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The Gift

Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 7.5

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The Insect Spirit surrendered the point without missing a beat. "I can get any information the Seer requests. I am willing to fulfill this as my half of a Bargain."

Both Medved and Tom seemed calmed by the offer immediately, but Kyle wasn't. He leaned aside to me "Bargains aren't that bad, but we don't know her, Steph, and she might want something that'll cause problems for us or tire you out... we can do this ourselves."

Tom snorted, speaking at me despite still watching the new Spirit. "Nekh'dah, you should demand to speak with a superior. He was your brother and you have a right to this information."

Medved stayed on guard too, but likewise addressed me. "We can always wait. Tomorrow is only one day away."

Glancing to Kyle, I held the clipboard in his direction where I quickly scribbled "What if she had something to do with William?"

There were too many variables and, with the whole sacrifice situation still hanging over the whole mess I really couldn't afford to trust any random spirits. He nodded to me in a way that suggested he knew what I meant then spoke up, addressing the newcomer. "The Seer isn't interested in a Bargain. We'll handle this without you."

I wasn't sure whether I was expecting some kind of argument or a tantrum or even for her to try and throw something but her response was none of that; offering a simple nod, she about-faced and walked off through a wall and out of view. Medved nodded with confidence. "We did not need her, Lapushka... you chose well."

Kyle summarized my view perfectly "It only would have complicated things."

Anapa, as usual, held his own council, but Tom didn't. "She could have been useful if she had a way to gain the information. If we are not going to press the issue with these civil servants--"

The Raven motioned to the clipboard I still held. "Steph's worried that there's a chance she could have had something to do with Billy's Spirit Essence sacrifice."

Tom issued up a full-on snort. "Why? Because she is a Spirit?"

Medved objected. "We've told her often enough not to trust wayward Spirits. Why shouldn't that be a good enough reason to worry?"

The Rhino chewed on his tongue for a moment before answering and when he did he spoke slowly, obviously choosing his words carefully. "I have seen empires crumble because of prejudice. There is a fine line between caution and discrimination."

Kyle didn't appreciate the comparison. "There's a big difference between Humans having a fit over skin color or religion and a Human being careful around a Spirit because she found out her brother was sacrificed."

I tried to focus on finishing the paperwork while the two Spirits argued out their opinions on the matter. Tom was right that I was being wary of any Spirit I didn't know and Kyle was right that it was for good cause. Tom was upset because he was concerned that I was getting callous and just assuming any Spirit I didn't know could be up to no good; Kyle pointed out that I already had four Spirits and involving others in the mix would be a bad idea.

It was that last point that was discussed as I brought the (almost) completed paperwork back up to the lady at the desk. "Alright... that's everything I can fill out."

She accepted it to me as Medved weighed in. "The Raven's right. There hasn't been a Seer with four Spirits in centuries, and I have never heard of one with five."

Tom wasn't dissuaded. "There is a difference between inviting another Spirit into the fold and making a Bargain to gain their help, I would think that--"

The lady behind the bullet proof glass snapped her fingers to get my attention. "Excuse me? Ms. Brenner?"

I blushed immediately, realizing that I was paying more attention to the Spirits than the lady offering to help me. "Sorry-- I'm sorry... it's been... rough."

Officer C Ring nodded sympathetically. "I understand, and I'm sorry for your loss... but I wanted to confirm this middle initial... is it an 'I'?"

"No. It's a J. His middle name is James."

She made a slight mark on the paper and went back to her computer, fingers typing away at the keyboard. Behind me, Anapa had managed to insert himself into the argument and managed, without words to get everyone to quiet down for my benefit; I promised myself to thank him later with Kyle's translation help. Waiting patiently, I watched the woman at the desk work until she looked back up at me. "Alright... I found the case number."

I smiled in thanks as she wrote it onto the request form. "Thank you."

She nodded, and set the paper into a pile off to the side. "Alright, Ms. Brenner. I'll make sure the clerk sees it first thing in the morning... you wanted the rush request, right?"

Nodding, I pulled out my wallet. "Yes please."

She rotated back to the keyboard, clicking away at the number keys before announcing "That will be twenty three dollars to start, and if additional charges are levied for extra pages, audio/visual CDs, and photos, if applicable."

I gave her a twenty and a five and she gave me two dollars back and, as I put the bills away I asked "Is there a good time for me to stop by tomorrow to pick everything up?"

The receptionist shook her head. "No, but we have your contact information so we'll give you a call when the research is done. It's quiet enough that a rush request should be done by noon but, just in case you're welcome to stop in before we close at four."

That caught me by surprise. "Four? I thought you close at five."

She smiled patiently. "Four on Fridays; Three on Saturdays and Sundays."

Tom wasn't done with his grumbling. "People should be protected equally every day."

I did my best to avoid responding to the comment and kept things simple with the receptionist. "Thank you for your help... see you tomorrow."

"Have a good evening."

It wasn't exactly progress, but it was something. Taking a deep breath I about faced and headed out of the Sheriff's Office. Walking back to my car, I took the opportunity in the empty parking lot to speak up for the first time since entering. "I'm not prejudice and I'm not discriminating... I'm just being careful, and I can't keep expecting other people to solve all of this for me. I didn't want to rely on that Bug Spirit because I don't know that she could be trusted, and not just because she's a Spirit."

Tom nodded as everyone climbed into the mini van, waiting until last so he could address me directly. "She offered a Bargain. Most Spirits who willingly enter a Pact, Accord, or Bargain will do as they promise."

Kyle didn't agree, speaking out the window "Unless they find a work around. Don't worry, Stef... we'll get what we need without her help... we just need patience."

Medved, being the only Spirit left standing outside the van with me looked down with a comforting smile. "I have faith in you, Lapushka. So long as you have faith in us you do not need any more help than what you already have."

I honestly don't know if he would have been as encouraging if I'd accepted the help from the new Spirit, but something told me it wouldn't have made a difference for him; he would have trusted in my decision no matter what. He gave me a gentle hug and then he ceased to be. I promised myself I would eventually find a way to help him get over his objection with cars; I needed his support whether I was driving or not.

Climbing into the van, I started it up and glanced around at the menagerie following me. "Well... that took about an hour, so I guess--

I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence; a car careened over the sidewalk at top speed and slammed into the side of the minivan with a resounding crunch.