Grim, Speak the Shadows

Part 8

"So...I guess you have to get back to work now, huh?" Willow said with a sad smile.

"Yeah..." Hunter replied. He wished he didn't have to. He wished he could ignore his duties and just spend the rest of the day hanging out with Gus and Willow, but he knew that was impossible. Belos would be furious if he did that--heck, it probably wasn't a good idea to even just be spending these past few minutes with his mask off, eating chips and talking to these two Hexside students. This though, was a small risk he was willing to take.

"Don't be a stranger, okay?" Gus said cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood. "You should take a break from your patrol, or whatever it is you do, sometime and come watch us practice."

A half-smile jolted at Hunter's lips. "I guess I could break away for a few minutes now and then. You know, if I happen to be in the area." He had the feeling he'd be in the area a lot more often from now on. You know, coincidentally. Some of his days were much slower than others, afterall; he was sure no one would mind if he started to patrol in town more. If he were to slip away to Hexside's flyer derby field for a minute or two, who would know?

He wouldn't mind sneaking around a little if it meant he could see more of his newfound friends.

"Right," Willow said, her expression brightening. "As your captain, I'll be holding you to that!"

Hunter grinned. "Got it, Captain." He stood up, brushing a few crumbs off his clothing, and walked over to a trash bin to throw the remains of his chips and drink away. He looked down at the mask held in his hands, and was quiet for a moment, before glancing back at Gus and Willow. "So I guess I'll...See you guys around."

"See you." Willow gave a small wave goodbye, and she and Gus turned away at the same time Hunter did. It was a sort of awkward goodbye, but then again, Hunter had never really had anyone to say goodbye to before. Things that were supposed to be small and simple, like parting ways from a friend, still addled his mind. Come to think of it, he didn't really say goodbye or anything to Willow, Gus, and the others the last time he saw them. That had been a more bitter departure, neither party sure how to feel about the other just quite yet.

So this was how it felt to say goodbye to a friend, huh? He guessed he'd have to get used to that. With that thought, a content expression washed over his face. It wasn't until Gus and Willow were out of sight that he put his mask back on.

Yup, that little interaction definitely made up for the crappy first half of his day.

Of course, because Hunter was Hunter, things had to go a little sideways again.

As he picked up where he left off and continued to make his way to the convention center, he found himself lost in thought and didn't even notice that Kikimora was standing in front of him until he almost ran into her. He halted in his step immediately, eyes widening behind his mask.

"Kikimora? What are you doing here?" Hunter demanded, his tone equal parts disbelieving and icy. Of course. Why did she always have to show up at the worst moments? He just couldn't catch a break, could he?

"I was simply sent here to give assistance with the preparations for tomorrow," she said all-too innocently. "Belos seemed worried that you would get...distracted."

Hunter snorted. "And he sent you of all people? Right, well you can go back to the castle, I don't need help. I've got this covered."

"Mm hm," she hummed, her tone mocking him. "Care to explain what you were doing back there then, Golden Guard? Because it looked to me like you were shirking from your duties to talk to school children."