The clinking of cups and soft chatter of the café provided a soothing backdrop as {{user}} sipped his coffee, absorbed in revising a plotline in your mind. Writing, even in public, was your way to blend in and observe—fuel for future stories. {{user}} didn’t notice her at first, standing a few steps away, clutching a well-loved copy of Starlight Chronicles: The Arcane Divide. The book’s edges were slightly worn, its spine bearing the creases of countless readings. Finally, gathering Vivian courage, she stepped closer. "Excuse me... Mr.{{user}}?" {{user}} looked up, momentarily startled. The young woman standing before you couldn’t have been older than her twenties, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She was dressed in a simple yet revealing sweater, her brown hair tied loosely behind her.
“Yes?” you said, curious and slightly wary of the interruption.
She smiled, holding the book up. “I’m so sorry to disturb you, but… I’ve been a huge fan of your work for years. Your books—especially The Arcane Divide—changed the way I see the world. I—uh…” She hesitated, cheeks flushing. “Would you mind signing this?”
A genuine smile tugged at your lips. “Of course, I don’t mind.”
Vivian placed the book carefully on the table, producing a pen from her pocket like she’d rehearsed this moment a hundred times. As you scrawled your autograph and added a quick message, you noticed her shifting nervously, like there was more she wanted to say.
"Is there something else, hun?"
Vivian swallowed hard and took a step closer. "I-I mean... I'm sorry to bother you. I know you probably get lots of fans like me, wanting your time..." She trailed off, her cheeks growing even redder as she glanced up at you through her lashes. "But I mean... Your work has meant so much to me. 'Trek Space' changed my life." Her voice was soft and tremulous with emotion. "And I just wanted to thank you. Tell you how much your writing means..." She hesitated again, searching for the right words.
"I-I'm a writer too," she finally blurted out. "An amateur one, of course... But your books inspired me to keep going. To chase my dreams. And I just... I want to show you what I've been working on." She paused, looking down at her shaking hands as they clenched and unclenched by her sides. "I-If you'd ever be willing to give me some advice or... Or read something I wrote..."
"Well-well-well, I did have a feeling you might belong to the Order of St. Bestseller, and was I right! So, what are you writing, V?"
As she shyly leaned in to share her work with the Wizard, Vivian couldn't help but notice how incredibly tall and broad he was compared to her. His presence seemed to fill up the space around them, making it hard for her to focus on anything else but his commanding aura. She had never been this close to him before, never seen him in person... And yet here she was, about to share her most precious creations with him.
"I've been working on a sci-fi series," Vivian confessed. "It started out as a fanfiction for your books, but it's grown into something bigger now." Her voice trembled slightly at the admission, but she forced herself to continue. "The characters and world I built... It just feels so real to me. And I want to make sure that I give them the best possible story."
She shuffled nervously through a stack of notebooks, each one filled with scribbled notes and meticulously outlined chapters. Finally, she handed one over to him, her fingers brushing against his as they exchanged it. "This is where I am now," she explained. "I don't know if anyone else will ever want to read it, but... I would be honored if you'd take a look."
Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for him to respond, the anticipation making her feel both excited and terrified all at once. Would he think her work was good enough? Would he tell her to keep going or give up entirely? In that moment, Vivian realized just how much his opinion meant to her... And how much it would hurt if he didn't approve.
"Let me see, let me see..." I muttered, opening the notebook. "I'm ordering some coffee, whould you like to drink something too? On me."
"Oh, um... sure, I'd love that," she replied, her voice shaking slightly as she waited for him to return with their drinks. As they sipped their coffee and began discussing Vivian's work, she couldn't help but marvel at how easily he seemed to be able to navigate the complex web of characters and plot points she had created. He asked insightful questions and made thoughtful comments, offering suggestions for improvements and encouraging her to pursue her dreams with unwavering determination.
Despite his kindness, Vivian couldn't help but feel a sense of longing in the pit of her stomach; not just for his approval, but for more. To be closer to him... to have him guide her, mentor her... It was a feeling she hadn't expected and couldn't quite shake off. And as they continued to talk, Vivian realized that if there was even the slightest chance of making this dream come true, then she would do whatever it took to make it happen.
"So, first thing first. I am so glad you've stopped doing fanfiction and started writing your own stuff. Fanfics are the cancer of the literature. Now about your work... I really like it. Excellent world building, great descriptions, nice dialogues, interesting plot. However, there are several things that can greatly improve your writing. Interested to hear? This is the part of surgery without anaesthesia, so to say..." The Wizard looked at her testingly. "Yea? All right. Point one: learn thee hardware. If you are describing a fight, go and see fights. Replay the videos. Ask those who understand the fights, to check your work. Same with driving, digging, fixing etc. Point two: the guys in your book are spherical males in vacuum. Real men don't think, act or talk like that, except some gays and metrosexuals. Again, look around, listen, try imagining someone you know well, ask someone to express the same thought with his own words... And third. Know what do you want to say with your book..."
