It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton

Episode: “Disassembling Light” by Kel Coleman

Date: November 12, 2025

Host: Wil Wheaton

Episode Overview

This episode features Wil Wheaton reading “Disassembling Light,” a fantasy short story by Kel Coleman. The story delves into the relationship between a reclusive master creator, Terce, and a determined young apprentice, Cenarius, set in a world where forbidden artistry blurs ethical boundaries. Through the apprenticeship trials at Terce’s workshop, the story explores themes of mentorship, creativity, tradition, the cost of innovation, and the pain of letting go.

Tone: Reflective, immersive, with Wil Wheaton’s narration blending warmth and a keen sense of wonder.

Main Discussion Points and Story Progression

1. Reflection on Teaching and Learning

• [02:32] Wil’s Introduction:
  • Wil opens with musings on the dynamic between teacher and student:
    • "To the student, the teacher is already a master... To the teacher, the student is a blank slate filled with the potential to learn, to disappoint, even to show the teacher things they did not know about themselves."
  • Establishes the episode's focus on mentorship and the vulnerability inherent in both roles.

2. Arrival of the Apprentice

• [03:30]

  • The protagonist, Terce, detects an intruder—Cenarius, a resolute young woman—arriving to apply for his apprenticeship.
  • Terce, jaded by years of unappreciated labor and shifting public tastes, is compelled by tradition to give her a chance.

• Notable Quote [03:52] (Wil as Terce):

  • "Test one: Is the aspirant bold?"

3. Testing Boldness

• Terce quizzes Cenarius on her background and why she sought him out.

• She reveals her admiration for his proscribed craft and presents her own designs with pride and determination.

• Notable Quote [05:56] (Cenarius):

  • "I've wanted to be a creator since I made my first assemblage... I have plenty of designs, including some insects and small birds."

4. Entering the Workshop

• Vivid depiction of Terce’s cluttered, shadowy workshop filled with odd artifacts and creations.
• The ritual of introducing a potential apprentice to the darkness and strangeness of the master’s domain reinforces the initiatory aspect.

5. Testing Talent

• [13:45]

  • Cenarius presents a unique “harehound” assemblage: part hare, part hound, crafted with resourcefulness and sentiment.
  • Terce evaluates her choices in materials, recognizing her skill and imaginative approach.

• Notable Quote [15:33] (Terce, impressed):

  • "You did this yourself, Cenarius?...Hmm."

• Terce acknowledges her ingenuity, especially in her use of “sunflower light” as adhesive and her careful selection of bones from beloved and found animals.

6. Testing Teachable Spirit

• [19:58]

  • Terce begins thorough critique of her creation, pointing out errors and challenging her on her decisions.
  • Cenarius absorbs the feedback, at first with confidence, then with increasing humility as Terce’s criticism mounts.

• Notable Quote [20:20] (Terce):

  • "...there’s a lot of room for improvement."

• As the final test, Terce instructs Cenarius to disassemble her own painstakingly-made assemblage— a difficult, emotionally loaded task.

7. The Pain of Disassembly

• [23:45]

  • Cenarius reluctantly, then methodically, begins taking her harehound apart, showcasing her technical competence and emotional conflict.
  • She falters when faced with the intimate connection to her lost pet, ultimately unable to fully dismantle the creation.

• Notable Quote [29:10] (Cenarius, nearly whispering):

  • "I'm sorry, I can't."

8. Terce’s Ruthlessness and Regret

• Terce coldly tells her she’s failed, then—guarded by the consequences of his own disappointments and his desire to protect creative secrets—he drugs Cenarius with smoke, confiscates her work, and disposes of her to prevent memory of the workshop.

• Notable Quote [31:28] (Terce, to himself):

  • "If she wouldn’t follow all his instructions now, when he had the greater knowledge and the spark, when would she ever?"

9. The Aftermath: Creation as Solace and Torment

• [33:50]

  • Alone, Terce is drawn to the disassembled parts of Cenarius’s project and, haunted by self-reflection, reassembles it through the night with renewed vigor and a mix of guilt and pride.

• Notable Quote [36:46] (Narration describing the act):

  • "He worked all night like he had when he was young, in a fury as if stopping would mean death...and in the haze of smoke and creation he didn’t have to think about what he’d done, who he’d become."

• The finished harehound is exquisite and unique—animated at last, but a product of sacrifice and a testament to both creators’ pain.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:52 | Wil Wheaton (as Terce) | "Test one: Is the aspirant bold?" | | 05:56 | Cenarius | "I've wanted to be a creator since I made my first assemblage..." | | 15:33 | Terce | "You did this yourself, Cenarius?...Hmm." | | 20:20 | Terce | "...there's a lot of room for improvement." | | 29:10 | Cenarius | "I'm sorry, I can't." | | 31:28 | Terce (internal) | "If she wouldn’t follow all his instructions now, when he had the greater knowledge and the spark, when would she ever?" | | 36:46 | Narration | "He worked all night like he had when he was young, in a fury as if stopping would mean death..." |

Key Themes and Takeaways

• Mentorship is a two-way street: Both teacher and student are changed by the exchange, and the pain of parting with past creations or pupils recurs as a motif.
• The Cost of Artistry: True creation demands sacrifice—dreams, sentiment, even memories; to break down one's proudest work is a crucible of growth.
• Ambiguity of Tradition and Innovation: The drive to protect knowledge risks stifling the next generation; Terce’s desperation for legacy wars with his inability to let go.
• Pain of Letting Go: The most powerful alchemy in the story is not spark or technique, but the wrench of emotional attachment.

Notable Ending Reflection

• [36:46] The story closes with Terce consumed by the echoes of youth and regret, creating in furious escape from the consequences of his decisions—leaving listeners with a bittersweet sense of beauty, loss, and possibility.

Additional Notes

• Wil Wheaton's warm, measured narration amplifies the emotions in the story, offering moments of both wonder and melancholy.
• The episode showcases the layered storytelling of Kel Coleman—combining worldbuilding, character study, and mythic resonance in under 40 minutes.
• For more from the author, visit kelcoleman.com.

For Further Engagement

• Wil invites listeners to discuss the story on his Patreon [see credits at 36:46] and website, offering behind-the-scenes video and further reflections.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the heart and substance of “Disassembling Light” as presented by Wil Wheaton—without skipping a single beat of its poignant, magical core.