The Time Traveler and the Peasant

The Time Traveler and the Peasant.

He went into the future, he went into the past to see what has been, and what will become. On his journey the greatest present was his friendship with a peasant, who wrote in a jade green pen. The Time Travelers friend spoke about his greatest possessions, the endless notebooks, a collection of pen strokes. In the mind of the Time Traveler it was nonsense. Having seen and collected the most sought after treasures on earth. At least until his friend proposed a test to gain respect. Saying only, “pick a time and I will see you there” Perplexed, but interested non the less, the time traveler picked a date far in the future. Looking at his eye soar of a watch, and quickly setting it for travel. He told his friend the precise date, time, and coordinates then vanished into the nonlinear abyss of time. The Peasants’ lips now folding back to expose a grin of gums, sat in his favorite wooden chair. Then removing a tucked away notebook, opened to a fresh blank page. He scribbled for a few hours burning the midnight oil. Writing in detail about the challenge, the date, and the place he was to meet the Time Traveler. Then blowing out the lantern slept with a peaceful mind and a content heart.

Seemingly in an instant the Time Traveler arrived in the future. Walking about as if a regular. “Time Travelers swagger” he called it chuckling aloud to he himself. He looked around at the grandiose environment ,while deeply amused at the thought of that poor peasant. “That hoot shore did trick me good, did I really believe he could follow me into the future?’ I really have been losing it” he thought. Just then as if triggered by his jesting there was a sign standing before him that read “Time Traveler I have been waiting”. Astounded his jaw dropped, how? he wondered, now deeply intrigued, as the feeling of confusion is very rare for a time traveler indeed.

The year was 7777, and although the message was a clear omen there was no other information provided. So slightly annoyed he sat under a tree, figuring the peasant would come back for his sign. Soon the time traveler had drifted off to sleep, questioning how such an ancient peasant could ever exist in a world like this. He was awakened by a falling pinecone, looking he noticed there was a paper lodged in his fins. Opening the pinecone then pulling out a note! It read, ”I am the snake on the branch of the tree, guarding the fruits you seek to eat” Odd he thought, as there were no fruits in sight. Still the thought of a snake lurking near brought the Time Traveler to his feet. Shaking off his London Fog trench coat, decided it was time to see what the future had to offer in the way of dinner. However, it was his thirst for knowledge and understanding that spoke louder than the grumble within his bowels. Pacing the city streets and asking around the town for leads of who placed that peculiar sign, the Time Traveler had become more detective then connoisseur. “Do you know who placed that sign over there” he asked a group of locals. To his surprise most of them new exactly where it had come from, in fact it was no secret. The one known as the Magician was responsible. The consensus of which was split, he was either filled with mysterious power, or drowning in narcissistic insanity. After Inquiring where he could find the magician the Time Traveler wasted not a second to chance. In an instant he stood before a humble home, almost unaffected by the current technologically enhanced age. The Time Traveler afflicted with a unique sense of privilege, entered the private estate without so much as a knock. Inside stood a well-dressed, and posed person, exceedingly dapper, as if fashion had only become more preppy and some how he was able to keep up perfectly. The Magician’s hair was extremely long, hanging just a few inches above the floor. Their nails where painted silver, to match the jewelry accents on each wrist, finger, and across the neck. The Magician although referred to by the locals as a Man, appeared to have a Women’s charm and physique. In fact the Time Traveler was not sure ether way. However, he was able to see the resemblance to his peasant friend who surly died 1000s of years ago. Yet somehow stood silently as an apparition before him. The Time Traveler now walking forward with an outstretched hand clearly overlooked the cultural differences. As The Magician stood with a confused, yet unfazed look on their face. Slowly lifting and pointing a pretty finger forward with the most focused intention, the Magician uttered a single word. “Bind”

Immediately the time traveler froze, petrified with a nostalgic look trapped on his face, arms spread wide, like a drunken man running towards a complete stranger. Only his eyes where able to express his discomfort. Placing the outstretched hand, again to their side the Magician still poised, gracefully walked over to one of many book shelfs in the room. Gently, without an anxious thought began flipping through several hand bond books. The Time Traveler still frozen could only see the spines of the journals. Grabbing one off the shelf and placing it upon a podium, the Magician continued, sending all variety of dust into the air. “That’s the book!” The Time Travelers heart ponding in his chest as he struggled to make sense of what he was seeing. Flipping the pages more aggressively now, the Magician finally came to the only page in the book that was written on. Stopping here they studied the page intently. Then looking up with a demonic grin, exposed a perfect pure white smile filled with deeply incised teeth. Inhaling deeply for several moments, holding their breath until bursting out in a shriek of passion. “I Understand, it has finally begun.” As if some sort of prophesied proverbial reckoning was underway. Unbeknownst to the time traveler this in fact was the case.

