escordvi | June Catch-All | Open To All (Some Closed)

Entry tags:

June Catch-All | Open To All (Some Closed)

Who: Darin Altway and YOU
Status: Open and a few Closed
Where: Everywhere
What: MANTA board missions and Darin's birthday!
Warnings: Hilarity, stupidity, with a case of emotions and heartstring pulling

1 Heart Break Hotel - MANTA (4 pts)

[Darin couldn't help but laugh when he saw this job posting. 'Help start a fight?' That was about all of the incentive he needed to take what was basically the easiest job in the world. If there was one thing Darin was good at, it was starting an unnecessary fight. Hell, he'd been doing that for years!]

[But once he was at the bar, he got to hear more of the situation. And Darin couldn't help but feel for Captain Seakid. Gods know if he were in his shoes, he'd be just as miserable, if not moreso. Now, hearing the reason behind the captain's funk, a new plan starts to form in his mind.]

[First, he needs someone willing to take a dramatic swing at him.]

[Maybe you're here for the same thing. Maybe you're just someone looking to drink in peace. But this 6'3" musclebound shounen idiot is going to sidle up next to you.]

Hey, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to loudly proclaim that I'm the one who stole Captain Seakid's fiancé and take a swing at me.

[Yes, that is all you're getting unless you ask for more. But hey, free punch?]

2 Closing Loose Ends - MANTA (6pts)

[Ever since his very public arrest, Darin was itching to help track down the bastards that were responsible for throwing the Armadas into a frenzy. The masterminds behind all of this have not only caused pain and strife amongst the victims and their loved ones, trust was at an all time low and now Elah has swum the coop. People were hurting and those responsible were free to do as they pleased, even though they were on the run. That? That didn't sit right with Darin.]

[Fortunately, Darin's made enough connections to learn a few rumors. Get a few names. One name that kept coming up was one Captain Grimshaw Kaiser, a rather notorious Corsair Admiral who used not only his power and money, but his considerable fleet of ships to help transport victims and stymie investigations. He's one of the few people not openly on the run and, in fact, is flagrantly holding a banquet to celebrate the Paladins' state of disarray. It's a high ticket affair and just begs to be crashed.]

[Darin, at least, looks the part. He's traded out his usual sleeveless coat for a more formal affair. He rented black suit with some silver and blue trim and even has his hair gelled back to give him a little more of a sleek, snarky appearance.]

So, this guy thinks he's untouchable. Pretty sure we can prove him wrong tonight. But once we try and take him down, I'm pretty sure everyone here is going to look to get a piece of us. You gonna be alright?

[If you're up for crashing a raucous, black tie Corsair affair, Darin will absolutely have recruited you.]

3 Jumping the Shark - Closed to Garrus

[If there was a worse time for the Krahs to attack, this absolutely was it. With the people of Elah without their leviathan and struggling to keep their island (literally) together, the people could use all of the help they could get.]

[Darin was already on site trying to shore up defenses before the next big Krah push. Making sure people were out of contested areas, building bottlenecks to try and keep the sharkfolk at bay, anything he could do to stem some of the fear and anxiety choking the populace.]

[He wasn't expecting to get a call from Garrus about a massive push from the bastards. Something about bringing in 'big guns?' Gods, what is it with guns and this guy?]

[Darin breaks off from his work and makes a beeline for Garrus' position. Hopefully he's not in it too deep, but he'll be able to hear Darin coming well before the Krah even know what's going on. There's an almost telltale rumble on the beach as those 'big guns' draw close.]

4 Birthday Drinks (June 10th) - Closed to Zelda

[Never before had Darin had such an incredible birthday. He had no idea what his girlfriend had planned, but when she approached him with two tickets to a special exhibit on Native Plantlife and Symbiotic Relationships with the Leviathans, Darin couldn't be more thrilled by the prospect. An actual museum? And a special, limited exhibit? Darin had never been to a museum before! Darin wasn't even really allowed on the campuses back in Arclight because he was just a tradesman! Not only was this the perfect opportunity to learn more about the world, he got to do it with the woman of his dreams!]

[He wasn't sure how he wanted to dress, but he felt wearing his usual seemed too informal. What does someone even wear to a museum? On a date? For your birthday??? After much hemming and hawing and some sizeable input from Zelda, he'd opted for some nice tan slacks, a tucked in white undershirt, and a somewhat form fitting but still presentable light blue, button down shirt. He'd unbuttoned the sleeves and rolled them up to his elbows and opened the top two buttons of his shirt giving him a classy but still relaxed appearance. He felt...good. Normal. And gods above was he excited to share the day with Zelda. His day.]

[The exhibit was fascinating and Darin's enthusiasm was at a fevered pitch. After lunch, they'd spent the afternoon at the exhibit where he filled half a fresh notebook with sketches and notes, all of which he was eager to compare with Zelda's notes. Now, with dinner finished, they were on their way to a small bar. Why? Because Darin has a ritual he has to complete. One he'd asked Zelda to be a part of.]

