The Gift
Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 8.4
copyright comidacomida 2018
Although I left the coroner's with no real direction in mind, as I stood in the parking lot I found myself with too many from which to choose. A lot of the Spirits' suggestions were perfectly valid but I had to figure out how to continue moving toward my end goal; I was running out of time to figure out what happened with Billy and the whole sacrifice thing. Taking a deep breath, I made my decision. I could tell that Anapa was right. "I'll head home, and Anapa can come with me so we can continue working on the protections there. Everyone else, find out what you can."
Tom was the first to object. "He is not a Guardian Spirit, Nekh'dah, he cannot--"
Kyle talked over him. "You can't understand one another! How will--"
Fortunately, Medved spoke last. "Stay safe, Lapushka... I am but a word away."
Both of the other Spirits turned to regard the Bear and the Raven almost squawked out his disbelief. "Just like that? But she needs us!"
My ursine Guardian chuckled. "Yes, she does; Stefanika has said as much. She is relying on us to find out everything we can while she and the Jackal empower her defenses."
Tom snorted. "He is a wizard... his magicks cannot protect her from every threat, Medved..This is not a--"
Medved didn't relent. "This is not a topic for debate; Stefanika has spoken... and I trust her. You should as well."
I didn't really know how to respond; I just stood there stunned as he stepped over to me and lowered his head. His broad muzzle brushed across my bangs and he gently kissed my forehead. "You are wiser than you know and stronger than you credit yourself, Lapushka. I have faith in you. Unless you call for me, I will see you in the morning."
The reassurance was heartfelt, and it warmed me. My hand reflexively held gripped the little bear carving in my pocket. "Until tomorrow... my knight."
His smile was genuine, and he took hold of my free hand in his paw. He knelt down and brought it up to his muzzle so he could kiss the back of it, and then simply faded away in a Golden cloud of smoke. Tom was next in line. "Spend time with your family, Nekh'dah. They need you, and they are there for you. I will be too-- if you are in danger, Medved will keep you safe until I arrive."
The Rhino reached out and rested a hand on my shoulder; although it didn't exist, it had a heavy 'feel' to it, but not in an oppressive way-- more like the comforting feel of a thick shawl. I smiled. "See you tomorrow, Tom."
Just like Medved, Tom stood up and with no warning faded into a whirling, dissolving plume of Golden smoke, leaving just me, Kyle, and Anapa. The Raven puffed up a little, flapping his wings to settle the feathers as he stepped up to me. "Maybe I'd better walk you home... you're not in the circle yet and if anything happens having two Spirits with you is better than one... right?"
He had a good point; considering both Guardians had already left keeping two Spirits with me wasn't a bad idea, but there was still one question on my mind. "What are you doing tonight, Kyle?"
The Raven glanced at me, cocking his head to the side as his Purple eye focused on me. "I'm thinking about heading out to the theater. If I stick close to Billy's friends I may be able to learn more about... that day. Aiden stayed longer at the river than Kyle did, so maybe I missed something."
Although I'd started walking with Kyle on one side and Anapa on the other I came to a stop. "If you're going to Aiden's house next then aren't we going the wrong way?"
Kyle offered up a beaky grin. "Spatial relationships aren't the same for Spirits as for Humans, remember Stef? If that were the case then Medved wouldn't be able to come out of that little totem all the time."
Blushing, I realized exactly what he meant and I felt a little foolish for having asked. "Oh... right."
He shrugged, wings fluttering with the motion. "No biggie. Anyway, as soon as you get home safe I'll pop on over to Kyle; I spent enough time with him that he's as good as any other focus point."
"Focus point?"
The Raven continued walking by my side; his leg length was shorter than mine so he took three steps for every two I did. He nodded, which gave him the same kind of bobbling-gait that a standard Raven had when on the ground; it was cute. "Yeah... Spirits need a focus point if we're going to go somewhere... like how Medved has that carving-- though he wouldn't need it since you're a focus point anyway. I think you're probably a focus point for all four of us, and both of Billy's friends are focus points for me, but Kyle even more because... well... you know."
Although the Raven hadn't been at all squeamish or hesitant when talking about Skin Riding in the past, I assumed that so much time around Medved may have made him a little more reserved. He really didn't have to say anything else. Arriving at the bench and sign that identified one of the town's half-dozen bus stops I took a seat. "Is there something specific you're hoping to learn by spending time with them?"
He sat down with me and flashed me another beaky-grin. "Well... other than wanting to see the movie? Like I said, if Aiden caught something I missed then I'll be able to find out. They're gonna be talking about Billy tonight-- I know it."
I suppose I could have pressed for something more specific but it just didn't feel right. Smiling, I pushed back, chiding him just a little. "Okay... well, as long as it's not JUST for the movie."
He played right along, feathers puffing up as he joked. "Well... it's supposed to be REALLY good..."
We laughed softly, continuing a light hearted conversation which, to be honest, was really nice considering how dreary and severe the rest of the day had been. The bus arrived a short while later and I climbed aboard, followed by the Raven and the Jackal. Apana had been silent throughout the entire walk and, as I sat down in the very back his presence almost surprised me. Kyle, too astute to not have noticed, waited until we were all seated before he asked "So... how ARE you going to handle having him around and not understanding one another?"
It was a good question; a very good question, and it was something I hadn't thought through the whole way. I offered up the only answer I had, speaking quietly so it wouldn't draw the attention of the bus driver, or the half dozen other travelers further toward the front of the bus. "Work extra hard, and see how far we get without words."
The small feathers around Kyle's beak puffed out slightly and he leaned forward so he could speak around me to Anapa. They exchanged a few words in Coptic and Kyle withdrew as if struck. His next statement almost sounded as if he were offended. The Jackal responded calmly and gestured to himself and then to me. Kyle shook his head and countered with another statement. I was too curious to not say something. "What?"
Kyle let out a quiet sigh. "He wants me to put a Glamour on you."
I'd learned enough about Spirits to know what a Glamour was, but I hadn't heard of it used in that way. "What does he mean put a Glamour ON me?"
The Raven shook out his wings. "He wants me to enchant you so you can understand him. He said it will make it easier for--"
I almost shouted in surprise, very nearly getting up out of my seat before realizing where I was and how many onlookers were there. Quieting my voice and forcing myself to calm down I asked "You can do that?"
He nodded slowly. "Yeah... but it's REALLY exhausting, and takes up a huge amount of Spirit Energy... and even then it doesn't last for a very long time... just a few hours at most, give-or-take."
Anapa spoke up hesitantly. "I help... I help..."
The Raven motioned to the Jackal. "He offered to help with the Essence expenditure... but he's already used a lot."
It was quite an unexpected offer. Pulling the cord overhead to signal to the driver that my stop I stood and slowly made my way to the exit, using the time it took for the bus to come to a stop to formulate my plan. Once I had disembarked, once again flanked by Kyle and Anapa, I--
b) -- nodded to the Raven. "Follow us in, and then do the Glamour... it will really help... please?"
c) -- smiled, leaning closer to Kyle, and I kissed him on the cheek. "Affection gives you Spirit Energy... doesn't it? Please help with the Glamour, and I'll give you another when you're done?"
d) -- took hold of Anapa's paw in one hand and rested my other on Kyle's shoulder. "You can both help with the Glamour, and then Anapa and I can do whatever needs doing."
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Voting is now open and will close as of midnight (pst) on Wednesday, January 23rd.
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C Steph needs to understand and Anapa will need his energy for defenses.
I'm sure Stephanie would likely find a way to give both of them the extra needed Spirit Energy they would require. Wouldn't mind both Kyle and Anapa getting a little love from Stef! ;)