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The Gift

Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 1.1

copyright comidacomida 2018

Alex Grey said "The web of life, love, suffering, and death unites all beings." Unlike the quote from Mark Twain, I didn't learn about that quote until I was on my way back to Cherry City on the train; they had free wi-fi so I spent my time searching for quotes that would help me explore how I feel. The end result was lots of tears but, through it all, I was surrounded by the spirits who had gathered with me.

Medved, who had joined with us again at the train station sat on one side of me, his enormous paw resting on his thigh. He occasionally reached the short distance to where my hand was on the keyboard and gave it a gentle squeeze. The 'touch', if you could call it that was not restrictive and didn't even disrupt by typing, but I could still feel it and tell that it was his attempt to comfort me without saying a word; I appreciated it.

Since every other bench was facing backwards it meant that Tom could sit across from me and still face me, which he did. The big Rhino maintained eye contact the entire time and, like Medved, said nothing. Unlike the Bear he made no move to offer any physical comfort, but on every occasion I glanced to him his calm eyes were there to meet mine, and I saw tears on his cheeks as well. When I asked him later he replied only by saying "Grief is a heavy burden, but it is made just a little lighter when someone is there to help you carry it."

Kyle spent most of the time wandering up and down the aisle of the train, occasionally spying on other passengers and sometimes just moving around without apparent purpose; just like the teen who had been a friend of my brother it seemed that the Raven had a hard time sitting still and bored easily. The distance he gave me was distracting in a way, but I also appreciated it. Kyle kept reminding me of certain things about my brother's friend, which led me to thinking about my brother, but the fact that he let me have some space helped.

Anapa, like my two Guardians, sat with me in the passenger compartment the entire time. Unlike Tom and Medved, though, he was not quiet. While he only spoke to me occasionally, the Jackal spent much of the time speaking to himself; he said words I didn't understand in an almost measured way, kind of like a singing prayer. It was beautiful in an unfamiliar way, and I found that it was more comforting than distracting, so I said nothing and made no move to stop him from continuing it.

I had to change trains when I came to the end of the East-West line in Albany and got onto the train that would take me north. The long part of my journey was over since it was barely twenty minutes at that point to the station in Cherry City and from there my home was within walking distance. Normally I would have taken the bus, but with Medved along I decided I'd rather walk anyway; if nothing else it would give me a chance to finish my thoughts.

The right north was quiet and there weren't a lot of other passengers. At that point all four of the spirits stayed put; Medved and Tom remained close by while Kyle took Anapa and they sat across the aisle from me. The Raven, true to his earlier statement about knowing the Jackal's language spent time talking with him. Even though I couldn't understand what they said I somehow realized I was the topic of discussion and, no, that isn't me being conceited or self-obsessed... it was something entirely different-- I just... knew.

I'd put my computer away when transferring trains and I hadn't thought to take it back out for the trip into Cherry City, which gave me time to actually sit and work through the realization that I had four animal-men spirits traveling with me. I suppose the thought could have unnerved me, or even outright scared me, but, for some reason I couldn't figure out they all seemed familiar enough to make me feel not only comfortable, but safe.

Tom didn't feel like he had the ability to harm me and Medved just brought up thoughts of the loving presence of family; Anapa had some kind of reverence for me, like he would be more inclined to hurt himself rather than me. Kyle... well... the Raven still felt like the human Kyle. He wasn't comforting or comfortable, but he was still somehow familiar, and that made it just a little more okay.

By the time we arrived at the Cherry City station I had enough time to refocus my mind; I'd cried most of the way to Albany and I spent the time since then just sitting and observing. It was early evening when I stepped off the train and grabbed my luggage, and that meant there wasn't a lot of foot traffic on the sidewalks, leaving me free to not just walk, but also talk. I made use of both abilities. "So... tell me something."

I had the attention of all four spirits, who created a semi-circle around me so I could easily address them all. It was Kyle who spoke first. "What's up, Stef?

Since it was the Raven who answered me I started with him. "Well... I know that Medved and Tom are guardians of some kind--"

Medved nodded, adding "Guardian Spirits."

Tom clarified. "I am a Sentinel."

I sighed, and tried again. "Okay... so there are some specific terms, and I'll learn them-- I promise... but, please: just let me get my ideas out, 'kay?"

Medved smiled patiently, extending a gesture with his paw from his chest toward me that I took as an apologetic one. "I'm sorry. Take your time, Lapushka."

Starting my walk home they all fell into line beside me: Medved and Anapa to my left with Tom and Kyle to my right. I continued speaking as I walked. "Okay... so Medved is with me because he is a Guardian and Tom is here because he is a... a Sentinel?"

The Rhino nodded. "Yes."

Having made it that far, I pushed on. "So wy are you following me, Kyle? What about... uh... human Kyle?"

The Raven puffed up his feathers, reaching up to adjust a stocking cap he'd somehow appropriated; my brother's friend always wore stocking caps. "Well, that little beast should be on the path to recovery, which was the whole reason I was Skin Riding him in the first place. I guess I coulda stayed longer, but that meant I woulda missed you."

Considering I had trouble following his explanation I started over. "So... the whole 'Skin Riding' thing... what's that about?"

Rather than let Kyle answer, Tom spoke up instead. "A spirit can Skin-Ride a human who is susceptible to their influence. Although they cannot make a human do something directly opposed to their behavior, they function otherwise like a puppet master guiding a marionette. It is... a questionable act."

