Some Notes on Creation

Dear assistant,

Do you remember when we were at that ball with the evergreens made of Creation? And we talked about threads of Creation?

As I've been making and reviewing notes for my latest project (I apologize for my lateness...the city is pushing me harder than expected), I'm thinking so much about that conversation. Partially because I feel so alone. But…there is a beauty in what we do. Something about the threads, both concrete and ethereal, has beauty in its very fibers (pardon the pun). 

I pondered this morning, as I wiped down the piano (which is nowhere as good as the one you and I played on), on the nature of Creation. You and I know that is just the commonplace name for it. Well, as commonplace as can be for our little-known abilities. But it is a fitting name, as creation is the act of bringing something into existence. And, aside from our trees and paintings and sculptures and tailcoats, I think you and I have created something amazing.

I never showed you this, but I once read a bit of folklore about some ancient work with Creation. There was once a small nation that was under attack, and the king begged for someone to form a solution. So a young man came forward and, using a special weaving of Creation, formed a barrier that could keep the army out. 

I haven't found out how he did it. Keeping out a whole army with Creation is fascinating to me. But I have some ideas on basic principles. One problem that has to be approached is that, in a structure as big as a wall of Creation, there will be many weak spots. And I suppose you could keep patching and patching, but I don't see the point. It's much better to just create a network of threads that work together and include threads that strengthen those weak spots. I imagine the construction of this wall was done piece by piece, with very small, tightly-bound threads. 

My mind took this a step further. I think I learned a lot about this from you. I have friendships that are born from and strengthened by these little strands, and ours stands out in particular to me. Where we have weaknesses, we use each other to get help in those areas. And it wasn't done overnight -- we had to focus on specific areas and take it one problem at a time. Now, even though I'm off trying to make something of myself, I know that I've worked with someone to create a system of threads, made up of experiences and strengths and weaknesses, that will hold off even the worst of threats. 

Ever your friend, 

~The Tailor 

Unraveling Our Humanity

Dear assistant,

There are two things I want you and the rest of the world to remember about me. The first is that I have grand goals. You know better than anyone walking the Earth of my dreams and all the things I want to do with Creation. And I share them with you because few people understand the technical nature of this amazing work we do.

Today, as I sit in a room with the windows thrown open (thank you for that gift), I have strings of silk-like Creation illuminating me as I write, and my mind is on the mistakes we make as human beings. And, to be completely honest, I'm afraid. Now that you're gone, I have nobody I feel comfortable making errors around. It took me three weeks to come to this realization, but now that I am alone, I am afraid to be human.

It is fascinating to me, having come to this big city, to see so many people who are human, but don't realize it. I watched a young boy chase a duck for ten minutes in an open field yesterday, and I wished you could could be there, because the humanity of it was missed by everyone, including the boy's grandmother. He had this goal of grabbing that duck by the tail feathers, yet never quite made it.

Isn't that our existence? Running after the ducks, but never catching them? Sometimes, I suppose, we get lucky and we accomplish something. In my search for one who can comprehend me and my projects in Creation, I found you...whether that was luck or something more can be debated, but it is one of the times in my life as a tailor that I can say I succeeded.

A question ran through my head as I silently enjoyed this boy's endeavor -- what was he going to do when he had the duck in arms?

I'm still trying to figure that out. I'm chasing after my own ducks, and I've managed to catch a few. But I'm still trying to figure out what comes next. You know me...always looking ahead, even if I'm not exactly certain on the present. And I'll admit, in my humanity, I need help knowing what to do.

~The Tailor

After the Last Note Fades

Dear assistant,

Is it still appropriate for you to think of you as my personal assistant? I know I've left the shop to your care, and you're the one people look to, but I cannot help but continue to think of you fondly as the one who inspires so much of my Creation and tailoring.

I'm sure you knew that these letters would come, as I'm not one to merely leave unfinished business. I hope that the townspeople are not giving you too much trouble...you know how they can be sometimes. They, unfortunately, do not know either of us well, and that can make them a little difficult to handle. However, I know you are a hard and patient worker -- I wouldn't have become who I am today if you did not have those qualities. I know you can handle it well.

I am wondering if returning to Ella was a poor choice. I know I needed to find her, but I think the purpose may have been to find that she has moved on. It is tempting to come home, but I know that this time I am spending here will help me grow in my talents, which is something you will appreciate. The pianos here are wonderful, though some of them could use a little fixing up. Perhaps I will perform soon, and you could find the time to come see me as you have in the past.

The next few months will be very exciting for me, as I have many things to form from Creation. I am considering a variety of projects for a display I want to reveal in November. It is likely that I will send you my notes and models for you to review. If you would like to look over those, that would be wonderful, though I do not expect you to. You certainly have a lot on your hands now that I'm gone.

I hope you are in good health, and I hope you will reply soon. My cravat is still clean.

~The Tailor