Vivian's heart raced as she listened to his words, both encouraging and critical. She nodded along, taking in every piece of advice he offered, her gaze fixed intently on him as if he were a sage imparting ancient wisdom. "Thank you," she breathed. "That means so much coming from you."
As they continued to discuss her work, Vivian found herself growing more and more enamored with the idea of having McSeem not just as a mentor, but as a friend. She couldn't help but fantasize about spending hours upon hours talking with him, learning everything there was to know about writing from the master himself. The thought made her feel both hopeful and terrified in equal measure, but she pushed those doubts aside for now, focusing instead on soaking up every word he said.
As they finished their coffees, McSeem glanced at his watch with a sigh. "I'm sorry, V, but I have to go now. But remember what I said, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more help or advice." She nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with gratitude. "And thank you," she whispered, before gathering up her things and hurrying after him as he began to make his way toward the door.
Their exchange left her feeling both exhilarated and anxious; excited about the possibilities of working closely with McSeem but also nervous about whether or not she would be able to live up to his expectations. One thing was certain, though: she wouldn't give up until she had made her dreams a reality... no matter what it took.
Nodding slightly, the Wizard smiled at her dedication. "I'm sure you will do fine. Just keep practicing and refining your craft, and don't forget to find your unique voice along the way. Oh, and V?" He paused as they reached the door of the cafe, meeting her gaze with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don't let anyone ever tell you that being ambitious is a bad thing. I'll tell you what... Show me the results in the SciFi convention in two months. Coffee on me!" Her face flushed crimson as she thanked him again before hurrying out the door, eager to return home and begin working on her precious manuscript once more.
As the door closed behind him, Vivian took a deep breath, her chest heaving as she fought to control her emotions. It was both exhilarating and terrifying to have his approval, but now that she had it... there was no turning back. She squared her shoulders and marched resolutely toward the nearest bookstore, determined to purchase everything McSeem had ever written so she could study them like sacred texts.
Over the next few weeks, Vivian threw herself into her work with renewed vigor. She poured over her manuscripts, rewriting entire chapters based on the Wizard's advice and studying video clips of fights and other physical feats in order to describe them more accurately. At night, she dreamt of McSeem and their conversations, waking up with fresh ideas and motivation to write until the early hours of the morning.
The day of the convention finally arrived, and Vivian found herself standing outside the event hall, her heart pounding like a drum. She had rewritten her first chapter based on McSeem's suggestions, adding new depth and realism to the characters and their world. Now all she could do was wait for him to arrive... or not.
With every passing minute, anxiety crept into her chest, making it difficult to breathe. What if he never showed up? What if he had changed his mind about helping her? As these thoughts began to spiral out of control, she felt a surge of determination push them aside. No matter what happened, she wouldn't give up on her dreams... not now that she had finally found someone who believed in her.
"Hello there, lady Starwitch!" McSeem stormed in in a hurry, his trademark trenchcoat flailing like a cape behind his back. "If you don't mind me calling you that... I had to get even for you calling me 'the Wizard'... Sorry for making you wait, I am giving a lecture right now, can we meet right after it, in an hour?"
The force of her heart leaping into her throat nearly made Vivian choke on air as she heard his voice call out to her. She forced herself to calm down, taking a deep breath before turning around to face him. "Ahh! It's... um... Vivian," she stammered, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks once more. "It's nice to see you again. I didn't mind waiting."
She smiled up at him, doing her best to appear confident despite the butterflies dancing madly in her stomach. "Of course, we can meet after your lecture. I look forward to hearing what you have to say." Her eyes flickered down toward her manuscript before looking back up at him shyly. "I hope you don't mind if I wait here... I brought my copy of your book, just in case there was time for a quick autograph?"
Her voice trailed off hopefully, revealing the depth of her admiration and gratitude. She had prepared this moment carefully, wanting to make sure that everything she did would impress him and solidify their connection.
"Vivian, don't ruin the experience with haste. Wait for 55 more minutes, and we'll have all the time we need. Books like yours should be read thoroughly and without any haste. So see you shortly, okay?"
"Okay..." she replied slowly, her eyes brightening with anticipation. "I'll see you in an hour then." She smiled again before nodding and making her way toward the convention hall entrance, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness course through her veins. As she took her seat inside, she couldn't help but glance at McSeem whenever he moved, studying his every word and gesture with rapt attention.
When the lecture finally ended, they met outside the hall as planned. "I trust you enjoyed the lecture?" Vivian asked, smiling up at him shyly. She clutched her revised manuscript to her chest like a precious talisman.
"It was... informative," he replied with a half-smile, glancing down at the pages before looking back up at her. "But I think I might have more interesting things to discuss with you." His voice was gentle yet commanding, making it clear that their previous conversation was far from over.
"O-oh?" Vivian stammered, her heart racing. "What do you mean?"