[This day wasn't just Darin's birthday alone. No, it was his twin brother Dromas' birthday as well. And ever since Darin was able to drink, he made it his mission to spend the evening of his birthday drinking and ruminating over his lost brother. He'd always done it alone and tonight, for the first time, he asked his better half to join him. But the excitement of the day hasn't boiled down quite yet.]

I seriously had no idea that plants could be so...complicated! And the idea that some plants might have changed and evolved because of their proximity to the leviathans?? It makes total sense!

I'm gonna be thinking about this for weeks!

[He's smiling from ear to ear, practically skipping as he holds Zelda's hand as they approach the small bar.]

5 Surprise Party (June 11th) - OPEN

[Darin's never wanted to make a big deal out of his birthday. Ever since he lost his twin brother as a child, his birthday just served as a memory that he was alone in the world. The other person he was meant to share the day with was gone and he persisted on in a world where no one wanted him. His adopted father did his best to give him good birthdays but Darin knew it was difficult for the man to broach the subject when Darin himself just didn't know if he truly had a place in his world.]

[So, after the high of having someone to spend the day with yesterday, it would be particularly hard to bring Darin down. He was ushered out of the house early by Zelda to check the Heroine for some emergency and impromptu maintenance and...well, the extent of the damage was definitely more than he was expecting. It almost seemed petty. Who in the hell would take the individual chains of the anchor and weld them together into one solid, unbending line?! For hours, Darin spent breaking apart the chain and replacing each link by hand with his incredible strength because whoever pulled this stunt was going to find these chains wrapped around their stupid throat as he keelhauled them through the open water! And who goes up to a docked ship and sabotages the anchor?! It's not going anywhere!! You'd think to scuttle the damn ship or just...anything else! There's so many guns on the ship?! Why didn't anyone mess with them?!]

[Gods, he's going to have to talk to Garrus about security.]

[By the time he wanders home, it's late afternoon. The sun is beginning to hang low in the sky and Darin had spent just enough time on that tedious project that his mood was beginning to tank. All he wanted was a nice dinner, a nice shower, and to crawl into bed with Zelda and be done with the day.]

[When he opens the door to find people yelling 'SURPRISE' in his face...Darin doesn't know what to think. He...turns around. Was someone behind him? No, no one was behind him. When he turns back, he's obviously bewildered. That is...until he sees the decorations. The faces of his friends...]

[...A cake. A cake just like the one Acteon had always gotten for him. Vanilla with chocolate swirls and frosting. Topped with crushed hazelnuts. With candles lit, flames dancing with the subdued energy of the room.]

[Only one other person knew about this cake. And she's the one who undoubtedly put this all together.]

[He doesn't even close the door after him. He stumbles in slowly, like his feet are two ton lead weights. He looks around, as if questioning his own eyes. People were here for him? For his birthday? For his birthday?]

[He opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out. He opens his mouth again to much the same result. Three times he starts and then balks, finding himself struck speechless.]

[For most of his life, Darin wondered if maybe he was a mistake. He survived at the cost of his twin brother and from that moment on, people branded him a curse. A cursed child with tainted blue hair, whose existence would surely bring misfortune. Every year that passed only one man celebrated him. He grew older and watched as people his age went their separate ways. Started their journeys. He'd watch as their future prospects unraveled before them while he stood, stranded, as if stuck in a moment in time that refused to end. Whatever his future was, was it worth it if he was always going to be alone? And, what's worse, when he found out what he truly was at the hands of the brother he thought he lost, he began to wonder if maybe he never should have been born at all. He spent his last birthday wondering if being stranded in this world was what was best for his own. Here, the prophecy couldn't come to pass. Here, he could live out his life in isolation and obscurity. No matter how much it hurt him, at least his world would be safe without him.]

[He never in his life would have expected to find a home. A home, here, built with his own hands. Shared with the woman he loves and a bevy of friends who actually care about him. Who are happy he exists.]

[Happy that he was born.]

[He swallows the lump in his throat, even as the flames of the candles reflect off the tears welling in his eyes. He wrings his hands nervously. For the first time, that mask of bravado slips in a public setting to reveal the young man who has so desperately wished all of his life for a place to call his own. He bows his head until finally, words come tumbling out.]

...F...For me??

[It's incredulous and hopeful. Words of such gratitude it can't be measured. That the events before him beggar belief. And finally, when he receives his confirmation, he bows his head and wipes his eyes with the back of his hand as the events of the day finally click in his mind, he lifts his head and smiles like no one, save Zelda, has ever seen before.]

Okay, which one of you bastards melted the anchor chain?? I seriously have some words for you!