The Magician walked towards him with a swagger all Their own, reminiscent of a 1950s flapper. Then grabbed him with the grip of a boa constructer, beginning to shake with violent toddler like excitement. All the while the Time Traveler was stiff, a petrified smile, and open arms dramatically miscommunicated his true feelings. Now beginning to sweat and twitch insensibly, the Magician was reminded of his tense state. Apologizing as a polite poetic man would, the Magician quickly reached into a rustic clay pot and pulled out a pinch of crimson powder. Approaching the Time Traveler till they where noise to noise, then taking a gasp. Blew powder right into his contorted face. And slowly like magic his lips refilled with life, his eyes blinked, his arms lowered, his throat swallowed, he breathed fully, then opening and closing his mouth, finally prepared to speak. Yet before he could utter one word, the Magician shouted “save your breath you peasant, don’t you know I am psychic”

“So you, are the time traveler of my family’s lore.” Who knew that the old man’s writings would come true” “oh so you do know my friend” the Time Traveler blurted out, forgetting the date he had come to.” smiling the Magician pointed to a picture of his grandfather. “He spent his whole life enthralled hoping that he would live long enough to see this story come true. You see I belong to a family of magicians, and you time traveler have been written about. Everything we write always comes true.” The Magician continued, “your friend who you came to meet, according to these calculations is my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great Grandfather 3 times removed.”

Falling back into the sofa, the Time Traveler was truly amazed at the extreme, yet seamless way that simple peasant was able to somewhat follow him to this precise moment in time. He shed a tear for his long deceased friend, thinking how after that moment when he vanished into the future the poor peasant was forced to live out his days. With only the company of his notebooks and that jade pen. However, he always seemed pleased with life, the Time Traveler thought. “So I will think of this Magician before me as my friend’s reanimation.” Again the Time Traveler was emotionally re-energized, again without stretched arms, and drunken eyes. This time the affection was received.

“Bingo” The Magician shouted as he threw 3 bingo cards down onto the hard wood floor. The Magician turned suddenly walking back over to the aged bookshelf, but not before a small King Snake slithered out from his nicely embroidered pant leg, and onto the bingo boards. The snake brilliantly colored red, black, and gold coiled, and intertwined before finally settling in place. SLAM! The Magician sealed the ancient book that was left opened on the podium. Walking back over with a spooky grin exposing a menacing smile. Looked down at the bingo boards, the snake had covered all but three numbers… 666. Pointing with a solemn expression, the Magician exclaimed “The date we will meet next has been chosen” The Time Traveler now assuming the same vicious smile, began to rub his temples insatiably. It was far out of the normal for such an extraordinary being as a He, to be amazed, impressed, challenged, and definitely not confused. He wondered if this was the true reason of the Peasant’s smile. Could such a simple being truly see so far, truly be so deep. More now then ever the Time Traveler missed his friend, feeling like he never really new him. Still maybe after this game he would somehow see him again at his desk, scribbling away as a mad man in decay. Speechless he set his watch, and prepared for travel, as the Magician mockingly did the same. Then again into the abyss the Time Traveler took a dip. Meanwhile Sitting at his desk, the Magician summoned a jade pen, then began to scribble away all forms of gibberish.

