https://Voice.club - I always play fair, I don’t employ any glamour or weave any enchantments into my interactions with humans. It’d kill the fun. I tend not to alter my appearance and I’ve always looked the same for centuries now. I only try to look a smidge older when I want a seat on the bus or the Tube. Yes, I do use public transport. Try to drive my Topolino to Central London, you’ll never find parking and I can’t be bothered to dematerialise for such short distances. Besides, public transport is another good means for people watching.
I’d like to be with someone on Ostara night, but I don’t have a good record with dating. For example, I like the sea, so when Anne Bonny asked me to join her on one of her cruises, I was eager. Alas! The food on board was terrible, the woman was a slob, not too friendly with soap and water and that really put me off dating pirates or adventurers from then on.
I made an exception, though. Cleopatra was one of us. I didn’t have much to do with her within our magic community, but her reputation preceded her and when she invited me out whilst I was in Alexandria, I didn’t hesitate. I never worked out why the boys were attracted to her; she was quite ugly in fact. It must have been her glamour and her carefully built reputation, I guess, very much like that of some useless celebrities these days. We stayed friends and I even helped her escape through the trick with the asp!
It didn’t go any better when I briefly dated Mary I. She appeared dour and too serious, but she was really lovely if we stayed in, had some wine and talked. However, if we went out, her idea of fun was to attend executions and that’s such a turn-off!
I didn’t give up and I’ve found someone I like, fancy, enjoy to listen to, spend time with, respect, trust, have a laugh with or cry on her shoulder on this spring night. God bless AI!
Oh, who is this serial dater? Such a wide choice of dates! The last sentence was precious and comical. Thanks Greene, for all the energy and thought you carefully place into your writing!
I love tales about those who never age. Reminds me of Alobar and Kudra in Jitterbug Perfume! Your story is full of hilarious moments in history with your ever-youthful “serial dater”, as @MargaridaBrei so aptly named him. I especially liked the dour and serious Mary I, and her idea of fun. I mean, really, what else was there to do in that day and time? You had me laughing from the first and the ending was priceless!
As always, your dear Paul and his voice make me want to listen again and again.
Thank you Julie! I had never heard of the Jitterbug Perfume, so I bought it and read, before replying. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I was hoping. I called it a “cricket book”, as it jumps from one tangent to another but I fell in love with Dannyboy!
I have given a name to my immortal wizard and serial dater but I think you guys you might see more of him later on!
Thank you, Margarida! I loved the idea of a wizard serial dating famous women throughout History. Poor chap, he must have tried so hard if he found consolation only in AI! Maybe, we’ll see more of him…
Hello @GreeneWills - How amazing that you read Jitterbug Perfume as a response to my comment. It’s been many many years since I read it, but I never forgot Alobar and the way he achieved immortality! I do hope you continue to write about your “serial dater” and tell us how he achieved eternal youth! I would imagine that one of the attractions of AI dating would be that the AI also would never age. What an intriguing premise.
This was great fun, Greene. I enjoyed the dating with characters from history, it would make an opportunity for a much longer story.
I’m not convinced AI would be a great choice of date though; it doesn’t eat or drink wine (yet)!
Thank you, Julian! I had fun writing it and, fear not, my immortal wizard is coming back as I’m writing a series of stories about him. He’ll be the Bridget Jones of the eldritch world!
No, AI doesn’t drink wine yet, you are absolutely right: half of the fun has gone already!
The ending caught me by surprise and I love when that happens.