carve out the secrets hidden inside ((Faris, Schön))

[losthunter]

Hunter has been pretty distracted the last few days, working on his large marble project. Working on marble is lot more messy than any painting he has done before. He has a large drape cloth covering the majority of his art studio, to protect the floor from marble dust.

The carving takes time too. He has made a lot of good progress on the upper-half, that if someone tried hard enough to figure out what he was making, they would see the initial signs of a Chimera being carved out of the stone.

But even with the desire to complete this project (which seems to be consuming him at times), Hunter has not forgotten about Faris. Or that he still wants to try to help Faris to find his door, and the one person who has the ability to do that is Schön.

So, Schön was invited over the apartment, so they can discuss Faris' situation and hopefully find his doorway. Right now, Hunter is dusting, so there is no excess dust in the air before his guest arrives.

[posting order Faris/ Schön/ Hunter]

Comments

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

((And now it's my turn to apologize for the long delay.))

That Faris is unfazed, if somewhat underwhelmed, is no bad thing as the thin broker counts things--another display might have been more impressive, true, but might also have impressed the alien against the concept in general, which Schön would consider a net loss.

With the reaction gauged, he can turn his attention fully to the illusion surrounding them. He walks around in it a little, scrutinizing details of the setting as closely as he follows the conversation.

When the show is done, he smiles, clasping his hands with a clap. "Well! The young lady is refreshingly direct in her riddle. How nice."

[losthunter]

"Both times I dreamed of Kendra, the setting was the same. That night club, where I first embarrassed her..." Hunter hangs his head slightly.

"And I try to understand what she wants me to do, but I feel that I still struggle."

[poetwarrior]

"Monsters and Heroes," Faris repeats, letting the words roll around on his tongue. "Who are the monsters and who are the heroes, I wonder?" He ponders something else. "She called you Kyle?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"The place where your actions revealed your nature," Schön supplies. "For who would have guessed, to look at you?" Schön is trying to coach Hunter toward understanding without simply giving him what seem to be answers--as is often the case in magic, the journey matters.

[losthunter]

"Kyle was the name I used to use." Hunter answers Faris. "It was my name when I knew Kendra at school."

"I changed my name to Hunter when my appearance changed."

"The way I treated her... was very monstrous. It was cruel and unnecessary."

"Kyle was a monster, even though he matched the ideal appearance for most people. And the thing that bothers me... is she still calls me Kyle."

[poetwarrior]

The idea of two beings in one isn't quite so strange to Faris, although this isn't the type he's familiar with. "You believe that some part of Kyle still exists within you?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Of course he does," Schön puts in. "The worst parts of Kyle were a sword, heedlessly swung--wounding with little care from the wielder. That sword is sheathed, but carried still." Turning to Hunter, he adds, "you can remember the things you used to say, the things you used to do. If you chose, you could do them, say them, again. The sword is not yet beaten into a plowshare."

[losthunter]

"And it is hard to reflect on that part of me, without just seeing the worst part of myself." Hunter runs a hand over his forehead with a deep sigh.

"Everyday, there is a choice to make, about things I do and things I say."

[poetwarrior]

"A weapon is not only a tool of destruction and dismay," Faris muses, wondering if there is some element of poetry at work here, some allusion that might lead them down the right path of questions. "It may be used as one, yes, but it is the intent of the swordsman that matters, does it not? It may be used as a tool of protection and honor, if correctly used. Sometimes the correct action is to leave it sheathed, but to render it useless might be incorrect also."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Whatever the path of their questions, Faris' speculation earns a respectful look from Schön. "Thus, perhaps, the distinction between heroes and monsters."

[losthunter]

"So perhaps there was a weapon I had in my skill-set, that I was not using properly?"

[poetwarrior]

Faris bows his head slightly. "It is a path worth pursuing. Many young warriors are so eager to demonstrate their skills and prowess that they are reckless, and must learn from tragedy. But tragedy is a learning experience also, if a harsh lesson to learn from. It is from mistakes that the greatest warrior learns when to act and when to stay his hand."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"She emphasized seeing, as well. While I am in agreement that there are likely skills from your past that might be given new and more appropriate uses, I think that perhaps part of this riddle lies in recognizing monsters where you had not noticed them before--and heroes, as well."

[losthunter]

"I guess I have been trying to push that part of my life behind me so much, that I didn't take the time to try to reflect on what made me someone that Kendra felt could be changed."

Hunter's eyes go to the gloves on his hand. There is a strange tingle to his skin, and he runs his fingers up his arm.

"As for seeing what she wants me to see, I still think part that is to find the creature in the marble block."

[poetwarrior]

"Perhaps. Every creature has many faces, as a finely cut gem does. Just one face alone is unremarkable. Only when it is revealed in its totality does it become truly beautiful," Faris suggests. "Living creatures are no different."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"I think I'm going to enjoy the poetry of your people, Mr. Faris," Schön observes, sounding pleased.

[losthunter]

"Perhaps a walk through my old neighborhood would do some good." The thought does make Hunter a little nervous.

"Just to reflect on the person I was, and the good parts of who he was."

[poetwarrior]

Faris flicks his ears forward, flattered by the praise. His people's works are a point of pride, as one might imagine. "You will not be disappointed."

The K'da considers Hunter's response. "Is it possible that considering yourself to be a separate person is in error? You have changed, yes, but who you are today sprang forth from what you were yesterday. A warrior who denies the past may fall prey to the same traps as before. You do not have to like who you were before to accept this."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"I have no doubt," Schön answers the K'da, before chiming in, "it takes a certain strength to face such truths, that a less introspective soul might lack."

[losthunter]

It is not easy to hear that he possibly made an error. Hunter sits down, so he can take a moment to reflect on that concept.

"I guess having my dad push me so hard out of his life, it was just easier to consider myself to be a separate person."

"And I don't really know... how to go back without feeling that betrayal again."

[poetwarrior]

The most comforting thing that a K'da can imagine is being safe on a host, so Faris touches Hunter's hand and spirals up his arm, coming to rest wrapped around his torso. It's the most reassuring thing he can think to do. "You have the strength to do so. Whether you have the will is yours to know."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

While Faris offers comfort, Schön chooses to confront: "is it right, that he should steal from you the better parts of the man you were? That you should be sacrificed on the altar of his ire?"

[losthunter]

Hunter manages a small smile when Faris spirals up his arm. The comforting gesture us appreciated.

There is a slight tingle of energy to Hunter's skin right now, that wasn't there before. It starts at his fingertips where he still wears those illusion gloves, and runs up the entire arm. It feels like the energy is vibrating along his tattoos and markings.

Hunter raises his head when Schön marks his challenging statement.

"I did not say I agree with his feelings or his ire. It was pretty difficult to face him so I could finally get my trust fund released."

"And I will continue my journey, no matter the obstacles." Hunter shrugged slightly. "If the road to life was an easy one ... It would not be as interesting. There is always a part of us that wants some adventure. But also a part that wants to feel like they belong."

[poetwarrior]

"One does not always belong by birth or by nature," Faris offers. "Belonging can be earned, if one learns how. Experience is a valuable teacher, but so is failure, though it is least loved."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Magic, for that matter, is not always a question of what is. Magic is the will, honed into a tool and set against the world--one does not accept the state of things, but chooses it. But to choose what will be, one must face what is."