The Gift
Edward's Storyline, Chapter 4.3
copyright comidacomida 2018
Medved was the last to speak up. "I have never eaten pizza before, but the way they make it in Russia has an appeal to me. The way they make it here is strange."
I flipped through the ingredient options on my phone. "Oh? What kind of stuff do they put on pizzas in Russia?"
The Bear blinked, counting them off on one paw. "The Mockba Pizza has sardines, tuna, mackerel, and salmon."
That sounded like quite the fish pizza to me. I didn't even like anchovies, so the thought of FOUR fish? No thanks. "Wow... that sounds... fishy."
He simply nodded in response, leaving me to look at my phone while four sets of eyes (or six, if you include the metaphorical sense considering The Ancient One was three spirits). Realizing just how intently they were watching me I threw in the towel when it came to pizza and decided that I'd just have to make dinner myself, and considered what I could make that everyone could enjoy. "Okay... scrap that idea."
Medved wasn't content with that solution. "No, Edward. If you want pizza you should get pizza."
Shrugging, I put my cell away. "Nah. I've never had luck ordering pizza for Humans so I can't imagine it going well with Spirits involved. Besides, I may as well save the money. I can just make something around here."
Treboada was quick to agree. "Aye, boy-o. Spirits nae need'ta eat all th' time. 'Sides-- yeh don't gotta build yeh life 'round us..."
Green's voice spoke up from off to the side; I didn't bother turning to look at the Ancient One as he stated "Yes. He needs only live for us."
Tom didn't seem to take that statement well; I'd become pretty good at reading his mental state, which meant I timed my move to intercept the Rhino. "It's fine, Tom. Relax. It's just talk, and I'd rather not have to worry about any of you getting into fights."
The Sentinel snorted. "He does not get to talk about you that way."
I stood my ground. "I said it was fine, Tom. Please. I'd rather just have peace."
He ground his foot against the floor (which, thankfully, the carpet didn't react to it, or I'd definitely have needed new flooring). "I still do not like it."
Holding up a hand, I spoke calmly. "Let it go. Please... for me."
A Gold gleam shimmered across the Rhino's eyes. "Very well, Nehed. For you, I will ignore his avarice... this time."
By that point, Red was the chosen 'incarnation' for The Ancient One, which I noticed as he 'slithered' through the air like a snake through water, undulating as if there were no weight to him. He stopped, floating in the air at a position that created a triangle between me, Tom, and himself before speaking. "Green does not actively try to be confrontational. He lacks an understanding of social rules and norms."
Medved, despite the obvious humor he found in the situation, still managed to formulate his response without any overt sign of joking. "It is surprising that he does not mind you speaking about him as if he were not here."
Rather than Red providing a response, Green spoke right out of the fuzzy Dragon's mouth. "Words mean little. I am not petty so there is no reason to be surprised."
Red followed right up with a statement of his own. "Green will fight to counter fighting, but he is not moved by words except for purposeful provocation."
Unable to help myself, I spoke something I'd thought about often. "You know... considering the way he behaves he's not exactly making it easy to like him."
I watched in surprise as Red's body swung down to the ground as it thickened, broadened, and was covered in green scales. Green gazed down at me; although I had suspected he might have been scowling, he wore an almost bored expression. "I cannot understand that about Humans... why should I try to be something I am not? All that does is give you an illusion to like instead of me."
Although I wanted to push the point, after a moment I had a hard time coming up with a counter-argument. In the end, I had to agree with him in order to make my statement sink in. "True, but getting along isn't always about you-- it's about how others see you."
He shrugged, as if uncaring about my statement, and his response also backed up that assessment. "I have no control over how others see me. If they do not want to see the real me then they can look away."
I tested the waters of his argument. "Does that mean you don't care about my approval or opinion?"
If I hadn't been worried about fooling myself, I'd have sworn that I saw him fidget in response to my question but I reserved judgment as he responded flippantly. "I require your assistance, not your approval."
Despite Green being on the other side of me I could have sword I heard Ch'upikaq's voice speaking into my ear. "He is not as thick or heartless as he would have you believe, but you will not be able to sway him with words."
The sudden statement, especially since it was separate from what I had come to know as the joined forms of the three Spirits that made up The Ancient One, got me to pause. Taking the feathery Serpent's words to heart, I shrugged. "Whatever... just so long as everyone gets along. I gotta see what I can make for dinner."
Channeling my own inner-Green to summon up the indifference nessary to leave an argument incomplete I went straight into the kitchen and started looking around. I am not the best cook in the world and I know it, which means I've never kept the broadest selection of food in my kitchen. As I began sifting through my cupboards I stumbled on a can of tuna, and inspiration struck. "Hey... Treboada?"
"Aye Lad?"
I flicked the can to punctuate my question even though I knew he couldn't see it from where he was lounging in the living room. "Wolves eat fish, right?"
He chuckled before responding. "Well, ah got nothin' 'gainst fish, iffn that's what yeh be askin'."
Although I probably could have asked them individually, I was really looking for simplicity so I addressed them all in unison. "Ancient One? What about the three of you?"
"I have eaten fish."
"Fish is acceptable."
"I have no objections, Edward."
Knowing full-well that Medved liked fish that left one more Spirit. "Tom-- fish is kosher, right?"
The Rhino crossed his arms. "It can be."
I realized at that moment that I had to be more specific. "Canned Tuna?"
He responded simply. "Sometimes."
I cut it down to even simpler terms. "If I made some, would you eat it?"
My answer finally came, and, thankfully, it was an easy answer. "Yes, Nehed. I would."
With the difficult part out of the way, I--
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