An odd, visibly human (at least, considering stature and the shape of his person, which was athletically built) bounty hunter fellow emerged amidst the town. He was worn looking, and helmeted at that. Under a ragged duster of some technologically advanced cloth, was what perhaps could be described as a combat suit. It was sleek.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Is it locked in?"
"I'm pretty sure it is."
"No, no. You simpleton-- twist it. Make sure you've fastened it properly."
With an annoyed grunt, the ragged spacefarer fiddled with the crystal. It didn't move an inch in the setting. "It's as tight as it's ever going to be."
"Good, good. Then step away, will you?"
Of course, the helmet-clad mercenary lad didn't entirely take kindly to that. He made his displeasure known with a sigh.
A more.. well, flamboyant soul stepped forth. He was clearly a son of man, the same as the other fellow, but, his style was.. a definite contrast to his "partner". Most of his vestments were concealed by a light blue cloak, with the hood pulled down, resting around his neck. It was rather long, and, truly made it seem like he was borne of a different era.
He stretched a hand outward, and with a short lived word of power, power of some arcane manner manifested in his hand. It flowed from it towards the crystal. When the two had met, he began to incant akin to a prayer. Nothing happened, as the bland crystal seemed to remain inert. Or, at least it seemed that way until a crack manifested. Then others swiftly followed. And not too much longer, the crystal crumbled, rendered into a pile of dust. He had unwittingly destroyed some random, unfortunate soul, and then salted the wound further.
"What? How can this.. No, there was a power in that crystal. I felt it. A dormant power, but one that should've been called forth! HOW?!"
"Cut the whining." The mercenary said, finally breaking the silence.
"You wouldn't understand! But-- wait. Why, yes. You don't need to understand. Regardless.... I must have more samples. Or well, crystals. These.. crystals."
"And what, you're expecting to find more of these things just lying about?"
"Well, think upon it. This crystal. Was it not on a whim?"
"Well, yes b--"
"Precisely. They may be a rarity, but fate has deemed me worthy of something. This path in particular. I must.. well, understand it." The wizard-looking fellow brought a hand to his chin, rubbing it. Pondering. "This odd world, with all these odd creatures. Investigate the places of populace. When I am finished somehow re-constructing this valuable, dear thing, I will join you."
"Very well, 'Raz'." He said halfheartedly, making sure to make his discomfort with this whole arrangement apparent.
With a roll of the eyes under a mysterious, faceless helmet, the far more modern man, formerly a bounty hunter and vigilante, who now as of recent, sought only retirement from prying eyes and the world(s) at large, stepped in the middle of the elaborate circle of dust. With a short incantation from his flamboyant and otherworldly wizard, the dust sparked to life quite literally as he was teleported out from their "hideout".
This was just another job. Another test. One he had never experienced before. And even though he'd never admit it to his newfound and irritating accomplice, there was a sense of thrill that came from satisfying the idea of going through with it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course, he stood out amidst the common peoples of Nexus 17 like fireworks in the night sky. An intriguing fellow that seemed always inquisitive, persistent. Hell-bent on finding something.
...