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Truthless Recluse didn't like Sage at first.
He found him annoying, excessively talkative and optimistic, all traits that didn't really mesh well with him.
He especially disliked how he was constantly spreading truth. Truthless Recluse had spent centuries watching how the truth hurt those who heard it, and Sage was spreading it like it would do no harm.
Could he not see how the truth was no doubt hurting the cookies he teaches? Or did he simply not care?
Sure, from what he'd seen the cookies seem happy to be taught by Sage, but they didn't know any better. How could they know how harmful the truth could be?
But Sage knew, he had to know. He has enough knowledge to spread such a gospel of truth, how could he not know?
Truthless Recluse was convinced that he would never like Sage for as long as he lived.
Honestly, when Truthless Recluse first formally met The Sage of Truth, it wasn't what he was expecting.
He entered the square just has Sage's lecture had ended with the intention of confronting him about his spreading of the truth.
The cookies around him moved away as he passed with off put expressions, but when Sage saw him, he smiled and greeted him courageously.
"I don't believe I've seen you here before, my friend! Alas, today's lecture is over. Care to come back tomorrow?"
Truthless Recluse's frown deepened at the words. Sage smiled without a care in the world while spreading the vile truth, as if it had no consequence.
"Stop teaching about the truth."
The words were plain and simple, meant to get the message across quickly. But of course Sage wouldn't budge so easily.
"Why must I?" Sage inquired.
Truthless Recluse didn't answer him, only stepping closer, giving Sage a better view of him.
Once Sage had a better look at his face, his face lit up and he delightedly exclaimed, "Aaahh, if it isn't the Truthless Recluse himself. To what do I owe such a pleasure?"
Sage looked up at him with genuine curiosity. "It is said that the Truthless Recluse never descends from the Peak of Truth... How may this humble scholar be of service to you?"
That wasn't entirely true, Truthless Recluse did occasionally descend the peak for the market when he was low on food, but even then he mostly kept himself hidden, lest he be forced to socialize with other cookies.
At Sage's question, Truthless Recluse's eyes brimmed with sorrow. "Stop pretending. You know all too well that there is nothing at the Peak of Truth."
Sage just kept smiling and clapped his hands. "Eureka! At last, the answer to the age-old question is found! Why Truthless Recluse never leaves his beloved peak vacant! Why every cookie who went near to true enlightenment was inevitably pushed back from the ascension they so craved!"
Sage tilted his head, as if expecting a confirmation. "All this time, my best hypothesis was that the Peak of Truth had been seized for good by some petty curmudgeon. Do you mean to say you sought only to protect seekers from disappointment?"
So Sage didn't know what was at the peak, unexpected but not unbelievable. Then again, had he known he would know doubt be spreading the fact like all the other truths he knows.
Truthless Recluse didn't bother denying Sages claim, there was no point. Sage had a knack for guiding cookies into the maw of the cruel truth, the parasite he was.
"I, too, once made the same mistake, and for that, faced despair upon the Peak... There was no truth expecting me. No truth to save us all. And I cursed myself hundreds, thousands of times over for my folly."
All his sorrow and despair came forth in a single question. "Why do you persist?!"
Why spread the truth when it only does harm?
Sage simply pointed upwards and said, "Alas, the truth is imperfect by design... and yet, one must not turn away from the light of ones own truth."
Sage gave a warm smile and a welcoming gesture, "Not unlike yourself whose truth is to protect others from anguish."
Truthless Recluse didn't answer, and soon left the square entirely.
While he had watched Sage for a while from his spire at the Peak of Truth, the in person encounter was nothing like what he thought.
He didn't expect the curious gaze, the bright smile, and especially not the accurate analysis of him.
But it made no difference, Sage was still spreading the truth, and he would always hate him for it.
A week later exactly, Sage showed up at Truthless Recluse's door.
"Hello friend!" He smiled and waved as if they've known each other for years, while Truthless Recluse stared in confusion.
"What... are you doing here?" What reason could Sage possibly have for ascending the Peak of Truth a week after learning that there was nothing there? Did he not believe him and want to see for himself? Then why did he look so happy?
