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Today, at The Peak of Truth, was rather unnaturally silent. Perhaps it was the cause of an imminent snowfall? No, that’s not most likely the case. The Peak of Truth was not the best place for a refuge, even if it was temporary. The spire itself was not in the best condition, given the fact that it has stood for countless years. It’s only natural for flaws to become apparent. The worst-case scenario happens to be this. The fall of ice and snow. The walls stand in cold dullness, and even a silent sound echoes through the halls like an eerie whisper.
A certain cookie just happened to be there, paying his reclusive “friend” a worthwhile visit. Even if it meant bearing the harsh cold.
The Sage of Truth, a profoundly known Professor and Headmaster of the Blueberry Yoghurt Academy, Self-assuredly walked these halls with great composure, despite the cold wind that brushed up against his skin as it bore through the delicate fabric. Not once did he shiver up from the frost.
After all, his so-called “friend” had scrutinized every part of him, ever since he dared to set foot in the Spire. Should he not let his presence be debased, it would’ve left a bad impression. Who knows?
After a few tiresome steps, he reached his destination. Forbidding tall doors stood before him, as if a dangerous presence hid behind these doors. “It’s been a while since I had stepped foot in the Peak of Truth, I had forgotten how unsparingly exhausting these stairs could be!” he had thought to himself.
The Sage of Truth had reassured himself that his “friend” would be well-behaved this time. As he took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh, he knocked on the door. Precisely, three knocks. With each knock, he could feel the presence behind that door approach closer until he was met with a creak as the door slid open. A consent to step inside.
The Sage of Truth hesitated as he was met with darkness, almost uncomfortably too dark if it were not for the seeping light that peered through the curtains.
As The Sage of Truth approached closer to the centre of the room, he was stopped as he was met by a shadowed figure who stood before him. It seemed as it held something in it's hands, a book to be precise. The Sage of Truth raised an eyebrow, accompanied by an amused smirk.
As the figure leaned down to reach for the lamp on the floor, it stood up, switching on the light. Its glow illuminated both faces. Elucidating both presences.
“Oh, it’s you” the figure replied dryly, with a solemn expression. The Sage of Truth’s smirk just grew wider, fuelled with amusement and curiosity at the sight of the other. Dishevelled vanilla blonde hair, evident eye bags under mismatched eyes of blue and gold. Cast a surly gaze from his eyes. It was none other than his other half, of course, the Truthless Recluse.
“My, oh my! Never had I thought I’d see you in quite a state!” The Sage of Truth said, with a hint of mirth laced within his tone of voice.
The Truthless recluse scowled as he turned away towards a few bookshelves. “You can speak for yourself, The cold has taken quite a toll on you. It doesn't matter how much you try to hide it.”
The Sage of Truth had not noticed how red his skin had got the entire way here, which had left him feeling humiliated. His smirk faded to an annoyed expression as he shyly looked away.
With a scoff, he replied, “Tsk, can you blame me? It is simply that my dough cannot handle such ruthless conditions!”.
The Truthless Recluse only rolled his eyes with a frustrated sigh. He stops and tilts his head back slightly to the cookie behind him. “Tell me, what brings you here anyway?” Turning back, his attention to the book in his hand as he carefully places it in its rightful place on the shelves. “Knowing you, presumably, you would have had a handful of cookies to teach, keeping you busy.”
“Oh?” The Sage of Truth raised an eyebrow, “Have I been a subject in your study of interest? Cause it seems that you’ve paid attention quite well!” He sang, teasingly at most. The Truthless Recluse replied with a frown.
“No, it was merely a bold claim. I wanted to see an odd reaction from you.” The Truthless Recluse added, flatly spoken, as he, in a desperate attempt, tried to avoid the sage’s gaze.
But, out of all the possibilities, the Sage of Truth approached him closer, too close. Placing a hand on his shoulder, which had made the other obscurely flinch, not even with a gasp. The Truthless Recluse had been left with no other choice than to stay still until the other had said something, at least that’s what he had concluded.
The Sage of Truth leaned in closely, speaking in a voice barely louder than a whisper. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling troubled? Did you expect me to share your feelings?”.
The Truthless Recluse’s breath hitched. But, after a moment of thought and a second later, he had calmed himself with a heavy sigh. Gently sweeping the other's hand off his shoulder with his hand. “No, I was attempting to alleviate my overwhelming boredom. It's rather annoying.”.
The Truthless Recluse approached the window and drew back the curtains, letting the sunlight pour inside. The expansive panorama of the winter forest comes into view.
The Truthless Recluse, almost in a trance, had seemed to have fallen in a daze at the sight before him. Attentively watching as each snowflake falls.
The Truthless Recluse despised the snow, yet he hypocritically found enjoyment in winter. Even though it made his dull body feel even colder. He was not in pursuit of sunlight, instead, he yearned for the descent of countless snowflakes visible from the window. The Sage of Truth had taken note of that, which has ineluctably made him smile.
“Bored, huh?” he responded, wanting to break the lingering silence.
He approached the other from behind, his presence seemed to have soothed the other into a state of calmness. Even if the other obscurely expressed something.
“It’s not surprising, is it?” He shifted his attention from the Truthless Recluse to the window, watching the descending snowflakes with the other person. The Sage of Truth couldn’t help but smile. “Being by yourself in this tower, it’s only to be expected that you might feel bored.”
A quiet stillness settled as they gazed at the winter landscape, almost as if in a dream. Time seemed to slow, and they cherished each other's company. Just being together was comforting and tranquil.
It wasn't until The Truthless Recluse broke the silence, staring head down as he sighed, hand in hair. “I suppose if there aren't any other options to alleviate this feeling, then-…” He turned to The Sage of Truth, a determined look in his expression.
“Take me with you, you’re going back, right?” He approached the sage, coming close enough for their noses to almost touch, yet maintaining a comfortable distance. “Take me wherever you want to go, somewhere far from here, far from this cold place.” He asked, appearing more determined than ever.
The Sage of Truth was shocked, mostly intrigued, at least. This was unexpected, out of all the odds. But then again, who is he to refuse his beloved “friend”? His gaze softened, which had left him to ineluctably smile, he’d bring him to the most beautiful places he has seen on earthbread, despite the cold snow, he was sure this would be very meaningful, to not just The Truthless Recluse, but to the both of them.
“Alright, but first, let’s go home.”