before he's out like a light.

With how exhausted he is, he's going to sleep for a long time, over a day if he's not woken up sooner. Good thing Chris has a key to go check up on him. She'll be able to tell he's obviously asleep since he's in his purple haired human form. He's also completely naked and on top of the blankets. Sleeping fully nude is normal enough for him, but usually he's at least partially covered. She'll also be able to see he's covered in bruises in a pattern indicating he may have fallen from high up. No other injuries are present besides that, which is a bit odd for fighting a dragon. While he could have been healed, she'd know he doesn't tend to seek out a healer willingly.

But one thing is for sure, she can't berate him for saying nothing when he got home until he's awake. The question becomes, will his awakening be pleasant or rude?

[ofsilverflame]

Lestari had been...difficult. In the end, they'd pulled too few out from the rubble, and even then, not everyone they had had made it in, the end. In truth, Chris had set out wondering if perhaps she'd be better served headed for the dragon with Hawk and the others, but no. The healers headed to Lestari would need protection, and in the end, so many people had already gathered to head off the dragon, surely one more sword wouldn't have made a difference.

A thought that gnawed at her all the way back to Camelot in the wake of...everything that happened. And worse, no word from Hawk. Celliwig was gone now too, and the dragon, as far as she could tell from what word had passed through the carvan, was that the dragon had disappeared. Beyond that, nothing.

The long ride back, with every check of her phone and still no word from Hawk, worry was quickly replaced by anger. How could he not send her a message, however brief, to let her know he was well? Was he injured? Was he...no, she wouldn't let herself think that. Hawk was a powerful fighter, and with everyone else...no. No, she believed he was fine.

Or would be until she got her hands on him.

Back in the city, Chris briefly wonders about heading home herself, but Chris quickly decides against it. She's worked longer on campaigns, she can afford to push herself a little more before she rests. The city is already in a state, and Chris works her way through the crowds on the streets to her neighbourhood...and from there, to a treehouse she had become all too familiar with. She lets herself in with the key Hawk gave her, letting the door slam open so he has advance warning that his girlfriend is here and she is Not Happy.

"HAWK!" She storms into the house, poking her head into each room to see where he's gone. "Hawk, you answer me right now!" Her head slowly turns to the door to his bedroom, a room she's become rather...intimately familiar with the last little while. Did he really...?

She doesn't bother to knock or ask if he's decent (he's Hawk, he's never decent), simply throwing the door open, her eyes needing a moment to adjust to the dim light. "Hawk I swear to the goddess, I'll—" and he's naked. He really, actually did.

Standing in the doorway to his bedroom, Chris merely rubs the bridge of her nose tiredly. "Hawk, please put some trousers on and meet me in the living room so we can do this properly." She sighs.

[notquitetamed]

He woke up at the initial slam of the door but upon hearing who it was stayed in human form and feigned sleep a bit longer in case she wanted to give him a nice awakening and join him in bed. Of course it would seem that wasn't to be the way of things. That definitely tells him she's not too pleased since she'd likely have given him a somewhat more pleasant greeting.

So he gets up and grabs for his clothing on the floor and puts on the pants. He'll go ahead and change to Monstrum form so he looks more like the familiar blonde. Lastly he'll go ahead and turn on the lights all at once by flipping the switches on with magic. He'll come out and while he's decent, it's probably still distracting to see him with no shirt or coat and just that bare muscled chest. In the light, the bruising looks even worse. His hair is also a bit on the messy side and he still looks pretty tired even despite having slept for a long time. To be honest, he's not even completely sure what day it is now. Has it been that long? He probably would have sent a message if he hadn't been so exhausted that he barely was able to get his clothing off before falling into bed.

"Back already?" He asks this thinking far less time has passed than actually has. Lestari is far off and as far as he knows she doesn't have a Camelot Totem like he does to return quickly. He's just not quite awake enough to realize that at minimum it's got to be late on the 23rd, if not even later.

[ofsilverflame]

Chris sees the bruises more clearly now that she's not distracted or quite so angry, and worry mixes with the annoyance on her face. Still, she's incredulous at his question. "Back already? Hawk, do you have any idea what time—" She stops herself, taking a moment to breathe, then points to the couch. "Sit. Do you have anything for those bruises?" She's no medic or doctor, but she does know a bit about treating injuries, and despite his nonchalant attitude, Hawk is most definitely in pain judging by the looks of those marks. Chris can at least tend to him while she vents.