"Why, to visit you of course! You seemed awfully glum when I last saw you and I figured you could use the company."
...
What.
Is he serious?
Did he honestly come here just because he thought Truthless Recluse looked sad?
Truthless Recluse's brows furrowed, "I am in no need of your company, go away."
Sage just kept smiling and pushed past him, "Oh don't be so sour, I'm sure one conversation won't hurt."
It really wasn't much of a conversation, it was mostly Sage asking questions, and then giving his theories when he didn't get an answer.
Hours later, Sage left with the promise to come back next week.
Truthless Recluse told him not to bother.
Sage did return the next week, and the week after that, and the week after that, and so on, even the blue birds were used to his presence now. Sage would talk to him once a week without fail.
Sometimes he would bring gifts, be it tea leaves or flower seeds, saying how it was healthy to indulge in his hobbies. Sometimes he would change into a she, changing her form into what felt right that day.
Truthless Recluse has long since stopped telling her not to return since there was clearly no point, and NOT because he enjoys Sage's presence.
He definitely didn't prepare tea on the days Sage visited because he liked her, it was just the only thing that could help him survive her constant chatter.
Lately Sage's constant talking has shifted. Instead of the constant questions, she had begun talking about herself, though she still asked quite a lot of questions.
"What boardgames do you like to play? I've noticed you have a chess board but you've never mentioned wanting to play. Do you like playing chess? I quite like chess, though it's never been my favorite. My favorite boardgame is scrabble! I used to play it all the time with my siblings, to the point where they started actually learning new words from playing with me."
Usually Truthless Recluse would not comment, simply listening to Sage prattle on, but something caught his attention.
"You have siblings?"
Truthless Recluse never actually thought about the fact that Sage might have a family, he never mentioned them before now.
Sage seemed surprised at having gotten a response, but quickly went back to smiling.
"Yes I do. The other virtues, I'm sure you've heard of them. The Salt of Freedom, the Spice of Abundance, the Flour of Resolution and the Sugar of Passion."
The conversation went on, with Sage talking about her family, with Truthless Recluse occasionally chiming in.
He ended up learning quite a bit. He learned Sage and the other virtues were all made from the same dough, making them like a family. Salt was the oldest, followed by Flour, Spice and Sugar, making Sage the youngest.
He also learned that Sage had two children from a previous relationship, Grapevine Cookie and Prune Juice Cookie. They were both overseas for school but they sent letters regularly. Sage didn't speak about the father, and Truthless Recluse didn't ask.
Lastly, he learned that Sage used to have game nights with her siblings. That they would play games like sorry, uno or scrabble, with scrabble being her favorite. That they don't really do it anymore since they've gotten more busy, and Sage misses them.
Truthless Recluse asked a second question.
"Your favorite boardgame is scrabble?"
Sage giggled. "Yes yes I know, it seems like a childish choice. But must that make it less enjoyable?"
Sage went on to talk about how and why she liked playing scrabble, with Truthless Recluse listening with interest.
Odd, he's never found her words so engaging, maybe because he's never responded to her before.
Sure, she was still a truth spreader, but maybe some company wasn't so bad after all.
And for the first time, Truthless Recluse answered Sage's question.
"Yes, I do like chess."
Weeks later, Truthless Recluse's view of Sage had changed completely.
As the weeks went on they had started playing games together, they mostly played chess since it's what Truthless Recluse had, but sometimes Sage would bring his scrabble game and they would play that.
Sage would often talk during the games, and Truthless Recluse let it slip in a game of scrabble that he used to like gardening.
"Yes, I knew it!" Sage exclaimed triumphantly. "I knew the flowery decor outside wasn't a coincidence. So what kind of flowers do you like? Oh! Have you planted any of the seeds I gave you?"
Truthless Recluse silently cursed himself for letting that information slip, and begrudgingly answered, "I don't really garden anymore."
Sage immediately responded, "Oh that won't do, you already barely take care of yourself as is, you shouldn't deny yourself the joy of indulging in your hobbies."
After swiftly winning the game with the word 'obstreperous', Sage then made it his goal for the day to go gardening with Truthless Recluse.
