Third Person POV: Kurapika
"Sorry." Gon apologized to the scarlet pink dressed archer and continued:
"What's a Red Pine squirrel?"
"You're not from around these waters, are you kid?" The man questioned smugly after a slight snort. The teen showing an interest seemed to have flattered a part of his ego.
Kurapika watched as they swapped names and began exchanging about animals he couldn't have cared less for due to his current fatigue. The man called Pokkle opened up and even flushed to the boy's praise.
The former was even a bit frightened by the boy's social skills after the latter asked about wildlife conservation practices.
By that time, that fellow appeared wrapped around the kid's finger; if not for him feeling a bit sore, he wouldn't have postponed the remainder of the inopportune lecture.
Kurapika and the man were swiftly introduced to each other after he had Gon reluctantly promise not to buy more of the unethically made pastries. Subsequently, the youth took the chance to ask about something.
That something which had been on the mind of the blonde as well:
"Are you some sort of magician or medium, kid?"
"No, why do you ask?" The boy returned puzzledly.
"You sure act like one, though." Pokkle exhaled a long breath and followed. His previously scarlet pink shirt looked red now. However, he was just a bit soaked, not out of breath like Kurapika.
The latter furtively shifted his gaze to the lad between them, trying his best to hide one of his qualities but flaws, curiosity.
He realized that the question had probably to do with how most of the participants were interacting, or in this case, trying not to communicate with the relaxed teenager. Sure enough, his suspicions were validated after the pink-clad archer spoke.
Stolen novel; please report.
"Well, just how you took out those refreshments...Not to mention that weird temperature shift after you and that mohawk person stared at each other.
How did you manage those tricks?"
His tone, even if more informal and laid-back, was stirred by hints of doubts. It appeared as if the guy was more trying to confirm a rational belief than finding out the truth. At least that was what the feminine-looking youth registered.
"Magic!" Gon replied mischievously.
"Didn't you just say you aren't a magician?!" Pokkle was annoyed by his response. The boy was contradicting himself.
"Haha. I'm not a magician, and I didn't lie." The boy replied seriously, not caring for the digression with his previous statement.
One would wonder if he was deluded at this point, but the blonde man was beginning to sort out the quirks buried in the boy's personality. He was undoubtedly unreasonable…However, he possessed hidden strength, something that he longed for and revered.
Kurapika didn't know how much of that power was saved, but looking at how he had yet to sweat from start to finish, it was probably uncommon. There was just so much training an eleven-year-old boy could do to become this resilient. To hunt the Spider, he tortured his body.
He didn't know how the kid's raw power measured up to his. Nonetheless, his endurance was something that he envied.
As for how he managed to make things appear and vanish, he didn't have a sound explanation. Still, if Gon was able to achieve such things, hunters around the world probably wielded comparable powers.
When that thought popped up, he felt relish at two recognitions; he could grow stronger soon but underestimated the profession.
"Can hunters do those things too?" Kurapika, who had remained silent from the beginning of the exchange, finally demanded. Pokkle looked towards him, as for Gon, he simply nodded before adding:
"Let's just say it's all part of the second exam."
"Second exam?" Kurapika and the archer returned simultaneously, visibly confused. The former's mind was a bit sharper, however, so he scowled after computing some things.
"You don't have to tell us anything if..." The blonde was interrupted before he could end the sentence.
"What I did with those objects is part of my ability." As he finished, the lad looked at his new friend's expression with attention, perhaps even concern. He decidedly came closer to him and muttered words in his ear.
Hearing the contents, Kurapika, who habitually stoically smiled, beamed for the first time today, a hankering flicker jarring his pupils.
He nodded before slowing his pace down.
"See you later, Pokkle." Gon emulated Kurapika and slowed his pace to join him at the end of the mob.
"What?! Not fair." The fellow exclaimed after he realized that he had been dismissed and was unwanted for the rest of the conversation.
"Sorry, but this isn't something I can teach to outsiders. It's unsafe, even for me." The boy cupped his hands as he added with a laugh. "If you're not too mad, tell me more about those tigers and other cats from your place later."
"You…sure." Pokkle deferred begrudgingly before peeking frustratingly at the deliberate slowpokes.
The next flash, however, the guy appeared to have been struck with a late cognizance. After he examined the boy's face and garments, an oddity caused him to smile, but also think soberly.
"Outsiders, huh…"