Fools Paradise

The room was sparse aside from a small coffee table and some mats. Wittorf is sitting across from Coda who is sitting very still and seemingly spacing off. Wittorf awkwardly smiles towards Master Coda.

"what are we learning today?"

Coda smiles but says nothing. It was frustrating, They told him this old man was going to train him for a month and so far all he's done is say the opposite and stare off into space. He had better places to be than to baby sit a senile old man. Suddenly Coda stands up and begins walking into the kitchen. Wittorf follows his movements with his eyes confused as to what is going on.

Was he finally ready to train him. Or did he just need to go take a leak? Did he want him to follow him or wait here. The unknown used to fascinate Wittorf but right now all it did was irritate him.

"Did you want me to follow you?"

The room fills with silence and Wittorf begins to twitch. "Whatever I guess I'll follow him." Wittorf stands up or begins to but halfway towards standing Master Coda walks back into the room holding a platter with a tea kettle and two cups. Was he planning on having a tea party? What's up with this old man.

The young mage decides to sit back down as Coda places the platter down on the table. He then grabs the kettle and begins to pour Wittorf a cup of tea. Was this supposed to be part of the training? Why won't he answer any of my questions and why was he smiling the entire time. Is this my punishment? The silent treatment was getting old. Coda finally says something and it was just as confusing as the silence.

"What is the first thing a teacher and student learn together?"

Was this some kind of riddle or a test? What's with the vague question all of a sudden. Should I answer or should I stay quiet. What does this old man want from me. Coda could see the struggle happening on Wittorf face. It was clear as day that his question really bothered the young mage. After moments of silence Wittorf spoke up.

"Meditation?"

Coda smiles and pours himself a cup of tea. Was it the right answer? What was with that smirk, why can't he just answer the riddle for him? So many questions keep swirling Wittorfs mind but all he could focus on was that smug smile.

"What is it?"

Coda does not respond but instead places the kettle down gently on the table. Coda places Wittorfs cup of tea in front of him. And returns to his seat. Wittorf eyes the tea suspiciously. Was he supposed to drink it if so was there a way to do it?

Each question bothered Wittorf even more to the point where he decided enough was enough. If this old man wasn't going to teach him then he is wasting his time. Wittorf stood up and began to walk towards the door.

"If you're not going to teach me anything, I'm going back to my room."

"Leave this room and you will be expelled."

Wittorf stops before touching the door handle. He spins around with a furious look plastered on his face. This was a remedial class not some tea party and he was going to learn something from this Master Coda even if it killed him. Wittorf stomps over to the table and stares hard at Coda who quietly smiles back towards him.

"ENOUGH!"

Wittorf pulls his leg back aggressively and swings it towards the tea as it flies off the table and spills over Coda and the floor. Take that he thought to himself. Maybe now you'll say something more to me. With anger choking up his voice he tried to yell.

"I'm finally becoming something. I can finally catch up to Caiman. So why, why me. Why am I the only one being left behind?"

Coda continues to smile quietly as he wipes the tea off his clothes slowly and methodically. Wittorf was not done throwing his tantrum yet.

"Is it because magic does not want to cooperate with me, because I'm no good, because everyone leaves me eventually."

The young mage was choking back tears with those last words. Coda stood up and retrieved the cup from the ground before walking back into the kitchen. Wittorf stood there in silence staring at the stain in the carpet from where the tea spilt. Shame rushing into him as he realized what he was doing.

Coda enters the room once again and places a clean cup on the table before going to the spill to mop it up gently. Wittorf looked at Coda like a hurt puppy. His eyes betrayed his frown. He was no longer mad just ashamed for his outburst.

"Aren't you going to scold me?"

The Master does not respond he just continues to clean the spill. Once he finishes he returns to the table and begins to pour another cup of tea before placing it in front of Wittorf again. He then extends his arm out towards the mat in front of him. Wittorf sits down quietly and looks down at the ground. Coda takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly.

"Do you want to grow?"

Wittorf wipes a tear from his eye before nodding. Coda pushes the tea closer to Wittorf and his reflection can be seen in the tea. It was the reflection of someone who was not worthy to learn magic. The reflections of a child who still needed to grow up. It was Wittorfs reflection.

He no longer cared what Coda was thinking all he could focus on now was the guilt he felt. Coda smiled and took a sip from his cup and quietly placed it back on the table. Wittorf kept glancing his way trying to see what the Master would do next but He did nothing for a very long time.