"Now where are those seeds I gifted you, I know you have them around here somewhere."
Sage started searching the spire for the seeds while Truthless Recluse simply watched. Did he really have to do this? Was it really that important that he work on his hobbies?
But then, Truthless Recluse noticed something.
When Sage started looking in higher places, be it high shelves or cabinets, he raised his arms, causing his sleeves to go down his arms, revealing cracks.
Had those always been there? He had seen Sage raise his arms before, were the cracks not there?
Or had he just not been looking?
"Aha! Here they are." Sage exclaimed as he pulled the Seed packets out of a cabinet. He went up to Truthless Recluse, but stopped once he saw his expression.
"Why the long face? Don't tell me the thought of gardening truly saddens you this much." His words were playful, but his eyes showed genuine worry.
"Your arms..." Truthless Recluse carefully took one of Sage's arms and rolled up the sleeve, revealing the cracks underneath.
Now that he had a closer look, these were definitely there before they met. From what he could tell, there were cuts that had been reopened a number of times, he couldn't tell how many.
"How did this happen?"
Sage looked surprised, then put on a sad smile.
"You werent incorrect in your claims about the truth."
Now Truthless Recluse was the one who looked surprised, still listening as Sage continued.
"The truth can hurt, in many ways, and this happens to be one of them."
Truthless Recluse was speechless.
All this time, he thought that Sage was nothing more than some goody two shoes truth spreader, but... this changed things.
Sage was hurt by the truth too, probably more so an most cookies... just like he once was...
But he had one more question.
"There are cracks around the edges of the cuts, that shouldn't happen unless a significant amount of pressure was applied."
Sage gave a nervous chuckle, "I've always been more fragile than most cookies, that's probably why."
Sage's expression abruptly changed back to the bright smile he had before, "But enough about me, you're the grumpy pants who doesn't know how to enjoy himself."
Sage dragged him to the garden, and Truthless Recluse followed without complaint.
He'll admit, it was nice gardening again. But the cracks still stayed in the back of his mind.
Months had past since then, and the cracks still never left his mind.
He had begun to notice things he hadn't noticed before, like how he almost never used his legs to walk, preferring to float everywhere he went, or how his arms trembled slightly when he lifted something heavy.
But he also noticed things that were new, like how his hand tended to linger when they touched, or how his eyes started to hold something he dared not yet name.
It all culminated on the night of the blue moon.
It landed right on the day that they usually meet, as if fate itself was pushing for the following events.
Sage had arrived at the same time he usually did, but something was different. His gaze lingered for longer, his touches more frequent, and that look in his eyes was constant now.
They didn't do anything out of the ordinary, they drank tea, played games and talked. Sage mentioned that one of his students, Wizard Cookie was quickly becoming his top student because of his dedication.
Then, at the time they were usually done and Sage left, he instead said,
"Let's look at the moon."
Truthless Recluse followed Sage as he went to the Spire's balcony, not sure why Sage wanted to look at the moon this much, but he wasn't going to refuse.
They spent quite a bit of time just sitting there in comfortable silence, not that Truthless Recluse minded, he actually found it quite nice.
Then, Sage spoke.
"I read somewhere that the sea and the moon are in love and that the blue moon is them meeting."
Sage turned to face Truthless Recluse, looking up at him with eyes twinkling with emotion.
"What do you think?"
Sage leaned in, and Truthless Recluse closed the distance.
The kiss started soft, sweet and full of love, but quickly escalated into heated desire. Soon they had moved from the balcony to Truthless Recluse's bedroom.
The night faded into lustful touches and sounds of passion.
Truthless Recluse was thinking.
He had done that a lot lately, about the cracks, about the looks, the touches, and now, with Sage laying on his bare chest, sleeping peacefully in his bed, he had even more to think about.
There was no denying it, he had tried to before, but it was clearer than ever now.
Truthless Recluse was in love with Sage, and Sage reciprocated his feelings.
Truthless Recluse used to think Sage was just some goody two shoes, spreading the truth just because, without any care about the harm it could cause, but he was a fool for thinking that.
Sage was hurt by the truth too, Truthless Recluse didn't know why he never considered that, perhaps he was blinded by disdain, perhaps he was willfully ignorant, but not anymore.
