losthunter | Thorn in the Garden of Life

Jim is on his way home from his shift at the Academy when he gets the message. Frowning, he sends off a quick text message back. Give me ten minutes.

The shuttle lands in Iowa, and Jim walks his bike off and starts up the engine so he can get it out of sight, PINpint home, and retrieve the new enchanted leather jacket that Bill recently sent over for him. Just in time, it would seem.

It doesn't quite take ten minutes, but it's close. Jim grabs his phaser and shoulder holster, and enters the coordinates to transport over to Humter's place.

While Hunter waits for Jim to arrive, he finishes making his phone calls. Then he grabbed the enchanted vest that Bill had made him.

He was a little nervous putting it on, in all honesty. Bill had promised that their enchanted items would protect both Jim and Hunter from any curses or spells that might be tossed at them. And while Bill had also ensured that the magic that had changed Hunter's appearance wouldn't be effected, Hunter was still nervous that the curse-breaker forgot something.

He could feel the magic tingle on his skin as he slid the vest over his shirt. And after taking a breath, looked up into the mirror. Hunter breathed a sigh of relief, seeing himself still standing there.

That is where Jim finds him, when he arrives in the apartment. In the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror, trying to collect his emotions.

Under lighter circumstances, Jim might tease him about admiring himself in the mirror, but not now. His own protective jacket sits easily on him, less sensitive to the feeling of magic woven into the fabric, and he comes up behind Hunter. "What's the situation?"

"One of the others who had been gifted by Kendra was attacked." Hunter turns to face Jim. "Marcus called me about what happened. It was his gift that saved him from the curse."

"Marcus was gifted with the ability to change his appearance, or the appearance of others. And when Austin attacked him, he tried to use the same curse that was used on me. To make Marcus doubt himself."

"Luckily for Marcus, he was able to shift his appearance, becoming a different person, and the curse... broke. Because it was not strong enough to realize he was still the same person, despite the different appearance."

Jim frowns, processing all that. "Why would he attack Marcus?"

"From the information I got from my private detective, Austin has been trying to locate the others who were gifted by Kendra." Hunter explained. "Ever since he met me."

There is a flash of anger in his eyes at the thought that he is to blame for this. That he caused Austin to attack Marcus.

"I have warned the others." He whispers.

"Good." Jim's response is firm and immediate. No one has any right to attack another, and definitely not someone who has done nothing to you. If the others can avoid being attacked, then that's the best thing Hunter could have done. "Do you have a plan on how to confront him?"

"I had thought that I could reason with him before... but I am not sure that is going to work anymore." Hunter frowns. He really doesn't like the idea that he will likely have to get into a physical confrontation.

"So... I asked Hermione if Bill could create something that would harness Austin's powers. Something he can't remove, until he stops being so angry."

Hunter gestures to a black box that is laying on the counter. "It is in there. I can't touch it. It would affect the magical gift that Kendra gave me."

"But I can, right?" Jim moves over to the box, and gives Hunter a questioning look before opening it to see what's inside. "Is it magical handcuffs or something?"

"No. I didn't want him to be restrained physically, even though his magic was restrained."

Inside the box was what appeared to be a simple gold watch. But upon closer inspection, Jim would see a number of runes inscribed on the watch.

"And Hermione said that since you didn't have any magical abilities, that you could touch it without being effected."

Jim picks up the watch, looking it over closely. "Could be tricky to get this on him. I assume there's some kinda magic that'll stop him from taking it off?"

"Yes. There is an enchantment in the watch, that once it is on his wrist, he won't be able to take it off, until the correct counter-spell has been cast." Hunter moves closer to Jim, but is careful not to touch the watch.

"It is the only thing I can think of to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. It is not like I can take him to the cops."

"Yeah, I getcha. Suppose we can try stunning him first. I don't know if it'll work, but we might as well try." Jim slips the watch into one of his pockets, making sure Hunter can see which one. "So where are we headed?"

"Not far. Marcus lives in the Bronx, a different part of New York City." Hunter opens a PINpoint portal. He is visibly bothered by the fact Austin is so close to his 'home'.

