isleofavalon | Feel it right behind you, a grinning monster out to kill

Entry tags:

Feel it right behind you, a grinning monster out to kill

🧙 WHO: Darin Altway and You!
⚔️️ WHAT: Caster has cursed Darin and now he's using Familiar Fusion and going berserk
🕒 WHEN: Right after Caster's declaration against Archer and the aftermath a few days later!
🗺️ WHERE: Camelot and Darin's Forge
⚠️ WARNINGS: Potential Violence/Blood/Gore/Mild Body Horror

[He doesn't know how long it's been since he passed out. He remembers Caster's message. He remembers meeting her at the edge of Broceliande Woods. He remembers...]

[Pain.]

[He comes to in a sweat. Not from pain or nightmares or anything of that nature, but because the forest around him is currently ablaze. He tries to jump to his feet but his senses are off. Skewed. Something was very wrong and he could feel it. It felt like oil seeping into him, slowly gripping the very cockles of his heart.]

[Rationale gives way to panic and he's stumbling away from the treeline. He had to get back to Camelot. He had to get back for...some reason. Something inside of him screamed that he had to.]

[But his footsteps slowly grind to a halt as he crests that final hill. As Caster's dark curses finally find their hold and grip his very being, altering every bit of his perception and reasoning.]

[The witch's curse was a powerful one. In her grief, she hexed Darin to see his greatest fear. And to act on the rage that he spent his life tamping out; the one fire in his soul he refused to stoke.]

[He falls to his knees, staring at a ruined Camelot. Everything he'd come to know, the happiness he was so desperately seeking. You see, if Darin was as much of a monster as he claimed, then his fate should match that of the monster, the witch of betrayal, that he sought to defend. It's only fair, right?]

[There would be no peace. Not while monsters walked among the people of this world.]

A - Transformation (CW: Blood/Mild Body Horror)

[Camelot was gone. Or at least, Caster's curse made Darin believe that it was. And Darin, on his knees, was slamming his fists into the earth with all of his magical given might; each blow sounding like a cannon shot as it cracked the stone beneath his fists. Inconsolable, he screams, believing no one will hear him.]

[However, anyone making their way to the woods to try and stop Caster or the fire she's set might stumble upon him. Calling out to him draws his attention to you, but there's something...off...about his eyes. They're clouded over with a dark haze. And while he might be looking at you...what he sees is something different altogether.]

You...it was you!

[Enraged, Darin pushes himself to his feet, magic coursing through his body so sharply that it crackles in the air. The air becomes stifling. Oppressive.]

You've taken everything from me, Dromas! Everything! So, you want a monster?! I'LL GIVE YOU ONE

[His giant antlion familiar bursts from the ground behind him and latches onto Darin's back. For a moment, it looks like his familiar might actually attempt to subdue him. Unfortunately, those enormous, terrifying mandibles find purchase in Darin's back and, for a horrifying moment, the familiar begins to burrow. Writhing in pain as his magical power skyrockets faster than his body can compensate, Darin lets loose a blood-freezing scream. But just as quickly as it had begun, his familiar disappears into Darin's body as the two merge.]

[Darin slams his hands into the ground as he begins to grow and change. Two horns erupt from his temples, black and glinting in the light of the burning woods behind him. His torso swells; muscles grow massive as chitinous plates form around his extremities like armor. His body contorts, his back arches, until finally he's a hulking beast, towering at over ten feet tall.]

[Green eyes glowing ominously amidst the haze, the newly transformed Darin lets loose a bellow that sounds like it's three voices screaming in cacophonous harmony.]

[And then he rushes to attack.]

B - City Escape (CW: Blood/Violence)

[Believing Camelot to be nothing but wreckage, Darin storms the city chasing...something. In his cursed state, every person he sees looks exactly like the person he believes to have brought about this disaster. Unfortunately, in this state, Darin isn't much for conversing. He's barreling through Camelot, tearing through buildings like they weren't even there. And any person, resident or not, that crosses his vision is likely in for the fight of their lives as he presses the attack. After all, in his mind, Camelot is in ruins.]

[He tears up a chunk of the street and hefts it towards a group of terrified people, all of which scatter. Or attempt to. It might be too late for some.]

C - Lockdown

[It had been several days since Caster's message. Several days since he'd lost control and was set upon the good people of Camelot. He'd been keeping to himself in the forge almost the entire time, only going out occasionally in the evening for food or groceries. When he did, he wore a cloak with the hood drawn to hide his blue hair and he barely spoke.]

