Chapter Text
"Oh Blue~" chants a dreamy voice
Are these ancients for real ?
"Sugar… I see you also decided on a surprise visit" The ancient of Knowledge responds factually.
"Also ?!" The woman squeals "I thought Shield Salt was fighting his other half"
"He is. Sweet Flour passed by two days ago ."
Bright Sugar looked like she was holding herself from jumping around in excitement. What the hell ? Sage of Truth arches a brow while looking her up and down.
"Uhh- So like… You met your beast counterpart r-"
"Yes- Oh gosh I need to tell you ever-y-thing"
"Wait- No ! Sugar I’m busy"
And that was the story of how the Sage of Truth, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Ancient of Knowledge had found himself with a cup of floral tea, a notebook and a yapping ancient of happiness stretched out on his couch. She told him all about her other half’s dream like enchanting voice; how their first meeting went; the way she ended up on a "romantic" (Bright Sugar’s words not his) boat ride with the beast of sloth and gave him a very vivid description of how her other half’s garden looked like.
"Well it sounds to me like you simply met a new friend and not a beast you’re supposed to fight" Blueberry Milk takes a sip from his still full cup.
"Ugh Can’t you indulge me ?" She scoffs "the beast cookies aren’t even that mean !"
"Cayeen Spice got jailed, gaslight and a broken leg from his 'other half' though" Sage of Truth hums "But I’ll bet you can make Pavlova write a romantic novel with this prompt" He snickers
"Ha Ha So funny. Why didn’t you become a comedian" Bright Sugar rolls her eyes. The Sugar Kingdom has a large publishing house. It almost rivals with the city of wizards despite the contents being definitely different. Lots of young writers, screenwriters, stand up comedians like to start their careers somewhere big like Sage of Truth’s friend’s kingdom.
Note to self: Never Ever Visit Bright Sugar on Valentine’s Day. That Kingdom is packed ! Not only did the ancient make an Entire Holiday just for Valentine, Every Cookie seems to be exactly there for some reason.
If he ever finds that vanilla scented cookie again— he’ll definitely won’t bring them in the Sugar Kingdom for Valentine’s Day.
"And she knows absolutely everyone there is to know !" Bright Sugar gasps "She is the most sociable cookie I have ever met kyahh"
Everyone ? That could help
"Truly ?" Sage of Truth’s eyes gleam with interest.
"Yes ! And she is also so passionate about who she-" Bright Sugar continues on her rambling but he doesn’t listen further.
Can’t believe I am actually going to ask help from a beast…
When bright sugar was done telling her clearly biased perspective of her beast yeast episode it was already dark at night. Thus, she ended up sleeping at her companion’s place with Pavlova— the latter has always kept loyal by her side. It’s a good thing the Cupid was here— Sage of Truth needed some realism in Brights Sugar’s story telling.
"Asleep forever ?" The ancient’s eyes widened "and that didn’t make Bright Sugar bulge ?!"
"Yep !" Pavlova exhales "Miss Bright Sugar insisted that it was a foreign romantic approach…"
"my witches…" Blueberry milk sighs "Thank you for the information" Now I know a gentle beast cannot exist…
In the morning when the ancient of happiness woke up, she has found a breakfast, a luggage and a Sage of Truth all ready to go.
"Uhhh-"
"I want to meet her- your other half"
Bright Sugar’s smile widens "Elderberry ! Here we come !"
.
.
.
The trip wasn’t all that long after all they were already in Crispia. Sage of Truth is the only ancient living in this continent filled with the other beasts— except Shield Salt’s who lives in Beast Yeast with the faeries. Thus, they’ve arrived in only a week’s time.
Although, he has had a very detailed 10 hour long description of the beast’s domain he was still quite impressed. The colours of the trees and flowers seemed so vivid— even the temperature of the garden felt saturated.
Sage of Truth groans. It’s so hot in here. Blueberry milk cookie isn’t used to hot weather. In fact, his origins trace back to the milk tribe in the Dark Cacao kingdom and the springs nomadic tribe. He is one of— if not— the first mixed cookie ever created.
"Are you alright ?" Bright Sugar says, voice laced with worry and sweetness.
But she didn’t have time to hear his response before her soul jam buzzed and brightened. She had a familiar look on her face. Recognition .
