The Doors of our Heart

[losthunter]

Many thoughts about his latent magic had given Hunter a lot to think about in the past few days. He really wanted to find someone to help him learn more about his abilities. And maybe, help him to become stronger.

Kendra was gone, but that didn't mean there weren't ways to find her. Or at least find the people that were connected to her.

Hunter had spent a few days looking for the right door in the Nexus that would bring him the answers that he sought. And finally, he felt that he had found what he had been looking for.

But before entering into an unknown place, Hunter knew that he should have a couple of people come with him. He PINpointed a message to Jim first, since it was an adventure that he thought the restless captain would enjoy. Then he PINpointed a message to Faris, who had become his story-keeper in a fashion.

All that left was to wait for his guests, before the adventure could begin.

Comments

[poetwarrior]

"Another user of magic?" Faris asks, tilting his head to the side. Hunter's message was short on details, though that is hardly a reason not to come at his friend's request. A K'da is bound to his word, and he is glad to repay Hunter's kindness with whatever assistance he can render. "Will concealment be necessary?"

[losthunter]

"No. Jim is sort of more of a scientist. A Captain of a spaceship." Hunter explains. "He is used to meeting new species. New cultures."

"I don't think you have to conceal yourself."

[boldygoing]

Jim appears in the usual swirling white haze, beaming in from his universe. He's not in uniform, obviously, since he's still on medical leave, instead wearing the same outfit he wore the first time he and Hunter went out for drinks. It feels a bit weird, though, going into unfamiliar territory unarmed, and he pauses for a moment when he turns and sees Faris sitting on his haunches next to Hunter. "I didn't realize you were putting a whole team together," he says, looking questioningly to Hunter.

[losthunter]

"Just the three of us."

"This is Faris." Hunter introduces the F'da beside him. "He is a symbiotic alien that I met in the Nexus."

"He has met Kendra before. And understands her riddle speech a lot better than I do. So I thought he might be an asset on this trip."

[boldygoing]

Jim gives Faris a visual once-over, though he doesn't offer a handshake. The K'da looks quadrupedal, and assuming human cultural norms when meeting with aliens is often a bad idea, so instead he nods towards Faris. "Nice to meet you. I'm James T. Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise."

Faris stands on all four paws and bows his head slightly in return. "I am honored to meet another friend of Hunter's, captain."

Jim has quite a few questions about Faris's people, particularly the 'symbiotic' part - the alien certainly doesn't look or behave like most symbiotes he knows - but there's apparently a missions at hand, so he sets aside his curiosity for the time being. Maybe there'll be time later. "So, where are we headed?"

[losthunter]

"I found this door, that I believe will send us back in time in my dimension, to the Island where Kendra grew up. Where she gained her magic."

"From my research, it is a Greek island that doesn't exist anymore."

[boldygoing]

Jim's eyebrows go up. "We're time traveling?"

Faris tilts his head slightly, intrigued. "Do we not risk altering the course of events?"

[losthunter]

"No. From the way I understand it... we would have already traveled back, and anything we do, would have already happened."

"It is the only way I can think of to talk to Kendra again."

[boldygoing]

"Predestination paradox," Jim says, and though he frowns at the thought of it, he nods in understanding. "We should probably still be careful what we say, just in case."

[losthunter]

"I have contacted a friend of mine to get you and me some Greek clothing, Jim." Hunter gestures to a couple of robes hanging close by.

[boldygoing]

Jim knows perfectly well that robes are far more historically accurate, but he can't help but throw a teasingly disappointed look towards Hunter. "No togas?" he asks as he shucks off his jacket.

[losthunter]

"Not this time." Hunter smiles at him. He has no problem getting changed in front of either Jim or Faris.

"Faris? I think it would be best if you stayed with me for now."

[boldygoing]

Jim has zero problem with nudity either, casting only a brief - though appreciative - glance at Hunter's physique, as he changes into his own robe. He definitely doesn't want to leave his communicator behind, though, and tucks it into the fabric tied around his waist.

"As you wish," Faris says, and leaps onto Hunter's skin, smoothly transitioning from three dimensions into two, flattening out and wrapping around his temporary host's torso.

Jim's admiring look turns to one of intense fascination. "Whoa, what the hell?"

[losthunter]

"That is Faris' special ability. He can leap onto my skin. It is by that contact that helps nurture his symbiotic nature."

[boldygoing]

"That is pretty cool." Jim approaches, comfortable with the proximity to Hunter, and reaches out to touch the red-gold scales now apparently etched on the other man's skin. Faris, of course, feels no different from any other part of Hunter's flesh, warm and soft under his fingers.

"Thank you," Faris says, his head positioned over Hunter's upper arm.

[losthunter]

"He can detached part of himself off slightly. And speak." Hunter explains.

[boldygoing]

"Do you have to have, like, a bond with the person you're doing this with, or can it be anybody?" Jim asks curiously.

Faris moves a little on Hunter's skin, shifting position so that he can peer out of Hunter's neckline. "A bond is preferred, but not necessary. Not all species can serve as hosts, but humans seem to be perfectly suitable for K'da. I must return to this state at least every six of your hours, or else I will perish."

Jim files that away under important things to know. If something happens and they get separated for some reason, it's a comfort to know that Faris won't be totally screwed.

[losthunter]

"Faris was quite close to that perish point, when we first met in the Nexus." Hunter explains.

[poetwarrior]

"Yes," Faris agrees. "It was fortuitous that you approached when you did. I am forever grateful."

[losthunter]

"Another example of the Nexus leading the right person to where a new arrival was making their appearance."

Hunter leads them both into his art room. A painting of a door is there.

"I can only hope that I was the right person to find this door."

[boldygoing]

"From what I've seen so far, it'd be a hell of a coincidence if you weren't," Jim says, giving Hunter a reassuring look.

[losthunter]

"Thanks..."

"And it helps that I can do this..." Hunter places his hand on the painting. It glows slightly, and the door starts to appear as if real.

[boldygoing]

Jim hasn't seen that particular power in action for a while, but Hunter already seems more skilled at it than he did before. It's still a bit of a mindfuck, but he's on board with it. With just one question. "It's not gonna close behind us, is it?"

[losthunter]

"No. I have my PINpoint. And a way to get us back to my apartment." Hunter tells him.

He reaches for Jim's hand, a little bit of reassurance, before entering the door.

[boldygoing]

"Works for me." Jim doesn't hesitate to take Hunter's hand in his own, stepping through the portal at his side.

On Hunter's skin, Faris stays still, one eye peeking above the neck of the robe as they go through the door.