nexus_crossings | Why people don't like spirits

The weather has been irritatingly unpredictable this year. Sunny one day, a blizzard the next. It's almost impossible to plan for. Today Reynard has made sure the Nexus is smothered in a thick blanket of snow, and it's nearly perfectly smooth. The Nexus might as well be a different landscape. It's hard to tell what a person is stepping on until they take the chance to wade in. Bins, boulders, benches, street curbs are all probably the most normal things a traveller might find themselves cracking shins and toes against.

At a very strategically chosen point however, some poor people find themselves in a bit of a bother. After getting this far all it takes is one step and they find themselves chest deep in the snow. Struggling will only testify to how packed tight the freezing blanket is. Digging themselves out might be possible, but slow.

It doesn't take long before a sing-song voice comes through the air.

"A house for a five headed creature,
A tool that carves rock and earth,
A measure against misadventure,
A gift often owned from birth."

Reynard walks on top of the snow with his usual confident stroll. He crouches in front of his unfortunate victim, tilts his head and asks, "What am I?"

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Ice Bear isn't showing it, but maybe he's frustrated at not being able to solve this riddle. He's the clever bear of his brotherly group, after all. He furrows his brows are looks up at Reynard with anticipation.

"Ice Bear hates to admit it, but Ice Bear needs a clue." Ouch.

After a moment's thought Reynard folds one arm and waves a hand, punctuating his words. "Sometimes when you can't figure out something you need to look at it from another direction -turn it on its head-, as it were." He rolls his hand down towards the ground. "... look at it again and then start from the start."

"...Ice Bear is stumped."

He's definitely frowning at being unable to solve the riddle, so hopefully Reynard doesn't rub the victory in his face.

"Ice Bear would like to know the answer. Maybe try a different riddle."

On the contrary, Reynard is a little disappointed on Ice Bear's behalf. If anyone were to solve it he would have been happy with Ice Bear being the one to give the right answer. "It was a valiant attempt, my dear friend. I was looking for 'shoe' or 'boot'."

"But perhaps you'll do better with this one." He clears his throat.

"Glittering points that downward thrust,
Sparkling spears that never rust.
What am I?"

Ice Bear is not proud at his failure and must pause to put the pieces of the riddle together. Hmmm. It was a good puzzle if it's taking him this long to get it, but finally it makes sense.

"Ah. Ice Bear commends you for a good riddle." As for the second one, Ice Bear's eyes light up, and one can picture a light-bulb going off in his head.

"Icicle." He sounds very confident in his answer.

The compliment prompts him to take his hat off and bow his head. "Thank you very much."

Setting his hat back on his head, Reynard's mouth splits into a toothy grin. "Ha! Very good, my dear fellow. And so quick on the mark! How sharp of you!"

Ice Bear smiles at hearing he's right! Redemption for the last riddle has been obtained. He digs himself out of the snow trap so he can finally stand toe to toe with the winter spirit.

"Ice Bear will now give you a riddle." It won't be related to winter, alas, but he's enjoying these games with Reynard. "I stay in the corner, but I travel all around the world. What am I?"

Reynard folds his arms and strokes his beard thoughtfully. Right away he knows his own home won't be a good example, simple as he keeps it. After some thought his eyes slide over to consider Ice Bear. Part of him wants to say 'the internet' or 'television', but he half suspects he might reveal his ignorance about technology if he says either of them.

Instead he hazards a cautious guess. "A globe… or a map?"

"Getting warmer...Or closer. Ice Bear forgot that winter spirits might not like heat.

He's doing a good job of keeping the answer hidden with his usual stoic face, but is more than happy to give Reynard a small hint. "It shares a relationship with snails."

"Winter spirits like Winter fires," he says simply. Though it might sound cryptic he isn't speaking in riddles this time. Perhaps Ice Bear will understand what he means better than most humans.

"Snails?" Well now that's confused him even more. What shares a relationship with snails? Molluscs? Insects? After thinking quietly, arms folded, one hand stroking his beard he straightens. "Water? Or… a bird?"

"Winter fires?" Cue a confused look from Ice Bear, as he can only imagine that fire is a bad thing for a Winter Spirit. "Please explain the details to Ice Bear."

As for the riddle, Ice Bear shakes his head no. "Bird guess is close. The item isn't alive, if that helps. Ice Bear will keep giving clues until Reynard concedes."

"Winter fires are fires built for Winter. Bonfires to ward off the darkest nights, housefires that bring families together, torches in the hands of hunters and Winter mobs. They have a different purpose to other fires, a different mindset makes them, a different intention."

Reynard laughs. "Settle in. I'm a stubborn spirit." He strokes his beard and peers at Ice Bear, lips twisted in a small grin. "Snails and birds but not alive... A... hat? No! A bag?"

"All in the mind. Fire can be what one wants it to be." Ice Bear seems to grasp this concept, nodding politely. "Ice Bear just assumed Winter Spirits hate dealing with the warmth."

Ice Bear will take Reynard up on that offer, taking a seat in a slightly-snow covered chair. He has nothing else planned for the day. "Getting closer. Think about a way to talk with people, but no sound."

"Ah, you understand. Very good! Not many people do, you know, even when I explain."

That gets even more beard stroking. This is a tricky one. "To talk to people without sound? Like a picture or a book... but they have nothing to do with snails..." His eyes slide over to Ice Bear again. "A letter?"

"Very close." Ice Bear is trying to hide his excitement about the riddle, but there's a small smile on his face.

"Ice Bear tries to be open minded and learn new things."

Reynard narrows his eyes at Ice Bear, as though he might be able to read the answer from the bear's mind. (He can't.)

"A… pen?"

Why people don't like spirits

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