[Of course he did his best to help the city recover from the damages. For the first two days, he worked tirelessly to get supplies and forge tools for whatever reconstruction needed to be done. But he would always send then out anonymously or send them to whoever needed them via a proxy. It's clear that he's doing everything he can to avoid going into town himself and he hasn't been spotted in town since the incident.]

[He threw himself into his work after that but...he still seemed off. Anyone who stops by the forge might find him struggling; hammering away at something that just isn't taking shape properly or tinkering with, and subsequently screwing up, some detailed work. Finally, in frustration, Darin pitches his hammer across the forge with more strength than intended, burying it into the wall across the work space.]

[Frustrated, he sits down and buries his face in his hands.]

Wildcard

[Got another idea that you want to thread out? Go for it!]

(OOC: Feel free to threadjack as much as you want during the events of this log! It's going to be chaotic and people should definitely help each other! Got questions! Message me on the journal, my discord, or hit me up at

bitterbearface)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wait, really? That's all?

[And the fact that "that's all" seems to raise her guard.]

... hold on, you aren't just giving me a simple request because you feel bad for me, are you? Because I'm not afraid to do more for you!

[He has to catch himself from asking 'like what?']

It's not that!

In the bath, you told me my magic reminded you of your powers. I...

...I need help. Mastering my healing magic. I need to learn what it can do and if I'm going to do that...I want to learn from someone who can help me bring out the best in me.

I want it to be you.

Me?

[For a moment, it looks like her drink is about to slip from her hand, as she gapes at him in quiet, wide-eyed disbelief. But before she makes a mess of things, she sets it down in front of her.]

... I'm willing to try, but you do realize that there's going to be differences between my powers and your healing magic here, don't you? And I wouldn't be able to demonstrate anything...

Are you sure you wouldn't rather learn from someone who's using the same abilities?

[Darin finishes his bottle.]

No, because you have an edge on everyone else.

Your cognitive magic. I believe that, used properly, you can literally make me understand, provided I'm willing to let you into my head.

...And I guess, the truth is...? I've...got nothing to hide from you. I trust you. Completely.

And besides...I don't...I don't want to learn from anyone else. At the very least, even if I can't do what you or other Alteans could...

...At least you could pass it along?

[She stares at him, trying to hold a firm expression even though her resolve is rapidly crumbling. It's starting to become a pattern with him — he has a way of reading others with remarkable accuracy. Or at least reading her. Perhaps she should be more worried at how much sense he's making to her, how he seems to particularly press upon reasons that he already knows will resonate.]

[Instead...]

You've really given this a lot of thought, haven't you? [She's come to trust him as well.]

All right. The best place to start may be those differences, really, since our powers were more innate than the spellcasting you would find here.

Alteans are empaths. We can sense and manipulate energy through channeling — specifically, infusing our own lifeforce energy into other beings. We call that energy quintessence.

[Darin leans forward. Despite showing a bit of a buzz, he's clearing hanging onto every word.]

...Lifeforce energy.

I think...I need to figure out where the 'healing energy' comes from. Am I jump starting the body's own natural healing abilities? Or...I wonder if I can transfer my life energy if it came down to it...

[He offers a smile and starts to drink again.]

And to answer your question. I have. I think a lot about you, actually.

[He doesn't elaborate on that, but presses on. Looks like those drinks are finally having an affect.]

You've seen me at my literal worst, Allura. And here you are, drinking with me. I'm...I've never had someone to drink with on my birthday. I always treated it as something no one should be happy about.

But...here I am. With you. And...I feel...

I feel good. You asked me before if you teaching me is all I want but...I don't think there's anything else I can ask for, regardless of what you're willing to do.

[Yeah, those drinks are definitely doing something. Why else would Allura's face be flushing so red?]

W... well... I'm glad I could provide you something like this for your birthday. I was regretting that I didn't have any sort of gift, even though I had no way of knowing... and quite frankly, I wouldn't have known what sort of gift you would like, if you hadn't come out and said it.

[She's fidgeting with the edge of the glass again...] And I wouldn't mind doing this for other occasions. Especially if you have other drinks like these. [And as if to emphasize how much she likes it, she picks it up and takes another sip.]

... right. Anyway. I suspect your magic might have an advantage over channeling. Healing with life energy alone is limited, since it doesn't directly rebuild tissue and repair the wounds. It's more akin to accelerating the body's own natural ability to recover, and revitalizing it so that it won't break down from the strain.

[He waves the thought of a gift away.]

You've given me plenty.

[Seriously, did she forget the bath? He sure hasn't.]

And you're free to come by and drink with me any time.

But I think you're right. I can heal now without any real strain on the body but I feel like I can take it a step further. Controlling my own vitality, using it to augment my healing...that sort of thing...