Maybe Sage was simply hazy from the heat but something about the Soul Jam’s chiming reminded him of the vanilla beauty with the hoodie from the other day. His whole purpose of being here actually.
"Bright Sugar Cookie ? Is your sweetness here to sooth my aches once more ?" An unfamiliar womanly voice echos from all around. It was impossible to know the source. It made Sage of Truth tense slightly.
He had fought a beast before— Molten Cheese cookie in the forest— Wilted Lily cookie during the beast’s escape from the Silver tree— but also Sour Cacao cookie. Sage of Truth didn’t want to see Sweet Flour go on her own to a beast’s domain, especially since, then, he didn’t knew of all their might.
Their encounter was brief but intense Blueberry milk was so severely injured by the Dusk of Apathy that he had to unwillingly let the ancient of Volition go and get himself some healing too.
This new beast however— he has never met. So he couldn’t help his narrowed eyes and glowing slits. The other ancients had always told him he looked all the parts for a beast himself jokingly of course (but he does agree).
When what should be the best of sloth comes to his view, It’s with stumble and sway— as a drunk cookie would.
That’s odd. He thinks. Or at least, very counterproductive.
"And you brought a visitor with you ?" The beast looks him up and down "the more the merrier !" She laughs but it sounded monotonous, rehearsed. As if the beast just wanted to look good for her Other Half. To show that she was making progress.
"Nice to meet you" he quickly starts "I am the Sage-"
"The Sage of all Truth. I know." the beast looks him dead in the eyes. This cookie should be Pure Vanilla’s Other Half. "I can see the Soul Jam…"
Sage of Truth hums while taking the beast’s hand in his "Protector of Paradise" he bows "I come to you with a simple wish for discussion."
Bright Sugar rolls her eyes and jumps at Elderberry’s arms— pushing the other out of the way. "My other half ! Those lonely days without you were of the utmost bore" she laments, "why don’t we make tea ?" The ancient of Happiness exclaims passionately.
One thing Bright Sugar has been doing is making sure Elderberry doesn’t pass out from berry juice. Here and there she offers water, tea, sometimes berry soda. The results were instant. The Beast of Sloth had been more conscious lately; more expressive. However her ancient didn’t stop there— often times the angelic cookie would propose to do activities together; like decorating the garden or preparing lunch. This has made Elderberry slowly recognise Life and get out of the bubble of dreams she had gotten herself into. That is primarily the reason why Elderberry accepts to answer cookies demands like Hollyberry used to do.
"Alright for the beverage" The beast’s voice trembles " I accept for the ‘conversation’"
That is mostly how the three ended up spending most of the afternoon using all of their energy.
And finally came night, a campfire has been started and Bright Sugar was contentedly resting on her beast’s lap while the latter stroked her head. Sage of Truth was staring at them with an unrecognisable expression.
Elderberry snorts "Jealous ?"
"Please- she’s all yours" he snickers " I haven’t met my counterpart yet…"
"Really ?!" The beast was stunned. She was drunk and couldn’t remember a lot but— Elderberry is pretty sure Truthless Recluse got in trouble for speaking with him.
Sage of Truth nods in contemplation while accepting the glass of berry juice the beast handed him. "But I came to you bearing a different subject in mind"
"Ah yes" Elderberry rasps "you wanted to ‘talk’…"
Sage of Truth gazes at her and then at Bright Sugar. He really wants to believe that beasts can be redeemed. Counterintuitive as it may seem, he would love to meet his other half without a confrontation. She had tried to lock Bright Sugar in a jar of slumber and goat her wings in soup sugar so that she may never find the sky again has said Pavlova. He can’t trust a beast— no matter the font.
"So ?" Elderberry looks at him "What do you want to know ?"
He wants to know the cookie he had met in the town square. He has been working endlessly and without finding a clue. And right now— now that he is face to face with a Witches baked Virtue he can know about anything that the Past wouldn’t let his knowledge expand to.
What I want to know- What I really deep down need to know is "the beast of Deceit" he admits "Tell me about her…" Sage of Truth looks down in shame. Maybe he was jealous— everyone had fought or met their other halves… So why is The Truthless Recluse not visible anywhere.
