Hunter | The Golden Guard (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cardinalrule) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
kaisou2022-05-04 06:17 pm
cardinalrule) wrote in kaisou2022-05-04 06:17 pm
Entry tags:
[Action]
WHO: Elliot and Hunter!
WHERE: Kaisou High School
WHEN: Shortly after this conversation Hunter has with Raine.
WHAT: Hunter does some investigation into very familiar people.
WARNINGS: None atm.
[After one very awkward conversation with a Coven Head who doesn't remember him at all Hunter gathers himself, then races to school with his coffee. Luckily, he had left the Zodiac apartments early, so it's still a bit before class starts and there aren't that many people around when he arrives. That's probably for the best, since he isn't sure how much sneaking around he's going to have to do.
Raine had told him to check out the music department's awards, and that's where he's starting. He suspects the reason is because their name is going to be on some of them, which doesn't help his theory that Raine's memories have been altered rather than being a whole other person, but he can't very well just ignore a suggestion from a Coven Head.
He heads into the building, letting Flapjack fly off to relax in one of the trees on the grounds for the rest of the day, and goes straight to the music room. When he gets there he peers inside, making sure it's empty before entering and making a beeline for the trophy case. He starts scanning for names, looking for anything familiar, completely fixated on his little mission.]
WHERE: Kaisou High School
WHEN: Shortly after this conversation Hunter has with Raine.
WHAT: Hunter does some investigation into very familiar people.
WARNINGS: None atm.
[After one very awkward conversation with a Coven Head who doesn't remember him at all Hunter gathers himself, then races to school with his coffee. Luckily, he had left the Zodiac apartments early, so it's still a bit before class starts and there aren't that many people around when he arrives. That's probably for the best, since he isn't sure how much sneaking around he's going to have to do.
Raine had told him to check out the music department's awards, and that's where he's starting. He suspects the reason is because their name is going to be on some of them, which doesn't help his theory that Raine's memories have been altered rather than being a whole other person, but he can't very well just ignore a suggestion from a Coven Head.
He heads into the building, letting Flapjack fly off to relax in one of the trees on the grounds for the rest of the day, and goes straight to the music room. When he gets there he peers inside, making sure it's empty before entering and making a beeline for the trophy case. He starts scanning for names, looking for anything familiar, completely fixated on his little mission.]
no subject
Yes, we were at some meetings together to plan for the upcoming Coven Day Parade. All of the Coven Heads were. [And he frowns as he remembers all of that.] They were acting strange, a lot quieter than usual.
no subject
Right, but the main point is, they were there. And if they're there, then there's no need to worry about a Raine being here affecting the Emperor's plans, right?
[Whatever those awful plans may be. But again, that was an issue for another time]
no subject
I... it's a possibility. But if there's any chance I'm right then I need to take it. I need to be sure.
1/2
Yeah. He's seen that look of anxiety before in himself. No matter what he says will be hindered by that fear of displeasing Belos.
...]
2/2
Guess we're breaking into Kaisou Hall tonight.
[What????]
no subject
Well.]
We're doing what?!
[For a rules-loving kid like Hunter this is utterly shocking, especially hearing it coming from an authority figure.]
no subject
I can sense magic through sounds. Each person's magic has a unique energy to it, but you can tell if two magics have a similar source. Like I can tell all the Madrigals are related to each other, while Flapjack is completely different from everyone else because he's not from here!
[Uh just gonna gloss over the fact what he sensed about Hunter and move on!! Don't think about it kid!!]
So if your theory is right and this Raine really is the same one on your Boiling Isles, their magic energy when they play music should be closer to Flapjack's then anything here. That'd prove whether or not you have to worry about getting their memories back, right?
[It's the perfect plan! Except-]
Though...I need to hear the music in person in order to sense it. And Raine's so famous that you usually have to buy tickets awhile in advanced to see them perform, so...
[Crime. We gotta do crime]
1/2
[Hold up, Hunter freezes because he's heard something that is, in fact, more important than doing crimes.
Elliot can sense magic.
