The Stories We Keep Secret

[losthunter]

Hunter has received a few phone calls after completing his memorial to Kendra, and getting the opportunity to display the artwork in his dimension. His goal of finding the other people who might have had Kendra affect their lives had been successful. And now he is ready to go speak to them personally.

But first, he didn't want to go alone. And at the same time, he didn't want those he was meeting to know that he didn't trust them. So he called Faris to join him in the adventure. Hopefully he would be able to put more of Kendra's memory to peace by doing this.

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[poetwarrior]

It's still somewhat strange to venture out through the Nexus without his host, but Faris is beginning to get used to it. It helps to know that Hunter will provide a safe place for him to stash his PINpoint, since of course the K'da can't hold it when he's resting on a host, so he can't take it with him.

"Greetings," he says, once he arrives at Hunter's apartment.

[losthunter]

Someday, Hunter hopes to meet Faris' host. He hope that the other was understanding about Faris' situation, while he was stuck in the Nexus.

"Greetings. We are heading to New York today."

[poetwarrior]

"That is the location of your other home, correct?" Faris asks. Fortunately there isn't much he needs to do to prepare, just giving his PINpoint to Hunter before wrapping himself around the human's torso.

[losthunter]

"Yes. It is." Hunter places Faris' PINpoint in a safe place in his jacket. Then uses his own PINpoint to open a portal to his dimension.

"We are meeting with Cynthia first. I believe she was another person who had her life influenced by Kendra."

[poetwarrior]

"Ah, your art succeeded at its intended purpose, then?" Faris is pleased for Hunter. Not every plan of that nature comes out on top, and so soon, at that.

[losthunter]

"Yes. I received a few phone calls." Hunter explained, as he went through the PINpoint portal. They arrived in a designated, deserted spot in an upper scale neighborhood of New York.

"A few were pranks. But the others were the leads I was looking for."

[poetwarrior]

Underneath Hunter's clothing, it's difficult for Faris to see their surroundings, but he's accustomed to that, using his hearing to make up for the lack. He can tell that they are elsewhere by the change in the ambient sounds, and lowers his voice a little so his host may hear him without drawing too much attention. After all, just because he can't hear people nearby doesn't mean they're alone, necessarily.

"What do you wish of me?" he asks.


[ooc: heading out]

[losthunter]

"I mostly didn't want to be alone, meeting with these people. And would be grateful to any support you can give me." It is just nice to know that he has someone here for him right now.

[poetwarrior]

"That is reasonable," Faris agrees, pleased at Hunter's trust in his ability to do so. "I will remain concealed unless you indicate otherwise, or if there is danger."

[losthunter]

"I really appreciate you being here." Hunter smiles to himself. He takes a breath and heads out into the street. Since they are currently in a upper-class neighborhood, the street is quiet.

He checks his phone for the address of the home he is looking for, then heads up the street until he gets to one of the nicer homes on the block.

There is a security gate outside. So he rings the bell. When someone answers, he leans in and replies, "Hi. It is Hunter. I am here to visit with Cynthia."

The gate opens for him. And by the time he gets to the front door, there is a beautiful young woman waiting there for him.

[poetwarrior]

Faris listens to the sound of Hunter's footsteps, the faint squeak of the gate as it moves aside. He doesn't know if there is surveillance, but it seems likely, so he doesn't risk repositioning himself to peer out of Hunter's collar, remaining vigilant and at the ready.

[losthunter]

Hunter followed Cynthia into her house, into a large fashion studio inside the house, where she worked on all her designs. They had privacy here.

One of the first things that Hunter spotted was that she had his drawing of one of Kendra's aspects hanging in the art studio.

"You bought my art?" He smiled.

"It spoke to me."

"I knew her as Kaylee. She came into my life when I was struggling the most... I was living with an abusive step-mother. And working two jobs to pay for my university classes. It was Kaylee who changed my life. She gave me the support to follow my passion for fashion," she continued to explain.

"And now, you have a little more than just fashion..." Hunter guesses.

Cynthia pauses for a moment. Before nodding. "Yes. I just have this magical touch when it comes to my designs."

[poetwarrior]

Once they're inside, Faris moves a little, so he can keep an eye out over Hunter's shirt collar. Not enough to see what his host sees, but taking note of other elements in the house.

Interesting. A different name for the same woman, recognizable from one of Hunter's paintings of the aspects. And a similar story to that of Hunter, a magic-based change in her life with lasting effects.

[losthunter]

"You are not with your step-mother anymore?" Hunter can guess by how happy Cynthia is right now. It is not the face of an abused person.

"No. During one of my first fashion shows, I met Phillip. We talked for hours and hours... way past midnight. And before I knew it, we were spending more and more time together."

Cynthia smiles. "We are getting married this December."

Hunter sees the signs of love on the woman's face. Love was always important to Kendra as something to protect and foster.

"And did you ever get to say goodbye to Kaylee?" Hunter asks.

"No. She just disappeared out of my life." Cynthia pauses softly. "I honestly didn't much thought into it, until your painting showed up."

[poetwarrior]

So her presence did not linger in this woman's life, as Kendra did with Hunter. Faris wonders what the difference is, between them. Perhaps that Kaylee's magic achieved its intended purpose? This woman met her mate through the gift that was given. Faris doesn't know much about magic and curses and spells, but he knows that Hunter did not partake in the human ritual of kissing in the allotted time.

