The Gift
Edward's Storyline, Chapter 8.2
copyright comidacomida 2019
Tre, who had been standing in the middle of the room nodded as well, and went to take a seat in his usual spot. "Good... I was thinking the best--"
The Rhino spoke over him. "...as soon as Edward apologizes to all of us for his actions."
I've always considered myself man enough to admit my mistakes, and acknowledging when you're wrong is a sign of maturity. I figured the same went for ancient Rhino Spirits. "You know what? Fuck you, Tom. It's my life, and YOU'RE the one that asked to be a part of it. I'm not apologizing-- if anyone owes someone an apology it's you."
Shrugging off Medved's paw from his shoulder, Tom stood up to his full height, looming over me as he stared down as if he were trying to intimidate his point across. "I have saved your life twice now since you gained The Sight, and have done nothing but look after you since you were born. I am continuing to do so now despite the flagrant disrespect you have shown me and the other Spirits around you. I owe--"
His whole 'in your face' thing didn't work. I interrupted him without a second thought. "You owe me an apology."
Tom's fists clenched tightly and his whole arms shook; I recognized the stance because I'd held it on plenty of occasions myself. Normally I exploded out of it so some credit was due when he took a deep breath before snorting it out of his nose like an animal. "You are not my only charge, BOY, and despite the Spirit Energy you COULD provide, you are not worth it. I refuse to shepherd an ungrateful sheep as part of my flock."
I'd never thought of myself as a sheep; if anything I usually went against the grain and I didn't like the comparison. "Just what's THAT supposed to mean, exactly?"
Although Tom had a frown fixed on his broad muzzle almost all the time, the one he flashed in that moment was even more unpleasant than usual. "It means I'm done trying to protect you from the wolves. My duty is to my people, and if you do not wish to be one of them then I have no cause to waste one more speck of Spirit Energy on an ungrateful brat."
My life had been complicated enough and my hard-headedness was so much a part of me that I'd been called a lot of things in my life, but never a brat. I was ready to give him both barrels of my very stirred up temper, but he just kinda stopped being there. Tom hadn't stormed off; he hadn't walked out the door and slammed it behind him; there was no puff of angry smoke or stormy clap of thunder-- he was just... gone.
Medved sighed. "That could have gone better."
Tre snorted, waving away the Rhino's temper tantrum. "Bah... and I bet he's so smart to talk about 'leaving you to the wolves'... he probably didn't think I caught that. He's not used to not getting his way, and it shows."
Green, who still held sway over The Ancient One's body folded his arms across his chest and scoffed. "He ran. This was all an excuse to get away from the Spirit who follows us. He is afraid of her."
It was Medved's turn to snort, and he turned to address the Dragon. "He is not afraid. Tom is a powerful Sentinel and he would not hesitate to do whatever is required to protect those who he calls his."
The Ancient One wasn't convinced. "If he would do 'whatever is required' then he would not have left Edward... he would still be here, seeking to do 'whatever is required' to keep Edward safe. Instead, he leaves, and abandons his Seer when the Seer needs us."
Tre rolled his eyes, dropping down onto the sofa that Tom had abandoned. "He'll be back... Spirits don't just abandon a Seer... especially not an old Spirit like Tom. He needs the Spirit Energy too badly."
Red, slowly rose into the air, taking control from Green. "Perhaps... but at the same time there is a delicate scale of give-and-take. Perhaps he has determined that Edward is not worth the cost."
I didn't like the sound of that; it almost sounded like an insult. "Not worth the cost? What's THAT supposed to mean, exactly?"
The eastern Dragon blinked, his body corkscrewing in the air, hovering almost mid-way between floor and ceiling as he stared at me. "It means exactly what it sounds like, Edward. Protecting you costs us energy and our fight with She Who Seeks You required we all spent a lot of it. You have lavished so much focus on your Wolf Spirit that I believe the Rhino has begun to feel neglected."
It sounded a lot like he was taking Tom's side. "So... you're saying that he was in the right and it was ME who should have apologized?"
Red's head swung slowly from side to side. "Not at all, Edward... you are entitled to have favorites and spend your time as you wish. You have more than enough Spirit Energy for all of us and, so long as you remember to provide some accordingly there should be no reason for any of us to feel slighted. Jealousy is an ugly mask to wear, and it is obvious that the Sentinel does not mind putting it on."
He made a lot of sense, and, more than anything else he did a good job of voicing the thoughts that had run through my head. "Exactly... just because I wanted to just take a night and relax doesn't give him the right to be a prick about it. What I do with my life is my business, and he--"
Medved interrupted me. "Edward... what you do with your life IS your business, but it is a Guardian Spirit's duty to protect you, and if you make that harder for us it is understandable for us to become... frustrated."
Although I really didn't want to admit it, the Bear had a point. "Sure... I get that. Okay... but when YOU say it, that makes sense and I understand. He could have said the same thing without pointing a finger at me and telling me how shitty I am."
Ch'upikaq took over from Red, slowly flapping his wings to maintain his place in the air; I'm sure it went against the laws of physics or aerodynamics or whatever, but I've never been into physics and, besides, Spirits have their own rules. His head inched just a little closer to me as he spoke. "Everyone has a style all their own, Edward... perhaps his was simply not the best way to explain his concern... but it is obvious he cares for you."
Tre, who had kicked his feet up on the coffee table let out a casual 'ha'. "If he cared that much about Eddie Tom shoulda taken the time to get to understand his needs and wants. It's hard to protect and care for someone if you don't know anything about em."
The flying Snake's head bobbed up and down. "On this, I agree... which is why I wish to know more about Edward, and maintain a level of understanding."
Medved didn't seem to agree. "All of this is good, but at times when things are at their worst, a Guardian must be willing to go against the wishes of their ward if it is in their charge's best interest... to be a Guardian does not always include being liked, let alone appreciated. This is our Duty."
I rolled my eyes. "Well... Tom certainly agrees with that last statement."
The Bear let out a sigh and took a seat on the sofa beside Tre. "You obviously care for Edward, and you are willing to help be his Guardian. You will work closely with me to see to his safety?"
The Wolf nodded without the slightest hesitation. "Nothing'll happen to Eddie with me around... I won't let it."
The Ancient One, who had once again taken on the form of a green scaled Western Dragon pounded one clenched talon into the palm of his other. "I look forward to hunting anything that wishes to harm my Seeker."
It was a fine sentiment from my three Spirits, but I--
b) -- couldn't help but worry about what the future meant for me if the Spirit of War was looking for me.
c) -- really just wanted to be done with all of the negativity and use my day off of work to its best effect.
d) -- was done with all of the discussion. Flopping down on the sofa next to Tre, I slid my arm around his shoulders and laid my head against his.
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Voting is now open and will close as of Saturday, January 12th at midnight (pst).
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Tom is used to being the big old boss spirit. With The Ancient One around, he's 2nd, 3rd, 4th out of six. It does not sit well with him. He has been so busy trying to retake what he feels is rightfully his, he has forgotten that the Seer/Spirit bond is a partnership.
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C as well
A.
-TGU.