The Wizard

His light sleep had become finished when the sunlight shone through the curtain in his bedroom. He found his pipe and packed it carefully. He never made much noise or mess. His daily routine befitting of someone who couldn't function with the outside world for more than a few hours at a time. He needed time to rest. To contemplate. Often ending up alone, he would drink and puff his pipe until sleep would take over. Or the thoughts of others stopped swarming in his head. The days had melted into each other and he didn't mind. The occasional client would call on him and he would listen carefully. They would eagerly wait for a response and he would give it willingly, for a small fee. He never pushed it nor did he offer ill advice. But, the result was the same. He would end up back into his quarters, alone and in a drunken state. An irreversible pattern of loneliness and solitude had provided a stable ground for him to slip in and out of consciousness whenever he pleased. He made just enough money to pay for his pub tab and that was all that mattered. He remembered all that had called on him, since that was his way, he needed to know a lot about the people who entered his door. He would ask pointed questions and the answers he sought would be quickly revealed. His inner mind a world of magic and whom he chose to sprinkle it on would be forever grateful. They sought his advice for anything and everything they could afford.

On this particular day, he had decided to stay in his shop and contemplate a peculiar case study on a young woman he had met. She had been along with other seekers of advice before but, she hadn't sought his advice. He wasn't sure how many times she came around to help others into his study. Usually, he was quite observant but, at times, a client would come with several family members and they would remain silent. He would ignore their struggles for it was just one person sitting in front of him seeking an answer. It was common for him to spend evenings alone, seeking the friendship of the barkeep rather than a woman. But, this unique woman had come to him in a strange way. She sought advice that he felt she already knew. Her childlike features came out in her conversations and she thanked him for his words with a hug and a kiss with her coin. He wasn't opposed to contact from happy clients for his advice but, generally, it was far and few between. He was welcoming to accept clients of all ages and types. Exclusivity wasn't a strong drawl for him. This woman had come to him needing to find something within herself. Most of his clients had troubles with their farms, children, or marriage. This woman wanted to find her inner peace. She sought something quite different. Intrigued, he sometimes would push away her offer at payment. This lead to confusion and so, other times he accepted or asked for the payment. She always offered a hug and a kiss and he accepted graciously. He began to want her to seek advice. Sometimes, he wandered out and sought for her company. Taking walks near places she may be at some point in the day. The villagers enjoyed seeing him outside of his study, walking in the sunlight. He began to enjoy this part of his day as well. He greeted people and encouraged them to ask questions, without payment. He would arrive home later with handfuls of bags stuffed with grains, vegetables, and knittings. Useful things he normally didn't seek. He would run into her sometimes, often watching her from a distance first. He watched her interacting with others. He understood her to be kind. She gave people security and comfort with her ways. He occasionally, witnessed an act that made him grin from ear to ear. She would help a child make a flower crown, even though she was late for something. She would stop and pet a stray cat. She would offer it some of her packed food for the day. He observed her willingness for others and longed for her at times. He took this day to think about what he should do.

He struggled to ignore the desire to puff his pipe and drink his day away. This woman was taking over his thoughts and causing him to pursue inner peace within himself. She gave him simple advice at times that he felt was quite exquisite. Especially, coming from someone who had such a child's view on the world. She saw everything with rose colored glasses. It made her sad at times, not able to change everything for the better. She began to bring him meals or fresh stockings. Things that he didn't notice he needed but, once she had provided them, he realized how important they truly were to his outlook on life. He cursed himself for needing solitude and cursed her for coaxing him out of his dwelling. He spent days helping others and hadn't thought much of ever spending his life with someone else in his space. Someone who could help him when he needed it. The villagers called him a wizard and he knew they considered him a magical being. He was capable of providing a service they couldn't begin to understand. His mind a fine working clock, able to discern the true answer they had been thinking. But, this woman, she already had a fine working clock. She was blind to her own loveliness and he had told her, in as few words as possible, whom she was and it changed her. He could see the way she stared off into the clouds and it would cause alarm in some of the people around her. He understood that to be some of her inner workings at play. The need for time to paint a picture in her mind and work through her issues in silence as others considered it pointless and bothersome.

Her lateness and procrastination turned him off. He would become annoyed if she made a promise of a time or day and failed too show up. Though, she would always come around, eventually. He had to take this into consideration on whether he would try to pursue her. She had a fine family and would be able to provide for him a stable and loving home. Even if it meant she may occasionally be late to making meals or become exhausted from helping others. He understood the lifestyle she lead, even if he didn't quite lead it himself. He could see how she would be good for him but, yet, he still wanted to be alone. He cursed himself for being himself. The struggle a constant reminder of the life he could lead and it not coinciding with the life he lead. His life forever changed for the better because of the sweetness of this woman and he couldn't begin to provide her with the things she truly needed. But, he found himself leaning towards that life slowly and surely. Daily struggling with whether he would remain in his study, waiting for clients to help so his mug and pipe would be filled for the next few days or wandering outside, greeting the world with abandon, having those around him provide him with common comforts and human contact for the love of this woman.

He puffed his pipe and considered remaining in his study just to avoid the obvious answer. He wasn't bothered today by anyone. No one sought advice. He felt like the universe was providing the answer for him. But, would he listen? Would he continue to fight it? Would he accept the world and this woman for what it was or continue to wallow in his own mind and suffer the consequences of solitude?

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