losthunter | Sleepovers with Someone to Cling to ((Verity))

Entry tags:

rp scene,
verity

Sleepovers with Someone to Cling to ((Verity))

It has been a quiet week for Hunter. One of the advantages of the quiet is the fact that Hunter has had lots of time to work on his artwork. (Perhaps a little bit too much time, in all reality).

So receiving a message from Verity was a good thing, all things considered. Hunter really had wanted to speak to her, about some small things going on in his life. And just have a fun night with a great friend. So they had decided to have a good-ol' fashioned sleepover.

Knowing that Verity was going to stay the night -- and having no qualms with sharing his bed with his good friend -- Hunter had made sure to bring out his best rose-themed sheets for the King-sized bed.

He also raided the closest convenience store to stock up on a few snack goodies for the evening. But of course, for the wine selection of the evening, Hunter went to one of his favourite stores. There he also picked up some cheese selections of the evening.

Almost was ready for Verity to arrive. Hunter's apartment is very open concept. The kitchen, dining room and living room are all visible from the doorway. Of course, his art studio is a little more tucked away -- close to the balcony, and where Hunter grows his roses.

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"How many spells has Kendra tried on you?" She thought the curse was a 'one and done' deal. Continued torment is another issue and one she feels compelled to try and help stop. Somehow. She hasn't worked that part out yet.

"Magic's a tool, sweetie. It doesn't make you a better person or a worse one, it makes you a person with more options. You are what makes you a good person."

"Three others, since I came to the Nexus." Hunter explains. "The first, I was lucky to have my friend Wil around to help me deal with the side effects. I would like to introduce you to him, by the way."

"The second changed my appearance to what I looked like before... for a couple of days."

"And the last, and most recent, was when I painted a portrait of Kendra. Talking with Schön I had wondered if Kendra had unbalanced magic. The portrait acted like a portal, pulling me to where she was. But I couldn't reach her. She just kept repeating that it wasn't time. That I wasn't ready."

Hunter closes his eyes for a moment. "After hearing that I might have some magic... I really think that is what Kendra meant. That I couldn't help her, because I don't have those options yet."

"I just need guidance."

Now's not the time to bring it up, but she does need to meet his friends if she's going to throw him a proper birthday party. That's coming up soon after all. She files the fragment of information away for later.

"Why would she need your help? And why would you want to?" Remember that part about magic not making you a good person?

"I am not sure why, I just feel like she does..." Hunter pauses for a moment, when Verity asks her second question.

"Because... I just want to help her." Magic might not necessarily make people good or bad, but Hunter is always going to be the same caring person he is. Which means he even wants to help Kendra, even though it might appear as she is unworthy of his assistance.

Magic hasn't made her a better person, clearly. She's quiet while she stacks up some crackers and cheese for them, then sighs. "I don't understand it, but if that's what you feel like you gotta do..."

The practical concerns she might be able to help with. "What kind of magic do you want to learn?"

"Really, I am just trying to find something to do with myself." Hunter admits a little quietly. He knows she will understand better than some.

"My art is a nice distraction. But I just... want to feel useful. Somehow."

Hunter shrugs his shoulders lightly. "I don't know. Something that I could use with my art would be nice. Maybe bringing artwork to life temporarily."

Those feelings she knows too well. Ver reaches over to give his knee a comforting pat; the best she can offer in this arrangement.

"Okay. We'll find you a tutor. Sounds like you want to learn illusion magic, which I don't know anything about really. But I'm sure we can find someone." Somehow.

"What kind of magic are you more experienced with?" Hunter asks out of interest.

"Healing magic, and I know a tiny bit of cold magic." But it's the healing magic she's proud of. "And I'm learning some alchemy, which is sort of like magic and sort of like science."

"Healing magic must be very useful."

He moves his hands, stopping in the snacking for a moment, to fully massage gently at Verity's temples.

"It has its perks," she agrees. Her eyes drift shut and her head lolls back when he starts working on both temples. "Not that everyone likes it."

