Narrative: Lunar New Year WHO: Alex Jiang WHEN: February 16 WHERE: Alex's body is in Kitsune dorm, but he's in the spirit realm NPCs: Guozi Jiang
The Lunar New Year was something Alex had learned to look forward to more than he had Christmas or any other food-related holiday. The visit from his ancestors had come with a wealth of knowledge and learning, and while he was a bit slow on the pick-up, he had learned enough to be eager for their visits. It was especially good to see his grandfather, who had a profound influence on his life since he entered it and smacked Alex on the head with his cane that first time. The animosity had turned to deeper understanding, and now Alex was making decisions he would heve balked at choosing in the past. His future was very different than what he thought it would be and while that original plan could still happen, Alex didn't want it.
He wondered what his grandfather would think of his decision. His choice to forego study at a university or pursue his career in music to head to China and study his abilities more. To learn what he could really do and to use them for what they were meant to be. He'd gotten a job at the local music shop and sold the expensive DJ-ing equipment to others. The money he earned from the sales and work met his food needs but would also buy him the one-way ticket to China and the fare he would need to get to the monastery. Would he be proud? Would he be disappoited? He'd find out.
"Grandpa!" Alex greeted his grandfather and wrapped the other man's spirit into a hug. It was the only way Alex could touch the old man and it wasn't really like a hug either. But he could still feel his grandfather's presence and then he stepped back. The old man looked the same as he did the day he'd passed, only more spritely now that he wasn't confined to a sickly physical form.
"It is good to see you, grandson," the old man said and then smiled, "You've been busy. Your grandmother will join us shortly but I wanted to talk with you for a bit."
The year before Alex had met the spirit of his grandmother. The woman was calm and serene, exuding the sort of peace that Alex imagined in a great sage sitting on a high mountain with the answers to everything. She'd embraced her grandson that she could finally meet for the first time and they'd talked for some length, where Alex learned about his grandfather's own mischievous youth.
Alex and his grandfather walked among the spirit realm but it was clear they had wandered to the forest. By now Alex could leave his body for some time and walk a reasonable distance from it. His body was protected from possession, and he had grown in strength. The ugly black splotch on his spirit remained but had grown much smaller than when it first appeared. The spirits of the trees were a somber shade of gray, though veins of a lively green coursed through the trunks. Images that Alex at one point thought strange but now felt comfortable.
"When will you leave for China?" his grandfather asked, and Alex answered, "A couple of weeks after graduation, I think. I want to say goodbye to everyone. My friends, teachers, and then mom and dad.</i>"
"Do they know your plans?" Guozi asked.
"Sort of. I told James my plan. Davian too. Haven't told Haylie—erm, Hayden yet. Haven't told Fred either. Mr. Cavanaugh knows though."
"What about your parents?"
Alex stopped walking and nodded, "Yeah."
"They don't approve," his grandfather stated more than asked.
"No. Not really. They'll let me do it but they think I'll come back after a few months. They think it's just a phase. Like music." They began to walk again.
His grandfather placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, "They left China and left much of their heritage there. I think the only time I have ever been truly disappointed in your father was coming to America and seeing that they taught you so little of where you came from."
"Not that they raised a raging brat?"
Guozi chuckled, "That is called being a teenager raised with nobody saying no. But no, you come from a proud heritage. A strong history. And your father did not give you that connection. Perhaps you can show him some day and he will know what he misses."
Alex wanted to disagree, as his parents had embraced much of the American culture while shunning where they came from, but he learned not to argue with his grandfather. Maybe in time Alex would be able to do that. But first he needed to learn. There was still so much to learn.
"But you approve, right? Of me going to China. Of learning more."
Alex's grandfather nodded, "Yes, but even if i didn't, you do what you feel is best. I can tell you what I think is best, and most of the time I am right, but this decision is not one I can make for you. You are choosing between different paths in life. Each will take you somewhere good."
Alex contemplated this. His grandfather basically said he didn't have to go to China and devote his life to becoming a shaman. He could go and pursue music or even go to college and do something else. But in Alex's gut he knew it wasn't what he wanted to do—what he needed to do. He had a gift and the past summer, what he'd been able to do with it had been incredible. Alex, the selfish boy from California, had helped someone else and it had lit a fire in him. He wanted to help others with what he could do. He could help people, not just harm.
Assured with his own decision, he only nodded, smiling at his grandfather.
"Now," the old man said,, "You have some work to do here before you go."
"Yeah, I know. I'm going to graduate, I swear," Alex said and his grandfather shook his head, "I do not speak of that. Your friend, the vampire. The girl with the boy's name."
"Fred?"
"Yes, that's the one."
"What about her?"
They halted once more and his grandfather gestured in front of him. Alex looked and saw Fred. The faint shape of her form and the absence of her spirit. But then he saw something even stranger. A few months ago he'd noticed something on Fred but it had been sort of forgettable. But it had grown and it wasn't natural. It didn't belong there.
"What is it? How do I get rid of it?" Alex asked, seeking his grandfather's knowledge.
"It is something that does not belong there, and you cannot remove it," his grandfather said and Alex made a face. His grandfather continued, "Whatever it is, it is something that Fred must need know is there. Do not touch it." The last sentence came out as a command. Alex nodded without saying a word.
Alex's gaze returned to Fred and the thing there. He wanted to touch it now but his grandfather's tone and the strength of the order stopped him from doing so. Whatever it was . . . Fred had to know.
"Grandson," another voice spoke and tore Alex's eyes away from Fred. He turned to face his grandmother's spirit, the calm presence washing over him. He smiled softly and greeted her. Unlike his grandfather, his grandmother could not visit often. He would tell Fred soon, but right now he wanted to spend what little time he had with the grandmother he never knew.