[He's laughing. He's laughing so hard because it's the only thing keeping the tears at bay. The happiest tears of his life.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Clive had never been one to fully participate in parties. More of a wallflower of sorts when certain festivities would pop up in The Hideaway, but being that "Cid" should show his face, he felt the need to at least attend and partake in the merriment. This occasion had certainly been no exception.

He had caught wind of the party through whispers and with permission granted was given access to the back of the room, awaiting the birthday man's arrival. He could catch that look on Darin's face— that genuine, happy smile even at this distance. It warmed his heart to see such an innocent reaction, and Clive inwardly was grateful he was able to see it in person.

He'll give Darin some time to greet other guests and talk with Zelda before eventually moving his way up through the crowd and attempting to catch his attention with a small wave of his hand. ]

Quite the elaborate party. I was certain someone would slipped before the time had come.

[ He carefully has a small box tucked away at his side, but won't retrieve it just yet. ]

Happiest of Nameday to you, Darin.

[Darin is already beside himself. He never expected so many people to show up just for him. Never thought he'd even be an errant thought in the minds of others. A lifetime of being looked down on and cast aside had given him the unfortunate feeling that his lot in life was to be in the background at best.]

[A familiar voice catches his attention and when Clive strides up, Darin almost falls over.]

C...Clive?!

[Clive had seemingly returned to his world several months ago, but seeing the man here before him, Darin is suddenly overcome with even more joy than he thought possible.]

[He throws his huge arms around the man and lifts him off the ground in a spinning hug.]

Clive you bastard you're back?!

Does Joshua know?! Does Jill?!

[Honestly, Jill is probably here, as she was the only other person aside from Zelda who knew about his birthday.]

[ Oh okay the hug is fine he actually expected it but oh no oh wait WHAT HE'S OFF THE GROUND???

Honestly Clive couldn't remember a time when someone had lifted him off of his feet, aside from getting slapped around by an enemy, but like this? Perhaps the very first time. (Mainly because who would ever lift him, he's so huge— dammit Darin, you're too strong!!)

He's unsure how to properly react to it all, but the man's happiness is beyond infectious. He'll laugh, throwing his arms to either of Darin's shoulders as a bright smile eclipses the scars over his face. ]

I've returned, aye. And not a moment too soon, it would seem. [ He's grateful to have been apart of this moment. To see such pure and genuine happiness. ]

They both know, and I've the bruises to prove it.

Good! If this wasn't my party, I'd be laying into you myself!

[He sets Clive down and places his hands on the man's shoulders. Gods above, it's a miracle. He might not have known Clive long, but he's one of the first people Darin not only told about his abilities, but truly understood. Having Clive back was like having a brother back.]

And what about Cid? Benedikta? I'm guessing just about everyone knows, right??

You've sure missed quite a bit!

I'll consider it part of your gift, should you decide to. [ He'll chuckle a bit. Knowing the pain he caused by his absence to others still hung a heavy guilt inside of him. But he won't dwell on it, not today.

Instead he'll step back a bit, subconsciously distancing himself from a potential second hug, before nodding his head. ]

They all know, aye. Turns out I was lucky enough to land on an island they were investigating and made my reintroductions there.

[ He sighs. ] So I've heard. You've been keeping yourself well then, I hope?

[Can you really call it a party if it doesn't get crashed? Ranma was raring to go at the jerks responsible for this whole fiasco for a while. You better believe he jumped at the call when Darin offered him to be his +1 at this fancy-schmancy banquet.

Unsurprisingly, Ranma went with her cursed form for disguising purposes. She's don a fetching fire-red and orangish slit dress that shows off one leg for all to see. Additionally, she stopped by a local jewelry to pick up a ruby necklace and earrings, with matching heels for ~~extra height~~ selling the part of the lovely lady. Unlike Darin slicking his hair back, she opted to instead let down her hair and do it up into an bushy and unruly ponytail.

She fidgets a fork from a nearby buffet table between her fingers, shooting the larger man an impish grin.]

Pssh, do ya' know who you're talkin' to Darin. I can handle these chumps with all of my limbs tied up!

[Ranma please don't start a fight here and now. Her blues eyes survey the floor for this Kaiser fella, trying to get a good look at their target, trying to find someone who looks important enough to be the guy.]

[Thankfully, Ranma took him up on his offer. Honestly, Darin's fought alongside and with Ranma enough times to know his moves well enough that he can navigate around them. They honestly make a decent team when they're not being total pains in the ass to one another.]

[He was not expecting Ranma to show up girl form.]

Listen, some of these guys might be into that. Seriously though, this is obviously not the first time you've done this. There a reason you went with that look?

[There's a lot of really expensive looking food and a band playing some light music. Looks like a lot of people making deals and connections. Darin's more than familiar with the type. But no sign of this Kaiser guy yet. Must be waiting to make an entrance.]

Kaiser's not here yet. If we're gonna be here, I'm helping myself to this free food. Want something?

