“What a BORE you are.” Agdistis Dicon threw their hands up theatrically. “A snake? Again? How many sexy snakes do you think this Necropoli needs? You need to INNOVATE darling!” The flesh crafters, or Idunn erupted with laughter at the outburst.

“Fine! What do YOU suggesssst?” The well endowed serpent hissed to the master. “What could possssibly innovate in this dussty city?”

“HMMMMMMMM.” Agdistis pressed a silk fan against their forehead. “Oh…. How do you feel about barely fitting through doors?” They looked down expectantly. Naturally Agdistis knew how to hook in the local skin junkies.

The serpent stared cooly back. “I’m lisssssstening.”

“Perfect! I’ll take that as a yes, go with Ordus and get that Corpus reset.” They fanned the snake back into the bowels of the Guildhall. One of many in the Iron Duchy, the Masquers were so prevalent here they could afford to focus on their passions and niches. This hall was run at the whims of Agdistis, the premier Masquer for the Magni and Chanteurs Guild. Making the fantastical come to life.

The warm orange lights illuminated the mismatched inside; Wraith learning and experimenting how to manipulate the thing that formed all of them. Laughs and cackles echoing out from the newer Guild members as they changed faces and limbs, and sometimes even changed them back without help. It is a place for the Wraith to lose the cages that their mortal form kept them in.

Within this warm light Agdistis spotted a shy old bearded Wraith wandering the dim hallways of the parlor. This Guildhall was rather close to the Citadel, it wasn’t uncommon for an elderly Wraith to wander in here after their Guild told them of the free services rendered thanks to the Dicon family connections. It seems they wanted something other than the standard services of the Citadel Masquers. Agdistis walked like an unsteady stack of books on a shaky table, each step looked like it would be the one to topple the 7 foot tall Guildmaster. Their proportions were off, longer fingers, pointed shoulders, a long neck and legs. Colors changing and textures forming and fading. They wanted to be the enigma of the Guild.

They had planned to greet the elderly Wraith openly, but they could see the look in their eyes of worry and unease. A look seen many times within these walls. The eyes worry only increased when seeing this amalgam of angles and flair approach them.

“Hello stranger, welcome to the House of Flowing Corpus. My name is Agdistis Dicon, the master of ceremonies.” They held out a hand to welcome the old Wraith.

“Oh, I, hello. My name is Paul, of the um, the Iron Legion.” Paul grasped as best that their old hand would allow. “Agdistis is a, uhm, very nice name.”

“Oh why thank you my dear elder. I picked it out myself.” Agdistis chuckled and tucked their fan away. “How are you on this fine day my dear Paul?”

“I am well. I, this is my first time traveling alone in the city. My reaper wished me to explore and return to them. It is a marvelous place. How, um, how is your day?”

“Oh absolutely dreadful Paul.” Agdistis’ theatrical side shone for a moment. “Some sheriff allowed a Specter to break into our clothing store, leaving me a paperwork nightmare. Snakes are slithering down the streets thinking they look like a freshly minted Sol when its clear land whales are the way the winds are blowing. Its hard to be on top of fashion these days Paul, let me tell you.”

“Oh. I’m, I’m sorry to hear that.” The old Wraith held their hands to their chest, looking down to the floor of the Guildhall.

“Anyways dear, what can I do for you?” Agdistis placed a hand on the back of Paul and escorted them deeper into the Guildhall. “If you’re here I assumed you had something in mind the Citadel Masquers didn’t offer?”

Agdistis could feel the hesitation of Paul as they slowly shuffled next to the Guildmaster.

“Here, have a seat here.” Agdistis beckoned Paul to a pillowed space with a thick curtain wrapped around it. Paul paused a moment before sitting down. Agdistis entered the space and pulled the curtain closed. They sat near Paul and poured water for them both. “Please, drink.”

Agdistis always wondered how people felt in moments like this, it had been so long since they’d forgotten when they were in Paul’s seat. Perhaps the Mnemoi could help? No no, Agdistis had too many secrets to be opened up to a Mnemoi.

“I, um, I was told you could make me younger?” Paul began. Holding his cup as though it was a lifeline. Agdistis could see the uncertainty in Paul’s fidgeting thumbs behind the cup.

“Yes, we can. It is a free service we do for those of the Iron Legion.” Agdistis spoke softly.

Paul looked again at Agdistis’ form before looking back at the center table. “And more than that. It looks like.”

A light chuckle broke through Agdistis’ lips. “Yes, and more than that. This Guild specializes in changing the shapes of Wraith, for fashion or… function.” They waved their hand, fingers growing more metallic and knife-like.

“Ah, I, see.” More fidgeting thumbs.

“So tell me,” Agdistis began. A wave of nerves seemed to be hit all across Paul’s body. “About your life Paul.”

Paul’s body relaxed. Agdistis was aware Paul was not ready to answer the question that hung over them. “Oh, uh, I don’t know. I’m just, an old man. I lived a quiet life before the end I guess.”

“No no no Paul!” Agdistis waved their hand. “Not the end of your life, I want to know about your LIFE life. About your childhood dreams, friends, lost lovers, sorrow, ecstasy, hate, spite, worry, joy, all the things that made you who you are.”

Paul looked taken aback, looking for the first time into Agdistis’ eyes. “I, don’t know where to begin.”

“Well, how about at the start my friend?” Agdistis laid against their arm on the pillows, looked expectantly at the old Wraith before them.

“Oh…. okay.” Paul managed a light smile and leaned back on their pillows. “...I was born 58 years ago…”

The two talked for hours, going in and out of moments in time, from topic to topic. Parents to childhood injuries. Bedtime stories for children and grandchildren. Hope for a better future. The loss of children to illness, the tears of a spouse. How alone you feel at the end, alone in a cabin in the winter.

“My my, what a full life you’ve led Paul.” Agdistis sighed, huffing out a cloud of smoke.

“Yes, it was good. I… I do miss my wife… I’m told I may look for her soon..” Paul remained lost in their memories.

“Forgive me, if I may ask one question Paul?” The long fingers tapped against their pipe. “But, was it a fulfilling life? Did you truly live it as you wanted to?”

“Well, um, I mean as much as anyone could. I, I did what I was supposed to do. I had a wife, I had children, I worked my farm… I…” Paul shuddered against an invisible chill.

“You did what the world told you to do my dear Paul, but did you live the life the way you wanted to?” Agdistis’ tone softened more, hoping to coax the truth from the young old Wraith.

“I… I don’t suppose I did… but I loved my wife, and my children and….” The struggle on Paul’s face was a story Agdistis saw thousands of times.

“Its okay for that to still be true Paul. That love isn’t going anywhere. But now, now the burden of those expectations has gone and you can love them while loving yourself too.”

Paul sat quietly for a time. “What… what can you do? To change my looks?” They said sheepishly.

A swift exhale and a clink of the pipe being set down. “I can do anything darling.” Agdistis smiled. “We can try for as long as it takes for you to look on the outside how you feel on the inside. You just need to tell me where to start.”

“Okay.” Paul smiled and thought for a moment. “I… I always liked my aunt's smile.”