His Sage was suffering, the marks on his arms were proof of that. He had been so worried about the cookies he was teaching, that he almost completely failed to see the one who needed help most.
But he knew now, and he would act accordingly.
Months later, Sage came by as she usually did.
Lately she's been bringing food with her, saying that eating together would help him put on some weight, and she wasn't wrong, it was helping.
The day went on as it normally did, they talked, played some chess, ate together, it was just as pleasant as every other day he spent with her.
Then, at the time Sage normally left, Truthless Recluse spoke.
"I'd like to show you something."
Sage perked up in curiosity.
"Oh? Whatever could it be? Lead the way my dear, I'm simply buzzing with anticipation."
Sage hung onto his arm as he led her through the spire, with her face showing ever present curious excitement, making his face turn a shade pinker. 'She's so cute.'
They soon reached their destination, they stood before a lake of pure white milk. Sage gazed at it with her curious eyes, a million questions no doubt on the tip of her toung, but before she could ask any of them, Truthless Recluse spoke again.
"This is the milk lake of rebirth. If a cookie falls in, they will be shown their darkest truthes, and will be weighed down by them."
Truthless Recluse's expression turned sad as Sage listened intently.
"The only way to keep from drowning is to embrace deceit... it is how I came to be who I am now."
Sage looked up at him with a somber expression, lifting a hand to cup his cheek.
"I'm sorry that happened to you."
Truthless Recluse's eyes turned downcast.
"I'm sorry too."
Sage looked at him confused, opening her mouth to ask what he could be sorry for.
But before the words could leave her lips, Truthless Recluse picked her up, and tossed her into the river.
Truthless Recluse didn't think he would ever get Sage's look of terror and betrayal as she fell out of his head.
He hated that expression, but he knew it would come, it's probably why he ended up putting it off for so long. But he knew it would be worth it.
Sage was nothing if not stubborn, it's one of the things he loved about her, but it also posed a problem.
No matter how much he tried, no matter how much they talked, he could never convince her to turn away from the truth.
She would always insist that the truth was not something to shy away from, no matter how much it hurt, saying that he shouldn't hide away from the world in ignorance, but he could never forget the cracks on her arms.
The truth had done that to her, she had told him herself, and yet she still refused to turn away from it, and that was why he had to do this.
This was the only was he could protect her, the only way he could make her see just how much the truth was harming her.
This was the ONLY way to keep her safe from the vile truths of this world.
Soon enough Sage emerged from the lake.
Her clothes had changed, just as his once did. Her dress was now a dark blue with gold trim, with her shoulders exposed and a cape draped behind her. Her hat had been replaced by a dark veil with milkcrown flowers at the top, she had elbow length gloves the same color as her dress, and her hair was no longer tied at the bottom, now flowing freel.
She was coughing and gasping for breath with tears in her eyes. She stumbled forward, and fell forward into his arms, where he held her and stroked her back in comfort.
Through her coughs, she tried to say something, only for him to hush her softly.
"Shhhh, don't speak my love, just let me hold you."
He continued to hold and comfort her as the coughing slowly died down, turning into sobbing.
He carefully scooped her up as she cried to take her to the bedroom, she would no doubt exhaust herself and need rest once she had calmed down.
He knew from experience that this reaction was coming, it would be a lot for anyone to process, but he would be there to help her through it.
He hated the sight of her tears, and he hated the sound of them even more, but it was all necessary, he would keep his Sage safe no matter the cost.
Sage hadn't spoken for a while.
Sure it was expected, but Truthless Recluse missed her voice. It was okay though, he could do the talking until she was ready.
For months, Truthless Recluse dutifully did his best to take care of Sage as she recovered. Bringing her food and water, bringing her books to read, holding her when she cried.
Eventually, she started talking again, and everything became a type of normal.
They would eat together, play games together, garden together, and Truthless Recluse was the happiest he had ever been in a long time.
How could he not be? He got to spend nearly every waking moment with the love of his life, who was kept safe in the spire where he could keep her safe and sound forevermore.
