Fallow - Month One Catch-All | OPEN

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Who: Darin and You!
When: January
Where: Around town and in the castle
What: Various open prompts and quests for the month of January
Content Warnings: The Proper Instruction will more than likely have nudity. Threads will be tagged when they hit a spicy point.

1 Everything Must Go

[As Darin makes more and more forays into the town, he’s found himself going to the markets almost exclusively. As a tradesman, he’s always on the lookout for the best deals and he’s no stranger to haggling. So, when the Clearing the Hold sales begin, Darin is the first one hitting up every shop, stall, and boutique that he can. He doesn’t clear them out— Darin’s not the type to hoard things from others. In fact, you might catch him buying extras for other patrons that might have fallen short of their tab. He is, however, wandering through the streets laden with so many satchels and packs that he honestly shouldn’t be capable of moving under that weight. Which...is very stupid considering he’s trying to keep his power under wraps. But the thrill of a good deal seems to have superseded any need for secrecy. It also makes him a prime target for pickpockets or anyone else who wants to start anything with him. But, he’s in a good mood! You’re welcome to try your luck!]

2 Quest – The Proper Instruction

(CW: Likely nudity. Please feel free to reach out if there are things you'd rather not do or want specifically!)

[While working at the Emberlight Forge, Darin had heard about the interesting request by the dueling club. Imprintcraft was definitely something of interest to him so he watched the forging of the sabers with a deep-rooted interest. Once he’d heard they needed people to test the effectiveness of the blades, Darin was not only eager to accept, but the club itself was more than happy to have a seasoned Master Smith test the efficacy of their newly acquired toys.]

[Now, he’s taken a room at the Dueling Club’s barracks and has placed a sign out front of the room:]

[MASTER SMITH LOOKING FOR DUELING PARTNERS AND CHALLENGERS]

[Does Darin have any impure thoughts? Not even a one. He’s far too interested in the craftsmanship of the blades to think that far ahead. When you walk in to inquire, he enthusiastically approaches, sword in hand, hilt offered to you.]

Alright, a challenger! I hope you give me everything you’ve got because I’m really itching to get some good notes on these! And don’t hold back, just because I’m a Master Smith doesn’t mean I don’t know how to fight!

3 Infirmary

For the last time, I’m fine! Seriously! If I don’t want a check-up, I shouldn’t need a damn check-up!

[Unsurprisingly, Darin is the source of the clamor at the Infirmary. Why? Because a certain doctor is insistent on giving people who are signing up to work Budwake a check-up in the interest of their health. And Darin, unfortunately, is not exactly keen on the idea of someone running (what he sees to be) tests on him.]

[He’s broken away from any castle nurses and staff and is currently on the run, hiding out in various areas of the infirmary. Maybe he’s ducked into your room. Or he’s hiding in that very large bin of laundry and clean bandages. Either way, you can help him or rat him out.]

Comments

CLOSED to Gold Ship

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[It had been a couple of weeks since their run in at the stables and Darin had only heard that Gold Ship seemed to...be getting worse. And the way they parted last time really left him with a sour taste in his mouth.]

[The sun has more or less gone down at this point, as it's wont to do early in the year. And even though Gold Ship demanded he stay away from the Stables...]

[Well, Darin's just not the type of person to be told what to do.]

[He makes his way towards the stables, a package tucked under his arm and a large bindle slung over his other shoulder. He stops a few paces from the large door to the stables and sets the bindle down in front of him.]

Hey, Gold Ship? You there?

[He holds his hands up, palms out.]

Not here to give you crap. I just want to talk. I brought you some food that I made.

[If she's suspicious, she can likely smell it: It smells like hot, vegetable stew.]

[goldship]

[ By this time Gold Ship's had a lot of changes go on in her life! She's living in the stables, had a (rather charged) heart to heart with Corrin, and possibly some other things. She's not running away from herself nearly as much.

Still doesn't mean she wants to deal with the person who's voice she hears outside the stable, especially not around what she's come to see as her horses, but she's supposed to be being better about this.

Besides, she can smell that food, it smells good. ]

Fine. But ya raise your voice an' m'tossin' ya out on your ass.

[ Her voice uh. Isn't raised itself? In fact it seems to be coming from the Very Empty Doorway? The wonders of using meramancy to project her voice while she works.

What's she doing for work exactly? While when Darin comes in he'll find her sorting out hay for the horses' dinner, carrying entire bails over her shoulder and stacking them where they need to be. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

As long as I don't have a reason to yell, I don't really expect to.

[Darin can't really resist the urge to clap back, but there's no real anger in it. It's a matter of statement. Don't start none, won't be none.]

[He picks up the bindle and wanders in, glancing around.]

So...you're really living out here? Don't you get cold?

[goldship]

Tch. Everyone figurin' that out now too, huh? Gettin' ta be that a gal can't have secrets.

