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The Gift

Richard's (FA) Storyline, Chapter 2.1

copyright comidacomida 2018

Despite having two additional spirits following me around the day after lunch went far smoother than I'd expected. My first two afternoon classes were more or less mundane: anatomy and physiology followed by introduction to bio-chemistry. After that I had an hour break between classes before my one-and-only evening class started, and that was a free study adult fitness elective. The class was actually more like free time to use the college's gym, but it was still worth one credit and I was able to pay for it with my scholarship, so it was a good fit for my needs and my pocketbook.

It was still light out when I'd finished my first evening of gym class and I got changed before heading out onto the street. Flanked with a Gryphon and Jackal to one side and two Cats to the other, I started off down the sidewalk for home. The Fall classes would be just fine for my trip since it'd stay light well past 9pm so I'd become familiar with the route home; it certainly beat paying for the bus and it really wasn't that long of a trip so it was a double win. Sabrina didn't seem to agree. "With so many cars out on the road this day and age, Richard, why is it you do not have one?"

I tried not to frown. "Do you know how much a car costs?"

Phillip was able to provide one answer. "I have seen some on street corners with signs that say fourteen hundred obo. Who would have that many musical instruments?"

I remember wondering at the irony of spirits having so much knowledge and centuries on the world and still not know modern abbreviations. "It's short for 'or best offer'. It means that the owner may be willing to sell it for less."

Sabrina gave her brother a light shoulder. "You see? Bartering is still alive and well, Phillip."

Anapa remained quietly, walking silent. Jack, unfortunately, elected to join in on the conversation. "One thousand and four hundred dollars is not a great sum, Richard. Would that care meet thy needs? If so, perhaps thou--"

I cut the conversation short. "Fourteen hundred is one thing, but cars that sell cheaply usually have some big time mechanical problems. When it comes to transportation you also have to count in things like maintenance, upkeep, and gas prices. Chances are if it's an older vehicle it has really bad gas mileage, which means you're shoving your cash down a black hole for fuel alone, not to mention that it'll probably be breaking down all the time, and then there's the insurance, and--"

Phillip came to a stop. "So... you're a miser?"

"What? No! I just--"

Sabrina smacked her brother. "That wasn't polite two centuries ago-- why would you think it would be any better now?"

The male Cat flicked his tail and looked back at me, smoothing his whiskers out before speaking again with an overtly olden time flowery accented declaration of "I say-- you certainly have a keen grasp of financial responsibility, eh wot?"

It earned him another snack on the shoulder. Sabrina covered his muzzle with her paw before apologizing to me. "You'll have to forgive Phillip, Warlock... it's just been so long since we've had the chance to be real Familiars."

Jack offered a very to-the-point retort "And thou shalt wait longer. Richard has yet to accept thee as his Familiars and, even if he were to do so, he could not accept both of thee and still humor the Scavenger."

Anapa's ears raised as he glanced toward Jack but apparently thought better of interjecting himself into the conversation. I did notice that he met my gaze for the split second that I glanced his way and his eye gleamed a noticeable purple before he looked away. My attention shifted to the two Cats who were looking at one another. I called their attention back by asking "What does that mean? Being my Familiars?"

Phillip spoke first. "As your Familiars it is our task to help you culture and develop your powers as a Warlock."

Sabrina quickly added "And as our Warlock, you look out for and provide for your Familiars-- us! It is of mutual benefit."

Jack nimbly stepped around me and interposed himself between me and the Cats, going so far as to extend a wing to half-furl around me. "He has not assented to thy advances yet, and, as of now, thou art little more than hangers-on. Besides, Richard is far too busy studying to be a healthcare professional and would have precious little time to learn hedge magic from the likes of thee."

Both Cats scowled, and Sabrina shot back first, her tone taking on an almost official-sounding tone as she declared "The arte of magick is an ancient craft, Gryphon-- you should know enough of that, given the glamour of your ancestral home."

Phillip also pressed the issue. "Warlocks have an ancient connection to spirits. You should be honored that one of your wards should be given that honor!"

I cleared my throat and all four spirits looked at me; I focused on the Gryphon and two Cats. "Before you go arguing about what my future holds maybe you'd like to consider consulting me first?"

