The Gift
Richard's (SF) Storyline, Chapter 3.1
copyright comidacomida 2018
Although I remember feeling like I wasn't ready for classes to begin they did, and when they did it was with a vengeance. My body hadn't completely healed from the car accident but as the first week of college came to a close I realized that I'd recovered much faster than the doctors had first suggested; Balam, despite being so incredibly cryptic on a number of topics actually was quite proactive in taking credit for it. Spiritual healing, he called it-- a power he was able to share with me thanks to our connection.
The Jaguar was always at my side, joining me in my room at night but, strangely enough, whenever I caught sight of him with the lights off he always looked as though he was full animal rather than the humanoid one I'd come to expect during the day. It was a little eerie at times, but, by that Saturday I had come to terms with falling asleep being watched over my a guard Jaguar. Despite our differences in language, outlook, and understanding we still shared a closeness that was hard to describe.
Treboada was also my constant companion, though most of my time with him was during the day. He spent his time constantly urging me to do more and try harder; I'd been recovering from a car accident yet, thanks to him, I still somehow managed to attend my gym class two times during the first week. Each time he encouraged me and celebrated the small victories with a "Good fer yeh, boy-o... ah knew yeh could do it, lad."
Sabhana, on the other hand, was much more of the reassuring type and took to the role of comforting me and helping me calm down when I was stressed. While you might not think week one of classes would very stressful I honestly didn't take to my medical terminology class as well as I'd have hoped, but, aside from having a very strong grasp of Latin herself, Sabhana was really good about helping me keep things in perspective; I was at my worst when I was frustrated and she did a great job of keeping me out of that headspace.
Jack, surprisingly, was not as attentive or as involved as the others. While he kept an eye on me and was there to protect me from any source of danger during the day he gave me space at night; sometimes he didn't even follow the rest of us into the house at night. Whenever I looked at him he had a reason not to meet my gaze; sometimes I saw him staring off into the distance with a sorrowful and nostalgic look to his eyes. He never provided any explanations for his aloofness but when I asked him toward the end of the week he apologized and shrugged it off with a comment about him being distracted by memories of other times, then promised to try harder on my behalf.
The structured schedule of classes that first week helped us all settle into a workable schedule. My classes didn't afford me a lot of time to take care of everything that comes with being an adult and so that meant obligations, errands, and chores were left to the weekend. I had graphing paper to buy, bills to pay, and a lot of laundry to wash. Despite my rapidly growing list of things to do, I also realized that the spirits would all probably want some of my time. Balam had mentioned something earlier in the week about walking me through another ritual and I found it hard to get the thought out of my mind. Despite how much I enjoyed entertaining that idea, though, I woke up on Saturday with the 'have to' list on my mind and I resolved to get it done in a timely manner.
My alarm clock went off at six, the normal time I'd be up to get ready for classes. Rather than getting ready to rush out the door, however, I took my morning a little slower. Balam was seated at my desk, flipping the page of a spiritual equivalent to one of my text books with a single finger, claw sheathed. Once he realized I was up he stood and brought the spirit book back with him to where my text book was laying and set it back into the physical version. "Your people have learned so much about your bodies. I am in awe."
I shrugged in response, stretching before I stood up. "I know... I'm having to learn it all now so I can get my..."
Pausing, I realized I didn't know how to say 'degree' in Spanish so I spoke the word in English. "Degree."
He cocked his head to the side. "What is a 'degree'?"
Although he was obviously not familiar with the word he said it remarkably well without any trace of accent. I spent the next ten minutes getting dressed and trying to puzzle out a good explanation for the word in Spanish so that I could describe it and he could understand it. In the end I was pretty sure I was successful and, just as I was tying my shoe laces, he headed out into the hall with the promise that he would let the other spirits know that my day was about to start. To be honest, I had no idea how he planned to accomplish that seeing as none of them seemed to share any languages in common with him, but I took advantage of the few moments of alone time to comb my hair.
By the time I was out in the living room to join everyone all of the spirits were up and at-the-ready. Treboada had his loose-fitting cloth pants on and his wild mane was tamed only up front with two tight braids, one falling down either side of his face; the back was in full-fluff creating a black halo when I viewed him from the front. Sabhana was a different matter altogether; she was meticulously brushed with her long mane pulled back behind her-- thin chains of gold were interlaced with it, creating a coif of sorts to keep it in place. Her single piece blouse/dress combo was carefully tied around her waist with a silk rope.
Balam looked the same as always, adorned in his varieties of cloth and feathers, but there was one very distinct absence. I glanced around the room, asking of nobody in particular "Hey... does anyone know where Jack is?"
