The Gift
Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 3.3
copyright comidacomida 2018
I wasn't entirely sure what to make of encountering a fellow Seer in the coffee shop, especially since he seemed to have is act together a lot more than I did-- at that point I KNEW I wouldn't be able to find one of my Spirits if they had left. Kyle, unlike me, didn't seem caught off guard and I felt the comforting touch of one of his talons on the back of my hand under the table. He addressed the man for me. "What are you doing here?"
Just like my Raven spoke for me, one of his Cats smoke for him and she pointed to Anapa as she did. "Our Warlock asked us to help him find the Jackal."
I'd never heard the term 'Warlock' in anything but fantasy writing. I wanted to ask for details but the newcomer cut me short by holding out his hand. "My name's Richard. Richard Ford."
What else could I do? I held out my hand too and let him shake it. "Stephanie Brenner."
After the brief introduction he went back to writing on his pad of paper and the Gryphon to his left spoke for him, addressing Anapa. "Richard was remiss to see that thou had not been present upon his waking. We have come looking for thee because of this."
I tapped the table from beneath right where Kyle was sitting; he took the cue and translated to the Jackal. After a moment, Anapa nodded in response and said what he wanted to say; I recognized the word hemet'netjer. Kyle translated for him. "He said that he is spending time here with our Seer."
Richard wrote something else down and the Gryphon provided his voice. "Our seer thought one of those words means 'priest'."
Kyle answered for all our benefit. "Actually, it meant priestess. It's what he calls our Seer. How do you know what hem'netjer means anyway?"
Medved, who was right behind me gave the Bird a shove. "He's obviously spent time with him. It would only make sense if he is a Seer as well."
Anapa continued speaking to Richard and Kyle provided a translation. "Anapa says he has wanted to apologize for trying to take your spirit essence. He thought you were dead."
I was trying to formulate my next question, looking at my computer screen until I heard what had been said. After that I turned to Kyle and shot him a glance, typing out my question. Realizing that I'd left our actual verbal conversation hanging I tried to come up with a quick bit of small talk but I've never been good at small talk. "So... um... is this a... a regular hang out for you? It's the first time I've seen you here."
Kyle spoke the REAL question I had for him that I'd typed out. "Stef wants to know how you tracked Anapa here... and what happens now that you found him."
Although I hadn't really noticed anything, Tom stood, pointing to the two Cats and he informed Richard "Your familiars are doing something, Seer Richard. Tell them to cease, or it their magic-working could be taken as a threat."
Before Tom went into 'protective Spirit' mode the Gryphon was kind enough to intercede. "Thou had best cease thy actions-- tis an affront to the Sentinel and it is my believe that we wish to make a positive impression on behalf of Richard."
Richard answered both my spoken question and the one Kyle relayed for me; it was pretty quick thinking on his part. "Oh yeah... I'm not on this side of town usually... I was expecting to meet a friend here."
I'd already figured he was looking for Anapa, but he didn't completely answer my question. I had just started typing something when the Male Cat spoke to Richard. "You know-- Warlock, you can just pretend you're making a call on your cell and reply to whatever the Raven types for her. It'll save everyone a lot of trouble and a lot of spare paper won't have to be wasted if you just talk directly by speaking into the phone... no sense in making this so complicated."
I had to admit it was an ingenious suggestion. I typed out as much on my laptop and Kyle relayed it. "Stephanie likes that idea."
Kyle motioned to Richard and his cell phone suddenly went off. I bet my face probably mirrored his surprise as he picked it up and answered it. "Well okay then. Hello?"
Kyle glanced at me and winked. "Tricksters have their uses, you know."
Richard played his part very well, speaking as if talking to someone on the other end. His eyes gestured to Anapa as he spoke. "I'm glad you were able to call. There was a question about what was going to happen to you-know-who."
Kyle continued reading what I was typing. "She says Anapa is a very respectful spirit and she wants to give him the same courtesy. If he is just here to humor her and would rather be with you then she doesn't want to keep him from you."
The other Seer continued looking at Anapa while talking into his phone. "I was thinking the same thing. I mean, I don't know him as well as I'd like to, but he seems like an amazing person and things wouldn't be the same without him around."
