He raised his hand to knock on the door of the mansion, a massive white collection of lumber and architectural magnificence. The river he could see below, the boats floating down towards the docks, men propelling them with oars. Waiting patiently, he amused himself by created sparks about his hand, summoning them to dance in his palm and then squeezing them until they disappeared.
Van himself answered the door, swinging it open widely and gazing up at his guest. A bright smile appeared suddenly and his eyes began glowing.
"Guile!" he said loudly. "How are you? I haven't seen you since we all came home. I'm glad you're here, come in, come in!"
Guile complied with his aggressive request and stepped inside, entering the highly decorated living room. Fine furnishings and decorations adored the room and a tall staircase was off to both sides. All was white and clean, clearly the maids had done an excellent job at keeping the place spotless.
"What can I get you? A drink or something?" said the boy, looking up at his guest.
"Nothing, nothing," replied the man, holding out his hand, signaling that he was fine as he was. "I've only come for some information, if you could give it."
"Information? Of what?" asked the boy excitedly.
"It comes to my attention you've been telling falsehoods of me," Guile explained, eying the child as he gazed up at him. "A woman contacted me earlier today."
"And was her name Aira?"
"Yes, it just happened to be Aira."
Van grinned widely. "She's comes around here to watch me sometimes."
"You've been telling her about me?" the elder asked, blinking slightly.
"You and everyone else. She likes to listen to my stories, unlike other people like my father whose too busy."
"You've been telling her that I'm some great magician, Van. Please don't stretch the truth, it only leads to falsehoods."
The boy frowned. "Falsehoods? I'm only telling her what really happened. And you are a great magician, Guile! I wouldn't lie about something like that."
"I can do little more than this," said the man, casting once again his dancing flames as they floated above his hand. He quickly forced them away and they vanished. "I hardly think that would excite you, or anyone else."
"I still think its pretty cool," said the boy, watching him in awe.
"Please, don't speak of me to her again. I'd hate to crush her hopes of me being something spectacular."
Van hung his head, his hat sliding slightly on his head. "Well, I tried."
"Hmm? Tried what?"
He lifted his head. "Well, I assumed you were having girl troubles, so I though you might need help."
Guile, taken aback by this comment, simply left the boy in his home, saying nothing else as he walked out the door into the town once more. He wondered deep in his mind what else Van had told her.