Don't mind him, he's just bluescreening for several moments as he realizes his music teacher, who can apparently sense magic through sounds, knows that Flapjack has magic. And that he must know he's a magicless witch.
He's been trying to keep both of those facts to himself for the most part. It's safer for Flapjack, on the off-chance someone like Kikimora were to show up, it's better that people don't know he's a palisman. And he doesn't need people judging him for not having magic, especially in a world where humans can have magical abilities out of nowhere.
So yes, he's more than a little stunned.]
no subject
It's... it's fine. He should focus on Raine. This is helpful! If Elliot can hear their music then he'll understand what's going on. The only downside is the whole ticket matter, apparently. It's hard for him to reconcile with the idea of doing crimes, when he's spent his entire life enforcing the law.]
You're sure there's no way to get ahold of tickets?
no subject
Y-Yeah, it started not long after I got cursed. [Was it a side effect of that or something else? Who knows] I haven't really mentioned it to anyone because I thought it'd make people uncomfortable.
[You know, like certain blond people with birb friends. He probably never would've mentioned it to Hunter at all but...well. Then he started talking about potentially kidnapping a celebrity
As for the question, he'll pull out his phone and check the Kaisou hall tickets. Sure enough: sold out. He holds it out for Hunter to see]
We could try ticket scalpers maybe....? It could be pricey though.
no subject
Hunter chews on his lower lip, zeroing in on the ticket issue. He leans in, staring at the screen, his heart sinking.]
I don't have much snails - money.
[So what other options are there? He needs to do more research, that'll happen regardless. Talking to Raine hadn't helped, and he isn't sure what else he could do short of magic to solve this problem. At least if Elliot see that Raine is indeed from the Boiling Isles he'll have someone on his side....
... Even if that means breaking some rules....]
Alright. [He hates this, he hates this so much.] It's for the greater good, so let's sneak in.
no subject
You may be a fellow believer in the Power of Music, Raine Whispers, but consider yourself on notice.
For Hunter, he gives a reassuring smile]
Alright. I can drive us over after school. I should still have my badge from when I interned there last summer, so it shouldn't be hard to get in.
no subject
If that doesn't work I might be able to teleport us in.
[Which is something else he needs to tackle. His expression starts to grow uncertain again, and he fiddles with his fingers unconsciously.]
You haven't told anyone about - [He stumbles a little here, because he's thinking about both himself and his palisman] - Flapjack, have you?
no subject
Alright, that can be our Plan B.
[That certainly was the easier plan, but Hunter seems anxious enough about this plan - so let's avoid putting too much pressure on him
The next question though? Well, he's a little surprised]
Huh? No. I mean, Luz brought him up when I talked to her, but we mostly just talked about how he's a good bird. [Sure, it was also clear Luz has some seriously bad things she needed to talk to Hunter about but...yeah. He's not bringing that bit up. Not until Luz is ready to talk. Besides, Hunter acting like this is confusing enough without getting into that part]
...Why? Is that a problem? Luz made it sound like Palismen were really common on the Boiling Isles. [So why the concern about it...?]
cw: ptsd
Ah, okay, he knows about Luz. That isn't too surprising, Luz has probably aggressively friended half the people on the Libra app by now. He also finds he isn't bothered that they've talked about Flapjack - Luz knew the bird before even he did, and if there's one thing he knows about her it's that she's intensely protective of all palismen. Flapjack is safe around her.
(And by extension, he guesses that's also the case with Eda, even with her memory issues. If Luz trusts her enough to be living with her, then he's probably safe with her, too.)
But that remark. Hunter gives another nod, this one slower. Tension is continuing to build up in him, and the mention of palismen in general is speeding that process along. He tries to ignore it.]
She's right. They are.
[Were. There's no mistaking their numbers have dwindled because of him. Palistrom wood has become so rare that new palismen can't be carved, all because of him. He hunted them for Belos. All so he could
could
]
....
[One of Hunter's hands has started shaking slightly, and he grips it with his other to keep it still. This conversation is supposed to be about Flapjack, not palismen in general, so he tries to steer the conversation away from that.]
