M³ The (Hebrew) Underworld

Jacob and Joseph die at the end of Genesis. Sorry, spoilers. We have an interesting passage at the end where Jacob dies, where he “breathed his last, and was gathered to his people,” (Gen 49:33). His people are not his family. They were already gathered around him in life, so what is going on with this description?

F³ Meat Jenga

The tornado warning had been just that, a warning, thanks to a little preventive management by me and Nat. Now we were lined up for some Kansas City barbecue. The KCQ Buffet was an awesome concept, especially for storm riders, but I doubted they would remain in business long since Nat and I were out to destroy their profit margin.

M³ Switching It up

Before Jacob dies, his last official act is to bless Joseph’s sons. Joseph presents them in order, putting the oldest on Jacob’s right, and the youngest on the left, which is the proper, traditional method of delivery such blessings. The oldest should receive the blessing first and the best blessing, yet Jacob subverts expectations once again.

F³ Spirits

Carl refused to buy, but we went to a local watering hole and grabbed something to drink. Apparently, Pyreans didn’t have the storm rider appetite, but they could drink any storm rider under the table. My metabolism was fantastic, but even I couldn’t keep up with Carl. He drank whiskey out of the tall glasses like it was beer.

M³ You're Adopted

Abraham was converted to the covenant via ritual. It was a bargain to be struck, but his offspring were born into it, as were Isaac’s offspring, and Jacob’s. The general rule has been that a wife must be part of the covenant in order to give birth to children who are in the covenant. Since Asenath is not part of the covenant, they must be brought in via ritual.

F³ Backstab

Carl leaped, and the lightning stuck, lancing down behind him, exactly where I wanted it, too. The blast hit six feet from where he had been standing, but it was still close enough that some watts went his way. More importantly, the blast of the lightning propelled him towards me, but he was no longer controlling his jump, not after the ear-splitting thunderclap washed over him.

Without concentration, his armor and sword faltered, and I launched a blast of wind at his feet that made him windmill as he tumbled to the ground. I held up a hand as walked over to him lightning dancing across my palm.

“Game, set, match,” I said.

“What?” he shouted. “You bastard! I can’t hear a thing!”

I let the lightning go and held out a hand. “Loser pays for lunch.”

M³ Family Reunion

So, after Benjamin is held in Egypt, the brothers go home and return with the rest of the family, including dear old father Jacob. Yes, there’s the typical tearful reunion, but it’s interesting we don’t have much in the way of recriminations for what happened to Joseph.

F³ Banter

Carl was irritated at my smile. That just reminded me how much of a short-fuse he had. It was a Pyrean trait, like Storm Rider sarcasm or Aquarian easygoingness. It’s hard-wired into our personalities, maybe part of what makes us who we are.

M³ Joseph's Trauma

Okay, Joseph, he’s been through some stuff. Like heavy-duty PTSD. His brothers beat and sold him into slavery, his boss’ wife tried to seduce him and cried rape, his boss sent him to prison, and spent two years longer in there than he should have thanks to the cupbearer he did a solid for. Sure, he came out on top, but experiences like that affect people for a long, long time.