The Gift
Richard's Storyline, Chapter 7.4
copyright comidacomida 2018
I picked up the dozen eggs and turned to put them in my cart, sparing only a quick glance at the Raccoon. His eyes were on me and, once he realized that he'd gained my attention he didn't miss the opportunity. "Sure, Herald... I'll go... but I want the Seer to tell me himself."
Undoubtedly he knew I was at a disadvantage; there were at least six separate shoppers near me, not to mention the lady who had three kids with her. What he didn't realize, however, was that I had no problem with problem solving. I pulled my phone out and raised it to my ear before looking right at him. Right when I was about to speak up though, he quickly added "Of course... maybe the Seer could use a little more help learning about bein' a Seer from the guy who's helped three since before Washington got his dentures."
I stared him down. "I told you before I wasn't interested. Put me on your do not call list and don't bother me again."
He gave me a knowing smirk, like I was the unknowing target of a practical joke but, as I put my phone away, he relented. "Alright, Seer... I get the picture. I'll leave you and your pet Gryphon alone for now. Enjoy the eggs... third one in the second row's broke though so you may wanna get a new carton."
Phil winked at me, eyes gleaming Purple before he about, faced, his ringed tail arcing out wide behind him before he walked off through a display of canned pasta sauce. I waited until he was gone before I looked down at the eggs sitting in my basket. Once I was sure he had really and truly departed I opened the package and sifted through the eggs; sure enough the one he'd warned me about had a long crack running through it.
Jack took a step closer to me, his feathers finally laying flat as he kept an eye on the direction in which Phil had left. "Truly, he could be a danger were he to decide such an approach."
I traded my pack of eggs for a fresh one, but not before inspecting the new one to make sure it was crack free; it was. Glancing around me I saw that I had long enough to ask Jack for clarification. "What do you mean?"
The Gryphon brushed his talon across the hilt of his sword as he mused "He is a tricky one, Richard. Didst thou take note of how he managed to get Spirit Energy from thee despite thy lack of willingness to provide it?"
In truth, I hadn't. More shoppers were coming so I had to keep my response vague and quick. "What?"
Jack must have realized I was confused and he elaborated as he followed me toward the check-out line. "Spirits can gain power by creating reactions in Humans-- tis an even greater benefit when they influence a Seer. Any Spirit would be able to tell that he frustrates thee, or at least bothers thee enough to get such a response... thy brief and adamant response to his inquiry, though to the contrary of what he desired, still provided him Spirit Energy."
The thought of that worried me; I knew I wasn't able to support four Spirits and having two walk out on me because of that shortfall left me a little hypersensitive. Jack's apparent lack of any real concern was a little reassuring but the entire situation really did reinforce something Phil had said: I DIDN'T know enough when it came to dealing with Spirits.
I took a spot in line; it was the right time of day where the check out time was short and there was only one person in front of me. Jack continued the explanation he'd started. "You also exchanged your eggs."
Someone stepped into line right behind me so I forestalled the question I was about to ask, but it remained on my mind through the entirety of my transaction. I paid for the eggs and headed outside then waited until we were far enough away from any onlookers before I questioned him further. "So, getting angry with Phil gave him energy?"
He responded with a nod and a succinct "Yes."
"And trading out an egg carton because an egg in my first one was cracked?"
The Gryphon nodded again. "Yes... because you accepted his help."
Talk about social booby traps. I sighed. "So, what should I have done? Taken the carton with a broken egg in it?"
Jack reached out and gently laid a talon on my shoulder. "No, Richard... thou hath done nothing wrong and what thou hath done resulted not in a detriment to thee. My point is simply that Spirits who have designs on thy Spirit Energy may very well find a way to get thee to part with it."
I shook my head, wrapping the plastic bag around my fingers to tighten my hold of the eggs. "So, whatever happened back there with Phil didn't hurt me-- I get that... but I only have so much Spirit Energy. I don't like the idea of that Raccoon stealing what should be yours... especially if it's a limited resource."
