these are the haunted halls ((Faris))

[losthunter]

For the last few weeks, Hunter has been spending a lot of time on his marble sculpture. Most of the sculpture is roughly exposed now, with no large blocks of marble remaining to be seen. But it is now getting to the delicate work, which takes a lot more time and patience.

Hunter has a lot of time and patience right now. One of the nice things about being an artist is that most of his deadlines are flexible. And right now he only has a few other commissioned work, which he is able to work on, during extended breaks away from the marble piece.

Much of Hunter's mind has been on Kendra, and how her most recent dream could have meant that he needs to go back, and reflect on the memories and experiences he had as a child, youth and young man. The life of Kyle, before he became Hunter.

And so today, needing an extended break from the marble work, Hunter decides that perhaps he should take a walk through his old neighborhood.

He doesn't want to go alone. So of course, that is one of the benefits of having a symbiotic creature in his household. He can always depend on Faris being around.

"Faris?" He calls out into the apartment.

Comments

[losthunter]

"Let's head towards the school. Maybe that will lead somewhere." Hunter turned away from his house, and headed down the street.

[poetwarrior]

Faris touches Hunter's hand and hops aboard, wrapping himself around his host's torso again. "Tell me of your school. What kind of place is it?" he asks curiously.

[losthunter]

"It is a Preparatory School. Basically, it is mostly attended by children of wealthy families. And you can go right from high school into post-secondary and university classes all in the same place."

[poetwarrior]

Faris doesn't know what a lot of that means, although apparently it's common terminology in English, by the way Hunter speaks. "What does it prepare you for?"

[losthunter]

"In most human cultures, young people go to schools during their childhood, where they learn different subjects like social science, history, math and English. The school tries to prepare these students for their life, when they become adults. So they can get jobs, have a career, or pursue other studies."

[poetwarrior]

"Is it all... I believe your word is 'academic'? There are no physical arts or weapon training?" Such a strange thing to him, but human society also isn't under the same kind of looming threat as the K'da and Shontine. Still, to be unprepared...

[losthunter]

"There is Physical Education, but it is more based around team sports and cooperation with others. No weapon training."

[poetwarrior]

"How odd." Humans do tend to do strange things sometimes. "Still, cooperation in a group is an important skill to have."

[losthunter]

"In my world, there is no knowledge of other species on any other planets. And humans are the most intelligent species on Earth."

"Humans will fight with other humans. But generally, we don't feel that we should be trained to defend ourselves against something else."

[poetwarrior]

Faris pauses while he composes his reply. "To my people, even if we were not in active war, it is seen as historically and culturally important to maintain the ancient arts and invent new ones to be shared across the species. Even a blade that is simply maintained and never used is far more valuable than an empty hand."

[losthunter]

"Are there any stories to how that started? Why it was culturally important?"

[poetwarrior]

"There is no one specific event, no. It is a mindset developed over thousand of years of our civilization, much as humans seem to find the art of painting significant," he adds, hoping to bring across an analogy that might resonate better with his host. "Or your languages. I have been learning from your television... documentaries?" He's uncertain of the word, but it seems to be the right one. "There are small cultures in your world that are dying out, but their languages and cultures are seen as worth preserving by some who make efforts to record them. There is no practical benefit to maintaining this knowledge, but it is significant regardless, yes?"

[losthunter]

"The knowledge is worth preserving. I think that is one thing the same between our two worlds."

Ahead, on the street, is a large school, with as much fancy landscaping as the homes that have been seen in the neighborhood. Since it is a weekend, there are very few students around. But there will still be some risk of discovery.

[poetwarrior]

Fortunately for the both of them, Faris is excellent at hiding. While he is curious, and would like to look around, as a warrior he also knows when it is time to wait and set aside your own desires.

He cannot see out from under Hunter's outfit without revealing himself, so he positions himself comfortably around his host's torso, and listens to the sounds around them.

[losthunter]

Hunter goes around the school, avoiding the front entrance. In the back yard, there are plenty of landscaping, where he can hide.

"This was my school."

[poetwarrior]

Faris risks a look, peeking out of Hunter's shirt collar at their surroundings. "It seems quiet here. Is that typical?"

[losthunter]

"It is a weekend day. Most classes are only offered on Mondays to Fridays."

[poetwarrior]

"I suppose it is good to give your younglings a time to relax and absorb their education," Faris says with a small nod. "And a good time for you to return with minimal interference from others."

[losthunter]

"Well, I didn't want to be seen." Hunter moves closer to the school, staying in the bushes as much as possible. He finally gets close enough to test a back door, which to his favor is unlocked.

He then slips into the building. "I haven't been here in years."

[poetwarrior]

"Are we breaking your laws by being here?" Faris asks once they're inside. It certainly seems as though Hunter doesn't want to be seen out of more than just shame at who he used to be.

[losthunter]

"No. The school is a public building." Hunter pushes back his hood, now that he is in a empty classroom.

[poetwarrior]

The K'da takes his cue from Hunter, and finds a bare patch of skin big enough for him to leap off without tearing any of Hunter's clothing. He lands lightly on the floor and tests the feel of his paws against the linoleum. "A sturdily built structure indeed." In the classroom, it is fairly obvious who is meant to be where. The larger furniture piece at the front of the room is for the instructor, and the smaller seats are for the young ones.

[losthunter]

"The classrooms are all on the first and second floor. The third floor is where some students have a school-based residence. So we will avoid that floor."

Hunter moves to the classroom door, but pauses when he hears the sound of a pair of heels walking in the hallway. The sound seems to be coming their way.

[poetwarrior]

Faris isn't terribly familiar with high heels, but the cadence does sound like human footsteps. "Do we need to conceal ourselves?" he asks quietly.

[maze_ofthorns]

"No." Hunter shakes his head. "I recognize that sound."

He opens the door, revealing a young woman who had stopped right at the classroom. She wears a tight black dress, a pair of tall boots with heels, and has a fastener in her hair.

"Hello Kendra," Hunter greets her.

"You came. How nice."