[He honestly should start expecting the unexpected with Ranma. Always gotta keep people guessing, never let them know your next move, yadda yadda. She shoots him a flat look at his earlier comment, and rolls her eyes.]

It's an expression, I'm not actually-- [In the tone of someone who is well aware there's people like that-slash-has met people like that. Know what, forget it. Darin's gonna be a snarky shit, she's gonna be one right back.] Having a curse makes for a quick and easy disguise. It's a stronger look than slickin' your hair back and throwin' on a tacky suit.

[Also she never does things half-baked. If she's gonna dress up as a chick, she's gonna go all out and slay it! No need to be so jealous about the fact she looks great Darin! :P

Drat... Always gotta leave the rich dickbag to be extra and stroke their own ego. Oh well, Ranma can wait on knocking someone's block off.]

Way ahead of you there!

[The moment Darin looks away and looks back at Ranma, she's holding a plate stacked with a pile of food from the table. Ranma was already putting most of it away like her life depended on it.]

...Do you not, like...eat? Do I need to cook for you too? Geez, at least try to draw a little less attention to yourself.

I might not have the best disguise but I've got more than a little notoriety thanks to that prison break out. The less attention we call to ourselves until it's time to bring this guy in, the better.

[Speaking of, they haven't really had a chance to talk since prison, have they.]

[Darin snags a flue of champagne from a passing waitress and takes a sip, grimmaces, then leaves it on a random table.]

I owe you an apology for that, actually.

Nah, I'm just hungry. [Look at her Darin. She's a growing boy/girl who needs her food!] Plus, I know how to cook for myself.

[Well, least she has a normal portion of food on her plate now so no one'll be paying attention to any Scooby-Doo snack stacking here.

Darin raises a good point. Can't get too flashy with their disguises... Tho couldn't he dye his striking blue hair if he's worried about people recognizing them. Ranma starts to roll her eyes, taking a small bite of her meal like a person and not some famished animal.]

An apology for what?

When we were in jail. You tried to get me to see reason and I was being a pain in the ass.

You were right in the end. I shouldn't have just...rolled over like that. I was hurting more people by staying locked up then I ever would if I was free.

[Darin reaches over to Ranma's plate and steals some of the shrimp piled on there.]

I can admit when I screw up.

[One of those bottlenecks is precisely where Garrus has holed himself up. How does he keep putting himself in these positions? A narrow stretch of beach, between huge rocky outcroppings, funneling the bastards down the sand, instead of from all sides. It's no apartment on Omega, but it's oddly close. It also keeps them from swarming from the sea.]

[But there's a hell of a lot of them. And while he is a damn good shot, the sheer numbers are eventually going to overwhelm his position. Shepard is always a possibility, but she's not near enough. So he called in a different backup.]

[The sound registers, and he pauses from his work. Listening. Okay, that's not the enemy, that's - ]

About damn time... [He mutters over his gun, and takes aim at another sharkfolk's head. Like he didn't make the call less than five minutes ago.]

[Last year, Darin was still hiding his powers. He wasn't sure where he fit in or if this world would ever truly have a place for him. But over the last year, a lot has changed. Darin's changed. And he's feeling more free than he ever has in his life. Free to fight. Free to show his power.]

[Free to do what's right.]

[It doesn't take long to get to Garrus. Not when one strong leap can cover entire swaths of ground. And from that height, it's easy to see where the Krah are swarming from. A wide beach with little in way of defenses, save for some of the outcroppings. Not exactly beachfront property which is why there's little in the way of structures or defenses.]

[Maybe some watchtowers would be a good idea. Something to consider later.]

[In the moment, Darin drops in like a bomb, hitting the sand behind the crowd of Krah swarming Garrus and sending up a plume of sand. The force of his landing is enough to temporarily draw the attention away from Garrus to see what the new threat is.]

[Darin dusts himself off, smirking.]

Come on, Garrus! You called me over for just this many??

What, you low on ammo or something?

[... When the hell did he learn to do that.]

[No, not important. More important is the fight. In picking off the stunned Krah while they're still trying to figure out what just happened here.]

I was saving some for you! Didn't think you wanted me to have all the fun!

[One of the Krah drops where it stands, off to Darin's left.]

I'm ahead, by the way!

Oh the hell you are! You don't get to start counting until I get here! Do all Turians cheat or are you just the outlier?!

[Despite his protests, Darin's particularly high spirits. He doesn't bother drawing his dao, no sense making this go too quickly. Besides, how often does someone get to punch a shark?]

[He pivots and gets to work, throwing straights like battering rams that not only blast into the scaly hides of the Krah in front of him, but the force travels straight through to several behind them. Each punch cracks off like a cannon blast, dropping them hard to the beach. He's thinned out the throng in front of Garrus that he can start making a push back towards the surf.]

So, when do we drop the pretenses and you just admit you called me in to save your ass, huh??

That's fifteen by the way!

I never claimed I was the best example of my species!