The Rhino shot a glance at the Raven, who puffed up again and quickly took control over the conversation once again. "Hey! It's not a bad thing in and of itself-- in fact, I made the world a better place for taking the time to set Kyle straight."

I wasn't willing to let it stay at that. "Okay... well explain that then. If you aren't controlling him anymore how does that help in the long term?"

Kyle clacked his beak twice, puffing up again as he bobbled along beside Tom while trying to make eye contact with me. "It's not like that, Steph. Sure, I was playing his conscience for awhile, but everything he did was still stuff he'd do anyway-- it's not like I Possessed him or anything."

Medved spoke with a faint growl to his voice. "If you had we would not be speaking right now-- you never would have come this far with my Lapushka."

The Raven took another step further away from the group. "Geez-- relax! I'm NOT a bad guy, you know."

The Bear didn't relent. "Which is something I would expect a-- as you put it-- a 'bad guy' to say."

Kyle's wings flapped out into the air; it was a gesture remarkably similar to seeing someone throw up their arms in exasperation. "Yeah? Well I'm not. You believe me, don't you, Stephanie?"

I had to play things diplomatically. In all honesty I didn't feel threatened by Kyle and he still reminded me more of my brother's childhood friend more than anything else, but I was also astute enough to realize that Tom and Medved probably had a better grasp of spiritual matters than I did. "Yes, Kyle. I believe that you don't see yourself as a bad guy."

Medved chuckled, reaching up to brush an errant strand of my hair away from my face as we walked. "Well said, moy rebenok. Well said."

Kyle's beak creased and it gave me the impression of frowning. "I'm not here to cause trouble, Stef. I just haven't seen a Seer in... like... forever."

I slowed at that, not just to take a moment to think, but to also put down my suitcases so I could adjust my grip on them; they weren't that heavy but I'd walked enough blocks that I started to feel the weight anyway. Brushing my hands off on my jeans I picked them back up and continued on, both in walking and in talking. "So... what IS a 'Seer', exactly?"

Surprisingly, it was Anapa who answered, who apparently understood just enough to realize what I was asking. "Seer: you. You Seer. You Hemet-netjer. You Seer."

I tried to make sure I knew what he meant. "You mean... 'Hemet-netjer' means 'Seer'?"

Kyle clarified. "Actually, 'Hemet-netjer' means 'priestess'... he is calling you a priestess because in his time that is what the Seers did-- they were priests and priestesses."

Tom, who was standing between me and the Raven nodded. "Yes. He is a very old spirit-- nearly as old as I."

I considered that for a moment as I took the direct path across the parking lot of my apartment complex. There were a few college students hanging around so I waited until I was at my door before speaking further, addressing first Tom then Medved. "So... you're a Guardian-- I mean, a Sentinel for people with a Jewish ancestry and you're a Guardian for families with a Russian ancestry?"

When both of the spirits nodded, I looked toward Anapa. "So... is he attached to the people of Egypt or something?"

The Jackal answered for himself. "Anag-u remen-keme."

Kyle clarified. "He's from Egypt-- it's where he came into being... but he's not a Guardian."

Anapa nodded. "No Guardian. I Spirit. No Guardian remen-keme."

The Raven smoothed out his feathers. "He's not attached to the people of Egypt... Scavengers don't work that way."

The Jackal's Amethyst eyes took on a sharp glare as he stared daggers at Kyle. "No. Scavenger, no."

He continued talking at the Raven in Coptic but, by that time I'd put my luggage down, got my door unlocked, and picked everything back up before stepping in. While Medved followed me in, Tom lingered in the doorway. "Nekhedah, I cannot enter unless invited."

I looked from Medved to Tom, then put down my suitcases off to the side of the entryway. "You can't? Why not?"

Medved answered. "Spirits must be invited into a human's home or they cannot enter."

My attention went back to the Bear and I shot him an incredulous look, but not before saying to Tom "Please come in, Tom. I'd be happy to have you here."

As if reading my unspoken question, Medved explained. "I am a Guardian spirit and you have my Totem, Lapushka. Not only does it give me strength, but it allows me to follow you wherever you may go. It is an unspoken invitation in any situation when permission is yours to give."

I considered the answer for a moment as I took off my scarf and hung it from a hook by the door; it was summer, and it hadn't been very comfortable to wear, but it was easier than carrying it. I looked to Tom. "Would it be easier if I got a totem for you then?"

The Rhino chuckled mirthfully. "If or when the time comes that you feel I should have a totem then it is not something you would 'get', Nekhedah. True totems are made. Crafted. Imbued by those who would hold it dear."

I was going to follow up with another question but I was interrupted by Anapa. "Hemet-Netjer? Ari-ehmot, ecmou Piroh."

From behind him, Kyle called out. "He'd like you to let him in. Me too, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, Stef. Please?"

Sighing, I glanced to the doorway. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Medved take in a breath, presumably to object, but I let them in anyway. "Okay... you two came come in too."

Anapa entered first, bowing his head as he touched his pinched thumb and first finger to his forehead. "Eseashoabi. Sephmot, Hemet-netjer. I... thank you."

Kyle was a little less reverent. "Thanks."

I didn't realize that, in that moment, I'd taken the first of several steps to living with an apartment full of spirits but, then again, there was a lot I didn't know back then. I was in for a learning experience, and it all started the following morning.