The Gift
Richard's Storyline, Chapter 5.1
copyright comidacomida 2018
True to their word, once I said my farewell to the Wolves they left and did not return. Although there had been an opportunity to spend more time with Balam and Jack that night I needed time by myself. When I explained that I wasn't feeling well Balam respected that and showed himself out, leaving me alone in my room. I stayed there by myself until classes started up again on Monday.
It's hard to describe what it feels like to say goodbye to someone you think was worth getting to know before you had the chance-- I guess I would compare it to selling a book before you got a chance to read it, or finding out that a BluRay you bought at a store awhile ago wouldn't work with your new player when you finally tried to watch it. There was a certain expectation that, while you had it at least, that it would ultimately be available for you when you were ready but, before you knew it, the time had passed.
I went through the motion of classes that day. Although Balam and Jack followed after me they were both patient enough to not say anything. During my classes they remained nearby but gave me enough room so that I wasn't crowded. During my Spanish class the two sat next to one another on the back counter and the Jaguar helped the Gryphon with comprehension; I think hearing that was what got me to smile for the first time that week.
The walk home was another quiet time for me, allowing my mind to wander as I puzzled through what had taken me from my trip in South America to the hospital up in Portland and then back home with three Spirits in tow-- three Spirits becoming four-- then four Spirits becoming two. How could I have made such a mistake? Where had I gone wrong? As I stepped up to the front door of my house I fished for my keys, and then, when I heard the two Spirits behind me chuckle together about some comment I'd missed I couldn't help but wonder: what if I hadn't made a mistake? What if things hadn't gone wrong? What if I'd chosen well? What if THIS was the right path?
Both of them fell immediately silent when I turned to look at them after stepping through the door. "Jack?"
His wings extended slightly and his ear tufts rose. "Yes, Richard?"
Committed to the question, I pushed forward despite worrying about what I might get as an answer. "You've known Treboada for awhile, right?"
The Gryphon nodded. "I have."
Despite not really needing to I stepped aside; it served more as an unspoken invitation for them to join me rather than providing them any room to pass by me (if they wanted they could have just gone through me). I waited until they were both inside before closing the door and about-facing to address Jack again. "Do you know if he and Sabhana are okay?"
He offered a faint shrug, then elaborated. "I could not say why they wouldn't be well, Richard. I know they will regret not having more time with thee but no Spirit is helpless. They would not have left of their own accord so easily if they were that desperate."
Although I knew Balam was quick on the uptake I didn't realize just how well he was doing with understanding English. He offered up with some fluency "Seer, the Wolves are not having danger none. You worrying from nothing."
He had some grammar to work on, and some conjugation but, to be honest, I'd hardly done anywhere near that well after a year of Spanish class, let alone weeks. I switched over to Spanish for Balam's benefit. "I know in my head they are okay but my heart doesn't believe the same."
His response was simple: "Si no sabes, elige creer."
It took me a moment to conjugate the fourth word, and then I had to remember what the verb 'elegir' meant. I spoke his suggestion in English. "If you do not know then choose to believe."
Jack's wings settled down onto his back. "I have heard of worse advice, Richard. Although thou mayest be uncertain, tis still fair to safely assume that Spirits who have been around long before thee shall continue to do well after parting from thee."
I let out a sigh, then offered a sheepish smile. "Yeah... I guess it IS a little vain to think that Spirits who've lived for centuries without me couldn't survive without me, huh? Ugh... I'm still so messed up when it comes to knowing about Spirits I feel like I'm in the middle of a chemistry class without having learned the periodic table."
Balam offered a very succinct "I do not understand." in Spanish.
I tried to explain as best I could with my limited vocabulary. "I think I'm stupid because I don't know enough about Spirits."
The Jaguar shook his head patiently. "You are not stupid. You are not a fool. You are indocto. That is all."
The word was not familiar to me, so I asked for clarification. "Como se dice 'indocto' en ingles?"
His whiskers twitched as he replied. "I do not know the word for it in English. It means that you have not learned better. Yet."
There was something about the last word he added to the statement that gave me just a little more hope and improved my mood. I nodded in agreement, repeating that word back in Spanish too. "Si. Todavia."
Jack held a talon out to me in a way almost resembling a noble courtier extending a hand for a lady in court. "Richard... we have time. We will help thee learn what it is thou may needest most... tis our duty as thy Spirits."
Balam watched the display from the Gryphon and, once Jack had said his piece, the Jaguar also held out a paw, though his stance was somehow less formal and yet almost ritualistic. "Seer, you do not have four Spirits, but you do have two. That is two more than any other Human you know."
There was something about their two statements, one after another that finally helped me get past the worst of my funk. It had lasted long enough and, once I took the time to shake off the metaphorical storm clouds I was finally able to see things that much more clearly. I responded to the two statements in English and then in Spanish. "You're both right-- por supuesto. Thank you. Gracias."
Reaching out to take the offered talon and the offered paw, I actively smiled when Balam nodded his head sagely. His clawed digits closed around my fingers and, although I couldn't feel them any more distinctly than a thick mist there was still a sense of closeness in the gesture. The big Cat replied to me in English. "You are welcome."
The smile grew when Jack swept his free arm out wide and executed the kind of bow I'd expect to see if I was watching some over-the-top 1930s Hollywood swashbuckling movie; although the Gryphon didn't have a cape, the way his wing moved in response to his arm still gave that illusion and proclaimed simply in Spanish. "De nada."
Finally feeling better, I was able to focus on what I had rather than what I'd lost, and that meant an entire evening was open to me and my Spirit companions. There were any number of options available for us, but I--
b) --really just wanted a chance to relax, so I went in for a nice hot shower.
c) --hadn't properly thanked Jack for his help with reaching out to the Wolves, so I chose to focus on what I hoped he'd appreciate. "How about we start the night with a round of drinks?"
d) --couldn't help but think how I'd short-changed Balam the other night by failing to spend more time experiencing Mayan rituals, so I resolved to make it up to him.
.....................................
D - He did get shorted.
True, Balam is owed some alone time, but for now, with the commitment between these three, I don't think anyone should be left out tonight. I don't mean to prolong things (maybe I do? ;) ) but tonight sounds like a time when the three should all be together, on the couch, sharing some snacks, a movie, or just each other's company, all together.
Then Richard and Balam could have their alone time the follow day -- and perhaps all three will eventually come together -- perhaps in a physically intimate fashion, which I believe would suit Richard the best. :)
So I guess if I have to choose one of the other, I'd go with (C) to celebrate their triumvirate FIRST. Then schedule alone times afterwards! :D
I fear you may see me as a bit pervy, but again I must embrace the D...the D option...the option to spend time with Balam.
Part of me wonders if you know what I will vote for and you do that on purpose...
In general, the options are on a sliding scale-- in this case it stats with Richard-centric options and slowly gets more specific.
I'll put you down for the D.
I mean, D.
Voting D.
You know what I mean.
Richard is too cheap for rum-- he'll go straight for the mass-produced, piss-water beer swill that is cheapest off the shelf. ;)
No, Kon... Brandy with a 'y'.
[I]What do you mean 'why'? Any time is a good time for company![/I]
*sigh*
[I]What's wrong, Kuma-san? Is something ale-ing you?[/I]
*eyeroll*
[I]*tail swishes*[/I]
[I]*kick*[/I]
That only works if you're physical, Kon.
[I]I could turn into a physical Fox and bite you.[/I]
Yes. Yes you could. Okay... let's try again: Kon may still have a part to play in Daniel's story.