[And there they go. Punching and shooting at the creatures swarming the beach. Slowly, the numbers start thinning. But that only seems to spur the shark monsters onward. Make them want to fight harder.]

[He keeps them off Darin's back, keeps to the long-range ones. Lets Darin have the ones getting closer. It's a nice charity, he figures.]

Sixteen! [As another one drops.]

Wait, hold on! Did we set metrics and parameters? Are we doing kills?? Because I'm aiming to wound, not kill! Injuries still count!

In fact, they take more skill!

[Darin sidesteps as a large, bulky sharkman attempts to tackle him to the ground. He sticks a leg out to trip him, then catches his falling form and lifts him above his head to pitch at another small group. With that team bowled over, he rushes forward and lets fly a series of devastating punches...]

[One...five...seven...twelve...]

[A total of fifteen Krah rocket into the sky, teeth and jaws broke as Darin continues to plow the road in a sense. All to come skidding to a stop as some coral armored Krah step forward brandishing some wicked weapons.]

...Armored ones are worth double!

I've been aiming to kill this whole time! I use a rifle!

[Yelled out like Darin should have known that. He could probably just wound with it, easy, but that was never the goal here. It never tended to be his goal at all.]

[He might have aimed a couple shots at the ones in the sky. Out of spite.]

Really? You sure about that?

[Because he's aiming for the eye sockets. And dropping one of the armored guys.]

So?! Go for the legs! Isn't excessive force a bad thing?!

[Says the man who just bowled through an entire phalanx of Krah. Garrus drops one right next to Darin who turns and snaps back.]

Will you stop taking mine?! Stay on your damn SIDE!!

[Darin leaps and slams down onto the sand with enough force to cause a sizeable portion of the beach to erupt into a sand cloud, obscuring a large portion of the battle. From within, the sound of battle erupts. Metal smashing. Bones breaking. Krah roaring in pain. All punctuated by silhouettes of battle and the occasional bulky sharkperson being launched out of the veil of sand to crash into rocks.]

Can't shoot what you can't see! I'm at forty!

Is there a reason you want them alive?

[It's impressive in a way, how much debris gets kicked up by one guy. Even if that guy has the muscle force of a hundred krogan. But it's also extremely not helpful to the guy who needs to see his targets.]

I was watching your back! Now I'm watching dirt!

[Which also is extremely unhelpful, considering one of the Krah comes barreling out of the sand cloud to draw a club back at strike at Garrus' comfortable sniper hideout.]

Also can't see when they're coming at me! [He does manage to drop it, though.]

Sure sounds like a skill issue to me!

[Darin...is not fairing much better. He can't see which means he's getting dogpiled. Thankfully, his strength and natural resilience help but they're beginning to swarm and just happen to be made of a lot of teeth.]

Not everything needs to end in someone dying, Garrus! I'd like it if that were a last resort, honestly!

[Okay, this isn't working. With a flex of his muscles he shrugs off the building mountain of Krah and makes a break for the edge of the debris field. Garrus will see a shock of blue burst out of the sand with...an alarming number of Krah trailing him. At least thirty. Maybe more.]

I have plenty of skill!

[But none of it seems like it applies here. Without something to scan, track or otherwise lock onto targets, it's a lot harder.]

They started it! [And they're trying to kill them.]

[Which seems like a logical statement, anyway. If something is trying to kill you, you have to strike first.]

[As soon as he can see them, he's picking off Krah again. But he keeps his targets away from Darin. You know, as requested.]

[With some distance between him and the horde, Darin skids to a stop neat a boulder that's the size of a car. A boulder which he digs his hands into and tears from the beach, holding it aloft with a rather crazed smile.]

Hey Garrus! Bonus points for taking out multiple with one strike??

[The Krah, for the first time, looked panicked. Because Darin doesn't even look winded after pulling something that big from the ground, and the weight doesn't appear to slow him down.]

[Interestingly enough, Darin still hasn't even drawn his dao.]

Don't tempt me!

[He does a bit of a double-take at the size of that rock. It was a surprise, to say the least, that Darin just opened up on these things. Usually he's... more reserved about all this.]

[But hey. Maybe this is an improvement.]

I told you about the three mercs, one bullet. [As he's lining up the next shot. There's a neat line of Krah looking very tempting...]

[ there's one thing that surge hates more than anything in the world: a happy sonic, a sonic that's at a loss of words because of the support he has from his friends, a sonic who is always given this chance of happiness which is shown clearly on his face and makes everything bad in the world nonexistent. she hates that type of sonic, that sort of sonic that always wins in some way and in return she loses in another. it makes her mad, eyes watching from the outside through the window that's way too tall for her.

luckily, there's kitsunami with a platform made of water that gives both him and her the ability to have some height and also spy on what's going on. ]

Ughhh! I hate him! I hate him so damn much! He acted like no one wanted him but he doesn't understand a damn thing! Look at him!

