Thorn in the Garden of Life

[losthunter]

Hunter paced his apartment, his phone in one hand, and a list of phone numbers in his other hand. He just got off the phone with Marcus, one of the six other people who had been given a gift by Kendra. And had learned that Marcus had been attacked by Austin.

Luckily, Marcus was able to get away, without any major side effects.

But Hunter was now worried about the others. And so he was making calls to everyone else who he had talked to, and warned them about Austin so they could stay safe.

And he knew it was time to face Austin again. But even though he felt like it was an emergency, Hunter knew that it would be better to make sure someone else came with him. He also knew exactly who he wanted to have by his side.

Jim. Austin attacked another person. I feel like I need to deal with this. Are you available to come with me?

Comments

[losthunter]

Hunter thanks Hermione for her help, from both of them. He knows it is not the solutions that they had wanted, but at least they have some answers.

And then she is gone, and it is just the two of them.

Hunter feels a little restless. He sends a detailed message to his father, about how dangerous the suspect who tried to attack him was. Perhaps he can get Austin on a most-wanted list.

"I'm sorry that this happened to you."

[boldygoing]

It's been a while since Jim has really thought about how great it is to have unlimited clean water on demand. He fills the glass to the brim, before turning back to face Hunter again. "Me too. It's not your fault though."

If Jim doesn't get to blame himself, Hunter doesn't either.

[losthunter]

"Maybe there is something we can to do, to distract your mind?" Hunter is open to suggestions.

[boldygoing]

"I don't know..." Jim takes a drink from his glass, still kind of freaked out and nervous. "I feel like I owe you an explanation."

[losthunter]

Hunter moves a chair closer to the counter, where he can sit down. "You feel that you can get through an explanation, right now?"

[boldygoing]

"Maybe not. It's a long story." It's not even a story that Jim wants to tell, mostly because he doesn't want to think about it. But he doesn't have a choice about that, anymore, and he did try to kill Hunter.

But Hunter does have a point. With as often as he's already triggered flashbacks, it seems unlikely at best that he'll be able to get through it uninterrupted.

[losthunter]

"I would be more than willing to listen to your story, when we don't have to worry about you spacing out on me again." Hunter can see that it weighs heavily on Jim's mind right now. And it is no wonder why.

"I don't know if your flashbacks are triggered by anything... but if we could avoid the triggers, then even better."

[boldygoing]

"I don't know if that's possible." Jim appreciates the thought, but he has to be honest. He's dangerous, right now. And he doesn't want Hunter to be unprepared. "We can try, but I don't know."

[losthunter]

"I would do anything if it meant you didn't have to go through another flashback." Hunter rests his head in his hands for a moment.

[boldygoing]

"I know. Me too." Jim's body language is uncharacteristically uncertain. This is even touchier than the time he got LOLed. At least then, he was only talking about it.

"I don't think a movie is a good idea," he says, not quite sure.

[losthunter]

"No. Definitely not a good idea."

Hunter doesn't have any suggestions for a distraction right now. He is a little afraid that Jim might go overboard, if he offers him lunch. And he is not sure that the hot tub would be relaxing.

"Maybe, try to focus on a good memory?"

[boldygoing]

Jim isn't sure if that'll work, and especially not if he has to keep it up for two days. But it's worth a shot.

And that means having to come up with a good memory to even focus on in the first place. "Our roadtrip was nice," he says, a little hesitant. It's been a while since their journey across Iowa, but it's still a treasured day in Jim's memories.

[losthunter]

"It definitely was a great trip." Hunter smiles. "I really enjoyed getting my bike out on the road. Just listening to it roar. And seeing some of the people's attention on my bike was very flattering."

"We should plan another one." Maybe by focusing on future plans, they can avoid any more flashbacks. "I have always want to do a bike tour through the Rocky Mountains."

[boldygoing]

So far, so good... Jim can't quite relax though, not when he knows that the curse might trigger another flashback at any moment. He leans against the counter, forcing himself to act casual, sipping at his water. "Why the Rockies?"

[losthunter]

"The scenery has a lot of appeal." Hunter grins. "And there are a lot of amazing sights in the mountains. And maybe we can go hiking. Or go camping."

"Plus, it would be cool to see the geysers or the hot springs."

[boldygoing]

"I haven't done any camping in the Rockies before," Jim says, and maybe that's what makes this topic safe, for now. "I've done Yosemite, but there aren't any geysers or anything."


[Does the curse give Jim memory flashes of good times too, or just the bad ones? Figure just the bad ones makes sense, but thought I should ask. :P]

[losthunter]

"I sort of feel a little closer to the stars, when I am in the mountains." Hunter's world doesn't have space travel, like Jim's does. But Hunter is fascinated by the constellations. And would enjoy seeing the Northern Lights.

[I think there could be one or two good memories. It would be the charms in his jacket working against the dark magic. To give his mind a brief break]

[boldygoing]

He smiles slightly, glad that this subject hasn't dug up any darker memories as of yet. "I don't know if we'll have the chance to take any kind of long trip like that before we ship out, but maybe after the mission, I could take some time off."

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles. He is glad to hear that Jim would like to make plans with him, that would not happen for five years.

"I might take a few camping trips out there while you are gone. Stare up at the stars, and wonder where you are exploring."

[boldygoing]

Romantic and sweet of him, like always. "That's the sort of thing that inspires poetry, isn't it?" Jim's never written any himself, but he's sure read his fair share.

[losthunter]

"It is often the simple things in life, such as enjoying the great outdoors, that inspire me." Hunter grinned.

[boldygoing]

"I expect I'm gonna see a whole bunch of new work from you by the time we get back, then." Jim's trying not to let his focus wander too much. It's hard, though. His thoughts usually link to something else that the conversation reminds him of, and while there's nothing dangerous here that he can see, there's no guarantee his train of thought won't lead him there anyway.

"What do you do to clear your mind?" he asks. "I've tried meditation before but I don't think it really does it for me."

[losthunter]

"I paint..." Hunter chuckles lightly. "For me, it is just the sensation of being able to focus on putting different colors and shades together to make a photo. The sensation of the paint on my hands. I easily get lost in the canvas."

"There are still paint and paint brushes that were left out by Hermione. If you wanted to give it a try..."

[boldygoing]

Jim very carefully considers that. Paint, a brush, and a canvas. Maybe some water to rinse off the bristles between colors. While he can think of a couple of ways to improvise weapons from all sorts of household objects, he doesn't think there should be any dangerous memories linked to any of those materials. "We could give it a try."

[losthunter]

Hunter stands up, and leads Jim into his art studio. He selects out a large canvas, placing it on the easel. Then rolls forward his acrylic paint supplies. He has opted over acrylic over other options, since it is easier to clean off and doesn't have much of an odor.

He lays out some brushes for Jim. And smiles at him.

"Don't worry about the subject, just start putting paint on the canvas. Let the colors guide you." He will still stay on guard, watchful to wait and see if any other memories have taken Jim.