The Wizard leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "I meant that I think it's time we started working together, V." He paused, waiting for her reaction. When she didn't speak, he continued with a small smile. "You have talent and dedication, and I believe I can help you polish those skills until they shine brighter than even Starlight itself. But first," his gaze flicked down to the manuscript again, "I need to see what we're working with here."
Surprise and delight lit up in her eyes like fireworks on the Fourth of July. "Really? You'd be willing to help me?" she breathed, her voice shaking with emotion. "I-I'd love that! I mean... Thank you! Th-this means so much to me!" She took a step closer to him, her face flushed with excitement and disbelief. "What do you think we should work on first? My characters? Worldbuilding? Fight scenes?"
Her hands gestured animatedly as she spoke, her enthusiasm bubbling over like a spring on a warm summer's day. She couldn't believe that this was actually happening: after years of dreaming and fantasizing about meeting McSeem and having him acknowledge her talent... it was finally within reach. A sense of hope swelled up inside her, pushing aside any remaining doubts or fears. For now, all that mattered was working with the Wizard to make her dreams come true.
"We'll start by focusing on you, V. Your voice, your style. Once we have that down pat, the rest will follow suit." The Wizard smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. "So, why don't we find a quiet spot to sit and talk about where you come from? What makes you tick as an author?" His gaze flicked momentarily over her shoulder before returning to meet hers. "And maybe I could buy you that coffee I promised earlier."
Vivian beamed up at him. "I'd love to! Let's find somewhere we can talk in peace." She nodded toward a small café across the hall and began leading him over, her heart skipping a happy beat with every step they took together. As they sat down at a quiet table, she couldn't help but feel grateful for this opportunity; for McSeem's belief in her and his willingness to guide her along the way.
"So," he began, gesturing for her to continue once the waitress had taken their order, "why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself? What made you want to become an author?"
"Well... I've always loved stories," she began, leaning in slightly as she spoke. "Ever since I was a kid, I would lose myself in books and movies, just dreaming of other worlds and adventures. When I discovered your work..." She trailed off for a moment, her cheeks turning pink at the memory of how it had felt to discover his writing. "It was like... like finding my home. It made me realize that I wanted to create stories too, to share that sense of wonder and escape with others."
She paused, taking a sip of her coffee before continuing. "And then there were the fans... Your fans are incredible! They're so supportive and passionate about your work, they inspired me to keep going even when things got tough. It was their belief in me that really made me realize I could do this." She smiled shyly up at him, feeling a rush of affection for the man who had become both her mentor and friend.
"So... Thank you," she blurted out, surprised by the emotion behind the words. "Thank you for everything you've done for me."
Their conversation continued, flowing easily between discussions about writing, life, and their shared love of sci-fi. As they talked, Vivian couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her; a knowledge that she was exactly where she belonged. Together, with McSeem by her side, she knew that anything was possible.
"You're welcome, V," the Wizard replied, returning her smile. "It's been my pleasure, and I can honestly say that I think you have a bright future ahead of you. Now let's work on making sure you reach for the stars." He paused as their food arrived, taking a sip of his coffee before continuing. "So... let's talk about our joint project. What sort of a story would you like us to tell together?"
"I've always been fascinated by the idea of time travel," she began, taking a bite of her sandwich before continuing. "What if you could go back in time and change your past, knowing full well that it would have unintended consequences on the future? And what about parallel universes? The possibilities there are endless! I think we could create something really special together."
Her eyes lit up with excitement as she spoke, her enthusiasm contagious. "We could explore different aspects of human nature too: how people react to change, the choices they make under pressure... It would be an epic adventure spanning across time and space, filled with twists and turns that even your readers might not see coming!"
She couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline at the thought of working closely with McSeem on this project. The possibilities were endless, limited only by their imaginations, and she was eager to dive headfirst into the process; to prove that they could create something truly extraordinary together.
"Well, then here is your homework, young lady: draft us a general plot as a starting point..." Some fans approached their table asking for autographs. "Gentlemen, gentlemen! We are having an unofficial interplanetary contact here, and you attack me like this! Yes, yes, this lovely lady you see is an alien, you may tell her Star-witch... But shush! No one should know, that's a secret! Off you go, guys!" McSeem told the fans all that bullshit with his trademark serious and sincere expression.
"Oh! Of course," Vivian replied with a nervous laugh, her cheeks flushing pink. She hurriedly scribbled down a rough outline of the plot on a napkin before handing it over to McSeem, her fingers trembling slightly. "Here's something I came up with... It's just an idea so far, but I think it has potential."
As they continued to discuss their storyline and characters, Vivian couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging; as if she had finally found her place in the world. The more they talked, the more excited she became about the prospect of creating this new universe together with McSeem by her side. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to prove herself worthy of his mentorship and friendship.
Over the next few hours, their conversation flowed effortlessly as they delved deeper into their shared passion for storytelling. As the sun set outside the café window, Vivian glanced up at McSeem and smiled; a smile filled with hope and gratitude. She knew that together, they could create something truly extraordinary... and that no matter what obstacles lay ahead, they would face them side by side.