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The Gift

Daniel's Storyline, Chapter 1.1

copyright comidacomida 2018

During the following morning (and by that, I mean technically the same morning around 10 am when I woke up since I went to bed at 3). I learned a lot about the 'laws' of spirits-- THEY don't call them laws, but the meaning is pretty much the same. We all had a sit-down in the living room and they had to explain to me why they were all willing to play nice all of the sudden, and it had to do with the Accord they'd all made before bed.

See, the thing is, spirits aren't bound by any real human rules but they have a set of their own. When Herne suggested that they all agree to an Accord what he was saying was that, if life were a game and I was a prize, that they'd have to establish some rules to determine how to win me. I know, it sounds like a pretty crazy metaphor, but it's not mine: Kon used that exact explanation to let me know why everyone was so calm after being so crazy about me.

Normally, how Talapus explained it, Accords are binding agreements that Spirits enter into with humans. Spirits have a lot of powers and aren't limited to certain time and space restrictions (they can go through walls, for Christ's sake!) so Accords give them some restrictions and allow humans to be a little more at ease around em. In this case, the Accord Herne suggested was that all three of them vowed to halt any seduction attempts or any sexual interaction of any kind with me.

While it was an agreement among all three of them, for it to be an actual binding Accord they were required to make that promise to me and, in return, I had to hold them to it and promise not to seek anything sexual from them as well. While I didn't like the idea of look-but-don't-touch I also realized that it was the only way I'd be able to have anything close to resembling peace in my apartment, so I agreed.

Only after I'd agreed did Herne explain that I wasn't actually bound by the Accord like a spirit was, and Yon quickly followed up with a bet to the others that he could make me cancel the Accord faster than the others-- Talapus then, just as quickly pointed out that, as the Accord was created at the same time, that would completely void the requirements for the other two spirit parties, which would make me fair game immediately. I had JUST enough time to open my mouth with a big grin before Herne interjected with a no-nonsense statement of "And then you will risk having Daniel Consumed."

I didn't like the idea of that, especially since the word 'Consumed' held a very powerful, and very strong hint of something far worse than just 'eaten'. Despite my reservations of being surrounded by three hot animal-guy-spirit-things, I suddenly felt that much safer knowing that everyone was going to play fair and I had over three weeks to figure out what I needed to know so I could avoid some kind of weird, spiritually tragic end.

Most of that day was spent in casual conversation with my new 'roommates'. Talapus, I learned, was some kind of spirit from among the Native Americans. He wasn't able to say specifically which tribe since numerous tribal nations across North America (and some parts of Central America) contributed to his tales. In discussing his background I learned that spirits gained energy from the legends about them, which made sense why Herne was so powerful.

Herne, as it turned out, was the oldest of all three of them, and he'd been worshipped in the English Isles (British Isles? UK? Whatever they call that part of Europe) since, like, before the Romans came. I don't know a lot about history, but I can imagine that'd be a long time. Anyway, he'd been included in legends from as far back as Stone Henge being built, or somewhere close to that. Yon had been around almost as long, but he wasn't quite so eager to talk about all of the stories people told of him.

What little he did discuss gave me the impression that he was the kind of spirit that people blamed when things went wrong. Although he didn't tell any complete stories it sounded like he'd had a hard time relating to humans because of it. One of the few complete tales he did relate though was how he took great pride in visiting the son of a powerful Shogun in Japan, revealing himself to the young man, and then helping him to realize that he liked men sexually more than women. The Fox had just started going into some explicit details when Herne suggested we change the topic.

I ended up having lunch, which was my breakfast a few hours before I had to go into work-- my schedule for that day was 8pm until 2am, so I had most of the day t do 'whatever'. I made a PBJ for myself and then had to go through a long discussion with the three spirits about what they were going to eat-- turns out that spirits don't really eat like humans do. Yon said he'd be happy to eat anything I made for him, but Herne and Talapus both suggested otherwise; Herne explained that doing a favor to a spirit was the greatest way to provide them what food did for humans.

"Besides," Talapus argued, "If you made a sandwich for him he could not actually eat it; he is a spirit."

Grinning, Yon jumped up onto the table, only, as he did so, the Fox spirit shrank in size and landed on all fours, becoming not only a proper fox, but a solid one as well. He then turned back to look at the Coyote before stating "Yokai can take a physical form, remember? And I LOVE peanut butter."

The rest of the day was full of just as much chaos When it came time to head to work I then had to sort through all of the arguments over who'd be going with and who would be staying at my apartment. I raised the obvious of all question: "If you go with me then I have to re-invite you back into my apartment, right?"

Kon was very quick to add "If Talapus went with you he'd have to be invited for the first time, Daniel."

The Coyote made a sour face at the Fox who, by that time, had returned to his spirit Fox-man form. It was Herne who provided my answer however. "Once you've invited a spirit into your home they may freely come and go but any time they are outside your home you can revoke permission and they cannot reenter."

That raised an interesting question so I asked it right away. "Can I force a spirit to LEAVE my apartment?"

The Elk replied in a very matter-of-fact tone, but the way he glanced toward the Fox and Coyote I realized it was more than just instructional. "You may do so with the help of another spirit who would like to see him, her, or them gone."

Talapus quickly added "Assuming whatever spirit or spirits are helping you can overpower any you're trying to force out."

At that point I turned to look right at the Coyote. "Are you going to stay here tonight while I'm at work?"

In response he lowered one ear and an unreadable expression creased his muzzle. "Would you like me to come, Daniel, or would you prefer I stay?"

