Chapter Text
This wasn’t the first time they met
Especially like this,
With the one named “Truthless Recluse” standing in front of him.
He tapped his staff against the hard cobble stone floor, and Stared the blonde down in front of him, assessing him, analyzing him
Intrigue it was of course, at least that’s what the Sage would call it
Intrigue at this cookie who stood in front of him
Intrigue at his resolution of concealing the truth.
What was his reasoning? His cause?
He wasn’t sure, however with this growing interest in the others increasing appearance. The Sage was set on finding out.
“Are you finished scaring away my students?” He asked with a raised brow and a careless smirk, now placing both his hands on the top of his staff in front of him. The glare on the other didn’t wavier “Your constant speech of seeking “truth” will only lead to burden. Virtue of Truth cookie.”
A challenge, a normal occurrence with there interactions.
“How so?” The Sage challenged, only offering a smile at the others frown “The truth is something that is absolute, a statement that cannot be changed, yet only accepted” he titled his head “should others learn to not accept truth, even if it is horrible?” The Sage hummed.
It was therapeutic in a way, with their back and forth’s, the constant argument of something they both know they would always be on opposing sides of. “Not if it breaks you.” Truthless replied, his staff in one hand with a stern look towards the other, Sage was not affected.
“Learning to much, of things you cannot change will lead to a deep spiral with the realization of inability to control”
“Shouldn’t we learn to accept that we cannot change certain things?” Sage challenged
“Isn’t our will to change our destiny always advocated?” Recluse rebuttaled
The Sage raised a brow at this
“Destiny is already written for you”
“So Than, how can we learn to accept truth if it doesn’t give us chance, or hope”
The Sage blinked.
Stumped, he felt stumped, without a quick comeback or Quippy statement he found he couldn’t fight an argument with no context. Instead, he showed a daring smile with a tint of glare, and said “well, whatever could that mean?”
The blonde continued with his uninterested glare “I have no will to argue with you.” He stated, the sage rolled his eyes “Please, do enlighten me”
Truthless turned away, and began to walk. The sage perked up “Wait- wait wait, how could I convince you to have a chat with me?” He held his key shaped staff in front of him with two hands “to be truthful, you intrigue me” Truthless turned back at this
“…Show me around the academy”
That was it? he blinked once, than twice, and blew out air “pfft-“ he spat, before noticing the other still staring “oh wait..your serious?” He asked, before thinking to himself for a moment
Showing him around, such an odd request, though it would give them so much more time to chat, however the thought of having to give Truthless company..he stared at the other, and groaned at the thought, such a “bundle of sunshine”
On the other hand showing off his work, how well he’s taken care of the once abandoned academy, well, he could get behind that
“Well My my my, dear Friend. We shall have our discussion on the road than!” he hummed, before turning and leading the way through the big open gates of college
Walking through a vanilla colored brick path that lead to many different paths, a way forward towards a Lillied garden, intertwining roads towards dorms and many other academic institutions. However, the sage wasn’t interested in showing any of these buildings off to the cookie. No, instead his direction changed towards the main academy building, his steps a light stroll as he found himself feeling slight triumph
For this..nuisance to be following him into his academy that he so carefully led with pride and respect. To show off his ‘design’ to the non-beliving of his resolution. “Why however, would you want a tour?”
a small question that pricked his lips, as he felt urged to ask it, but washed the thought away. The door opening slowly with a flick of his key staff, leading the other onward. A huge open area with students bussaling and hustling to their next classes, papers and books falling and snippets of different conversations being heard throughout the air.
However as the two began their ascent, the murmurs began to quiet, and stares replaced instead. Small questions on the cookies lips, moving aside for the two to continue their walk up the large stairs that split into two opposing directions. It didn’t matter which way they turned, but Sage enjoyed the left more.
“I believe you may recognize some of the students, yes? Since you are oh so consistent on your..preaches” The Sage asked, his gaze not turning and his direction set. He could only hear the clicks of the staff and the russling of robes.
“I thought this was meant to be..a Tour” recluse replied instead
“Oh” Sage hummed, “my apologies, for your information if you didn’t know already, that was the entrance”
Snarky,
Truthless hated that
“Where are we going?” He inquired, and Sage only hummed, now walking through a hallway decorated with pillars of flowers, portraits of importance, and natural light of course.
With all the portraits of cookies who contributed to the academy, the sages hung high beside the others. It was a Pretty portrait, really. with his hair brushed and curled around his face, perfectly shaping it and framing it almost as if calculated. His expression shown with a soft smile that showed just a shadow of kindness. And his eyes
Blue, and yellow, and gleaming. Truthless couldn’t help but stare, for it captured him and his curiosity. And of course Sage took notice.
“I spent forever getting the hair right” he commented as he stood beside the cookie, twirling his strand carelessly as if it was habit “And oh, it was worth it wasn’t it?” He asked, though mostly for himself
“The frame is gold” recluse noticed, and the Sage nodded knowingly “well..of course
For, I am the proprietor of this Academy”
Truthless gave him a glance of surprise.
Of course, how had he not put two pieces together. After all of their past encounters, he honestly didn’t think about it, only knowing him for his virtue of being cookie of truth. Sage seemed amused by this reaction
“Surprised?” He hummed with a Grin, and the recluses expression turned into a small glare before he turned his attention away from the portrait, and Sage entirely
Now however, his attention was on a much larger and grander portrait, it hung at the end of the hallway, and its frame was much more elegant. Although one major part was missing, the subject of the portrait wasn’t there, instead the face was torn and ripped off. The only elements of cookie to be seen was golden hair, and caramalized skin.
