Knock unbidden on the door ((Schön))

[losthunter]

The evening on which Schön and Hunter had agreed upon a TV marathon to watch 'Twilight Zone' episodes had come very quickly, even though it had been a couple of days since the Spring Fair and the last time they had spoken.

Hunter had a lot of artwork to keep himself occupied in the time between the two events. There were a couple of sketches in his notepad from the evening of the Spring Fair that he had wanted to get on canvas. Some are watercolors. Some are color pencils. Some are using the rose petals, soaked in paint. In all aspects, he had been busy.

During the day, before Schön would arrive at the apartment, Hunter had been quite busy finishing a charcoal piece depicting an elderly couple sharing an intimate, and touching moment. He wrapped that up right before he was expecting Schön, so had to jump in the bathroom quickly to get cleaned and dressed for the evening.

Then he went into the kitchen to bring out the snacks that he had prepared for the evening. There are delights such as cranberry pretzel clusters, brownie batter popcorn, assorted chocolate-dipped fruit (bananas, kiwis and strawberries), and a cheese platter. For a wine choice, Hunter had selected a Wild Vines strawberry white zinfandel.

With everything else in place, Hunter does one more walk-through of his apartment, to make sure everything is prepared for his guest.

Comments

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"As well I should," he confirms. "My magic is closely tied to those idioms."

[losthunter]

"I have gotten the impression that because of the magic, you are also older than you seem. That you have experienced and seen so much."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Ahh," Schön notes with a chuckle in his voice, "now there's a thorny question. If I am older because of what I am, but what I am is, fundamentally, magic, then am I older because of magic, or not?"

[losthunter]

"A question filled with mystery, which reflects you in many ways."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Hunter gets another low chuckle for that. "I shall take that as a high compliment, thank you."

[losthunter]

"Well, I have always been a sucker for a man of mystery."

"What is next on our viewing list?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Always, hmm?" Schön teases.

"Next we have a tale of the Old West, from a time when many Westerns jostled for time on the screen. A tale called Dust."

[losthunter]

"That and someone with good fashion sense. You never had a chance." Hunter teases lightly.

Hunter watches the tale carefully. It has a strange tale to it, where one is not truly sure about the qualities of the 'Dust'.

"Very curious..."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

After a remark like that, it's difficult not to preen a little.

"Mm, it leaves you wondering, doesn't it?"

[losthunter]

"This particular tale definitely makes you wonder. Was the dust magical? And how did it get those qualities?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Or was there no magic beyond a desperate father, a happy coincidence, and the empathy of people?"

[losthunter]

"I would still consider the empathy of the people a magical thing. But that is just me."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Would that it were not so true," Schön sighs.

[losthunter]

Hunter's own empathy makes him reach out to gently squeeze Schön's hand lightly. He gets a sense there is more to that sigh, but does not press for anything from the other man.

"What other surprises do you have for me tonight?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

The touch is appreciated--Schön has taken care to craft himself as a riddle wrapped in an enigma tucked away inside a puzzle box; there are layers of meaning to everything he says and does.

"I suppose that depends upon what constitutes a surprise," he points out. "If I were to say, 'another episode,' would that be a surprise, or quite predictable at this point?"

[losthunter]

"Since I am finding each episode surprising in its own qualities, no... definitely not predictable." Besides, predictable is not a term Hunter would use to describe Schön. He pulls off his careful crafting pretty well.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Well, it's an art. And if there is one thing Schön knows, it is Art, in its many forms.

[losthunter]

"So please, continue the surprises. I can't wait."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

((Wow, is that really all the reply I gave you? Sorry, I meant to type more and just... didn't.))

Schön grins. "Happily. This one, I think, you'll find a treat. Remember again, the climate of suspicion, of uncertainty, of witch-hunts." Stage set, he queues up another episode.

[losthunter]

[LOL. That is alright. Schön came off very mysterious]

This is another one that really makes Hunter think, and once again trying to guess who the 'alien' is. The twist ending of two aliens, one who is opposing the other, is quite intriguing.

"I am sensing that the best way to call question to what was going on in their lives, without getting in true trouble, they used the threat of 'aliens' a lot."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

((Well, at least he stayed in character, then.))

"You're describing the fundamental principle of science fiction, there. Social commentary, dressed up as a depiction of some fanciful elsewhere," Schön explains. "The context is changed just enough that it isn't recognized instantly, or divorced of some of the emotional baggage which prevents a meaningful conversation about the actual issue. Science fiction isn't about the science of how, say, a possible future-machine might work, it is about accepting the premise that, as if by magic, it does work, and examining how people are affected by that."

[losthunter]

"It gives them a way to open their eyes, and look at their world differently. But still be comfortable in their own homes."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He nods. "Indeed. It is less painful to discuss something in the abstract than when it is tied closely to the heart."

[losthunter]

"It might be less painful... but I am glad that you dove right into the heart of the issue, instead dwelling in the abstract," Hunter refers to their earlier conversation.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"You are ready for more than easy answers and gentle questions, I suspect," Schön replies, by way of acknowledging Hunter's gratitude.