Once again, Kyle put my typed message into words. "She asked me to ask Anapa what he thinks about the situation."
Richard nodded, talking into his phone as he agreed. "I think that's fair."
Kyle exchanged a few words with Anapa, and then the Jackal spoke probably the most I'd ever heard him say at any one time. The Raven puffed up his feathers and looked to Richard. "Seer, Anapa is glad that you continue to live even though it meant he was not able to take your spirit energy. He wanted to be there for you to teach you about Spirits and work together with you but he does not believe you need him."
Richard fidgeted with his phone but managed to get his surprise under control. "Who else is going to teach me? I mean, Jack, definitely, but you each have your own areas of expertise."
Kyle waited for Anapa to say what he was going to say but began translating even as the Jackal spoke but did a double-take toward the end. "He said that you have two Cat familiars who can-- wait... you have TWO familiars? Seers can have TWO familiars?"
The male Cat sat down directly beside Richard and pantomimed rubbing his head against the Seer's shoulder, purring loudly as he said "Richard can, because he is special. He is going to be a powerful Warlock. OUR powerful Warlock."
The Gryphon scowled deeply at that; I could tell that Richard was having just as much trouble being tugged in different directions as I was. "That is still up for debate-- Raven, tell the Jackal that without him around I will not be able to limit the plans of these two."
Kyle was all smiles as he regarded the Golden eyed spirit. "I'd think that would be a matter of what your Seer wants, Gryphon."
Richard somehow managed to remain calm amidst all of the back-and-forth between spirits and he kept his attention on Anapa. "I understand, and I'm not going to beg for you to stick with it... but I hope she knows how lucky she is having you there for her."
Everyone fell quiet and I felt myself blushing so I cleared my throat. Even my Raven companion was silent, which was a bit of a problem since he was translating. I spoke aside to him in a quiet voice. "Kyle, I think that's something Anapa would like to know."
Kyle quickly smoothed out his feathers and quickly provided a translation to the Jackal. Anapa's ears raised and his eyes gleamed a soft purple. Stepping closer to the table, he rested a paw atop it, bowed his head and said in heavily accented English. "I thank yoo, Seer."
Something about that exchange must have solidified the decision in Richard's mind because I could see the confirmation of it on his face. He spoke simply before hanging up. "Goodbye."
There was definitely emotion in the single word and I hurt for him; even though I'd only just begun to get comfortable with them in my life it was strange to think what it'd be like without them. "Are you okay, Richard?"
He took a minute before he responded, probably to collect his thoughts. "Yeah... just life changes and all. I think my friend'll be fine though. Thank you."
Nobody at the cafe could have understood what he said in the way I did, and it felt all the more personal that he would phrase his answer in such a way; I felt myself getting teary eyed. There was real loss in his eyes; I could never hope to imagine what the interaction with Anapa meant for him, but I could only respect that he was willing to honor the Jackal's decision and it made me all the more appreciative for it. Before he turned to go, I had to say something, and I hoped he realized that my invitation was genuine. "Well... if you ever want to talk, I'm usually here most Sundays and Wednesdays."
His answer was vague in its commitment. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Stephanie."
There wasn't much else I could say as he headed for the door. "You too, Richard."
I waited for another few minutes before packing up my laptop; my plan was to sit in the coffee shop and get some time in at writing but my interaction that morning didn't leave me in the right frame of mind. Medved could tell. "What is wrong, Lapushka?"
A number of things came to mind but I couldn't tell which one affected me more. In the end, I stuffed my power cord into my computer carrying case and made my way out. Aileen, the girl behind the counter said her usual farewell and I left. I answered Medved's question once we were all out on the sidewalk. "That was my first meeting with another person like me... and what I learned was that I think I stole one of his Spirits."
Kyle was immediately by my other side. "No way, Stef... you heard Anapa; he chose to go with you. I mean, who wouldn't?"
Tom and Medved's glare at the Raven shut him up immediately, but I was pretty sure that the vigorous reddening around the nostrils on his beak were due to his own statement; it was certainly enough to make me blush even though I realized it was probably an innocent comment taken out of context. Or was it?
*: not so subtle contextual clue
I hope Richard gets to meet Anapa again in future! :(
(cough)PLEASE(cough)