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

[boldygoing]

After what happened last time, Jim is a little wary of approaching strangers here. "What do you think?" he asks in a low voice.

[losthunter]

"A minstrel would be just passing through, just like us. Chances are he received the same ill treatment. And usually, their songs tell great stories about the community they had visited."

Hunter tilts his head. "But we can still be alert for danger."

[boldygoing]

"I shall keep watch for approaching hostiles," Faris volunteers. It might be difficult to keep an eye out while still remaining hidden, but a K'da has more senses that just his eyes. He shifts on Jim's skin, repositioning himself to be able to better listen and smell for anyone sneaking up on them.

Jim checks himself to make sure Faris is completely concealed, still a little weirded out by the whole thing, but there'll be time for awkward questions later. "Let's go say hello, then."

[losthunter]

Hunter takes a moment to gently squeeze Jim's hand, showing his support for how weird it would feel to be carrying Faris right now.

The young man has long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. He finishes up his song, as he noticed the two men approaching him. And flashes a bright, real smile. His smile is a lot more sincere than the one the Fake Oracle had.

"Greetings gentlemen! Have you traveled far today?"

[boldygoing]

An appropriately ironic question, as it turns out. "Yes, we have," Jim answers, giving him a friendly smile. "Yourself?"

[losthunter]

"You are likely starved then." The musician moves slightly, so a large basket of fruits and cheese are revealed beside him.

"I have traveled all the way from the east. And continue to head to the west."

"A path I take often. But always find new things. And people!" He smiles.

[boldygoing]

Well, this guy seems friendly enough. And one of Starfleet's oft-used tactics for befriending unknown people is to share a meal, so long as both parties are able to eat the same thing. So Jim gives Hunter an encouraging look, and moves to sit near the musician. One of the fruits in the basket is an apple, to his satisfaction, and he gratefully accepts the man's offer. "Thank you."

Of course, they also will need to share names at some point, to foster trust if nothing else. And while giving his full name might not be in their best interest, his middle name is certainly one that was in use during this time period. "My name is James Tiberius," he introduces himself.

[losthunter]

The musician also picks out an apple from his basket, and a small selection of cheeses. He gives Hunter a warm smile when he approaches, which is another good sign. Hunter selects some grapes and some cheeses himself.

"Wonderful!" The musician smiles. "I'm Delian."

"I'm Hunter." He only has the one name to give in most cases. "Had you recently visited the village?"

"Oh no... horrible place. I avoid it when I can." The musician shrugs his shoulders.

[boldygoing]

"So we saw for ourselves," Jim says, biting into the apple with a crisp crunch. It isn't as big and juicy as modern apples, but it has a good texture and flavor, so he's satisfied with it. "What's their problem with travelers?"

[losthunter]

"I would not claim that it is a problem with travelers that they have..." The musician pauses for a moment. "It is more... they have a scam going. And dislike it when they are unable to fool someone."

"The fake oracle?" Hunter guesses.

"Yes. Her. Horrible girl."

[boldygoing]

"I'd say I'm not sure how she'd manage to fool anybody, but when she figured out I wasn't buying it, she tried to bribe me," Jim says, which is really rather understating the matter.

[losthunter]

"And by bribing, you mean seduction..." The musician shakes his head. "It is a grand thing that you didn't fall for it. She would have poisoned you."

[boldygoing]

Poison. Great. Like Jim hasn't had enough medical problems in the last couple of months. If he'd come back home poisoned or drugged, Bones would probably strap him to a hospital bed until the Enterprise is back up and running, just so he couldn't go out and hurt himself again.

"What are they getting out of the scam?" he asks. There's got to be more to it than just the satisfaction of fooling gullible strangers.

[losthunter]

"Those that fall for the Oracle bit... they gain their hard-earned money, just so the fools can feel like they are being led by He Who Shines in the East." The musician lightly clucks his tongue. "Those who are not fooled, and usually sold off to a laborer camp. Or worse."

"But it will all wash away, when the Sun sees the villainy in their hearts."

[boldygoing]

"Worse?" Jim repeats with a frown. Delian might be just talking about death, but somehow he doesn't think so.

[losthunter]

"They are not pleasant tales. And you are pleasant company. So let us not speak of the worse, today."

Delian looks over both Jim and Hunter with a smile. "Your journey brought you here for a reason. Otherwise, you would have fallen for the fate of those horrible people."

[boldygoing]

"More than what we intended," Jim says, agreeing at least in part, though of course he can't say the complete truth of why they're here. Somehow, this is linked back to the witch of Hunter's past.

[losthunter]

"So, tell me gentlemen, what would you do... if you were the leader of that town and you found out about their ill deeds?"

[boldygoing]

"That depends on what the laws are here," Jim says carefully, hoping that his lack of knowledge about local laws doesn't get him into trouble. "Where I come from, they could be arrested and imprisoned."

[losthunter]

Delian tilts his head, then smiles. "Justice. A fair trail before going to their imprisonment."

"Ah, my fair boy... they are not as cultured as that." He clucks his tongue again.

[boldygoing]

Jim shrugs a little. "Yeah, I kinda figured that. But it's what I would do."

[losthunter]

"You are a just man. No wonder so many people respect you." Delian laughs.

Hunter sits up a little. "You seem to know something about us..."

"This island used to be important to me. I take note of the people who do not deserve such ill treatment."

[boldygoing]

Jim's first thought is telepath, but with Hunter's side of things, it's usually magic. Still, he's a little more alert, wary of his own words as well as the musician's. "Even though this is our first visit?"

[losthunter]

"Your first visit should have been celebrated. Welcomed. Music and food and a party..." Delian leans back on the rock.

"It has gotten darker here. The sun is setting on the island."

[boldygoing]

"It'll rise again; it always does. The real question is, how long is the night?"