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The Gift

Richard's Storyline, Chapter 5.2

copyright comidacomida 2018

Finally feeling better, I was able to focus on what I had rather than what I'd lost, and that meant an entire evening was open to me and my Spirit companions. There were any number of options available for us, but I couldn't help but think how I'd short-changed Balam the other night by failing to spend more time experiencing Mayan rituals, so I resolved to make it up to him. Glancing toward Jack, I explained myself. "I want to learn more about you-- both of you... but first, Balam was going to show me more about Mayan rituals last night and we didn't get a chance."

The Gryphon nodded, and turned his gaze to the Jaguar and spoke in fairly decent Spanish. "I learn too?"

Balam nodded his head graciously. "Si."

The feline Spirit Guide led us back to my room and, as I stepped through the open door I was surprised to find that the ritual circle he'd showed me the other night was already set up, awaiting us. The Jaguar moved to a new position, different from the one where he had been when we'd first conducted the ceremony but he motioned to me and my prior position. "Seer... you will sit there again."

I nodded, moving obediently to where he'd indicated. "Okay."

Balam then looked to Jack and motioned to my right, which was directly across from himself declaring. "Al oeste."

Translating for the Gryphon, I motioned to a spot "He said you should sit there... It signifies Air, and the West."

Although I knew the Jaguar didn't understand everything I said he was apparently astute enough to tell that I had learned something about the ritual; as Jack took a seat where I'd directed him Balam nodded, speaking in Spanish to me. "Very good, Seer."

Once Jack had settled in I took a deep breath, centering myself as Balam began the ritual. There was something more fluid to the event as I knew what was expected and he didn't have to interrupt anything to explain what I was to do. I smiled as I kept pace with his prayer, doing as I knew I had to do. Although the first point of prayer was directly in front of himself, Balam still handed me the candle to place to the East, which I did. From there, Balam moved onto the ceramic bowl holding water and he had me set it down in front of myself.

We proceeded to the incense, which I placed in front of Jack, who remained silent, ear tufts up as he watched everything intently and critically. After that, Balam spoke the prayer over the clay bowl and the South, which required me to stretch across the circle in the middle of our group; I was thankful that I was limber enough to do so without having to disrupt my position, but, once I placed the bowl at its required location I felt a soft but firm touch of a paw on my back, keeping me from straightening back up. Balam spoke simply "Stay."

It wasn't the most comfortable position, but I did as was requested. The Jaguar gave thanks to Heaven and Gaia, all the while the palm of his paw stayed pressed firmly against my back, and then I experienced something far different than what I'd gone through during the ritual when I'd first had him show me. The initial time left me with a tingle of interest and an otherworldly echo that heralded from knowledge beyond what I understood; the second time transcended words.

I was able to 'see' the Yucatan Peninsula, and that sense passed through Panama, and even down into South America. Then again, 'see' isn't really the right sense; it was more like a general 'knowing'-- an intimate familiarity of lands that made up everything to the people who were pivotal to Balam centuries ago. It was a lost kingdom of sorts, forgotten to all except historians, and the Jaguar.

There were no real visions or images or flashes of scenes or snapshot-like snippets; what I experienced was the entirety of knowing in a way that transcended simple comprehension and understanding. As that experience faded, sadly, so to did that knowing. Although I've always valued knowledge, suddenly realizing that I'd lost what I'd just gain didn't sadden me, rather, it left me invigorated, like an explorer gazing out over a newly discovered ocean and realizing that there's a lot more out there to see.

By the time the sensation of otherworldly comprehension left me, Balam had finished paying homage to to Heaven, Gaia, and Center. I straightened up, returning to a sitting position with the sensation of sore muscles all over thanks to the irregular position I'd been holding. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Balam stood, indicating the same to both Jack and myself by providing the direction in English. "Stand."

Once I did, I went back through the steps we'd taken during the last time he'd shown me the ritual. Remembering what came next, I found myself blushing a little as I gripped the bottom of my shirt with my right hand in tempered apprehension. I asked my question of Balam in Spanish. "Is this the part where we take off our clothes?"

He shook his head simply. "No."

I glanced to Jack, who hadn't understood our exchange except for Balam's response. His expression was questioning but I didn't have much information for him. Looking back to the Jaguar, I asked "Is this a different ritual then?"

His unreadable expression was betrayed by the faintest hint of humor glinting in his eye. "All rituals are different, Seer... even when the purpose is the same."

Jack spoke questioningly to me. "What next?"

I glanced between the two Spirits before settling my gaze on Balam once more. "Then... what do we do next?"

Balam stood with his legs shoulder width apart and he spread his arms. "You will undress me, Seer."

If I'd had an answer it got stuck in my throat at the statement; he wanted me to undress him! Although the end-result would be the same as the last time we'd held the ritual, back then we'd each been responsible for our own clothes. I didn't say 'no', but I did stall for time as I worked through the difference by pointing out "I thought Spirits can just make their clothes appear and disappear at will."

His answer was stated with a matter-of-fact clarity that seemed to defy any further questioning. "That is not part of the ritual, but you undressing us is."

I had to repeat the one qualifying word in that statement. "Us?"

Balam nodded. "Yes. If he will be taking part in this ritual then he is part of it. As the Seer, you will undress both of us, and we will undress you."

When I realized that Jack was still looking at me for direction I wasn't really sure how I would explain things to him. Taking a breath, I went for the direct approach. "This ritual is done without clothes... Balam says I need to undress both of you, and you are both going to undress me."

The feathers that made up the cowl around the Gryphon's head puffed up. "Oh?"

I nodded. "The last time we did this ritual we were naked... it's-- it's just a formality, I think."

Jack nodded as well. "I am unbothered by being without clothes... dost thou find it a disturbing prospect, Richard?"

I stalled for time, answering his question with a question before providing a half-answer. "Does what? Being naked? I'm studying to be a nurse, Jack-- the Human body isn't something to be uncomfortable around.

He pointed out the obvious. "Of course, but I worry regardless. After all, he and I are not Humans. If thou art hesitant, I do not take offense. I know nudity can be a problem for thy kind."

The Jaguar interrupted the exchange, calling to me from the position he had taken and from which he had not moved. "Seer?"

Looking back to Balam, I--