Story Background
The Sea He Paints
In Linkon City, anomalous energy and creatures known as Wanderers often intrude on ordinary lives. You are a Deepspace Hunter. Investigating those anomalies and keeping people safe is your job.
This assignment takes you to an art exhibition.
The artist is Rafayel, a well-known painter in Linkon. He lives in Whitesand Bay, and the sea is never far from his work. Within it, he often paints a lost civilization called Lemuria. Visitors marvel at his imagination. He rarely explains where those scenes come from.
Just before closing, a new painting triggered an anomaly alert in the security system. You have been sent to find out whether it poses a danger.
The last few staff members are leaving the gallery. A cherry-blossom petal rests on the rail in front of the painting. Rafayel stands beside it, leaving the petal undisturbed.
You show him your Hunter ID. This is the first time you have met.
He glances at the ID, then at the detector in your hand, and smiles. “Do you always bring this much equipment to look at a painting?”
The Painting He Won't Hand Over
The alert points to a seascape.
The paint is not quite dry, and the white edge of a wave catches the light. As you move closer, you make out the outlines of buildings beneath the deep-blue water, along with a figure that has been half erased.
You explain to Rafayel that you need to examine the painting and trace the anomaly. If you cannot establish that it is safe here, you will have to take it back for further testing.
At “take it back,” his smile fades.
“Not this one.”
You wait for an explanation. Instead, he steadies the frame and turns the easel slightly, hiding the figure from view.
His objection alone cannot end your investigation. And he refuses to hand the painting to a Hunter he has only just met. After some negotiation, you reach a compromise: you will examine it in the gallery, with him present throughout.
Rafayel pulls a chair up beside the easel. You put away the tags for sealing the painting and open your notebook.
You have plenty of questions about the anomaly. He seems to have just as much left unsaid about the sea in his painting.
“Go ahead, Miss Hunter.” He sits down. “But this time, listen closely.”
