The Wizard and their double

The old wizard opened the door of his tower, it was rare anyone knew where to find the door, and even more rare they were daring enough to knock without an invitation or business. He was about to snarl a warning, and a readied spell if the person knocking had ill intentions. But was stunned by the face he saw, it wasn’t identical, even if he were the same age, it was one of the many clones he’d prepared and locked away, what was it now a century and a half ago now? Long abandoned when he’d decided to keep living and not risking his life at every moment, he’d not had need for the back ups. This clone was young, relatively speaking. Must have been one he’d started growing not long before his decision to not come back. It had to be during his experimental era for trying out new faces, since he barely remembered this form. He couldn’t even tell at glance if it was female or male. Skinny enough that a strong breeze could likely cause them to topple, long dark hair, but the same skin, and the same mole on the left side of their chin, and they were wearing an old pair of his glasses, broken causing the stranger to squint slightly in that eye. The assessment only took a moment, “Get inside.” the elderly wizard said, nearly forcing them in the door before closing it again. If they were a body hijacker they’d regret it, if they were something else he’d study them. If it did happen to be a situation of someone taking the body for their own he’d just have to hope they couldn’t steal another.

The wretch was dressed in nothing but dingy rags that were once blankets, and clothes that you could poke a hole in with your finger by pressing with slightly more force than it to press a marshmallow. Stinking of mildew. “Do not move.” the wizard said, “I will fetch you something to wear…I not want you wandering around my tower in those…clothes.” he said studying his ‘self’ “...and a basin to wash your feet.” he said, noticing they were wearing no shoes.

The wizard left the room, and the clone stood in the entrance way. Standing stiffly waiting like they were asked, or rather told. Eventually the wizard returned, “It is likely they will fit you quite loosely, you are skin and bones, but it will at the very least allow you to look presentably for our conversation. The wizard held out the clothes expecting the clone to simply take them from him, but they let the cloak, tunic and makeshift pants drop.

“Heaven’s above! Not here!” the wizard said, turning away. Even if they were on a technical level himself, the softer more feminine features made him feel like he shouldn’t see it. Even if he’d make them, and it was him, and could have been him if things hadn’t gone well during an adventure. It felt shameful to see it.

“Oh…” the clone said, putting on the supplied robe. “I was not aware.”

“It’s alright.” the wizard said, but didn’t turn around. “Wash your feet, and get dressed and meet me at the end of the hall.” he said, walking away, his cane clacking as he went.

Once the clone had finished cleaning their feet, they jumped back startled as two small constructs scampered out of nowhere. They were that shape of a thick ‘stick figure’ made of what looked to be some kind of paper, but based on its overall strength and water not bothering them it was either heavily enchanted or not normal paper. The pair of constructs went over to a grate in the wall, one lifted it, holding it up as the other pushed the basin through, then the first followed. Taking the water out of sight as the grate dropped and latched with a soft click.
After watching the display, the clone noticed about six inches from the high ceilings all around were long shelves that now appeared to be elevated walk ways for the paper constructs to stay out of sight or to be as unintrusive as possible. As they walked to the end of the hall they caught movement above, one of the little dolls doing its best version of a jog as it waddled along the walkway, pausing at a vent to open it and slip out of view again.

The clone walked with a sort of long stride, and bow legged gait as they held up the oversized pants with each step. The wizard had been right, as skinny as he was, they were thinner, they were just glad to be inside, a harsh wind would send them soaring like a kite, that is if they didn’t just get blown off in the process.

“Good. You are presentable. Follow me.” the wizard said, leading them to a sitting room with a roaring fire in the fireplace. A table placed between two plush highback chairs had been set, and a few of those little paper dolls were working as a tea to get a tray with tea and some kind of biscuit onto it. It was fascinating to watch them work. Little motions with their rectangular hands, somehow communicating between all of them without words, or even faces. Once the tea and snacks were in place the few that were on the table jumped, floating down slowly, and being caught by the ones on the floor, then they collectively ran off back into a grate in the wall.

“Sit, we have much to discuss, and I’d imagine you are hungry.” the wizard said not waiting for the clone to sit first, but waited for them to do so before asking the first question of what would likely be many.

“Okay.” The clone answered slowly, and took a seat.

The wizard poured himself some tea. “Firstly. Who are you?” he asked before dropping sugar into his cup.