Sabhana motioned toward the ceiling. "Aye... he left for the roof so he could watch the sunrise and I haven't seen him come back yet."
Treboada nodded, idly rubbing one of the many ritualistic-looking scarification marks on his left arm with his right paw. "Ahm thinkin' 'e's needin' some alone time, Lad... didn't seem much fer talkin last night."
Nodding, I took a moment to consider that thought. Jack had spent most of the week being introspective and it didn't take much effort to tell that he was still processing the car accident. I supposed it probably hurt him far more than I could have imagined. I was pulled out of my thoughts by the impression of a gentle touch on my shoulder and I heard Balam's voice behind me. "You are asking about the bird-cat? He is on the roof. I believe he is meditating, or in prayer."
Treboada didn't waste any time, quickly pulling the discussion away from Jack and toward the day's plans. "Yeh said ye donnae have classes t'day, boy-o, so what's plan? Gonna git out an' stretch yer legs? It's lots easiah t'think if yeh donnae sit still every moment of every day. Let's go out an' make some noise!"
Sabhana answered for me. "Calm yaself, Rian. Richard already said he had chores and errands... I'm sure there will be time for mischief once he's done."
Balam's attention shifted between the two Wolves as each spoke in turn. Once there was a moment of silence he spoke up next. "Richard... you said you would work around your home today. What work do you have that needs doing?"
I glanced over to the Jaguar. "That's what we were just talking about. I need to clean this place up and I have some laundry to get done, then I have to get some graph paper and get some bills paid."
He flicked an ear. "What is involved with those tasks?"
Treboada's mumbled statement was not meant to go unnoticed as he spoke aside to Sabhana "Mebbeh Richard oughta spend some time an' teach th' ket some English."
Sabhana responded by giving the big black Wolf a solid punch to the shoulder and Treboada simply grinned at the action, rubbing where she'd struck. I had to admit though, he did have a point. Just as I was about to solidify my plans, Jack came walking in through the front door. He glanced around the room and, noticing there was a moment of silence, took the opportunity to speak. "Richard, I would speak with thee, please."
It was the first time I recalled him actually starting a conversation with me in days. I looked to the Gryphon. "Sure. What's up, Jack?"
He motioned toward the back of the house so I excused myself and led the way. Once we were away from the rest of the spirits he spoke candidly. "It has been centuries since I last met a seer, so it is not that I am unused to being overlooked and ignored--"
I made to speak but he held up a talon to stop me. "Please, Richard... allow me to speak and then thou mayest say your piece."
Nodding, I closed my mouth and let him continue. "Sorry."
He inclined his head to me and continued on. "We are yet new to one another. I know thee only through the thoughts and emotions of one dear to me who is now gone-- thou knowest little more about me than what thou hast observed these past days. I understand that thou are set upon by four spirits after only just recently learning that spirits exist, so, please know that I do not fault thee..."
I waited several long moments before I urged him to continue with a simple "...and?"
He leveled his gaze on me. "What I ask is unfair of me to request, but I shall regardless. Richard... I want thee to come with me today... just me. I wish to show thee something and I do not desire to share thee with the others. What sayest thee?"
He was right that the request was unfair and it was also completely unexpected. Pausing for an extended moment I looked back to Jack and I--
A vote for A.
b) -- shook my head. "I'd like to, but I don't exactly have a lot of free time. Chores and errands come first and then, MAYBE if there's time, you can show me... okay?"
c) -- closed my eyes and let out a breath. "I'm still recovering from the car accident, Jack... I still have other obligations to take care of this weekend and I need some rest. Maybe later."
d) -- sighed. "Jack... I only have two days off a week. I have chores, errands, and all that, plus Balam offered to show me more about his peoples' rituals."
...............................
Pull Jack closer, or push him away. That is the choice here. I think pull him closer, he will be the better match after he finishes grieving.
...............................
A for me.
If Richard is to be in-tune with Jack in any way, he needs to help him with this request so (A) would be my choice, as long as Richard explains to the other Spirits that he feels it is important to do this for Jack. If any of them disagree, then he'll at least have a better understanding of that spirit's true nature -- I don't think any of these particular spirits will take issue.
Although it seems a bit specious to say that Richard was avoiding him, and no the other way around, I do think tht honoring his request would be the right thing to do. And then maybe they could discuss the moody cat-bird's outlook.
Fonzi's choice...Aaaaaaaaaaa.
-TGU.
*thumbs up*
A!
-TGU.