Waldenvale - Johan Visser Adventurer/Therapist

[Author's note: Adventurer Therapist seems like an odd combination, but I hope the short story below provides insight into this combination of traits. I'm also keeping details regarding the writer's perspective vague on purpose. I want it so that anyone reading this could put themselves in the perspective of the sad person talking to Visser] -- As you sit at the bar, a thick glass with a small amount of brown liquid swirls around in your hand, as you tilt the glass side to side. With your other arm, your elbow is resting on the bartop and your hold your jaw in the palm of your hands. You thought the drink and the atmosphere you take your mind off of...them, but it isn't working. Just as you feel this distraction is hopeless, and you're better off drinking 20% your weight in water and going to sleep, a stranger walking by accidently bumps into you. As you turn to address the stranger, you see that he's quite an intimidating fellow, if not for his large smile. The stranger greets you warmly. "Oh, hey. My apologies for bumping into you like that, stranger. There's quite a lot of people here an-" The gregarious stranger sees the look on your face and the conversation immediately changes. "-woah! Hey there friend, now don't take this the wrong way, but you look like you've seen better days. Hey bartender, how many drinks are on my friend's tab?" Two? Clear their tab and put the two drinks on mine, you know I'm good for it." The stranger playfully slaps you on the back and takes a seat on the stool next to you. The stranger turns to you and makes you a bet. "Hey friend, do you want to see a neat trick? I bet you that I can guess your problem in five guesses. If I lose, I put 5 gold coins on the bartop and I leave you be. If I win, how about we talk out your problem? Sounds good?" You stop and think it over. This guy seems friendly enough, and the worst outcome has you talking your problems out to what looks like a sympathetic ear. Hardly a loss either way. You put your glass down, rest your elbow on the bar, and you nod along to the stranger's proposal. "Great! Now, before I guess, I'll need you to sit still and let me look you over. People say many things without even opening their mouths..." The stranger looks you over while he rubs the beard stubble along his chin. "You lost someone. Not a death, but someone has left your life..." Even in your half-drunken haze, you're shocked that the stranger was able to guess correctly, but it would soon be apparent that the stranger was not done guessing. "...they were your romantic partner, weren't they?" Ok, this is starting to get a little weir- "...and, and I hope you don't mind me saying, you were the reason they left." You recoil back and look at the stranger as if his head exploded. The stranger slaps the bartop and laughs. "Ha, I still got it! Boy, the look on your face, friend. Ha ha! I can assure you, I am not reading your mind, nor are you transparent in any way. When you have my line of work, everyone becomes transparent. Sorry, where's my manners. The name is Johan Visser, I'm an adventurer and mission analyst with the Adventurer's Guild. You know, the people who take mission applicants and pairs them up for the right job? I'm one of them. The guild pays me well to set up missions where everyone works well together and as many people come back alive as possible. My success rate speaks for itself!" As the stranger laughs heartily, you start to feel the shock leave your body. The Guild does have a good success rate for missions...and this stranger does seem to have a way with people...perhaps losing this little bet will actually work out in your favor. As you think this over, Visser calls out to a barmaid. "Ma'am! Yes, hi! A glass of water for my friend and a bowl of chicken and rice stew for me. Also, a crust of bread if you have it. Thank you!" Visser now turns to face you. "Ok, friend. We had a bet, right? How about you start from the beginning. Tell me how you met this partner of yours, then we'll talk about how you two split apart and your theory on why that happened." Visser leans on the bartop as you struggle to clear your throat. You didn't think you would be baring your heart to a complete stranger tonight, but you also didn't have -Meet a surprise therapist at the bar- on tonight's agenda either, so there's that.