New Season Means Change is Coming | OPEN

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Who: Darin Altway and you!
Status: Open
Where: All over
What: Manta board quests and Forge
Warnings: N/A (updated as necessary as always)

-THE STARMETAL FORGE-

[After the events last month with Ganondorf, visitors to the Starmetal Forge might have noticed that the shop was closed for most of a week. But now, Darin's back in business, though he's sporting some conspicuous looking bandages under the short sleeves of his shirt.]

[That's right. Sleeves.]

[Those of you who might know Darin even in passing might know find that he's wearing something with sleeves as odd.]

[Regardless, the Starmetal Forge is open and ready for more clients! Darin will, as always, be hard at work at one of the workstations when someone comes in.]

-INFILTRATE AND LIBERATE-

[When the reports of more missing people started coming down, Darin was apprehensive. Considering what Ganondorf tried to do with the poor victims he'd abducted this was setting off alarm bells in his head.]

[But it was weird that the reports he was hearing kept mentioning Atnam. He hardly knows anything about that particular base but wasn't it neutral? Were they doing something there? Or was there something worse going on?]

[The only solution was to investigate the ships and to do that, Darin had to don a disguise.]

[It took some smooth-talking and more than a few greased palms...but Darin managed to secure a Paladin Officer's uniform. One that...well, given his frame and stature, he fills out particularly well. He hates the damn thing though and it may be obvious from the way he's constantly fussing with the sleeves and collar. As for his hair, he's got it slicked back to accommodate the cap, a few roguish stray hairs from his bangs falling in front of his features. Regardless, he looks the part and actually manages to appear to carry himself with some authority.]

Alright...now, to figure out which ship to search...

-UNDERWATER RUINS-

[After helping Joshua in his research, Darin began getting interested in these Underwater ruins as well. Specifically, he was interested in anything that could teach him about the magic of this world. Why was it mostly underwater? Where did the Leviathans even come from?]

[Since the Manta Board posting mentioned the ruin, Darin figured that it couldn't hurt to check out. Work had already been done to open the hidden chamber and so Darin, with a pack full of notebooks and other exploration must-haves wanders in excitedly.]

...Place sure is dark as hell. Who the hell built this place anyway...?

[He looks around, attempting to will his eyes to adjust to the darkness.]

So...where to start...

Comments

infiltrate & liberate

[airdnd]

[ It is entirely likely that Sumina managed to procure her own Paladin uniform by simply being herself; most anyone would be right to assume she would end up in that faction just by looking at her. A rather well-kempt, reserved half-elven woman seems like a natural fit in this uniform, though she lacks the authoritative demeanor he has, she could easily pass for someone's officer - so much so that Darin might even mistake her for an actual officer for the Paladins...

At least, if not for the fact that she approaches him purposefully, after overhearing him pondering which ship to search.

She clears her throat, speaking in a low volume: ]

Are you here for the, ah... Inspections, sir?

[ With a rather intent gaze. Hopefully, that's enough to convey that they're here for the same quest...? ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin whips around, immediately on guard and falling into a practiced militaristic stance. Who'd have thought all those hours watching his mentor, Kessler, beat drills into the rest of the Arclight Knights would ever come in handy?]

[He does his best to mimic that rigid, authoritative posture when Sumina addresses him and it takes a moment to realize that maybe he's not the only one looking into this matter.]

[He arches an eyebrow and clears his throat. If she's here to help, having someone with him would definitely make this easier. If she's with the Paladins then...well, let's see where this goes.]

[Arms clasped dutifully behind his back, he addresses Sumina with a strong voice.]

That's right, officer. I've heard some troubling things and I'm trying to do my due diligence. Can't have any ne'er-do-wells besmirch our good name, right?

[Gods he sounds like a pompous ass. How did Kessler do this crap for so many years?]

May I ask who I am addressing?

[airdnd]

[ His rigid stance reminds her that she ought to play the part physically, too, not just by way of her general demeanor, so... she clears her throat, standing up a little straighter in turn, before she gives a (somewhat half-hearted) salute. ]

Ah, uh... Officer... [ she should probably not give her real name out while undercover? ] Heart...

[ ...You know what, that's it. It is quite literally only one syllable removed from her actual surname, but she tried!

More decisively: ]

Officer Heart, sir!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Officer...Heart?

[Okay. Sure, why not. The corner of Darin's mouth turns up into a slight smile.]

At ease, Heart. You came along at a good time.

[Darin turns out to some of the ships docked in the harbor.]

I'm guessing you heard the rumors? Our best bet is to check out the most innocuous looking ship we can find. No one smuggles contraband on a suspicious looking ship, right?