Spontaneously, the Time Traveler arrived at the chosen date, yet still he was shocked at what he saw. The contrast was extreme, even for a being who had been to the moon and back. The environment was dull and gloomy, just a rocky path on the side of a cliff crumbling into the ocean below. Buts what’s this? the Time Traveler watched as parting clouds revealed, a sheer mountain peak. And a mystic glinting city seeming to grow right out of its crags organically. Yet, as the clouds drifted it was again covered like a mirage. The surroundings were totally silent, well except for the whistling of the wind through the canyon, and a strange jingling sound in the distance. After walking for some time on the dirt path, he finally came to a plateau Where the fog had begun to thin. From here a path up the mountain to the gothic estate could clearly be made out. There were several other travelers here preparing to make their way in caravans up the mountain. The Time Traveler spotted the source of the jingling. A group of colorfully dressed women, covered in coins and bells. They danced and sang melodically as if within a contagious trance that would overcome any on looker. His Heart stolen, he followed them from a distance, still aware the Magicians tricks could be anywhere. If he didn’t want to end up in another bind, he would have to keep his wits about him. Still being even somewhat in the presence of these gypsies was intoxicating. Their clothing although only partially reveling, and barely translucent was perfect to capture the gaze, and set a craze such an intellectual as I, the Time Traveler thought. “After all how long it’s been since I felt love, so caught up in the higher faculties,” pitying himself and gesturing with his hands to the sky. Before long the caravan arrived at a Gaudy silver gate, a real monstrosity appearing to scrape the sky, standing tall without any support. The women’s mumbled chanting grew louder, and they began dancing with increased vigor. As each one revealed a hidden vessel of perfume from there satchels. Pouring them out at the front of the gate, anointing the heads of each gargoyle-esk figure standing watch. The pack of travelers moving like a river, walked through the openings in the gate. Its bars so incredible, it would be more effective against elephants then humans. Having no need to every open, or even exist, or so one would think. Once within the city, the Time Traveler through on a gray robe, and hid his watch as to not attract any un-needed attention. People were everywhere, yet aside from the jingling of the dancers’ bells, and singing of angelic voices no one seemed to speak. Each movement appeared forced, as if stimulated by a deep depression. A palatable heaviness sat in the air, with more weight then the elevation and gravity combined. Just as the Sun began to set a hooded figure appeared on the horizon, walking through the streets with an undeniable regality. A perfect back drop for his friend, the Time Traveler thought. Reaching out his hand he stood on the path preparing to embrace the mysterious being who surly must be the Magician.

As the bellowing monster of a Man walked closer, the Time Traveler feeling the full magnitude of this induvial wanted to retract his hand. The cloak he was rapped in had to be a circus tent. Covered in vibrant hues of green, purple, and crimson all attached to cords covered in bells that swung wildly in each direction, no two having the same resonance. The Man was crouched forward making it hard to see his true form. Beneath his cloak was an eye catching cane, black as an abyss yet with a magnetizing hue like ink, twinkling as if it contained the essence of a star. Passing right by the Time Traveler, the Magician continued walking in the direction of the group of gypsies. Holding one Women’s hand, while another whispered into his her. Each alluring nymph flocked to the Magician with more desire then the last. Letting out a high pitched, and shockingly feminine giggle, the Magician suddenly turned reveling a piercing gaze. Directed right into the soul of the Time Traveler, there was no way he could have missed it. This was his world, A paracosm where he was the almighty. So excited was the Time Traveler, that without effort his lips crinkled, and he let out a huge toothy grin, as he watched like an innocent child in the distance. Gesturing to the time traveler to follow, the Magician continued walking with an ever growing crowd around him. While following the magi’s trail, the gypsy most desired approached the Time Traveler. Gazing into his eyes, she whispered into his ear. “Welcome to the city of pleasure and pain.” Yet to a man unbound as he, what was pain, only a distant memory, but it had been so long since then. To say the passing of loved ones is rare, would be an understatement. However, pleasure is so easy to find in a world constantly being renewed. Where the future is controlled, the past is the only prison. Quieting the harrowing thoughts, he simply followed his friend the Magician into the depths of the city, now enjoying the enchantress who had landed on his arm. “Embrace the chaos” Surrounded by beauty and disgust a like, movement and stagnation, life and also decay, he was sure it was real, yet still it all felt like an abstraction. The group walking through the city continued to grow, now numbering two hundred and fifty. As Dusk turned to the night, a full moon arose brightening the whole sky, and causing the bricks of the city to glow silver. Each tower appearing to stretch and distort into that abyss, star lit sky. The path bellow there feet glowed brilliantly, the bells and breast plate of his escort now illuminated, became translucent. Along with several places of her garment, causing an extremely seductive illusion to manifest from the fabric. In fact for once the Time Traveler felt underdressed. As the clothing of each citizen morphed magnificently with the addition of moonlight. In all there bioluminescent grace they stood before a massive glass door. The entrance into a tower that pierced the sky as the pinnacle of the mountain. They stood before the door as if awaiting its transfiguration into Christ. Suddenly a bells crystalline note broke the silence, and the clear blocks began to part. Radiating through the ever growing crack, the light burst forth from within. Stunned by the glorious image, the time traveler was frozen as if he had seen the true face of God. The huge crowd of civilians jostled one another, as if this moment was there reason to live. forcing their way into to the golden plated playground filled with every desire one could ever hope for or dream of.

