The Blowing Wind Came In and Joined Us On Our Way | OPEN

[forgeabettertomorrow]

WHO: Darin Altway and YOU!
WHERE: Various
WHEN: Throughout June
WHAT: June Catch-All
WARNINGS: shenanigans?

NONAH - Darin's Forge | Open to All

[It's been a little over a month since Yato set Darin up with a warehouse to act as his forge, and in that time he's managed to completely clean the place up. Throughout the work day and many times well into the night, the sounds of metal clanging, chains clanking, and whetstones grinding can be heard. The high windows of the warehouse are often glowing orange and there's a pretty near constant stream of smoke pouring from one of the chimneys. Inside, there's already dozens of racks filled with wares; armor, shields, swords, axes, even a space for cast iron cookware and self-made tools.]

[On the main door to the warehouse is a large sign that reads "Darin's Smithy" and the door itself is usually propped open. Inside, Darin is hard at work, hammering away on one piece or another, surprisingly without a blacksmith's apron. Sparks shower him but he doesn't seem to care much until he notices he has a visitor.]

Hey! I didn't see you there! Man, I should make a bell or something for people to ring when they come in! What's up?

NONAH - Local gym | Open to All

[Back home, Darin made it a personal goal to exercise a few times a week to keep his body in tip-top shape...but also to hide the fact that he was born with impossible strength in a world where that shouldn't exist. Despite his very toned and well-muscled physique, though, Darin keeps far away from the free weights and other weight-lifting machines, preferring to stick to the tread mills and pull up bars. Eagle-eyed visitors or perhaps even regulars to the gym might notice he often eyes the weights and the sandbag, but always, very obviously, talks himself out of it and goes back to his usual routine.]

[For now, he's fiddling with the treadmill.]

Huh, wait, there's an incline setting? How does that work?

HEROPA - Beach/Pier | Open to All

[Just because Darin works all the time doesn't mean he doesn't know how to relax. After saving up some money, he's got himself a big ol' tackle box and a really nice fishing rod, way more sleek looking than the ones he used to gave back home. Now he's plopped on the docks along the beach in Heropa, casting his line out and relaxing in a chair with sunglasses on. He doesn't even seem to be interested in catching fish, just enjoying the sounds of the ocean as he kicks back with his rod and a book.]

[After awhile, his line gets a sharp tug and it almost yanks him off the pier.]

Whoa whoa whoa! What the hell kind of fish does this world even have?! Come to Darin!!

[He's reeling with all of his might, doing epic battle with...well...something.]

Comments

GYM

[patchricide]

It's rather simple. The machine raises one end, as if you were running uphill. Of course, it only goes so far, and you still won't have to worry about wind...

[... oh. Well, this is sort of awkward She started answering that before she realized who she was talking to.] ... good... afternoon? I didn't realize you were coming here, too.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin was already fiddling with it before he realized who was talking. He nods his understanding, then looks up.]

[Huh. It's been weeks since she was storming his house. He had expected her to turn up in his forge...not meeting her at their local gym.]

I...Yeah. I try and come a few times a week. Guess you haven't been stalking me as closely as I originally thought or you'd know that...

[patchricide]

You had wanted me to leave you alone, didn't you? So as requested, I haven't been monitoring you that closely.

[Because that sounds better than stalking. More professional, at the very least. ... additionally, though, the mice weren't tailing him 24/7, since he's hardly the only one she wants gossip useful information about. And the time was mostly limited to his own home, since it's difficult for little rodents to move around town.]

But really, did you need help with that? I've also stopped in a few times, and I think I've worked out how most of these work.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Actually...I think I got the gist of it. I just never really noticed it before.

[Darin leans on the railing of the treadmill.]

So...you have still been monitoring me. Shoulda guessed I couldn't get rid of you that easily.

[Surprisingly, there's no bite to his comment. It's almost playful.]

FORGE

[liontomyself]

[Leo had seen the post about the man's forge being set up, and had of course thought about asking him to make him something. It needed to be sturdy to stand up to Lucina, if he were to attempt to spar with her...

He squints at the blacksmith at work without the proper protective gear and cringes a little bit. He can't help it. He knows people here have super powers but that is just reckless! Leo maintains a wide berth, not having any way to defend himself from sparks, flames, or heat, and having his magical tome in a hand. Best to just avoid the possibility of any accidents.]

A bell would not go remiss. [He states it plainly. It is simply the truth.]

You said you are very skilled, right? Well... Er... Hm. I am in need of a blade, but it must be very sturdy. Not necessarily sharp, but very sturdy. The lighter the better.

I'd be happy to compensate you for it, of course. I'll not ask for something for nothing.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Your Majesty! You came! I'm glad you stopped in!

