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Q: Why does Kon get to break the 4th wall but none of the other spirits can?

As a Yokai, Kon is more than a Trickster spirit. He has some very particular and unique talents to 'work around' reality's guidelines. To coin a phrase: rules are made to be broken. Yokai are the experts of epitomizing that outlook. I'd let Kon explain things further, but if I gave him an inch he'd take--

Six and a half inches? *ear wiggles* Maybe seven? *licks lips* I could never be a waiter because there's no way I'd settle for just the tip. *tail swishes*

While they have seen change in their time, how do they deal with the changes at the rate they are going on today?

Some spirits tend to be more receptive to change while others tend to get stuck in their ways, falling further and further behind as the world passes them by. Those who deal with change usually have the closest connection with humanity, living among it even though they do not live as a part of it. In general, the older a spirit the more difficult it is for them to accommodate the shifting tide of human nature.

Even those spirits who do as well as possible to keep up with the constantly changing human condition rarely have more success than, say, a 70-something learning how to use the internet; some can and some simply have to step away from the computer. This is why certain spirits like Medved just can't come to grips with certain elements of society while others like Talapus manage to mesh with only a few hiccups.

How many ways can a spirit come into existence and what are they?

Just as a human is born, spirits also come into being but, rather than being born, their method is referred to as Originating; humans are 'born' and spirits 'originate'. There are three (or possibly four) methods for this:

1) Genesis - Although much more rare these days, some spirits simply 'pop' into being due to an outside factor that reverberates between the physical world and spiritual existence. An example of this would be Green, the Green Dragon part of The Ancient One, who came into existence with the origin of the dinosaurs due to the combined spiritual energy created by an entire planet full of life.

2) Inception - While not an uncommon method for spirit Origination in this day and age, this method was much more common during the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. When new ideas and theories and ways of thinking are generated by mankind spirits tend to Originate from that creation and inspiration.

3) Propagation - An incredibly rare way for spirits to Originate during any age in history, it is all but unheard of in the common era. Spirits are incapable of creation and this includes giving birth to offspring but, in limited circumstances, such as the intervention of a human or with the assistance of incredibly powerful amounts of spirit energy, it has been said that a spirit can give up their life to create two 'offspring' spirits, each containing half of the spirit energy of the parent.

4) Commencement - Supposedly the most common way for spirits to Originate in this day and age is for a human soul to transcend its physical existence and metamorphose into a spirit form. The vast majority of this theorized form of Origination suggests that a human soul, once it is done living, can 'come back' as a spirit. As no soul has ever 'come back' with a memory of its human life there are many spirits that do not add any credence to this theory. If it is true, however, the vast majority of young spirits are probably from this form of Origination.

Do spirits that come from a different type of life, remember any of their past?

The vast majority of spirits have crystal clear memories, able to recall anything and everything that has ever happened to them and, in some cases, vaguely remember things that happen to humans who are close to them. In the case of spirits who are theorized as Originating via Commencement, none have been verifiably able to recall anything of their former existence, leading most spirits to consider Commencement similar to the human theory of 'past lives'.

Can a spirit share memories with a seer, safely?

Memories are a very touchy and shaky subject when it comes to spirits; memories bring up emotions and emotions create spirit energy. Spirits are able to sense memories of humans with whom they are close and share their own memories (and the memories of others) with those humans. We have seen a case, for example, in which Anapa shared memories with Stephanie in her storyline and an even larger and more meaningful example of that is coming up. In most cases this is done safely assuming the spirit has any talent for it, though some more aggressive or 'evil' spirits can also cause emotional (and even physical) damage using the same talent if they know how to wield it as a weapon.

What is the purpose of a trickster spirit like Talapus?

Trickster spirits such as Talapus exist as a force of chaos in an otherwise orderly world. They exemplify the fact that nothing runs smoothly forever and that even the best well-laid plans ultimately fall apart when exposed to 'that one thing'. They exist to make certain that humanity moves ever forward, and to encourage us to find the next best thing so that we do not sit on our laurels or accept what we are told without questioning it. In that regard, Tricksters are both a force for good (encouraging us to always strive for something better) but also a tool of ill (causing us pain or stress or loss). For more information on Tricksters of mythology, which closely align with Trickster spirits, I highly encourage studying the works of Joseph Campbell; he has some amazing written works and lectures on the topic.

