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The Gift A Primer on Spirits, Continued

Welcome back, my lovely mortals! It's so good to see all of--

Kon... what are you doing?

I'm saying hello to all of my fans! *tail swishes*

I agreed to let you talk to the readers about spirits, not about you.

But I'M a spirit, shitsureina kuma. That means I should be able to talk about myself, doesn't it?

You are -A- spirit, Kon. Readers need to learn about spirits in general. So, if you're not going to then I'm going to take control of this discussion again and--

No no! I'll get to it! We left off talking last time about dangers mortals have to worry about when interacting with spirits and--

Dangers in general, Kon. Spirits can hurt mortals without the mortals even knowing that they're there. The goal here is to cover things comprehensively.

*sigh* Fine... so I guess we can start--

With a review.

Pushy tonight, are we?

Just start at the top.

Can't I start at the bottom? *tail swishes*

I guess I'm leading the discussion tonight then. Alright, readers, we began our discussion on spirits last week with--

-- with discussing Accords, Bargains, Pacts, and Duty. After that we discussed all the important types of spirits.

The most likely to affect and be affected by average mortals, yes.

Right. There are other kinds, but they aren't such a big deal so we're not bothering going over em.

Except we're going to do that in THIS primer, Kon.

Kuso...

For the sake of being complete I'm going to take a few minutes to discuss some of the threats the spirit world presents to mortals. Even though those most at risk are the mortals who can perceive spirits there are certain ways in which a spirit can endanger the lives of those who don't know they're there. Collectively, these are the dangers of the spirit world. Kon... are you going to provide some input or are you done for the night?

No, bosu kuma... I got this... even if it's boring. I made a Pact, remember?

Just because it's nothing new to you doesn't mean that readers aren't interested, Kon. If you REALLY want to help then try showing some enthusiasm.

Okay, everyone! We're learning about the dangers of the spirit world! *wild, uncontrolled wags*

And now try again with less sarcasm.

Most mortals don't have anything to worry about when it comes to spirits because it isn't easy for us to affect mortals that can't see or interact with us. Obviously for THOSE mortals there are all the usual risks like Possession , Skin-Riding , Spirit-Searing , and Conspicuous Consumption.

Very nice overview, Kon... now how about elaborating?

I'd be happy to, Senpai! Possession is the Hollywood favorite of spirits interacting with mortals. It's a lot harder than mortals make it sound too. Possession is when a spirit merges with a mortal's body, using that mortal's.. uh... solidity to interact with the world.[/b]

Corporeal nature?

Sure. That works. Spirits use a mortal's "corporeal nature" as our own. Since a spirit and a soul can't occupy the same place at the same time the spirit usually devours the life essence that connects the soul to the body, taking its place as the animating force keeping the body alive. The spirit then takes over the mortal's life or pulls them out of their life to complete whatever objective they have that made them want to possess a mortal in the first place.

Spirits don't always need a motive; the most maligned will sometimes do it just because they can, and because possessing a mortal body gives them a constant flow of spirit energy. Still, what Kon said about it not being easy is true; mortals have to give them an 'in' through actions, thoughts, or, in the case of those who can interact with spirits, direct permission.

_Right... but I think it's probably been a long time since a mortal actually gave a spirit permission to kill them. Usually permission is more of a thing for Skin-Riding _

Then why don't you go ahead and explain the difference between Possession and Skin-Riding , Kon? I'm sure the readers would love to know.

Well, lovely mortals, the main thing to understand about Skin-Riding is that spirits merge with the mortal but we don't take them over completely. We don't detach their souls from their bodies and we don't consumer their life essence. When we are Skin-Riding we work more like that little nagging voice in the back of your head encouraging you to do something or reminding you why it's a good idea to do something else. I've heard of spirits Skin-Riding a meek, reclusive otaku and turning them into a serial killer, both other spirits have used it to reform sociopaths and make them productive members of society. I guess both can be fun in their own way.

What Kon is saying is that when a spirit is Skin-Riding they are able to influence a mortal directly by creating urges and inclinations within them. Unlike Possession , a spirit can later separate again and leave the mortal otherwise unchanged. While Skin-Riding a spirit will receive a tiny portion of spirit energy but they receive large amounts when they successfully get their mortal host to act in accordance with a way that suits the spirit's fundamental nature.

*wry grin* Yeah... like the one time The Ancient One got a man to--

Nope.

*winces* Ow... a Backlash? That HURT! How is THAT against our Pact?

Explaining it now would be a disservice to the Pact. I'll explain it later.

*tail swishes* ANYWAY, Spirit Searing is another threat, but we can only do it to mortals who are able to interact with us, and I don't think it's been done in, like, centuries.

And tell the readers why that is, Kon.

Spirits interact with other spirits a lot like mortals do with other mortals... spirits are made of the same stuff as other spirits. When a spirit wants to interact with a mortal it takes a lot of energy, and hurting a mortal is even more difficult. See... if a mortal WANTS us to be able to touch them or feel us, or any of that other great stuff that's so much fun to--

Focus please.

