kaisou | audio; un: GoldenGuard

Entry tags:

hunter

audio; un: GoldenGuard

WHO: Hunter
WHERE: Zodiac apartments and networks.
WHEN: A few days after the event.
WHAT: Hunter goes home! Yay! And then he comes back. Boo.
WARNINGS: Themes of child abuse, child soldiering, being in a cult, kid having a breakdown. He's having a really bad time.

[It had been a few days since everyone returned from the valley. While it had overall hadn't felt very useful despite the promise from Zodiac of a stable portal, Hunter can't really deny that, upon returning to Kaisou, he felt a little more relaxed than normal. On a smaller, much more personal scale, it had somehow felt productive to him. There had been goals to meet, the chance to work with his hands in a way that didn't make him feel self-conscious about not having magic and, frankly, Julieta's cooking on a regular basis was amazing. It wasn't the worst trip ever, though he's happy to be back in Kaisou, happy to continue working on finding a way home.

And then he does. Sort of.

Hunter dives right back into his research as soon as he's back. He's working late one night, late enough that he winds up passing out at his desk. It's far from the first time he's done this so it shouldn't be a big deal - except when he wakes up, he's back in the Emperor's castle.

He doesn't remember a single thing about Kaisou, or any of the people he had met. All that's in his mind are Belos' words echoing in his ears, It would be such a hassle to find a replacement, and the Knee, and the need for Titan blood. He travels out to the Knee, to Eclipse Lake, and despite it all he returns home with the honest-to-Titan portal key. It's cracked and blood is leaking out of it, but it works. Belos has the key.

Several weeks pass. He works away as the Head of the Emperor's Coven, he does little assignments around the castle as the Golden Guard. He's bonded with the bird palisman that insists on following him around, whose name is Flapjack. The Day of Unity is coming. Everything is good.

Hunter is working away at his desk in his room, researching cures for debilitating conditions brought on by exposure to wild magic. He works late into the night and passes out at his desk, though it's far from the first time he's done this, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Except when he wakes up, he's back in his tiny studio apartment in Kaisou. Several days have passed, not several weeks.

It takes him a few minutes to fully process where he is. The memories slamming back into his head are jumbled and confusing, made all the worse by his terror and distress at being away from the castle again. Belos had told him to stay put and after the events at Eclipse Lake, he had listened. So why is he back here? What had he done wrong this time? There has to be something, anything, and as he struggles to deal with this he does something that he probably shouldn't.]

[Network]

[He's mashing the screen of his phone a bunch, eventually ending up with the audio recording function starting to post something to Libra. While he prefers text he isn't about to stop and try to figure the stupid thing out - it's been weeks since he's used it, and he was never very good at it to begin with, and it would take him about half an hour to manage to type everything he wants to say out. He doesn't have the patience right now.

So this message starts with Hunter making some very frustrated, stressed out noises.]

How do you use this - there?? - I swear to Titan - [Okay, okay he thinks it's on.]

Someone better be able to tell me why I'm back here! [Starting off strong! He isn't going to beat around the bush, nor is he able to push the anger coming through in his voice down to something calmer.] I don't know what kind of stupid game someone or something is playing, but they're going to have the entire Emperor's Coven to deal with after dragging me back here! I was here one second, then I was back in the Boiling Isles, like none of this ever happened! I went home!

[That last remark is tense, his anger quickly becoming overwhelmed with the anxiety that comes with knowing he fucked up. Badly. He draws in a short breath and pushes forward.]

There must have been some kind of time and memory magic working together through whatever portal I went through, because it was like I never left. It was the same time, and the same place, and I couldn't remember anything about this city -

[There had been nothing. Nothing to worry about, only his life in the Boiling Isles. And now he's back here, reaching for something that's just out of his grasp. His anger ebbs away further, his agitation really starts showing through. His voice is cracked, his lisp is coming through more pronounced, and he's smashing a fist down onto his desk. There's some worried chirping going on in the background.]

It was great! Things were going great! I made up for failing with the palismen by getting the key! The Emperor was - [Well. He falters, then picks himself up.] - everything was moving along - [It isn't video so no one can actually see this, but it's clear from the distress in his voice and the increased rambling that he's gesticulating wildly with his hands. He does that when he gets worked up.] All of it's ready for the Day of Unity - I was doing what he said - so why am I back here??