It's not a problem. [That's a lie, that's a bald-faced lie.] It's safer for him. That's all.
no subject
Elliot's quiet as he watches Hunter react. Not only did that feel very much like a lie, but clearly there was something related to Palismen that he wasn't saying. Why else would he seem so tense?
....There must be something going on. He's tempted to press, but he holds his tongue. Hunter was stressed enough as it is and he shouldn't force him to talk about something he's not ready to.
So...he lets it go]
...I see.
[He breathes out.]
I wasn't planning to tell anyone about Flapjack's magic. Or yours, for that matter. [And his lack of magic. It was a personal thing, after all.] Though, considering my other self had to use a device to help him cast magic, I don't see anything wrong with using Flapjack to help you.
no subject
I should have said something earlier. [Not doing so probably makes him look cowardly. He doesn't have time to dwell on that though, because something Elliot has said something that catches his interest.]
Your 'other self'? What do you mean by that?
no subject
Well, you know how some people have been getting memories of some other life? I get the occasional memory too. And... [He'll dig into his inner vest pocket and pull out this weird flip phone, just with a red cover. He offers it to Hunter, and if opens it up it'll be a cell phone with an additional bottom part. Most of the slots of Elliot's are empty, except the center that has a glowing blue gem. It's definitely a magic cell phone.]
I remember using that to cast magic. There's a staff too, but I left that in my car.
no subject
Glancing up from staring at the cell phone, he stares at Elliot.]
You... you're like Raine? And the Owl Lady? [And several others he knows.
This must be why Elliot has such a firm stance about this. It makes perfect sense - if he's right about this being a matter of memories and not alternate selves, then Elliot has to deal with the truth the same way the others will have to. It'll probably be terrifying.]
You have a staff?? [He realizes he's sounding overeager, and tries to calm himself down a little.] Can I see it?
no subject
Yep. That's why I'm sure there's more to this than just a memory altering spell. There's some things I've noticed that wouldn't line up if it was just my memories altered. Like how one of your fellow classmates is supposed to be the same age as me.
[Which sure, Elliot is fairly young for a teacher, but there's still a significant age gap between him and Hunter's class.
He can't help but smile at Hunter's blatant eagerness. It's endearing as heck ok.]
Haha, later. I can't bring weapons into school. Though it's nowhere near as impressive as Flapjack, so don't get too excited. [Was his orbal staff a cool piece of magic tech? Yes. Was it a bird that let you teleport and fly? No.] You can tinker with that device though, if you'd like. I haven't had enough time to study it thoroughly, so maybe you can provide some insight.
[Was this a way to give Hunter a side project that appealed to the kid's interests and get his mind off stressing about going home? Possibly. Though it wasn't a lie either. Teachers were busy this time of year man. ]
no subject
He tries to put that out of his mind for now. There's no point in jumping to conclusions and getting depressed when they haven't figured everything out yet.
Besides, the opportunity to tinker with what sounds similar to his artificial magic sounds amazing! Completely nostalgic!]
I'd love to! Belos would let me work on my staff back home, and sometimes I was allowed to help with his. [It was probably one of the few things they did together that felt familial.] I'm sure I can help with it.
no subject
Ahem]
Great! Then you hold onto it for now ok? Make sure it doesn't get confiscated by another teacher. [He's not too worried about that. Hunter's a responsible student. It's just a gentle reminder in case the kid gets too excited]
Speaking of- [He glances at the clock on the wall. Won't be long until the school buses start arriving with the other students. Hunter seems to be in better spirits than he was earlier, so...] I better start getting ready for my first hour class.
no subject
I won't. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.
[While he forever prefers Flapjack, he can't deny getting work on an artificial staff will be fun.
He blinks, then nods, glancing at the clock as well.]
Oh - right. Sorry, I should get to class too. [Grabbing up his bag, he'll head for the door.] Thanks.
no subject
[And he means that! But yeah honestly of course Flapjack is superior, for he is best bird]
No need to apologize! [Small heart attack about Raine aside, Hunter's an easy kid to spend time with. It's not a bad way to spend the morning.] I'll see you later in class, okay?