Fine, shitsureina kuma. There are certain times when mortals DON'T want us to be able to interact with them, like when a spirit wants to blast a mortal into oblivion with a bolt of spirit energy-- HADOUKEN!

Readers, please note: spirits do not actually say 'Hadouken'.

Some do! HADOUKEN!

It's not a requirement.

But it's fun! *hee hee* Anyway, spirits that attack other spirits with spirit energy can do it in the same way a mortal might punch another mortal, but when we want to hurt a mortal it takes a LOT of energy, and the reason we don't do it anymore is because mortals that sense spirits are so rare and they are that much more important. We want MORE mortals to notice us, not less.

It's also because spirits don't work together as much as they used to. A large number of spirits could strike a mortal as one and each would only have to expend a small amount of spirit energy. There are a few cases in modern history where a large enough number of spirits got together to even affect a spirit-blind mortal and Spirit Sear the soul right out of the body, but that's the exception more than the rule.

But it's all just a silly old punishment anyway since there are a lot better ways for a spirit to kill a mortal and actually get some benefit out of it, like Conspicuous Consumption.

Not that any civilized, self-respecting spirit would.

Right. Exactly. Very true. Never happen among our kind.

Then why don't you go ahead and explain Conspicuous Consumption as well as you can, considering you've never done it yourself.

*clears throat* Right. So... uh... Conspicuous Consumption is what spirits call it when a spirit completely consumes all of the spirit energy of a mortal. It's different than Possession because it doesn't cost the spirit any real energy-- it's hunting down and eating prey, pure and simple but it's something that spirits can only do to a mortal with The Sight, so prey are harder in that regard. Oh-- and it's a lot easier for a spirit to do if the mortal is open to them... at least, that's what I've heard.

Conspicuous Consumption is only possible with a mortal who is able to interact with spirits. It is not easy for a spirit to overpower and wholly consume a mortal unless their target is suffering from a grave injury, is particularly mentally unstable, or is open and receptive to the spirit. The third category is usually reserved for spirits who trick the mortal into letting the spirit consume them.

We should discuss scavengers... syphoning is WAAAAAAY more common then Conspicuous Consumption anyway.

Alright, but if you're going to discuss Scavengers then you should probably discuss Feral Spirits too-- after all, we're talking about dangers.

Okay! I can do that. So, lovely mortals, as you've been learning, spirits have lots of ways to gain spirit energy off of mortals. Most of us like to cultivate spirit energy from mortals like a rancher collects milk from his cows, but every now and then you might run across spirits that don't. In those cases they usually pick through the bones of mortals, gathering up lingering life essence from the bodies of the ones who've died. I'm told it tastes like rotten pork.

That's a fabrication, Kon, and you know it.

Okay, so it is... but, still, the idea of seeking out dead bodies and collecting the fading essence a soul leaves behind makes me think of dung beetles surviving by eating excrement. Bleh.

Well, it's not 'bleh' to the dung beetle, Kon.

It's not earning them any awards at least, and spirits exist to interact with mortals... snatching up the last bits of spirit essence out of a body doesn't count. There's something wrong with those spirits.

Alright-- enough passing judgment. We're talking about dangers, and Scavengers are neither an 'official' type of spirit and aren't really dangerous. Move on and explain Feral Spirits.

Well, lovely mortals, as you may have noticed, spirits share similarities between humans and animals-- some are more human-like and others are more animal-like, but we all have some amount of both... except when we materialize in an animal form, but that's something else entirely, so it doesn't really count to say that--

Focus, Kon.

Right. *tail swishes* Feral Spirits are spirits that have, for one reason or another, lost any sense of higher thought or reasoning. They've become spirit animals, plain and simple. Although they can't affect spirit-blind mortals any with The Sight are defenseless against them. Feral Spirits are able to freely attack mortals who are spirit sensitive and are the number one cause for Conspicuous Consumption, as they don't reason that keeping the mortal around is more useful than eating them then and there. Unlike other spirits, Feral Spirits also attack and consume other spirits. While any of us can destroy our fellow spirits and gain a portion of their essence, it really isn't what we do... but THEY don't agree and they are almost as dangerous to us as they are to mortals with The Sight.

Feral Spirits sometimes spontaneously manifest, but the vast majority of them were once normal spirits. When a spirit becomes incredibly weak it will usually go into Slumber, at which point it will remain in a hibernation of sorts but, if for some reason the spirit is not able to enter Slumber then they will either fade out of existence entirely or give into their baser needs and lose all reasoning, reverting to the mentality of an animal. Feral Spirits are rarely if ever able to become rational again and, in the exceedingly rare instance they do, they will never be the same.

Exactly, just like-- OW!

Come on, Kon... you HAD to have known that you would have got a Backlash for THAT.

*sigh* What good is knowing so many secrets but not being able to tell anyone any of them?

Once you tell it then it isn't a secret. Now stop, or I'll consider you in breach of the Pact and you'll get far worse.

...I'll be good.

Okay... then tell the readers about Evil Spirits.

*snort* Well... to begin, the term 'Evil Spirit' is kind of an exaggeration.

