The Gift
Richard's Storyline, Chapter 6.4
copyright comidacomida 2018
I nodded and, as Jack stepped up to join me, I turned to the Gryphon and whispered quietly in English. "Do you think we should invite Balam along?"
His expression was hard to read but he offered up another shrug and stated casually. "That would be up to thee, Richard. If thou dost desire company in addition to mine then we could as easily turn this into a group foray."
It was hard to tell if the prospect upset the Gryphon but it did make me stop a moment to think. Jack had shown some signs of being jealous but, at the same time, he'd been very accommodating. Would I be pushing the issue too far if I took him up on the offer to share me or would it help cement the mutual-appreciation the Spirits had for one another. Why did going for a walk have to be so complicated?
I glanced between the Jaguar and then Gryphon and, opening the door, I called out to Balam. "We're are going for a walk. Would you like to join us?"
Balam's voice spoke up from beyond the door I had just opened and, peering through, I saw that he was already outside. His response was to the point and direct. "Si."
Both spirits joined me as I closed and locked the front door. With Balam to my left and Jack to my right, I made my way to the sidewalk and took a right; it was a round-about way to the grocery store but it was also the quieter of the two paths. The streets would be busy, which meant that I wouldn't have much time to talk with my companions, but the longer trip would give us more time together. It also led through a quieter part of the city which would hopefully afford us some chances to interact.
Summers in the Willamette Valley can get pretty hot, especially in August, but I'd come to understand that the warmest part of the day wasn't until around 3pm; since it was barely even noon that gave us plenty of time to run an errand and take a leisurely stroll without having to worry too much. The blocks passed by quickly along the side streets since it was a residential area and traffic was sporadic if existent at all. As we got into the commercial areas I had to stop at sidewalks and wait for the crossing light.
Although there were other pedestrians around Jack struck up a conversation as we waited for the second signal. He related some of his earliest experiences with crosswalks, learning about traffic laws, and adapting to their changes over the centuries. He truly seemed to admire the ways Humans had advanced from horses to wagons to carriages to stage coaches to automobiles, and how quickly in the broad scope of things it had happened. Realizing I wouldn't be able to respond except for an occasional nod or a raised eyebrow, he did an excellent job of doing enough chatting for the both of us.
Balam, on the other hand, spend most of his time watching the goings-on around him. He was obviously intrigued by the city; everything from the people walking around to the various buildings seemed to hold his attention until we had passed but, by then, something else was coming up that would catch his interest. Oddly enough, every now and again when I looked at him he always chose that moment to look back at me; despite being interested in the city he didn't let it distract him.
Even though the supermarket was only about five or six blocks from my house it was almost twelve blocks taking the long way. Sure, there was a corner store not even a hundred yards from where I lived but who'd want to pay over $3.00 for a dozen eggs? Either way, the extra travel time was a nice way to spend time with my companions and, as I stepped into the store I was alone enough to quickly ask "Stay here or come in?"
Jack flexed his wings and settled them back against his shoulders. "I would be happy to come with thee inside, Richard."
Balam had a different opinion. "Wait. Do not go inside."
In Spanish there is a difference in verbs to denote statements and orders; I was confused because, rather than saying he would be waiting for me, it sounded like he was telling me to not go in. Glancing around and determining nobody was paying attention to me, I stepped closer to the Jaguar and spoke under my breath. "You don't want to go in?"
That close to Balam I was able to hear the faint growl in his voice and I saw that the fur along his neck and shoulders was raised like the hackles on a dog. "Stay here, Seer. Do not go inside."
I was about to ask for clarification when Jack let out a squawk of surprise and alarm. I looked to him, and then followed his gaze to a man walking in through the automatic doors on the other side of the building; it was too hot to wear a coat, and the odd lump in it was even more suspicious. I spoke at the same time as Balam-- me, in English, and he in Spanish-- me as a question, and he with certainty. "He is going to rob the store?"
A gruff-sounding voice with what sounded like a New York City accent declared "Ya got good eye on ya, kid... then again, havin' a Spirit Guide don't hurt none neither."
Spinning around, I came face to face with what was obviously a Raccoon Spirit. He was just a little shorter than myself and wore a windbreaker over white t-shirt and jeans. That was all the view I got of him since Jack quickly interposed himself between the two of us. He even spread his wings wide to create a road block as he addressed the newcomer. "Thou shalt have no dealings with my Ward. Back away."
The Raccoon huffed. "Just bein' friendly, y'know? 'sides, Pal-- it's a free nation, last I checked... no kings or queens here."
I was sure that the statement was a direct jab at Jack's accent, but the Gryphon didn't rise to the bait, and instead stuck to his point. "Thou hath no business with this Human."
The new Spirit spoke past Jack. "Name's Phil, kid. Goodtameecha. Not every day I runs inta a Seer."
Balam stepped in, taking hold of my shoulder and spinning me away from the Raccoon before speaking with me. "That Spirit is the reason that man will hurt people."
I think the Jaguar was just as surprised as I was when the Raccoon added to the conversation, also speaking Spanish; in any other situation I probably would have marveled at the combination of someone speaking Spanish with a New York accent, but at that moment all it did was send a chill up my spine. "Hey... he wants money so he can get food. Humans need to eat, so what is the problem if a Spirit gets somethin' in return?"