[ it's the same always with sonic, he says things to try and make her feel like she can be part of the team, or that her anger shouldn't be the core part of who she is because things. even if they're not home, even though he's in a different body because wowee, she doesn't see the hedgehog anywhere around here that tells her they're two different people somehow he still manages to come up top whole being surrounded by loved ones.

hell, he even got a cake! a damn cake which she wishes just exploded in his face. she can hear that wave of laughter, those different individuals call his name, ugh, she hates it. she can't stand it!

sparks of electricity bounce off her body, which she pulls her hands away from the edge of the window so she doesn't draw attention by flickering the lights inside or cracking the glass. she should! she really should, but she doesn't want to look like some loser here. ]

See! What I tell ya, Drippy! That's definitely him, who else would have that stupid smile and get whatever he wants?

[ there's one thing that kitsunami hates more than anything in the world: anything that makes surge angry, something that pisses her off, something that reminds her of all the things she doesn't have because they were taken from her. now, whether this guy is truly 'sonic' or not, kitsunami can't say for sure—he has a feeling that it isn't. that doesn't mean it's okay for him to do those things to surge though. if anything, that makes him just as bad as sonic.

but surge seems certain. she seems determined too. the way those sparks bounce off her fingers, collecting in her rings and snapping at the air around her hands and eyes, it's a feeling that's almost magnetic. to kit, at least. maybe only to kit.

the point is, surge is asserting her belief, and kit is nodding. well, thinking. but still approving. ]

I-If you say so, Ma'am.

[ he casts a sidelong glance through the window, mumbling. ]

Whoever he is, he could definitely be knocked down a peg.

[Surge, you are literally the least subtle electric badger. Darin sees those flashes of sparks from the corner of his eye, and when he looks...yeah, there's some lime green looking pineapple poking above the sill.]

[Oh good. Surge followed him home. She knows where he lives now.]

[Well, he's not about to be a bad host. He's going to excuse himself for a moment and walk outside.]

So, you guys just going to stick to the window? Or do you want to come in and have some cake?

[ as she's speaking with kitsunami, she doesn't expect SONIC... darin to come out and greet them. especially with how he knew they were by the window and now he's inviting them for cake! ]

Eh!? You think we're foolish to eat somethin' you probably poisoned!!

[ she's onto you, bozo, she's also taking a few steps back as she glares at him too like he's up to something mischievous... the sparks on her body fly off, disappearing seconds later before glancing back to his cottage. ]

You were just talkin' to someone, how did you get over here that fast....

[ ...........................fast. ]

[ yeah, darin is a jumpscare. almost enough for kit to jump, but he manages to keep himself steady, shooting a pointed glare in darin's direction. ]

Yeah. What Surge said.

[ how did he get over here this fast? it's probably some kind of trick. at least, that's what kit's trying to express when his stomach rumbles.

loudly. ]

...

[ he looks mortified. ]

[Darin actually has to strain his face to keep from laughing because gods above Kit looks absolutely terrified. Laughing now would just make the poor kid feel bad.]

[He turns to Surge and runs a hand through his hair.]

Surge, it's like...thirty feet. And you'd turned away so you obviously wouldn't see—

Nevermind.

You guys can come in. You can choose what food you want. If it were poisoned, everyone would be in danger.

Come on, isn't it lonely being stuck on the outside looking in?

[He thumbs over his shoulder to the front door.]

My girlfriend made the best cake. You should at least have a piece of that.

[ don't try to make a fool out of her, especially when she's glaring so bad at this guy because she knows he's up to something. ]

H— What— Wait a damn minute!

[ between kit's rumbly stomach and darin talking to her, she'll raise her voice so that the other can't hear the fox starve. what she focuses on actually has her attention real bad, that she takes a step forward as an incoming threat. ]

What do you mean your girlfriend!?

[ what girlfriend, you're not supposed to have a girlfriend because starline didn't modify her with a significant other. this is wrong.

what the hell are you saying to her sonic. ]

Stop lying! [ she didn't make a cake... there's no girlfriend, it's all in his head... probably when she electrocuted him he hasn't been right. ] I'll be the judge if it's even a good cake!

You sure?

[ Shepard rolls her shoulder and neck simultaneously - there's satisfying crack as she does. ]

This isn't going to be like the love-tap Garrus gave you.

[Oh the look Darin gives Shepard.]

We gotta make this believable, right? Besides, don't worry, I heal faster than normal people. Just...don't knock any teeth out, will ya?

But seriously, play this up. Make it sound like I was talking crap about Captain Seakid over there. I bet if he finds that there's another guy in the mix, he'll pep right back up.

Alright, here goes...

[ She clears her throat and glances around the tavern. Everyone's distracted, minding their own business - a perfect time to start the act.

Unfortunately, Shepard's not great when it comes to improv. Or acting at all, really. ]

Hey! You there! What did you just say-- about Captain Seakid..!?