[notquitetamed]

He'll go ahead and sit down. "Not much you can do that wasn't already done." But really, like most men he just hates dealing with stuff like this. A few bruises aren't going to kill him and he's sick of people meddling. He didn't ask to get injured like this, after all.

[ofsilverflame]

Chris slides in behind Hawk as he sits. "Oh, can't I?" She asks, an eyebrow rising archly. She holds up her hands, and concentrates for a moment before placing them gently on his bruised back. Her hands are noticeably, pleasantly warm, channeling low-power fire magic.

She leans in close to his ear. "Are you so sure about that?" She whispers, doubting he would have taken this kind of treatment from anyone but her as she sits back up, to focus on her work.

"...I'm still angry with you." She says after a few moments.

[notquitetamed]

That definitely feels nice and he's not going to object to it. Of course he's a bit concerned at her using magic and saying she's angry at him "Should I expect to be burned at any moment then or just a lecture on whatever I did to piss you off?"

He has a feeling he knows why. He actually had planned on sending her a message to say he was on his way home and then got distracted and once he got home he barely was able to remain awake long enough to take off his clothes.

[ofsilverflame]

A sigh. "No, of course not." Chris replies, her attention focused on his back. "...Let me know if the heat becomes uncomfortable." She continues in silence for a few moments, working.

"All the ride back from Lestari, reports were coming in, but everything was confused. The one thing the reports seemed certain of, however—the one thing—was that you were right there and center when the dragon got away. That you almost..." Her hands stop for a moment, pressing against his back. "...The reports weren't clear. And when I couldn't reach you..." Her voice trails off.

At her heart, Chris is a woman who has always kept her emotions close; she had to, working in a field so traditionally, and even now still so male-dominated. A cool head and a guarded heart weren't just expected, they were survival tactics. There were only a handful of people she could let herself open up to, and none of them were here. Before Hawk, and even then...their closeness, the affection Chris had never expected to feel, the attachment, that made it difficult in its own way. Always second-guessing herself, her feelings.

"I was terrified, the entire trip back, and I couldn't afford to show it." She admits finally.

A new business must advertise - Open

[notquitetamed]

[In various parts of Camelot Hawk can be seen around putting up flyers for his soon to be open business. He might have preferred to have gotten it open before now but he can't really delay much longer.

So all over town he's putting up flyers for a shop called Odds and Ends Components that advertises potion and crafting materials for sale. Also gives his contact info for any questions, advance orders or for anyone who is seeking a job running the shop. It's set to open on the 15th.

Of course, he's not really the cheery and friendly shopkeeper type and is forgetting to hand out flyers to people he sees. This is exactly why he needs employees who are better at this sort of thing than he is. He will make a point to go stop by the Alchemy Guild and leave some flyers there and that's about it.

However, feel free to catch him while he's putting up flyers and ask him questions directly or give him tips for better advertising of his grand opening. He seriously is going to need it.]

[silvergarden]

Why, Sir Hawk!

[Finding him setting up flyers is humorously familiar, even though their roles are reversed this time. Rinea peeks at the poster he's got up on the noticeboard, tilting her head to see around his hand.]

What a surprise to find you establishing a shop! Here I thought you were already working hard enough.

[notquitetamed]

[Now that it's secure he'll go ahead and move his hand so she can see it.]

Seems logical. I like going to dangerous places and people like you can use what I find to make useful sh- eh, stuff. [Normally he wouldn't stop himself from cursing, but Rinea's a nice noble and a good friend to his girlfriend, so he can put in some effort. Even if he'll always be the knight in very tarnished armor at the best.]

[silvergarden]

[It's very kind of Hawk to accommodate Rinea's delicacies. Rough words won't kill her by any stretch, but the effort of politeness he put in shows a level of consideration that makes her smile.

With a full view of the advertisement Rinea can finally see what the flyer is for; her mouth falls open into a little "o," and she turns to look at him fully, delighted.]

You don't say! [She seems quite excited at the prospect, if the sunny smile she's beaming at him is any indication.] We may very well work closely from here on, then! How lovely it will be to speak to you on our own time.