The arguments continued, this time focused on both sides telling me why I'd be better of learning to be a Warlock or avoiding the issue altogether. In the end, things did not become any clearer when Anapa interjected. "Hem-netjer. He Hem-netjer."

It sounded like another 'pre-ordained' task for me and that started the argument all over again. It was a long night.

* * * * * *

The following morning consisted of more arguments over what spirit-based 'occupation' would be best for me. Jack continued arguing that I would have enough on my plate just learning to become a nurse (when he declared I was to be a nurse Phillip laughed and Sabrina smacked him, denoting that it was a fine occupation). The two Cats continued to press for my indoctrination into the ways of magick (yes, with a 'k'), while Anapa continued to refer to the word in what I later learned was Coptic, and meant 'priest'. Figuring out how to understand the Jackal, in fact, was how I spent the first part of my lunch that day.

The morning had passed quickly and without event; no more Rabbit rapists and the other occasional spirit we saw wandering the college was easy enough to avoid thanks to practice from the prior day and my entourage's keen eyes. When lunch finally arrived I ate quickly, foregoing anything other than a quick note to everyone that said I wanted to look something up in the college library so there wouldn't be Q&A. Once I finished my packed lunch I headed upstairs and went straight to the anthropology section.

Anapa took great interest in the Ancient Egypt portion of the books and, with his help, I managed to find what helped unlock the key to what I was hearing him speak: as I mentioned before, the Jackal's chosen language was Coptic. From there, I managed to locate a few books that unlocked a basic understanding of what Coptic was and where it came from, but it didn't help a lot with studying it in a way that I could use it. Anapa, however, was not sitting idle during that time.

The Jackal had somehow managed to take two books off the shelves and brought them to a nearby table. I did notice, however, that despite him taking the books they still somehow remained on the shelves. During the time I was working through that in my head, Anapa had thumbed through the various pages and looked up; his Amethyst eyes glimmered faintly and he declared "I want you be priest."

There were several other students not far from me so the most I could offer was a questioning glance at the Jackal, who looked back down at the book before returning his stare to me, ears up. "You. Priest. For me."

Jack, who had been watching me from one row over, stuck his head through the book case, declaring with certainty "He will not be thy priest, Jackal. Thou art no god, and he wishes to be a nur-- healthcare professional."

I appreciated the fact that Jack changed his declaration before more than the faintest hint of a snicker arose from Phillip, who was one row over from me in the opposite direction. I also heard the distinct sound of Sabrina smacking him. She also added "You can be a Warlock AND a Priest, Richard."

Jack snorted, and the arguments began anew. I left the library, intent on getting to the rest of my classes for the day and hoping ardently that they would not continue the discussion while I was trying to focus. Thankfully they did have the courtesy to give me peace during that time, but the arguments continued between classes and throughout my time in the gym. I was on my way back home by the time the discussion had run its course.

It was, actually, a question I finally posed that caused them all to pause. "Why is everyone so interested in what I should or shouldn't do?"

Sabrina provided the answer. "Humans can support only so many spirits, Seer."

I didn't miss the fact that she had returned to using the title of address that was less offensive to Jack, which I appreciated. Phillip didn't follow suit. "Yeah, Warlock... if you accept us as Familiars then you'd have to give up the Dog or the Gryphon."

Jack fired right back. "Or, perhaps he will only accept one of thee as a Familiar as he has no reason to think that two would be better than one."

As if reading into the purpose behind the argument, Anapa used the opportunity to weigh in. "He priest for me."

The sound of a loud whistle followed by a double, almost rhythmic pounding of drums from ahead put the argument on immediate hold and all of us looked forward toward a cross street and a strange parade that was emerging from it. Although I was used to small parades back home, I'd always expected anything in Cherry City to be far larger than anything we'd have put on, but this parade was entirely different; at most there were perhaps twenty performers involved, and they all wore masks and large, flowing outfits.

If the masks and costumes were the first thing that caught my attention the second thing, almost just as quickly, was the fact that nobody else out on the street, motorist or pedestrian, paid the parade any mind. It all became clearer the moment I saw a car come out of a parking lot and drive right through the two figures at the head of the celebration. I was looking at a procession of sprits and they were marching down the street in my direction!

Suddenly faced with a menagerie of unknown spirits my four companions were immediately on guard. With few options open to me I--