[...Really Shepard?]

[Fortunately for the both of them, Darin puts his whole chest into his persona. The man knows how to play to a scene.]

[Darin waves Shepard off dismissively.]

What, that wimpy barnacle? The guy's as feckless as a sea cucumber and about half as big if you get my meaning!

[Darin's raised his voice, giving the impression of someone drunk enough to be unable to control his volume.]

Why do you think he lost his fiancé! Guy's got no passion! She clearly wanted someone who could bring the tide in, if you get my meaning! Got a problem with that??

[Oh, that thinly veiled innuendo already has Seakid's supporters wheeling around.]

OI!! NO ONE SPEAKS BAD OF SEAKID'S CUCUMBER!!

[ In the weeks leading up to Darin's birthday, Zelda thought long and hard about how to make that day absolutely perfect. After he told her about all the lonely birthdays he spent with just Acteon after his brother died, she resolved to give him a birthday so wonderful it would make up for them all.

With such a lofty goal, it should come as no surprise that, by the time the big day arrived, Zelda was second-guessing everything she had planned. Especially the trip to the museum on (the land mass left behind by) Elah. What was she thinking, buying tickets to an exhibit on native plant life? That was her interest, not his! When had Darin ever shown any interest in plants?

But when they arrived at the museum, Zelda discovered that her worrying had been for nothing. Darin was downright enchanted with the museum. He barely put down his notebook and pencil for a moment, furiously scribbling own notes and sketches. Zelda found herself spending less time examining the exhibits and more time watching Darin. He was so excited, just like a little boy. It made her heart feel full enough to burst.

They spent the day together, strolling through parks, sharing a picnic lunch, talking incessantly. Perhaps this wasn't a major deviation from the norm-- Zelda and Darin regularly spend their days together. But today felt bigger. Today felt like a date, their first real date since "officially" declaring themselves boyfriend and girlfriend.

Zelda even bought a new dress just for the occasion, a floral-print ruffled dress in a roguish style with a cinched waist that tied in the back like a corset and sleeves that drooped below her shoulders. Instead of her usual braid crown, she wore her hair tied behind her head with a matching floral bow. Around her neck, as always, was her choker of stone beads and her secret stone resting against her collarbone.

With dinner over and the day winding to a close, it's Darin's turn to take the lead for a little bit. Zelda hangs off his arm as he leads her to a small bar, babbling excitedly the whole way. ]

Aren't they incredible? Plants are far more complex and diverse than they seem at a glance. They are exceptionally quick to adapt to changes in their environment. Animals require numerous generations to evolve in response to sudden environmental shifts, but plants mutate very quickly! This would likely explain why there is such an abundance of unique flora in this world that isn't as pronounced with the local fauna. Doubtless, more species plants survived the cataclysmic Great Flood than animals.

Is that why you can combine them so easily to get different kinds of blossoms and fruit?? I mean, I always knew they could have practical uses for medicines and whatnot...but do you think they could have magical applications as well?

And if they're so adaptable, can that be replicated in things that aren't plants? Zelda, I had no idea! Now I know why you're so interested in them!

[Darin pulls away enough to walk backwards in front of her, his green eyes absolutely alight.]

Do you think you can teach me how to garden?? I want to try...what was it called? Crossbreeding?? I want to see what cool flowers we can grow! We can document the whole process! Maybe introducing elemental gems into the soil could affect how they grow!

[A beat.]

Maybe we could use the elemental gems and create new ways to help grow plants out of season! Medicinal plants and herbs! To help with resupply if there's ever a shortage again!

[Darin had never once been interested in gardening but the idea of growing flowers that no one has seen before or being to able to make herb and medicine production more reliable was so compelling he couldn't seem to get the idea out of his head. He whips around, mind already flooded with possibilities as they approach the bar.]

Think you can check some books out for me? I don't know if they'll let me take anything out from Elah...

[It's on a quiet back street on Eltrut. You'd have to really be exploring to even find the street, let alone the bar itself. There's no indicator it even is a bar save for a sign that reads "Shore n'Steady." Aside from that, the lane is quiet save for the two of them, which makes Darin's excitement seem all the more stark.]

Edited 2025-06-07 09:20 (UTC)

[ Darin rattles off his questions one after another without leaving the slightest bit of space for Zelda to get a word in edgewise. But it doesn't bother her. She nods along with him, smiling like the sun as she watches him excitedly moving about. His enthusiasm is so magnetic, it's impossible not to get pulled right along with him. ]

Yes, I will get you as many books as you like. [ She laughs. Fortunately, the princess has managed to get back into the good graces of present Paladin leadership. ]

I have been thinking about starting a garden, actually. Not something so large that we could feasibly resupply the Seventh Heroine's medicine stores, but to crossbreed and research some of the local plants. If we were to add a little greenhouse along the side, it would give us the perfect place to raise seedlings. Perhaps we could introduce different elemental gemstones to them and document the results.

