Facing the Wicked Witch

[losthunter]

After the rain let up, and Hunter was able to get home -- he spent the remainder of the evening reflecting on his current mood. He wasn't even able to finish any of the portraits that still needed some work, his mind clouded with thoughts at the Witch. And his father.

The thought of his father in the hospital was the one that bothered him the most. Especially since he had no information on how his father was faring -- thanks to the fact that he was denied access to the hospital room.

Come morning, his mind was made up. Hunter was going to talk to Kendra one last time and try to appeal to her somehow.

But he couldn't trust himself to meet her alone. And pulling out a phone number from the man he met last night -- Hunter picked up the phone. Then he called one William Kent.

Comments

[william_kent]

Wil grimaces at the taste of the tainted blood, and debates whether or not he should spit it out. But there's no way to do that without making a mess, so he has to hope he'll be fine.

But then the 'off' flavor is gone, and this... is so much better than cow's blood. Richer, fuller, bursting with energy. It's a struggle to pull himself away from it before he drinks too deeply.

[losthunter]

With the pain gone, Hunter's mind is definitely less clouded. He is still a little in disbelief to how the bite felt -- and can't help but a low whimper when Wil pulls himself away.

"There is no more pain..." He manages to whisper.

[william_kent]

Wil all but jumps up, putting a little distance between the two of them. He's trying very hard not to freak out. "It, uh, worked then?"

[losthunter]

"It did." Hunter is trying his best not to make Wil jump again. He will have to get a bandage for his wrist.

"Um... there are a few beers in the fridge. If you want one." He doesn't want things to end weird either.

[william_kent]

"No, I... I'm good." Wil wipes at his mouth self-consciously, wanting to make sure there isn't any blood on his lips.

[losthunter]

Hunter moves from the couch, and into the bathroom, to get a bandage to wrap around his wrist. He respects the distance that Wil has put between them. There is a heaviness of uncertainty in the air right now.

He gets to the point of where the bandage is wrapped, but he needs to secure it -- when he realizes how hard that is with only one hand. "Could you... would you assist me for a moment?"

[william_kent]

"...sure." Wil approaches to help, although the smell of fresh blood is distracting. Especially now that he knows how it tastes. It's a strong, strong pull to ignore.

[losthunter]

Hunter hands him the bandage clips, so it can be secured around his wrist. He feels a pull himself, but not as strong as Wil might. The memory is just so fresh.

"Is it... always like that for you?"

[william_kent]

Wil's still skittish, but he doesn't do a rush job, taking his time and making sure the bandage is secure. "Not really... I've never, um, had it fresh from the source before."

[losthunter]

"Oh." Hunter is speechless for a moment. It dawns on him that Wil had literally tried something new -- to help keep him safe. To protect him.

"Thank you." It is the best way he can express his gratitude. Even if this made things uncomfortable, it is still an incredible gesture. And for a moment, he wants to place his other hand on Wil's shoulder. But he keeps it at his side.

[william_kent]

Bandage secure, Wil takes another step back, then belatedly realizes how this might seem. "I'm not, um... it's just that I can still smell it."

[losthunter]

"Take whatever space you need. Just... consider staying for a bit. We can talk about anything." Hunter is not going to be offended if they have a distance between them. But he still feels that it would be more difficult to mend the uncomfortableness if Wil was to leave right now.

[william_kent]

"...okay." Wil probably wouldn't stay, except that he's worried the witch will come back once she realizes her little trick didn't work. "Does Kendra know where you live?"

[losthunter]

"Not that I am aware."

"But that didn't stop her before." Hunter mentions.

[william_kent]

Wil nods slowly. "I'll stay until we're sure she won't pay you a visit."

[losthunter]

"I wish there was a way to prevent her from coming here. So I will feel safe... no matter the date."

[william_kent]

"You don't have wards?"

[losthunter]

"Um... what? What are wards?"

[william_kent]

"Magic barriers? They're kind of like a magical security system."

[losthunter]

"Um... no. I don't have those."

"None of my magic-user friends have ever mentioned that I should have them."

[william_kent]

"Might be a good idea. It cuts down on, um, unwanted company."

[losthunter]

"How do I get them up?"

[william_kent]

Wil shrugs helplessly. "You've got to ask someone who can cast magic. It's not really one of my talents..."

[losthunter]

"Well, I can ask a few guys. But it won't be done tonight."

[william_kent]

"Doesn't have to be, so long as you know to look into it."