"Some people can be afraid of magic, especially when they don't understand it. I was terrified of magic for most of the first year of my curse."

"Then I started to understand what Kendra had intended with her spell."

"But I am sorry that you have to deal with those who don't like the magic."

"I know some people are always going to be afraid of things they don't understand. Hell, I'm afraid of magic still sometimes." Go on, give her a piece of magic jewelry, watch her freak out about touching it. Or don't because Hunter's a nice guy. "It's when someone who I think of as a friend doesn't trust me that I get upset."

"I am guessing that statement is not hypothetical," Hunter hugs her tighter.

"No," she sighs. She's not sure if she can physically get any closer to him right now or else she'd be trying. "Sometimes I think Han is determined to dislike everything I'm good at. Sometimes, I'm not sure he even likes me very much. It's very confusing."

Most emotional things are, for her, in case he hadn't noticed.

"I know how difficult that feeling is. To feel so close to someone, but have them push you away."

"It doesn't make you feel very special."

Hunter leans down, to mutter in her ear affectionately, "But if it counts, I think you are very special."

'Special'. That's something she gave up on a long time ago. Being seen would have been enough. Seen and accepted would have been amazing. Considered special? No, that dream died when she realized her parents never smiled at her.

But there are other people now, and some of them are very kind. It's going to take some getting used to.

"It counts," she whispers. "'Course your opinion counts."

"I'm glad." Hunter kisses the top of her forehead. Of course he thinks she is special. She is his closest friend and he loves her.

"So, should we keep snacking on crackers and pate? Or is there an entrée?"

She's exceptionally lucky, in that regard, and she loves him too.

"Mm. There is. I brought things to make pizza. Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. Just deciding on toppings and then basically melting the cheese in the oven. I wasn't sure what you like so I brought a bunch of things."

"I love pizza." Hunter wraps his arms around Verity, and finally lifts her off him so they could stand up.

"I am one of those... the more meat the better." He laughs, because that statement could have a double meaning, even though he is just talking about pizza.

"Eep!" Getting picked up like that is a surprise. She's gonna get him back for that later.

"I'm sure." The reply is deadpan, but the set of her eyebrows suggests she has some idea what other meanings there could be. "I think you'll be happy with the selection."

To the kitchen! She gathers up the plate and her glasses and their glasses, then he can watch her take over his whole kitchen. First thing she does is unpack her knives and hone them. "Want to get the food out while I'm doing this?"

She asked, this time; progress! There's a whole small pepperoni, paper-thin prosciutto, crumbled bacon and sausage that's already been cooked, and some shredded chicken. Plenty of options for him. There's also some pre-cooked spinach, caramelized onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, diced pineapple, and some blackberries. And of course, there's cheese: mozzerella, parmesan, and something that looks and smells like a very smooth cheddar. There's red sauce and white, and crusts that are mostly baked and waiting for that last lovely toasting.

"I hope I didn't forget anything?"

Hunter starts taking all her supplies out of the kitchen. He approves of the pepperoni, crumbled bacon and sausage, and the shredded chicken. The spinach and caramelized onions look great too.

The blackberries get a confused look from him.

"Okay, this makes me curious." Hunter gestures to the blackberries.

"Hmm?" She finishes with the knife she's holding before looking over. "Oh. With the prosciutto and mozz and some spinach. It's kind of like a salad with the ratios switched around. You can try a bite of mine if you'd like. So, what's your pleasure?"

Hunter looks down at everything that is available. Then finally decides on the chicken, spinach, onions, bacon and the mozzarella and parmesan.

"I think this would be a great pizza."

"Mm, that'll be delicious. You want a sauce or just olive oil?" She'll start slicing the mozzarella while he decides. "The white sauce is a basic alfredo but made with Greek yogurt instead of all cream. It's mild but a little tangy. The red is made with roasted tomatoes and bell peppers. It's kind of spicy."

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