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

[forgeabettertomorrow]

🧙 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)

Comments

[patchricide]

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!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

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.

[patchricide]

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.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

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.]

[patchricide]

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.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I did say that, didn't I...

Hm...right now...

[He thinks and slowly gets a smirk on his face.]

Alright then, you can answer my next question truthfully.

Did you sneak any peeks at me in that bath during that trial?

[patchricide]

[She coughs and sputters, quickly covering her mouth with one hand to avoid getting the drink all over his furniture.]

Wh— what kind of request is that?! How would knowing that make you happy?!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Does it matter? I want to know! And you were so intent on proving yourself!

I already told you nothing was off the table for me.

[patchricide]

Prove myself?! I told you that you would have to talk me into it!

[And yet, after another sip...] Fine. Yes, I saw. I wouldn't even call it a peek, considering that you were practically flaunting it. Do you know how difficult that makes it to look away?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'm aware but...I guess I was just wondering if you willingly looked.

But I won't embarrass you further~

It's your turn now, though. Got anything else? I doubt there's anything you could ask for that would stymie me.

[patchricide]

I wasn't planning to! Even though you weren't doing anything to hide it — I respect you too much to look without permission!

[Though it can be argued that he had laid out an open invitation for her.]

Well, what about you? Did you take a look? [What is this game? Is this even about the things that would make them happy anymore?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I don't care if you look.

And I'll be honest, I really wanted to. I mean...I could see your butt while I was rubbing your back but...that couldn't be helped. But I wasn't gonna be a creep and look over your shoulder, no matter how much I wanted to...

[Darin is always honest, but that alcohol might be making him fearless.]

[Though, he does continue to rub her back.]

[patchricide]

[He is being alarmingly honest. Should he really be telling her this much?? ... but you know, she did ask him. This, too, is probably a sign of respect?]

[It's difficult to think through it like this.]

W... well... I appreciate that you didn't! After all, you did give me your word... [And she takes a longer drink, to try and drown out the jumble of feelings stirring up in her heart.] And... even if you did see my, erm, backside...

I suppose I did give you permission for that, in a roundabout sort of way — didn't I?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I didn't outright stare but...it was hard to rub your back without looking. I didn't want to accidentally grab something I shouldn't...

So, don't worry about that. Like I said, I'd never break a promise.

[patchricide]

... hold on... you had to look at it for that?

Wouldn't the curve of my back have been enough to tell...?

[Better question: Should she be making him contemplate the form of her backside?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I had to be sure!

Better safe than sorry, you know.

...Plus, I mean...it's a nice butt.

[patchricide]

Hey!

[And then there's a moment where she considers what he just said. It wasn't a compliment, wasn't it? If she gets offended, doesn't that mean she doesn't think she disagrees?]

... ... ... thank you. It is nice. [Siiiiip.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What? I told you I did my best not to look! And I kept my promise, no matter how much I wanted to see.

[He shrugs.]

Anyway, was there more you wanted to ask of me or not? Don't hold back now.

[patchricide]

... you know, I did already say that... how did I put it... that I'm not in the habit of asking for much that I want. Is this really supposed to help me relax?

Or is there some other reason you keep asking for more out of me?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Because when you get something you want, you should be happy.

...I'm...enjoying my time here with you. It's making me think less of the crap I put myself and everyone through so...

Honestly, if I can make you happy, even for a little bit, then it'll make me happy.

[patchricide]

... I can understand that. In fact... one of the reasons I find it hard to think of anything I'm doing as self-destructive...

Seeing other people happy and safe fills my heart with... warm feelings.

[She tilts her head so she can look at him more clearly, even though he's sitting behind her...] That includes you, of course!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...

Thank you. Just...know there's a limit. Like...I'd never ask you to do something really ridiculous, even if it made me happy.

[patchricide]

Well, of course. I don't go to extreme lengths unless it's an extreme situation. I wouldn't risk my life just for entertainment...

And I don't think that would make you happy, regardless. [Beat.] ... what sort of ridiculous thing would?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Like...I wouldn't ask you to strip or anything like that. Things like that.

[patchricide]

... that did already happen, though. I'm not sure that counts as... ridiculous anymore.

In fact, that's the reason why you're still thinking about it, isn't it...?

[Her face is brightly flushed, practically glowing. It's hard to tell why, but the amount she's had so far is likely part of it, at least.]