InsaneJournal

Badger badger badger badger
Who: Torshael and Brock (familiar)
What: Meeting his familiar and calling his brother
When: Early morning
Where: First Baptist Church

Torshael was kneeling in front of the altar, praying. He tried to do this every morning, when he was here and not out. It calmed him, and when he was calm, he did better work. When he heard the door open and close, he didn't turn away, but kept praying. He asked for protection, for himself and his family, and all the supernaturals. He felt that something big was coming, and sent his worry to God. Torshael knew he could trust God.

He looked down in confusion when he felt a tug on his trousers, and nearly fell over and screamed when he saw a badger standing there, looking up at him placidly. He stumbled to his feet and backed away, running into the altar. Growing up in the city, Torshael still knew that badgers could be nasty.

Excuse me? I am not nasty. I am your familiar, so if you think I'm nasty, better get used to it. said a rough but quiet baritone voice.

Torshael looked around, and then down. Oh dear. Was the badger…talking to him?

Of course I am. I didn’t walk for the last three weeks to get to anybody. I’d appreciate you not running away from me. The badger in front of Torshael eyed him, the two dark beads showing a great amount of intelligence and emotion. Mostly irritation.

“You’re...my familiar.” Torshael said after a moment, starind dumbly down at the badger.

Good Lord, yes, I already said that. I'm here because something big is going down, and you're going to need me. So here I am. The badger was more than humanly intelligent. He walked over to Torshael, and placed a clawed foot on Torshael's dress shoe. I am Brock.

"Torshael. But you already know that, right?" He asked, kneeling. Brock sat up on his back legs, resting his front legs on Torshael's knee.

Yes. I'm sure you feel our connection. I will help you and yours, because of you I am immortal from natural death. But if I die, you will also. Or go crazy. Either way, I would prefer not to die. Do you feel how much stronger you are already?

Torshael closed his eyes, and focused for a moment. His eyes sprang back open, and he looked down at the badger, shocked. "Wow. I can do so much good with this."

Yes. Together, we will. Brock leaned his head forward, and Torshael touched his head tenatively, then smiled. It filled something in his heart that had been empty for a long time.

"I should call Tayne. Would he have gotten one too?" Torshael asked.

Your brother, correct? He is too weak in his art to receive a familiar. But yes, call him. He is probably aware by now of the familiars. That thought was sent almost with a smirk.

Had that been the reason for all these animals everywhere? Torshael realized, yes. That meant a lot of people were getting familiars. And he could only assume not all of them would be nice. Which his brother would be better off knowing, if he didn't know already.

"So can I..uh..pick you up?" Torshael said, looking at the badger with some confusion.

It is faster, I am not a very quick runner. I can deal with it. Brock said, but Torshael could hear the irritation in his voice.

"The phone isn't too far away," Torshael said quickly, standing so that Brock could slide off to the side and follow him. He went into his office and picked up the phone, dialing his brother's number, which he knew by heart. The badger followed him quietly, claws clicking on the wood floor.