That's not to say there were no downsides, Sage didn't smile nearly as much as she used to, he missed it, but it would come back with time, he was sure of it. She just needed more time, and he would wait as long as he needed to.
"I wish to leave the spire."
Truthless Recluse looked up from the flower he had just planted to look at Sage in surprise.
"Why would you want do do that? We have everything we need here, do we not?"
Truthless Recluse had done his best to make sure that Sage had everything he needed here in the spire. He made sure to get his favorite foods from the market, he kept the library stocked with new books to read, he got fabrics and sewing supplies for Sage's sewing hobby, he even had his blue birds intercept the pail so Sage could still receive the letters from his sons siblings. Whatever could Sage want that he couldn't take care of here?
"Not for good! I just..." Sage looked down nervously. "There are some things from my home I wanted to retrieve, that's all. I can come right back afterwards."
Oh, of course, why hadn't Truthless Recluse thought of that?
Of course Sage had belongings that he wanted to retrieve, no matter, Truthless Recluse could take care of it.
"Don't worry. I can simply have my bluebirds fetch your things for you, you've no need to leave the spire."
Sage looked like he wanted to say something, but lowered her gaze back to the garden.
"Okay."
Truthless Recluse smiled, cupped Sage's face and gave him a kiss on the head.
"Just remember my dear, if you ever need or want for anything at all, just let me know, and it'll be done. There is no need to leave while I am here with you."
Sage's eyes sparkled at his words, he looked so beautiful in the garden, surrounded by flowers. The garden had been flourishing since Sage had encouraged him to tend to it.
Yes, Truthless Recluse would cater to Sage's every want and need right here in the spire, where Sage could stay safe and sound.
"Now, what was it you wanted fetched from your home?"
The next day, Truthless Recluse's bluebirds had returned with the items Sage requested.
An old tea set, a box with his son's old leters, a stuffed rabbit, and a signed copy of a book titled 'Alice Cookie in Wonderland.'
Oddly enough, the book was the first thing Sage picked up, hugging it to his chest with a smile.
Truthless Recluse must have made a face without realizing, because when Sage looked at him, he glanced away with a bashful look, still smiling.
"Sorry, it's just been my favorite book since I was young. I've always been glad to have a signed copy of it."
Truthless Recluse hadn't seen Sage smile like that in so long, he had missed it so much, he felt as if he might tear up from happiness, he knew it would come back.
Truthless Recluse smiled.
"I don't think I've read that story, what is it about."
"It's about a young girl named Alice Cookie who follows a white rabbit and gets transported to a magical world called wonderland. Where she meets all sorts of creatures and goes on adventures. She gets insulated by talking flowers, meets a smoking caterpillar, has tea with a Mad Hatter, sees a smiling jelly cat, gets chased by a cake beast, and almost gets beheaded by the queen of hearts, in the end, she gets chased by card guards only to wake up to her sister telling her it's time for tea."
"So it was all a dream? That seems like a bit of a disappointing ending."
"You may think so, but it actually represents-"
They continued to talk and eventually ended up reading the book together, and then talking about it some more.
Truthless Recluse smiled the whole time, he had missed this. Sage talking endlessly about something and somehow always having more to say the longer they talk.
Once the day was done, they put away Sage's tea set, put the rabbit abd box on a shelf in the bedroom, and put the book on a bedside table.
Even in bed, Truthless Recluse couldn't help but steal one final look at Sage's smiling face.
Things were finally becoming how they should be.
The day had started normally.
They had eaten breakfast together like always, tended to the garden and brewed some tea, nothing out of the ordinary.
They played a game of scrabble, Sage had won with the word 'stagnant'.
Then, before they could set up a new game, a loud crash was heard, along with an angry sounding voice.
"TRUTHLESS RECLUSE, SHOW YOURSELF."
Truthless Recluse's brows furrowed in annoyance, while Sage's eyes widened in recognition. But before she could say anything, Truthless Recluse had already transported himself to the entry room of the spire, where he found the doors in pieces on the ground, and a man wearing white armor and a cloak wielding a sword.
Truthless Recluse spoke to the man with indifference, wishing to get him out as quickly as possible.
"What do you want, out with it quickly, I have buisnes to attend to."