Yon quickly stepped into view, taking a seat beside Talapus where the Coyote was seated on the sofa. "Yeah! Me too? Do you want me to stay or come? I'd come any time you want me to, you know."

Something about the way the Fox accentuated the word 'come' made me think he wasn't JUST talking about joining me at work. Herne, however, forestalled further discussion or my response. "Daniel, this is something you should decide; dealing with Trickster spirits and Yokai is far more difficult than it may first appear. If you are not careful you--"

Talapus flicked his tail. "It's a simple question, Elk."

Herne scowled. "You are fishing for spirit energy-- asking him to make a request of you."

The back-and-forth didn't make a lot of sense to me and, quite frankly, was starting to make my neck sore from switching between the two sides of room. "You can all come along. It's fine. Geez."

The Coyote stood and, as he did so, his bathrobe disappeared. Before I could catch any glimpse of what lay beneath it, he was instead adorned in leather pants adorned with a collection of beads and feathers. He had what looked like a woven vest held closed with a strip of leather and it took had a collection of feathers decorating it, especially along the shoulders, which was almost completely covered. His ears were held in an upward perked position by a leather headband which also kept his mane out of his face.

A pair of long, leather boots covered his feet from toe to knee; they looked particularly weird since he had animal-like legs and seemed like he walked on his tip toes. Regardless, I didn't have long to dwell on the sight as he pointed out "I haven't been invited in yet, Daniel. Would you mind doing that before we leave?"

Something about the request gave me pause; based on what Herne had said earlier was the Coyote trying to fish for something from me? I glanced at the Elk who seemed completely disinterested in the exchange. Without any guidance I offered up a casual "I guess."

It wasn't good enough apparently because Talapus had to push the issue. Eventually I had to tell him exactly what he needed to hear from me, which he did. Yon was laughing for the vast majority of the exchange but was the first to point out "Alright-- let's get going! We don't want Daniel to be late!" He did say it, by the way, when I already was.

At work that night my shift went pretty much how it usually did. Other than the occasional rush of movie-goers I spent most of my time watching the clock. I was on the concession stand that night, which meant that, other than taking orders and filling drinks most of my shift meant checking temperatures on the hot foods and cold foods and occasionally cleaning up spills. The three spirits accompanying me were thoughtful enough not to interact with me when anyone was around, but that was only until midnight; after that I was left alone at the counter because Tony, the other guy working that night was done with his shift.

Once I was alone, things got much more spiritual. Kon and Talapus began engaging me in conversation, asking about the different movies being shown and which I'd seen, how I felt about them, and why I was working at a movie theater. I answered as many questions as I could when I was sure nobody was paying attention to me, keeping my responses short and quiet. Herne, throughout it all, said nothing; he sat on a bench across the way and simply stared at me, astute eyes taking in every move I made and each transaction I filled with the occasional guest coming up for a refill of popcorn or a fresh pop.

The final movie showing that night had started at 11:15 and was due to let out a few minutes before 2:00. Around 12:30 I told the manager I was going to take a quick break and I headed off to the bathroom; I was so focused on the fact that I'd been holding back the need to pee for almost two hours that I didn't realize that Kon and Talapus were both following me. I didn't realize they had entered the bathroom with me until I had walked up to a urinal and suddenly found a Fox to my left and a Coyote to my right.

I had a momentary fight with a case of shy bladder, glancing first to Talapus, who greeted me with a "Hey." and then to Kon who noted simply. "Hi, Hiro."

Trying to focus on my own issues I worked to blank them out of my mind. I heard somewhere that thinking about sex was a good way to get your bladder to start working but, considering where I was and who was on either side of me I couldn't help but think that was a bad idea. Instead, I focused on breaking the ice. "So... spirits pee?"

Kon responded first. "No... but I like bathrooms."

Talapus, who was just a moment behind in his explanation stated "We don't have to, but we can should we desire."

Only by working hard to tune them both out was I finally able to get my own body to get on with the deed; I did notice by the sound that neither of them had their own streams start before my own did. The fact that Herne wasn't in the bathroom also caught my attention; based on all of his comments about Tricksters and Yokai constantly testing the limits of rules I suppose it made sense. By that time I was finally finishing my 'pit stop' and gave myself one final shake before tucking back into my pants and zipping up.

Off to my left Kon was doing the same. While my attention was on the fox, Talapus turned toward me. "Oh, Daniel, I had almost forgotten to--"

The feel of something warm and wet streaming against my ankle and foot caught my attention but, by the time I jumped back and turned toward the Coyote he was once again facing the urinal. "What the hell?!?!"

Talapus simply let out a relaxed chuckle. "Sorry, Danny... peeing isn't something I do every day-- mistakes happen, right?"

Judging from the casual swish of his tail I had a feeling that it wasn't that 'accidental'. Glancing down at my leg I realized that, despite the eerie sensation of having been peed on, I was completely dry. My own response was not quite as upbeat. "Yeah... I guess mistakes do happen."

Kon walked out ahead of me, speaking over my shoulder as he passed by me. "You know... if you're gonna let HIM mark you then you--"

His words came to a halt as the bathroom door burst open and two guys a little older than me walked in. I didn't really get a good look at them though because they were followed by a Bat. The third of the group was a Bat in the same way that Kon was a Fox and Talapus was a Coyote. He was dressed up in brand name gear including a pair of shades I remember seeing on sale online for like, $300. He came to a halt the moment he caught a glimpse of me with Kon. The guys he was with passed right by me; the one on the right walked right through the Fox. The Bat grinned, revealing a pair of long, pearly white fangs. "Well... what have we here?"

Having been caught by surprise I was staring so I--