[Darin glances at Sumina and offers a subtle wink. If she's here for the same reason he is, then she'll hopefully catch his meaning.]

[If not...then this might be an incredibly awkward misunderstanding that will, in no way, make things weird later!]

[Not that Darin cares.]

[airdnd]

[ That she does, and to which she offers a furtive nod in response before turning her attention to the myriad ships that surround them. ]

I'm rather inclined to agree, sir. I had wondered if we might find some kind of subtle reference to a stingray, as well.

[ The reports mentioned the missing subjects having a stingray charm, after all. ]

Starmetal Forge

[seasaltkeys]

[Truthfully, Roxas has been more than a little out of it this past month. Blame it on the Plus Ultra crew finding an island and a need to explore. But the few times he's visited, it's been a bit odd to see the forge closed. So when he sees it open again, he'll stop by.

He hasn't stopped training after all, and there was that question of weights for the Keyblade.]

...Darin?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh! Hey, Roxas! How are you doing??

[Darin looks up from his work and Roxas might find that he's looking...oddly bundled? Darin foregoes sleeves as a matter of principle but today he's got tight shirt on under his smith coat. There's what looks like bandages peeking out from under the short sleeves.]

What brings you in?

[seasaltkeys]

Oh, uh, I'm good. I was just in the area...and figured I'd drop by, about training.

But you were closed for a while.

Everything okay?

[He doesn't want to push too hard, since he gets it if there's stuff that would rather go unsaid. He has a few of those himself.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh! Right! Yeah, sorry...some things came up. I was uh...I was laid up for a bit.

[Darin lifts one of his sleeves to show the bandages...the edge of which has slipped enough to show some mottled purple and red burns.]

I'm doing better though so why don't you bring out that keyblade and let's see what we can do!

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas frowns at the burns. He can't say he likes that.]

Are you sure you're okay?

Starmetal Forge

[gr1m]

[Right where he knew the place would be, an Reaper had only set out once he was sure things back on the ship was stable- and that he had all of his free time to do with as he wished. Meant he could still move about and- well.

This was a bit of business, coming in quietly as a worn dark gray hood rested over his head, glancing over things-

He did wait until he knew nothing would get dropped, thumb and finger placed near lips to give a short whistle-]

Hey there.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin jolts and snaps his head towards the sound. Damn, he hadn't heard anyone come in. He must have really been focused on his work.]

[He's currently working on some sort of magitech device. It looks like some sort of grapnel launcher.]

Oh! Hey there! Sorry, I didn't see you come in!

[Darin pushes himself to his feet, looking perfectly fine save for the bandages peeking out from under the sleeves of his shirt.]

Welcome to the Starmetal Forge! What can I do for you?

[gr1m]

Don't sweat it, kid. I've got a bad habit of moving too silently for my own good at times. Also not a bad sign that you get in to your work, even if some might say it is- situational?

[Which was an honest truth, and there was a bit of a smile flashed as his head tipped. All the better to see a scarred face- but also a well groomed beard and mustache that was more white than anything; still a few hints it was once brown amongst the bit of 'pepper' otherwise.

An odd warmth to brown eyes as well; always had been, despite himself.]

Looking to get some armor looked at. Came in with it, but a few pieces got bent out of shape a good while ago. Business with getting scales dropping off Nogard to help fight the shark-ship after a young leviathan.

[Again it was all true- probably in spite of himself as well.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You came to the right place, then! I remember that shark ship!

[He leans in conspiratorially.]

Honestly, I thought they looked pretty cool. If they weren't such a damn problem I'd probably love to check them out more.

[He laughs at his own admission and straightens up.]

Do you have the armor with you for me to take a look? I can give you a full work up if it's been awhile since it's been properly serviced!

[gr1m]

Never known when you can adapt something from a problem, to better work against it after all.

[He shifted on his feet, just to pull a canvas bag out from under the cloak he had on. All the better to open it up and put out a few armor plates there on the counter that definitely did look bent out of shape- and as if one took something pretty hard hit from some sort of range weapon ammo.

Picked up? Each plate was surprisingly light despite very clearly being made of some strong metal.]

They're plates, part of a set of body armor designed to tuck into whatever bodysuit or even jacket. Supposed to make them easier to replace if need be, but it is what it is.

forge

[hasapoint]

[Lashan comes in at some point to inspect the forge, and eyeballs Darin incidentally coming in. His hair really is this vivid blue! She'd wondered if it was the screen. That's bizarre, honestly, but after a moment she reminds herself that she's very cool and can take anything in stride and doesn't stare. Instead she gets a good look at the place, taking stock. Her forge in Irminsul is bound to be very different, especially as it's always full of junior smiths, strikers, girls who work the bellows, and her apprentice, who's so animated she can fill any space all by herself.

