nexus_sages | (no subject)

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Tonight, Hunter is sitting on a bar stool in one of the Forum's bars in the commercial district, nursing his third beer of the evening.

The tattooed-covered young man is wearing a light gray tuxedo, so either he has been (or is going) to a semi-formal event. There are no clues to what kind of event that might be.

Right now, Hunter is stoic and quiet, as he finishes the beer. Looking around the bar, he spots a pool table. And, after ordering another beer, Hunter heads over to stake his claim at the table. He finds a place to hang up his coat, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt to reveal the tattoos that cover his arms.

Then he starts playing pool by himself. It really seems like the solo game is meant to be a distraction, doesn't it?

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"Well said," Schön puts in, sinking another, "and well done. How long ago was this?"

"A few days ago. So not the best timing, with the wedding tonight." Hunter reflexively crosses his arms with the unfortunate timing.

"Ahh, it's not one blow to the heart that you're nursing, but two. Was that, if I'm not prying, the whole of your argument with him?"

"I didn't know about Lindy's wedding when I walked away from that bad relationship. But yes, it definitely feels like a very difficult week."

Schön sinks another ball. No answer to his question, which is answer enough: probe no further.

"What could help you feel better, do you think?" he asks. "What would you wish for, had you a wish to make?"

It seems that Schön is having better luck with a regular cue. That gives Hunter time to consider the posed question.

"Talking about everything is helping."

"As for making a wish... I really couldn't think of one that would help. I mean, wishes can't soothe a tender heart."

He rather suspects the fairy godparent magic was subtly influencing him to give his momentary charge the win, below the realm of conscious spellcraft. "Then I'm pleased to listen, and talk, and help." He chuckles, before adding, "I was half-anticipating a spree of artistic retail therapy."

"There is something appealing to retail therapy, but still nothing to make a wish for. Usually a few spa items that I can use at home are a nice little way to end a stressful day."

Hunter smiles softly. "Maybe that is part of my ritual?"

Schön chuckles. "It certainly could be. A physical cleansing, to go with the spirit."

"And I know in case of a very bad experience, that Verity would spoil me back into a good mood." During their last sleep-over, Hunter got his nails painted and a nice, relaxing facial. He felt very relaxed afterwards.

"That is one of her talents," Schön agrees, "though she's quick to downplay them."

"I have noticed that." All Hunter can do is be there to support Verity, when she downplays one of her many talents.

"I suppose the bar here is a little light on cucumber slices," he muses, taking another shot, sinking one of his and one of Hunter's. "It'd be hard to do a spa day here--but more spas could stand to have billiard tables, I like to think."

"I must admit, one nice thing would be to find a good masseuse. Someone who could do hot stone therapy."

With Schön's recent streak, there are less balls to accidentally hit. But the angles are even more challenging. Hunter takes his time to carefully consider a good shot, before sinking one of his balls.

"I could suggest a kestra'chern I've heard of," Schön offers. "That's rather like a masseuse, in the world from which she comes."

Hunter's success earns polite applause.

"I would welcome the suggestion."

Hunter lines up his next shot. "Why did you ask about making a wish?"

"I seem to have fallen under the influence of some foreign magic hanging about the Nexus," he answers. "Hence, the glitter. Given what it did to my cane, and the impulses I'm feeling, I would guess it's giving me some sort of fairy godparent complex--I want to give people their happy endings, and a well-meaning wish can sometimes smooth the way."

"I have experienced some interesting situations due to the Nexus in the past, so I can understand how this happens."

"How long does it last?" Because Hunter does worry a little for the other man's safety.

"I don't know," he admits. "I didn't think to ask, at the time. An embarrassing oversight, really."

"I don't suppose I could just wish you back to yourself?"

"Black, corner pocket," Hunter is now at the point where he has to call his shot. He misses.

Schön considers for a moment, before shaking his head. "It's clever, and a very good way around some compulsions, but the urge is to help people reach or at least approach their happy ending--returning myself to normal isn't that, so the magic wouldn't help with it."

"A wish for a happy ending." Hunter muses on that for a moment, as he leans on the edge of the pool table.

"I am sure there is something that would work."

"Ah, but consider: the wish the fairy godparent grants doesn't bring about the happy ending on its own--it simply places that ending within the hero's reach. They still need to go claim it."

"You do that for me naturally, without any Nexus magic." Hunter considers Schön to be one of his greatest supporters. And a great strength in his life.

"And in most of the stories, the hero is usually seeking true love's kiss." That scenario is something Hunter is very familiar with.

"Heroes seek many things," Schön points out, "not always the kiss of true love. Should the opportunity arise, I must remember to scold Walt Disney soundly."