7/20/17
Needless to say, August was in a bad mood for most of yesterday. The Magician, who asked me to call him Mal, did not set him at ease either. For my part, I found him fascinating and… charming. Tall and lean, with none of August’s mawkish meanness, I very much enjoyed his company.
But here’s a full report of how his visit went.
First of all, it seems demons have suffered from some bad press over the centuries. They are not, as many have been led to believe, here to lead people into lives of evil and sin. They’re more like… nature spirits. They encourage people to take care of the environment, manage resources, enjoy being outdoors. I asked Mal about evil and he laughed, he said God put evil in people, he even admits it.
“Ever hear of original sin? Evil is in everyone. Some people fight it, some people don’t. Some people who go to church every Sunday do evil, some people who never go to church do evil.” He shrugged, “I was given dominion over the Earth, so I take care of it. Humans need to take responsibility for their own decisions and make good ones. Good and evil isn’t complicated, it’s accountability to yourselves and your community. That’s it.”
“Balderdash,” August muttered. Mal laughed.
Mal told us that one of the people in his troupe is a seer and she reached out to Evelyn. Evelyn is indeed in Hell, but it’s because she became a champion in conservation in Deadwater, she fought for responsible fishing, fought to protect the Knocking Swamp, and even started a nature club for children. According to Mal, environmentalism tends to take people away from stuffy Sundays in church and out into the wild, therefore environmentalists are sent to Hell.
“But some environmentalists believe in God, don’t they?”
“Of course, but God is jealous. He won’t let you serve two masters.” Mal grinned, “He also has a big secret he doesn’t want people to figure out.”
“What’s that?” I sipped some tea, still trying to wrap my head around God being real. For some reason demons were easier to believe in.
“He didn’t create the earth, he just took it over and started his little science experiment here.”
“People?”
“People.”
“Wow. I was atheist and now I’m just… I don’t know what.”
“It’s a lot to take in. One of these days I’ll tell you the whole story.”
I liked the sound of ‘one of these days.’ I may have blushed.
August, unfortunately, has a long road ahead of him. For one, Mal said, he needs to reorder his thinking and discard all his preconceived notions about Heaven and Hell. For two, he needs to forgive nature for killing him. Mal said that it was obvious just from looking at him that August holds a grudge against the wind that pulled him off the cliff, the rocks that bashed his body, and the ocean that held on to it like treasure. August will have to forgive nature to ever make it to Hell and to Evelyn.
August did not take it well, he stood listening to Mal with his fists clenched and his teeth grinding. He stayed inside when I walked Mal to the door.
“I do not envy you," Mal said once we were outside. He put his hand on my shoulder. I probably blushed again as he put his top hat back on. He looked very rakish.
“It’s fine. He’ll come around.” I doubt I looked very confident, “Thank you for coming.”
“My pleasure. You have my number, if you need me, call me. If I can’t come help you, I will send someone from the circus. We all are well versed in dealing with ghosts.” Mal has eyes the color of the sea in the morning, steely gray, you know? And they kind of bore into you with this confidence and fire… I cried. I couldn’t help it. I’ve been alone with August for so long now. Mal held me while I sobbed. He smelled like cotton candy and pine.
“August will not be a burden to you forever, I promise you that,” he said. Maybe it was just the confidence Mal exudes, the passion that emanates from him, I don’t know, but I believe him. He left me feeling hopeful. And I haven’t felt that way in a long time.
As far as today goes, I drew the Three of Pentacles reversed for August.
“Another warning about turning your energy inward, August.”
“What else can I do? You betrayed me. That thing you let in here yesterday claims my Evelyn is in Hell! Among all manner of other heretical, nonsensical rubbish!” He roared and loomed over me. Cold energy gripped me like the coils of snake and I drew in a sharp breath.
“What other choice do you have but to trust him? To trust me?” I stood, embracing the chill. August floated back, glaring.
“I need to think.” He disappeared, but the chill hasn’t left me all day.