[Darin takes the blade he had been hammering away on and lifts it with big iron tongs, which he uses to submerge the piece in a barrel of water. A loud hiss and smoke pour from the rim of the barrel as the metal cools rapidly. Darin extracts the piece and eyes it before bringing it over to his meticulously organized work bench. Then he steps over to quickly greet Leo.]

So, you want a sturdy, but light blade? Usually people ask for one or the other. Mind if I ask what type of sword you usually favor?

pier ofc

[h2no]

[the main reason for the trouble darin is is that... the fish isn't from this world. archie's sharpedo had spotted the lure and decided to grab it for fun. it yanks the line back again, putting more power into the pull, definitely wanting to get darin into the water.

archie is absolutely just below sharpedo, watching this with some amusement.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin plants his feet and tugs at the rod and reel, gritting his teeth, trying to tire Sharpedo out.]

Oh man, this is a big one! Come on, you're not gonna get the better of me!

[He digs his heels in to the wood of the pier and continues to fight...despite the pier loudly creaking in protest.]

[This won't end well.]

[h2no]

[sharpedo is not as strong as darin, so it does the next logical thing... when it senses the line is as taught as possible, hears the creaking from above...


it lets go of the rod.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin was not expecting this. He lurches back so hard that it's like he was trying to do a back flip without jumping.]

[Which means that he smashes his head through the wood of the pier, and his body just flips and flops over limply while his head sticks through the broken wood.]

[He looks stunned, and that's because he is. The world is upside down and he's planted from the neck up through the pier and he's just so very confused.]

Wh...What the hell just...happened??

What??

Forge

[stretchy_girl]

[It's been awhile since Nonah 001's had a new resident, but Gemini's been hard pressed not to notice the man wandering about the house in his underpants, much to her initial embarrassment. It's a little awkward, and it means she's taken to avoiding him a little out of shyness, but that's a bit rude of her and she's been looking for the opportunity to properly introduce herself.

So tonight she's noticed he isn't at home, and sets off to investigate, heading over to the newly established Forge and waiting little shyly in the doorway until he notices her, dressed casually in a blue shirt and jeans standing in the doorway, not wanting to enter until he sees her, which luckily doesn't take too long.]

Hiya. I noticed you didn't come back for dinner so I thought I'd bring some of the leftovers in case you were hungry. [She smiles warmly and puts the plate on a bench to one side, casting a look around the Forge and trying not to look at Darin all sweaty and muscley as he is.]

So this is were you work huh?

[She wanders over to one of the cooler parts of the forge, going to inspect some of the tools hanging up with interest, running a finger along the sharp surfaces and curves, curious about what it is they do.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin looks up from the piece he's hammering away at and wipes the sweat from his brow with his forearm. His usual overcoat is draped over a chair to the side, leaving him in a sleeveless, black undershirt with a high neck.]

[He tilts his head, not immediately recognizing his visitor before it finally clicks.]

Oh, hey! You're the other person who lives with Ryo and me!

[He grins and twirls his hammer before setting it into a holster on his belt loop and walks over to greet her. He spies the leftovers and his eyes immediately light up.]

Oh wow! This is great! Thank you! Sometimes I get so focused on my work I forget to eat. I think the last time I ate was...

[He pauses in thought.]

Wait, today is...Monday...? Wait, is it? That can't be right, last time I ate was Saturday...

...Huh. Time sure flies!

[stretchy_girl]

That's right!

[Gemini answers his grin with one of her own, understanding more than Darin knows.]

It sure does! Although two days sure is a long time not to eat.

[Food is something that Gemini herself has realised she doesn't seem to really need to consume, maybe Darin is the same? In any case she points to the tools, should he want to take a bite now then something's caught her eye to occupy her time with.]

These are some nice looking tools, do you mind if I try some of them out?

[She's not asking in the conventional sense, showing what she means by twisting her fingers into a replica of a set hanging on the wall.]

Forge

[minorgod]

It's been a couple weeks since Darin took ownership of the forge, and Yato hasn't had a chance to stop by yet, but he's been wanting to see how the blacksmith was settling into his new place.

Yato waits until he's noticed, a big grin on his face when he sees Darin looking for all the world in his element.

"A bell would be too dainty. Get something that suits this place," he joked.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Clearly, Darin is settling in amazingly well, if all of the weapons and gear lining the racks are any inclination.

Darin leaves his current project and slots his smithy hammer into the holster on his left hip when he spies his friend and hurriedly walks over with a wide smile.

"Yato! Oh man, perfect timing! I was going to shoot you a message sometime today! I got something for you!"

[minorgod]

The change in the shop is impressive, and it's hard to believe that not even a full month ago this place had been dusty and empty. It might be Darin's shop, but Yato feels an inordinate surge of pride that he contributed to this.