“This way” the sage buzzed as they both walked closer towards the torn picture
He titled his head towards the other with a catty smile “Curious?”
Recluse stayed silent, his tired gaze only staring at the picture in front of him
“That is the oldest portrait here” the sage hummed, staff in front of him as both hands occupied it “Pure Vanilla cookie, the Founder of the academy!” He explained, with much more delight in his tone that recluse took note of
Recluse titled his head a bit “do you know what happened to the actual..portrait?” He asked, the obvious question of course, but it seemed to spark a bit of disappointment in the sage “well- no..no, of course there’s theorizes, however I chose not to take part in that speculation” he replied, now titling his head with the recluse. The cookie beside him said nothing more, seeming accepting to that response
“Well, come along now! We must not loiter for classes will be finished soon” he explained, heading towards the left as another hallway lay in front of them. Although this time with many doors, paths to different classrooms, facilities and such. Walking further, and further, they eventually stood in front a large door, arched and embalmed with gold and intricate designs
Sage tapped on his staff, once, twice
And it opened
He took the first step inside “blueberry academy’s library, one of many, however this one is my favorite”
“Why are we here?” Truthless asked. And Sage glanced back at him “Well, I thought you wanted me to show you around?” Sage stated, as Truthless began to roam, staring at spinal of books “and, no students are here at this time, we can chat and not worry of some hearing your..odd opinions” Sage smiled with condescension. Recluse picked up a book and opened it, non-fiction ironically “will you actually show me around? or just chat with me away from eyes”
“My! So eager to walk around the place hm?” He began “I think it’s only fair that I can ask my inquiries first?” he hummed, bending down a bit to grab his book and read it instead
Recluse stood in place, his eyes squinting as he closed his fist and turned his head around to give the other a silent stare “sounds like a..liar to me” Truthless mused, giving the other a daring smirk “Hey! Trust I am true to my word..however”
The Sage closed the book abruptly “I would Love to chat with you more, really pick at your mind..away from cookies” he placed the book back to its original spot “and besides, even if I still dont understand” he shrugged “I enjoy a good argument I can win”
Truthless dismissed him, being less interested now that he realized Sage only cared for intruding, his attention wondered to another topic
“May I ask..” Truthless began “why keep the portrait, if you can’t see the subject?”
The Sage spun around, staring at the large frame of another torn off portrait
“For respect of course!” Sage explained, and the blonde raised a brow “Besides it’s rude to take down a memorial”
Truthless thought for a moment
“Why did you decide to become the administrator for this place?”
Sage spun around to face him, seeming almost surprised at such a question “ahaha- well-“ he began, clenching onto his staff a bit “i don’t believe anyone has ever asked me that question before”
He straightened his manner “I’ve always been intrigued by knowledge, knowing is all powerful after all”
“However, I found myself inspired. And being a Sage I found the opportunity to teach at an academy something I couldn’t pass up” He hummed, smiling a bit “I enjoy my job” he shrugged “the students listen and I’ve found that I enjoy the theatrics of lectures”
“Interesting..” Truthless replied “and..you found inspiration from….this academy?”
The Sage chuckled, than blushed, than cleared his throat as he realized an answer was actually expected “Well..” he glanced back at the portrait
Pure vanilla cookie, he didn’t have to confirm it for the recluse to make a face
Sage took noticed, and even more embarrassed he pushed his hair behind his ear “I admired his work, his dedication..it reminded me of myself” he bit back at this and began to mumble “I just found him to be..inspirational, and perhaps..reading his books I even found that i relate to him more than I realized”.
The recluse gave a face of surprise and intrigue, causing Sage to realize he spoke to much
Truthless began “books..?”
“Aha- well..yes..he did write a lot and..I’ve found some in this library, of course there are some scattered across all the libraries! but I’ve found that this one has the most”
“And-“ Truthless began, before Sage quickly put a finger to the others mouth “Shshshsh- no more questions, now it’s My turn for some inquiries” he grinned, and recluse smacked his hand away “So, to start off I would love!”
He was met with a hand in front of his face
“I think I’m finished with this ‘tour’
“Wha-“ the sage blinked, before moving his head to see him again “What do you MEAN your done? We barely did anything!” Truthless pointed out the window
orange, gold and blue hazes spread across the sky, the sage blinked with confusion
“It’s getting late, and I must head back to—“
“Your peak” Sage asked, arms crossed and a sour look on his face as he rolled his eyes “ugh- you are no fun” he mumbled, his face slightly dropping with more disappointment as it settled in. He would leave, for who knows how long again. And Sage would be left here, waiting, waiting with his..
questions
Truthless peered at him “..I shall come back tomorrow”
the sage perked up at this as recluse continued
“I’ve been filled with interest”
Sage couldn’t help but grin “With..moi?”
He was met with a glare
“….This place, especially since you refused to properly tour me”
“No matter!” Sage hummed, pushing the other out of the library “we are all busy, and if you REALLY must leave
Than..do so quickly, your attitude is” he squinted his eyes “Repelling”
Soon enough, they both made it to the entrance from where Truthless first appeared, and the sage gripped onto his keyed staff, staring as the other began to departure shortly “I’ll be looking forward to a proper chat!” He stated
He knew recluse heard, however no reply was made. And Sage stood there, watching the other walk away.