[It's like a thread snapping. The fear that Belos is going to replace him for this, no matter how irrational it is given the time shenanigans going on, is too much for him.

It would be such a hassle to find a replacement.]

I can't be back here! He needs me! The Titan needs me! I didn't do anything wrong this time - [There's several short, shallow breaths, and it kind of sounds like Hunter is starting to laugh as he buries his hands in his face. He sounds the furthest thing from happy. He failed again, and this time he doesn't even know how.] I can't believe this - I can't believe it - there's got to be some Zodiac personnel on this thing that can explain what's happening! Whatever sent me back, just do it again - I can't be here!

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... Alright.

[There's no other arguing on Hunter's end. He knows better than to and besides, Flapjack could use the meal.]

[Smart boy.

Sure enough, Hunter will have close to an hour free to yell at people on the internet before there's a knock at his door. Elliot's in the hallway, with a bag of groceries in hand]

[A very good hour spent!! When Elliot arrives it's a few minutes before Hunter answers the door. He's tempted not to, but he can't very well just not.

So he does. He's in his full Golden Guard uniform, though he's at least taken the mask off. He's looking more exhausted and disheveled than usual thanks to the sudden reappearance back in Kaisou, and Flapjack is clinging tightly to his shoulder, snuggled up against his neck.]

Hi.

[He'll move out of the way, so Elliot can come in. The apartment still looks the same - one tiny, basic studio that Hunter is gradually filling with a semi-organized mass of books and papers.]

... Thanks.

[He sees that that uniform is back on, as well as his disheveled state. It's sad to see. There's a small temptation to reach out to him, but he holds back on that urge. Elliot wasn't a tactile person, and he had the sense that Hunter was the same.]

Hey Hunter.

[He offers him a gentle smile as he lets himself in, heading for the dining and kitchen area of the apartment. Instead of fussing over him directly, he'll just start talking like it's just a normal day. ]

I was able to find the crabapple claws! Looked different from what I was expecting. Oh, and they had some griffin eggs. I've never cooked with them before, but I think I can make it work for an egg soup.

[He sets the bag of groceries on the table. Inside the bag is the eggs and the crabapple claws, as well as other odds and ends that'd be enough for a few meals. He starts going into the cupboards, looking for the pots and pans he needs]

[Hunter closes the door behind Elliot, following him in silently, letting his cloak fall around his body. He makes sure to keep his distance, moving to drop down into the chair at his desk, and reaching up to give Flapjack a few pets on his head. Then he quietly drops his hands to his lap, his fingers curling.]

You don't have to do all of this.

[He really, really isn't worth all this effort.]

[He hears that, but continues to dig around in cupboards to find what he wants.]

I know, but I want to. [He finds a pot, making a small "aha!" noise as he brings it down.] And I tend to do what I want. I'm stubborn like that.

[He knew full well his official responsibilities with his students began and ended at the school building. But caring about people and helping them? It was just part of who he is.]

This isn't pity, by the way. I just know you're just as stubborn as I am, and that no matter what anyone on Libra tells you - you're going to keep burning the midnight oil trying to find the solution you want. And when you do that, you tend not to take care of yourself.

[He's seen the bags under his eyes, how he acts during lunchtime, his refusal to rest. Elliot starts taking stuff out of the bag, putting them in proper places]

Unfortunately, even witch bodies have their limits. So when you inevitably need food again, I want to make sure you have some available.

Edited 2022-04-29 14:46 (UTC)

[The kitchen and everything in it has mostly gone untouched since Hunter moved in, since he doesn't know very much about cooking. There were people in the castle who handled the meals for everyone back in the Boiling Isles, and Belos certainly never took time out of his day to show him how to meal prep.]

None of them understand. They all think I should... stop and talk about my feelings, as if that's going to help at all.

[His hands clench into fists as he stares down at them.]

No one gets how important this is. To me, and to the Emperor. I can't disappoint him.

[The Emperor is not a merciful man.]

They're worried about you. [He says simply. With things put away, he'll start with his cooking by heating up some stock] When humans are upset, it usually helps us when we stop and talk to others about how we're feeling.