No it isn't... they exist purely to cause harm to mortals and other spirits alike.

Okay... well that's because you're using human morality but, fine-- for the sake of argument we'll consider them evil. Anyway, most spirits have the capacity to do good things and to do 'not so good things', but there are some spirits out there that only think of themselves and what's best for them... and not in a good way either.

There are a number of names used when referencing Evil Spirits depending on the culture, but they are all equally valid. Barghest, Vaedas, Daeva, Oni, Guai, Rakshasa, and Nihili are some of the most common but, whatever they are called they are truly destructive. The limit of their power is that they are lone entities, their very nature making them unable to trust other spirits or work as part of a group. They are usually very powerful as they cannibalize other spirits and will do so as often as thye are able, attacking any spirit weaker than themselves. This also makes them exceedingly dangerous to mortals with The Sight because, unlike spirits, most mortals have no way to protect themselves from the predations of spirits who would willingly consume them.

Yeah. What he said. Now you can see why we Yokai don't like being confused with Evil Spirits.

Some cultures do consider Yokai evil.

Well they'd be wrong... kutabare, Chugoku!

Be that as it may, Kon, not everyone is as welcoming of Yokai as they are of other spirits. You have to admit that Yokai often have a negative image among those who know them.

*sigh* That's because 'Yokai' is a Universal Truth.

That is true and--

Hey! Universal Truth showed up in bold! That must mean's it's important!

Well, I would say it's another term worth defining. Would you like to or should I?

I will! *tail swish* We spirits have aligned with mortals since our respective peoples were first birthed by the cosmos... or whatever it was that happened. Anyway, since we are so varied we have as many languages as mortals do-- in fact, we speak mortal languages. There are certain terms that don't translate though because they don't need to. These are called Universal Truths because they mean something more than just the words used to describe them. Terms among spirits like The Sight or a Right... which is different than a right, which is the opposite of a left.

Universal Truths Can be understood my spirits and mortals with The Sight as a fundamental comprehension of reality. While they might not know the MEANING behind the term, they will always understand the term when it is spoken despite, or perhaps regardless of the language in which it is spoken.

Yeah... like, for example, The Sight refers to the ability for a mortal to interact with spirits. Yeah, I know that hearing us isn't done with the eyes and feeling us is a completely different sense but I didn't name it, okay? It's called The Sight and that's just the way it is.

A Right on the other hand, refers to a power granted to a spirit by a mortal. Just like The Sight gives a power to a mortal, a Right is a power granted to a spirit, usually as part of a Pact or Bargain.

I was going to say something, but I didn't want to get another Backlash. Oh! Hey! That's in bold now too! Do I get to tell them about Backlashes now?

Go for it, Kon.

Just like humans have certain punishments for going against their Pacts and Bargains, spirits do too! Whenever there's a punishment to be handed out, it usually comes in the form of a painful burst of energy that comes from... uh... somewhere in the cosmos. Anyway, it hurts a lot... and the pain gets worse the more we act against our agreement and the worse our infraction.

In the worst cases, a spirit can be completely destroyed by a Backlash , but that is a very rare thing indeed.

There are ancient stories told by spirits that involve a spirit who fell in love with a human and she acted against a Pact in order to save his life only to be destroyed in the process. heh... love makes people dumb.

Spirits act in mysterious ways sometimes, Kon, just like mortals. Unlike spirits though, mortals don't have a nice color-coded guide to help us identify our different archetypes. I'm talking, of course, about Inner-Light, and how that is reflected through the windows to the souls. I refer, of course, to the eyes.

Senpai... do you realize how long we've been talking to these poor exhausted readers?

We haven't actually been talking, Kon... that's the point of readers: they're READING, not listening.

Even so, this is one LOOOOOOONG essay. We need to give these beloved readers a rest!

It wouldn't be as long if you didn't keep going off on tangents.

And it would be shorter if I didn't compete with 'author comments'

Author Comment: I haven't left a single Author Comment this whole post.

*snickers*

YOU did that, not me, Kon, and that was NOT funny.

It was a little funny, and I bet the readers would agree with me.

Whatever-- now, are you going to explain the Inner Light and spirit Eye Colors, or will I?

Come on... we can start with it next time. Give these beloved readers a break! I think leaving off with the discussion on Backlash gives it great symmetry with our last primer ending on spirit types.

You mean like we ended last time before we could talk about Inner Light and eye color too?

What? *shifty eyes* Noooooo...

*sigh* Fine. Next week the primer will START with Inner Light and we're going from there. I don't know what you're worried about, Kon, honest-- Green Eyes are nothing to be ashamed about.

Awww... isn't that just the cutest pick-up line or what, readers?

That wasn't a pick-up line, Kon.

Were you going to offer to buy me a drink next? Oh! You could always... you know... offer to 'push in my stool'... *tail swishes*

No thanks, Kon... you really are NOT my type.

Awww... way to dash a Yokai's dreams, sekushina kuma...

That's it-- *heads over to Google Translate*

*huge grin* I am misspelling it on purpose, Senpai... wouldn't want to give away ALL my secrets, right?

*facedesk*