Some ran off into the higher floors to have a private moment, and a romantic balcony view of the ground floor. Performances of all types where taking place, there was one Contorted as a serpent suspended by an invisible apparatus. Another swallowing flaming swords and seeming to digest them completely. There was even one who stood totally still awaiting your eye contact, but as soon as it was made, one would hear a voice in there mind that was not their own. Around the room these performers tantalized and hypnotized, with other worldly allusion. After enjoying a few hours of pure bliss with the gypsy who had claimed his heart. The pair made there way to the dramatically lit floor. The center table was dark, watered with fresh roses. The Time Traveler counted 44 chairs at the table, he noticed that there was one right beside the Magician. “The ridicules peasant, still he reserved a chair for me” the time traveler thought approaching his seat. Glancing up at the dramatic chandeliers that appeared to be suspended by air, he shouted “ I love what you have done with the place” throwing his arm around the magician as if they were old friends. The table before them was covered in exquisite silver dishes, fine enough to be confused with the gambling pot overflowing with all varieties of exotic and sought after items. The Time Travelers heart sank, he had brought no coin to part with. Taking a sip of the blood red wine, he shrugged burying a hand into his pocket. Suddenly he rejoiced learning he was mistaken. As each pocket overflowed with gold, rubies, and pearls. Grinning, and letting out a whimsical chuckle, the time traveler new that whatever the reason for this quest through Time, he had been bested by that poor simple peasant.

With drink after drink the Magician slowly became more human as each adult beverage lowered his tuff exterior. The two of them played table games underneath the moons glair Neither had ever been so entertained by a game of cards. Both being extremely competent gamblers, gaining and loosing as an eternity passed by. Soon it became evident to the Time Traveler that he was winning. Wanting to end the game while he was ahead, the Time Traveler looked down to check his watch, it appeared that tick tocking had somehow frozen. Right then the Magician stretched a long arm out across the table, uncurling each elongated finger. Noticing the que, A juggler dropped all there balls, and produced a journal placing it into the Magicians hand, saying “as you requested Count” The entire spirit of the atmosphere changed, the music became a faint melodic lull, even the lover’s passion could no longer be heard. Each candle beginning to reach the end of their wick started to flicker against cold metal. He placed the journal on the table, and the Time Traveler shed a tear in remembrance of his old friend. It was his journal still here, the proof that all of this truly was his doing. How he desired to peer into its secrets and understand the mystery that surround its pages. It was all the Magician had left to barter with, “ I must have it, the Time Traveler thought” even if I must replay this moment for a million years. Still he tried not to look as dumbfounded as he was, saying instead “my friend you have had to much to drink” you mean to say this is your gambling item!” letting out a loud and quite convincing cackle. Although there was no arguing with the dealer’s appraisal of the ancient script. They played another hand, each deep in thought and calculation. Revealing there cards to each other the Time Traveler had lose the hand. It was not the wasting of coins, diamonds, and rubies that pained him, it was not possessing the book and now running out of anything to equal the journals appraisal. The candles had now gone out completely, the two sat in the light of the full moon alone. Each card appearing as ivory in the darkness, the game was now over. Maybe the time traveler had grown tired of his supernatural supremacy, maybe he had begun to miss the mortal conflicts of existence. A final round between the two unrestricted beings. Beginning to undue the latches on the complex instrument, the Magician said nothing, nor made any gesture. Yet when the watch was placed in the pot, the cards were dealt and a game that would change the course of fait began.

In the morning the time traveler felt rather unmoored. waking up, as if from a vivid dream he could hardly remember. As he excited the tower, stumbling out into the light of day he sensed something was missing. This was an odd feeling for one who carried no possessions. Well all but one he thought, happily looking down expecting to see his one true love. That mystic device, that made him a God, just as omnipotent, and just as cold. That which gave him freedom, beyond the seven seas, and wisdom beyond the seven seals. Putting both arms out before him. Flipping them slowly, then faster, until he was frantically examining his fore arms for the device. However, It was gone, his wrist was naked, his heart shattered, his eyes trembled, his mind melted, overwhelmed. The tan line left behind, burned in his psyche like a brand. Stunned as if struck by lightning, the Time Traveler was bond. falling to his knees he began to weep on the cobble stone road. He crawled back through the city; it was so densely populated yet still felt desolate. The way they looked at him, it was as if they saw a sight so painful ever day. He got the feeling; he was not the first to lose his life in this glowing cobblestone road. Before the days end the time, traveler had made preparations to take his own life, by jumping off the cliff that the city was built upon. He spread his arms and took his last breath, closing his eyes he prepared to jump. In fact he was sure he did. But awoke on a street corner instead. With a sack of bread in his lap, a jade pen in his hand, and a journal at his feet.