[ She puts down the bail she's carrying with maybe a little more force than is entirely necessary. Dealing with her shit as she is, Golshi isn't exactly happy to be reminded that people have noticed things like that. ]

Whatever. M'used to the cold, grew up in the north where m'from. Rosavelle's pretty mild compared ta home.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

…glad I whipped up some hot stew then.

Here. [He sets down the bindle on a free surface and unwraps it. Inside is a large thermos, the lid intentionally lose just enough for the smells to seep out, a large bowl, and a few utensils, and a couple of bottles of water too. Darin unscrews the lid completely and fills the large bowl, then steps back, keeping the smaller package under his arm.]

[Immediately the stables are filled with the aroma of fresh root vegetables and warm spices. Paprika, cumin, a dash of nutmeg and cloves. The stew is full of carrots, potatoes, squash, and the odd diced tomato to give it a splash of appetizing red, all simmered in a thick, brown sauce.]

I grew up in a port town myself. Not a fan of the cold but I’d rather freeze than wear sleeves.

[As evidenced by the fact that…he has no sleeves.]

Anyway…eat up. Promise there’s nothing weird in there. Consider it a uh…

An apology.

[goldship]

Goddesses... you're makin' it hard ta be righteously pissed.

[ She huffs through her nose and flicks her ears in annoyance, more annoyance at herself than Darin though.

She turns to face him fully, ashamed but not so much so that she won't make eye contact. ]

M'the one that should be apologizin', everyone's said as much. I lost my shit the other day.

[ Putting it kind of mildly there, Gold Ship. She sighs and says the most bitter tasting thing she can, but she's gotta get it out.]

I'm sorry. Not 'bout kickin' ya, you had that comin'. [ She's quick to add that, she'll be DAMNED if she feels guilty for the initial kick. ] But the stuff I said was shitty, wasn't fair of me.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin…admittedly was not expecting an apology. In fact, the only time anyone has ever apologized to him was when his adopted father had finally taken him in. He’d apologized for taking so long to do so in the first place.]

[Darin awkwardly shifts his weight from one foot to the other and runs his free hand through his hair.]

It’s…It’s alright. I promise. Trust me, a lot more people have said way worse to me than that. Truthfully, a lot of it just rolls off my back now.

And…yeah, the kick was deserved. I panicked and grabbed you and I’m sorry.

[Darin begins to pace a bit, anxiously.]

The things you said…reminded me of someone. Which is why it’s been bugging me. You’ve been out here alone and…

Look, I don’t expect you to talk to me. I don’t expect you to trust me or even like me but…I know…what it’s like. Being alone.

Not having someone to talk about things that might mess with your head. And if you don’t believe me…ask me why I got so rattled when I was mentioned in the same breath as a monster.

CLOSED to Yoojin

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Alright so...how does this mental thing work, anyway?

[Against his better judgement, Darin has decided to take Yoojin up on his offer to find out just where Darin's limitations lie. As suggested, Darin's brought Yoojin to his room which is...well, it's a room. Honestly, Darin doesn't seem to have any personal affects. What he does have are a copious amount of books, manuals, maps, scrolls, blueprints, and tomes that are scattered around in their own piles whose organization likely only makes sense to him. His bed looks barely slept in. There's a reasonable chance Darin just sleeps where he drops.]

And...I should say, before we do this...if you have any questions about what I do know about my powers...now's the time to ask them.

[monsterdaddy]

[Right. Yoojin pulls his attention away from all the stuff that's so tempting to look at.]

Oh, yeah. Uhh, so I have a skill that lets me create a mental landscape. I'm not strong enough to use it unless you let me, so if you feel, like, a kind of magic nudge, that's me asking permission. If you reject the skill then, I'll feel like you punched me in the brain, so, you know. Please don't. If you don't wanna do it, just tell me before then, okay? Similarly, once we're in, we both have to agree we want to leave before the skill will release.

The landscape we arrive in will kinda depend on you, what your inner world's like, though I can change the scenery if you want. I mean, you can, too, but you probably shouldn't try until you're used to it. Oh, and if you want to take any items in, grab them now. Annnnndd any damage we take in there isn't real, it won't carry over. Even within the mental landscape, you'll heal right away. You can still get tired, though, it just takes longer than in the real world.

I think that's it? I'll give myself S-rank stats, so don't worry about me. And--well, there are a lot of things I can do in there to protect myself.

[He smiles a little, and it's a little dangerous.]

So, what should I be on the lookout for on your end?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin listens to Yoojin's explanation with growing concern and reservations about all of this. He has no idea what 'S-Rank Stats' are but...well, Yoojin is either confident in his ability to handle whatever he can dish out or...he's an idiot.]

[Or maybe both.]

[But since there doesn't seem to be a way for either of them to die, then maybe he can at least learn something about himself.]

[With a resigned sigh, Darin grabs a chair from the desk and offers it to Yoojin.]

I...don't know. The only limits to my physical strength are whether or not my body can even handle the strain. If I punch too hard, I'll blow my arm off at the shoulder. My "limit" right now can probably topple a building with just some strain on my muscles and bones. But...I can feel it. It's a fraction of what I can do.

