FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Gift

Richard's Storyline, Chapter 8.3

copyright comidacomida 2019

Still stunned at my surroundings and barely following the conversation, I questioned "This is the Spiritscape? Where's... everything else?"

The Jaguar approached and rested a paw on my naked shoulder next to my cloak; I could feel the sandpapery texture of his paw and the faint pricks of his half-unsheathed claws at the ends of his fingers as he spoke calmly "Everything is where it has always been, Ricardo... as are you... but you are also here. When the ritual is complete, we will return to your home and all will be as you left it."

I forced my focus back to the task on hand, promising I'd quiz both of my Spirits later about the strange Spiritscape. "Okay... so... ritual..."

Balan and Jack exchanged a glance; the Gryphon smiled through his beak while the Jaguar nodded reverently. Both extended an arm to me so in one hand I accepted a paw and in the other a talon. We approached one another and I stood as part of the triangle, facing both of them as the ground in the middle of us glowed and a circle traced itself into the stone. I wanted to remark about it-- to say something, but I thought better of speaking out of turn and waited patiently.

Despite Balam's statement that the ritual would change, I was familiar with the Prayer to the Seven Directions and it proceeded exactly as I'd remembered it. Granted, we had Jack with us, and he helped as we placed the Spirit-summoned relics around the circle-- candle, water, clay bowl-- all of it. Then, as we finished placing all of the items, and once Balam had intoned the words, he looked to me and nodded, a faint glimmer of humor in his eyes as he harkened back to a question I had asked him the last time. "This is the part where we take off our clothes."

I'd also remembered something specific about the last time we'd done the ritual. "And... I start with you, and then do the same to Jack?"

He inclined his head. "That is correct, Seer."

I had lost all hesitance I'd had the first time we'd done the ritual that way, taking his adornments off one at a time. Rather than bothering to look for some place to lay each article of clothing I simply turned and placed it onto what would have been an invisible shelf, unsurprised as each piece disappeared in a wisp of Golden smoke once I let go of it. Eventually every piece of jewelry aside from an anklet was off (I remembered he was supposed to keep that on), and that left his cloak, headdress, and waist wrap.

Just to be sure, I indicated my intent. "I will leave the anklet and your headdress... and take your cloak next."

Balam inclined his head, silently providing me his permission as he continued staring at me, Golden eyes gleaming intently. He raised his muzzle slightly, providing me clear access to the golden clasp holding his cloak on and I was surprised at how easily it opened; the fur cloak fell away from him, dissolving in midair. Without waiting for further direction I knelt down, leaning forward as I wrapped my arms around him and reached for the knot behind him holding his waist wraps in place.

The Jaguar stood where he was, head lowering once again until I felt his nose brush across the top of my head and took in a deep breath; even more audible than that was the soft, rhythmic rumbling coming from his chest. And then, suddenly, the moment had passed as the leather strap securing the last of his clothes had parted, and they fell away, cascading to the ground like Golden dry ice smoke and disappearing just as easily. He stated only "Thank you."

Not having to be directed further, I turned to Jack. "And now your turn."

The Gryphon's ear tufts raised and I saw him swallow audibly, feathers puffing out as he nodded eagerly. "I am ready, Richard... thine to do with as thou wilt."

Although the statement was obviously innocent embellishment, I couldn't help but think of some less-than-innocent connections to that, especially since he was already half naked, and so very handsome. In the end, I smiled as I joked. "Then maybe you should take a breath before you pass out."

Although he smiled at the gentle ribbing, he did add in a gruff voice "I am no delicate flower, Richard and I shall not faint."

Jack's adornments came off just like Balam's, starting with the jewelry (again, except for a single anklet) until all he had left was his loin cloth and waist wrap. I slid my hands through the fur along his ribs, marveling in just how soft the lighter fur was before my fingers worked their way through the slightly coarser fur of his back and I took a step closer so I could wrap my arms around him and undo the cord holding his clothing on. He leaned down and pressed his beak to the top of my head. "I am thine... I beg of thee-- this Ritual, Richard... let us complete it that we may be Bound."

It was forward... very forward-- far forward than anything Balam had ever said. One reason why it was all the more surprising when the Jaguar added. "I agree. I have found no Human worthy of such a Bond in centuries, and you are more than deserving of our adoration Seer... I pray to the Seven Directions that you feel the same."

Even with the language barrier removed for the time being I'd never figured that Balam was even capable of such direct statements and for just a moment it was intimidating. Responding to a statement that emphatic from a being usually so reserved wasn't anything that I could put into words but, at the same time I couldn't not respond, and so I willed it be so... and was shocked when that response bore fruit; the luminescent bluish-green fog flowed out of my chest and into the center of the circle.

The two Spirits glanced to one another, then back to me and they stepped closer in unison, slowly working as a team to undress me. The moment my clothing was gone the stream of light grew even brighter and, for a moment, my entire vision was taken up with Turquoise illumination before it dimmed slightly Gold joined it. Each Spirit was a source of the energy and it flowed into the circle from each, joining my own in the circle.

Balam began chanting and, while I could hear and understand what he spoke at the time, like many of his spells I have heard and seen since, the specifics elude me. Jack's voice joined his and even though I could understand the Gryphon's old version of English it too isn't something I can remember. Ultimately, though, they both fell silent and the series of questions I'd expected came from the Jaguar. "Seer... do you remember how to lay hands?"

I nodded without hesitation. "One per Spirit... on your chests."

He inclined his head in approval of my memory and he bid me continue. "Correct. When you are ready."

Holding out both hands, I reached through the glowing light between us; my fingers felt cold and warm at the same time as they took on the same glow and then, the moment my hands touched either Spirit I felt only warmth. Balam nodded to Jack and each Spirit reached through the light and Golden glowing paw and Golden glowing Talon came to rest on either side of my chest. As with the last time we'd done the ritual I felt their heartbeats, and they were the same as mine. Three was a connection, and it felt... right.

Everyone drew their respective arms back and Balam looked to me as if expecting me to know what to do next. I did. "And now I cross my arms and touch each of you with my other hand while you touch me with your other one too."

His smile was genuine, and it lit up his muzzle in an almost alien way; it was fetching, and made me wish I could see his approval more often. "Yes. Very good."

I remembered what it felt like the last time we had started the ritual, and I remembered being afraid, but liking it. The second time there was no fear, and I reveled in the wave of energy that flowed through me as I felt the presence of both Spirits merge with me in a way that joined us, but allowed us to remain separate-and-whole all at once. Balam didn't have to ask the question of me that he had the previous time. "I am binding you both to me as Spirit Guides and Guardians."

The Jaguar actually seemed taken aback at my forthcoming statement, and his whiskers quirked upward as he smirked, obviously bemused by my newfound independence. "Yes... if we will have you..."

The tables had turned in that regard, and it was my turn to ask, immediately compelled to question with just a LITTLE bit of sass. "Will YOU say 'yes' this time?"

Both Spirits spoke in unison. "I will."

The words echoed around in my head as our surroundings slowly faded to black... not unlike a dramatic scene shift in a movie. I make that comparison because, when I next experienced the 'fade in', we were standing inside the house; I was fully clothed and each Spirit was back in their own respective raiments. "What just happened?"

Having spoken it in English, only Jack really seemed to understand and he was kind enough to respond. "We are bound to thee, Richard... the ritual is done."

I--