[losthunter]

Hunter is wondering something similar. But this is just the first person he has spoken to. And maybe the others had a deeper connection with Kendra.

"Well thank you for seeing me. And for supporting the Foundation by purchasing my painting." Hunter tells her.

"I hope I was able to answer some of your questions."

"A few of them." Hunter gives Cynthia a card with his contact information, just in case she wants to stay in touch.

Shortly after saying goodbye, Hunter is walking away from her house. Checking his PINpoint for the next address.

"What do you think so far, Faris?" He asks quietly.

[poetwarrior]

"Her experience was different than yours," Faris answers thoughtfully, shifting around so that his head is on Hunter's chest, rather than speaking behind his back. "It does not seem as though this Kaylee intended her to learn a lesson, as Kendra did with you."

[losthunter]

"That was something I noted too. She was given her gift to help her out of a difficult time... and I am glad she did. But there was no lesson for her to learn."

Hunter checks his list. "We are seeing Marcus next. Maybe there is more of a connection between my experience and his."

He has to use his PINpoint to travel quickly and efficiently from the upscale neighborhood they are in, to one that is more middle class.

[poetwarrior]

"Yet Kendra's intended experience for you was also one of courtship, was it not?" Faris questions. "It is too soon to determine if such a thing is shared among all your candidates, but it is a similarity regardless."

[losthunter]

"It was one of her hopes for her."

"But we have to talk to the others to see if that continues."

They reach the home of Marcus, and Hunter gives Faris a moment to shift into a better hiding spot before he rings the doorbell.

Marcus, a well-dressed man, answers the door. He greets Hunter with an one-arm hug, which is a little surprising. But Hunter returns it all the same. They move into a quieter area of Marcus' apartment, where they can talk.

Once again, Hunter sees one of his paintings hanging in Marcus' apartment. Another nice little reminder of how popular his art has become.

"You bought my painting..." He smiled.

"It reminds me of Kevin." Marcus answered.

"Kevin?" This is the first time Hunter had heard Kendra referred to as a male.

"He was there for me, during a time when I was questioning my own identity." Marcus sat quietly for a moment. "I'm transgender. And Kevin helped me through the transition of finding me own identity."

"He also gave me the gift... of changing my appearance to what I desire."

[poetwarrior]

Faris doesn't recognize the term 'transgender,' but he must stay silent, and sets the question aside to ask Hunter later. Regardless of the unfamiliar word, it seems significant that the aspect of the oracle in this instance is being referred to as male. The K'da isn't an expert on humans, but he had assumed that all the young ones that they met on their quest were female. Puzzling indeed.

[losthunter]

"So you still saw aspects of Kevin in my portrait?" Hunter asked softly.

"Yes. In the eyes..." Marcus looked at the portrait for a moment.

"It was really nice to have him as a friend. Supporting me. Especially since I was uncertain about a new relationship I had entered into. Kevin told me to be truthful. And I was... and my boyfriend accepted me. Still does."

"It sounds like he makes you happy." Hunter notes softly.

"My boyfriend accepts me no matter who I am. Or what appearance makes me happy. He allows me to be me."

"And Kevin... did you see him again?"

"No. He disappeared from my life. When I saw your painting, I knew you were painting him, even though the painting depicted a young girl. I was hoping you were here to tell me that he is doing okay."

Hunter pauses. "Kevin has passed onto his next journey."

"Oh..." Marcus was quiet again for a moment.

[poetwarrior]

K'da don't show affection and support the same way that humans do in many ways, but one thing that they do have in common is the comfort of physical contact with one another. And while Faris is not certain if this is an appropriate interaction, he feels that perhaps it is worth it to make the suggestion anyway.

He doesn't completely come off Hunter's skin, just raising his forepaws enough that Hunter will feel their weight against his sides and back, similar to the sensation of a hug. Both in reassurance to his host, and to suggest a potential course of action to mitigate the bad news for Kevin.

[losthunter]

Hunter is grateful for the gesture, the sensation of a hug from Faris. He also gets the suggestion that the K'da is trying to make.

He moves over to Marcus, wrapping his arms around the other man. "I'm sorry to bring this bad news to you."

"I knew Kevin as Kendra. And she was important to me."

Marcus returned the hug. "How did he... she change your life?"

"She opened my eyes to new possibilities. A new life." Hunter feels that since Marcus spoke about magically changing his appearance, he could talk a little bit more about his experience. "Kendra changed my appearance to what you see before you now. To help me learn about accepting others."

"She didn't change you back?" Marcus sounds a little surprised.

"No. My path took a different route."

"I could change you... if you wanted." Marcus gently touched Hunter's face. Hunter took his hand, guiding it away from his face. "No. Thank you. I am happy as the man I am now."

"So am I..."

Hunter let the hug go. "I am glad we had a chance to talk. Here... my card, in case you would like to stay in contact."

It was once again time to leave. Hunter gave Marcus one more hug before departing his apartment. And back on the streets, where he can talk freely with Faris about what they had both heard.

[poetwarrior]

"I do not understand what is 'transgender,'" Faris says, once they are alone. He gets from context that it was some kind of change to Marcus's appearance, but little else.