[b]((Little Bird x King Kindred; Hoshi x Cloaked Figure))[/b]

[indent]In the dark shadows of the cave stood a tall, slightly slouched figure dressed in a brown cloak. At first it appeared that they blended into the tree next to them. The figure's face was hidden by the cloak. It almost appeared as if they had no face. It was only their voice that confirmed it was a man. “I've come to see the door to this world. This world has been connected.”

Rebounding herself from the initial shock of the figure standing before her, Hoshi gathered her confidence and held firm and tall. She had never seen this person around before; [color=fff79a][i]That’s three in one day…[/i][/color] As tall as she could stand, Hoshi fell short by a significant length. She quickly and smoothly resigned her stance to the reality that he was simply larger than she was. Yet her composure fell no shorter when she spoke. [color=fff79a]“Are you the one that called me here?”[/color]

The cloaked figure stood there silently, not showing signs of understanding her question or a willingness to answer it. He shook his head before deciding to give her a vague answer. This was her quest. All he'd give her is a nudge in the right direction. “Hearts are always calling out, looking for home.”

Hoshi eyed the cloaked person, contemplating his words. The feeling that had drawn her into the Secret Place had subsided. But the aftermath of soreness behind her sternum was in agreement with the man’s words. Is that what she had felt? A Heart calling out? Could it have been him? Hoshi maintained her eyes on the strange man, hoping he’d explain further.

He looked past her at the images scrawled on the wall. Even if the drawing was a bit crude he recognized the two individuals. One was clearly her and the other was the boy… “That boy…” He started, changing the subject. “is cursed by darkness. The dark hole in his heart will swallow all he holds dear.”

[color=fff79a]“What?”[/color] Hoshi looked over her shoulder at the etching of herself and Alias. [color=fff79a]“Alias is cursed?”[/color] She questioned in a whisper. She shook her head and looked back at the man. His earlier comment about the door stuck out to her. [color=fff79a]“What’s on the other side of the door?”[/color]

“You and your friends understand very little about your world and the worlds beyond yours.” The cloaked man said softly. “People aren't the only ones with hearts. Listen and you'll hear the hum of the world calling out.” He decided to give her answers that would force her to reach the hidden meanings on her own. “But just like in people, darkness lies in the hearts of worlds.”

[color=fff79a]“The Worlds have Hearts?”[/color] She looked over her shoulder at the door. [color=fff79a]“Is that what this is?”[/color] She turned, full body, and approached the aged slab of wood. [color=fff79a]“The Heart of Our World… if we could open it… but we’ve tried to…”[/color]

“You still don't understand. If the door was opened your world would be changed forever…” He paused, unsure if he should continue. He decided to and spoke again. “Those without hearts would consume those with hearts. This world will become dark. Your greatest nightmares realized.”

[color=fff79a]“Oh. Well that kills that idea.”[/color] Hoshi was audibly disappointed; the hope that the door might be a path off world had taken her interest. [color=fff79a]“Who are you anyways?”[/color] She pivoted back around to face the cloaked man. [color=fff79a]“Wait, what?”[/color]

Hoshi would turn to see the mysterious figure no longer there. He didn't even seem to leave a sign that he was even there. Was he real, or did she just imagine him?

[color=fff79a]“Weird… where’d he go?”[/color][/indent]

[hr]

(([@Bacon], [@Crimson Flame]))

[indent]Left with more questions than answers, Hoshi made her way outside and returned to the beach. When the sunlight caught her, she remembered that she had been looking for Lucian and Levi. Now free of distractions, it didn’t take long to find them; a quick scan up, down, and along the beachfront and she saw the pair together. She sprinted towards them. [color=fff79a]“Hey![/color] she called out. [color=fff79a]“I’ve got good news and slightly-less-good news!”[/color][/indent]