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How to Seer, Part 7

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Three days after I'd almost been mugged my entire life had changed in another way. Kon had explained the trouble we'd run into (while leaving out several other more personal details), and my other spirits became even more protective. Considering at least one of them had been with me at all times since before I'd moved to Cherry City that may not seem like a big deal, but when you have four protective Spirits worrying that anything and everything could be out to get you... well... it makes an overprotective parent seem more like a dismissive older sibling. Still, I didn't usually have much of a reason to go anywhere, but their concern became even more evident on my birthday.

My nineteenth birthday was the first one I'd spent away from my family. My folks had called that morning and promised that I would receive my present in the mail. I'd spoken with them for about twenty minutes before we said our goodbyes and hung up. Raven was the first to speak up. "Hey, Billy... you remember when your parents took us all to the movie theater for your twelfth birthday? That was a blast."

Sometimes it was hard to remember that the Raven had been part of my life for longer than I'd first realized; he'd spent years Skin Riding Kyle. I realized by that point that he often brought up our joined past to try and help foster a familiarity that he felt strongly but was still fairly new to me. I took the bait. "Do you think we should do that to celebrate this one then?"

Raven offered a shrug. "If you want, sure! I mean... I don't really think there's anything good out but a super hero movie or a silly comedy might be fun."

Talapus was seated across the living room in a recliner had his feet up on the coffee table; he seemed to favor it instead of going to the trouble of using the flip-out foot rest. The Coyote, having followed the conversation, pointed out "Well, if we all go Billy only needs to buy one ticket, so that's like five for the price of one."

Mishupishu was lingering in the kitchen, his tail slowly swaying in the air behind him as if it were carried underwater by some kind of unseen current. "Or he could buy them for all of us to honor the day of his birth."

That statement caught me as odd. "Wait... it's MY birthday... so you guys should be buying MY ticket, not the other way around."

The water panther shook his head. "No. Among my people the day of birth is celebrated by the entire tribe. The one who has gained a year provides gifts to the tribe in thanks for the help they have given to him for the year."

Mishupishu wasn't usually one to joke but, when he did, it was usually dry humor. I questioned his motives. "You're kidding... right?"

Talapus sat up. "Actually, many tribes of the Americas followed the same tradition... birthdays weren't about presents for the person who got older; they were about everyone else-- friends and family were celebrated."

Raven puffed up, preening one of his large, arm-like wings. "I really like the way the Europeans do it better."

Talapus rolled his eyes. "Figures."

Kon stepped up behind me, his forearm fur brushing against my sleeve before the digits of his paw entwined with my fingers. "If I was able to, I'd buy you a present, Billy-kun."

I turned to look at Kon. "You would, would you?"

In the time since our kiss his demeanor had changed in more ways than I could count. There had been times in the past when the Fox had come across as mysterious, distant, and even on occasion he was disconcerting but the golden glow of his eyes made every glance toward me somehow much more easy to understand. That isn't to say that he was an open book, but he felt somehow more familiar. His smile was genuine. "I'd get you a new hair brush."

It made sense in a way since I used mine to brush his fur; we shared that as one of many opportunities I maximized to help provide spirit energy to the Fox. In fact, I had little 'rituals' with each of my Spirits, and that thought gave me an idea. "You know... actually, I think it might be fun to try things like Mishupishu suggested."

The feline, who had been idly toying with making a piece of paper move back and forth across the counter looked up immediately. "You wish to get tickets for us all?"

Laughing, I shook my head. "No... actually I think I'll just rent something on digital cable since Raven suggested it. One thing for each of you tonight in thanks for another year I got with all of you."

The four Spirits focused on me and I saw all eight eyes, four Purple, two Green and two gold glow just a little brighter. There were no objections and so I started unveiling my plan. It turned out into a game of sorts as I went through my mind seeking out what would be the perfect thing for each of them. Everything unfolded in a surprisingly easy manner too.

I'd already made my choice for Raven and I found the perfect movie to select and we all sat down to watch. While the previews started I grabbed a pack of frozen sliders out of the freezer and started heating them up. Talapus, I knew, had a special soft spot in his heart (and stomach) for hamburgers, and so I heated up a dozen; two for me, and the rest for my Spirits. While we watched the movie I sorted a bowl of spare change I'd been saving up, pulling out all the real copper pennies, which I gifted to Mishupishu since I knew from talks with him that copper was a holy metal of some kind for him.

By the time the movie was coming to a close all of my Spirits had received their gifts, except for Kon. As the credits started I excused myself and went into the bathroom where I had a hairbrush I'd purchased a few days prior but had never removed from the package. Returning with it to the couch I flopped down next to the Fox, opened the package, and took hold of one of his tails, announcing "No more using my brush... this one'll be yours."

Every last one of my gifts was a hit, and all of my Spirits universally seemed to enjoy the night. I gave all of Kon's tails a good brushing and, at the end, I leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek; it was the first time I'd showed any kind of physical adoration of him with the others around-- they took notice immediately. They all ended up getting a kiss that night; Talapus even turned his muzzle at the last minute so I kissed the end of it instead of the side... and it was all good. Even without my family around, as far as birthday's went, it was one of the best.