Jack, despite knowing very little Spanish, had apparently come to the same conclusion as Balam. "Thou are influencing that criminal, art thou not?"
The Raccoon scoffed. "Listen, Pal-- that guy's name is Chase and he's had a run a bad luck. Can't blame a guy fer tryin' ta eat."
Balam addressed the situation in his own way, eyes gleaming faintly. "He will kill two people before he leaves that building."
Although I couldn't see him, I could imagine the Raccoon shrugging as he spoke callously which, I noticed, was in English. "I ain't no Spirit Guide... can't expect me t'see the future. We ain't got no crystal ball an' Chase needs cash... cash and a rotisserie chicken."
I spoke despite myself. "He's a Seer?"
I could somehow tell that the Raccoon's ears perked. "Nah... but YOU are, kid... an' that means somethin'."
Jack remaind where he was but his posture suggested that he was contemplating violence. "Thou shalt not call him thine, knave. This Seer is my Ward and the Jaguar is his Guide. He needs no further Spirits involved in him."
"First of all, the kind can speak fer himself... an' second, I don't gotta be WITH him ta get a snack."
The Gryphon's response sounded as if he were absolutely disgusted. "Thou shalt do no such thing! He would never agree to feed a... a STRAY!"
Despite how resolute Jack seemed at the statement I had to admit I was intrigued, more because I wanted to understand what was going on rather than having any real interest in helping a strange Spirit when I was still having trouble trying to balance two familiar ones. That curiosity was probably the reason I asked "Agree to what, exactly?"
The Raccoon laughed. "See? He's a big boy. The kid can make 'is own decision."
I could tell he was trying to get under Jack's skin so I cut to the chase. "What am I deciding, exactly?"
"Gimme some Spirit Energy an' I'll get Chase t' not knock over th' place."
I wasn't sure whether such an agreement was more of a business deal or bargaining with a terrorist. Glancing back at Balam, the Jaguar shrugged, not having been able to follow along with the English but it was obvious that he knew a deal was on the table. He eventually offered up an enigmatic "If he is offering something, tell him to make it a Pact."
The Raccoon piped up from beyond Jack. "Sure, kid-- I'll agree to a Pact. Spirit Energy for me an' Chase'll leave the mart without violence. Whaddaya say?"
Turning back around to the Raccoon I--
b) -- let out a breath. "No... you were right before about not being able to see the future. I'm not going to get involved and possibly make things worse by feeding you. Leave us alone."
c) -- shook my head then ran into the store; it wasn't too late to handle things, and Human problems needed Human solutions.
d) -- made my proposal. "Okay, Phil, you can have some Spirit Energy if you can make sure Chase doesn't hurt anyone in the store. Do we have a Pact?"
e) -- (not available for Richard) *realized that there were too many moving parts to resolve just one of them. "I'll tell you what, Phil-- here's a Pact. I'll give you some Spirit Energy if you can get Chase out of the store without breaking any laws... and then I'll give him $20 bucks so he can eat."*
Voting is now open, and will close as of midnight (pst) on Thursday, November 1st.
................................
No proof other than his word, that the coon has anything to do with the criminal. Could be that he's been skin riding him, but again no proof. I see no reason to feed the coon.
Balam has declared that two will die. Not two might die, two will die. I'll take him at his word.
...............................................
E - Not available
D - Two will die anyway, don't waste energy on the coon
C - Richard could be one of the two dead
That leaves A or B
I choose A. Get rid of the coon. Don't let him at Richard's back.
Looks like your vote is for A, so I'll mark that down.
If the Spirit is a pain lover, they're already loose to gather the glory. When they're finished, they know where their ride will be waiting. All rested up and ready to go again.
Coon's tend to be cautious beasts, until they feel that they are safe and become destructive. Two strange spirits near his playground are things he will be wary of. That's why he came from behind.
Now he knows that there is a seer to be had. May have to kill him as he won't stop until he possesses Richard, or is hurt bad enough to be chased away.
Well, in poor Phil's request, Humans ALWAYS notice Red eyes... it creates a very primal response in us from way back when we did interact with Spirits. That being said, just because a Spirit doesn't have Red eyes doesn't mean they're safe... they're just "less overtly dangerous".
Pretty tough decision, being extorted for energy, and under normal circumstances, the answer would be "NO!" but the wheels are already in motion and people will die. If Richard goes running in, he could be one of those that dies, so that eliminates (C). (A) is also eliminated because even if Jack and Balam attack Phil, Chase will still harm and kill humans -- only Phil can call him off.
Richard doesn't strike me as a "leave it to fate" kind of guy so (B) is eliminated as well -- he will do something.
Again, I'd very much like the Pact to be a little more detailed, "Chase will harm no living create in or around the store, will not consider this path ever again, and will seek help to be fed and stabilized, hopefully with a good job where he can be proud of himself. Phil, you must help him to find his way as a human being, and for that, I will grant you some of my energy. Perhaps in helping Chase this way, you can develop a symbiotic relationship, where his energy provides for your needs in a positive manner." But, you're not gonna let me get all that in the Pact, are you? ;) Still I opt for (D) but Chase does need to get some food out of the deal too. :D
Limiting Richard's answer to the here-and-now (despite being very right about future issues that may arise) I'll put you down for a D vote.