[As opposed to on Chris's time, when obviously the two of them spoke more to Chris than to each other.]

[notquitetamed]

[Normally he'd not bother to watch his language, but since Rinea is a close friend of Chirs', Hawk does have an interest in making sure to treat her well too. That and she's a nice noble, no reason to be mean to her like he is to most.]

We might, but you're more likely to see whatever employees I hire to actually run the shop. Can't be out gathering stuff and running the shop at the same time. But if there's anything you need and I don't got in stock, you tell me and I'll get it for you.

[silvergarden]

[Rinea giggles a bit, pleased.]

I certainly will! You're very sweet, sir Hawk. [Whether or not he agrees with that observation is another matter, though she moves the conversation on too quickly to contest it.]

Was this type of collection job a skill you picked up during your time here, or did you perform something like it in your home country as well?

[notquitetamed]

[He definitely doesn't agree and knows some people back home who would be quick to tell her how not sweet he is. But until he knows Rinea better, she won't be a victim of his teasing like Chris so often is.]

Grew up in an orphanage run by the church. The only income we had was donations and it never was enough to buy everything. So us kids would help out and older boys like me would hunt for our meals. We'd use everything we could, sell what we couldn't to shops in nearby villages or the city. Did some of that after arriving here to save money and thought to make a business of it rather than let people like you have to deal with dangerous stuff like gathering venom from giant spiders.

[silvergarden]

I see. You're very practiced. [Rinea's smile turns a little sympathetic at the story, but Hawk's even tone makes it feel more matter-of-fact than pitiable. More immediately, her attention is drawn to the way he describes her. It's kind of him to assess her danger risk like that, but it's also something for Rinea to self-reflect on. Has she been relying on privilege as a court lady for too long?]

Um, if I could ask... [Rinea stoops to pick up some of the extra flyers Hawk has, too embarrassed to meet his gaze while asking something that might be strange.] When you say "people like me," do you mean civilians? Or maybe, something else...

Some light wealth redistribution (A Quest From Locksley) - Open

[notquitetamed]

[Hawk doesn't always do Dark Web quests, but he's got access to it and does some of the less terrible ones. He knows better than anyone that sometimes you can do good through not quite legal acts as well and this one appealed to him. He hates greedy nobles and what better way to use his talents for breaking and entering than to use some of their wealth to help out the refugees?

He's concealed his face and hair under a hood pulled down low and is wearing a dark robe and cloak over his clothing. He knows his outfit stands out but at least it's easy to cover. It's late and most of the household appears to be asleep from the lack of lights. He moves quickly and silently to the location he's picked. From what he's found out, there's a way in on the roof through some trap door that likely serves as an escape in case of fire. He's seen such things on the larger homes in the Noble District in Balduq and they just always seem to be great ways for thieves or assassins to get in. Of course they'd lock it, but not like that's going to stop him.]

Way I see it, the roof is our best way in if we can get up there quietly. You got a way or need me to take you up?

Your delivery of one sleep deprived blacksmith (Darin+Hawk)

[colchismagecraft]

Finally... it had taken a bit of quick thinking on Caster's part, but she had finally managed to trick Darin into drinking one of her sleeping potions. That should keep him out for a good, dreamless night's sleep. She was sure there would be some in Avalon who would question her methods, but... well.

She was worried.

But there was the chance he'd just rush back to work immediately after he'd woken up wasn't there? She knew she would need to do something about that.

So to keep him busy, she'd been her usual awful witch self: By the time he'd been left in a nice shady spot on Hawk's lawn- those two were allies weren't they?- he was missing one (1) of his shoes, with a sticky note on his face giving vague hints as to where it might be found (Up a tree. In the middle of the city square).

Said sticky note also covered up where she'd decided to doodle over his face, the words "Stupid hero type" scrawled across his forehead and a comically bad moustache. You know, just Caster things.

And right before she fled the scene for his ally to find him, she pinned a note to Darin's top: "Please look after this idiot." Perfect, that would do the job nicely.

(cw: mentions of various results from hunting)

[notquitetamed]

Hawk can't help but hear the commotion in his yard since he's home, but he doesn't arrive in time to see the witch. So instead he finds one sleeping idiot that he was preferring not to have to talk to any time soon in his yard.