[He's fairly sure this is the same for witches. Ears and bile sac aside, nothing about Hunter has stuck out to him as fundamentally inhuman to Elliot. But how he is right now, it's probably better to explain it as a "cultural difference". Humans being human, and all that]

I won't pretend to fully understand what it all means either. But it's important to you, so that what matters. [he's not going to try to stop Hunter, in other words. He has his own concerns, and certainly his own growing dislike for this Emperor. But forcing those issues now won't do anything but harm Hunter.

At the same time, he can't fully ignore the red flag.]

...May I ask, what would happen if you disappoint him?

Edited 2022-04-29 23:36 (UTC)

[Culturally, witches aren't all that different from humans. Hunter's individual situation, however, isn't the typical witch experience. He's never talked about his feelings with Belos, he definitely hasn't with the other Coven Heads, and those are really the only people he has that are like peers, so.

The closest he's ever come were Amity and Luz, and those were two extraordinary situations.

Hunter keeps staring down at his hands, at least glad Elliot isn't going to try and stop him. He might not fully understand but it seems like he gets it, better than some people.

At that question he hesitates, then reaches up to rub the side of his head. He had moved in the nick of time so Belos had only hit a bit of his hair, and it's grown back by now, but the memory is still strong in his mind.]

He... would be angry.

[The memory of those words are even stronger. It would such a hassle to find a replacement.

Hunter shakes his head tensely.]

It doesn't matter, because it isn't happening again.

[...Yeah, that dislike for Emperor Belos? It was quickly blossoming into a hatred as he watches Hunter's reaction to that question. Bad things would happen to Hunter if he was sent back and his absence had "disrupted" anything, that much was clear. And he'd be willing to guess this Emperor was the reason Hunter often acted the way he did.

He takes a deep breath. He hates this, he can feel the anger at this Emperor boiling in him- but he can't overreact for Hunter's sake. Not when Hunter was clearly not in any place to receive messages about how maybe this Emperor sucks. He had to stay calm.

Not that his curse cared about his attempts to reign in his emotions, rather choosing to manifest the elevated stress. Orange cat ears appear on his head, flattened against his head. ]

...Then let's hope that no time passes, like it did before.

[Or even better, Hunter never goes home. That feels like the better option, not that Elliot will voice that.]

Edited 2022-04-30 05:38 (UTC)

[Sadly, Hunter is more dead set than ever on getting back to Belos. Beyond his fear as to what would happen if the Emperor finds out about all of this and gets angry, Hunter misses him. He's his only family, and his entire life. He doesn't like being away from him for so long, it's too overwhelming sometimes.]

Ghaleon has been through this a few times. Apparently time freezing is normal, so that may be the case. I'll have the time I need to find a way home.

[That's a small reassurance.]

[Yeah but he suuuucks Hunter. But at least Hunter mentioning Ghaleon is a good distraction for Elliot. His ears perk up a little]

Oh, I know Ghaleon. He's helped me out a couple times! [The potion and with security of the concert. Good guy!! He'll crack an egg over the heated stock, mixing it in] It sounds like he's led a pretty crazy life and he doesn't seem like the type to make things up -- so if he says that's the case, I'm inclined to believe it.

[Ghaleon is a great distraction for Hunter, too. He's one of the few other adults here that Hunter respects.]

I hope he's right. [He lets out a slow sigh.] I couldn't figure out a portal home the first time I was here. At this rate I'm going to need months to get one working.

[Months, huh... It's something of a relief to hear Hunter acknowledge that. Rationality is returning ...to some degree anyway.]

Unfortunately...you're probably right. [He lets out a sigh of his own as he continues cooking] I've tried looking into it a couple times myself, but most of the material I found was just warning people not to try.

Granted, I'm still a beginner with magic so maybe the books I was using were just leaving advanced magic out on purpose, but....I guess it can go wrong pretty easily.

Edited 2022-04-30 20:02 (UTC)

[Even though it's a depressing reality, it's much better than having a complete breakdown.]

Warnings aren't helpful, unless they specify what exactly what they're warning against. But if they go that far, then there might be some use in them, they could act like guides or instructions on avoiding what to do when building one.

