h2no | IC contact

it's pretty easy to get with that during patrols, and most of us do em. you could always partner up with someone for a little while.

yeah I think thats where I wanna start out Just little things Lately a buncha people have been making me realize I could be doing a lot more you know?

i hope this "a lot more" doesn't involve "pushing yourself far too hard by taking this on along with your forge." speaking of which i'll be there in ten. you wanna order in pizzas?

no no nothing like that Ill explain it better when you get here pizzas sounds great actually

[he doesn't reply further, showing his ass up about ten minutes later, as said. it's clear he's been working hard on the aegis thing, because he's slightly chunkier? we bare bears now?

he has mightyena with him-- the dog runs into greet darin before archie gets in. he's wearing a really stupid tank top.]

[Darin hears the telltale pitterpatter of pawpads running up from outside and immediately drops to one knee to greet Mightyena. What a good boy!]

[The place has certainly developed since Archie's been here last. What was once an oversized yet still somehow organized workspace has really blossomed into a mixture of shop and work area. There's racks of wares up near the front, all polished and angled to catch the light. The high walls are all lined with more product, replica weapons from various venues of pop culture that Darin makes in his spare time to help fund some of his other ventures, all meticulously crafted to the finest detail. There's a second workbench, complete with anvil and a large bookcase for research materials meticulously organized for Momo, and the far side of the warehouse is clearly the testing area, as evidenced by the many scorch marks and broken mannequins.]

[Darin stands when Archie walks in and offers the stout man a handshake. He seems...focused. Less aloof than usual.]

Y'know, one of these days you and I need to have a talk about fashion.

I think I've committed enough fashion crimes without your help, Darin.

[mightyena is delighted to receive the pats, stalking off when he feels like he's had enough to find a place to lay down. it's nice and warm in here. he likes it.

archie doesn't focus on darin for a few minutes-- he's busy looking around at all the new stuff. he's clearly impressed, a little jealous. kind of wishes he still had the ability to be this productive instead of going into depression hibernation every other day.]

You've been busy.

I have! Fanport was a huge success! Made me realize there was a lot more money to be made making non-functioning replicas of famous weapons and I'm sing that to fund my other research for Aegis. That and I've officially been recognized by Nonah as imPort run business.

It's not just Darin's Forge anymore.

Welcome to Darin Altway's Masterworks Forge and Smithy.

[He beams proudly. Even he's surprised at how far he's come in just a year's time.]

Which I think is why I've been hankering for the next step. Hence, officially signing on with Aegis.

You want a drink or something?

[He motions to a fridge that he keeps stocked with all kinds of drinks.]

I did notice a pretty consistent crowd around your booth. [a lot more money, he'd expect. he's definitely a little envious. of the skill, not so much the money.] Far cry from a couple months ago, eh?

[the crowds, darin wanting to shut up and run. archie's face still hurts.]

I'm good. Hey, c'mere. [he's coming in fOR A HUG, DARIN BETTER GET READY FOR IT.] I'm proud of you.

[Darin sighs like he's that one kid coming home from college who is entirely TOO COOL FOR THIS BUT FINE I GUESS I'LL HUG YOU BACK IT'S NOT LIKE THIS MEANS ANYTHING TO ME OR WHATEVER]

[He laughs and claps the man gently on the back.]

Hey, speaking of bein' proud. Look at you, going out into Maurtia Falls and doing some work with Aegis.

That's big for you! I'm really proud of you too!

Maybe you and I can do some hero work together if Jacob takes me on.

[he's not really sure how to handle someone else telling them they're proud of him, so the car screeching noise and window breaking is probably visible on archie's face as he takes a moment to process it. he just waves it off with a laugh.]

Yeah, I had to do something, [he says with a shrug.] I can't imagine he wouldn't. They have this really cool holo-room to train in? That's pretty much my favourite place in the entire base. It's so future-tech...!

I haven't really had much of a chance to get a tour. I was there once to spar with Lucina.

But...I figure with OTO and now this Atropos business? Maybe a big gun might be worth having.

More than a few people have said as much to me, anyway.

[He also shrugs. Which implies that he's told more people about what he is.]

[he raises his eyebrows.]

You know you're more than just a big gun, right?

I...yeah. Look, bad phrasing.

[He pats at the air to try and calm Archie down.]

I know, I'm more than that. I'm just saying that...well...

Lucina said something to me. That with my kind of power, I could do a lot of good. And maybe she's right. That, and Allura seems pretty hell-bent on making me see there can be a lot more to what I can do than just providing back up.

So...I figure, why not? Let's give it a go.

[he's not really extremely angry or upset, just concerned that he'll fall into awful ways of thinking about himself.]

Aye, if anyone could help ya realise that Lucina is one of 'em. [he doesn't actually know allura but assumes she's just as good.] There's no harm in it.

It's good they're so invested. [he smiles a little.] And that you're listening.

It's hard not to when they practically beat it into you.

Lucina was...well...

Lucina reminded me of who I would have wanted to be before all of this Dromas nonsense. If I hadn't been born the way I was and I was staring down the same monsters she was? I'd be right there in her shoes. Even so though, I can't help but worry. I know wanting to get stronger is important but...I hope she doesn't lose sight of herself. Maybe I can help her with that.

As far as Allura is concerned...well...

...When someone fights you tooth and nail just because they want to get close to you, they must see something in you. I guess...I'm just giving her the benefit of the doubt. Then there's Yato and Keith and the other Voltron paladins...it's like...

I dunno, Arch. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel so afraid of everything anymore.

[he nods, pleased that lucina managed to get through to him. after everything else, it felt like maybe darin would be too resistant to what she might try to tell him. he's glad they're past that.]

Lucina's certainly one of the best to have in your corner when it comes to matters such as these. She does occasionally need a reminder to slow down a little.

[again, he knows nothing about allura, yato or the voltron paladins, but just from what darin's saying... they sound like they're in the same league. he crosses his arms, curling one hand under his chin.]

So how do you feel? [he's not asking because he thinks the answer is bad, though he's still curious.]

She's a really good kid. Way more put together than I was at her age.

[Darin looks down at his hands as he considers Archie's question.]

I feel...

...like maybe I can do a lot more than I thought I could. Like...I was limiting myself so much because I didn't have a support network. I've never had friends my own age before and now I'm...

I don't feel alone anymore.

Comparing yourself doesn't help.

[said lightly, even though it's hypocritical and he knows it.]

As long as you're doing things you feel you're comfortable trying out. [...] Look, this is good and I don't wanna bring it up, but... what about that time limit? D'you think it might not be a problem now?

I don't know, honestly.

My twenty fifth birthday would have marked the end of the time limit, as far as I know, and that passed about three months ago.

So, I'm not really sure anymore.

[whoof, that time really flew by, didn't it? he feels a little irresponsible for not... doing anything during it.]

Shit. Near the protests, right?

Uuuuh, well my birthday is the Tenth Day of Credo's Wane...

...Which I realize means nothing to you.

Um.

Tenth day of the sixth month. I gotta get used to the month names still. So it's actually been more than four months. So, I think that's a good sign.

Tenth of June, [he says with a nod.] Sorry, I didn't keep track of that very well. If you felt abandoned or anything...

Gods no, I hate my birthday. I spend the whole day working just so I can forget it happened.

You're just... throwin' that out there. Like it's not indicative of all your issues and not a huge insight into your character?

Just like that?

Re: [TEXT]

Re: [TEXT]

Re: [TEXT]

Re: [TEXT]

Re: [TEXT]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject