The Reality of Fantasy

                  “Wait! One more store!” A young woman motioned her dragon friend to follow. Her dark brown hair was tied up in braids and adorned with artistic ribbons and leather tassels to manage the thick, wavy curls. She peered through the shop’s windows with her dark blue eyes.  

                  “Seriously Eleanor? We already have all the required books and supplies you need for your classes.”

                  “Ah c’mon, one more store. Pleeeeeeaaaassssee! I’d rather get all the shopping done in one day! Then I’ll be done, I promise.” Eleanor packed a saddle bag on her dragon friend with several books and supplies from the previous shop they visited.

                  “Ahh, I see. It has nothing to do with the fact that I said I would carry all your gear today, but I’m busy tomorrow.” Demetrius, a smaller dragon, carried several saddle bags filled with various supplies and packages.

                  “Nope. I’m simply being more efficient. You should know, you’re studying all that philosophy stuff.”

                  “I’m not sure you understand what philosophy really is,” Demetrius said.

                  “Sure, I know what philosophy is! It’s my personal philosophy to go shopping with friends, so I don’t get bored.” Eleanor paused, turned to look directly at Demetrius. “And it’s my personal philosophy to say thank you for carrying all my stuff with a batch of my famous chocolate cake squares.”

                  “Haha, I’m not sure if that’s the philosophy I’ll be studying in class, but I’ll accept it. Even without your chocolaty pastries, I would still carry your stuff. As your friend, I’m here for you with or without the reward.”

                  “Demitri, you’re the best!”

                  “Thank you! Shall I keep going? We are on the verge of talking about actual philosophy.”

                  Eleanor stopped and smiled. “You know I love your speeches on philosophy, especially when I need to fall asleep, but I have one last book store to visit. I’ll be fast, then we can grab some lunch.”

                  Demetrius smiled. “Anything for you Eleanor. Where are we, anyway?” Looking up at the shop sign, Demetrius rolled his eyes. “Do you really need another fantasy book?”

                  “Yes, absolutely!”

                  “What about the ten other books sitting on your ‘to be read’ shelf?”

                  “Ow, judgmental! I’m getting to them! There is this one book I need to read first. Reading fantasy stories is all about priorities. Who are you to tell me how many books I can have Mr. ‘I collect books endlessly’”.

                  “I collect books because I read them and refer to them. It’s my personal philosophy to read each one before I purchase the next. I’ve read all the books I own.”

                  “Well, I’m preparing for a rainy day. A really long rainy day.” Eleanor laughed, admitting how many books she had piled up to be read.

                  Demetrius laughed with her. “Let’s go add a couple more to the collection! You never know how rainy the summer will get.”

                  The two friends entered the cozy bookshop. Eleanor immediately went to her favorite section, exploring shelves and genres of her favorite stories. Demetrius browsed through some of the more intellectual looking books, although as a strictly fictional bookstore, he quickly lost interest and joined his friend. Eleanor, already engaged with the bookstore owner, discussed the ‘must reads’ and the latest speculation of their favorite ongoing sagas. Demetrius did his best to weigh in on the scandalous hopes and expectations of their favorite characters and authors, but still felt like an outsider.

                  After selecting the critical reads and a few bonus books for a rainy day, they left the shop. Eleanor, excited for her new books, updated Demetrius on the latest of her favorite sagas. She talked and talked, and Demetrius kindly listened. They eventually meandered through the crowded courtyard, selecting one of their all-time favorite food vendors, and found a location in the shade to sit, relax, and enjoy lunch. Eleanor continued to ramble on about the drama of her fantasy stories, and what she hoped would happen to her favorite characters, as well as the hope for a new adventure to sweep her away into a world of fantasy.

                  After finishing their lunch and a light conversation, Eleanor pulled out her new fantasy books and spread them out on the ground in front of her.

                  “Which one should I start with?”

                  “Uhhh, don’t you have homework to do?”

                  “Yeah, but I’m a musical genius. I’m fine. I have time for a little reading.”

                  “HA! Last time I heard that, I had to wake you up for a performance that you were already late for?”

                  “Yeah, and how did that go? Those judges didn’t even realize I partially improvised my way through it, and my performance still impressed them!”

                  “Okay, I’ll give you that. You have a knack for improvising.”

                  “Yeah, I do. Now help me pick.” Eleanor once again explained her love for each book and the dilemma she faced in her choice as to which one she should start with.

                  Demetrius wanted to understand the ‘why’. “Why do you like these so much?”

                  “I don’t know, they’re fun. I get to escape this boring world.”

                  “Yeah, but what is it about an adventure that people are drawn to?”

                  SNOOOOORRRRRRE! Eleanor pretended to sleep. “Don’t turn this into one of your philosophical rants. Adventures are just fun, simple as that. They’re exciting!”

                  “Ahh, that’s the beauty of philosophy. It’s in everything we do, and every choice we make. For example, in any adventure, or any of the stories you read, does it ever go smoothly? Does the character ever avoid pain and sorrow?”

                  “No, of course not! It’s that ending we yearn for, that ending we either know is coming, or the one that totally surprises us. Whether it’s finding your perfect prince, or becoming the hero yourself, we all like to know that whatever it is we want in life, it is attainable. People know life isn’t happily ever after, yet we want to believe it’s possible.” Eleanor turned to her books, examining each one. “But this isn’t a philosophical conversation! Help me decide. What book should I start with?”

                  Demetrius chuckled. “Well, I would recommend the one about the dragons. You know me. I love a good dragon story. Although I supposed it doesn’t matter what I say. You’re going to read the one about the exalted fairy prince that steals away the downtrodden heroine.”

                  “Hmmm, maybe so.” Eleanor continued to stare at the well-crafted illustrated covers of her books. “But as my friend, your opinion is valuable, even if I don’t follow it.”

                  “Haha, yeah. I figured its tough competition to draw attention away from the thousands of other readers that love that book. Probably best to start with that.”

                  “I think I will.”

                  Eleanor flipped through the pages of her selected book. Demetrius curved his body close to Eleanor, giving her support to lean on. Then, with the shifting sun, several rays broke through the shade of the tree, bouncing off the white pages of Eleanor’s book. Noticing the strong bouncing light on the white pages, Demetrius lifted a wing, casting a shadow on Eleanor. Eleanor looked up, then at Demetrius.

                  “Thanks.”

                  Eleanor read her selected book, excited to learn what all the hype was about. Demetrius held the shade for his reading friend. Whether it was the excitement of reading her new book or the events of the day, Eleanor believed that this moment would remain in her memory forever. She didn’t want to think too much of it, worried it would distract from the enjoyment of the current state of peace. The warmth of the summer held at a comfortable temperature inviting the many outdoor activities. A cool breeze passed through now and then, giving a touch of refreshment as needed. Her book invited the excitement of an upcoming adventure, and she knew Demetrius, truly and selflessly, cared for her. She felt a sense of trust that seemed to make everything right with the world.

                  “Sorry to interrupt your romantic fantasy escape, but I think a young man is trying to sway your glance his way.”

                  “What?” Eleanor still intently flipped through her book.

                  “No, wait, my mistake. I think that young man is drawing a picture of you. Or me? Or us?”

                  “Hhhmmm, mhmm. Great.” Eleanor only partially paid attention.

                  “Yep. I’m pretty sure he is drawing us in his sketchbook.”

                  “Well, maybe I should hold my book like this, you know, just to give his sketch a little character.”

                  Demetrius glanced down. Eleanor held the book propped between her fingers with only the middle finger holding up the book from the outward appearance. Eleanor looked up at her dragon friend with a smile in her eyes.

                  Demetrius chuckled, shaking his head. “You really are something.”

                  “Oh c’mon, the creepy artist would think it’s funny. Or at least scare him away.”

                  “Maybe you should go talk to him. He’s probably here for the semester as well.”

                  “Bleeeuuggghhh! No, thank you. He’s an artist.”

                  Demetrius looked down at his friend with a confused look on his face. “You’re an artist. Aren’t you?”

                  “No, I’m a musician! There is a big difference. I create joy, I create harmony, I create emotion!”

                  “And an artist doesn’t do the same thing with their art. What about Bjorn? You loved his art?”

                  “Well, I was wrong. And that’s why I don’t date artists! Besides, that guy looks like he’s the type of guy that draws creepy monsters all the time, likes to hibernate in dark corners and avoid any social interaction.”

                  “He’s literally sitting in broad daylight, drawing us in his sketchbook. Pretty much the opposite of what you just described. For all we know, he’s going to come over here and show us.”

                  “Doubt it. It’s a fluke. His mother probably forced him to be out here. She’s for sure watching from a dark corner to ensure he socializes, ready to beat the poor kid if he doesn’t comply.”

                  “Wow, you have a dark imagination.”

                  “Thank you. It’s a gift. That’s why my music is so enchanting. Now, would you let me read my book?”

                  Demetrius continued to watch the young man as he sketched in his book. “Look at his clothes. He’s not from around here. If anything, he looks like a mysterious visitor from a far-off land. Almost like… a stranger that comes to town.” Demetrius looked down at Eleanor to see if she understood his reference. She ignored him. “Really, you should go introduce yourself to him.”

                  “Ugggghhhhh! Would you stop it already?”

                  “How is this any different from those fantasy stories you read? A stranger from a far-off land shows up in your city. He’s alone, he’s confused, trying to fit in, but alas, he meets a local girl that offers to show him around. He finds the friend he needs, and she discovers he is a truly talented artist, miraculously changing the local girl’s attitude about artists, healing past wounds. Then suddenly, before they realize it, they find themselves caught up in a whirlwind adventure!”

                  “HA! Hardly. That guy is a total normal. Look at his outfit. He looks like a confused farmer. He looks like the ‘play it safe’ type of guy. I mean, if he embodied the traits of the characters in my books, he would come over here. I wouldn’t have to initiate talking to him. He would talk to me. I don’t go for shy guys. Besides. He looks poor.

                  “Ha! You’re poor!”

                  Eleanor shot a friendly glare at her friend with a raised eyebrow. “The guys in my books are princes. Princes aren’t poor. Unless their kingdom has been taken from them by an evil Dark Lord and they have been cast out, and only through a bitter rivalry between the ever-talented huntress do they join forces and retake his kingdom while hating each other and falling in love. Then it’s okay to be poor.”

                  “That makes no sense whatsoever. Do those authors even understand how love works?”

                  “Doesn’t matter. Unless that artist is a prince, I’m sticking to my book.”

                  “Hmmmm, If I recall correctly, a certain individual spent all year on a thesis project about the sense of personal royalty when we embrace our talents and raise to the call of… what was it again, kingship or queenship of their craft? Maybe he is a prince, creatively and emotionally speaking.”

                  “Shut your mouth.”

                  Demetrius smiled with a chuckle.

                  Eleanor smiled, squinting her eyes in humorous anger. “Don’t use my own words to prove me wrong.”

                  The two exchanged some laughs. Demetrius thought for a moment then asked, “What IS your perfect guy? You love your fantasy books so much. What is so alluring about the idea of a prince?”

                  Eleanor paused a moment in thought, pulling her book in close to her chest. “Oh, you know. The ideal man would be confident but doesn’t feel like he needs to prove it. He’s physically fit, but doesn’t care how he looks. He smells of oaken ash, but isn’t vain. He’s extremely intelligent, but doesn’t use his brains to elevate himself above others. He’s bold in the face of opposition, but also ever so gentle. You know, like the kind of guy that could slay a ferocious beast, but adopt a kitten who lost their mother. He’s thoughtful and kind, but doesn’t require someone to validate him, or mother him.”

                  “You just described how a shy guy might act.”

                  “No, I did not!”

                  “You absolutely did!” Demetrius laughed.

                  “No, it’s not like that! Shy guys don’t take the risk. A girl wants someone willing to take a risk on us women. We want them to act, prove that they really care about who we are, what we want and what we aspire to be!”

                  “Someone more forward….

                  “Yeah!”

                  “…. Someone like Bjorn.”

                  Eleanor glared at Demetrius. “Not… Cool.”

                  “Okay, sorry, that was a little low. I shouldn’t have gone there. I’m just proving a point.”

                  Eleanor stared at Demetrius dead panned with raised eyebrow.

                  “Look, I’m just saying, if there is someone that embodies all those traits you described, there is something wrong. They are hiding something. No person in the history of humanity has ever possessed all the perfect attributes with no flaws.”

                  Eleanor paused a moment, pondering Demetrius’s thoughts.

                  Demetrius continued, explaining his logic. “If nothing else, if that ‘perfect’ man out there exists, then that means he has nothing left to learn, no opportunity to grow, and if you are not growing, you are stagnant. So, you’re telling me, you want a stagnant guy in your life? Do you really want a life where you keep growing, keep improving, yet your husband stays the same today, tomorrow, and forever? I don’t know what humans like, but that sounds kind of boring to me.”

                  Demetrius paused a moment as Eleanor thought about his words. He continued, “You love writing music, and knowing you, it doesn’t matter how great of a musical piece you write, you will always believe that you can create something better, greater, more moving than ever before. You believe in an eternal progression. Finding the right person for you is not about perfection, it’s about the flaws you prefer to progress forward with that make them a good match. A co-creator, a companion for the journey.”

                  Eleanor scrunched her eyebrows, bewildered by her friend’s response. “Okay Mr. philosophy, I didn’t know you were also an expert in matchmaking.” Eleanor rolled her eyes, trying to go back to her book.

                  “You humans crave adventure, romance. You want this fairytale journey, yet when presented with real life opportunities to do so, you always have an excuse.”