The man pointed his sword at him, and though his face was covered with a helmet, his rage was evident.
"You rotten beast, what have you done with my sister!?"
Truthless Recluse rolled his eyes and answered impassively.
"I don't know who you or your sister are, can you leave now?"
The man didn't let up, how annoying.
"I've heard rumors of the Sage of Truth traveling to the Peak of Truth, only to vanish without a trace. So I came to see for myself, lo and behold, she was nowhere to be found."
Ah, so this was one of Sage's siblings. He was probably the Salt of Freedom from what she's told him.
As if on cue, Sage burst through the doors, panting from exertion.
"Brother wait!"
Salt's body language softened at the sight of her, only to take in her appearance, and turn back to Truthless Recluse in anger.
"What foul magic have you put my sister under!?"
Truthless Recluse stepped in front of Sage, his expression growing more annoyed by the second.
"I've done only what I needed too, now are you quite done? I don't have all day to entertain unwanted guests."
Salt took a battle stance, clearly having no intention of leaving.
"Fine then. If you won't let her free from your grasp, I'll simply strike you down myself."
Truthless Recluse's eyes darkened.
"I don't have time for this."
Salt raised his sword, and Truthless Recluse raised his staff.
"STOP!"
Time seemed to slow to a stop.
Sage had thrown herself into Truthless Recluse's chest, wrapping her arms around him.
"Please, he's just worried about me, don't hurt him."
She looked up at him with pleading eyes, and his gaze softened as he returned her embrace.
Truthless Recluse raised his staff again, and Salt was gone.
Sage looked up in alarm, but Truthless Recluse was quick to reassure her.
"I sent him back down the peak, he should keep reappearing there if he tries to come back."
Sage sighed in relief, and Truthless Recluse spent the rest of the day wallowing in guilt.
Sage loved her siblings, he KNEW Sage loved her siblings, and he was going to attack her brother in front of her.
Had he killed Salt, she would never have forgiven him.
Speaking of Salt, he was still trying to ascend the peak.
Even as the sun set, and he and Sage settled into bed, he could still sense him trying to get back up the peak.
Truthless Recluse carefully maneuvered his way out of bed as to not wake Sage, and transported himself behind Salt.
"Why are you still here?"
Salt turned around to face him.
He seemed to regard him more calmly than before, though he was still guarded.
"Back at the spire, I saw the way my sister looked at you, and how you looked at her."
He tilted his head slightly downwards, contemplating.
"Only a fool ould not notice the affection in your gaze, so why,"
He looked up to face Truthless Recluse.
"Why do you keep her here, and don't tell me she stays purely choice. I've known her for far longer than you, and she isn't one to deny herself freedom without outside interference."
His tone was stern, not as angry as before but still demanding, so Truthless Recluse answered honestly.
"The truth hurts all cookies who touch it, she is no exception. Her constant spread of truth was not cruel by choice, but still no less harmful. Here, she is safe from it's grasp, where I can make sure she wants for nothing, while protected with me."
Salt seemed to consider his words carefully, before responding.
"Is that honestly what you think?"
Truthless Recluse was taken aback, and Salt kept talking.
"Did you not think about what outside consequences would come from this? Did you think I and the other virtues would never find out? And what of Sage's students? Did you think word would not spread when their teacher vanished with no explanation? And Sage's sons, do you think they'll stay overseas forever? They will one day come back, do you think they won't search for their mother when they do?"
Truthless Recluse didn't answer. Salt wasn't expecting answers, he kept speaking.
"Listen to my next words well, for I will not repeat them. Your intentions may be noble, but your actions are misguided. No matter how sincere you may feel in your methods, you've no right to deny someone their freedom, for a gilded cage is no less a cage, no matter who holds the key."
Salt turned away from him.
"I will leave for now, but I will soon return, and until then, consider my words, for if no change is made, there will be consequences."
Salt left the Peak, and Truthless Recluse returned to bed.
Salt was wrong, he had to be.
Sage was happy here, he's seen to it himself.
She wasn't caged, she was simply kept safe.
And Truthless Recluse would make sure it stayed that way, no matter the cost.