Beyond that? I heal from most injuries relatively quickly. I can still get hurt and I still feel pain. If I stub my toe, it still hurts like a bastard. But if I cut myself? I can usually heal in minutes. Broken bones? A week tops.

I uh...also can't get drunk and I've never gotten sick before.

[monsterdaddy]

Oh, thanks.

[He sits, mulling over Darin's words.]

Huh. So your body has normal--well, strong, but humanly attainable endurance. It's that your regeneration is super fast. That might explain your resistance to things like diseases and alcohol, too. You heal faster than the time it takes those things to really hurt you.

What about magic?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I've got some pretty exhaustible stamina too. Honestly, as long as I have food, I can pretty much go non-stop for a few days without even thinking. I sleep out of habit and because it makes me seem "normal."

But as for magic? [He shakes his head.]

People in Alvale are tested for magical and mana capacity when they're kids. Most people have some sort of base level mana-well and elemental affinity. My brother and I didn't even have mana. Bone dry. And since Alvalean society is so focused on magic research and development, not having any mana means I wasn't allowed to go to school beyond an elementary level.

I had to teach myself everything from books I got from my Adopted Father and later on, my mentor in the Knights.

[monsterdaddy]

...Yeah. I know a thing or two about that: how it is when some people are prioritized over others.

Pretty sure I'll be okay, then. If you still want to try testing yourself with my mental landscape skill, that is. ...You're also welcome to just check it out first. We don't have to push your limits in unfamiliar circumstances, I'm not evil.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin laughs.]

...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. Apparently I should be able to at least destroy a city, according to my brother. But I have no clue how he did that. I don't know where that power came from. All I saw him do was...break down the city like they were just...pieces. Like they crumbled to ash on a citywide scale.

At the very least, I can demonstrate my strength more so you have an idea of what you're working with in a sense.

2

[nyx_it]

[So... there's not much in the way of Peril, here. Not for someone who's so used to it happening every day in some flavor or another. She doesn't like the idea of letting her sills dull either. And that's why she's here. Checking in on the prospect of some training.]

[And then she's handed a sword.]

[Vetra takes it. Gingerly. Like someone would hold a live grenade.]

What am I supposed to do with it?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...What, have you never held a sword before? It's...well, okay it's not like a big knife, there's a lot more nuance and finesse to it.

...Seriously? You've never held a sword?

[nyx_it]

[She looks at the sword. Then at him. And shrugs helplessly.]

I've held big knives.

[But no. Never a sword, in other words.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Okay well this isn't a knife. As a master smith, I'd have to kick my own ass for making that comparison in the first place.

...Let's see...okay. Do Turians have any sort of...martial arts or hand-to-hand combat that uses bladed weapons?

[nyx_it]

Hah. [Her jaw flexes in a lopsided sort of grin.] I'm telling everyone you said that.

But - yeah. They do. I never got the chance to learn anything... you know. Structured. Doesn't mean I can't fight.

[She's good at the back alley kind of fight. And biting.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

'Structured?' What's that mean anyway?

[Darin idly swings his blade away, acclimating his arm to its weight.]

[nyx_it]

Basic training. Everyone is supposed to get basic when they turn fifteen. My dad took me off world before I got old enough to start.

[She kind of backs up a step or two when he swings the sword.]

Careful with that.

1

[lovelikeyou]

[ Rose isn't particularly inclined to pickpocket anyone, but she does like to make herself helpful! She's just wandering the market, not buying much of anything, more interested in observing everything going on. This isn't the sort of human thing she spends too much time around, at least not under normal circumstances; usually there's corrupted Gems and chaos. ]

Do you need help carrying all that?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin blinks and turns and—]

[Cranes his head upward.]

[Darin is by no means a short person. He's 6'4", broad, muscular...but that is one very big, very pretty lady.]

[Darin blinks once, twice, thrice...]

[Why did she think he'd have trouble carrying things? Darin's got shounen protag super-strength, he's never had any issue carrying anything befo—]

[It dawns on him that a very normal human man such as himself should probably not be wandering around with this many bags without being severely encumbered.]

...O-Oh. OH! Uh..I-I...y-yeah! Yeah, actually! If you wouldn't mind? My arms feel like they might fall off...!

[They're not. He's fine and very bad at this.]

I-I guess I went a little overboard on all of the sales today...!

[Darin makes a meek attempt at handing off a couple of the smaller bags.]

[lovelikeyou]

Okay!

[ Heavy or no, it's a LOT of stuff. It must at least be awkward, right...? Anyway, Rose will take whatever he happens to hand off, shifting them all to one arm. And looking them over a little, admittedly. She's bought some stuff here, since she has a little money for once, but nothing really big. Knick-knacks, trinkets. Pretty things. ]

What sales are there?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Lots of preserved goods. Things that were big for the winter months. Spices too. A lot of these things can be used for cooking as separate ingredients. I like to experiment in the kitchen properly pickled and preserved foods make for some good flavors!

You're new, aren't you. Pretty sure I'd remember someone who looked like you.