[for losthunter]

[poetwarrior]

It has been nearly six hours.

Faris can feel it. The weakness is unmistakable. He's never experienced it before, but all K'da know what it means. He's been separated from his host for too long, long enough that he needs to join or he will die, and fade away into nothing.

He still isn't sure where this Nexus place is, but there are no Shontine that he's seen. No species he recognizes as one able to serve as hosts. There have only been two compatible races that the K'da know of, and he's seen neither. Robots, aliens, all manner of creatures, but nothing he recognizes.

This cannot be the end.

Movement, from the corner of his eye. The sight of painted skin, full of life and possibility. A human, perhaps. Faris has never met one before. But if this one has willingly inked his skin, perhaps it is possible... perhaps he would allow it. At least long enough to buy him some time.

The K'da gathers his remaining strength, ready to leap as soon as the human is in range. It may be the last thing he ever does, so he intends to make it count.

Comments

[poetwarrior]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like Faris's door is forthcoming. The K'da may have wandered a good deal away from it anyway, not that he can tell.

"I've never heard of this danger."

[losthunter]

"The Nexus doesn't give any warning. And often, those who come here are caught unaware."

"Most times, there is a reason for why the Nexus has used its influence."

[poetwarrior]

If he wasn't in tattoo form at the moment, Faris would lash his tail in agitation. As it is, the twitching might tickle a little on Hunter's skin. "It is sapient? What reason would it have for nearly killing me?"

[losthunter]

"The Nexus itself isn't sapient, at least not from what anyone can prove."

"But usually, the person or creature brought into the Nexus is done so... to help them in some way."

Hunter shrugs. "And perhaps your door would only open if there was someone like me around, who would not react negatively to your need."

[poetwarrior]

"Perhaps." He has to concede that he doesn't know much about these sorts of things.

He shifts position a little. "Do your markings have meaning?"

[losthunter]

"They signify that I needed to change."

Hunter doesn't know if this is something that can be sensed or not, but explains in a little more details. "The tattoos were part of a magical curse."

"And now, they are just part of me."

[poetwarrior]

"A curse?" The K'da isn't entirely sure he understands. "They were... forced on you?"

[losthunter]

"Yes. They were." Hunter knows that he had not wanted the markings at first.

"But I accept them now."

[poetwarrior]

"And now I have similarly tresspassed. My apologies."

Faris decides to take advantage of Hunter's lack of shirt, which gives him a nice big area to emerge into his three-dimensional form again. He leaps, flowing off Hunter's skin and landing on all four paws in front of him.

[losthunter]

"You said it was life or death." Hunter calmly states, holding out his hands to signify that he is not upset.

But he does take a moment to study the creature in front of him.

"Are you going to be okay?"

[poetwarrior]

"For a time," Faris says, raising his long snout to better look Hunter in the eye. "Then I will be in the same circumstances as before. Without my host..."

[losthunter]

"We could try to find your door, to get you back to your host." It seems like a good solution.

"And until then, you do have my permission to synch with me, if it helps you to survive."

[poetwarrior]

"Are you certain?" Faris asks. "I do not wish to impose. It was only due to desperation that I acted without asking. To attach to an unwilling host would normally be rude and unthinkable."

[losthunter]

"I am certain."

"I would like to help you."

[poetwarrior]

Faris nods his head a little. "Then I am honored to accept your generous offer. At least for the time being."

[losthunter]

"Perhaps if we walked back in the direction you came, we would find your door."

Hunter frowns slightly. "But sometimes, doors disappear just as suddenly as they appear."

[poetwarrior]

"Perhaps... I do not know where I first emerged," Faris admits, his whiplike tail twitching. "I wandered a great distance in search of any familiar species or surroundings."

[losthunter]

"That could be a problem." Hunter doesn't have any way to provide direction.

"Are you able to use technology?"

[poetwarrior]

It might be hard to tell, but Faris looks a little offended. Nothing personal, Hunter, it's a cultural thing. "I am a poet-warrior of the K'da. I know how to fly scout ships and use many types of weapons. Those I do not know, I can learn."

[losthunter]

"Good. There are these devices called PINpoints that might be useful. Let's go get you one." Hunter just didn't want to offer a useless device.

[poetwarrior]

"A device? For what purpose?" the K'da asks, although he does walk alongside Hunter as they venture forth to find the vending machine, padding along on all four paws, claws retracted. He moves rather like a large jungle cat when he walks, although he holds his head high enough to see the path clearly.

[losthunter]

"PINpoints allow you to travel from and to the Nexus. It also acts like a communication device, allowing you to contact others with a PINpoint."

"Once we find your door, we can enter your PINpoint coordinates, so you always have a way home."

[poetwarrior]

Faris looks up at him as they walk, his long ears flicked back. "K'da do not usually have personal belongings. There is no way to carry them when attached to our host."

[losthunter]

"I wonder if they have any that could change with your biology." Hunter wonders as they approach the box of PINpoints.

[poetwarrior]

"I may have to borrow use of your pockets," Faris says, slightly apologetic.