Jack chuckled, and gave my shoulder a light squeeze before removing his talon. "Worry not, Richard... though he taketh what thou dost not wish to give freely, he is not taking a great amount and what little he pilfers will not create any great deficit. This is but one of many learning experiences and, thankfully, it is harmless. Tis far better to learn from such an opportunity than waiting until thou dost encounter one that brings with it a grievous penalty for not knowing better."
He had a point and, despite wishing to thank him for the sage advice and perspective, I was no longer alone on the sidewalk so I attempted to convey my appreciation with a smile and a simple nod; the raise of his 'ear' feathers and the parting of his beak gave me the feeling that he understood. Despite how troublesome the grocery trip had been I was able to return home with a light step and the knowledge that the evening would be something special.
Walking up to the front door, I retrieved my keys, unlocked it, and stepped inside. Even though I realized a half-second after holding open the door for Jack that it was a completely unnecessary gesture since he could just walk through it I'd already committed to the courtesy so I stood aside to allow him entry. His beak parted even wider into an appreciative grin and he followed me inside. His eyes gleamed with Golden light as he spoke. "I thank thee, Richard... tis truly gracious of thee."
I turned back to close the door and, once I did, I made my way to the kitchen so I could put the eggs away in the fridge. Balam, who hadn't left his spot in the living room, spoke up, greeting both of us... in English. "Good afternoon. Welcome home."
The words only hinted at the hesitance of a foreign language and, despite his strong accent, he did a very good job with it. I questioned him about it in Spanish. "Where did you learn that, Balam?"
A slow, smooth, subtle smile creased one side of his muzzle, the knowing smirk revealing a single one of his fangs and quirking the whiskers up on that half of his face. The Spirit raised my English-Spanish dictionary up in his paw and continued to try explaining in English to decent effect. "You learn Spanish for to talk with me... so I start to learn Ingles for to talk with you."
I didn't bother correcting his grammar; I was surprised enough that a little mistake or two was hardly anything to worry over. Jack seemed impressed too. "Thou art learning quickly, Jaguar... truly tis proof that thou art well suited to your task as a Spirit Guide as the best teachers are often the best students."
Having apparently reached the limits of his English, Balam leaned forward and placed the dictionary onto the table, merging the Spirit version he held with the physical copy where I'd left it. He spoke once again in Spanish. "Did your journey go well, Seer?"
I nodded. "Si."
The Jaguar pulled his legs up onto the sofa with him, sitting cross legged as he addressed me. "You are not tired? You are ready for tonight?"
I still wasn't entirely sure what the night would bring so there was no way I could say for certain that I was ready, but I--
2) -- realized that my readiness was as much his perception of the situation as it was my own. "If you think I am then I think so too."
3) -- had accomplished something that afternoon and I did believe that helped. "Everything that could distract me is done, so, yes... I believe I am."
4) -- knew that hesitation had been a problem with Balam in the past so I willed myself to commit. "Yes. I'm ready."
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Voting is now open and will close as of midnight (pst) on Thursday, December 13th.
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4 Too much delay already. Let's get this done.
(1) and (4) are DEFINITIVE statements -- either of which would appeal to Balam.
(2) MIGHT be interpreted by Balam as Richard NOT BEING READY because he has to ASK. He would KNOW if he was ready, if we subscribe to how Balam seems to operate. It's a bit of a chance that I'm concerned about taking.
(3) is also "nit-picky" due to Richard's saying, "I BELIEVE I am." which might hint at some doubt. Again, afraid you're going to go to the ultimate semantics here, given the discussion how Phil was able to sneak away some of Richard's Spirit Energy through trickery -- in essence, watch your words and actions!
I'm good with (1) or (4) and since Balam did suggest Richard rest first, I'm leaning a bit more towards (1) even though (4) is as positively definitive as it gets.
So mark me down for (1) -- Takes Balam's advice to rest first and then participate to the fullest! :)