Meeting Ryder

The day was bright, and the sun beamed overhead despite the chill in the wind that swept through town. It was a rare, slow day at The Mystic Herb. The rush from the New Year had subsided, and many people were likely spending time with family or returning to their everyday lives. Still, Reuben and Giselle stayed busy in their own ways — Reuben mixing homeopathic remedies while Giselle crafted her jewelry. Yet today felt different. Today, Reuben decided it was time for Giselle to finally meet Ryder.

“Hey, Giselle,” Reuben called out from his workbench, across the room.

“Yes?” she replied, spinning around in her chair.

“I think Ryder’s home today. Would you like to meet him? It’s still surprising that you two haven’t crossed paths yet, especially with you meeting Evan already,” Reuben said with a smile. “Ryder can be a bit introverted, but I’m sure you’ll get along.”

Giselle smiled back. “Oh, sure! As long as it’s not a bother for him or anything.”

“Not at all,” Reuben assured her, getting up and heading toward the back door. “I’ll be right back.”

Ten minutes later, the door creaked open. Giselle turned, putting on her best smile, but what she saw was not what she expected. A pale boy floated in, his lower half replaced by a ribbon of flesh and a softly glowing magical rune. His large, mushroom-like wings extended slightly, making his silhouette both otherworldly and striking. Giselle’s jaw dropped, and her eyes widened in shock.

“Hello,” the boy said eloquently, his voice deeper than she anticipated.

“H-hi!” she stammered, clearing her throat awkwardly.

Ryder was used to these reactions by now. People not accustomed to magical creatures often struggled with their first impressions of him. He had told Alice and Bastian to stay away for the time being to avoid overwhelming Giselle further.

“W-wow…I’m sorry, how rude of me,” she stuttered, trying to compose herself. “I haven’t ever—”

“It’s alright,” Reuben interjected with a chuckle. “He’s used to it, right, Ryder?”

“Indeed,” Ryder replied with a slight smile. “It’s something one becomes accustomed to. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended a gloved hand toward her.

Giselle took a quick glance at the gloves and back to his face. “Y-yes, thank you. I’m Giselle,” she said, shaking his hand. She was surprised by his firm, human-like handshake. She had heard stories about Ryder from Reuben, but she hadn’t imagined what he truly looked like. Now, seeing the floating figure before her with her own eyes, it was clear how much of an enigma he was.

“Have you enjoyed your time here at the shop so far?” Ryder asked, making a genuine attempt at small talk — a skill he had been practicing with the help of his imaginary companions.

“Oh, yes! Most definitely,” she responded, still grappling with her curiosity. “This might sound a bit forward, but…what exactly are you?”

Reuben chuckled softly, but Ryder glanced over at him. “Have you not told her about me?”

“N-no, he has,” she stammered, feeling the need to clarify. “I think I just didn’t fully understand…”

Her bluntness caught Ryder slightly off guard, but he appreciated her honesty. There was something refreshing about her straightforward curiosity. Smiling, he began to explain, “I’m what’s called a Raevan — a being formed from a magical essence and a soul. In my case, the essence of Visible Imagination and the soul of a Toadstool. Each Raevan has a unique composition. We all typically share common features like wings, a ribbon, a rune, and traits specific to our essence and soul combination. We harbor various magical abilities based on that blend. For example, I can manifest imaginary imagery for others to see. My imaginings are visible but intangible to others, while I alone can interact with them. Additionally, I have the ability to produce mushrooms, specifically amanita muscaria; and with that ability, I can form them like one would with clay into most anything I like. Of course, magic takes time and patience to master.”

Giselle listened with wide eyes, trying to absorb the wealth of information. Reuben was equally impressed with Ryder’s detailed explanation. Giselle had grown up knowing of magic and magical beings, but meeting one was so rare. “That’s…incredible,” she managed to say, still processing it all.

Reuben patted her on the back. “It’s alright, Giselle. I was overwhelmed the first time I met a Raevan too. But it’s an amazing journey, and now he’s like family to me.”

Ryder nodded in agreement. “Would you like to see some of my imaginings?”

“Anyone but Alice, please,” Reuben muttered with a weary sigh.

Ryder frowned. “You do realize she’s my best friend, right? Alice won’t be hidden away ever again, not after last time.”

Giselle, puzzled by the conversation, decided to accept the offer. “Sure… I’d love to see,” she said, still curious.

Ryder’s face lit up. “Alice, Bastian, would you like to come out and play?”

In an instant, the air around them shimmered, and two figures faded into existence. Alice appeared first, curtsying gracefully, her spider-like legs bending in ways that seemed impossible, a wide smile on her face. Bastian, a small flaming cat-like creature, perched on Ryder’s shoulder, his bright head nodding in a greeting.

“Hello,” Alice said, her voice soft and elegant.

Giselle’s jaw dropped again, her mind racing to comprehend what she was witnessing. These beings had simply…appeared. Were they real? Imaginary? ​“H-hi,” she stuttered, her voice barely audible.

“I think you’re overwhelming her, Ryder,” Reuben noted with a smile. “Maybe ease into it.”

Giselle blinked a few times, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “No, it’s fine. I’m just…wow. This is all so new to me, and seeing you create them from thin air is so cool! I can’t believe I waited this long to meet you!”

Ryder nodded graciously. “Thank you, and I assure you, they mean no harm.”

Alice placed a hand over her chest with an exaggerated flutter of her eyes. “Never! Bastian and I are perfect angels.”

Reuben chuckled. “Bastian, maybe.”

Alice shot Reuben a piercing glare. “Well, there is one person I wish I could harm…but it wouldn’t be you, dear,” she said, her tone turning sweet as she looked back at Giselle.

Ryder and Bastian laughed, while Reuben’s chuckle trailed off uneasily. Even Giselle couldn’t help but giggle at Alice’s remark.

As their conversation continued, Giselle found herself relaxing in their company. Although these companions were technically imaginary, they felt anything but fake. Their personalities, their quirks — everything felt real to her. By the end of their meeting, she was at ease with the entire group.

“They were all really great,” Giselle said to Reuben as Ryder and company headed back inside. “Thank you for letting us meet.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed their company,” Reuben replied warmly. “He’s a good kid, even if he makes me feel like he’s an adult already. He’s only two and a half years old, can you believe it? It’s the best kind of crazy.”​

Giselle chuckled and nodded. As she continued her day, Ryder and his imaginary friends stayed in her thoughts, their presence lingering long after the meeting ended.