She has some ability to sense emotion and physical pain, unless you'd rather she doesn't!

Lashan herself does look like a classic older blacksmith. Six three, with heavy arms and shoulders, a bit of a gut, and gray hair tied back, she's got a weathered look and scars like something clawed her across the face a long time ago.]

So, how long have you been a smith? [lashan you could try a greeting first]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin lifts his head and smiles his usual wide grin. He can tell a tradeswoman at first glance— her build gives it away. Standing at 6'3" himself, Darin's only ever been accustomed to looking up at one other person. The man who trained him to wield a sword. Even his own adopted father was barely over five feet.]

Well, my old man adopted me around seven or eight and I think I started cleaning his forge when I was nine? So probably close to fifteen years.

Welcome in, ma'am. Name's Darin Altway, Master Smith and forgemaster of the Starmetal Forge.

[He offers a customary bow— something he hardly does. But seeing a fellow tradesperson, he's inclined to show respect. Though, he winces as he does. His body is wracked with injuries that, while healing, have struck deeper. Something he's having a hard time recovering from.]

[hasapoint]

[It's always a bit odd to Lashan encountering someone around her own height. Off the Plains most men have been shorter than her, and besides that she's been living in an Enclave of mostly women for some time, towering over almost all her Sisters.]

That late, huh? [She'd prefer to keep it at a deadpan without changing her expression but she doesn't know Darin and if he'd realize it's a joke, so she says it with a lopsided smile. Broad, open smiles rarely cross her face.] I'm Sister Lashan, we've spoken before.

[She tries not to let on that she has Empathy, but the wince gives her an opening to bring it up.]

You got in a fight, I take it?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin snorts. He's no stranger to humor.]

Sorry, ma'am. We can't all be born on an anvil with a hammer in our hands~

[He straightens up but winces bashfully at the assessment.]

Hah...well, I'm sure you've known guys like me. Eager to throw themselves into a fight with little thought for themselves. I'm a fast healer, I'll be fine.

[Though Darin's accelerated healing has dealt with the superficial wounds, Ganondorf's Gloom has certainly taken root in a sense. It's latched onto his incredible vitality.]

Was there something I could help you out with, Sister?

[hasapoint]

Hah, so they say things like that where you're from, too.

[not phrased exactly the same but, it's familiar. Lashan raises her eyebrows. She can sense some kind of magic there, but hasn't gone to the effort to look deeper and try to figure it out.]

I'm not really a Healer, but I can serve in an emergency. Or damp pain, either way.

I really just wanted to see your setup and how you do things. You don't stop learning as long as you draw breath, and all that. How long's this been up and running?

WE'RE HUNTING JELLIES

[thearchangel]

[This is stupid.]

[No, really. Stupid. Anyone with an ounce of sense would say this was the worst plan in the history of plans. Even worse than use a toothbrush to get back in the warship. On the other hand, he had something to prove, dammit. And a brand new upgrade to show off with.]

[Guns aren't classy his scaly ass.]

All right, let's go. [Sorry, Darin, were you busy? Because your buddy is striding into wherever you happen to be - assuming this was arranged beforehand, he's not a barbarian, thank you.] There's jellyfish with my name on them.

To shoot. Because I'm going to be winning this.

[... and maybe take out some long-standing hanar related frustrations. But we don't have to talk about this.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You're serious about this?

[Darin crosses his arms over his chest, a bemused smile playing at his lips. He really didn't expect Garrus to get this worked up over his assessment of guns but he'd be lying if he didn't think it was funny.]

Do you know what jellyfish even are? You know they're in the water, right? That's kind of giving me an advantage.

[thearchangel]

Do I look like I'm joking?

[Oh we're doing the arm cross pose? That's exactly what's happening now. He has his beloved rifle's reputation to defend here.]

Yes, I know what jellyfish are. Tentacles, no eyes or face. That kind of thing. [To the "advantage" comment, he just snorts.] We'll see about that.

Unless you're backing out.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh Garrus. I don't back out. Just wanted to give you a chance to reconsider.

[He takes the belt with his sheathed dao off of a hanger and slings it around his waist.]

I hear those jellyfish are really making a mess of the port. Works for you, you won't have to get in a boat. Let's head on over.

What're the rules, by the way? Person who takes out the most jellyfish wins? Any imposed restrictions?

[thearchangel]

Like hell.

[As soon as Darin has his weapon, he turns abruptly, to march off toward the port.]

Most jellyfish win. Loser buys a round or two - and spills something embarrassing. No getting in the water, in the interest of fairness. And I won't use my sniper rifle.

[... because he could theoretically take out jellies a mile a way. And it's not modified yet.]