[ Zelda isn't paying too much attention to where they're going, but she has noticed that they've turned onto a back street that is much quieter than where they were walking before. ]

[The way Darin's eyes light up at the thought.]

Really??

[He says this as if she would ever turn down the chance to garden with him.]

Zelda, that sounds like a great idea! I'll start planning it later this week!!

[The thrill of a new project that he can work on with his beloved has his spirits positively soaring. A garden? A greenhouse? Maybe they could grow some vegetables to study too! His mind is already drawing up plans for flower boxes and plots and...]

[He approaches the "Shore N'Steady" and opens the door politely for Zelda before following her in. It's a quaint little tavern with only three people presently inside. A man at the bar, the bartender himself, and a third person reading quietly in the corner while he sips a drink.]

Welcome, have a seat anywh— Oi, Darin! That you? Where've you been?? Haven't seen you around in months!

[The bartender, a large, broad, somewhat stocky man with a shaved head and dark auburn mutton chops leans on the bar, clearly happy to see Darin.]

N'who's this with you?

[Darin laughs bashfully.]

Hey Killian, sorry it's been awhile. And uh...this is Zelda. She's my...erm...

[He balks, his cheeks growing rosy as he trails off. He's...still not sure of how to properly introduce Zelda as his girlfriend. Would it be appropriate?]

Well, she's definitely part of the reason I'm not here as much, that's for sure...! Zelda, this is Killian. I've been coming here since I washed up a year ago. He's good people. Mixes a mean Rusty Nail.

[There's a cake. And then there's... whatever Jill shows up with. Granted, she put her heart and soul into the creation, even trying to get something that matched Darin's own hair color. But there's only but so much food dye she felt was safe for consumption, if anyone was willing to eat her baking to begin with, and thus it's closer to the hue of a clear summer sky than it is the smith's head.

But she couldn't come empty-handed, not on such an important day, and thus she, with all her beginner baking skills, arrives and places the cake on the table—next to the one that looks far better. Suddenly, a wave of insecurity washes over her and that is why someone can find Jill frowning, eyes flicking from her own cake to the other repeatedly, silently taking note of her mistakes.

Maybe she should just hide hers for the end of the night and give it to Darin in private. Probably less awkward for both of them that way.]

[Darin is beaming. He's smiling wider and more genuine than anyone has ever seen him. His eyes are twinkling and it's hard to tell if it's from genuine excitement, or the tears of gratitude that he's fighting to keep back.]

[As soon as he's done looking around the room, Darin spies a second cake. Two cakes?? For him???]

Wait...two?? I've got two cakes?? Who made the other one??

[He doesn't sound upset. He sounds elated.]

I get to have two birthday cakes?! I thought you only ever got one!!

[ Emet-Selch isn't one of those sorts of people who makes a big deal out of these yearly nameday (or holiday) celebrations. After all, age is meaningless to someone who can live for an eternity and it's tiring to try and think of something to do every one of those years.

Accordingly, he struggles to think of another novel thing he could gift Darin, the blacksmith, after the aetherometer for their forge. Tools are...the obvious choice, but a blacksmith would know best what tools they need, right?

In the end, the indecision leaves him with no time to prepare anything elaborate and so when he finally does approach Darin, as the tail-end of the celebrations when it's quieter, he presents a bottle of wine. ]

I...apologise. My people did not usually celebrate our namedays yearly. [ He grimaces, eyes fixed on the wrapped bottle. ] You can imagine how difficult it would be to think of a novel gift after knowing someone for a thousand years.

[Honestly, at this point Darin is more than a little shellshocked at the amount of people who turned up. Did he genuinely have this many friends? People willing to celebrate him?]

[It all feels so foreign to him. Like this is some sort of weird dream.]

[When Emet arrives, Darin is in sort of a daze. The celebration is winding down and Darin is feeling a lot of complex emotions. All positive for sure. So when Emet offers him a wrapped bottle, Darin looks up at him almost wistfully. Darin has always been a picture of confidence but in this moment he almost seems meek.]

[He accepts the bottle gratefully and smiles as warmly as the sun.]

You...You didn't have to get me anything, Emet. I mean, just celebrating me is enough! I couldn't ask for more than my friends being here...!

[He realizes that he hasn't actually addressed the gift and bows his head hurriedly.]

A-Ah! I mean, thank you! Really! I didn't mean to be rude!

[His whole persona has shifted. The mask he always wears has slipped with the outpouring of love he's received today.]

Sorry, I'm a bit out of it. Do you wanna step outside? I could use some air.

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June Catch-All | Open To All (Some Closed)

Surprise party!

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Closing Loose Ends

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Jumping the Shark

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1/2 surprise party 🥳 but with a twist

2/2 hi 🎉

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1/2

1. 💥

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birthday drinks

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» surprise party

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Surprise party but probably near the end

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