['My own vitality'...]

That's another significant difference. From a certain perspective, channeling life energy is merely a matter of moving it from one place to another. If I wanted to heal myself, the only option would be to draw quintessence from an external source...

Which isn't impossible. For example, we could draw it from quintessence crystals, a principle that powered our healing pods. But more often than not, the only option would have been to draw it out of another living being. And considering Alteans tend to 'carry' much more quintessence than other beings...

... as you can imagine, that was a line I was unwilling to cross.

[Darin lounges back.]

I'd only ever use my own life force.

Regardless...it's a place to start.

[He falls silent again, occasionally glancing her way.]

...So, what else can I do for you to make you happy right now? I don't really have anything 'sparkly' on me, so there's gotta be something else.

I'm really not sure there is. I'm not in the habit of asking much for myself.

In fact, I'm content with just being able to talk like this.

[Another glass polished off with a long sip.]

Besides, if I answered, would you tell me more things that you want?

Sure, it's only fair.

Well... you could promise me that you're going to take better care of yourself. Make a pledge — a dramatic one, so I know your heart's really in it.

But somehow, it wouldn't feel authentic if I simply asked you to do that.

[She taps her glass. Getting a refill would also make her happy, but she doesn't have to ask for that.]

I don't know. I'd ask for another back rub, but you already healed up my pain...

I mean, I could still give you one.

... ... ...

Refill my drink first?

[He laughs and freshens up her drink.]

See? Now you're thinking more for yourself.

Do you want to sit with me on the sofa? How do you want to do this?

I suppose that would be the best option, wouldn't it? It would either be that, or I lay flat on it...

[No, there's still another option, and that's laying flat on his bed. But she hasn't ingested quite enough alcohol to spring for that option.]

[However, she's ingested enough that when she walks over to the free seat beside him... rather than her proper, dainty sitting posture from before, she seems to be slouching towards the back of the couch.]

Alright. Here we go.

[With her drink freshened up and in hand and with her sitting next to him, he turns.]

Go ahead and face away and I'll get started.

[Once she turns, he cracks his knuckles and begins kneading at the base of her shoulders, moving in towards the center of her back and then up to her neck.]

How's this?

[It's odd. This is far less intimate than what happened at the springs. And yet the soft sounds she's making as he works are far more shameless, practically purrs of pleasure. She starts off with letting her head hang forward, letting her hair fall forward with it, but then tilts her head to the side to grant him access to the neck.]

[It really is impressive how much more receptive she is when she actually relaxes a little, isn't it?]

... you really are a genius at this, Darin...

You don't have to flatter me, you know.

Though, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have practice. When I was younger, I used to give this granny who lived up the street from me back and shoulder rubs.

I lived in a port town and the sea air used to wreak havoc on her joints.

I guess I got pretty good at it.

[He moves his hands lower, down to her lower back.]

Anyway...I suppose it's my turn, right? To tell you something you could do to make me happy?

You made it sound like there weren't any limitations, before.

Hold on just a tick. This is a massage for grannies? Really?

[Sounds like that fun fact bothers her a little. But she thinks it over with another long sip of alcohol.]

You... sound as though you are scheming something, Darin. And I am not sure that I like it. I didn't say there weren't not limitations, you know.

In fact, I don't believe we ever spesh— specif— ... I don't believe we agreed that either one of us actually had to do what was requested!

Are you afraid I'd make a request that you wouldn't want to fulfill?

Or are you more afraid of requesting something of me that I wouldn't want to fulfill?

Because I can promise you, there's nothing you could ask of me that I wouldn't be up to the task of doing.

And now you're challenging me? [She turns to look over her shoulder.] You are scheming something. It's written right— on your— face! [As she says it, she reaches around and pokes him in the face in question. She's aiming for the corner of that smirking mouth, specifically, but it goes a little low and pushes into his lower lip instead.]

Let's hear it, then. If nothing else, whatever it may be, I'll give you a chance to convince me.

Me? Scheming? Don't make me sound so nefarious! [Playfully and to accentuate his point, he playfully squeezes her sides at her waist.]

Honestly! I think the only request I can make that would make me happy is if we could do this more often! Just...spending time together. Laughing. Getting to know one another...

[That sounds suspiciously like a date. Also probably a lot more innocent than she was expecting.]

Hmm... unfortunately, I see one problem with that.

[She takes a long sip of her drink, which seems to be deliberately timed out to keep him in suspense for as long as possible. And then, once she's set it down again...]

You said it had to be something that I could do for you right now, didn't you? You still me another answer.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject