#parttimemagiccaster

@parttimemagiccaster

The apprentice probably startled Julian more than he startled the apprentice, turning around suddenly, he reached a hand out in apology. Time did, in the midst of his apology, he stopped and realized who specifically had ran into him. Not like the apprentice threw a bottle at his head just nights prior. Maybe by a small chance, he wouldn’t recognize him. “Oh, no, no, it’s alright.”

Robert was at his wit’s end.  His family… Marilyn and Val… they were gone.  And not just gone, but VANISHED.  Like… like they’d never even existed.  He hadn't been doing a lot of hunting… not since Val was born, but every now and then he’d get a call from an old hunting buddy - someone who needed help - and he’d do what he could.  This time, he’d gotten back from his ‘escapades’ only to discover an empty house.  And not just empty, but... changed.  Every trace of his family was gone.  Marilyn’s car, her clothes, the prints she’d bought for the living room.  And Val’s room and all her stuff - also gone.  Replaced with a music room.  At first Robert thought he was going crazy.  He started calling people… people who should’ve known Marilyn… Val, too.  They remembered him… but not them.  It was a nightmare… one he’d tried so hard to wake up from.  But no luck.

So now he was a hunter again - but one with a purpose.  He needed answers!  He needed to find out who or what had taken his family from him… and if there was any chance of getting them back.  For now, he kept the house.  He wanted it ready… just in case.  But Robert didn’t spend a lot of time there.  It was… uncomfortable.  Being in a house that felt… staged.  Plus, a small part of him worried that if he got used to it, it might make getting his family back harder somehow. A stupid notion… and yet…

These days he simply traveled around, searching for anything that might lead him to help, or clues, or relics.  Anything to explain what happened.  HOW it happened.  Today, he was actually relatively close to ‘home’... but not in the mood for a visit just yet.  Instead, he’d slunk himself into a nearby pizza place.  There were memories here… good times with Marilyn and Val… but he pushed them aside as he ordered his pineapple pizza.  Maybe he’d been going about things all wrong?  Maybe he should’ve been sticking close, watching the locals more carefully.  Maybe whoever had done this had been right under his nose the whole time…?

As Robert contemplated this idea, his eyes drifted around, scanning the people at their tables, and the employees as they went about their jobs.  Observation was one of his better hunter skills - had saved him more times than he could count.  But he’d been letting things like that slide… too emotional to focus.  Not anymore.  From now and, he was going to do things the right way!

ALL the dogs!

Music I can cry to

The people here on tumblr who put up with me...

Maple cotton candy