What the author is trying to say is that Tricksters keep humans from getting to full of themselves.

Not exactly, but I suppose that's one interpretation, Kon.

In what ways can a Weaver affect the world that a Seer can not?

Seers are human that focus on their own life or how their life resolves in the human frame of mind. Weavers are humans who learn more about spirits and help affect the spirit world and not just keep their attention to the world of man. Neither has more power than the other, but Weavers generally tend to learn more about how they can affect spirits than a Seer does. Simply put, when it comes to spirits a Seer is more reactive and a Weaver is more proactive. Another way to explain it is that both CAN, but only a Weaver DOES.

If Naturae Spirits draw their spiritual sustenance from parts of the physical world untouched by mortals, why would some of them go after a seer in the first place?

Naturae Spirits are few and far between in this day and age because there are far too few places left for them with which drawing spiritual energy is possible. As such, the need to continue existing drives them into the realm of humanity and they find another source of spirit energy. In that case, once the Spirit begins to change its habits, it loses the classification of Naturae Spirit and becomes a different kind.

Likewise, though not common in this day and age, a spirit who loses their humanity connection may become a Naturae Spirit; one good example of this is the Naturae Spirit of the Grand Canyon, who was once a Tribal Spirit to a now extinct tribe of Native Americans. Incidentally, she is doing quite well for herself these days seeing as humans contribute a huge amount of spirit energy just by visiting it.

There are four questions sent out by readers which will be answered by spirits. I will, of course, be answering for The Ancient One and Medved, while Kon will be free to answer for himself. Ready, Kon?

I was ready ever since this post started! Lemme at em! *tail swishes*

Alright. First question: Do you think a genuine love can exist between a Seer and a Yokai?

Next question?

No, Kon. The purpose of being asked questions is to answer them. Can a Seer and a Yokai be in love?

Well, it's easier than for an oblivious human and a Yokai to be in love, sure. If a Yokai is stupid enough to fall in love I guess anything's possible.

So your answer is 'yes'?

Next. Question.

Okay. Next question: how do you test a human?

Hmm... I suppose it depends on the kind of test. If I'm trying to find out how best to manage a human I'll probably just watch em for awhile so I can get a good idea of what their pressure points are. You know: what gets em to do whatever I need em to do.

Okay then. Thank you Kon.

I like being thanked, shitsureina Kuma. *tail swishes*

Actually, that brings up a very good question! One of the readers wants to know what that means.

*ears raise* 'Tha't? Oh... it is a pronoun that refers to something not immediately close to the speaker. I like these questions! Keep em coming!

No, no... not 'that', Kon... the reader wants to know what 'shitsureina Kuma' means.

Oh... right... *tail swishes* ...but if I recall, that was a question they had for YOU, not for me.

So? You know what it means. I don't.

And is admitting you don't know something a bitter pill to swallow? *tail swishes*

Okay... moving on. Here's a question for The Ancient One: The reader wants to know if there has always been three of The Ancient One and which came first.

The Ancient One, in fact, is the combination of three individual spirits who did not used to be joined but are now. Green is the eldest of the bunch, and has never been truly connected to any human. Red is much MUCH younger than Green, having come into being somewhere around 2000 BC and was connected with cultures all around Asia and some parts of Eurasia and Indonesia. Ch'upikaq is technically the 'youngest' of The Ancient One's three parts and he came into being somewhere around 1000 to 900 BC where he was worshipped as a god. He had numerous names throughout the centuries among the many cultures throughout Mesoamerica. As the varied cultures paying homage to Red and Ch'upikaq died out or lost influence, Green brought them together for mutual survival and they have worked ever since to regain enough individual power to be rid of their triumvirate presence.

Our final question is reserved for Medved, and the reader asks if he would ever consider going back to Russia or if he preferred where he is now.

Medved loves Russian and loves discussing Russia and most things Slavic. That being said, he has focused his presence on serving as Guardian for its peoples and the families who originated therein. As a Guardian spirit he is, at current, more closely attuned to the family he chose to protect and, more recently, a Seer. If he were to lose connection to that seer and that family he would most certainly return to Russia in order to continue his service, only, with a new family. That being said, he would be overjoyed if, for some reason, his Seer elected to travel to Russia, as he misses it greatly. Specifically, he says "V gostyakh khorosho, a doma luchshe.", or: "Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.".

Thank you all for your questions and I hope these answers have been insightful!