"That close?" Jim's frown deepens, for similar reasons. The idea that this apparently dangerous guy is living practically next door to Hunter's old place is a disturbing one.

"Austin traveled to New York..." Hunter clarified for Jim, realizing that he would not know that information.

"There is three of us, with gifts, who live in New York. And he must have figured that it was a good place to start his hunt."

They arrive in a middle-scale neighborhood, where Hunter leads Jim to the door of Marcus' house. He knocks on the door, and waits. After a moment, an beautiful looking woman answered.

Hunter blinked for a moment, because the woman had the same eyes and same hair color as Marcus. And remembering the man's gifts, he wagered a guess. "Marcus?"

"It is me Hunter. I still have to stay with this appearance." The woman answered. She opened the door to let both Hunter and Jim enter. "Who is your friend?"

"This is Jim. Jim, this is Marcus." Hunter makes with the introductions.

"Sorry I can't greet you with my usual style and flair."

"That's all right," Jim answers. He's not sure what the 'usual style and flair' would be, but it doesn't seem like the important questions to ask. "Can you tell us what happened?"

Marcus gestures for both Jim and Hunter to sit. Then gets settled, after adjusting for the female body he is using right now.

"When Austin first arrived, he explained that he wanted to connect to the others who were gifted... just like Hunter had. That he had been inspired by Hunter's visit."

"We spoke at length about my experience, and his. Things seemed normal..." Marcus paused for a moment. "I had gone into the kitchen to get some drinks, and he turned on the TV for a moment. Wanted to watch the news. When I returned, he was very quiet. And got this far-away look. Then he excused himself, saying he had leave."

"He shook my hand before he left, and that is when I felt something weird. A sensation. Moments after he left, I started having all these doubting thoughts about myself. It was almost overwhelming. I just felt so tired..."

"Out of instinct, I changed my appearance, and the feeling was gone." Marcus finishes his story, looking at the two men.

"The news? It sounds like something upset him." Hunter noted softly.

"The anchor, Rob Kingson, was doing a commentary on transgender washrooms." Marcus rolled his eyes slightly, expressing his frustration with the anchor. "He was of course, opposed to the concept."

"Rob Kingson?" Hunter raises from his seat.

"Yeah. He seemed to have really upset Austin. Why?" Marcus asked.

"That is my father." Hunter gets a panicked feeling. "I never thought of calling him..."

Hunter's father? That's a crazy coincidence, and Jim isn't sure that it is a coincidence. Either way, he can't imagine how Hunter is feeling right now, and puts a hand on his knee in silent support.

He doesn't fully understand the implications of the issue, but he can tell that it's upsetting, either way. "You don't think they're linked somehow, do you?"

"I don't know..." Hunter takes out his phone. He dials a number that he hasn't used in a long time. And after it is unanswered, he put his head in his hands.

"Fuck..."

Jim moves his hand to Hunter's back, not really sure what to say. He's no stranger to shitty family relationships, but he's never been through something like this either. "We'll figure it out."

"I have to go talk to him. Make sure he is okay." Hunter lifts his head slightly. "Make sure Austin hasn't tried to hurt him."

"I believe they were talking about doing a live interview, tonight," Marcus mentioned.

"Where?"

"With the Mayor at City Hall." Marcus answered.

"That is where we will find my dad." Hunter nods.

"Hold on," Jim says, trying to think this through. "We've got to be careful about this. What if Austin is doing this to lure you in?"

Hunter sits back, staring at the roof for a moment. "You think that might be it? That somehow he knew that it was my dad on the TV?"

"Fuck... if my dad is in danger now, because of me..."

"I'm not saying that's definitely the case," Jim says carefully, "but we need to be cautious. Consider all the angles. It could be a coincidence, or it could be deliberate action, but either way, it won't hurt to be careful."

He's learned firsthand the consequences that can come from rushing in, blood running hot and critical thinking turned off, assuming he knew what was going on. He doesn't want to see Hunter have to learn the same lesson.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject