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How to Seer, Part 24

copyright comidacomida 2024

Just because I was the center of a Nexus of Spirits didn't mean that I was never a lone... it just wasn't that common an occurrence. Despite being what Herne called 'Adhruil', I did need time in which I wasn't connected directly to my collection of followers so my spiritual energy could do without the steady draw upon which I'd placed it by having so many Spirits. They all understood the need and were willing to bear with me.

I usually spent a little bit of time every day alone in the bathroom-- for one, that's time everyone should have to themselves and second, it was convenient. Once every week I also cleared the air and 'reset my energy' by going for a walk around the neighborhood while my Nexus stayed at the apartment. As an added incentive for everyone to behave I'd usually assign them a task or two each-- Link would find something worth watching on streaming; Herne would make sure my potted plant wasn't dying; Mishupishu would ensure nothing was going to get moth-eaten-- everyone had their role.

If you didn't know Spirits better you might worry that I was putting myself in danger on those walks but the truth of the matter is that I had three Guardian Spirits-- at the first sign of danger they could be immediately with me without the slightest hesitation. During those walks I never felt the least bit exposed or worried. There was one specific walk around the block that I will always remember though, and it involved some EMTs and an ambulance parked out front of one of the local community churches.

If you live long enough in a city you stop reacting to each and every ambulance but when is parked by the curb, lights flashing and back open it tends to catch your attention. In that particular case there was a collection of people mulling about, parted just enough for the EMTs to push a gurney through the crowd and into the back of the ambulance. It was a Sunday, so the fact that there were a lot of people gathered in front of the church wasn't anything special, but what I did notice was a humanoid Ram standing among them; he went unnoticed by everyone, fo course.

Carefully managing my initial response, I avoided calling attention to myself, mixing in with the crowd so I could split my attention between seeing the paramedics loading a guy who looked like he was in his late 20s into the back of the ambulance while also glancing out of the corner of my eye at the spirit who, interestingly enough, seemed preoccupied with the numerous people around him. He moved from person to person, speaking quietly to them despite the fact that they didn't even know he existed. I was only able to hear him when he got closer, speaking to the two women who were standing next to me. "Carrie... Melissa... do not fret. He lived in service to The Lord, and so he will know only paradise. Cry not for him, Children, for he is going to a better place."

The two women, a mother and daughter, judging from their age difference but similar appearance held one another, the elder of the two comforting the younger. "It's okay, Carrie... they'll do everything they can for Pastor John."

The Ram lingered with them, speaking softly. "It is his time, dear ones. Shed no tears, for he shall be with The Lord."

I'd never been particularly religious, but something about the Ram's calm tone and insistent desire to provide comfort got to me, and I had to choke back a tear. In order to avoid focusing on the Ram, I instead turned to the mom. "What's going on? Is everyone okay?"

The older woman turned to me. "Oh-- it... it was our Pastor, Pastor John. He collapsed during a sermon."

Another person spoke up. "The paramedics were close by. He'll be okay. We'll be praying for him."

I don't know what compelled me, but I ended up meandering through the crowd, hanging out long after the ambulance left and the congregation went back into the church, led back to the sanctuary by one of the elders. I sat down on the curb, trying to make sense of the many emotions running through me. The Ram took a seat beside me silently, saying no words for many moments before finally speaking "To eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear, may this ephemeral presence bring you comfort even if you cannot understand why."

Whether it was impertinence or anger that got me to speak I couldn't say, but, in that moment, I couldn't help but think how silly it was for a Spirit to try and comfort Humans who couldn't perceive him about a subject he couldn't possibly understand as an immortal being. "I'm not religious. Saying 'he's with god' doesn't mean anything."

I second-guessed speaking the moment the words left my mouth, wondering just how much trouble the Ram could cause if he understood I was a Seer but, fortunately, my words were vague enough that he apparently thought I was talking to myself. He continued doing the same, apparently content to speak even if I wasn't able to hear. "Belief is not required to benefit from compassion, young man. Matthew 9:36-- 'When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.'."

Letting out a long sigh, I remained seated on the curb, neither wanting to stay nor ready to leave. Despite not being religious, there was something comforting about the Ram. I chose my words carefully, mindful to speak introspectively. "That preacher wasn't even thirty... how could people--"

I didn't get a chance to finish the thought as warm, woolly arms wrapped around me. The Ram couldn't touch me, and I couldn't feel him, per se, but I could still feel the significance of the comforting gesture and it left me wondering if someone who wasn't a Seer would have felt it so distinctly. There wasn't time to consider it though since a commanding, projected voice called from across the street. "Meloi! What are you still doing there?"

The Ram released me and I worked to avoid calling attention to myself, glancing across the street to a humanoid Lion making his way over. The two Spirits met in the center of the street, facing one another down with all the casual comfort of two old friends. The Ram gestured back toward me. "What I am always doing, Mahees. A wayward lamb was in need of comfort."

The Lion, Mahees by name, apparently glanced my way then looked back to the Ram. "With the death of the preacher you've lost your flock... but still looking to play shepherd?"

The Ram chuckled, patting the Lion's back. "No less than you, my friend... but we each tend our flocks in different ways."

I couldn't help myself, speaking the word before I could stop myself. "Why?"

Both Spirits looked at me, then one another. The Lion spoke first. "Did he...?"

Rather than respond to the Lion, the Ram slowly strode back over to me, kneeling down so he could look me in the eye as I fought to gaze through him. He spoke over his shoulder to his companion. "It is our duty to help guide the flock, Mahees... to offer them comfort and support... to show them the way." He lowered his voice, looking directly at me as he spoke. "When you grow up would you be the savior of the broken, the beaten, and the damned?"

The Lion stepped up beside him, gazing down at me with obvious judgement in his gaze. "This one did not go back into the church?"

Meloi looked up and back at his companion. "This one is not a member of this flock... he expressed a lack of faith in The Lord."

Kneeling down beside the Ram, Mahees' judgment got worse. "Human, if you walk through life with such Hubris, denying the Word of God you will accomplish nothing, and you will see it daily in the disappointed faces of your peers."

The Ram chuckled softly, standing, and dragging the Lion up to his feet as well. "Save your fire and brimstone for when the Humans can hear you, Mahees..."

I was silent long enough. "I can hear you both just fine... but what I can't do is understand you."

The statement seemed to catch them both by surprise, but they weren't stunned for long and their responses were each different; Maloi smiled mirthfully while Mahees scowled. The Lion spoke first. "Mmm... a Seer... in THIS day and age? And unfettered by hangers on? How have you managed that, Human? Have you learned to banish our kind? To keep yourself from being prey? Will you defeat them? Your demons and all the non-believers?" the Lion let out a scornful 'ha!'. "Your misery and hate will kill us all."

Mahees about-faced and stormed off, leaving just the Ram who, calmly, took a seat beside me again on the curb. "You know, Seer... it is not every day that something surprises me, but I thank God that even in this day and age I can appreciate His little miracles."

I was a little incredulous but, honestly, more curious than off-put. "You think me being able to see and hear spirits is a miracle?"

He smiled at me. "I learned long ago that I am not wise enough to be able to say for certain what is or is not a miracle, but I would like to think so, yes." He held out a white furred hand with black hoof-like nails to me. "You may call me Meloi."

I accepted the hand, the faintest impression of a shake coming to my grip as we both willed it to happen. Despite wanting to be well-mannered, I knew that I had to be careful about introducing myself. "I presume you'll keep calling me Seer."

His smile never wavered. "I am glad I had the chance to meet you. Whether you believe it or not, I feel this is a blessing."

Not sure what to say about that, I redirected the discussion. "I've been by this church a few times but I didn't know there were any spirits around here."

Standing up, Meloi brushed off his black slacks. "There are always spirits around, Seer... I would think you'd know that better than most."

I also stood up, realizing that our meeting was to be short and sweet. "Been here long before me, and you'll be here long after me, I'm sure."

The Ram nodded. "This is true, Seer... and Spirts have incredibly long memories, which is why your role is so important to us."

That attestation caught me by surprise. "Spirits in general?"

He headed off down the street, waving to me as he departed. "Of course. We'll remember you, and I am glad for the chance to be the one spirit with the chance to remind you of it: when you're gone we want you all to know we'll carry on."

It was a statement that stayed with me my entire walk home... and even to this day. I can't say for sure what he meant, but I choose to think he wanted me to know that it was up to be to decide on how I wanted to be remembered. I guess, in the end, Pastor or Seer, Human or Spirit, that's something that's true for all of us.