But other than that, he felt like Elderberry needed to talk more than he does. This isn't his usual- while Sage of Truth isn't exactly selfish- he isn't the most selfless cookie on Earthbread. And he does put his needs before others'. Althought, lately, he has been feeling different. Compassionate. Maybe it's the mysteries of the Soul Jam that he hasn't uncovered but the more he got closer to the Ultimate Truth, the more he felt like someone else.
Thankfully, the fallen virtue simply smiled knowingly. She has had cookie like that— curious but shy. And An aegis can only help when faced with desire to express.
"Her name is Pure Vanilla— but don’t say it it’s super insensitive ! You would prefer Truthless Recluse— it’s what she goes by now…"
It feels refreshing— to be able to learn again. The ancient should take notes at least ! He fumbles a little with his pocket before he hears a soft laughter.
"Don’t take notes you. You’ll have plenty of time to know your other half once you meet her !"
"But how do I know if I’ll ever see her…"
Elderberry gives him a look of guilt. And sighs "Things can take time- that’s the Truth" she gives him a pointed look "I bet you know that… but if one thing is sure is that Time offers Change in the best ways." She sighs drunkenly but it sounded so honest…
Elderberry takes a big gulp from her glass. "Pure Vanilla is the queen of the Vanilla kingdom— the first and oldest regrouped civilisation to ever be organised" she says "Truthless Recluse lost her kingdom, her denizens and…" the beast of sloth hesitates ; should she even say any of this tho this guy ? He has a familiar gentleness in his eyes. Like he can understand.
"You know what Sage ?" She slurs "I really like you ! You remind me of Pure Vanilla…" Elderberry yawns as she closes her eyes "She is the kindest cookie you could ever meet; A dear frien’ of mine" Berry juice fills her cup once more "Very close to White Lily… the late love of Dark Cacao…uh…" Elderberry’s vision felt hazy.. in that pleasant way alcohol makes you forget about your reality.
"Queen of the Vanilla Kingdom…" he mutters "tell me more"
He has found some relics in the Crème Republic; not many because most of the remains of the kingdom are either destroyed or lost— and the consul is literally gatekeeping knowledge ! That’s the most hateful form of the Republic…
"Pure Vanilla is the Witches’ favorite. She worships Them with the brightest of Passion" Elderberry sighs "And They love her too you know" the beast drinks from the bottle "My friend used to say that I had better leadership qualities than her." She huffs a laugh "Pure Vanilla is our leader— (us) Virtues"
Mmmhh
"She’s a healer" Elderberry says "And I love her so much- I miss her Sage; I miss my dear friend" Hollyberry’s eyes looked glassy as her voice trembled slightly
Sage of Truth gives a questioning look at the hot fire and the little sparkles that disappear and appear into the air and from the fire. If she misses Truthless Recluse, why doesn’t she visit ?
He had made the hypothesis that the Truthless Recluse is a recluse… Yeah No. He actually thinks that more than simple reluctance, Truthless Recluse is in the incapacity of appearing before him… It feels his Other Half is gentler than others— or at least that’s what the Soul Jam was telling— Maybe she did keep a part of Truth in her soul. That would explain why the faeries insist on her gentleness.
This hypothesis feels right strangely. It would explain his own impulses actually. See if Truthless Recluse kept a part of the pure Soul Jam, Sage of Truth definitely received the bitter part. Maybe that could explain his uncharacteristic firmness, his borderline psychotic behaviour: Maybe a minute droplet of Deceit flows within his jam…
He isn’t sure that he understood everything the beast said but on the way home he kept replaying her words. Truthless Recluse is caring of others cookies and simply wishes to protect them from Truth huh ? That can’t be right… unless my other half is kind. "She had tried to drown her other half in the jam of those lost to her to make Bright sleep forever in her grasp" Pavlova’s words also played in his mind. Right…. Beasts are not kind…
He can’t believe he almost felt compassion for an evil cookie. Sage of Truth feels stupid sometimes when Hope fills him up like that. It would be nice if his other half was as gentle as everyone assumes but… Beasts are not kind. And that’s finale.
"Sage of Truth ? You’re back ?" Black Sapphire says
The ancient takes off his coat "Yes ! It’s me" He then hears quick footsteps.
"You’ve received a letter" Black Sapphire hands him an envelope with his usual smile "From the House of Agrumes" he says with hidden awe
The House of Agrumes ..!