                  “I do not! If adventure and romance presented itself, I would be all over that.”

                  “If you could only see it.”

                  “I can.”

                  “How do you know it’s not destiny that brought this moment together? You reading your book, that boy drawing your picture?”

                  “Because that’s not how destiny works.” Eleanor picked up her book again, trying to ignore her friend.

                  “Haha, my apologies! I suppose if he wasn’t paying attention and ran into you dumping all his art supplies everywhere, it would be destiny, right?” Demetrius continued to play out the scenario in his own dramatic reenacting. “Oh sorry, I’m so clumsy. Are you alright? Yeah, I’m fine. What about you? I am now, now that I know angels exist.”

                  Eleanor snorted a laugh. “That’s not how my books go.”

                  “Oh, sorry, wrong book. I suppose if he came over here and kidnapped you because you owe him some kind of debt, and you would have to serve and obey him the rest of your life, I suppose that would make the butterflies swirl in your bosoms.”

                  “Shut your mouth.” Eleanor tried to ignore Demetrius and focused on reading her book.

                  “The truth is, if most humans acted the way your fantasy books read, you would call the authorities. If he came over here and professed his undying love, you would think him a psychopath. Destiny is not one single event where everything seems right with the world. Though those moments can happen, destiny is about the choices we make every day. Destiny is the path that we create through our choices during a lifetime of events. It’s those choices that form our character and it’s that character that dictates the choices we keep making. And though the path is entirely up to us, a path forms none the less.

                  Eleanor peered over her book, looking up at her friend as he explained his theory but didn’t respond.

                  “When like-minded people consistently make choices, it creates pathways that eventually intersect. Look out there.” Demetrius nodded to the busy crowd walking about the city courtyard. “We’re at the beginning of another semester. The crowd is mostly likely filled with other would-be musicians, poets and artists with dreams of changing the world with their creations. Do you think any of them are as talented as you?”

                  Eleanor looked over the crowd. Her eyes tightened with a competitive edge. “Absolutely not.”

                  “Of course not. You are very passionate about your craft. I’ve never seen someone so passionate about their music. It’s all you talk about, it’s all you study, it’s all you do.”

                  Eleanor nodded along.

                  “With all the other artists out in that courtyard getting ready to show the world how great their art is, only one of them is actually doing what they dream of doing. I’m telling you, that boy, though it may not be obvious, is passionate about his craft. He probably always thinks about it, always growing, always driven to be the best. Even if he doesn’t boast that he is or will be the best. Isn’t that one of your requirements?”

                  Eleanor held a moment in thought as she looked out across the endless flow of people in the city. Demetrius’s words slowly permeated into her mindset as she held silent in thought.

                  Demetrius continued his thinking. “Now don’t misunderstand. I’m not claiming some random guy is your soulmate, or even that you would be interested in a romantic relationship with that individual. Mostly, I enjoy pushing you out of your comfort zone. Haha. Plus, I can’t help pointing out the truths that most people cannot see. That boy lives with passion, and you as a creative person that is highly passionate about her craft, would enjoy spending time with like-minded individuals.”

                  Eleanor stared over the crowd for a moment. “So, you’re not playing matchmaker?”

                  “No, absolutely not. Although I am trying to prove that I’m right and you're wrong.” Demetrius nudged Eleanor with the spine of his body.

                  Eleanor laughed. “Prove what exactly?”

                  “That adventure lies right in front of you humans. All the time. You get too consumed in your preconceived notions and stereotypes to actually enjoy the adventure.”

                  “Uh, huh”. Eleanor thought for a moment.

                  “Besides, music isn’t your only talent. You have a way with people. You draw people in, you engage them. You’re like a force that attracts friendship. You have a gift. You’re like a beacon to the socially lost. People bloom around you.”

                  “Keep going.”

                  “You’re a ray of light. You have a way of bringing out the best in others, and inspiring hope in those that need it most.”

                  “Yeah, I am pretty amazing, aren’t I?” Eleanor nodded her head matter-of-factly.

                  Demetrius laughed. “That is exactly the personality I’m talking about. You remind people that life can be fun.”

                  “Uggggghhhhhh! You and your stupid philosophies! I like my comfort zone. Why do you always ruin it for me?”

                  “What else are friends for?”

                  “Okay, fine, I’ll introduce myself to him, but that’s it. Where is he?”

                  “He’s right over… Oh. It looks like he already left.”

                  Eleanor gave a surprised, cheerful look. “Oh! Destiny?!”

                  Demetrius shook his head with a smile.

                  “…And they lived Happily Ever After!” Eleanor leaned back into her friend’s side, opened her book, and continued reading.