The Gift": Richard's Storyline, Ch 6, Part 1
Story by comidacomida on SoFurry
Hello, readers, and welcome back to "The Gift"! This time, I am presenting part 1 of Richard's Chapter 6.
In this chapter we follow Richard through his next week of school and learn a little about how he grows closer with his two Spirits. We also get a glimpse of a few new lessons Richard is learning about Spirits and how he chooses to spend his Saturday. At this point, after being confronted by Balam, Richard must choose how to handle himself. Here is the winning vote:
a) -- smiled, touching my lips where had I felt the feral insistence of his fangs. "Mmm... maybe that's the point... if he gains less spirit energy he'll need to do it more often to make up for it."
The Gift
Richard's Storyline, Chapter 6.1
copyright comidacomida 2018
The following week at college was much like any other. Focusing on my classes, I had little time to devote to the Spirits, especially since the term had gone into full swing and I had hours of study and projects to work on at home during my off hours. My first obligation was to complete my course work, followed by making sure I got in my work outs at the college gym; exercise is a great way to process stress and, considering my heavy class load I really needed it.
Balam and Jack were very understanding and patient with me, which made me feel all the worse that I couldn't spare as much time for them as I'd like. The Jaguar managed to find a place for himself in my schedule, helping me with my Spanish papers. It was a two-edged sword though, since Balam didn't know how to read or write, but helping him learn (and he was a FAST learner) it gave me a chance to go over the material in a different capacity, which improved my own retention of the course work.
During those study sessions Jack was respectfully distant, moving about the house in whatever pattern called to him. He'd mentioned in the past wishing he was able to help out but he couldn't provide any service when it came to chores because he couldn't affect the physical world sufficiently to clean up, do dishes, or vacuum. By mid week, however, the willful Gryphon continued to contemplate ways to help, and that was when he stumbled upon dusting. Spirits were able to exert energy to make small changes in our world and dust was easy enough a thing for him to affect; the place was spotless by week's end.
When Saturday finally arrived I realized that I faced another chore day. With the dusting already done it cut down on some of my activity but there was still plenty to do... or so I'd thought. When it came time to take out the trash I found myself staring at an empty trash can. Jack was there in a moment by my side. "I could move everything one at a time."
I paused, looking his way after processing the statement. "You mean every paper towel, every paper cup, and--"
He nodded, his beak wagging up and down. "Aye. Whilst thou and the Savage studied last night I transferred everything to the bin outside. Thou needest only move it to the curb."
Moving my gaze from him to the front door then back to him, an obvious question came to mind. "How did you get everything outside?"
His ear tufts raised and the feathers around his beak puffed up in self-satisfaction. "Dost thou remember? It was hot last night and thou took the time to open the front window. I walked through the wall with each piece of refuse outside."
Arguing the point wasn't worthwhile so I accepted what he said at face value, and that meant I was able to set aside another chore as done, which meant I'd be moving on to the dishes. As I made my way into the kitchen the Gryphon followed me so I asked him "Doesn't something like that tire you out? I mean... moving so much stuff physically must use tons of Spirit Energy... doesn't it?"
Jack nodded, fluffing his wings then refolding them against his back. "It does, Richard, but it is worth it if thou art able to find more time to spend with me, and the Savage helps thee so I would be remiss if I could not find an opportunity to do the same."
Coming to a stop in front of an empty counter and sink I glanced to a full drain board. Beside me, the Gryphon had a very satisfied expression on his beak and he folded his arms over his chest while a content sigh escaped his beak. "And the dishes?"
He offered only a casual shrug. "Into the sink one at a time-- then I turn on the sink. Then I turn off the sink. Then I use a brush to scrub the dish. Then I turn the sink back on, and then I--"
I didn't even know where to begin, so the efficiency portion of my brain took over. "Wouldn't it have made more sense to just leave the faucet on so you wouldn't have to keep touching it all the time?"
Jack nodded, then shook his head. "It would, Richard, but I could not move the plate if water was pressing down on it."
The laws of the Spirit world didn't always make sense, but those of the physical world did... except in how they affected Spirits. "Okay... so the dishes... are done?"
The Gryphon's beak wagged up and down again. "Aye, Richard... though I had not the energy to put them away after they dried."
I was more than happy enough to do that; it was the fastest and arguably the easiest part of doing the dishes. Jack chatted with me idly as I made quick work of the short stack of plates, cups, and utensils. After everything was put away I turned back to the Gryphon. "So... you can open a door-- you opened my bedroom door... and that weighs more than a plate with water on it, doesn't it? So why can't--"
He blinked, ear feather tufts rising. "Weight does not matter, Richard... Spirits do not affect the world as Humans do."
I wanted to press the issue but, at that moment, Balam stepped through the wall from outside and joined us in the kitchen. He addressed me in Spanish. "Seer, today is a festival day. Come outside with me."
It was one of his requests that sounded more like an order-- which was different, I was learning, than an order which sounded like a request. My response followed that line of thinking. "I am working in the house. When do you want to go out?"
The Jaguar blinked, staring at me with his feline eyes as he spoke. "After the sun has risen to its highest point. We will go after you eat your lunch."
I considered what other chores I had. "Alright... assuming I can get everything done. I still need to.. uh..." I didn't know the word in Spanish so I said it in English. "Vacuum... and--"
Jack cleared his throat. When I glanced his way he offered a beaky smile; although I'd spoken to Balam in Spanish, the Gryphon "It is very easy to pick dirt out of the carpet with my talons because I do not have to touch the carpet. All of it is out of the carpet and is now outside in the garden."
Pausing for only a moment I continued with my list for Balam. "--and make sure I have clean clothes for next week. I have to do laundry." The moment I finished speaking in Spanish I turned to Jack. "Did you do the laundry too?"
Shaking his head, the Gryphon offered a shrug, his wings accentuating the motion. "I did not, Richard... that would take even more energy, but hopefully what I have done has helped thee enough."
I laughed, and stepped forward, cupping his beak from either side between my two hands. "It did. Thank you. Oh... I also have to feed my Gryphon."
Jack's ear tufts rose in confusion but it didn't last long as I pressed my lips to the end of his beak, and he melted in my hands. He let out an almost tittering-giggle and pushed back against my lips. He felt warm to the touch, and it was an amazing feeling, especially when I felt the surge of Spirit Energy pass between us. Strangely, I'd learned, when providing energy to him I actually felt more energized, as if I was empowered by giving it to him.
As we disengaged, I turned away to go find my dirty clothes, but I was surprised when I almost ran right into Balam, who had moved up behind me during my intimacy with Jack. The Jaguar spoke simply, in heavily accented, halting English. "And you have to feed your Jaguar?" It was one of those orders that sounded like a request I had mentioned.
Before I could answer he leaned forward and the end of his muzzle pressed against my lips. It was a forward, almost aggressive gesture, and it was accentuated by the feel of his long, sharp teeth through his fuzzy, whiskered lips. He pulled those back, however, and those fangs brushed against my flesh, pricking my bottom lip, which I found suddenly pushed out of the way by a broad, roughly-textured tongue. A moment later his tongue was in my mouth, overpowering my own as the action took my breath away. Then, it was done.
Balam took a step back, inclining his head to me even as I tried to catch my breath. He about-faced, and disappeared through the wall, leaving me there almost panting from the experience. Like when I had kissed Jack the experience left me refreshed and energized, but it also left me with a number of other feelings too.
The Gryphon scowled. "That was foolish... he gains less Spirit Energy when he forces himself upon thee. The Savage must learn restraint."
I--