George was busy arranging his files to go on an errand when the door to his office opened. In came a man he knew, though he looked a lot different from who he knew.
"Eddie, what happened to you?" He rose from his seat and looked at Eddie dubiously. "Why do you ask that?" Eddie asked, throwing the same look.
"You look…young."
He was still Eddie, but different from who they usually knew. His charisma, disposition and movements were all different. What was even more spectacular about him was his gaze. It was tender yet piercing. They compelled one not to dare bear any ill will against him
"I had a breakthrough. There is a piece I made after the breakthrough; I would like you to analyze it. Maybe you will see what I talk about."
"Let us wait for George to come first."
"Who?"
"George. He is the painter I wanted us to find in Truetown."
"Okay."
Gilbert had never had a peaceful time since he heard the news of possibly seeing the spirit painter before the day ended. He was pacing in the office he had been provided when a knock hit his door. A quick "come in" followed, lest the knocker changed his mind before giving whatever message he had.
"Gilbert, George would like to see you." A head popped from the ajar door.
This was the moment he had been waiting for. He dashed out of his office and headed to George's. The gallery was filled with people, admiring paintings here and there. Some were buying. Since he came, he would stop to talk to them for a while whenever he found himself out of his office. This time however, he seemed not to see them. His mind was occupied by what he wanted to see, the spirit painter.
"Eddie, I am Gilbert, a wish painter. I am pleased to meet you." He gave Eddie a firm handshake as he introduced himself to Eddie who was surprised by his attitude.
"I am Eddie, a spirit painter. What do wish painters do?"
"We paint people's wishes on special canvas, after a few procedures, they get to enjoy their wishes for a moment before my painting is destroyed."
"Much like what I do." Eddie nodded.
"Not really, Eddie. Your kind are extremely rare and what you do is really beneficial to your clients, they are real. Your work is sort after by thousands every day. I cannot compare to that."
"Gilbert, you also receive many visitors. You have only been here for a little over a day but the customers who need your services have been almost as much as I have received in some months."
"Gilbert, how come?" Eddie asked.
Gilbert understood clearly why Eddie asked. Whatever he was giving was not real, a delusion so to mention. However, he could receive a lot of customers in a day.
"It is much like alcohol." Gilbert smiled as he patiently explained. "Many consume alcohol to release a few problems that come with life. The momentary amnesia makes them drink more and more and before they know it, they are addicted. It doesn't mean that their problems are lifted, they just like the fact that something is out there to take away their problems, even if it is temporary.
"Many people live with regrets in their lives. As there is no cure for them nor a chance to go back in time to right a wrong, many visit to see their wishes come true even if it is for a moment. It doesn't mean that they actually come true, but the seconds of delusion give them a little sense of satisfaction."
"So, what are its limits? I have wanted to see a woman for a long time, am I capable of seeing her?" Eddie asked.
"That would mean bringing someone to you and that is beyond my powers. My skill is only limited to where and what one has longed to see. I can take my clients to places, but I cannot bring to them the people they would wish to see. That needs powerful magic which is beyond me. Furthermore, you are a spirit painter, my petty magic cannot work on you."
Eddie nodded in understanding. Even George could not help but breathe heavily upon hearing Gilbert's explanation. He had had Gilbert make a painting for him, and several times he had declined when he wanted to see someone.
"Gilbert, so, if someone wishes to visit Noya, for example, can you make that happen, even for a second?" Eddie looked over curiously.
"Teleportation is a magic that no painter, even the spirit painters have been blessed with. What I do is like inducing a dream in my clients' minds. My work only takes them to sleep and before they know it, a lifelike dream is induced in their minds. It is in this dream that they see their wishes come true. However, it is more than a dream and not even I can completely explain the crux of my work. After all, it is more than thrice that I have made people see someone they have wanted to see."
"Magic, even we who wield it cannot completely understand its quintessence." George stated with a slow nod of understanding.
After chatting a little, Eddie produced his painting which left the two gasping for a whole minute. They had seen a perfect work of art but none matched what they were setting their eyes on.
"Eddie, may I ask. Have you reached that realm?" Gilbert asked.
"You mean the realm of ecstasy? Yes." Eddie smiled.
"Gods of my ancestors, he is the one. You have blessed me, and my clan." George clasped his hands just below his chin with a bow as he said beneath his breath.
"What are you talking about, Gilbert? And what is the realm of ecstasy?"
Gilbert did not tell the two what he meant by his prayer but had explained to George what the realm he had talked of meant.