"You were? It's done?" he asks excitedly, looking less godly and more like a kid about to be handed a birthday gift.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Is it done? Who do I look like? Just who the hell do you think I am?" Darin puffs out his chest defiantly as he moves over to something covered by a small sheet.

"I did some research before I went into this one. I recalled you mentioning something about being from a place called 'Japan' and I'm glad this world's heard of it. I read up on how they forged their weapons, and I was lucky I knew the method relatively well. Still, I picked up a few tricks here and there in my research. In the end, I'm confident in the final product."

He throws the sheet off to reveal a rack with a sheathed wakizashi...except it's slightly longer than a normal wakizashi. The sheathe is jet black with ornate depictions of koinobori etched and engraved onto both sides of the sheathe. The engravings were filled in and embossed with molten silver. When light hits the carvings just right, they look like constellations moving through the darkness.]

[Darin turns the weapon over in his hands and shows the guard of the weapon; an ornately molded steel daruma. Then he turns it and draws the sword from the sheathe in one fluid motion, the ring of metal sounding like chimes in the wind. The blade is polished and bright, like the moon appearing out from behind dark clouds. It's polished to a mirror finish, and near the guard at the base of the blade, etched into the metal, is the japanese character for 'Fortune.']

[He twirls the blade and sheathes it with a satisfying chink then hands it over to Yato to test the balance.]

It's a little longer than your standard wakizashi. I also looked into some traditional symbols of luck and fortune in Japanese culture, and I got inspired, hence the fish streamers and the Daruma guard. Figured I'd tie the whole 'Fortune' theme together.

pier

[battysitter]

[ steve is minding his own business, signing some autographs while he throws some sexy smiles at the fangirls around him - and then they notice this other imPort struggling with his a fishing rod.

They prod Steve to go there and show Darin "how its done", and honestly - yeah, Steve knows how to fish, but does he want to? Not really.

But he also wants to make an impression and eventually nods with a defeated "Sure, sure", and approaches Darin ] Hey. Need some help, man?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin, being the proud jackass that he is, takes one look at this kid, then turns back to battling whatever the hell he's managed to catch.]

Nah, don't you worry, kid. There isn't a fish alive that can get away from me! I've been doing this for years!!

[His rod bends sharply and he lets go of the reel to give a little extra breathing room on the line.]

Question: Does this world have sea monsters??

[battysitter]

[ Steve smirks a little when Darin asks that question ]

yeah, they are huge. You gotta be careful with that fishing rod because you might catch one that will try to eat your face.

[ don't believe a word of his, darin ]

Forge

[bindsthedead]

It's all right! [Sabriel's arrived in her armored hauberk- which is made of tiny, overlapping scales of some grey material, almost like stone- or ceramic. She's looking over the weapons and armor with interest.]

Re: Forge

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin sets aside his current project and trots over to greet his friend.]

Hey, you came over geared up! Here to talk about the armor you wanted me to make for you?

HEROPA u know i had to do it to im

[halloflamer]

[Whatever he's reeling in sure is putting up a hell of a fight! A few more of those tugs that might send him flinging into the ocean, and soon the movement beneath the water grows darker, a huge shadow, churning up the currents below. Uh-oh; better back up Darin, because whatever you've hooked is coming up and coming fast!]

[Is that.. a pair of glowing eyes staring up at you?]

[BWOOOOSH]

[A huge wave crashes up as whatever that is explodes up out of the water, taking Darin's fishing rod with it and him too, if he doesn't let go.]

GYAAAARAAAOOO! [The enormous sea serpent roars, slithering up out of the water at a rapid speed and winding into the air above. And boy, he does not look happy.]

I LOVE THIS

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[If anything, Darin was expecting a large tire. Or maybe a stubborn boot.]

[He was not expecting the angriest looking leviathan he's ever seen.]

[Darin does in fact let go of his fishing pole, mostly because he has no idea what to do with his hands.]

[On the one hand, they're flailing because THIS IS AWESOME. On the other, this thing seems really really angry? And it can and will probably swallow him.]

[What to do, what to do. Okay. Let's try this.]

H...Hey...Mr. Sea Monster...! Uh. Sorry about...hooking you?

[Nailed it.]

rest in pisces

[halloflamer]

[It's Darin's saving grace that Gyarados can actually understand him. As ticked off as he is about having his swim disturbed by a Fisherman, despite his fishy mouth full of sharp teeth hanging open menacingly overhead of him, Gyarados hasn't swallowed him yet.]

[...Which doesn't mean he's not gonna scare the snot out of him, just a little. Just to put the fear of respect in the guy. He's Blue's Pokémon, after all.]

GYAAARRRRRRR [The serpent roars, and with a mighty wave of his tail, he stirs up a wave in the ocean waters below, which is about to come crashing down on Darin and pull him into the tide if he doesn't move and fast. Just a little Aqua Tail for his trouble.]