Based on a very magical true story
I still remember the first time I went to her shop, I remember it like it was yesterday. Despite my appearance at the time, I believe she saw through my facade, no respectable “wizard” would drop to the level of shopping for a robe for some maiden they are courting who is “well about my size” but that is not todays story.
No, today I take you to the day I bought my first witch’s gown.
Having discovered her shop provided a beautiful relief from the nightmares of the outside world, it had become my sanctuary between other tasks in town and so I often found excuses to find my way to her door.
On one such day, I found myself at that familiar sight once more and quietly rushed in, worn down and tired from my day serving at the lord of the land’s manor.
Though the lord himself was a kind and generous soul, he often left management of daily functions and staff to his spouse who was, respectfully, not as graceful as his lordship. She did not like me, she did not trust me, and she seethed every day she could not find a reason to berate me. She was not so cold with everyone, it was only those of us who were different.
Those of us who did not fit the traditional expectations, those of us a little strange, some might say touched. Fortunately for me, I was incredibly gifted in the mundane, as I had spent years doing all I could to mask the shadow that seemed to stalk me, pretending I was exactly like them, knowing I really was something else though I did not understand it. My talent for the mundane spared me her wrath, unlike many of my friends.
Back to the shop, I found myself in my favorite corner. The corner where I could blend in with the shadows of forgotten fabrics, the gowns that were out of season, the ones the owner graciously took back from dissatisfied customers. As I browsed, carefully checking each item, my eyes and hands kept being drawn away, there was something nearby for me…
Eventually I stopped resisting the pulls and turned to see it.
The calls were coming from a gown. Black and blue, velvet and damask, both in equal measure, perfectly balanced and tearing at the edges of my already fractured soul. Taking a deep breath, knowing my friend was there, and emboldened by the lack of other customers that day, I asked if I might try it on in private.
She lead me to the back of the store, leading me into a hidden room, her design studio she said. The room was simple save for two things. It had the basics you’d expect for a tailor’s workshop, desks, tools, storage. What was remarkable however, was the mirror filling an entire corner of the room. Perhaps more incredible, the large window allowing so much sunlight to illuminate that same corner.
She quickly rushed over and ripped the ragged cloth cover off of the large mirror and told me to let her know if I needed anything before quickly and quietly rushing away. Leaving the dress, the large mirror, a bright light… and me.
I avoided looking at the mirror as I got changed. I could not stand to see myself. All I saw was a purple haze clouding me and everything I encountered; I quickly threw on the gown paying2 attention to it’s feeling. Noticing how it’s shape did not seem quite right for me, yet feeling like it fit better than any tunic I’d worn before all the same.
I took a few moments enjoying the feeling of wearing the gown, while debating if I should chance ruining this feeling by seeing myself with that damn haze. But once again, my eyes felt a pull. Eventually, I made my choice, I needed to see my truth.
Turning to face the bright light radiating off of this magnificent ivory mirror I finally saw…. me. Myself the way I’d always known myself to be. Confident, elegant, glowing with a warmth I’d never known! Radiating a light charged with a ferocious positive energy burning so intense I could not contain it. The haze was gone, I was beautiful, I was me!
The moment was magical, but sadly short lived, as the haze quickly enveloped me once more as I donned my tunic to return home. But I was sure to pay my friend the agreed price before leaving, with extra for her to package it for discrete delivery to my house in a few days.
I did not fully understand what had just happened, but I wanted to be sure once I did, I would be ready.
E. I know you already read this, but if you happen to reread it, I really can’t ever thank you and your staff enough for all of your kindness and compassion 🏳️⚧️💜
Z's Grimoire 
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