Of course he could take the idiot back to his forge, but that was a bit of a walk and he'd likely be seen and blamed for this. With Darin being unresponsive, it's likely some potion or curse that will go away soon enough. He could leave Darin in his lawn, but that's probably not the best of ideas either since someone could see that as well. Considering who his neighbors are, he'd rather they not think he's up to no good.

So that leaves one solution, let Darin sleep it off in his second bedroom. Hawk will use kinetic magic to get Darin's sleeping form up to the house and into the bedroom. He could lift the young man, but why bother when he's got magic for that. Darin will be placed into the hammock in that room and covered with a blanket. The sticky note will be pinned to his shirt since it fell off while moving the man and he's not going to get rid of any evidence that may be needed later.

When Darin wakes up he'll find himself in a strange room in a wooden treehouse. Inside the room is a bunch of parts from beasts, monsters and plants that are in various stages of processing to be sold in Hawk's shop later. It's not exactly a pleasant sight with those bones, hides, claws, and so on from monsters. There's also plants hanging up and on racks in various stages of being dried. Also never mind those animal skulls as well.

There's also a faint aroma of food cooking. A delicious smelling stew is simmering on the stove. It smells a bit like a beef stew rich with vegetables and spices, but not quite the same. It is clear that the cook knows what he's doing, however. Hawk is a very skilled cook with a skill equal to a professional. While he waits on dinner to finish up, he'll be working on processing some of the dried plants by grinding them in a mortar and pestle and then putting them into jars. He's quiet enough as he works and moves around but clearly paying more attention to what he's doing than what the sleeping person is up to as he moves in and out of the room. One thing is for sure, the scent of delicious food is more likely to eventually wake Darin than the sound of the house's lone occupant is.

1/2

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why do so many of Darin's friends suck?

All he wanted was to drink in hopes that maybe he'd be able to work through some of the guilt and exhaustion he'd been accumulating since the disaster at Celliwig. But then one of them had to go and force him to sleep with a potion. Honestly, one of these days, Caster's going to do something he won't forgive her for.

That's not true. He likes Caster.

But even though he'd slept like a log, he didn't feel truly rested. It was like waking up after being knocked out with a sedative; sure he slept, but it wasn't exactly restful. Plus, there's this haze at the edge of his senses now...

He tries to sit up but starts swaying. Apparently he's not in a bed or on the ground, and when he flails to right himself, he overturns the hammock and faceplants on the floor with a heavy THUD.

Groaning, he slowly pushes himself to his feet. Where was he? He wobbles and staggers and just as he's about to fall, he thrusts a hand out to catch himself. The good news is that he doesn't fall.

The bad news is that he stuck is hand in something that made a really awful squelching sound.

Groaning and swearing, he extricates his hand from the container...which is filled with all kinds of cured organs from monsters.

Except that Darin doesn't know they're from monsters. Nor does his mind process that the various bones and skins and whatnot are also decidedly not human.

So, Darin responds the only way his brain knows how at this very moment.

2/2

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"

[notquitetamed]

At least Darin did a great job making sure it was obvious he was now awake. Hawk can't help but laugh at it because it is a hilarious reaction. He'll just go ahead and add to Darin's shock even more by teleporting into the room.

"About damn time you woke up. So care to explain how you ended up in my yard unconscious?"

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Darin still thinks he's about to be butchered, so he takes whatever organ he'd grabbed out of the chum bucket and hucks it at Hawk's face while still screaming.

"DON'T EAT ME!!!"

[notquitetamed]

Looks like Darin grabbed a random heart from some poor beast, probably is the one that is currently a delicious simmering stew now. Well rather than dodging and making a mess on the wall, Hawk catches it with kinetic magic and then has it move right back where it came from.

"Wasn't planning on it. Definitely ain't into eating men." His tone is teasing to imply that he's definitely thinking of a particular sort of "eating" he'd be doing with his girlfriend in the bed that's in the next room. "Maybe you should try thinking a moment and remember that I told you what sort of products I sell."

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Then don't carve me up to use as materials! I'm all useless anyway!"

Darin's too busy being completely disoriented to get the joke, but also, why is he in Hawk's body shop storeroom??

"Look, I get why you'd be pissed at me, but carving me up and using me for potions isn't the way to get back at me! I'd rather you just punch me in the head!"