[he can't help but snort as he takes the soup off the heat, stirring in the other ingredients. It's smelling pretty good by this point]

Yeah I think that's exactly why the warnings are vague. [Because they'd stop being warnings and become how-to guides]

I'm sure there's information about it somewhere out there. If the books are warning against portals, then we know they are possible.

[Once the smell of the soup wafts over to Hunter his stomach growls, because as much as he'd like to keep being stubborn he's still a kid who has been through a lot today.

He tries to ignore it, though Flapjack perks up and flutters on over to sit on Elliot's shoulder with interest.]

Exactly. It may just be a case of the books that do explain how to make them are forbidden and locked away somewhere. [Like how it is with wild magic texts back home.] It's just a matter of finding them.

[Elliot heard that stomach growl. Figures. Stubborn as this kid is, he still needed food just like anyone else. He gives a little smile over at Flapjack as he lands on his shoulder. Hey little guy!]

Hunter, could you grab a couple bowls please?

[He's gotta cook and be a perch for birb. But as for finding the books]

Hmm ... Have you tried talking to Arthur? His family is involved with some magic library society, so he might have some ideas of where to look.

[He looks mildly embarrassed, but nods and gets to his feet.]

Okay.

[The kitchen isn't huge, so it takes no time for him to grab a couple bowls and spoons while Elliot finishes up.]

No, I haven't. I'll contact him and ask about access. [He pauses, then adds awkwardly.] Thanks. This is helpful. All... of it.

[He'll give a "thank you" as Hunter brings over the bowls. He'll ladle a bowl of soup for Hunter and then for himself before heading to the table. ]

...You're a good kid, Hunter. I actually do like being around you.

[In other words, he doesn't mind helping him. It's not just out of any sort of obligation. ]

Fair warning, I've never made this recipe with griffin eggs before. I hope it doesn't alter the taste too badly....

[He says that like it's supposed to suck, but if Hunter eats the soup he'll find it's on par with restaurant quality. Ever the perfectionist is Elliot Craig]

Edited 2022-05-02 02:33 (UTC)

[Once Elliot doles out the soup Hunter will go take a seat at the table. Flapjack stays perched on Elliot's shoulder, quite happy to be there.]

Oh, uh. Thank you. [That isn't something he hears often, and it's a very nice form of validation. It make Hunter feel actually a bit eager to dig into the soup.]

I'm sure it'll be edible. You seem a lot better at cooking than me.

[And oh boy, is he right about that. As soon as he tastes it he realizes that yes, Elliot is indeed a very good cook. He shouldn't look so surprised, but he does.]

This is good.

[Birb friend you're welcome to stay on his shoulder as long as you like. He's careful not to knock Flapjack off his shoulder as he eats from his own soup.]

Yeah...I did notice your kitchen doesn't seem very used. Do you cook at all?

[He smiles at Hunter's reaction.]

Thanks, it's an old family recipe.

[Hunter shakes his head.]

No. We have people in the castle who do the cooking. I've never had to.

[He looks down at his bowl pensively. Food has never been a particularly important part of his life outside of sustenance.]

You must have had your whole life to practice it, then.

[He isn't sure if his family had any recipes like this. Belos never told him, and it's never occurred to him to ask. He doubts he'll ever get the chance to, with how disappointed Belos is going to be.]

I see...

[Not unsurprising, considering Hunter's station. Rich people love having someone cook for them.

And lets be real the only recipe Belos knows is flamebroiled witches on a stake.]

Pretty much. My sister and I would cook together a lot, and I kept it up after I moved out here. [It was a relaxing hobby, and cheaper than eating out all the time] If you're still here when school lets out for the summer, I'd be happy to teach you some basics if you'd like.

Edited 2022-05-03 00:49 (UTC)

[Belos has simple desires and unfortunately they extend a little beyond the McRib.

Hunter pauses to consider this. He still doesn't care all that much about cooking and food, but this has been kind of nice. Julieta's cooking has been nice, too. Above all, since Elliot is offering, it means he's interested, and an authority figure taking an actual interest in him makes the decision clear in his mind.]

Alright. I was planning on taking on more work from Zodiac over summer, but that should be easy enough to fit into my schedule.

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cw: child abuse for a lot of this thread

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