Learning to Fend for Yourself

[losthunter]

After a brief absence from the Nexus, Hunter has returned. He is still without his magic, as evident by the growth of hair on his head and not being covered by tattoos or piercings. However, Hunter does not have one tattoo, a freshly-created recreation of the rose bush tattoo on his left forearm.

Hunter seems to be deep in thought, as he taps a pencil on a large sketch book with one hand. His other hand is playing with a protection rune hanging from his neck.

"If you had to face a foe that has abilities you do not... how would you prepare yourself?" Something about his question might clue a listener to the fact that this is not hypothetical.

Comments

[fiveofnone]

Caspar places his dry-cleaning over the back of a chair before taking a seat directly across from Hunter, his expression dead serious. He'd never openly admit that he's invested in Hunter's problems, but after providing security for his Nexus apartment, he feels a little responsible for the artist's well-being.

And the last thing he wants is another crazy witch. He's getting a little tired of those.

"Tell me what happened. Why do you think she's trying to kill you? It sounded like an accident, the way you described it before."

[losthunter]

"I had left New York to do some camping, and get my head together. I really wasn't doing that great..." Hunter admits softly.

"One night, I heard Karlene's voice again. And felt her magic. Even with the distance between us... it caused me great pain. And instead of her voice saying 'Find Me', I clearly heard her say 'Die'."

[fiveofnone]

That sounds like unequivocal proof, although magic can be tricky. Caspar frowns and taps the arm of his chair. "Yeah, that's a problem," he agrees. "Especially if she can hurt you over such a long distance."

It's interesting that Hunter admits he was not handling his lack of magic as well as he claimed to during the meet and greet, but Caspar doesn't comment, knowing that denial can run deep. "What stopped the attack that time?"

[losthunter]

"Zunar. Jim's kneazle." Hunter explained. "Jim sent Zunar to be with me, while I was camping, because he felt that I might need the company."

"I did."

[fiveofnone]

"zunar protected you?" He didn't know kneazles were able to shield their owners from spells. It put Anastasia's protectiveness in an entirely new light.

"Okay... you got lucky, then, that Zunar was with you." Caspar gestures around them. "She can't hurt you here? Only on your world?"

[losthunter]

Hunter gestures to the amulet around his neck. "Hermione made me a protection rune necklace, for when I am in the Nexus. She said that the anti-violence field should protect me... but just in case."

"And I have officially ended any other ties in my world that I had... so I could just stay at my Nexus apartment."

[fiveofnone]

"Smart," Caspar replies. "Staying here where you're safe until you figure something out. You never found out who she is beyond learning her first name?"

[losthunter]

"Well it was more than that. I felt it was time for me to let go. Technically, I have not made an appearance at any of the places I had volunteered at for three months Caspar. This face..." He gestures to his head. "Is not the Hunter they know."

"And no one called worried about me. So I needed to move on."

"No. And I only assume she is related to Kendra, based on the fact that they look alike."

[fiveofnone]

He nods, understanding the logistics of not being able to show himself looking so different. "Must have felt liberating," he remarks.

Too bad there's still a witch out to get him.

He taps on the arm of the chair once more, a steady drumming while he thinks. "She could be related. Hermione once showed me some witch and wizard genealogies. You'd be amazed at the morality extremes can thrive on the same tree. You can't use any of your old connections on your world to track her down?"

[losthunter]

"I had someone else suggest that I research more at the Grand Library. I was going to ask Hermione to join me. Perhaps if you were free..." Hunter leaves the invitation open.

"I am honestly scared to go back to my world right now."

[fiveofnone]

Surprised by the invitation, he doesn't reply immediately. his fingers stilling on the armrest. "I'm not sure what help I can be, but... sure. I can join you. Do you want me to bring Adia along? She knows more about magic than I do." Which isn't saying much, but he knows that she's been itching to help, ever since she heard about Hunter's plight.

He gives Hunter another appraising look. "Do you have to?" he asks, leaning forward in his chair. "Look, I get not wanting to keep checking over your shoulder, but you cut ties to your world. Who says you ever need to go back?"

[losthunter]

"The more minds the better. And of course Adia is welcome to join."

Hunter thinks on the next question for a moment. "I want to get my magic back, one way or another. But quite honestly... I am in a good place where I don't need to go back."

"Besides..." A small smile. "I might have an opportunity to spend more time with Jim. And he is more important to me."

[fiveofnone]

"I'll let her know. When were you and Hermione planning on going?"

He doesn't scoff at Hunter making time with his boyfriend a priority. He'd make the same choice. "Can I give you a little advice? Don't wait too long. If Karlene has it out for you, she's probably not taking any time off just because you're not around. Use the safety net you have here to figure out how to stop her and get your magic back."

[losthunter]

"How does next week sound?" Hunter's schedule is more flexible.

"I will. That is why I decided to come here with my question."

[fiveofnone]

"That works. We're in the middle of our Harvesting season, but we can spare a few hours."

Caspar sighs and leans back into his chair. "Okay, point taken. Just don't give her time to get too powerful. You have the advantage of the Nexus, but you'll lose that edge if she ever finds a way here."

[losthunter]

"That is the last thing I would want." Hunter sighs. He has work to do. He has to find a way to keep his advantage.